017-Mark 4:21-34
The Gospel of Mark • Sermon • Submitted
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· 21 viewsCIT - Jesus explains to his disciples how the Kingdom of God grows. Christians today can be confident and encouraged by the truths of the Kingdom's Growth.
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Proposition - Christians today can be confident and encouraged by the truths of the Kingdom's Growth.
Introduction
Sometimes the work of the Lord can become frustrating. It can be disappointing. We work hard but see little fruit from our efforts. We shine the light of the gospel and sow the seed of the Word but not much happens. It seems almost futile. Why even continue?William Carey (1761-1834), the father of the modern missionary movement, labored in India 7 years before seeing his 1st Indian convert. He shared the gospel faithfully for more than 40 years but the fruit of his labor was minimal in his lifetime. Still, he could say in the midst of it all, ”the future is as bright as the promise of God” and ”expect great things [from God], attempt great things [for God].”Adoniram Judson (1788-1850), the father of American Baptist missions, labored in Burma also for 7 years before seeing his 1st convert. He would bury 2 wives, a number of children, and die disappointed his labors for the gospel yielded so little fruit. Yet like Carey, he was faithful to the end, and could voice these words, ”In spite of sorrow, loss, and pain, our course be onward still; we sow on Burma’s barren plain, we reap on Zion’s hill.”I cannot help but believe these men, as well as many others, were inspired to press on and stay with it by a little lamp, a bunch of seeds, and one small mustard seed!
1. THE KINGDOM IS A LIGHT TO BE SHINED
1. THE KINGDOM IS A LIGHT TO BE SHINED
Explanation
21 He also said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn’t it to be put on a lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing concealed that will not be brought to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen.” 24 And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and more will be added to you. 25 For whoever has, more will be given to him, and whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”
He begins with a common sense illustration of a lamp.However, there is more to it than meets the eye! A literal translation of the key phrase in vs. 21 “a lamp brought in” is, ”Comes the lamp…”1) it is ”the Lamp”2) ”The Lamp comes.”This is a reference to Jesus Himself.The Lamp is Jesus, the ”Light of the World” (John 8:12), the One who is ”the light of men” (John 1:4), and the One who is ”the true light” (John 1:9). This is no ordinary lamp!How then do we respond to this Lamp?Two principles about the light of the Gospel we need to understand
IF YOU HIDE IT, YOU MISUSE IT
IF YOU HIDE IT, YOU MISUSE IT
21 He also said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn’t it to be put on a lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing concealed that will not be brought to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen.”
A lamp is not turned on to be hidden. In fact, the very idea is silly. Jesus is the light of the World. We have been given that light. In fact, we are to reflect that light to others around us.We have a responsibility to share the good news of Jesus Christ with a lost world.We don’t produce the light – Jesus in us is the light. We simply shine.Vs. 22 – it seems that the good news is hidden. That the world does not see the light nor receive it.John 1 – the world loves darkness. Eph. tells us that Satan is blinding the eyes of people so that they may not understand the Gospel.But Satan will fail. The Gospel of Jesus Christ will be made manifest or seen and understood by all one day.Our job is to tell it. If we hide it, we misuse it.IF
YOU REFUSE IT, YOU LOSE IT
YOU REFUSE IT, YOU LOSE IT
24 And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and more will be added to you. 25 For whoever has, more will be given to him, and whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”
24 Then He said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By the measure you use, it will be measured and added to you. 25 For to the one who has, it will be given, and from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.””pay attention to what you hear”What Jesus is about to say is vital and critically important.Love Jesus and the Word and you get more of Jesus and the Word. Refuse Jesus and the Word and you lose the little you may once have had.This is a critical spiritual principle we must give careful and close attention. Our spiritual health, our spiritual eternity is at stake.
Illustration
The value of exercising and the immediate loss when you stoppre COVID CrossFitknees were feeling bettersleeping bettermore energyPost-CovidKnees hurt againback painless energytrouble sleepingThe progress I was making gone. I didn’t listen to instruction and lost the progress I made.In our walk with Christ is the same way.When we open our ears and listen closely we see progress and continue to grow more.When we shut down and decide not to listen anymore we risk losing the little we had.
Application
9 Instruct the wise, and he will be wiser still; teach the righteous, and he will learn more.
How we respond to Jesus day by day is of the utmost seriousness. Do not take for granted the relationship you have today. It could all be lost tomorrow.
2. THE KINGDOM IS A HARVEST THAT IS CERTAIN
2. THE KINGDOM IS A HARVEST THAT IS CERTAIN
Explanation
26 “The kingdom of God is like this,” he said. “A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 He sleeps and rises night and day; the seed sprouts and grows, although he doesn’t know how. 28 The soil produces a crop by itself—first the blade, then the head, and then the full grain on the head. 29 As soon as the crop is ready, he sends for the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
Jesus again uses a seed as an illustration. The farmer does what he should. He plants. He shines the light. But after that, it is out of his hand. He has done all he can.ILLUS: School. One of the many activities Wilson have done over the years is planting a flower or some other plant. They wait, they watch, they look for that seed to germinate and sprout.Now, with those flowers there is no guarantee that a flower will spring up. However, with the Kingdom of God there is certainty. We don’t work and labor for nothing.
