2023.06.04 Enough is Enough

Enough is Enough

Psalm 28:7-9 • Mark 4:30-32

Mark 4:30–32 NASB 2020

30 And He was saying, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the soil, though it is the smallest of all the seeds that are upon the soil, 32 yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants, and forms large branches, with the result that the birds of the sky can nest under its shade.”

This parable may seem a bit strange to us. I don’t think most of us can appreciate this story on a cursory reading. Some of us may have seen mustard seeds in the grocery store, but most of us have never seen a mustard plant or a mustard tree. In the first century in the Middle East, they would’ve been quite familiar with this plant, so let me help you with that context:

The Mustard Seed is one of the smallest seeds in the world. Now, we know of smaller seeds, but Jesus’ audience would have understood the mustard seed as a symbol of something tiny. Mustard seeds are referenced three times in the New Testament, and all three are making reference to the seed being tiny.

Once planted, the seed grows into a shrub-like plant that bears more seeds. They are sometimes planted in gardens - sometimes in fields, and the seeds are ground into a spice. Mixed with various ingredients, the mustard I put on hot dogs gets its ZING from these seeds.

Have you ever seen a shrub that wasn’t trimmed back regularly? What happens if a shrub is left to grow wild?

Like many other shrubs, if a mustard plant is left alone, it continues to thicken and grow and eventually becomes what we would call a tree.

Jesus’ parable tells us that the kingdom of God begins very very small. But it continues to grow until it provides a home for birds and shade for all sorts of God’s creatures.

Now that you understand what the original audience would’ve understood -

What do you learn about GOD?

What do you learn about GOD from this story?

God provides for his creatures!

He set the world in motion, so this seed’s patterns of growth were designed by God. So Jesus is reminding us what happens, but also telling us the usefulness of this growth pattern.

It provides a plant that is somewhat useful in itself. But eventually, the plant continues to grow into something that provides home for some creatures and shade and protection for countless others.

If the mustard seed is compared to God’s Kingdom, what does this say about the purpose of God’s Kingdom?

As God’s Kingdom grows, it will be a source of shade, protection, and a HOME. Notice in verse 32, that birds don’t just find shade … they NEST … they make homes in this tree. As God’s people bring God’s Kingdom principles to bear in this world, more and more will enjoy shade, protection, and a HOME.

Last weekend, we celebrated Memorial Day.

What are we celebrating on Memorial Day? (those who died in service to the country)

Why do we celebrate their sacrifice? (because their sacrifice provides the life that we enjoy)

We celebrate those who gave the ultimate sacrifice because their sacrifice provides shade, protection, and a HOME for us.

God provides protection and a home for his creatures. Often, he uses human beings to build and provide these protections. That is God’s Kingdom!

John the Baptist told anyone who would listen to repent. Then, he told them why - for The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. God’s Kingdom certainly has eternal implications. But as His people, God expects us to work for his Kingdom to come in the here and now. Jesus even taught us to pray for it! “Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name...” THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

The Kingdom is not just a “next-world” concept. Jesus came to usher in the Kingdom, and calls us all to work for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

What do you learn about HUMANS?

What do you learn about HUMANS?

This parable doesn’t say a thing about Humans! What does that say about humans?

First, Jesus continues to teach in parables. This one is more of an analogy than a parable. Like many other of his teachings, Jesus is trying to help his disciples understand God’s Kingdom.

What’s that say about humans?

The idea of God’s kingdom is difficult for us to grasp.

We often think of God’s kingdom as only an issue for eternity - “Well, when believers die, we’ll experience God’s Kingdom in Heaven!”

True! But the comparison here is very temporal, and I don’t believe that’s coincidental.

When we see systems that are broken here on earth, we should be advocating and working to fix them because we are the agents of God’s kingdom on earth. “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

We tend to rest on our laurels awaiting the ushering in of God’s eternal Kingdom - but we’re presented the challenge of working toward ushering in God’s Kingdom on this planet, in this time.

What do you learn about YOURSELF?

What do you learn about YOURSELF?

Have you thought about the earthly implications of God’s Kingdom before?

It’s easy to ignore it … but we would agree that this world is broken, wouldn’t we?

So what can you and I do to provide shade and shelter for God’s creatures here on earth?

It’s easy to expect everyone to care for their own needs … but we celebrate Memorial Day every year precisely because we’ve enjoyed the benefits of others’ sacrifice so that our needs could be met.

As we consider what needs to change -

What needs to change as a result of what you’ve learned?

We may think we’re too insignificant to make a difference. There are almost 8 BILLION humans on the earth. I’m just one of 8 billion, what can I possibly do?

God’s Kingdom is like a mustard seed.

Change begins small - VERY small - seemingly insignificantly small!

And it grows into a tree that provides shade and shelter to God’s creation.

What small steps can you take to figuratively plant the mustard seed in this world? What small difference can you make?

Many of you’ve likely heard the story of the little boy throwing star fish back into the ocean. As a man asked him what he was doing, the little boy said, “I’m throwing these star fish back in the ocean so they can live.” The man looked at the sand littered with beached starfish, and said, “Look at all these starfish. You’re not going to be able to make a difference.”

The little boy picked up one more starfish and said, “I’ll make a difference to this one,” as he tossed it back into the ocean.

I don’t know about you, but I often think I’m supposed to do something grand, something big, something earth shattering. “I’ll make a difference to this one.”

What small difference can you make? The seemingly insignificant is not insignificant at all. It’s God’s Kingdom coming to bear on the world he created. What will you do?

Let’s pray.

Transition to Communion

Enough is Enough