Jesus tells a parable about a farmer sowing seeds on four types of soil. Some seeds fall on the path and are eaten by birds. Some fall on rocky ground and spring up but quickly wither away. Some fall among thorns that choke out the plants. But some seeds fall on good soil and produce a large crop. Jesus explains that the farmer represents himself sowing the word of God, and the different soils represent how people receive the word - some do not understand it, some believe for a short time but fall away in hard times, some are distracted by worldly worries, but some take the word in and produce a large spiritual harvest through their lives.

1. Parable of the sower GODCOMPANY SRI LANKA http://www.slideshare.net/Thornmd/presentations [email_address]

2. Mark 4

3. 1 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. 2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: Mark 4 : 1

4. Jesus said… 3 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell ALONG THE PATH , and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on ROCKY PLACES , where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell AMONG THORNS , which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on GOOD SOIL .IT CAME UP, GREW AND PRODUCED A CROP, MULTIPLYING THIRTY, SIXTY, OR EVEN A HUNDRED TIMES.”

5. Lets take a look at the explanation that Jesus gave His disciples…

6. 14 The farmer sows the word. 15 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. 16 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. 18 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. 20 Others, like seed sown on GOOD SOIL , hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.” Mark 4…

7. The Farmer is Jesus…His word is the seed that He has sown... for us to read, understand and diligently put in to practice LUKE 6 46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like.

9. Co-relate it to a church congregation on any given Sunday…

10. THE SUNDAY CHRISTIAN Mark 4; 15 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.

12. SEED THAT FELL ON ROCKY GROUND THE WANNABE CHRISTIAN 16 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.

14. SEED THAT FELL ON THORNY WEEDS THE SAD CHRISTIAN 18 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.

16. THE TRUE CHRISTIAN 20 Others, like seed sown on GOOD SOIL , hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.”

18. THE TRUE CHRISTIAN cont . Christians who are a light to the dark world so that others who see their actions PRAISE OUR LORD IN HEAVEN AND WILL BE DRAWN TO CHRIST… Matthew 5 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. … THUS PRODUCING 60 – 100 EVEN 1000 FOLD.

19. YOU FOOD FOR THOUGHT… If you convince and bring just two persons to the Lord each year - through your Actions ...and you influence just three such tiers within the year Look how productive you would be… 16 PERSONS!

20. In this very conservative estimate the Number of persons that you could influence to come to the Lord in one year would be 16 Say in 50 years…(50 x 16) 800 persons would be brought to the Lord During this time… just from your influence THAT’S A RATIO OF 800 TIMES…

21. Mark 4 20 Others, like seed sown on GOOD SOIL , hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown .”

22. In the majority or the minority?

23. Matthew 5 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. As Christians we are expected to be productive in carrying the good news of Jesus and His teachings to others… not merely by preaching but by living example…

24. We can obtain an interesting reference to what Jesus means as good seed(Productive Christian) through another parable . MATTHEW 13 37 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

25. MATTHEW 13… 40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.

26. GODCOMPANY SRI LANKA Email: godcompanysl@yahoo.com http://www.slideshare.net/Thornmd/presentations Thank you