Storyteller #5 - The Mustard Seed

When Jesus came preaching and teaching, healing and performing all sorts of miracles, he made it known: “The kingdom of God is at hand!” And it was. Through his miracles, wonders, and works, he was giving people a glimpse of the rolled-back curse, a taste of the eternal kingdom that is surely to come. He was coming after the kingdom of darkness and exerting his rule over it. Through his preaching and teaching, he opened the eyes of people’s hearts to know the hope of their calling, their glorious share in the inheritance with Jesus and all the saints, and the great power of God who raised Jesus from the dead. God was indeed on the scene, and he was on the move.

Jesus wants us to understand more fully and more deeply what the kingdom of God is, how it works, and what it accomplishes. That’s he moved his Spirit to inspire Mark to record these parables that Jesus told. Yes, these parables in Mark 4 are meant to help us understand the kingdom of God, how it works, what it does, and even how we ought to respond to its coming. It’s an important chapter. It’s one of the few places in the gospel of Mark where he records the teachings of Christ.

We’re wrapping up this part of the book of Mark this week, and with Jesus as our teacher, we will ask the question: “What shall we say that the kingdom of God is like? What parable shall we use to describe it?” We’ll be considering Mark 4:30-34.

Storyteller #4 - The Growing Seed

Mark isn’t often much concerned with the teachings of Jesus. He is most concerned with the deeds of Christ and his working out the kingdom of God. He isn’t much concerned with his teachings, but when he is focused on the teachings of Jesus, he does it with focus and purpose. He has gathered together these parables of Jesus here in Mark chapter 4 with the express purpose of teaching us about the way that the kingdom of God moves and works.

The first parable teaches us generally about the kingdom and its movement and shows us that the life is in the seed. The second group of short little parables asks us the question: What will you do with the seed, i.e., the Word? Today, Jesus helps us to understand further the way in which the seed works. He teaches us how the kingdom grows. Next week, he will show us what the kingdom of God looks like.

Jesus is a different sort of King with a different sort of kingdom. This series of parables is meant to help us understand the way that his kingdom works and moves more fully.

Storyteller #3 - The Parable of the Lamp

This is important stuff. Jesus is pulling his disciples aside to teach them and to give them insight into what they will do with him and with his Word. He wants the same to you. Jesus is the Sower who casts his seed recklessly into your ears so that you might here and believe.

This is important stuff. What are you going to do with it? That’s what Jesus wants you to think about next. Will you put it under a bowl and harden yourself to it so that it doesn’t enlighten you or anyone else? Will you be stingy with it? What will you do with Jesus and his Word?

We consider the next little parables in Mark 4, Jesus encourages us: “Consider carefully how you hear” (Mark 4:24). We’re looking at Mark 4:21-25.

Storyteller #2 - The Sower and the Seed

This is one of the best-known parables of Jesus and is one of the few to which Jesus gives us the key and interpretation of the various characters within the parable. This is such a gift to us because it not only helps us understand this parable but also gives a key to unlock the other. The one who has ears, let them hear! Mark 4:1-9, 13-20.

Storyteller #1 - Why parables?

Jesus is our Savior. He is also our Teacher. He often told short stories, aka parables, that taught us spiritual truths through an earthly story. We’re starting a five-week series this weekend (July 2). During this series, we will sit at the feet of Jesus and learn important truths from him about his Word and about the Kingdom of God. We’ll be looking at the parables in Mark 4.

Mark doesn’t include a lot of teaching moments during the life and ministry of Jesus, so this is a big deal. It will be good for us to pay attention. Each week you might even ask each week: Why did Mark include this one?

Our goal for this first sermon is to understand why: Why did Jesus tell parables? More directly, why did Jesus tell these parables here? Mark is tightly tying the context together for us. This weekend, we’ll skip ahead in Mark 4 to hear Jesus’ answer to the question: Why do you speak and live in parables?