10 From One Small Seed

The Kingdom Is Near  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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Big Idea: The Kingdom grows from one small seed and transforms the world.

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Introduction

The theme of planting started last week, The Kingdom message planted in fertile hearts produces abundant growth.
Planting the message of the Kingdom in the hearts of all people. Four soils = four responses. Continuing today with the growth of the message, leading into the harvest. Next week we will talk more about the harvest.
Planting and growing continues in and includes a similar passage from Mark and Luke.
Three aspects of the nature of Kingdom Growth. Mysterious, Expansive, Transforming

Mysterious Nature of Kingdom Growth

Mysterious nature of Kingdom Growth

Parable of the Growing Seed

Mark 4:26–29 NIV
26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
This story could possibly be an extension of the Sower.
Kingdom of God is like… All of these parables start with Kingdom of God/Heaven is like… this refers to the process of growing from a small start to something grand.
Seed planted in good soil (like in sower) expect growth. Don’t know how, don’t see it. Automatically, and constantly grows – soil produces grain. You can see it take shape.
At some point the grain becomes ripe and there is a harvest. Picture of eventual spiritual harvest
From the insignificant act of planting a seed, and standing by while it spontaneously grows, to the significant harvest that results.

Expansive Nature of Kingdom Growth

Parable of the Mustard Seed

Mark 4:30–32 NIV
30 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”
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Not about the seed, but the growth process from small to large over time.
Comparative size of seed and resulting plant. Minuscule compared to most garden seeds. Black Mustard can grow to around 10ft.
Familiar in OT as symbol for a mighty kingdom which gave shelter to the nations. Example King Nebuchadnezzar
provides shelter for birds = refuge, safety, protection for those around the garden. shelters, protects, gathers

Transforming Nature of Kingdom Growth

Parable of the Leaven

Matthew 13:33 NIV
33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
small, micro-organism. Spreads throughout the dough. Transforms, changes, making the batch something other than it was. Adds Potential.
Not about taking over or controlling, but quietly (unobtrusively, subversively?) expanding and affecting, influencing.
Positive effect.
The Kingdom does not come to externally conquer and rule over the world.
The Kingdom comes to each individual where they are to transform them from the inside out and spread like leaven, to spread throughout the world so that, instead of being converted, it is transformed.
Not to huddle up, but to spread out. Not to take, but to give. Not to press down, but to expand.

Big Idea: The Kingdom grows from one small seed and transforms the world.

The Kingdom grows from one small seed and transforms the world.
From what seems insignificant to what is obviously grand and of great significance.
Where growth is great, the action of the enemy is great – soils 1, 2 & 3 feel the impact.
The parables in show the planting of the message and the growth of the Kingdom. They also show the response of the enemy and his efforts to contain or choke Kingdom growth as we’ll see in upcoming parables.
The Kingdom of God may have started with that one Son of Man, but it's impact is worldwide. The impact is both as a refuge and a change agent.
Find examples of Kingdom growth in other countries – Indonesia, Syria, Middle East, South America, South Korea. Despite persecution (from last week – Soil 2)

What About You?

The Kingdom grows from one small seed and transforms the world.

What About You?

What difference can I make? I’m one person. Yes, it takes all of us, but it also takes each of us. You are important to the ones in your care. Spouse, children & grandchildren, parents, neighbors, coworkers, classmates, etc.
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