4 Soils, 2 Kingdoms, 1 Gospel Mark 4:1-20

People came to Jesus  Healing  Physical  Spiritual  Hearers  Taught  Trap

Jesus came to teach 4:1 And Jesus began to teach 4:2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: “Listen!”

Jesus taught everything in parables so that people “… may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’” (Mk4:12)

Jesus begins His ministry “The time has come,” Jesus said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mk 1:15)

Insiders and Outsiders Jesus told them (The Twelve), “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you (Insiders). But to those on the outside (Outsiders) 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!’” (Mk 4:11-12)

Jesus spoke in parables: Insiders V10-11a Those to whom the secret of the Kingdom of God is given Outsiders V11b-12 Those who do not want to hear- they bring judgement on themselves

“The secret of the kingdom of God is the secret of the person of Jesus”. C. E. B. Cranfield

Kingdom of Denmark

Kingdom of Denmark cf. Kingdom of God Kingdom of Denmark Small Geographically bound Static One people group One language Many gods Will end Kingdom of God

Kingdom of Denmark cf. Kingdom of God Kingdom of Denmark Small Geographically bound Static One people group One language Many gods Will end Kingdom of God Enormous Not geographically bound Growing Every tongue, tribe and nation One God Eternal

How to Enter the Kingdom of God? Only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Consequences of Not Entering/Entering the Kingdom of God? Not entering -> hell Entering-> fruit/crop

2014 Commonwealth Games Final Medal Table CountryGoldSilverBronzeTotal 1. England Australia Kenya USA0000

Jesus’ Parable: Mark 4:3-8 1.V4 some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 2.V5 Some fell on rocky places… the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 3.V7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 4.V8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.

Yield Yield = f(n) of the soil, not the seed nor the sower

Agricultural Quiz Milk? Oranges? Eggs?

Jesus’ Explanation: Mark 4: Path V15. 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.

Jesus’ Explanation: Mark 4: Path V15. 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. 2.Rocky soil v16. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

Jesus’ Explanation: Mark 4: Path V15. 2.Rocky soil v16. 3.Thorns v Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 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.

“worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things ”

Jesus’ Explanation: Mark 4: Path V15. 2.Rocky soil v16. 3.Thorns v Good Soil v20. 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.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit - fruit that will last”. John 15:16

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22

“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.” Mark 4:20