The Mysterious and Unstoppable Kingdom of God (Mark 4:21-34)

Today we’re covering Mark 4:21-34, three parables with one common thread: God’s methods are mysterious but his kingdom is unstoppable.

Secret

Mark 4:21-25 tells the parable of the lamp, which represents Jesus himself. At first Jesus’ ministry was kept secret, but the day would soon come when he would be revealed fully to those with ears to hear his message.

• Mark 4:21-25 Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine. 22 For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. 23 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” 24 Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. 25 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”
• As a believer, we’re called to reflect the light of Jesus. It’s not something to be kept secret.  It’s not something to be hidden.  In fact, that is illogical.  No one would put a lamp under a bed. Jesus asks this question that seems almost silly, “would you light a lamp and then hide it under a bed?” and yet, that is what happens when we don’t live out our faith, when we don’t help the next person pursue God. 
  •  How is God calling you to be a light?  Do people at school know you love Jesus? How about people at work or people on your team? 

• (“Eventually”)Jesus is also reassuring his disciples that a time is coming when he’s going to make fully known who he is and his power.  I would imagine they’re impatient.  They’re wondering why he seems slow to reveal who he is.  I’m sure they’re still wrestling with preconceived notions about what the Messiah had come to do. We’ve seen a lot of instances in Mark’s gospel where Jesus has told people to keep hidden who he is and what he’s done because he doesn’t want to accelerate the opposition until the proper time, but these times of secrecy are coming to an end.  
  • There is a time when we can shout it from the rooftops.  That time is here.  We just celebrated Easter.  We’re called to make his truth known.  We don’t have to worry if there is some further revelation that we’re waiting on.  
• Ears to hear. Parables weren’t just about teaching, but about dividing (last week) Q. Are you listening? 
  • Not just teaching that scratches the ears

Mysterious

Mark 4:26-29 tells the parable of the mysterious growing seed. We can’t always tell how God is at work. The seed grows invisibly, and eventually there will be a harvest – but it comes in its own time.

• Mark 4:26-29 Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. 28 The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. 29 And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.”
• This parable relates back to the parable of the soils, so the seed is God’s Word. 
• If you have a fertile soil, if you’re listening he will continue to cause you to grow.  He’ll continue to reveal more of himself to you and increase your understanding.  
• Many of us don’t think much about seeds or growth, but this was an agrarian economy.  People didn’t just run down the grocery story or have food delivered to them with Uber eats.  All of Jesus’ listeners would have been able to relate to this parable.  Though the farmer doesn’t know exactly how the seed grows, still he sows the seed. His lack of understanding the mystery behind the growth doesn’t keep him from getting to work.  He has faith that it will grow.  In the same way, we need to be busy at sowing seeds even though we don’t understand how God causes them to grow.  Also, it isn’t our responsibility to make them grow because we can’t.  We can have an impact on if they get planted.  
  • I planted, Apollo’s watered, God makes it grow…
  • Phil 1:6 (NLT) And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
• We also can have some impact on the soil.  
  • For parents, Particularly with our children.  
    • Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord
    • Also, as a parent or even a spouse, we have some control over fighting the weeds that can compete with the seed that has been planted – media, friends, culture at large 
  • For everyone: If you’re contentious or a Jesus Jerk, there’s a chance you can harden the soil.  They might do that on their own, but we shouldn’t exacerbate it.  

Unstoppable

Mark 4:30-32 tells the parable of the mustard seed – famous for its small size relative to the shrub it produces. When you look at what God is doing, it may seem small and insignificant at first, but like the tiny mustard seed, God’s kingdom will grow to epic proportions.

• Mark 4:30-32 Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? 31 It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, 32 but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.”
• We shouldn’t despise small things.  Seemingly small movements by God can have enormous impacts. This should be an encouragement to us. 
  • We make disciples. Jesus grows the church. 
  • Conviction about the little baptist church in Farson, WY.  Faithful in the little things. Keep showing up. 
  • Mt 16:18 (NLT) Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.
  • We don’t have to try and force it or control it. We should be encouraged that it is unstoppable. 
• This growth isn’t always healthy.  It talks about harboring birds.  If we go back to the first parable about the soils, which these parables draw from, the birds were workers of the enemy.  Problems with Mega-churches, problems with the power of the Roman Catholic church 
• If you have ears to hear, respond.  Turn to Jesus and put your trust.  
  • Mark 4:33-34 (NLT) Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand. In fact, in his public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them.