Mark 4:26-34 (New International Version)

The Parable of the Growing Seed

26He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

30Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. 32Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade."

33With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

Nature helps us to remember Bible truths. When we open our eyes to nature, what we see can remind us of who God is and how he brings people into his family. Today Jesus teaches us a truth about the Kingdom of God. Listen carefully, so when we see the seasons changing around us, we will remember something important about the Kingdom. The lesson is...

“God’s Kingdom Grows”

I. God’s kingdom grows quietly by God’s power.

II. God’s kingdom grows large by God’s grace.

I. God’s kingdom grows quietly by God’s power.

A. This is how the corn grows.

1. In spring a farmer prepares the soil by cultivating and fertilizing.

2. The seed is put into the ground.

3. The rains come. The sun shines.

4. The seed grows by itself. The power is not in the watching of the farmer, nor even because of his prayer. Even the unbelieving farmers have crops.

5. Think of how the corn grows. First the sprout comes, then the ear, then the seeds develops inside the ear.

6. When everything is ripe, the harvest takes place.

Transition: This is a picture of God’s kingdom.

B. This is how the kingdom of God grows.

1. The Law is preached to expose this truth: Bad deeds come from hearts born of the sinful flesh, just as bad plants come from bad seeds (Matthew 15:19). The Bible says, "The word of God is alive and powerful, sharper than any two edged sword; ... it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 2:12). Satan plants quietly when everyone is sleeping (Matthew 13:25). Like bad seeds, temptations grow into sins, and sins grow into spiritual death (James 1:15). We want to weed out of our hearts bad thoughts by daily repenting of our sins before we fully give ourselves over to them. The word of God gives us good eyes to see the weeds of sin in our lives.

2. The Word of God also goes out powerfully to grow a good crop of righteousness. God spoke through the Prophet Isaiah. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my work that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11).

3. The Gospel that Jesus died for the sins of the world is preached. The message is empowered to create new spiritual life. Remember that you have been born again, not by seed that dies, but by seed that never dies, through the living and enduring word of God (1 Peter 1:23).

4. The Gospel is also the power to live a life of thanksgiving to God. When the word is planted in good ground it produces 30, 60, even 100 times what was planted (Mark 4:8). The growth is slow and cannot be easily seen (like watching a plant grow). But it is growing just the same.

5. When Jesus comes again, then we will see that God’s kingdom grows mightily but quietly by God’s power. It is often called "the harvest."

Transition: When we pray that God’s kingdom comes, we are not only praying for ourselves as individuals. We pray that the God’s kingdom would come to many others.

II. God’s kingdom grows large by God’s grace.

A. God's kingdom is like a mustard seed.

1. It is the smallest of seeds that are planted in the garden of the Jews. We don't have that kind of mustard bush here in America. But in Israel they have a huge version.

2. It also grows very big, sometimes 10 feet tall. It has big, strong branches.

3. It provides shade for birds. Birds even nest in its branches.

B. The kingdom of God is like that.

1. The kingdom of God started out small in the early church.

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2. Our Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod has also grown large by God's grace.

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3. We pray the growth will continue even during these times of tight budgets. Please remember to pray for missions and support them through your envelopes. Through your Congregational Mission Offering you are partners with the missionaries to carry on what Jesus and the apostles began. This is why we are here on this earth.

Conclusion:

Let the pictures in nature and the changing of seasons remind you of the growth of God’s kingdom. When you see the seeds planted and see how they grow, take comfort and learn. When you see the crops become ripe, thank God not only for a good crop, but for the growth in the church. When harvest comes, remember that one day God will send his angels to harvest the earth (Rev.14:14ff). Then we will see openly, right before our eyes, how the Kingdom of God has grown. It grows quietly by God’s power and it grows large by God’s grace. Amen.