Mark 4:26-34- Kingdom Growth
Foundational belief- God loves everyone
Radical truth of Pentecost- The Spirit of God is in the world. people who believe in God’s son- have the very Spirit of God in their life
God is on a mission- the very identity of God is known by God’s action- Father, Son- Holy Spirit- the church is God’s chosen means of living out the mission of God- of redeeming the world.
Today we are going to look at how the kingdom of God- is real- and what it is- and what that has to do with how we function as individuals, families and as a church
Let’s Pray
Jun 18, Kingdom Growth, 1 Sam. 15:34~16:13. Ps. 20. 2 Cor. 5:6-17. Mark 4:26-34.
Mark 4:26-29
26 He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain (A better translation- rather than “all by itself” it is more literally translated, “automatically out of the earth- she gives life- fertility”- kapophoreo) -first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."
Basic points: The prevailing view of the kingdom of God in Jesus’ time [People often go wrong with Jesus’ parables- and try to make each element of the parable be symbolic of a greater truth, however, Jesus’ intention for most parables, including these two, is to tell a down to earth story with a driving main point.]- This is about the nature of KINGDOM and its GROWTH
• The kingdom of God grows- growth is incremental not instantaneous- but “automatic”
• In grows in ways that we cannot understand nor control- it will continue to grow
• The kingdom has a scattering nature- seeds are meant to be scattered
• The kingdom is HOLY DIRT- Spiritual Soil
• The kingdom of God’s threefold nature- Scatterer, Seed, Soil= spreading, realizing potential approaching destiny, surrounded by an environment of nutrients, liquid, warmth= KINGDOM of God is a system of life- not a machine- but a life giving process- individual and community, when it is really present- it fosters growth naturally
• All seeds destinies are linked with the soil- staying in the farmer’s sack isn’t the destiny of a seed.
• The kingdom grows- not just for growth’s sake- but in order to bear fruit- in order to harvest-
• This whole process is a process of meaning and destiny
• The only action of the person in this scene is the spreading of seed- awake or asleep- alive or dead and gone- the spread seed will react with the soil.
• So its not surprising that Jesus than teaches specifically about a seed and a plant...
Mark 4:30-34
30 Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade."
33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
Basic Points: This about the nature of the kingdom
• The kingdom of God is full of potential- which often appears small
• “planted-ness” is important for seeds
• A planted seed’s “DESTINY” has not to do with its original size- but IT’S actual Identity
• The plant can offer refuge- to other creatures
• In the kingdom plants don’t grow to push others out- but to welcome others in and offer shade or comfort
So having looked at these two parables- More than learning (we are not just here to gather information) how are we to be shaped by these 2 parables?
1. Am I growing? What is helping you to grow? What isn’t helping?
2. Am I growing the way God made me? [Pre-school Freckles story] God made you unique- with gifts and experiences- that no one else has in the exact combination- Do we appreciate this? Do we try to fully live into our created destiny? The calling/vocation you have in life- father, mother, farmer, teacher, artist, student, sales, design, secretary, service- Are we fully living into these as God given opportunities
3. Are you in the right soil? Is the soil of your time filled with opportunities for growth- or anti-growth? Are you filling your time non-nutritive sand-
4. Do you realize you are part of the soil for others?- your healthy presence can help people grow.How consciously do you act out being a source of growth for others- I hope you don’t think that is just the pastor’s job
5. How present do we make the kingdom of God through our local church? How much are we a place where people develop their purpose in life- where they can live out the seed potential- the life giving ministry that is given to them by God? How much do we help people reach their destiny?
• The kingdom of God is a system of life- a life giving process- the more a person, family, local church- anchors this process as the driving force in their life- the more life giving that will be available to that individual, family or local church
• A family or church does not have this process automatically by calling themselves christian or church- It happens by faith- believing in Jesus- and by the power of the Spirit- by letting the scripture, prayer, worship and service form you and help you grow
Good News and Good Challenge
When you are being who God created you to be, living in the Spirit as we say, your ministry should flows out of who you are- and your place in life
What is your ministry?- What is your part/nutrient in the soil? Some of you have time on your hands and a calling to pray for our community- this is a powerful ministry.
Some of you have been given creative gifts to help others see how much beauty God has given us in life
Some of us have been given and developed mechanical skills to help repair and fix stuff- showing kindness to others
Some of us can cook the best food around
Some of us are great listeners- and can listen to people with questions about God and faith
by being who you are- you scattered the seeds of God’s goodness and love wherever you go. You cause other people to ask questions- your prayers- your actions- seep into the lives of others- in ways that you never realize.
What if we all began to more intentionally or seriously take on the ministry God is giving each one of us- I hope you understand I am not talking about each of us becoming a pastor- yikes- or even coming and volunteering 10 hours a week at the church doing who knows what- I am talking about using your gifts and experiences- to on purpose- be a servant of God- out in the world
What is your ministry? Where is it? How are you soil for others? How are you like a full grown mustard plant- providing refuge for others? Sometimes people will know that we are “ministering” to them- and sometimes- people won’t care- and sometimes people will ask, “hey were you praying for me the other day?” And joyfully and humbly we say yes. Sometimes people will ask why did you help me with this, or give me that book, or why were so patient with me when I was terrible to you? And humbly and joyfully we say something like “Jesus’ love has changed my life- and I can’t help but share” or “God has blessed me to be a blessing to you” or “God loves you and I figured the best way to tell you was to show you.”
The church was created to help people become aware of their loved status by God- to help them become whole- to help them heal from pain- and help them grow andbecome what they were created to be a loving servant in the world. the local church was invented to help this process happen- the local church is not the Kingdom of God- but it can help usher in more of the kingdom of God- by connecting people to life giving soil- worship, scripture, prayer, learning together, serving together- growing together. AMEN
Radical truth of Pentecost- The Spirit of God is in the world. people who believe in God’s son- have the very Spirit of God in their life
God is on a mission- the very identity of God is known by God’s action- Father, Son- Holy Spirit- the church is God’s chosen means of living out the mission of God- of redeeming the world.
