“With many such parables He was speaking the word to them, so far as they were able to hear it; and He did not speak to them without a parable; but He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples” (Mark 4:33-34).

Who can receive the word of the Lord.  Many hear the words, but they do not understand.  Jesus gives us parables as a beginning place.  If we are willing to think, reason, and seek understanding, He will teach us what these parables mean.  It is not a matter of intelligence, but of the Lord granting us wisdom through His word.  Understanding His grace and mercy, and knowing that by faith we follow Jesus, He grows in us His character and prepares us to be with Him forever.

Lord, this world is filled with goofy ideas about all kinds of things.  Guide me out of the sinful thinking of this world to understand that Your word, which is from eternity, leads to eternity.  You have given the words of eternal life.  Help me to receive Your word of truth and abide richly in the wisdom You grant to those who are willing to receive the seed of Your word and watch it grow throughout a faithful life.

Lord Jesus, You have come so that as many as believe, acting upon the word You have given, may see Your word sprout and grow.  Lead me today, Lord, with willingness to see Your word grow a little more in me.  Help me to see the many ways in which You have been abiding in me so that I may, with greater willingness, abide in You.  Help me each step of the way so that I do not receive just through parables, but through Your instruction.  Amen.

“And He said, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it?  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, 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” (Mark 4:30-32).

The word has been planted, and the church has grown: a ragtag group of men and then another group following.  From these the world has been altered.  But this is only the beginning, for the Lord is building His church, His bride, to dwell with Him forever.  The good done in the world because of the church is still small compared to what He is doing for eternity.  But this also speaks of each of our lives, for from little comes much.

Lord, help me to see how You grow those who live by faith.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to see that in You there is hope and a future.  You have promised that Your word would not come back void.  Lead me to understand that You will grow in me what is right and good.  Guide me into a life of righteousness so that I grow in You and become a comfort to others as they are nurtured and shown the way.

Lord Jesus, You have raised up those who have faithfully lived their life.  Under the shadow of protection by the growth You gave them, You have raised me up to be a person of faith.  Lead me in salvation so that I also grow and become a place of respite for others that You are growing through the seed of Your word.  Guide me now and always to continue along the path You have established.  Amen.

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44

Script:

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three…Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning everyone! Pastor, I really liked the Gospel message today.

Pastor: Me too, Sammy. Tell me what you liked about the Gospel reading from Matthew 24.

Sammy: Well, I liked that Jesus is teaching about how he is going to come back one day. And I like the story of Noah. And he talked about Noah here.

Pastor: Yes he did. Jesus teaches about how He will return and his return will be like the flood. People were working, eating, drinking, and marrying each other.

Sammy: And then the flood came!

Pastor: And then the flood came and Noah and his family were saved by God because they were living righteous lives.

Sammy: And all the animals were saved, too!

Pastor: That’s right!

Sammy: Except the dinosaurs. They literally missed the boat! Baaahhh!

Pastor: Boys and girls, can we try to name some of the animals that would be on Noah’s ark?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: Great answers! Don’t forget the sheep. And remember, Noah had to have room for two of each kind of animal. That’s a lot of animals!

Pastor: Yes it is. Sammy, I like how you and I are talking about Noah. You see, a lot of people read this passage, and they are afraid of Jesus coming back. We as Christians do not have to be afraid. We are chosen by God, truly loved by him, and given the gift of eternal life by his son Jesus. Because we believe in Jesus, we get to spend an eternity with him in heaven. We do not need to fear his return.

Sammy: Just like Noah didn’t fear the flood. God gave him everything he needed to prepare his heart. God even sent the animals to Noah. We have a good God.

Pastor: Yes we do. Boys and girls, will you please pray with me? Please fold your hands and bow your heads. Dear Jesus, Thank you for returning to us. Please guide our hearts to you. Help us to have faith like Noah. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

“The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head.  But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come” (Mark 4:28-29).

The Lord is growing in each one of us what He is growing.  In our hurried world filled with the expectation of instant results, we often think in terms of instant fixes.  The Lord is growing in us the image of the Son.  He will plant the necessary seeds and take us through this season growing and maturing us.  The Lord is the author and finisher of our faith.  It is the Lord alone who does this.

