2. The Privilege
That Accompanies
Understanding

3. The Parable of the Soils - Mark 4:3-9
(Mark 4:3-9) "Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. "And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. "Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. "But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. "And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. "But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred." And He said to them, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (NKJV)

4. Jesus Wants Us to Listen
"He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (Mk. 4:9)

5. Jesus Commonly Taught in Parables
Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His teaching: (Mark 4:2 NKJV) But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples. (Mark 4:34 NKJV)

6. Jesus Taught Some Things Difficult to Understand
Even His Apostles Did Not Understand: But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable. (Mark 4:10 NKJV)

7. Jesus Taught in Parables For a Reason…
And He said to them, "To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, (Mark 4:11 NKJV)

8. Parables teach a lesson today that may be understood at a later date.
Examples: (John 2:22) Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said. (NKJV) (John 12:16) His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him. (NKJV)

9. Lesson: There is a Privilege That Comes With Understanding
(Mark 4:21) “Also He said to them, ‘Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand?’” (John 8:12) "I am the light of the world.”

10. Again, Jesus Wants Us to Listen
“Listen, Behold…” (Mk. 4:3) “He who has ears to hear, let Him hear!” (Mk. 4:9) “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mk. 4:23) “Take heed what you hear.” (Mk. 4:24)

11. Consider the Importance of Listening to God’s Word Carefully
To Be Blessed (Matthew 13:16-17) "But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; "for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

12. Consider the Importance of Listening to God’s Word Carefully
To Have Faith (Romans 10:17) So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (NKJV)

13. Consider the Importance of Listening to God’s Word Carefully
To Bear Fruit (Colossians 1:6) which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; (NKJV)

14. Consider the Importance of Listening to God’s Word Carefully
To Prevent Apostasy (Hebrews 2:1-3) Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, (NKJV)

15. The Privelege That Comes From Understanding
(Mark 4:20) "But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred." (NKJV)

16. The Privelege That Comes From Understanding
(Mark 4:20) "But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred." (NKJV)

17. The Privelege That Comes From Understanding
(Mark 4:20) "But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred." (NKJV)

18. The Priveledge That Comes From Understanding
(Mark 4:20) "But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred." (NKJV)

19. The Privelege That Comes From Understanding
(Matthew 5:14) "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. (NKJV)

20. The Privelege That Comes From Understanding
(Mark 4:24-25) Then He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. "For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him." (NKJV)

21. Jesus Said…
“…he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life…” (John 5:24)
“…if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.“ (John 8:24)
“…Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)
“…whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” (Mat. 10:32-33)
"He who believes and is baptized will be saved…” (Mark 16:16)
“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you…” (John 15:14 – live a faithful life)
(Revelation 2:10) “…Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. “