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The one thing that challenged me the most from this message is the issue of faith. Jesus' disciples continually struggled with understanding who Jesus was and what he was saying. They were supposed to be the ones who had "ears to hear" and yet they needed Jesus to "spell it out for them" most of the time. The final passage dealt with in this message shows that the disciples were not "getting it"...yet. They had seen Jesus heal all kinds of diseases, and cast out demons. But, when they are in the boat and the storm comes, they think Jesus doesn't care about them because he was sleeping. Faith was nowhere to be seen.
It is pretty easy to criticize the disciples, not only for this lapse, but for all the other ones we read in the gospels. Then, I look in the mirror, honestly evaluate my own heart attitude and lack of faith; and I have to admit...I am no different. I have also experienced God doing great things, in my life and in the lives of others. I have seen Him answer prayers and do things no one would expect. But, in the midst of my stormy circumstances, I find that I doubt that God knows what He is doing. I have a different plan, and God usually doesn't choose that one.
I start to worry and try to work things out on my own terms, in my own power. That never turns out well. I have a hard time finding faith even the size of the mustard seed that Christ referred to. In Matthew, He told His followers that if they had faith the size of a mustard seed, they could move mountains. I want that kind of faith, even that "small". I believe it is possible, but I know I fail often...especially when things are "rough".
SO WHAT? I am going to take it one day, one circumstance at a time. I am committed to growing in my faith in God; not just in what I "believe" but what I do. I know my God is up for it. I am thankful for the example of the disciples for many reasons. First, even those chosen 12 failed early and often. But also, they eventually did "get it". They never reached perfection; but they understood (mostly after Jesus rose from the dead) what Jesus had taught them and the mission they were called to. God used them to change the world.
Greg
Message preached on June 1, 2008
BELIEVING THE UNBELIEVABLE
Mark 4:21-41
Please turn in your Bible to Mark 4.
In the early 16th century an astronomer named Copernicus made the discovery that the earth is not the center of the universe, that in fact the earth goes around the sun and not the sun around the earth. He was a cautious man and for 30 years he kept this discovery to himself. Then in 1543, when death was getting near, he persuaded a terrified printer to print his great work, Revolutions of Heavenly Bodies. Soon Copernicus died but others inherited the storm.
In the early 17th century Galileo accepted the theory of Copernicus and stated publicly his belief in it. In 1616 he was summoned to the inquisition in Rome and his beliefs were condemned. Judgment was passed. “The first proposition that the sun is the center and does not revolve about the earth, is foolish, absurd, false in theology, and heretical because [it is] contrary to Holy Scripture…The second proposition, that the earth is not the center , but revolves about the sun, is absurd, false in philosophy, and from a theological point of view at least, opposed to the true faith.” Galileo gave in. it was easier to conform than to die; and for years he remained silent.
A new pope came to the papal throne and Galileo thought that Urban the 8th was a man of wider sympathy and greater culture than his predecessor, so once again he came out into the open with his theory. He was mistaken in his hopes. This time he had to sign a recantation or undergo torture. He signed. “I, Galileo, being in my 70th year, being a prisoner and on my knees, and before your Eminences, having before my eyes the Holy Gospel, which I touch with my hands, abjure, curse and detest the error and the heresy of the movement of the earth.” His recantation saved him from death but not from prison. And in the end he was even denied burial in the family tomb.
It was not only the Roman Catholic Church which tried to avoid the truth. Martin Luther wrote about Copernicus: “People gave ear to an upstart astrologer who strove to show that the earth revolves, not the heavens or the firmament, the sun and the moon…This fool wishes to reverse the entire science of astronomy; but sacred Scripture tells us that Joshua commanded the sun to stand still, and not the earth.”
It took time for people to see the truth. But, for it to happen, someone had to bring it out into the light.
William Barclay, who related this story said: “You can threaten to torture a man for discovering the truth; you can call him a fool and try to laugh him out of court; but that does not alter the truth…Truth may be attacked, delayed, suppressed, mocked at; but [given] time… in the end truth prevails. A man must…care that he is not fighting against the truth.”
