Mark 4:1-20 "Don't Simply Hear- Listen"

The recording on this one is rough, but listenable. As we have been making our way through the Book of Mark, I have reminded you that there is a parallel within the Gospels. I have mentioned what is called the harmony of the Gospels. As I was preparing for this sermon, I noticed that Matthew’s Gospel gives us a collection of 7 parables where Mark gives us 3. I find this interesting because both the numbers 3 and 7 are sacred numbers used throughout the Scriptures. When we read Matthew and Mark together in our private study, we get a cumulative picture of the Kingdom of God. We learn of its foundation, natural development, and glorious spread throughout the world. Any time you are reading Matthew, Mark, or Luke and you find a phrase, “The Kingdom of God is like…” you know the next teaching coming from Jesus is a parable. He taught us these things that we might know what the Kingdom of God is. Today, in our first 9 verses, we have harmony in Matthew 13:3-9 and Luke 8:4-8. It is the parable of the sower.