Lesson 9: The Parable of the Growing Seed (cont.)

The Parable of the Growing Seed: The Narrative “The kingdom of God…”“The kingdom of God…” –The kingdom, and specifically the growth of the kingdom, is the focus of this parable. –The idea of the kingdom of God has its root in the Old Testament. God was King over His people in the OT (cf. Judg. 8:23; 1 Sam. 8:7; Psa. 103:19).God was King over His people in the OT (cf. Judg. 8:23; 1 Sam. 8:7; Psa. 103:19). Through the prophets, God promised He would establish a kingdom and reaffirm His kingly reign (Dan. 2:44; Isa. 9:6-7; Jer. 30:9).Through the prophets, God promised He would establish a kingdom and reaffirm His kingly reign (Dan. 2:44; Isa. 9:6-7; Jer. 30:9). John the Baptist came preparing for the kingdom.John the Baptist came preparing for the kingdom. Mark 4:26-29

The Parable of the Growing Seed: The Narrative “The kingdom of God …”“The kingdom of God …” –The kingdom, and specifically the growth of the kingdom, is the focus of this parable. –The idea of the kingdom of God has its root in the Old Testament. –Jesus came preaching the kingdom is at hand (Mark 1:15). –The kingdom was established in Acts 2. –The kingdom was a present reality in the first century (cf. Col. 1:13; Heb. 12:28). Mark 4:26-29

The Parable of the Growing Seed: The Narrative “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground”“The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground” –This parable is about how the kingdom grows. –The kingdom cannot and will not grow separate from the seed (i.e., the Word of God, Lk. 8:11). Mark 4:26-29

The Parable of the Growing Seed: The Narrative “And [the sower] should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how”“And [the sower] should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how” –The growth of the kingdom IS FROM GOD. –The seed is sown & then left to work its power. –Natural or acquired talents of the sower will not substitute for the power that is in the seed/word. God has placed life in the seed (cf. John 6:63); it “germinates” when sown in good soil. –When sown, the seed works regardless of the awareness or lack of it on the part of the sower. Mark 4:26-29

The Parable of the Growing Seed: The Narrative “And [the sower] should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how”“And [the sower] should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how” –The growth of the kingdom IS FROM GOD. –No one can explain how things grow. Man does not understand how a seed has life within it, or how it germinates and grows in good soil. –Man certainly has responsibilities—prepare the soil, fertilize it, weed it, plant the seed, etc. –But this parable emphasizes that man cannot make the seed grow. Only God can do that! Mark 4:26-29

The Parable of the Growing Seed: The Narrative “…sleep…rise…sprout and grow…the blade…the head…the full grain in the head”“…sleep…rise…sprout and grow…the blade…the head…the full grain in the head” –The growth of the kingdom IS GRADUAL. –The kingdom, a convert or a mature Christian did not and do not spring up in a moment. –One cannot rush the growth of the seed. –While one can detect the result of growth, the process of growth is imperceptible. It is gradual! A scientist is not made in a day. A language is not learned overnight. Even more true of divine things.A scientist is not made in a day. A language is not learned overnight. Even more true of divine things. –This is a lesson on patience. Mark 4:26-29

The Parable of the Growing Seed: The Narrative “…sleep…rise…sprout and grow…the blade…the head…the full grain in the head”“…sleep…rise…sprout and grow…the blade…the head…the full grain in the head” –The growth of the kingdom IS GRADUAL. –Conversion to Christ is a gradual process. The seed must be planted.The seed must be planted. The seed must be watered.The seed must be watered. The seed must be given time to germinate.The seed must be given time to germinate. The conversion process cannot be rushed.The conversion process cannot be rushed. Someone else may see the harvest of the seed you sow. You may see the harvest of the seed someone else sowed. Important: No room for boasting on our part! Only God gets the credit!Someone else may see the harvest of the seed you sow. You may see the harvest of the seed someone else sowed. Important: No room for boasting on our part! Only God gets the credit! Mark 4:26-29

The Parable of the Growing Seed: The Narrative “…sleep…rise…sprout and grow…the blade…the head…the full grain in the head”“…sleep…rise…sprout and grow…the blade…the head…the full grain in the head” –The growth of the kingdom IS GRADUAL. –Conversion to Christ is a gradual process. –God can! God knows! “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). –Thus, we must sow and water continually. And, we must be patient! (cf. 2 Tim. 4:2) Mark 4:26-29

