Welcome/Visitors
“Some Christians want enough of Christ to be identified with him but not enough to be seriously inconvenienced; they genuinely cling to basic Christian orthodoxy but do not want to engage in serious Bible study; they value moral probity, especially of the public sort, but do not engage in war against inner corruptions; they fret over the quality of the preacher’s sermon but do not worry much over the quality of their own prayer life. Such Christians are content with mediocrity.”
Prayer
Little things in the Kingdom
Mark 4:24-25
24 And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. 25 For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
I know it’s a difficult morning. Let’s press on like we should.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
[13] But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. [14] For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
We’re still in the gospel of Mark and last week we learned from Jesus on the parable of the sower. Today we will pick right back up in the same passage. To frame it up for you, let’s think in these terms. Jesus has just told us about who will and won’t enter the Kingdom (who are saved and not saved)….he will follow up with what life in the Kingdom looks like for the believer.
Mark 4:21-34
A Lamp Under a Basket
[21] And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? [22] For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. [23] If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” [24] And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. [25] For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
The Parable of the Seed Growing
[26] And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. [27] He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. [28] The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. [29] But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
[30] And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? [31] It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, [32] yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
[33] With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. [34] He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.
What does this tell us? 3 things
- Do not hide your faith or faith that is real will truly show
- The Kingdom will grow and when God is ready, He will harvest.
- Some great things come from small beginnings
- Do not hide your faith or faith that is real will truly show
[21] And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? [22] For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. [23] If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” [24] And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. [25] For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
Let’s read and understand that “a lamp” is “the lamp” and that’s Jesus. So we should not and cannot be ashamed of Him.
John 1:1-5
[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4] In him was life, and the life was the light of men. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
In those days the whole house was lit by the little lamp. Think of a bowl pinched at each end with oil in it and a wick hanging out. How well would it work if you put it under a basket or under the bed?
What should we do with a lamp? The higher you put the light the more light supplied to the room. So this is our witness, our Christian walk. We are to live as Christians and show God’s goodness. We aren’t to be showy or Pharisees…we love people and show them the love of Christ.
We live in a dark time. A dark society. Darkened minds. Light is needed and a little light chases off the darkness, right?
The Jews should have recognized this. Their people were to be a light unto the world. Jerusalem and especially the Temple up on the Hill were to be filled with light and a shining example for the world to be drawn to the Lord, but He had an even better thing in mind. The light would come and dwell among us and then send us out as little lights to the world.
So a truth to know and instructions to follow, but a warning in this too.
[24] And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. [25] For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
What’s He saying?
Pretty plainly. Use it or lose it right? Not lose your salvation, but you lose your closeness and opportunity to grow. Adam and Eve sinned and the first thing they did was hide. You won’t grow when you are far away from God, and He cannot use you as well as possible. NOTE: you’re also more vulnerable to sin as you wander away from Him.
Practically it’s not a basket that gets in the way. It’s our pride or shame or our bad attitudes or our resentment or complacency or hardness of heart, or you name it. You recognize this in yourself and it’s not pretty, right?
- The Kingdom will grow and when God is ready He will harvest.
[26] And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. [27] He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. [28] The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. [29] But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
What’s He saying?
We don’t understand all the things of the Kingdom and God’s ways, but we know plenty to follow Him and do His commands. Jesus is pointing to the wonderment of how a seed grows and the miracle of a plant.
What we do is get bogged down in all of the why’s in everything. We even question God. I’m not telling you that it’s a sin to wonder why things happen and search the scriptures for answers, but I can help you by telling you that there are things we won’t understand until we get to heaven.
He’s also saying …when God is ready that Jesus will return.
Matthew 24:38-44
[38] For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, [39] and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. [40] Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. [41] Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. [42] Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. [43] But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. [44] Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
So be ready. The Kingdom is like this. We won’t fool God and say, oh when it gets close to his return, I’ll straighten up. Or when I get close to death I’ll make things right…..well, let’s not risk that. Let’s make them right now.
- Some great things come from small beginnings
[30] And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? [31] It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, [32] yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
So like we talked about with the kids. Little seed or nut or acorn begets a big thing. The Kingdom is like this.
Oh by the way….the mustard seed isn’t the smallest seed. Is Jesus wrong? Is God unaware of science?
No….and this is a perfect example of how people get distracted in the Bible and off the main point. It’s also a source of argument for the liberal theological community to dispute the inerrancy of scripture.
Let me help us (and them). It’s a figure of speech. It’s hyperbole.
Don’t you do this? That’s the best catfish I’ve ever eaten? Best song or movie I’ve ever heard or seen. How about this?
Luke 21:38
[38] And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.
Right? Figure of speech.
Now What does this passage tell us as Christians?
Little is much when God is in it.
Big things come from small beginnings (the Kingdom is like this) it’s folly to the world.
We don’t have to be the star of the show or understand everything
When we get to heaven won’t there be people who were never known on this earth that were wonderful servants.
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Jesus is telling and explaining to us what the Kingdom looks like. I’ll tell you it’s not optional. We need to follow Him.
We need to be light.
We need to trust the sower, because he’s coming to harvest one day.
We need to do the little things that He’s called us to do. Not worry with what has happened or not happened to all of your dreams. You will hear lies of what you deserve and how everything is all about you and your comfort and success. I’m here to tell you that it isn’t promised in this world and our job/privilege is to serve Him and be comforted by Him.
1 Corinthians 3:7-9
[7] So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. [8] He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. [9] For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.