“Other seeds fell into the good soil, and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” (v.8)
In Mark 4, the parable of the sower teaches the importance of how we respond to the Word of God. It tells us the success or failure of a crop isn't necessarily in the skill of the farmer or in the power of the seed, but in the quality of the soil.
Some listeners are like rich soil, and the message takes root in their heart. Others resemble hard ground, and the seed simply bounces off them. Still others are like a weed patch that chokes out potential growth.
Therefore, the heart of the unbeliever needs to be softened, watered, and cultivated, to become “good soil” that the seed of eternal life might take root, and bear fruit in. Some hearts take longer to prepare than others, and one may not always see the fruit of his labor. Thus the saying, “One sows and another reaps” is true.
The Truth: “I (Paul) planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” (1 Corinthians 3:6)
In Mark 4, the parable of the sower teaches the importance of how we respond to the Word of God. It tells us the success or failure of a crop isn't necessarily in the skill of the farmer or in the power of the seed, but in the quality of the soil.
Some listeners are like rich soil, and the message takes root in their heart. Others resemble hard ground, and the seed simply bounces off them. Still others are like a weed patch that chokes out potential growth.
Therefore, the heart of the unbeliever needs to be softened, watered, and cultivated, to become “good soil” that the seed of eternal life might take root, and bear fruit in. Some hearts take longer to prepare than others, and one may not always see the fruit of his labor. Thus the saying, “One sows and another reaps” is true.
The Truth: “I (Paul) planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” (1 Corinthians 3:6)
