Proper 6 reflection

Mark 4:26-34
Tiny Faith – Think Small

Throughout His ministry. Jesus told many parables. A parable is a story. To help explain a Biblical truth. Today, we will hear the Parable of the Mustard Seed found in Mark 4:30-32.

What we shall see:

1.       God uses small things for big purposes.

2.    We should never look down on the small things.

3.    God’s Kingdom is growing around the world.

Collect for  the Word: Blessed Lord, since You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Hymn: # 79 Standing On the Promises of Christ our King

Confession/Absolution:

LORD - we pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father.

In Your compassion forgive us our sins. Known and unknown. Things done. And left undone. And so uphold us by Your Spirit.

That we may live and serve you in newness of life. To the honor and glory of Your Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God have mercy on you. Forgive you all your sins.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ. And may He strengthen you in all goodness.

And by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

Mark 4:26-34

Jesus also said, The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.

Jesus also said, With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.

With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples. (Mark 4:26-34)

Hymn: #78 Stand Up. Stand Up for Jesus

Give answers to the following. What would you say happens to be:  1.  The Smallest land animal.

2.     The Smallest air animal

3.     The Smallest water animal

4.     The Smallest pet

5.     The Smallest word

6.     Smallest item in the room.

I am so impressed! With all the tiny things you thought of earlier.  You know, I don’t normally think about tiny things.  

I guess because when things are tiny we don’t really notice them.

Think about. If an elephant came into this room right now. Would you notice it?  Of course you would!  How could you possibly NOT see it?

Now, if an ant came into this room right now. Would you notice it?  Some people might. But a lot of people would never even see it.  And even though it’s so much smaller than an elephant. That ant is just as real and just as alive.

The Bible talks about another kind of tiny thing that we haven’t looked at yet.  Jesus talks about something about the size of a single mustard seed.  And a mustard seed is pretty small. In fact it’s the smallest of all seeds.

But mustard seeds don’t stay small.  Once you plant them. They grow up to be huge!  I mean they are taller than you! Taller than me! And sometimes they even get to be taller than this building!  

I would never think such a tiny thing could ever grow to be like that.

Jesus says that faith the size of a mustard seed is all you need.  Really, that small!

Jesus knows we can’t start out as a fully grown, two-story mustard tree.  It’s just not going to happen. But we have to start somewhere.

Any time someone believes in Jesus and His gift of salvation. They are planting their tiny mustard seed of faith.  And what happens when you plant that tiny seed?  It grows up into a huge mustard tree.

You know what makes all of this even better?  Once that mustard tree gets big. It starts to make more mustard seeds.  And if those mustard seeds are planted. They will also grow up to be huge mustard trees.

Your faith is like a pant.

The LORD calls you by the Gospel.  He plants the seed of faith into your heart.

He enlightens you – causing your faith to grow and mature

He sanctifies and keeps you – As a plant flowers so the LORD will continue to guide you so that your faith remains ever alive.[1]

Lord thank you for your love and care. Thank you for planting the seeds of faith into our hears and helping us grow in faith every day.

Words –900

Passive Sentences –1.2%

Readability – 87.3%

Reading Level -3.3

[1] https://ministry-to-children.com/tiny-faith-mark-426-34-sunday-school-lesson/

Image copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things