5.13.2001 | PARABLES OF JESUS - THE SEED- Mark 4:30-32

Intro… ”The new Survivor” (men dropped on an island with 4 kids, a minivan and set to the task of doing what their wives do on a daily basis...)

Today is Mothers Day, we will honor mothers here today and reminder you to honor your mother.

The mustard seed is "the smallest seed you plant in the ground". But it is not in fact the smallest known seed, any guesses as to which seed is the smallest? (the black orchid is smaller). Jesus obviously was not giving a lesson in botany. The mustard seed was the smallest seed his audience was familiar with. This small mustard seed can grow to a height of 10 or 12 ft.

How is the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed?

In this parable the mustard seed illustrates the phenomenally rapid spread of Christianity from a small beginning.

Just like a large mustard plant is able to support birds, the word of God that is planted firmly in our hearts will allow us to grow, become strong and support others. When the seed of Christianity is planted in someone’s heart it will grow, become strong and produce fruit (evidence). Jesus gave them such a great visual of how Christianity should be growing. It starts from such a small seed and grows to a large, solid presence. When the seeds of faith are sown in our lives they should grow to influence many others. It should have that big of an influence.

If your seed of faith isn’t growing rapidly and influencing others, you may need to get replanted.

The word of Christ grows gradually: first the seed; then the sprout; then the crop, and finally the evidence. Are you growing as a Xian? What is the evidence?

The work of grace in the soul is, at first, small ; yet it has a mighty produce.

Are you a growing Christian? Do you have a mighty produce?

Motherhood/parenting is like planting a small seed. It’s hard work.. Mothers, what are the seeds you plant in your children’ lives?

The fruits of the spirit...Galatians 5:22.

Mothers, if you are planting these seeds in your children’s lives, at every phase, you will help them to become strong people, able to support others.

I’d like to hear from all mothers here today….how do we plant the kind of seeds mentioned in Galatians 5:22? love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control.

I want to encourage you mothers to think of your task as growing strong children.

Outside of the seeds mentioned in Gal. 5:22…

The biggest thing you can do for your children is PRAY for them, from conception on.

The next biggest thing is to be there for them. Be available to talk, listen, advise, love and correct.

Let’s shift the focus from you that are mothers to how we honor our mothers.
The Bible tells us to honor our mothers. I know that not so easy for some of you…

Whether you and your mom get along, don’t get along, your mother is here, in another part of the world, if she’s alive...you need to pay her respect somehow.

Ex. 20:12, Honor your father and mother
Lev. 20:9, If anyone curses his father or mother, he must be put to death
Deut. 5:16, Honor…
Deut. 21:18, If you don’t obey your father and mother….stoned to death…
Duet. 27:16, Cursed is the one who dishonors his father or mother
Prov. 10:1, A foolish son is grief to his mother
Prov. 23:22, Don’t despise your mother “ 23:25, Make your father and mother glad “ 30:17, The eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley
Matt. 15:4, 19:19, Honor…
Mark 7:10, 10:19, Honor,
Luke 18:20, Honor
Eph. 6:2, Honor I think you get the point...

Husbands…..There's two theories to arguin' with a woman. Neither one works.

So, Mothers day is a tall order...for you mothers and for us with mothers. We’ve all got a lot of work ahead of us.

Conclusion: We never know what a planted seed will do...story of woman who visited our beach service last week...on the plane with John…. the block party…things you do or say as a Xian, what you do as a mom.

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