Scripture: Mark 4: 26-32
Goal: exploring Jesus’ parables... seeds
Title: God’s Kingdom is Like a Seed
Issue
By a show of bulletins, how many of you have seen Elenore, Granite Lake’s resident eagle, who nests high in the branches of a tree. I’d like to take a few minutes to consider just some of God’s handiwork that provided Elenore a place to build her nest? Using the photo on our bulletin cover let us remind ourselves what resources are necessary to grow any seed? The things I see include soil, sunshine, water, seeds, and the unseen oxygen plants require.
Carol and Tracy just built a garden at our house. These two creative women could till soil that already existed, but they were unable to create the soil that incubates and nourishes seeds. They located the garden where it would get the best sun, but they were unable to create the sunshine their seeds need to grow. They connected a hose, sprinkler, and timer, to the house water... but they were unable to create the well water or rain that their seeds need to grow. And just like humans, plants need to breathe in oxygen. Although Carol and Tracy could not create the oxygen, gratefully... it was everywhere they turned. Also, beyond human capability is the creation of the seeds that grow into tomatoes, arugula, radishes, and brussel sprouts... so they purchased their seeds. God has the patent and production rights on soil, water, sunshine, oxygen and seeds, yet God leaves organized planting to mere mortals like you and me... which brings us to this parable.
Scripture
Jesus begins the lesson saying the Kingdom of God is like seed... that a man throws on a field. Jesus uses familiar objects like fields and seeds... to teach important lessons concerning God’s kingdom... to those who have ears to hear. Offering some detail, Jesus points out that seeds grow when man goes to bed, leaving the seeds alone.
So, Jesus set in our minds... a simple image of planting seeds and going to bed while they grow. How can we connect this simple image with God’s Kingdom? If Jesus was suggesting we plant pine nuts, then much of the world would be like the pine barrens of southern New Jersey. Today’s kingdom parable alludes to man planting seeds of faith throughout God’s kingdom. After we plant each seed, God assumes responsibility for the growth of our faith-seeds. Some seed will grow, others will not.
Another soil parable says that people’s receptivity varies... as some soils are rocky, other soils are shallow or contain thorns. Some people ignore faith seeds, while other people happily receive a faith seed, but the seed becomes choked out by their greater care for worldly things.
Be careful, our task is to simply plant seeds of faith... and leave their growth in God’s care. Ours is not to pre-judge who will be receptive.
Applying Scripture
So, is this 1st CE kingdom lesson important for our 21st CE lives? First, I’m reminded that planting and growing seeds is quite important in this kingdom of Munsonville. It was about 10,000 years ago during the Neolithic period... when organized gardening enabled mankind to stop living as migrants, hunting and gathering as they moved from one place to another. As farming evolved, people began to settle in one place.
Second, in modern societies like ours... with so much available at the market, some people grow their own crops to avoid the carcinogenic chemicals added by commercial farmers or they prefer produce that is not trucked across the country. Bill McKibben, a well-known professor at the University of Vermont... writes extensively about our environment and the benefits of growing your own produce or buying it locally. And some of us... just like getting our hands dirty... or try to save a buck.
Today’s parable urges you, me and everyone to plant seeds of faith in God’s kingdom.
When it comes to sharing our faith with others, many of us feel fear or trepidation. Two practical suggestions to overcome that fear... stay away from scripture and only share your personal faith experiences. We are far more effective and authentic when we simply share whatever connects us with our Higher Power! And after planting each faith seed... listen for Jesus to say to you: well done, good and faithful servant, now go rest... because God takes responsibility for growing every seed you plant. So, as commissioned ambassadors of Jesus... fear not... let your faith-light shine and... share your faith-light everywhere you go!
