Springs Article 2021-06 (1)
Mark 4:3-9
Mark 4:10-13
Mark 4:14-20
What are the 4 different kinds of soils (grounds) according to Mark 4:3-9?
- 1. Hardened soil – total resistance – no growth – unfruitful
- 2. Stony soil – internal resistance – little growth – unfruitful
- 3. Thorny soil – external resistance – stunted growth – unfruitful
- 4. Good soil – no resistance – total yieldedness – great growth – fruitful
What is the spiritual seed that produces spiritual fruit according to Mark 4:14?
- The Seed is Word of God!
- You receive the Word in the place of fellowship (personal and corporate)
- You receive the Word in the Church (the Body of Christ)
What do the soils (grounds) represent according to Mark 4:15 KJV?
- The state of your heart with respect to the Word of God!
- 1. Unbelieving heart – unbelieving churchgoers
- 2. Shallow heart – shallow believers
- 3. Compromising heart – compromising believers
- 4. Faithful heart – faithful believers
How do the different hearts respond to the Word according to Mark 4:14-20?
- The unbelieving hardened heart is dominated by religious hypocrisy. It hears the Word (Truth) but doesn’t allow it to enter in.
- The shallow stony heart is dominated by stones of bitterness, unforgiveness, pride and prejudice. It receives the Word (Truth) but doesn’t allow it to take deep roots.
- The compromising thorny heart is dominated by thorns of ambition, riches, acceptance, recognition, comfort and pleasure. It receives the Word (Truth) with some depth but allows distractions and worldly influence to choke up its growth.
- The faithful good heart is free of stones and thorns. It is submissive, committed and yielded. It receives the Word (Truth) with great depth and perseveres in continuous obedience until it bears multiple and lasting fruit.
- John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Ephesians 6:14
What determines the state of my heart?
- Attitude!
- Your attitude determines how far you go in the Kingdom of God
- Your attitude towards the Word of God, the things of God and the Church of God determines your fruitfulness in the will of God!
- Your attitude can either be ‘humble and obedient’ like Jesus or ‘proud and rebellious’ like Satan, Philippians 2:5-9, Isaiah 14:12-15, James 4:6
- It’s never too late to change your attitude. Repent and do it today!
2021: A Year of Sanctification