This is a good illustration of what is being described here in the book of Mark. When Jesus Christ came, he spoke a message of truth that people were not ready to hear; just like the story of the earth revolving around the sun. What a second: You are telling me that you, Jesus, are the Son of God? You are the promised Messiah from the Old Testament – really? You are the ONLY WAY TO GOD?
This was the light, truth revealed, that most people were simple not prepared for. And not only did they laugh at His news, they got angry. And eventually, they put Him to death for the truth they would not accept. This morning, He continues to talk in parables about these truths.
Mark 4:21-23 – “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.”
I believe these parables we read today were given to the larger crowd, not the smaller one of His disciples and closest followers (when he gave them only the interpretation of the parable of the sower, seeds and soils). Jesus’ statement in verse 23: “If anyone has ears to hear” is what he also said in verse 9, following his sower, seed and soils parable- which he had given to the large crowd. Verse 34 will also tell us that these were for the larger crowd, and then he would take his disciples aside privately to explain the parables to them later. Very interesting!
So, what is this parable about the lamp mean? The lamp, back then, was a lighted wick in a shallow clay bowl full of oil. At bedtime, they would put basket, or bowl on it for the night; but that was not the purpose of the light. They might hide it under a bed, or sitting bench; but that was not the purpose of the light. The purpose of the light was to put it out where everyone could see it; so that when it was dark, the surroundings around them would be revealed. That makes sense, doesn’t it?
Jesus came as the light to reveal the truth of God’s Kingdom
How does this parable relate to spiritual things? In context, Jesus was here to bring light to the gospel message of the Kingdom – in the midst of great darkness. Remember, we were told what Jesus starting preaching at the beginning of his public ministry. We were told what Jesus was saying as he went around teaching and healing people of all kinds of diseases, and casting out demons. He was teaching this:
Mark 1:15 – “…The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Jesus brought the kingdom of God near because of His presence. He was the good news of the kingdom. He was the only way to get to God in Heaven. And He was calling for people to turn from what they formerly trusted in, including religion and its corresponding works, to trust in Him alone. That was the message of the gospel.
So, with Jesus’ arrival on the scene, and now His teaching about the kingdom of God through parables, these were meant to be a light that reveals truth about Jesus, how to be right with God; and about the hearts of those who were listening. The gospel writer, John, just after John 3:16, talks about how the light of Christ affects those who believe and those who do not. It applies here:
John 3:19-21 “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been carried out in God.”
Those who believed would go toward the light of Jesus and their lives would show it. Those who did not believe would continue to live in darkness and be offended by the light of Christ. We are seeing that played out in these passages in Mark. I think there is also an application for us with this parable:
SO WHAT?
Those who believe will move toward Jesus Christ.
Think about that for a minute. Isn’t it true that those who have decided to go their own way, and trust in themselves, try to stay isolated and away from the light? If they are around Christians who talk to them about Christ all the time or at church where they are hearing the truth of God’s Word applied to real life, it becomes very uncomfortable. Because not only are they living their own way and don’t like to be confronted by God’s Word, they also do not want to change.
Those of you who have a humble heart toward Christ, are willing to admit your imperfections and want to be challenged to live for Him…You want to be around those who are growing in their walk; and you want to be around the light. Just ask yourself this simple question to try and check where you are at: Are my actions consistent with someone who is striving to get closer to the light of Christ?
Sometimes, moving toward Christ and into the light will mean risk, and sacrifice. When Martin Luther decided to take his stand against the use of indulgences in the Roman Catholic Church, he put together 95 theses condemning that practice as unbiblical. He decided to post them on the front door of the Church of All Saints, which was closely connected with the University. This is where many University notices were displayed and even topics of public debate listed. He decided to do it on November 1st, which was celebrated as All Saints Day. He posted them in the most notable public place and on the day when the largest crowds would come to the church.
Luther felt he had discovered the truth and wanted to bring it out into the light; even though that meant going against His own Catholic Church and put his life in danger. God calls us to live in the light as well, living out His truth, which will indeed expose darkness and those who are hiding in it.
Mark 4:24,25 – “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.”