IF you are able, please stand and boldly sing This Little Light of Mine UMH 585
Chapel by the Lake
Rev. Bill Taylor
Goal: exploring Jesus’ parables... seeds
Title: God’s Kingdom is Like a Seed
Issue
By a show of bulletins, how many of you have seen Elenore, Granite Lake’s resident eagle, who nests high in the branches of a tree. I’d like to take a few minutes to consider just some of God’s handiwork that provided Elenore a place to build her nest? Using the photo on our bulletin cover let us remind ourselves what resources are necessary to grow any seed? The things I see include soil, sunshine, water, seeds, and the unseen oxygen plants require.
Carol and Tracy just built a garden at our house. These two creative women could till soil that already existed, but they were unable to create the soil that incubates and nourishes seeds. They located the garden where it would get the best sun, but they were unable to create the sunshine their seeds need to grow. They connected a hose, sprinkler, and timer, to the house water... but they were unable to create the well water or rain that their seeds need to grow. And just like humans, plants need to breathe in oxygen. Although Carol and Tracy could not create the oxygen, gratefully... it was everywhere they turned. Also, beyond human capability is the creation of the seeds that grow into tomatoes, arugula, radishes, and brussel sprouts... so they purchased their seeds. God has the patent and production rights on soil, water, sunshine, oxygen and seeds, yet God leaves organized planting to mere mortals like you and me... which brings us to this parable.
Scripture
Jesus begins the lesson saying the Kingdom of God is like seed... that a man throws on a field. Jesus uses familiar objects like fields and seeds... to teach important lessons concerning God’s kingdom... to those who have ears to hear. Offering some detail, Jesus points out that seeds grow when man goes to bed, leaving the seeds alone.
So, Jesus set in our minds... a simple image of planting seeds and going to bed while they grow. How can we connect this simple image with God’s Kingdom? If Jesus was suggesting we plant pine nuts, then much of the world would be like the pine barrens of southern New Jersey. Today’s kingdom parable alludes to man planting seeds of faith throughout God’s kingdom. After we plant each seed, God assumes responsibility for the growth of our faith-seeds. Some seed will grow, others will not.
Another soil parable says that people’s receptivity varies... as some soils are rocky, other soils are shallow or contain thorns. Some people ignore faith seeds, while other people happily receive a faith seed, but the seed becomes choked out by their greater care for worldly things.
Be careful, our task is to simply plant seeds of faith... and leave their growth in God’s care. Ours is not to pre-judge who will be receptive.
Applying Scripture
So, is this 1st CE kingdom lesson important for our 21st CE lives? First, I’m reminded that planting and growing seeds is quite important in this kingdom of Munsonville. It was about 10,000 years ago during the Neolithic period... when organized gardening enabled mankind to stop living as migrants, hunting and gathering as they moved from one place to another. As farming evolved, people began to settle in one place.
Second, in modern societies like ours... with so much available at the market, some people grow their own crops to avoid the carcinogenic chemicals added by commercial farmers or they prefer produce that is not trucked across the country. Bill McKibben, a well-known professor at the University of Vermont... writes extensively about our environment and the benefits of growing your own produce or buying it locally. And some of us... just like getting our hands dirty... or try to save a buck.
Today’s parable urges you, me and everyone to plant seeds of faith in God’s kingdom.
- Why is this important to God? Religiosity across American continues a 50 year decline.
- Why should we plant faith seeds... instead of God’s Angel Army? God’s New Covenant hopes humanity will freely choose to participate in His kingdom... so God chose flawed humans, like you and me, to invite other flawed humans into the kingdom.
- What does planting seeds of faith require from you and me? It requires us to share our faith experience with others.
When it comes to sharing our faith with others, many of us feel fear or trepidation. Two practical suggestions to overcome that fear... stay away from scripture and only share your personal faith experiences. We are far more effective and authentic when we simply share whatever connects us with our Higher Power! And after planting each faith seed... listen for Jesus to say to you: well done, good and faithful servant, now go rest... because God takes responsibility for growing every seed you plant. So, as commissioned ambassadors of Jesus... fear not... let your faith-light shine and... share your faith-light everywhere you go!
IF you are able, please stand and boldly sing This Little Light of Mine UMH 585
Chapel by the Lake
Rev. Bill Taylor