The Gospel According to Mark (Part 15)

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The Gospel According to Mark

(Part 15)

Good Morning and welcome to Jesus Church

Jump back into our series on life/ministry of Jesus

• Where we are at… Jesus has started public ministry
  • He just picked his 12 disciples
  • Ruffling a bunch of feathers with the religious rulers
• Jesus is shaking up the religious system
  • Because the people are following rules w/o the “WHY”
  • Which like we talked about last week is what religion does
  • It tries to make the rules the ultimate goal instead of God
• So when the religious have issues with Jesus not following their rules
  • He brings them back to the reason for the rules
  • How can you eat with sinners – God wants relationship with them
  • How can you pick food on the sabbath – Sabbath is made for man

And Jesus conveys a lot of his ideas through stories called parables

• Understand that Jesus didn’t invent parables… its how Rabbis taught
  • Jesus was just really good at using parables
  • And his concepts were radical more insightful than any others
• So when Jesus told parables – People were familiar w/ teaching style
  • It was the concepts he presented in the stories
  • That were ground breaking during this time

As Jesus starts… gives us a very famous teaching about a sower/seed

• Now lets remember the context of where we have come from
  • Jesus is facing rejection from those who claim devotion to God
  • He just introduced the concept of the eternal… unforgivable sin
  • He is talking about judgment – WHY?
• Because these teacher have rejected God come to dwell among them
  • They are so obsessed with their own knowledge/understanding
  • That they fail to see the author of their rules before their face
  • If your relationship is more with the rules than the rule giver
    • The rules will do you know go
• So Jesus is seeing all sorts of different people & dynamics so far
  • There are those with harden hearts…
  • There are those who only want healing… believe for a moment
  • You have those who believe… but then it gets too hard
  • And then you have those who devout themselves to Jesus

Mk 4:1-9

Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into the boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were a long the shore at the water’s edge. He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.

Some fell on the rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times. The Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.

When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that “They may be ever seeing but never perceiving and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!”

[PRAY]

If you grew up in church – definitely know this parable

But I think we should be careful to not let Jesus’ teaching become routine

• So easy to hear a sermon on the 4 types of soil (heart)
  • 3 are bad and 1 is good
  • So what type of soil are you
  • Best case you are still dirt… but hopeful good dirt
• But this morning I want us to approach it with no expectations
  • I want us to read this with fresh eyes and curious minds

Two things we need to understand before we dive into this story

• 1: Before this story is about individuals… its about Kingdom of God
  • Jesus says “THE SECRET OF THE KINGDO OF GOD”
    • Today’s world goes straight to my life… my walk with God
    • Its about my heart… even though never mentions hearts
  • And that’s not all bad… of course there is personal application
    • And God wants you to reflect how this relates to you
  • But first and foremost this is about God’s Kingdom
    • And God’s Kingdom is much bigger than any individual
    • God’s Kingdom is His rule and reign over all the earth
• 2: This story is part of a larger story…
  • Part of the Gospel of Mark… but also the scriptures as a whole
  • From Genesis to Revelation – this fits in that over aching story

TAG: Question: How does story fit in God’s kingdom & larger biblical text

Mark 4:1

Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into the boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were a long the shore at the water’s edge.

So the crowds are coming and Jesus ministry is gaining momentum

• The idea that Jesus is casting out demons is a really big deal
  • That’s why the stories keep revolving around this type of miracle
  • Its why the Pharisees try and make excuses
  • B/C demon deliverance wasn’t something people did successfully
    • And Jesus is doing it quite frequently
• So these crowds just keep getting bigger and bigger
  • The reason Jesus goes out on a boat is water is a natural amplifier
  • No have mics and PA systems & sound travels over water
  • So Jesus with this large crowd is able to be heard by everyone
• And this was very abnormal… sustained crowds weren’t that big
  • A rabbi would usually sit on a bench or stand by the sea
  • And there they would teach 10-20 people

Mark 4:2-10

He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.

Some fell on the rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain.

Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times. The Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.

No not sure if we have any farmers… but this story is a little unfamiliar

• But think about the people who are hearing Jesus speak this story
  • 1^st century Jews… most of them would be farmers
  • And they would know exactly what Jesus was talking about
  • Immediately they would have a very strong image of the story
• Like today if it was a story about Youtube shorts or Ticktock
  • And how your followers were like see planted in cyberspace
  • And some followers leave and some stay and some hate on you

Mk 4:13

He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that “They may be ever seeing but never perceiving and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!”

