Mark 4:1-20

I. Jesus “taught them many things by parables”

A. The parable of the sower (Mark 4:1-9)
B. The purpose of parables (Mark 4:10-13; cf. Isaiah 6:9-10)
C. The seed is the Word (Mark 4:14)

II. The wayside (Mark 4:15)

A. The hardened heart; opposes truth before it is even spoken
B. No heart penetration; no change in character (Acts 2:37; 7:54)

III. Stony ground (Mark 4:16-17)

A. The unstable hearer; superficial and shallow joy
B. Fall away in the face of persecution (2 Timothy 3:12)

IV. The thorns (Mark 4:18-19)

A. The distracted hearer
B. Even innocent pleasures can become sinful (2 Timothy 4:10; Col. 3:1-2)

V. Good ground (Mark 4:20)

A. The faithful hearer who bears fruit
B. Bearing fruit (John 15:5; Matthew 7:17-19; Galatians 5:22-23)