2. Mark 4:26-32 And He was saying, “The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows—how, he himself does not know.

3. “The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head.

4. “But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

5. And He said, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it?

6. “It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the soil, though it is smaller than all the seeds that are upon the soil,

7. yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms large branches; so that the birds of the air can nest under its shade.”

8. Similar Picture, Different View
Sower, Seed, Soil, and Crop
From individuals to kingdom
The Kingdom of God is made up of people rightly relating to the King

9. A bit about the Kingdom OT theme – Exodus 19:5-6
NT theme – 1st Peter 2:9-10
God’s intention -- Titus 2:13-14

10. A bit about the Kingdom It is about God’s sovereign Lordship
It is an exclusive citizenship
It is a purposeful citizenship
It is a holy citizenship

11. Kingdom…From Seed to Harvest
Sower – incidental backdrop
Seed – the Word
Soil – the world
Crop – the people of God
Harvest – finished work of God

12. Kingdom…From Seed to Harvest
A sovereign and miraculous work
Not achieved by force
Not achieved by human goodness

13. This "...emphasizes the independence of the seed's growth from any action on the part of the farmer and…to show that the consummation of the kingdom of God is not dependent on any human action..." (Stein, pg. 232)

14. Kingdom…From Seed to Bush
Speaking in hyperbole
Not the smallest
Not the biggest
It is a contrast
Insignificance to significance
Nothingness to fullness

15. Kingdom…From Seed to Bush
Israel
Abraham…as good as dead
Israel…began with 75
The Church…began with 12

16. Kingdom…From Seed to Bush
The scope of the Kingdom
Children…Matthew 18:1-3
Nations…Isaiah 19:19-25
All peoples…Revelation 5:9

17. "The inconspicuous nature of the kingdom should not be a concern
"The inconspicuous nature of the kingdom should not be a concern. Although at the present time hidden from the eyes of the world, at the consummation its final manifestation will be glorious and overwhelming." (Stein, pg. 238)

19. Don’t miss the MARK
God’s concern is not with nations but with His kingdom
The seed WILL sprout and grow
Remain faithful

20. These "two parables...are meant to reassure his readers concerning the future culmination of the kingdom of God.

21. Although the exact situation for which he writes is uncertain, the parables assure his readers that God is in full control of history.

22. The future consummation they await and long for is certain
The future consummation they await and long for is certain." (Stein, pg. 237)