DCLM ADULT STS LESSON 76 PARABLES OF THE SEEDS

MEMORY VERSE: “And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables” (Mark 4:11). 

 TEXT: Mark 4:1-41

The title of this lesson is apt because three out of the four parables recorded in the text are about seeds and their growth. A parable is a short story that is used to teach some truth, religious principle or moral lesson. During Christ’s earthly ministry, multitudes always gather to hear His words, even though some of them were not sincere seekers of the truth. Some were mere curious listeners who, like the Athenians in Paul’s day, were only interested in hearing something new (Acts 17:21). Others were drawn by sheer crowd effect and had no definite purpose for being in the gathering (Acts 19:32); still, some came because of what to eat (John 6:26). Among Christ’s audience, there were disciples who truly wanted to learn and obey the truth. To this small crowd, Jesus taught the principles of God’s kingdom in parables. He used simple stories to wrap up deep and profound truths which would be understood by those who sincerely sought after God. It is an irony that Jesus fetched His parables from the familiar background of his listeners but those who were insincere did not understand them. The text records the parables of the sower, the seed and the soils (Mark 4:1-8,13-20); the lamp (Mark 4:21-25); the unnoticed growing seed (Mark 4:26-29): and the mustard seed (Mark 4:30-32).

1.   THE SOWER, THE SEED AND THE SOILS IN THE KINGDOM 

Mark 4:1-25; Matthew 13:1-9,18-23; Luke 8:5-15; Ecclesiastes 11:6; Genesis 15:11; Hosea 10:12; Psalm 1:14;92:13-15

In the parable of the sower, Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a farmer who sowed by scattering seeds on the farmland. The seeds fall on different portions of the field. The seeds sowed on the “wayside” “stony ground” and among “thorns” were all unproductive. It was only the “good ground” that produced varying degrees of fruit. This parable teaches the necessity of hearing and understanding the word of God for a person to develop and bear fruit in God’s kingdom. Also, it shows the importance of continuing in the Word without getting entangled with the world, otherwise the tender life produced by the seed will be choked. Invariably then, it is not enough to hear the word of God or grow in Christ only for a while, God expects those who receive His word to bear fruit (Isaiah 5:1-7; Mark 11:13,14; Luke 3:8,9; 13:6-9; John 15:1,2). Jesus interpreted the parable when the disciples asked Him. The sower represents the preacher, the seed is the word of God and the soils symbolize the different kinds of hearers. On the great field of the world, the word of God is dispersed to all. Christ Himself was sowing the seed of the Word when He went about teaching and preaching. Now, He sends all believers to sow or preach the Word in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:1,2; Ecclesiastes 11:4,6). Christ reveals causes of fruitlessness of those who are exposed to the gospel. The “way side” hearers do not pay sufficient attention as they are distracted by the beehive of traffic and passers-by; among them are spiritual robbers whose main goal is to “steal”., kill and destroy the seed. They are casual, nonchalant listeners to the word of God. People who hear the word but do not understand have hearts like the wayside seed where the seed is exposed and easily snatched away by the devil. The second category are those whose hearts are hardened underneath though they present a good front. They receive the word with zeal and joy but at the slightest temptation, trial or persecution, they fall away just because they are not deeply rooted and cannot endure any stress on account of their obedience to the Word. The third category are those whose hearts are likened to a thorny ground. The word they have received is on the verge of producing fruits but the cares of this world, desire for riches and lusts, acting as spiritual thorns, choke the word and make it fruitless. From this parable, we can identify some factors that hinder growth and fruitfulness in the kingdom of God.

First is a careless disposition to God’s word. Anyone who fails to make necessary effort to hear, understand and practice the word of God will not grow or bear spiritual fruit.

Second is the hardness of heart. The Bible teaches that the heart can be hardened through unbelief, repeated sinning, impenitence, pride, and deceitfulness of sin (Exodus 9:34; 2 Kings 17:14; Daniel 5:20; Mark 6:52; 8:17; 16;14; Acts 19:9; Romans 2:5; Hebrews 3:13). These hardeners and will prevent a person from being deeply rooted in God.