The Parable of the Growing Seed: The Narrative “…sleep…rise…sprout and grow…the blade…the head…the full grain in the head”“…sleep…rise…sprout and grow…the blade…the head…the full grain in the head” –The growth of the kingdom IS GRADUAL. –Christian growth is a gradual process. If it is possible to expect too little of ourselves, it is also possible that we could expect too much of ourselves.If it is possible to expect too little of ourselves, it is also possible that we could expect too much of ourselves. –Congregation growth is a gradual process. The church can and should only grow as large as the preaching of the gospel will make it.The church can and should only grow as large as the preaching of the gospel will make it. As long as members are fulfilling their responsibilities in teaching the lost, let God take care of the increase.As long as members are fulfilling their responsibilities in teaching the lost, let God take care of the increase. Mark 4:26-29

The Parable of the Growing Seed: The Narrative “ For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head”“ For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head” –The growth of the kingdom IS ORDERLY. –The growth of the seed is marked by orderly development. First little blades, then the ear, then the full grain.First little blades, then the ear, then the full grain. Trees = first the bud, then the blossom, then fruit.Trees = first the bud, then the blossom, then fruit. Human = first an infant, then child, youth, then adult.Human = first an infant, then child, youth, then adult. –May be impossible to tell when one period ends and next begins, but the stages are recognized. Mark 4:26-29

The Parable of the Growing Seed: The Narrative “ For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head”“ For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head” –The growth of the kingdom IS ORDERLY. –Conversion to Christ is an orderly process. First, hear the Word.First, hear the Word. Then, faith is created and grows in the heart.Then, faith is created and grows in the heart. Then, faith blossoms into repentance.Then, faith blossoms into repentance. Then, a desire to openly confess faith is manifested.Then, a desire to openly confess faith is manifested. Then, one enters Christ and His kingdom by being baptized (Jn. 3:3-5; 1 Co. 12:13; Ga. 3:27; Ro. 6:3-4).Then, one enters Christ and His kingdom by being baptized (Jn. 3:3-5; 1 Co. 12:13; Ga. 3:27; Ro. 6:3-4). Mark 4:26-29

The Parable of the Growing Seed: The Narrative “ For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head”“ For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head” –The growth of the kingdom IS ORDERLY. –Christian growth is an orderly process. First, one is a newborn babe (1 Pet. 2:1-3; cf. 1:23).First, one is a newborn babe (1 Pet. 2:1-3; cf. 1:23). Sadly, some never grow beyond baby (1 Cor. 3:1-4; Heb. 5:12-6:1).Sadly, some never grow beyond baby (1 Cor. 3:1-4; Heb. 5:12-6:1). Others attain to spiritual maturity (Phil. 3:15; 1 Cor. 14:20).Others attain to spiritual maturity (Phil. 3:15; 1 Cor. 14:20). Should not expect to gather grain from the blade.Should not expect to gather grain from the blade. Mark 4:26-29

The Parable of the Growing Seed : Lessons Learned Man indeed has a vital part in the growing process, and his part is an active one. He has a responsibility to sow the seed and see that conditions are right so the seed will have a chance to grow.Man indeed has a vital part in the growing process, and his part is an active one. He has a responsibility to sow the seed and see that conditions are right so the seed will have a chance to grow. But, in the end, the kingdom belongs to God, and the growth of the kingdom will be from God.But, in the end, the kingdom belongs to God, and the growth of the kingdom will be from God. We must wait patiently for God to do His part (James 5:7- 8).We must wait patiently for God to do His part (James 5:7- 8). This parable puts us in our right place. We are helpless without God. It is not enough to work. The Christian must work and pray. Some things we can do, but there is much we can never do, and there is nothing worthwhile we can accomplish without God’s hand.This parable puts us in our right place. We are helpless without God. It is not enough to work. The Christian must work and pray. Some things we can do, but there is much we can never do, and there is nothing worthwhile we can accomplish without God’s hand. “The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the LORD” (Lam. 3:25-26).“The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the LORD” (Lam. 3:25-26). Mark 4:26-29