What God's Up To

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-OOS
I. Welcome
II. Opening Prayer
III. Worship
A. Prayer Song “All Who Are Thirsty”
B. Song B4 Offering: “Holy Love”
I. INTRO
A. Moment o silence 4 those who paid the ultimate price in defence o our American freedoms
a. Close the time in prayer
B. Where We’re Going
C. Main Text
Mark 4:14–20 ESV
14 The sower sows the word. 15 And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. 16 And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. 17 And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. 18 And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, 19 but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 20 But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”
Mk 4:13-
Mark 4:13–20 ESV
13 And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? 14 The sower sows the word. 15 And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. 16 And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. 17 And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. 18 And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, 19 but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 20 But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”
Mark 4:30–32 ESV
30 And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, 32 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.”
Mk 4:
D. Prayer
E. Context
a. Jesus is explaining spiritual truths w/ natural examples
1. which is why Jesus leads this parable w/a question: “with what can we compare...
b. This parable comes at the tail end o a series o parables
1. Sometimes these parables r treated as if separate messages
2. Some scholars suggest that Mk was cobbling 2gether similar teachings in2 1 area…they might be right, but
i. I wonder if it’s the same msg:
-I think it’s quite possible that Jesus was sharing what God is up to!
(show the video?)
-Here’s a hint: it has to do w/the last song we sang (lol)
II. BODY
            i. I don’t think so! 
A. God is up to planting seed
God is up to Kingdom expansion
Mark 4:31–32 ESV
31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, 32 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.”
Mark 4:32 ESV
32 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.”
            ii. I think its the same msg:
a. A Kingdom Seed is planted & becomes God’s Kingdom
Mk 4:
mk 4:31
1. the Question is, how does KOG grow/expand?
2. this is where we get the 1st parable
-Jesus tells a baffling parable about a farmer throwing seeds on the ground-
-4 soils: the road, rocky, thistles, good ground
-Often what’s discussed about this parable is what the 4 grounds rep, but there’s something else @ play here
-His Disciples pull him aside later & ask him about it & Jesus explains mk 4:13-20
-Often what’s discussed about this parable is what the 4 grounds rep, but there’s something else @ play here
a. Kingdom seed is God’s word
Mark 4:14 ESV
14 The sower sows the word.
1. The sower plants God’s word
2. Who do u think the sower is in the parable? 
i. I wonder if it’s Jesus that we c
ii. He came to spread God’s word!
3. It’s Jesus’ mission 1st & after His death & resurrection passes the mission 2 us 2 partner w/ Him
ii. HIS mission is OUR mission
Mark 16:15 ESV
15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
-As u go, spread Kingdom Seed; plant God’s Word
*So, What did the Disciples do?
Mark 16:20 ESV
20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.
Mk 16:
~Spread God’s word! & God brought out the big guns o signs & wonders Confirming God was w/’em
i. Where did Jesus spread the seed?
Where did he spread the seed? =everywhere! (Jesus is giving his hearers an indication o what He’s doing
2. Jesus spread the seed everywhere!
Mark 4:4–8 ESV
4 And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. 6 And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. 8 And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”
mk 4:4-8
Jesus spread the seed everywhere!
(describe
Jesus is giving his hearers an indication o what He’s doing
i. the Point: sower refused 2 b worried about the soil & only concerned himself w/spreading God’s word
-Next the lamp
b. In the same way that light exists to aluminate, so God’s word exists 2 be spread
In the same way that light exists to aluminate, so God’s word exists 2 b spread
Mark 4:21–22 ESV
21 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? 22 For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light.
Mark 4:21–24 ESV
21 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? 22 For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” 24 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.
Jesus is suggesting that its ridiculous not to spread God’s word
Next the lamp = the why we spread it: its ridiculous not to spread God’s word!
= the why we spread it: its ridiculous not to spread God’s word!
1. Jesus is suggesting that its ridiculous not to spread God’s word
i. its like putting a lamp under a basket
ii. in this section we get Why it’s important to pay attention to What God is saying to us
For to the one who has, more will be given, & from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
Mark 4:24–25 ESV
24 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. 25 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.”
Mark 4:25 ESV
25 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.”
-2 points:
                            ^if u don’t have ears 2 hear God’s word, what u do have will b taken
2. If you don’t have ears to hear God’s word, what you do have will be taken
f u don’t have ears 2 hear God’s word, what u do have will b taken
i. Remember the seed that falls on the road? what happens to that seed?
