Mark 4:26 – 34

Mark 4:26 – 34 26 Jesus went on to say, “The Kingdom of God is like this. A man scatters seed

in his field. 27 He sleeps at night, is up and about during the day, and all the while the seeds are sprouting and growing. Yet he does not know how it happens. 28 The soil itself makes the plants grow and bear fruit; first the tender stalk appears, then the head, and finally the head full of grain.

Mark 4:26 – 34 29 When the grain is ripe, the man

starts cutting it with his sickle, because harvest time has come.

30 “What shall we say the Kingdom of God is like?” asked Jesus. “What parable shall we use to explain it? 31 It is like this. A man takes a mustard seed, the smallest seed in the world, and plants it in the ground.

Mark 4:26 – 34 32 After a while it grows up and

becomes the biggest of all plants. It puts out such large branches that the birds come and make their nests in its shade.”

33 Jesus preached his message to the people, using many other parables like these; he told them as much as they could understand.

Mark 4:26 – 34 34 He would not speak to them without using parables, but when he was alone

with his disciples, he would explain everything to them.

Mark 4:26 – 34

Mark 4:26 – 34 Mark’s gospel

Mark 4:26 – 34 Mark’s gospelcrowd from Galilee followed him (3:7)

Mark 4:26 – 34 Mark’s gospelcrowd from Galilee followed him (3:7)people came to him from Judea,

Jerusalem......(3:8)

Mark 4:26 – 34 Mark’s gospelcrowd from Galilee followed him (3:7)people came to him from Judea,

Jerusalem......(3:8)

BUT others say "He’s out of his mind“ 3:21

Mark 4:26 – 34 Parables

Mark 4:26 – 34 ParablesCalls for a change in attitude, will and action.

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God

26 ...“The Kingdom of God is like this. A man scatters seed...

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts small

26 ...“The Kingdom of God is like this. A man scatters seed...

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts smallWe don’t have to be ‘big’, holy & perfect

26 ...“The Kingdom of God is like this. A man scatters seed...

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts smallWe don’t have to be ‘big’, holy & perfect

31b A man takes a mustard seed, ...and plants it in the ground.

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts smallWe don’t have to be ‘big’, holy & perfect

31b A man takes a mustard seed, ...and plants it in the ground. 32 After a while it grows up and becomes the biggest of all plants

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts smallHow do we scatter/sow the seed?

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts smallHow do we scatter/sow the seed?-Share the truth about God’s love

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts smallHow do we scatter/sow the seed?-Share the truth about God’s love

26 ...“The Kingdom of God is like this. A man scatters seed in his field.

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts smallHow do we scatter/sow the seed?-Share the truth about God’s love-In the fields he’s allocated to us

26 ...“The Kingdom of God is like this. A man scatters seed in his field.

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts smallHow do we scatter/sow the seed?-Share the truth about God’s love-In the fields he’s allocated to us-Because we all need God

26 ...“The Kingdom of God is like this. A man scatters seed in his field.

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts small

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts small

27 He sleeps at night, is up and about during the day, and all the while the seeds are sprouting and growing. Yet he does not know how it happens.

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts small2.Grows without human effort

27 He sleeps at night, is up and about during the day, and all the while the seeds are sprouting and growing. Yet he does not know how it happens.

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts small2.Grows without human effort

"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth" (1 Cor 3:6-7).

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts small2.Grows without human effort

- We sow, water and weed - God will bring growth

"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth" (1 Cor 3:6-7).

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts small2.Grows without human effort

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts small2.Grows without human effort

V28 The soil itself makes the plants grow and bear fruit.

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts small2.Grows without human effort3.Leads us to bear fruit

V28 The soil itself makes the plants grow and bear fruit.

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts small2.Grows without human effort3.Leads us to bear fruit

Soil = the heart

V28 The soil itself makes the plants grow and bear fruit.

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts small2.Grows without human effort3.Leads us to bear fruit

Soil = the heartConcern: what may hinder fruits that would come naturally?

V28 The soil itself makes the plants grow and bear fruit.

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts small2.Grows without human effort3.Leads us to bear fruit

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts small2.Grows without human effort3.Leads us to bear fruit

V29 When the grain is ripe, the man starts cutting it with his sickle, because harvest time has come.

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts small2.Grows without human effort3.Leads us to bear fruit4.There will be a harvest

V29 When the grain is ripe, the man starts cutting it with his sickle, because harvest time has come.

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts small2.Grows without human effort3.Leads us to bear fruit4.There will be a harvestKingdom rules

V29 When the grain is ripe, the man starts cutting it with his sickle, because harvest time has come.

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts small2.Grows without human effort3.Leads us to bear fruit4.There will be a harvestKingdom rules = authority of a ruler

V29 When the grain is ripe, the man starts cutting it with his sickle, because harvest time has come.

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts small2.Grows without human effort3.Leads us to bear fruit4.There will be a harvestKingdom rules = authority of a rulerNo democracy, no negotiationsV29 When the grain is ripe, the man starts cutting it with his sickle, because harvest time has come.

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts small2.Grows without human effort3.Leads us to bear fruit4.There will be a harvest

Mark 4:26 – 34 The Kingdom (rule) of God1.Starts small2.Grows without human effort3.Leads us to bear fruit4.There will be a harvest

CommunionWe participate as people who submit

to God’s rule