Pentecost 4
– Proper 6
June 17, 2018
Mark 4:26-34
To Live is to Grow
When we stop growing. We stop living. When we
stop developing physically, mentally and spiritually. A decline begins. Until
death is reached.
Life means growth. Both in this world. And the
next. Today Jesus teaches that the kingdom of God is growing. We do not know how
it grows. When we are tempted to think the kingdom has lost its influence and
power. Jesus offers this profound assurance. From Christ’s perspective. The
kingdom is slowly and surely growing. You can’t see it? That’s the point! The
Kingdom grows secretly.
Christian people need to be encouraged to ever
have a growing edge. To be reassured. That the kingdom is in the process of
coming upon the earth. The Parable of the Growing Seed is a parable of Jesus. Which
appears only in Mark. The Parable of the
seed growing secretly. Is a parable
about growth in the Kingdom of God. Today we consider Jesus’ words. As He
teaches us concerning the Kingdom.
I. The
miracle of growth – v.27
- Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and
grows, though he does not know how. (Mark 4:27)
A. Even
when the farmer sleeps. The Kingdom of God is still growing. Its growth is due
to God. Not man. And follows its own timetable. The seed of the kingdom grows.
While the farmer sleeps. The farmer only sows and reaps. Nothing in between.
The sower does not cultivate nor irrigate. The seed does its own growing.
Illustration: Anyone who has read to their children or grandchildren,
“Frog and Toad together”[1] knows this. You
can sing to your corn. Talk gently to your soy beans. I can play Brahms'
Lullaby to my eggplant all day long. It won’t make them grow.
B. The
point Jesus is making. - You can do nothing to bring the kingdom of God
on earth. You cannot force God’s Kingdom coming by good works. Social programs.
Or legislation. This is solely, completely, and totally The Father’s work. – This
is exclusively God’s effort.
II. The manner of
growth – V. 28 – “All by
itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full
kernel in the head.” (Mark 4:28)
Illustration: Just a few weeks ago. As I set out to plant
the garden. I happened to find a package of seeds which read, “Tomatoes” and “Experimental.” How long had I had them? At least fifteen years.
Maybe longer. No harm in planting them. Why not? Sure enough! They sprouted.
And they continue to grow. Notice what the Savior says. “All by itself the soil produces grain…”
A.
The
kingdom of God has a growth from the smallest seed to the greatest shrub. There
is a contrast between the beginning and the ending of the kingdom. The minimum
becomes the maximum. The kingdom will continue to grow until it covers the
entire earth.
B. The
kingdom had a tiny start. Jesus and twelve men. When it ends some day. When the
whole number of persons in this world will be added to the kingdom. Then. And
only then. Will the end come. But the one
who perseveres to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be
preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will
come. (Matthew 24:13-14) Here is hope and optimism for Christians living in
these challenging times. And these difficult days. It is the Father’s world. He
alone brings about growth. He alone sustains His kingdom. He alone guards and keeps
it.
III. The maturation of growth – v. 29 –“As soon as the grain is ripe; he
puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” (Mark 4:29)
A. One
of the great miracles of nature is the power of life in a seed. Put a seed in
the ground. Water it. And in a short time. The seed sprouts with new life.
God’s Word. Jesus said. Is like seed sown into the hearts of Christian
believers just like you. When this seed is received in faith. It has power to
produce new life. As you hear to this Word today. The power of the Word of God
is working its work in your life.
1. The
Word planted into your heart is power to bring you to faith. For the word of God is living and active,
sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of
spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of
the heart. – (Hebrews 4:12)
2. The
Word planted into your heart is power to grow a harvest of good works in your
life. And we continually thank God that
in receiving the word of God from us, you did not accept it as the word of men,
but as the true word of God. And this is the word which is now at work in you
who believe. (1 Thessalonians 2:13) For you have been born again, not of
perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of
God. (1 Peter 1:23)
B. The
farmer plants in order to reap a harvest. The Father sows His seed in His
people to get a harvest. Christianity is not a religion for religion’s sake. It
is not an academic adventure. Into theological discussions. Or far-out
mysticism. Christianity is a very practical religion. Though we are not saved
by our works. Our faith. If it is genuine. Produces fruit. A harvest is
gathered. The good and bad are separated and people receive either good or
evil. Says the Lord Jesus, Once again,
the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and caught
fish of every kind. When it was full, the men pulled it ashore. Then they sat
down and sorted the good fish into containers, but threw the bad away. So will
it be at the end of the age: The angels will come and separate the wicked from
the righteous. (Matthew 13:47-49)
Jesus in
these parables is speaking about the Kingdom of God – Not any worldly kingdom.
It is not a kingdom that can be seen. It is not one that has a geographical
local domain. The Kingdom of God is the people of God who live under the reign
of the Father. We call this kingdom the Church. Which is the Communion of the saints.
It is invisible to us. And it subjects are
known only to God.
Growth comes
as the Father permits it. Growth comes as the Spirit gives life. Growth comes as
the Lord continues to support and sustain His Kingdom. Thanks be to God. Who has promised both to will
and to do His good pleasure to those who seek Him.
______________
Words- 1,160
Passive
Sentences-5%
Readability-84.6
Reading
Level-3.5
No comments:
Post a Comment