Jesus explained that those who understood the truth would receive more truth
Jesus gives another purpose for His use of parables here. He had already told His disciples in verse 12, that the parables would not be understood by those who had rejected him; and in a sense, these parables were a sign of the judgment on those non-believers. Here, in verse 24, He gives a blessing to those who do believe and have “ears to hear.”
He was basically saying that “as you receive the truth, you increase your capacity to get more truth.” And those that reject what they hear, will come to a point where they will not have any more opportunities; but the understanding will be taken and given to others who are receptive.
Think about it. Those who believed would keep gaining in understanding; especially after Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. Those who rejected Christ would only get more resistant, as they put Jesus to death unjustly; and then would also persecute His followers. Their non-receptive hearts would turn into a desire to wipe out the truth of Christianity and all who followed Christ.
SO WHAT?
Use it or lose it. Live out what you know.
This doesn’t mean you lose your salvation. It means that if you use the knowledge you already have, you will continue to gain; but if you choose not to, you will lose the ability to comprehend. When I was a child, I played the trumpet. As you practice and play, you develop the ability. Your lips get in shape. But, not having played for years, I couldn’t pick up a trumpet right now and play it. It would take a long time to get the skill back. If you don’t use it, you lose it. If you work on it, you gain more knowledge and skill.
Have you ever tried to get through to someone who is giving you the blank stare, and then asked him: “Are you listening to me?” Just because someone is taking in what you say doesn’t mean they are “getting it”. Please don’t just sit here and take in the Word of God, worshipping week after week after week. Being here, singing and listening to God’s Word is great; but it is not what is required. You must not just hear the Word, but do it. You must not just add to your knowledge, but be asking SO WHAT? How does this apply to my life? What difference should this make in how I live this week? Then, leave here determined to live it out. Because, if you make a practice of being here just in body and going through the motions; your heart may become hard and you no longer respond to the truth.
I am all for learning more about the Bible. But I do believe that we know so much more than what we put into practice. God is not that interested, I don’t think, in us having more knowledge than everyone else; but what sets us apart as His committed followers, is that we pay attention to what He says; and then we are determined to live it out.
A little over 75 years ago a little known American inventor, born of Russian descent named Vladimir Kosma Zworykin began to work for the Westinghouse Electric Corporation. Over the next few years Mr. Zworykin became obsessed with the idea of inventing something that was called an iconoscope and succeeded in building it in 1923. Now the iconoscope was only half of what Mr Zworykin had dreamed of for, so he also began to work on an invention called a kinescope. The kinescope would eventually come to be known as the Cathode Ray Tube and in 1929, Mr. Zworykin revealed his great invention to whole world in a much publicized demonstration. We are not very familiar with these technical terms, but we know what this turned into. Most of you have one, many of you more than one, in your home. And many people look at this object several hours a day. The iconoscope and kinescope that sits in our home is better known as our Television set. The iconoscope became the TV Camera for broadcasting and the Cathode Ray Tube became our TV Receiver. In 1932, Mr. Zworykin, working from a one inch square tube began to develop the color TV while working for RCA.
The next parable from Jesus speaks of something that we also don’t fully understand, such as the iconoscope and kinescope. But, the result ends up being something that we all can see and enjoy.
Mark 4:26-29 – “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.”
Jesus said: You won’t fully understand how God grows His Kingdom, but He will.
As we saw earlier, the seed was a picture of the Word of God. The seed is a powerful thing:
I read about archeologists who found, in a pyramid in Egypt, ancient artifacts, including a vase. In the vase were some seeds that had been placed there about 3,000 years ago. Those seeds were then planted by those who found them and in a few days, the seed sprouted. There is incredible life and power in the seeds. How much more life and power is there in the Word of God?
The farmer in this parable does his work, preparing the soil and planting the seed. But, after his hard day of work, he goes to bed. He doesn’t have to understand the process of germination. He knows about the blade, then the ear, then the grain. But, he doesn’t have to understand all the inner details. The earth does its work and the seed does its work; and when the time has come, the harvest is there. The seed will produce its fruit. Jesus said: This is like the kingdom of God.