Today we are going to look at how the kingdom of God- is real- and what it is- and what that has to do with how we function as individuals, families and as a church
Let’s Pray
Jun 18, Kingdom Growth, 1 Sam. 15:34~16:13. Ps. 20. 2 Cor. 5:6-17. Mark 4:26-34.
Mark 4:26-29
26 He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain (A better translation- rather than “all by itself” it is more literally translated, “automatically out of the earth- she gives life- fertility”- kapophoreo) -first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."
Basic points: The prevailing view of the kingdom of God in Jesus’ time [People often go wrong with Jesus’ parables- and try to make each element of the parable be symbolic of a greater truth, however, Jesus’ intention for most parables, including these two, is to tell a down to earth story with a driving main point.]- This is about the nature of KINGDOM and its GROWTH
• The kingdom of God grows- growth is incremental not instantaneous- but “automatic”
• In grows in ways that we cannot understand nor control- it will continue to grow
• The kingdom has a scattering nature- seeds are meant to be scattered
• The kingdom is HOLY DIRT- Spiritual Soil
• The kingdom of God’s threefold nature- Scatterer, Seed, Soil= spreading, realizing potential approaching destiny, surrounded by an environment of nutrients, liquid, warmth= KINGDOM of God is a system of life- not a machine- but a life giving process- individual and community, when it is really present- it fosters growth naturally
• All seeds destinies are linked with the soil- staying in the farmer’s sack isn’t the destiny of a seed.
• The kingdom grows- not just for growth’s sake- but in order to bear fruit- in order to harvest-
• This whole process is a process of meaning and destiny
• The only action of the person in this scene is the spreading of seed- awake or asleep- alive or dead and gone- the spread seed will react with the soil.
• So its not surprising that Jesus than teaches specifically about a seed and a plant...
Mark 4:30-34
30 Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade."
33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
Basic Points: This about the nature of the kingdom
• The kingdom of God is full of potential- which often appears small
• “planted-ness” is important for seeds
• A planted seed’s “DESTINY” has not to do with its original size- but IT’S actual Identity
• The plant can offer refuge- to other creatures
• In the kingdom plants don’t grow to push others out- but to welcome others in and offer shade or comfort
So having looked at these two parables- More than learning (we are not just here to gather information) how are we to be shaped by these 2 parables?
1. Am I growing? What is helping you to grow? What isn’t helping?
2. Am I growing the way God made me? [Pre-school Freckles story] God made you unique- with gifts and experiences- that no one else has in the exact combination- Do we appreciate this? Do we try to fully live into our created destiny? The calling/vocation you have in life- father, mother, farmer, teacher, artist, student, sales, design, secretary, service- Are we fully living into these as God given opportunities
3. Are you in the right soil? Is the soil of your time filled with opportunities for growth- or anti-growth? Are you filling your time non-nutritive sand-
4. Do you realize you are part of the soil for others?- your healthy presence can help people grow.How consciously do you act out being a source of growth for others- I hope you don’t think that is just the pastor’s job
5. How present do we make the kingdom of God through our local church? How much are we a place where people develop their purpose in life- where they can live out the seed potential- the life giving ministry that is given to them by God? How much do we help people reach their destiny?
• The kingdom of God is a system of life- a life giving process- the more a person, family, local church- anchors this process as the driving force in their life- the more life giving that will be available to that individual, family or local church
• A family or church does not have this process automatically by calling themselves christian or church- It happens by faith- believing in Jesus- and by the power of the Spirit- by letting the scripture, prayer, worship and service form you and help you grow
Good News and Good Challenge
When you are being who God created you to be, living in the Spirit as we say, your ministry should flows out of who you are- and your place in life
What is your ministry?- What is your part/nutrient in the soil? Some of you have time on your hands and a calling to pray for our community- this is a powerful ministry.
Some of you have been given creative gifts to help others see how much beauty God has given us in life
Some of us have been given and developed mechanical skills to help repair and fix stuff- showing kindness to others
Some of us can cook the best food around
Some of us are great listeners- and can listen to people with questions about God and faith
by being who you are- you scattered the seeds of God’s goodness and love wherever you go. You cause other people to ask questions- your prayers- your actions- seep into the lives of others- in ways that you never realize.
What if we all began to more intentionally or seriously take on the ministry God is giving each one of us- I hope you understand I am not talking about each of us becoming a pastor- yikes- or even coming and volunteering 10 hours a week at the church doing who knows what- I am talking about using your gifts and experiences- to on purpose- be a servant of God- out in the world
What is your ministry? Where is it? How are you soil for others? How are you like a full grown mustard plant- providing refuge for others? Sometimes people will know that we are “ministering” to them- and sometimes- people won’t care- and sometimes people will ask, “hey were you praying for me the other day?” And joyfully and humbly we say yes. Sometimes people will ask why did you help me with this, or give me that book, or why were so patient with me when I was terrible to you? And humbly and joyfully we say something like “Jesus’ love has changed my life- and I can’t help but share” or “God has blessed me to be a blessing to you” or “God loves you and I figured the best way to tell you was to show you.”
The church was created to help people become aware of their loved status by God- to help them become whole- to help them heal from pain- and help them grow andbecome what they were created to be a loving servant in the world. the local church was invented to help this process happen- the local church is not the Kingdom of God- but it can help usher in more of the kingdom of God- by connecting people to life giving soil- worship, scripture, prayer, learning together, serving together- growing together. AMEN
posted by Palouse Fed. Church at 1:49 PM
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