Lesson 8:

The Parable of the Growing SeedThe Parable of the Growing Seed

The Parable of the Growing The Parable of the Growing Seed:Seed:The NarrativeThe Narrative• ““The kingdom of heaven…”The kingdom of heaven…”

– The kingdom, and specifically the growth The kingdom, and specifically the growth of the kingdom, is the focus of this parable.of the kingdom, is the focus of this parable.

– The idea of the kingdom of God has its root The idea of the kingdom of God has its root in the Old Testament.in the Old Testament.• God was King over His people in the OT (cf. God was King over His people in the OT (cf.

Judg. 8:23; 1 Sam. 8:7; Psa. 103:19).Judg. 8:23; 1 Sam. 8:7; Psa. 103:19).• Through the prophets, God promised He would Through the prophets, God promised He would

establish a kingdom and reaffirm His kingly establish a kingdom and reaffirm His kingly reign (Dan. 2:44; Isa. 9:6-7; Jer. 30:9).reign (Dan. 2:44; Isa. 9:6-7; Jer. 30:9).

• John the Baptist came preparing for the John the Baptist came preparing for the kingdom.kingdom.

Mark 4:26-29Mark 4:26-29

The Parable of the Growing The Parable of the Growing Seed:Seed:The NarrativeThe Narrative• ““The kingdom of heaven…”The kingdom of heaven…”

– The kingdom, and specifically the growth The kingdom, and specifically the growth of the kingdom, is the focus of this parable.of the kingdom, is the focus of this parable.

– The idea of the kingdom of God has its root The idea of the kingdom of God has its root in the Old Testament.in the Old Testament.

– Jesus came preaching the kingdom is at Jesus came preaching the kingdom is at hand (Mark 1:15).hand (Mark 1:15).

– The kingdom was established in Acts 2.The kingdom was established in Acts 2.– The kingdom was a present reality in the The kingdom was a present reality in the

first century (cf. Col. 1:13; Heb. 12:28).first century (cf. Col. 1:13; Heb. 12:28).

Mark 4:26-29Mark 4:26-29

The Parable of the Growing The Parable of the Growing Seed:Seed:The NarrativeThe Narrative• ““The kingdom of heaven is as if a The kingdom of heaven is as if a

man should scatter seed on the man should scatter seed on the ground”ground”– This parable is about how the kingdom This parable is about how the kingdom

grows.grows.– The kingdom cannot and will not grow The kingdom cannot and will not grow

separate from the seed (i.e., the Word of separate from the seed (i.e., the Word of God, Lk. 8:11).God, Lk. 8:11).

Mark 4:26-29Mark 4:26-29

The Parable of the Growing The Parable of the Growing Seed:Seed:The NarrativeThe Narrative• ““And [the sower] should sleep by night and And [the sower] should sleep by night and

rise by day, and the seed should sprout and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how”grow, he himself does not know how”– The growth of the kingdom The growth of the kingdom IS FROM GODIS FROM GOD..– The seed is sown & then left to work its power.The seed is sown & then left to work its power.– Natural or acquired talents of the sower will not Natural or acquired talents of the sower will not

substitute for the power that is in the seed/word. substitute for the power that is in the seed/word. God has placed life in the seed (cf. John 6:63); it God has placed life in the seed (cf. John 6:63); it “germinates” when sown in good soil.“germinates” when sown in good soil.

– When sown, the seed works regardless of the When sown, the seed works regardless of the awareness or lack of it on the part of the sower.awareness or lack of it on the part of the sower.

Mark 4:26-29Mark 4:26-29

The Parable of the Growing The Parable of the Growing Seed:Seed:The NarrativeThe Narrative• ““And [the sower] should sleep by night And [the sower] should sleep by night

and rise by day, and the seed should and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not sprout and grow, he himself does not know how”know how”– The growth of the kingdom The growth of the kingdom IS FROM GODIS FROM GOD..– No one can explain how things grow. Man No one can explain how things grow. Man

does not understand how a seed has life within does not understand how a seed has life within it, or how it germinates and grows in good soil.it, or how it germinates and grows in good soil.

– Man certainly has responsibilities—prepare the Man certainly has responsibilities—prepare the soil, fertilize it, weed it, plant the seed, etc.soil, fertilize it, weed it, plant the seed, etc.

– But this parable emphasizes that man cannot But this parable emphasizes that man cannot make the seed grow. Only God can do that!make the seed grow. Only God can do that!

Mark 4:26-29Mark 4:26-29

The Parable of the Growing The Parable of the Growing Seed:Seed:The NarrativeThe Narrative• “…“…sleep…rise…sprout and grow…the sleep…rise…sprout and grow…the

blade…the head…the full grain in the head”blade…the head…the full grain in the head”– The growth of the kingdom The growth of the kingdom IS GRADUALIS GRADUAL..– The kingdom, a convert or a mature Christian The kingdom, a convert or a mature Christian

did not and do not spring up in a moment.did not and do not spring up in a moment.– One cannot rush the growth of the seed.One cannot rush the growth of the seed.– While one can detect the result of growth, the While one can detect the result of growth, the

process of growth is imperceptible. It is gradual!process of growth is imperceptible. It is gradual!• A scientist is not made in a day. A language is not A scientist is not made in a day. A language is not

learned overnight. Even more true of divine things.learned overnight. Even more true of divine things.

– This is a lesson on patience.This is a lesson on patience.

Mark 4:26-29Mark 4:26-29

The Parable of the Growing The Parable of the Growing Seed:Seed:The NarrativeThe Narrative• “…“…sleep…rise…sprout and grow…the sleep…rise…sprout and grow…the

blade…the head…the full grain in the blade…the head…the full grain in the head”head”– The growth of the kingdom The growth of the kingdom IS GRADUALIS GRADUAL..– Conversion to Christ is a gradual processConversion 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 Someone else may see the harvest of the seed you

sow. You may see the harvest of the seed someone sow. You may see the harvest of the seed someone else sowed. Important: No room for boasting on else sowed. Important: No room for boasting on our part! Only God gets the credit!our part! Only God gets the credit!

Mark 4:26-29Mark 4:26-29

The Parable of the Growing The Parable of the Growing Seed:Seed:The NarrativeThe Narrative• “…“…sleep…rise…sprout and grow…the sleep…rise…sprout and grow…the

blade…the head…the full grain in the blade…the head…the full grain in the head”head”– The growth of the kingdom The growth of the kingdom IS GRADUALIS GRADUAL..– Conversion to Christ is a gradual processConversion to Christ is a gradual process..– God can! God knows!God can! God knows!

• ““So shall My word be that goes forth from My So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).

– Thus, we must sow and water continually. Thus, we must sow and water continually. And, we must be patient! (cf. 2 Tim. 4:2)And, we must be patient! (cf. 2 Tim. 4:2)

Mark 4:26-29Mark 4:26-29