TITLE: Four Soils

TEXT: Mark 4:2-8; 13-20

PROPOSITION: The abundance of the harvest depends on the condition of the soil.

QUESTION: Which?

KEY WORD: Conditions

READING: Mark 4:2-8

INTRODUCTION:

          1. Jesus sat in the boat, audience stood on shore.

          2. Sowing seed was done by scattering it (broadcast).

          3. This parable shows that type of soil determines the response to gospel.

1. Packed hard pathway soil.

          A. Describe the ground. 4

                    1. Hard ground.

                    2. Birds devour the seed.

          B. Describe this type of person. 15

                    1. Hear the word.

                    2. Satan comes and removes it.

2. Rocky, stony soil.

          A. Describe the ground. 5-6

                    1. Not much earth, no depth of soil.

                    2. Sprang up, began to grow.

                    3. Sun scorched it - no depth of roots.

                    4. Withered away.

          B. Describe this type of person. 16-17

                    1. No root in themselves.

                    2. Endure for a time.

                    3. Persecution, affliction = offended, die.

3. Weeds, thorns soil.

          A. Describe the ground. 7

                    1. Thorns grew up and choked it.

                    2. It produced no fruit.

          B. Describe this type of person. 18-19

                    1. Heard the word.

                    2. Cares - world, deceit - riches, lusts - things.

                    3. Became unfruitful. (Does not say that it died.)

4. Good, productive soil.

          A. Describe the ground. 8

                    1. Yeild fruit - sprang up and increased.

                    2. Brought forth - 30, 60, 100 fold.

          B. Describe this type of person. 20

                    1. Heard the word, received it.

                    2. Bring forth fruit - 30, 60, 100 fold.