We don’t have to know the inner workings of the kingdom of God, because we couldn’t understand it. Plus, it is not our responsibility. Our responsibility is to accept the seed of the Word of God that is planted in our hearts, to humbly accept it and act on it, believing everything it says. In that way, we are a part of the explosion of the growth of the kingdom of God, in our hearts, and in the world. We may not be able to understand exactly how it happens, but we can see that it does.
Jesus said:
John 6:63,64 – “…The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe…”
There seem to be phases to the development of the kingdom as described here. In phase one, the seed is scattered on the ground by the farmer. In phase two, the farmer waits for the seed to take root in the soil. No, he can’t explain it all, but he knows what will eventually happen. He is not worried. The earth does the work. Finally, phase three comes with the harvest. And the farmer and his reapers are ready to take the harvest of the grain.
SO WHAT?
You do your work and let God do His
This does not mean you have to do work to earn salvation. Your first so-called “work” is to believe in what God says. How salvation works is really a mystery to us; but we know the difference He makes when God first takes residence in our lives. And we also know we are responsible to spread the seed of His Word – to our families, to our friends, our neighbors, and others God brings into our sphere of influence. We don’t know how to explain everything; but we know that God knows what He is doing; and does His unexplainable, unbelievable work in the hearts of people. And this takes time. We must allow the seed of the Word of God to be implanted in our hearts and others; and then let God do His work. And then, at just the right time, the harvest will come.
We do not create the Kingdom of God. We cannot bring it about. We cannot force it in the lives of others. It is God’s kingdom and He does the work in the hearts of people. Then, Jesus continues with another parable about the Kingdom of God.
[while reading the next passage, the guys begin to hand out the mustard seeds]
Mark 4:30-32 – “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.”
Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God, beginning very small, would eventually grow into something that is larger than any other.
Jesus uses another picture that the people of that day could readily understand, in order to talk about the kingdom of God. As we already know, this doesn’t mean they were going to “get it” but they could at least relate to this object – the mustard seed. It was a picture, in that day, of the smallest conceivable thing; and yet it grew into something like a tree. A visitor in Palestine speaks of seeing a mustard plant which, in its height, toppled over a horse and its rider.
As Walvoord and Zuck write: “It was considered the smallest of seeds, as it took 725-760 mustard seeds to weigh a gram (28 grams equal one ounce). The mustard shrub is an annual plant which, growing from seed, becomes the largest of all garden plants (reaching a height of 12-15 feet in a few weeks). It is so large, the birds, attracted by the seed, are also attracted by the shade the tree provides for its nests.” A visitor to Palestine would see the common sight of the birds flocking over the black seeds.
You are holding a mustard seed in your hand, and so you get an idea of its smallness. This is the picture Jesus was painting for them with this parable. Look at this seed in your hand. It is so small, it might even be difficult to grab just one seed. But, consider what Jesus is saying about the Kingdom of God, using this seed, like the one in your hand, as a symbol for it.
The small seed probably referred to Jesus Christ or the truth of His Word, who was starting this whole talk about the kingdom of God. He was small, in comparison to all the other religious voices out there. In fact, his group of followers was very small, beginning with just 12 men. However, it would not remain there. In fact, there would be thousands of people who would trust in Jesus Christ over the next few years; and then Christianity, spreading the truth about the Kingdom of God, would spread throughout the world. It began as the smallest, but would grow very large, giving shade and rest to many.
Yes, the little seed in your hand doesn’t seem like much; but they thought the same thing about Jesus Christ. This is about believing the unbelievable. You have to believe that if you plant this seed, you will get the results of something much larger than it looks. And if you trust in Jesus Christ and become a part of His kingdom rule, it also will grow into something that you could never imagine if you had seen the beginning of it.
SO WHAT?
Trust that what seems insignificant to the world will grow to be the Kingdom of God.
In other words: you don’t have to be fearful. You don’t have to be ashamed. You don’t have to be embarrassed when our world makes you and true Christianity feel small. When you feel outnumbered and outvoted and drowned out by human secularism and pluralism – don’t doubt. That just as this seed in your hand would grow into an incredible plant that gives shade; so will the kingdom of God.