Third, worldly cares and encumbrances, worldliness and inordinate pursuit of riches can make a seemly growing believer stifle the growth of the fruits of the Christian character.  (1 Timothy 6:9,10). The word of God produces fruit only on a “good ground”. This represents a heart that seeks after God and from which all hardness and thorns have been removed. “For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns” (Jeremiah 4:3). People with the good hearts are earnest, honest, sincere and patient in their pursuit after God; they endure all circumstances and vagaries of life, weather conditions and eventually produce fruits of righteousness, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, soul-winning and effective service in God’s kingdom. They progress from the level of fruitfulness to another as they continually experience spiritual pruning- The truth of God’s kingdom is precious and it is sought after only by those who know its value. Therefore, when Jesus spoke in parables, earnest seekers would probe deeper and endeavor to understand their meaning, whereas the insincere would simply remain unperturbed in their ignorance. From the eleventh and twelfth verses of the text. It would appear that Christ’s parables are designed to keep some people from getting saved. But this is not so. So. The statement: “lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them points out the consequence rather than the intention of Christ’s parables. God is not willing that sinners should perish but that all men come to repentance (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). What is expressed here is that those who fail to seek the meaning of Christ’s teaching would remain ignorant, unconvinced. Unrepentant and unsaved. The Lord made it that the gospel is universal in scope and no one should be deprived of its benefits. He indicated that as the gospel might be compared to seed, so is a candle or lamp designed to give light to all men. The word of God is meant to be shared with everyone. It must not be kept in the secret but published everywhere so that everyone could partake of its blessings (Mark 4:21,22; Matthew 5:15; Luke l1:33). The Psalmist describes it this way: “Thy word Is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). However, some people fail to see the gospel light (2 Corinthians 4:3,4). And when that blindness departs and people hear and receive the gospel, the god of this world makes frantic efforts to steal the word from them. 

2.   SILENT GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SEED 

Mark 4:26-34; John 6:63; 15:1-5; 1 Corinthians 3:4-7; Acts 2:41; 4:4; 5:14; Job 8:7

Jesus used two other parables to illustrate growth and development in the kingdom. The parable of the seed growing secretly is peculiar to Mark’s gospel. “And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come” (Mark 4:26-29). This parable teaches that the growth of God’s kingdom is like seed planted, but growing without human aid. As the seed has the power of new life in it, so is the word of God. The Word has the power to produce a new life in those who receive it. Jesus said: “…the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). Here, the emphasis is on the potency of the seed and its ability to reproduce in a way man cannot explain. However, this is not intended to discourage human effort in spiritual harvest; but to show the balance of human-divine partnership involved in spiritual growth and fruit-bearing. Whereas, the parable of the sower emphasizes the duty of man in achieving spiritual harvest, the seed growing secretly points out God’s power in producing it. The sower may sow the seed and another may water it but the increase comes from God. Apostle Paul made this clear to the Corinthian church. “For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, And who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:4-7).  Again, the Lord compares the kingdom of God to “a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: 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” (Mark 4:31,32). The parable of the mustard seed foretells the expansion of the kingdom  as seen in the remarkable growth of the church. It contrasts the small and insignificant beginning of the church with its phenomenal growth to the extent it becomes a place of refuge to many. In this parable, Jesus indicated that the work of God’s grace often proceed from small beginnings (Acts 1:15; 2:41; 4:4; 5:14; 6:7; 19:20: Revelation 11:15). Therefore, believers should not despise the day of small beginnings but we must rely on the promises of God that: “A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation… though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase” (Isaiah 60:22; Job 8:7). “And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it” (Mark 4:33). Preachers of the gospel should learn from Christ to words and illustrations that are easy to understand in their messages. They should do audience analysis to know what their audience will understand and digest easily. 

3.   STORM AT SEA CALMED BY CHRIST 

Mark 4:35-41; Matthew 8:22-27; Luke 8:23-25; Psalms 89:6-9; 107:23- 31

After dismissing the multitude, Jesus and His disciples crossed the sea of Galilee or lake of Gennesaret in a boat. While on their journey, a life-threatening tempest arose. Meanwhile, Jesus slept at the backside of the boat and the disciples had to wake Him when they could not deal with the situation any longer. Jesus arose and simply rebuked the raging storm and there was a great calm. Afterwards, He reprimanded the disciples for their lack of faith. How could they ever imagine that the storm would sink the ship with their Lord and Master in the boat with them. This striking miracle throws up a number of lessons for believers.

One, it confirms the humanity of Jesus Christ. He had been preaching all day; weary and tired, so He slept.

Two, it demonstrates His obedience to and proves His divinity,

Three, implicit obedience to Christ’s command or even His presence with us, does not preclude a storm arising in the journey of life. That we are following the Lord will not guarantee a smooth sail all the time.

Four, there is a common temptation to doubt the Lord’s care whenever we face danger or difficulties. This temptation is stronger when our prayers are not answered and Christ seems asleep or unconcerned about the storm in our marriage, finances. Health or spiritual life. But, remembering His faithfulness in the past and His promises concern our future, we ought not to doubt His love and care.

Five, This teaches us that with Christ’s abiding presence, no storm of life can sink the boat of our little ships on the sea with Jesus also benefited from the miracle.

Six, in the journey of life, we must ensure Christ is present with us. Otherwise, when storms arise, there will be none to deliver.

QUESTION FOR REVIEW

1. Why did Jesus speak in parables?
2. What can a believer learn from Christ’s explanation on the parable of the sower?
3. What factors can hinder growth and fruitfulness in the kingdom of God?
4. Point out the major instructions from the parable of the seed growing secretly.
5. What should a gospel minister learn from Jesus’ Ministry?
6. How does the stilling of the storm manifest the dual nature of Christ?
7. What can believers learn from the miracle of the stilling of the storm?