Mark 4:1-34

Bringing the sermon home:

The message of the parable of the soils (vv. 1-20) is summarized in the first word of Jesus’ teaching: “Listen!” Or as He puts it in Luke 8:18, “Take care how you hear.” Every encounter with the Word of God changes us in one way or another, either softening us or hardening us. We are called to listen in such a way that the seed takes root deep within our hearts and bears the fruit of obedience.

One of those fruits is to consciously shine the light of Christ so that others may see it (vv. 21-25). As we scatter gospel seed, some who receive it will desire to know more, and to all who so desire, more will be given. Those who don’t respond in this way will lose even what they think they have. Light is for shining, so let it shine.

The passage concludes with two short parables teaching that God will build His kingdom in His time and in His way (vv. 25-34). The power for the growth of the kingdom is in the seed (i.e., the sharing of the gospel as revealed through every page of God’s Word). We must not succumb to the temptation to tamper with the seed or to let other good things take priority over the scattering of the seed. May we increasingly trust His methods!