Parable of the Seed

Mark 4:26  And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;

27  And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.

28  For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.

29  But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

30  And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

31  It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:

32  But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

33  And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.

34  But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

Intro: We are all sowing seeds, either good or bad seed

Gal 5:19  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24  And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

26  Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Three things will happen when we sow:

1. We reap what we sow
2. We reap more than we sow
3. We will reap after the kind of seed we sow

I. The good seed we sow is the Word of God

Heb 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

II.  The bad seed we sow is of the flesh

Gal 5:19  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies

III. The mustard seed is given as an example because it is small but produces much

Mr 4:31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:

Lu 13:19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.

Lu 17:6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

IV.  This parable is given to teach the importance of the church winning souls

Matt 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

1. Go after souls
2. Endeavor to win them
3. Train them in discipleship

Conclusion: Jesus taught in parables to get the simple truths of eternal life understood

1. Is what you are doing building the church or tearing it down?
2. Are you giving of your time, your gifts, and money to the Lord and His Church?
3. Would the church exist and prosper if everyone gave as you give?
4. Do you do what you do to please God or impress people?