TAG: So what in the world do you do with that…

Need a few minutes to understand what Jesus is saying

So what is Jesus point in the parables he is sharing… whats the goal

• V.13 – The secret of the Kingdom of God has been given to you
  • Parables are Jesus way to reveal how God’s kingdom/rule looks
  • Whenever you read a parable… insight into God’s Kingdom
  • 2x more in chapter 4 Jesus starts with “Kingdom of God is like…”
    • Then he tells the story
• Also Parables aren’t just illustrations… they’re invitations
  • These stories aren’t a means to an end (like sermons today)
  • When Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan…
  • The story IS the point… this is what my kingdom is like
    • If you want to be in my kingdom – Help the man on the road
    • Its an invitation to step into God’s Kingdom in your life
• Last… parables speak to 2 audiences with 1 story
  • V. 10 – Jesus with disciples // V. 11 he mentions those outside
    • And remember Jesus just told us his thoughts on family
    • Ch. 3 – Anyone who DOES the will of my Father
    • Everyone else… they aren’t in his family

And this parable doesn’t just sit in Mark… but the Bible as a whole

• Notice he quotes from Isaiah 6
  • And what is the context from Isaiah that Jesus is pulling form
  • It’s a message of Judgment and Hope
  • God tells Israel because of their rebellion they will be defeated
• But he will restore his people through those who believe
  • The way all the prophets do illustrate this is through a sower/seed

Is 55:10-11

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

• Throughout the prophets we see this picture of a sower sowing seed
  • So when Jesus uses these terms… the listeners understood exactly
  • And this illustration shows up in Ezekiel, Jeremiah…
• In these stories there are always 2 groups (Disobedient & faithful)
  • So when Jesus shows up and talks about a sower sowing seed…
  • He is announcing the redemption of God’s people from exile
• But again there are 2 groups
  • Those who are listening, following, desiring to follow Jesus & God
  • Those on the outside… scribes… pharisees… teachers

Jesus says this is why I speak I parables – Talk to 2 audiences with 1 story

• He speaks to those who are following and seeking Jesus
  • Parables are a way to draw them in to God’s Kingdom
  • It invites them into more of what God is doing & establishing
• He speaks to those on the outside…
  • Those who only care about their own agenda and ending Jesus
  • To them the parables are a message of judgment
• Why parables have message of life… but also a dark undertone
  • Because it’s a message of life to those who will receive it
  • But it’s a message of judgment to those who reject it

If this story is announcing God’s Kingdom

How does it all fit in… well good news is Jesus explains the miracles to us

Mk 4:13

Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?”

• Meaning grasping this parable is critical to everything Jesus will teach
  • If you don’t get this concept I just shared
  • Nothing else will make sense to you
• And I think Jesus is actually a little frustrated here… being human
  • B/C he just tied so much of Israel’s past with picture of the sower
  • Into the present with what His mission is here on Earth
    • So he explains it out point by point

Mk 4:14

The farmer sows the word.

• And I want you to catch this… Jesus is saying the SEED is the WORD
  • Now word in the Greek is NOT scripture… its LOGOS
  • LOGOS – Jesus and his mission of salvation (Jn 1:1)
• So Jesus is saying the Kingdom is like someone who sows this seed
  • In kingdom work the LOGOS is going out like seed to the ground
  • And then we get different scenarios on what happens to that seed
    • And how PEOPLE respond to Gods message

Mk 4:15

Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown IN them.

1st place is the PATH… and the path is hard from life

And so some people hear the Gospel and it doesn’t sink in

• They have too much hurt, pride, own knowledge
  • That just aren’t willing to accept anything… WHY?
  • Because that paths been walked too many times
• And we see this in Ch 3 with the Pharisees… see it later with Romans
  • But we see this all the time in our world as well
  • People’s hearts are hardened & Satan steals that word from them

