Mark 4:21-34

Introduction

Prayer Gathering Tonight 5:30-6:30pm

Journey through Mark as a church family

Thank Chris & Heart to see churches planted.

Recap Last week: (Parable of the Sower)

A. 1-3 produce nothing

B. 4-6 Good soils that produce fruit

C. Hear and Believe Summarizes the instruction

Transition:

From Hearing and believing to being doers

With that it mind we are going to focus on the application of these parables almost exclusively

We will briefly explain them.. but want to move to What is Jesus instructing his followers to do.

In these parables he is giving us three instructions that should serve as how we understand our role as Christ followers

Pray

1. Shine the light

Mark 4:21–25 ESV

And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

as stated… You have now transitioned from being a hearer to being a doer

The lights have been turned on for you.

For the original hearer this is like a pre-commission commission. Jesus is instructing the to go share and yet he has not yet died on the cross.

There still was enough good news to share… the Kingdom of God was here.

Now, how much greater of a reason do we have to let our light shine?

Iphone in your pocket with the light on illustration.

The Process Jesus is describing:

Mark 4:24–25 ESV

And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

You have heard (The Gospel)

You are hearing and growing (Your worldview is changing)

Now you use. (How is it going to effect how you live)

More will be added to you. (This will be going on for the rest of your life)

Little Mitch Green from Baptism to now

Training for a race

growth over time

Sanctification

The main point:

Let your light shine… or do something with what you have recieved

Romans 12:6 ESV

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.

Spiderman “With Great Power comes great responsibility” - Uncle Ben

Transition: Who puts a light under a basket…

2. Sow in Faith

Mark 4:26–29 ESV

And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

He is drawing back to the prior parable in 4:1-20 but now he is applying it to us.

Have you ever really considered the complexity and all the condition that are necessary for a plant to grow…

Step 1:

Seeds need water to germinate.

Water rehydrates the embryo and activates enzymes that begin the growth process.

Step 2: Root and Shoot Emergence:

The seed's covering layers break open. 

The radicle (embryonic root) emerges, growing downwards into the soil to anchor the plant and absorb water and nutrients. 

The plumule (embryonic shoot) emerges, growing upwards towards the sunlight. 

The plumule develops into a stem that supports the leaves. 

3. Seedling Development:

Cotyledons (seed leaves) provide food for the young plant until it can photosynthesize. 

The seedling develops true leaves, which are specialized for capturing sunlight. 

4. Photosynthesis and Growth:

Leaves contain chlorophyll, a pigment that absorbs sunlight. 

Photosynthesis converts sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into sugars (food) for the plant. 

The plant uses the sugars for growth and development. 

5. Mature Plant: 

As the plant matures, it develops flowers, which are involved in reproduction.

The flowers produce seeds, completing the life cycle.

Continue

We have so little control of the fruit

But we must remember Remember The Lord is working

All the necessary elements for life are their:

All people are made in the image of God

Gods Glory is present in all creation

Yet still it does not always create fruit.

Imagine in the farmer gave up? (The flood comes, cold temps, fires California)

We just see the food at the grocery store but we forget all that went into it.

Exalting Jesus in Mark What Do We Learn about Jesus and His Kingdom from a Lamp, a Bunch of Seeds, and One Small Seed? (Mark 4:21–34)

William Carey (1761–1834), the father of the modern missionary movement, labored in India seven years before seeing his first convert. He shared the gospel for more than 40 years, but the fruit of his labor was minimal. Still he could say, “The future is as bright as the promise of God” and “Expect great things [from God], attempt great things [for God].”

Transition: Shine your light… Sow in faith…

3. See the Small become significant

Mark 4:30–33 ESV

And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.

How is this going to grow into anything?

Mustard seed (1mm to 2mm)… incredibly small yet grows into a large tree.

This is primarily about the kingdom and Jesus movement.

Imagine the original hearer.

The Kingdom of God will start small and grow…

Greenwood Indiana

A Couple statistics:

5 billion people have access to the gospel. (3 Billion do not)

2.3 Billion Christians in the world (5.7 Billion non Christians)

51% of people in America do not have an active relationship with a Christian.

In Closing:

We must be a people that share the Gospel the world needs it.

We must Sow in faith

in doing this we will see the Kingdom of God continue to become significant.

Prayer Prompt:

Prayer team in back

Jesus us help us shine your light (who, what, when, where, why how)

Jesus help us sow in faith (who, what, when, where, why how)

Jesus may we see your kingdom come (who, what, when, where, why how)