The Parable of the Mustard Seed/The Growing Seed

Intro:

This morning we are going to be jumping back into our series The Parable of Jesus. So far in this series we have looked at the purpose of parables, the parable of the sower, the parable of the wheat and tares, and the parable of the two sons. What we have seen so far is Jesus used analogies, figurative language, and imagery to convey kingdom truths and principles.

A few important truths:

The Condition of Heart matters. Hard hearts can not receive the kingdom of God.

Kingdom Seed (the word) carries divine power to save your soul and produce great spiritual fruit. Jesus expects fruit in our lives.

Seed is sown first in us, then we are sown into the world.

Pride leads to destruction. Kingdom people are filled with humility.

We are to do the work of the kingdom.

We understand that the seed has divine power and good soil can produce a great harvest, but how does the seed grow?

If you would, turn with me to the book of Mark 4. We are going to look at two parables today. The first is the parable of the growing seed Mark 4:26-29, and the second is the parable of the mustard seed Mark 4:30-32.

Let’s read them together.

Mark 4:26-29 “And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.””

Mark 4:30-32 “Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.”” Also Mentioned in Matthew 13:31-32, Luke 13:18-19.

________________________________________________________________________

Submit & Apply:

Before we look at the parables applications let’s break down the illustrations Jesus uses.

The Parable of the growing seed:

He is revealing a principle of the kingdom of God.

There is a man who is scattering seed on the ground.

The man sleeps by night, and rises by day.

The seed sprouts and grows.

The man does not know how.

The earth yields the crops in progression.

At the time of the harvest the man puts in the sickle.

Explanation of the parable:

In the kingdom of God, believers and ministers sow the gospel seed of the kingdom. The sower does not know how the seed grows, but Christ does. The man in the normal routine of life, having cast the seed on the ground, can do nothing more. He rests in the night, and rises and works in the day, trusting the potential life that is in the seed to germinate.

God would have to cause the rain, the dew, the sun, and nature to cause that seed to grow. The sower did the possible, God does the impossible. The man can do nothing of himself to make the seed has sown to grow. The seed has life in itself. He doesn’t dig it up daily to see if it is growing. He simply trusts the seed sown to God.

Growth happens secretly, silently, and mysteriously because of the life that is placed in the seed by God himself. First the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear. The result of the growth is a fruitful harvest.

Application of the Parable:

There will be no growth or harvest without the word. We all have responsibility to sow the word. Naturally you would expect ministers to sow the word, but every believer is to sow it as well. First into themselves, and secondly into those around them.

The potency and potential of the seed is not determined by man. It is determined by God. Prior experiences can not override the power of the seed, nor can they stop or impede the growth of seed planted in good soil. Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing will be impossible.””

We are not in control. The man sleeps by night and rises by day, and does not know how the seed grows.

1 Corinthians 3:7 “So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.” We have to live a life of faith in God. Trusting that He will do what He said he would do. Kingdom seed does not grow by your works. It is a work of the Holy Spirit. As with natural seed, we sow it, water it, and it grows. We do not make it grow. It grows because that is what it is created to do. Disciplines and consistency will only go so far if they are not infused with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Growth which produces fruit takes time. There is a process to growth. First the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear. Without the process we cannot become established in the kingdom and will ultimately lack fruit. John 15:4-5.

John 15:4-5 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

The kingdom of God stands in direct contrast to the culture of our time.

Everything is about speed and efficiency. Quicker technology, fast food, instant information, etc.

The process of slow growth is vital to the spiritual health of a believer. The kingdom of God is not about quickly gathering head knowledge to share information with others. It is about the transformation of the heart and mind. Without it we will have little affect on others for the kingdom. Why? Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 1 Corinthians 8:1.

Kingdom fruit in your life is meant to encourage and instruct others.

Be mindful not to allow what you have learned to make you become arrogant or prideful especially in your encounters with others. Arrogance and pride are often found in the place of judgement. We are not called to judge others, but to love them.

Now as we have looked at the process of growth, lets now turn our attention to the potential of kingdom seed.

Kingdom seed creates provision greater than expected.

In the Parable of the Mustard Seed:

Jesus gives a picture to reveal the potential of the kingdom seed.

He uses the mustard seed, and focuses on the physical size of the seed.

Someone sowed seed.

Jesus focuses on the extensive growth coming from something small. A small seed to a tree.

Highlights that birds of the air may rest under its shade.

Application of the Parable:

The initial implication is that seed has been sown on good soil. Without it there will be no harvest.

Little is much in the kingdom of God. The mustard seed is smaller than all the seeds on earth; but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.

Mustard Tree Size: The mustard tree can reach an average height of 20 feet with branches close to the ground. Its width can also grow as much as its height. Some mustard trees only grow up to 6 feet while some can reach up to 30 feet, depending on the variety and conditions.

The illustration of the mustard seed reveals truth about the kingdom. Something small produces seemingly unnatural or abnormal growth and development. To the degree that others can be blessed by it’s growth. Consider the church. We are the result of one man’s obedience to death, and twelve of His followers sharing the message. John 12:24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.”

When you choose to sow the seed, the possibilities are limitless.

A great example of this is the organization Convoy of Hope. It was Founded in 1994 by Hal Donaldson whose father was killed in a tragic car crash when he was at a young age. Through the kindness of neighbors, Hal and his family managed to make ends meet. The compassion they received would later lay the foundation for Convoy of Hope.

What started out of the back of a pickup truck in 1994 has grown into children’s feeding initiative where 500,000+ kids are being fed in 33 countries. Women’s empowerment programs in Countries to help impoverished women empower themselves and strengthen families. Global disaster services responding in times of natural and humanitarian crises with tangible aid. Most recently in places like Turkey and Syria after the devastating earthquakes, and flooding in the democratic republic of Congo. They currently have relief efforts in the US including NM to help rebuild after the fires last summer.

They also have agricultural training for local farmers in various nations to help them become more sustainable. They conduct rural initiatives in the US to fight poverty and hunger. They also host community events where they partner with local churches to bring hope and practical resources to families in need.

________________________________________________________________________

Closing:

What they have accomplished is amazing! It all started with a small seed being sown. God has increased it, and the many are being impacted as a result.

Kingdom growth is about more than the individual. It is about sowing the seed of the word and your life into others.

As I close today, I want you to consider what might be possible with your life?

Let’s Pray!

Father Open our eyes to whats possible.

Help us step out of fear and into faith.

Help us to believe for the impossible.