Now lets talk for a minute about hardened hearts… what does it mean

• We hear about hard hearts here…
  • In Exodus we hear that God hardens Pharoah’s heart…
  • And then God punishes him and all of Egypt for it
  • That sounds pretty messed up to me… if you don’t understand
• In Hebrew language everything is a word picture
  • The word picture here is that of clay and the suns effect
  • Pharoah’s heart is the clay… God’s presence is the sun
    • So when Pharoah chose to defy God
    • Exposure to God & rebellion against him hardens his heart
• And this is what happens to everyone who chooses to reject God
  • And we see this all the time today… same as parable… pharaoh
    • People not only don’t believe
    • They harden their hearts to God… reject him…
  • That causes a tension in their soul – Which longs for its creator
    • So we see people lash out at God… us as his representatives
    • Happened w/ Pharaoh… happened w/ Pharisees & today too
    • They are angry and attack Christian believes (School distict)

This I believe is demonic influence… because the truth is stolen

• And its because of a hardened heart
  • It comes from decisions made against God
  • Just be careful what you allow into your mind/heart

1 Tim 4:1-2

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

• Think a few decisions to look at this… listen 2 that… entertain an idea
  • Its not that big of a deal
  • Absolutely is – don’t let your heart be hardened to the Spirit

Mk 4:16-17

Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the Word (LOGOS) they quickly fall away.

2^nd place isn’t so much hard… its shallow

There are probably people listening to Jesus message and following

• Maybe even people are getting healed by Jesus
  • Come home… super excited… thinking their lives are changed
  • And then they break their arm – or get sick again
  • And some resistance happens in life and your faith starts to fail
• No different today – People come to church and touched by God
  • Or maybe its an alone time where God is speaking to you
  • Or a sermon you listened to online
• 100% God spoke to you and you saw clear as day you need change
  • In the moment you’re convinced… have a plan… gonna happen
  • And then by the end of the day – Ehh I’ll keep doing what I do
• When trials hit… are your roots deep enough to keep your faith safe
  • The doctor says its cancer – Boss says your fired – Whatever it is
  • If you aren’t rooted… that seed is in danger

Mk.4:18-19

Still others, like seed swon among thorns, hear the word, but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.

So its not hard/shallow – This soil is crowded

There were those with Jesus (rich young ruler) who ask for eternal life

• When Jesus says you need to be willing to give away everything
  • He walks away sad… why – He didn’t want to give away wealth
  • And when it came to following wealth or God… he chose God
  • And it doesn’t mean you have to be poor to follow God
    • But when you have to make a choice b/w the two
    • The decision needs to already have been made
• And I don’t know if this could be any more relevant to us
  • The worries of this life…
    • Anxiety is at an all time high (adults/kids)
    • We make life unbearably stressful
  • Deceitfulness of wealth…
    • Many will do anything to make money
    • You have morals but they bend if your making money
  • Desire for things…
    • Wanna go to church – But its the best boat day
    • Wanna follow Jesus but also date guy who does want to
    • Wanna follow Jesus but…
• And if you allow these things – The logos is taken away

Mk 4:20 (luckily it doesn’t end there)

Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it and produce a crop – some thirty, some sixty some a hundred times what was sown.

Good news that there is good soil

We have the great ending where we hear of the good soft soil

• You have the disciples… followers of Jesus – Then & Now
  • Remember these are agricultural people… know a good harvest
  • A really good harvest would be 8x what you planted
  • Jesus is saying these will be 30x which is miracoulous (x100!!!)
• Jesus is saying those who soften their hearts to my word
  • They will see the miraculous through the word of my testimony
  • Also the “harvest” is always a picture in Bible of God’s kingdom
  • Jesus is saying this is the secret of God’s Kingdom

To close… why is WORD compared to SEED

1 – Because the word has life giving power

• Like a seed that goes in the ground and somehow makes this plant
  • Same with the word: When we speak the Gospel… it has power
  • Just like in creation God speaks “let there be light” and it happens
  • There isn’t a declaration and then God does something… it just is
    • Because the LOGOS has this creative power
• But it’s not just creative power… recreative/transformational power

1 Pt 1:23

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

• Where would Peter get this idea of imperishable seed that gives life
  • This is the teaching that formed Peter’s teaching

James 1:18-21

He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created… humbly accept the word planted in you, which an save you.

• Again… this is where James teaching comes from
  • Jesus teaching on the seed… fruit… harvest… word

So yes the Gospel is information for sure… but its more than that

• It’s a power… like a seed that releases power
  • You can take a stone – will that stone ever produce power
  • No… it doesn’t have life giving power
• This is the reason Jesus compares Gospel to a seed… contains power
  • And in your life that power will transform you and everyone else