And your trust in that truth should spur you on to live your life for that Kingdom; not building your own kingdom here (which is the world’s and religious philosophy) – but living for the kingdom yet to come – the kingdom of true followers of Jesus Christ. What you do for the Kingdom of God may seem insignificant to you. What difference could your little service make? Well, see it as this mustard seed, which will be used by God to germinate and grow into something great for His Kingdom.
Those in Jesus’ day who did have “ears to hear” would have been greatly encouraged by this parable. Those who couldn’t understand it would have had no idea what he was talking about; and would have tried to turn it into something negative.
Mark 4:33,34 – “With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.”
This is what Jesus was doing with parables. He used them to communicate the Word of God to the people, using different parables to meet people where they were. However, as He talked about the kingdom of God, he used the parables, speaking in figurative language, as many of them had already rejected Him. But, when He was alone with His closest followers, He kept explaining more to them. The word here for explained has the idea of a continued explanation. We know the disciples didn’t necessarily get these things “the first time”. It took them a while to process everything; and even with time, they still ended up blowing it often.
Jesus would try to help them connect the dots, so to speak, between what he was saying and doing, to the process in the Kingdom of God. It would even take most of His followers until after Jesus rose from the dead, to connect most of the dots. That is encouraging, once again, to me. In fact, the next thing Mark tells us is about an incident where the disciples failed and learned more about faith.
Mark 4:35,36 – “On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, Let us go across to the other side. And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him.”
Jesus was going to test His followers’ faith and teach them more about Himself.
Jesus decided to go to the other side of the sea of Galilee; so he got in the boat the disciples had gotten for him; and leaving to the other side, other boats followed Him. I think Jesus was doing this to teach them a practical lesson about believing the unbelievable. They had just heard a few great stories describing faith in what will be; and now Jesus was going to give them a test on the material they had just learned.
Mark 4:37,38 – “And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
Many of these guys were experienced fisherman and were certainly experienced with the Sea of Galilee and the sudden storms that could arise. The wind was so strong, that the waves were coming into the boat, filling it with water. This was not good! And then the picture cuts to Jesus, who is comfortably sleeping. It is certainly understandable, after a full day of teaching, that Jesus was completely exhausted (he was fully God but also fully man) and deserved some rest.
However, the disciples freaked out, and finding Jesus sleeping, they basically rebuked him. Jesus, teacher, they called him, Don’t you care that we are about to drown? We’re going to die! They obviously did not understand, yet, who Jesus really was. They could not yet comprehend how much he cared for them; and that although he would keep them safe, for now, it was not his main goal. His main goal was to teach them, to train them, to assist them in becoming the kind of people that could fearlessly take His gospel to world.
They were, now, in the right frame of mind (stressed out) to be able to learn an important lesson:
Mark 4:39 – “And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Peace! Be still! And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”
Jesus got up and rebuked, commanded the wind: “knock it off” – Peace, Be still. And just like that…everything stopped. There was no confusion. This was no coincidence. There was a great storm and they were in great danger, until Jesus spoke those words – and then it was immediately over.
Mark 4:40 – “He said to them, Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
They had seen him heal all kinds of diseases. They heard him command demons, which immediately came out of people. They should have had great faith by now; but they failed the test. So, Jesus asked them 2 rhetorical questions. Why are you so afraid? Why don’t you have any faith after all you have seen? The answers were obvious. They did not have faith yet. They did not fully trust in Him to always do what is right, what is best – not yet.
They were supposed to know by now, that this was God in the flesh, able to do all things. They didn’t. There were supposed to be the ones with “ears to hear”. They seemed deaf and blind, most of the time. But, instead of blurting out: You are the Christ, the Son of the most high God. They responded this way:
Mark 4:41 – And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?”
