A Graduation message
“Establishing His Kingdom”
Text: Mark 4:30-32
Mark 4:30-32 “Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? 31 It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; 32 but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.
Graduates I believe you are not looking for something catchy today; I believe you are looking for something concrete.
Mark 4:30-32 “Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”
Who you are becoming is more important than what you are right now; where you are standing right now in not where you have to end up.
We have all been called to establish His kingdom; yet when we look at our life and compare it to what is going on in this world, it seems so insignificant and small. If I could only plant one idea in your mind today it would be this: God is slow fast! God will move suddenly in the life of the believer who patiently pursues Him!
Graduates you have been brought up in a church culture that has had faith in faith; they say they have faith but their faith it is attached to nothing concreate. Success in life has never been about the strength or size of your faith; It is about the object of your faith (What it is attached to)
31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. If I were to ask you to describe your faith today more than likely you would not describe it as great or large; rather you would probably confess it to be small. Yet God can do something big with something small.
What can small faith do?
1.Small faith sees in the seed. Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the [substance] of things hoped for, the [evidence] of things not seen.
If you can see it, it is not faith. Faith is the absence of sense. Do you have some things going on in your life right now that don’t make sense; its ok, faith is comfortable with the unseen. Has anyone here ever had problems connecting with the internet? Faith is like Wi-Fi; you can’t see it, but it has the power to connect you to what you need.
2. Small faith works in the dirt. 32 Yet when planted…” Everything we have to offer is small, but if we surrender it to God and choose to plant it, He will make something big out of it!
If the seed has potential – the dirt has a purpose! When you surrender to Him you will never be buried by life; you will be planted. I am not buried by life; I am being planted! Let the dirt do its work. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants…” Don’t pray God take away the dirt; pray that the dirt would accomplish its purpose; pray “God let me grow”.
3. Small faith rejoices in the harvest. The harvest is a season not a destination. You don’t live in the harvest you go through it. You cannot chase the harvest; the harvest is the result of planted seed.
32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”
God does not plant you so you can become blessed and big; you are planted so you can become a blessing to others.
God will grow you large so the random birds can come and perch on the branches and receive shade; birds that did not go through the pain of being planted. May you make the choice to be planted for those who need some shade.