THE MYSTERY OF THE KINGDOM
THE MYSTERY OF THE KINGDOM
26 “The kingdom of God is like this,” he said. “A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 He sleeps and rises night and day; the seed sprouts and grows, although he doesn’t know how. 28 The soil produces a crop by itself—first the blade, then the head, and then the full grain on the head.
Notice the Farmer. He plants and goes to bed. As to the seed he has been scattering the preceding day, he fully realized that he can do nothing about it. He lacks all control over the processes of germination and growth. When night falls once more, he goes to sleep again,….meanwhile the seed is sprouting and growing….the farmer can till the soil, root out weeds, but he cannot make the seed grow. How it grows is a mystery. Henderson-MarkThe responsibility of the farmer is to sow, to pray, trust, and wait patiently. We can be assured that God is at work!Even though we cannot see it. Even though there is no visible evidence that anything is taking place, we know that God is working.There is a mystery. Vs. 28 – Without visible cause, apart from human help. Even when we cannot see it, God is at work.
THE CERTAINITY OF THE HARVEST
THE CERTAINITY OF THE HARVEST
29 As soon as the crop is ready, he sends for the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
And the end: a harvest of celebration and judgment.”Putting the sickle in” is often a symbol of the arrival of the kingdom of God and the judgment that will accompany it.
15 Another angel came out of the temple, crying out in a loud voice to the one who was seated on the cloud, “Use your sickle and reap, for the time to reap has come, since the harvest of the earth is ripe.”
Because God is work, we can be encouraged. It may seem that nothing is happening, but the seed is at work.The harvest is certain. The day of God’s judgment is coming.
Application
Friends, family members you are sharing the Gospel with who are not showing any signs of receiving it. God is working. Our community. Our Church.
9 Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.
There are seasons of Revival in the life of the Church- spiritual victory.There are seasons of harvest in Evangelism-spiritual victory.The power of the Word of God is such that if we sow the seed, pray, and watch for God to work, being faithful, then we will reap a harvest.
5 Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. 6 Though one goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed, he will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his sheaves.
3. THE KINGDOM MAY START SMALL BUT GROWS LARGE
3. THE KINGDOM MAY START SMALL BUT GROWS LARGE
Explanation
30 And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to describe it? 31 It’s like a mustard seed that, when sown upon the soil, is the smallest of all the seeds on the ground. 32 And when sown, it comes up and grows taller than all the garden plants, and produces large branches, so that the birds of the sky can nest in its shade.” 33 He was speaking the word to them with many parables like these, as they were able to understand. 34 He did not speak to them without a parable. Privately, however, he explained everything to his own disciples.
Our third truth is found in the parable of the mustard seed.In His day, there was a common expression used to show smallness. That expression was ”Small as a mustard seed.”This expression was much like our expressions, ”sharp as a tack, high as a kite, bald as a bowling ball or flatter than a pancake.It doesn’t mean that there is nothing sharper than a tack, or flatter than a pancake, they make a point.In this context, Jesus uses the mustard seed to illustrate His point.It is a point that could revolutionize our lives if rightly understood. It is about the potential of the Kingdom of God in our lives. We all want to know the secret of tapping our potential in Christ.
Illustration
The mustard seed.An illustration of smallness.Of small beginnings.Mustard seeds are the small round seeds of various mustard plants. The seeds are usually about 1 to 2 millimeters (0.039 to 0.079 in) in diameter and maybe colored from yellowish white to black.But in those small beginnings, we find a world of potential.Mustard bushes reach an average mature height of between 6 and 20 feet with a 20-foot spread, although exceptional plants can reach 30 feet tall under ideal conditions.
Application
There is the potential for greatness in all of us.Not because of our abilities or talents, but because God lives in each of us.In Christ, we have the potential to tap into the great resource of the power of God, of the seed of the Word of God.We can see the growth in our lives. We know the power of God.He can take someone insignificant and flawed like you and me and use us in a great way!
Apply:
The early ChurchA small room with only a few people.Today 2.3 Billion People.This ChurchWe have tremendous potential to affect real changeWe must continue to open our ears to hear God.We must continue to shine our lightYour life.You have tremendous potential to affect real changeYou must continue to open our ears to hear GodYou must continue to shine our light
Conclusion
By the way, what has happened in India and Burma since the seeds of the gospel were planted there by Carey and Judson? Almost 200 years later.
India: Population: 1.3 billionChristian population 66,194,000 4.8%Burma: Population: 54 millionChristian population 4,322,000 7.9%