Nine-year-old Danny came bursting out of Sunday school like a wild stallion. His eyes were darting in every direction as he tried to locate either mom or dad. Finally, after a quick search, he grabbed his Daddy by the leg and yelled, "Man, that story of Moses and all those people crossing the Red Sea was great!" His father looked down, smiled, and asked the boy to tell him about it. "Well, the Israelites got out of Egypt, but Pharaoh and his army chasedafter them. So the Jews ran as fast as they could until they got to the Red Sea. The Egyptian Army was gettin’ closer and closer. So Moses got on his walkie-talkie and told the Israeli Air Force to bomb the Egyptians. While that was happening, the Israeli Navy built a pontoon bridge so the people could cross over. They made it!By now old dad was shocked. "Is THAT the way they taught you the story?" Well, no, not exactly," Danny admitted, "but if I told you the way they told it to us, you’d never believe it, Dad."
The disciples were eyewitnesses of what Jesus could do, and they still couldn’t believe their eyes! You and I have seen God do incredible things in our lives and the lives of others. We have seen His faithfulness, His provisions and experienced answered prayers. And yet, in the midst of storms, we tend to “forget” all of that, don’t we? I do! We doubt, get afraid, and sometimes even blame God for our circumstances. Sometimes, I demonstrate that I just don’t get it; even that I lack faith of a tiny mustard seed.
This was the power they could only attribute to God. They had read and believed the Old Testament stories of the God that created nature and controlled it. They knew of Him parting the Red Sea and the Jordan River. They knew God could do this; but their teacher, Jesus Christ? Somehow, they hadn’t yet made the connection. They had a lot more to learn. And this was just one of many lessons for them.
SO WHAT?
Have faith that God is in control and can do anything
Yes, I know that is easier to say than to do. But, it is one thing we are all to be striving for on a daily basis. Even if you have already failed 100 times, the next time, you are responsible and able to turn it over to God and fully trust Him with whatever your circumstances are.
At another time, the disciples were not able to cast out demons although Jesus had given them the authority to do so. And they asked Jesus why they were not able to. His answer corresponds to what happened on the boat and to the story of the mustard seed he told earlier:
Matthew 17:20 – “He said to them, Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move…”
Now, take that mustard seed in your hand once again; if you haven’t already lost it. Look at it. It is just a tiny mustard seed. But Jesus is trying to teach you something about Himself; and about faith. If you can have as much faith as this tiny mustard seed, then you can believe that even when things seem out of control – in this world – in your life; that God is still in control.
In The Last Days Newsletter, Leonard Ravenhill tells about a group of tourists visiting a picturesque village who walked by an old man sitting beside a fence. In a rather patronizing way, one tourist asked, "Were any great men born in this village?" The old man replied, "Nope, only babies."
I like that. Everyone starts as a baby. So, don’t be too frustrated that you are not some great man or woman of faith, yet, that trusts God every time. Be patient. Take one day, one circumstance at a time. As your faith continually gets tested, if you endure, it will grow stronger. And what begins as child-like faith will grow into mature faith. And what begins as a tiny mustard seed will grow into something larger than you can imagine.
And if you can have the faith, even as small as this mustard seed, then you can believe that God will take, even the most difficult circumstances of your life and He will turn them into your spiritual good:
Romans 8:28 – “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Yes, we can get down on the disciples for their lack of faith – their inability to understand who Jesus really was and to trust Him. But, let’s be real here. You also fail miserably on a regular basis…and so do I. Most of you would say with me: I believe that God loves and cares for me – but then I will worry about something and wonder if God is even there.
We will say together: I believe that God allows what is for my spiritual good; and then I will wonder if God has any clue as to what He is doing. We will say in great strength: I believe God can do anything! And then I wonder if God can do the tiniest things that we that I am so concerned about.
This is about faith. If you and I will just trust Him, we can have joy, we can have peace, we can be a part of accomplishing great things for the kingdom of God, by investing in the lives of others; and introducing them to Him.
These parables have been about the Kingdom of God – that reality that is already, but not yet. When Jesus came, the Kingdom of God was truly near. We are to be living by Kingdom standards, and those of us who have trusted in Christ have been promised a place in the Kingdom of God. And yet, we have not practically experienced that yet. After a time of silent prayer, we are going to close by singing together the song we learned earlier. As you sing about what Jesus has done for you, consider His rule in your heart now. And remember that one day, He will rule all, and everyone will sing His praises.
PRAYER
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