No media available

Reference

Mark 4.21-34

Mark 4.21    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.”

Mark 4.26    “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.”

Mark 4.30    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.”

Mark 4.33    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.

  • Jesus was experiencing opposition
  • Perhaps disciples wondering where the movement was going

vv.21-22 THE PARABLE OF THE LAMP

  •  The Lamp is Jesus

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” - C.S. Lewis

  • The Light Reveals Sin and Produces Faith

Vv.24-25 THE PARABLE OF THE MEASURE

  • The measure can mean judgment
  • The measure can also mean grace, faith, good works
  • What measure am I using

THE MYSTERIOUS GROWTH OF THE KINGDOM

Vv.26-29 The Parable of the Growing Seed

Vv. 30-32 The Parable of the Mustard Seed

  • Don’t despise the day of small beginnings!
  • Have faith and persist

Vv.33-34 NOT EVERYONE IS READY

  • Even Jesus had to pace how people heard his message
  • We are to slowly and patiently plant seeds
  • Find your people of peace