Mustard Seed(s)

Pentecost +3b      June 17, 2012

1 Samuel 15:34-16:13 — Psalm 20—2 Corinthians 5:6-17 — Mark 4:26-34

Mustard Seed(s)

Father’s Day

-      Talk about Dads

1. God does amazing things through small numbers
2. What does he want to do through us?

The Gospel Text

1.    The Kingdom of God is like: a “Growing Plant”

a)   Farmer scatters seed

b)   Night & Day – it grows.

·        The Farmer doesn’t know why.

c)   Mark 4:28 “The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens.

d)   Mark 4:29 “And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.

         

2.    The Kingdom of God is like: a Mustard Seed

A Mustard Seed:

a)   Starts small

·        Grows quick

·         Mustard plants are very easy to grow and do not require much attention, however, basic needs of proper amounts of sunlight and water is a must for mustard plants.

·         This plant loves cold and so it is preferable to plant it in the early parts of spring.

b)   Grows BIG

·         The mustard plant size is usually between 35 to 40 inches, depending on the environment, fertilizers used and proper care of the plants.

c)   Is Usable

·        Almost all parts of the mustard plant is usable and the leaves are boiled and eaten as vegetables.

d)   Is still a plant.

·        It will eventually die

·        It will eventually need to be replanted

·        Yet it reproduce!

In 1976 Indian farmers plowed the ground then broadcast the seeds by hand.

By sowing 2 kgs. (or 4.4 lbs) per hectare, they were getting an average yield of 547 kgs (over 1203 lbs) per hectare (roughly 2.5 acres)

Not only does it grow quickly.

          It rapidly reproduces!

v The Kingdom of God:

§  Grows from a small seed

-      Sometimes planted Intentionally

-      Sometimes unintentionally

§  Grows very quickly

§  Grows in cold atmospheres

§  Wants to reproduce!

v The Kingdom of God:

§  Is the same species today as it was 100+ yrs ago

§  But it is not the same plant!

-      It has seasons

-      It has lifespan

v The Kingdom of God:

§  Is not a stagnant system.

§  But an organic life giving, changing, growing inviting species

The Kingdom of God & the Church

This text about the Kingdom of God…

Ø  Planting & Growing

Ø  The Mustard Seed

§  Makes me think of the Church.

Ø  Mark 4: ²⁷ Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. 

§  Are we ready to not understand?

§  The church flourishes in some places, and doesn’t in others.

The Church seems to be dying in Europe

Ø  But God says it is like a Mustard Seed.

§  It will grow

§  It will reproduce (even rapidly)

§  It will (eventually even die)

·        But it will Grow in cold places

·        It will multiply 200%

The Kingdom of God is like:

·        A farmer who scatters seed

·        A Mustard seed: the smallest of seeds, but the biggest of plants.

          

Are we ready to:

·        Scatter Seed?

·        Not understand?

-      How God works?

-      How we grow?

·        Are we ready to be used by God?

-      For HIS Kingdom!

-      For His Glory!

-      For His Purposes! 

  

v The Kingdom of God:

§  Grows from a small seed

§  Grows very quickly

§  Grows in cold atmospheres

§  Wants to reproduce!

  

1.   God does amazing things through small numbers

2.   What does he want to do through us?

3.   What does he want to do through YOU?

 v Benediction: Ephesians 3:16-21

As you Go, May the seeds you plant, multiply to the glory of God.  Go and Love!