Behold, there went out a sower to sow

Behold, there went out a sower to sow
by Pete Berardi

In Mark Chapter 4 Jesus tells the parable of the sower. This is a very popular and powerful parable. Unlike many of Jesus’ parables, this one is explained and interpreted by Jesus. It is made clear for us that the seed is the word of God. Some seed fell on stony ground, some fell on thorns and some fell on good soil. For readers that are not familiar with the story, the passage occurs in all four gospels. I have elected to take the passage in Mark 4.

Preachers are sowers of the word. There are many people that have the belief that when it comes preaching the word of God, persuasion is in order. I do not have that belief. A few years ago, I had a brief but prosperous sales career. Persuasion was my life. My sales skills were honed through gaining knowledge and experience. I can unequivocally say that persuading and preaching are not the same thing at all.

When one persuades, he attempts to learn how another one thinks first. He then uses that information to strategically present his audience with information in a manner that will seem irresistible to the hearer. When he receives objections he then tries to overcome these objections and “shove the product down the person’s throat”. Although there are many salesmen that only sell based on need, there are more that sell to make money. Often times the customer’s best interests are not in mind, and the salesmen wants the customer to buy the product whether he needs it or not. Because of quotas and salary, manipulation techniques are not only welcomed but taught.

Preaching is not that way at all. When professing the gospel, it is really the Holy Spirit that is doing the work. While sharing the good news with someone, it is best to just tell the truth with hope that it falls on open ears and an open mind. The Bible states that faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). The Bible also states that the word that goes forth out of God’s mouth shall not return unto him void, but it shall accomplish that which he pleases, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto he sent it (Isaiah 55:11). This is the attitude that we should have when professing the gospel to someone. We should say the truth, preach the word and hope that God will use it to save this person. Pray Hard and Trust.