-bird (devil) Get it
*Jesus explains in vs that birds here is Satan who comes & steels the word away (vs15)
*If we don’t have ears to hear, the word given is stolen away
3. If you have God’s word & don’t spread it, what you have will be taken away
i. But, if we have ears to hear God’s word & give it away, you will rec. even more words frm God
It’s why Jesus isn’t worried about the soil: not our job, God makes the growth
                -Finally Kingdom growth=what the word of God becomes: God’s Kingdom in us!
Mark 4:21–25 ESV
21 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? 22 For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” 24 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. 25 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.”
-1 great opportunity for this was May Fest!!
ii. Next is How Kingdom seed grows
c. God Grows Kingdom Seed
Mk 4:26
Mark 4:26–29 ESV
26 And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. 27 He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. 28 The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
1. It’s why Jesus isn’t worried about the soil: not our job, God makes the seed grow, not us
d. Last parable we get:
1. describe:
i. :gospel presented doesn’t have to b big & elaborate: compares it 2 smlst o seeds
ii. when it finds a heart w/the right conditions produces something big, awesome & elaborate!
2. God’s Word planted in good ground produces God’s Kingdom
-edited ending-
B. Bringing it Home
a. So, Who here feels like their ready to spread kingdom seed; God’d word, that is 1st & foremost the Gospel?
1. God wants us to partner w/ Him in telling people the Good news...
i. that even though the whole world is broken w/ & by our willful sin,
ii. He Loved the world so much sent Jesus to
-die on a cross as payment for our sin
-& was brought back to life so we to r reborn in2 a new creation w/out our sin nature!
2. It’s what brought us in2 a forever relationship w/God starting that we received it
i. But ur (& my) salvation isn’t just 4 u/me…its 2 give 2 others so they can be saved
b. we plant kingdom seed (God’s word) in2 the hearts o man & when it takes root in2 good soil it springs forth & in season produces fruit becoming God’s kingdom
B. Who hear feels comfortable sharing the Gospel?
a. Let’s take a journey where we become equipped: I’m starting a class this week: “Tell Some1”
b. Play video
1. I’m not saying it’s perfect, I’m saying it has some wonderful insight in2 sharing our faith conversationally
i. so what’s God up to; what does Kingdom seed (God’s word) grow in2?
A. God is up to Kingdom expansion
a. Finally we see that kingdom seed becomes Kingdom expansion
what the word of God becomes: God’s Kingdom in us!
Mark 4:30–32 ESV
30 And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, 32 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.”
Mk 4:30-32
a. God’s word grows into Kingdom expansion
1. Kingdom seed, when planted in a man’s heart, becomes God’s Kingdom on earth
Luke 17:20–21 NKJV
20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
i. The more of God’s word that is planted the more of God’s kingdom sprouts up & the further the KOG expands on earth
b. the point: God’s Kingdom come
Matthew 6:10 ESV
10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
B. What is God’s Kingdom?
a. Think o the Kingdom o Heaven (KOH) as God space & everything else as man space
1. In Man’s Space there’s:
i. Sin
ii. Death
iii. Injustice
iv. Brokenness
2. In God’s space there’s:
i. Justice
ii. Holiness
iii. wholeness
iv. life
3. As we accept Jesus’ rule & reign in our life & gather w/others in community who’ve done the same, we create little pockets of God’s Space on earth
as we accept Jesus’ rule & reign in our life and gather w/others in community who’ve done the same, we create little pockets of
i. What God is ultimately doing, when Jesus returns is 4 God’s Space to overlap completely w/Man’s space
-To help us better grasp this concept, check out this video from Bible Project:
*Video
4. We c the Apostle John describe this very seen in...
Revelation 21:1–4 ESV
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Rev 21:1-
III. RESPONSE
A. What if, when we pray:
Matthew 6:10 ESV
10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
a. God responds: “waiting on u”!
1. God wants us to partner w/ Him in His Kingdom’s expansion by telling people the Good news
i. that even though the whole world is broken w/ & by our willful sin,
ii. He Loved the world so much sent Jesus to
-die on a cross as payment for our sin
-& was brought back to life so we to r reborn in2 a new creation w/out our nature as sinners!
That’s the message that, when we put our trust in Jesus
2. It’s what brought us in2 a forever relationship w/God starting 2day
i. But ur salvation isn’t just 4 u…its to give to others so they can be saved
b. we plant kingdom seed (God’s word) in2 the hearts o man & when it takes root in2 good soil it springs forth & in season produces fruit becoming God’s kingdom
B. Who hear feels comfortable sharing the Gospel?
a. Let me help u become equipped by coming 2 the class starting next week: “Tell Some1”
b. Play video
1. I’m not saying it’s perfect, I’m saying it has some wonderful insight in2 sharing our faith conversationally
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