Parables of the Sower
...lution to every problem. This state of mind distorts the Gospel, and the Truth of God's Word and Will, if we do not reject the instant state of mind. It takes an act of the will to overcome the world's viewpoint, and to permit the Holy Spirit to renew our minds. Jesus used farming analogies to teach spiritual Truth. Thus, he made it clear that we are called to plant seed, not harvest the fruit. Seed takes time to grow and be fruitful but now, in these days, most people do not want to wait a long time to get a return on their efforts. In fact, if there are not instant results and instant support and instant fruit, even in our Christian efforts, then many people will think that this is not the God’s blessing. So, our concept of ministry and discipleship comes into agreement with what Jesus teaches us about planting seed. First, we are summoned to plant seed, not harvest fruit. Second, we are not to look for results, but plainly just to plant the seed. Third, if we plant seed, it may be years before we ever hear a report that the seed brought forth fruit of virtue. We are not made responsible for the fruit, but for the planting. In our own personal life, we are responsible to rid of our carnal nature and surrender to the leading and empowerment of the Holy Spirit that we might show forth the fruit of virtue in our lifestyle. Mark 4.3-9 3"Listen to this! Behold, the sower went out to sow; 4as he was sowing, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate it up. 5"Other seed fell on the rocky ground where it did not have much soil; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of soil. 6"And after the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 7"Other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. 8"Other seeds fell into the good soil, and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold." 9And He was saying, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." Jesus tells his disciples the parable about a farmer sowing his seed in the field and how that the seed fell on different types of soil. This parable through Mark has helps us to understand the need of preaching and teaching the word of God to others, and what often will happen when that is done. This lesson went on to tell of seed that fell on stony ground, the other seed that fell on the ground, where thorn bushes grew choking out the growth the seeds produced. There was seed, however, that fell on good ground and produced a great deal. The Lord's explanation of the parable makes plain what his point and purpose were that being, to explain the different hearts on which the word of God will come into contact. Some hearts, as the soil describes, will reject the message of the gospel, while other hearts, such as the stony ground, will receive it. However, even though they accept the truth right away, they do not remain faithful to it and soon fall away from it. Jesus goes on to say that there are hea...