Born Again series: The Parable of the Sower

 Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables?" Mark 4:13, NLT

Shema!

•     “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” Mar 4.9, 23;
•       10 times on the lips of Jesus throughout the Gospels!

1. What is the seed?

The seed is called by various names which will end up meaning the same thing:

·       "the word,” 

·       “the word of God,"

·       "the word of the Kingdom,” i.e., the Gospel or good news.

NOTE the word of God is not the Bible, aka the scriptures!

 

2. What is the Kingdom? A Gospel of Peace

·       Dan. 2:44; Isa. 2:4; 11.6-9.

Repent and believe: Mar 1.14-15.

The Kingdom is always near but not here!

·       Ezekiel 30.3; Zeph. 1.14 writing in the 7th c. BC;

·       Joel 1.15, 9th – 5th c. BC;

·       Obadiah 15.15, 5th c. BC.

 

3. Born Again Now!

·       Rebirth by the seed = the word, 1 Pet 1.22-23;

·       Produce fruit now! Mat 3.8; 7.16;

·       Become children of God now! Jam 1.18.

 

4. You Choose: Different paths!

·       Rocks, thorns, Luke 8:13-14

·       Satan seeks to take away the seed: Luke 8:11-12; cp. 2Thess 2.10;

·       Choose the right path! Luke 8.15; cp. Col 2.7.

The Born Again process:

·       Hear and understand the word about the KOG: Eph. 1.13.

·       Act by repenting, changing your lifestyle/worldview: Mar 1.15.

·       Plant the seed deep in your heart/mind and bear fruit: Luke 13.19

·       Obedience of faith then comes by baptism: Acts 2.38.

·       Be led by the spirit-seed, renewing your heart/mind every day: Eph. 4.23.

·       Preach the Gospel-seed to all the nations: Mat 28.19.