Lord, You know the anxiety I have in this age.   Guide me away from this anxiety to rest in You.  You will grow in me what You will grow.  It will take the time You have allotted.  It will go the way it goes.  Help me to learn how to trust You above all of the circumstances of this age so that I do not become anxious or sinfully think that You have abandoned me.  Be the One who leads me all the days of this life.

Lord Jesus, You have spoken these words, which give clear understanding for all who are willing to take in Your wisdom.  Help me to not get in Your way with my own ideas or feelings.  Instead, lead me into the life which You have given me.  Guide me on the narrow path which leads to salvation.  Help me to understand that You are and must be the One who grows the seeds You have planted in me, for You alone are and must be the author and finisher of my faith.  Amen.

“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” (Mark 4:26-27).

Who grows all things?  We say we do, but it is the Lord who causes every seed to sprout or not sprout.  He has created all things, even the smallest seed.  He has written the code into our DNA.  He has ordered all things.  We think we’re smart, but we know very little.  The Lord of all offers His hand of salvation that we, who look at the world dimly, may come to the place where we see clearly as we have always clearly been seen by Him.

Lord, like Job, I argue about my circumstances and believe the garbage that others tell me about my situation and circumstances.  You have promised that there is purpose for all things.  You are constantly planting the seed of Your word into my heart.  Guide me so that I humbly walk in the way You would have me walk.  Guide me upon the paths of righteousness according to Your will and for Your name’s sake.

Come, Holy Spirit, and till the soil of my heart.  Remove what is unclean and plant the good seed of Your Word into my heart.  Lead me according to the Father’s purpose in every aspect of my life.  Guide the footsteps ahead of me and my actions to help me now and always to humbly walk in the way of Jesus.  According to Your mercy, lead me forward in the way of salvation in the mystery of faith itself.  Amen.

“For whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him” (Mark 4:25).

We are materialistic in our humanity.  It is tempting to see these things in terms of physical blessing and curse, but do not forget that the only thing we take with us into eternity is our character.  To the one who pursues righteousness, even more will be given.  To the one who rejects salvation, even what they have, it shall be taken.  We either become like Christ, or like the devil, and move into abject poverty of the soul.

Lord, I cling to the things of this world.  Help me to cling to You.  Pour into me the riches of the wealth of Your word.  Guide me to live into the wisdom You offer.  Aid me to see that it is not the blessings of the physical world that matter, but the truth of Your provision.  You created me for a purpose and You alone knows where that will lead.  Lead me on in Your purpose that it may be fulfilled in this life You have given me.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for making my journey out of the poverty of this age into the riches of eternity possible by Your grace.  Lead me to know more clearly where I am fumbling and stalled by the cares of this world.  Through You alone do I breathe, live, and have my being.  Help me to continue the path You have set before me so that I may grow in Your likeness to become what You are making of me.  Amen.

“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”  And He was saying to them, “Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides” (Mark 4:23-24).

Know that there are many ideas and thoughts that go around.  Be careful what you receive and take care with what you reject.  The Holy Spirit will guide you, but you must be willing to be led by the Lord of Life in order to know what to take in and what to reject.  As you learn and grow, it will be measured not by your progress, but by your willingness to seek the righteousness of the LORD.

I know that this world is filled with hatred and wickedness, Lord, so help me to know what is right.  Heal my deafness so that I hear what You would have me hear.  Make me deaf to the wickedness of this age so that I understand what it is, knowing that it is contrary to Your word.  Through all things, grant that I live in Your grace, knowing that I too have and will make my share of sinful mistakes.

Lord Jesus, only You are able to navigate through all of the lies of this age.  Grow in me Your Spirit so that I am able to discern truth.  I cannot remove myself from this world – although You will eventually when it is my time to sleep – so grant me wisdom and hearing so that I hear Your word of truth and reject all of the lies that swirl around me.  Grant me a gracious heart that see things for what they are and the truth that You love everyone, even those who are spewing lies.  Amen.

“And He was saying to them, “A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, is it, or under a bed? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand?  For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light” (Mark 4:21-22).

We live in a world of shadows.  The wicked scheme and think that their deeds are hidden.  The Light of the world shines and we hear that there is nothing that will not be revealed.  How much wickedness of the past, once hidden, has been revealed so that we might understand what has happened?  We are told that, in the end, none of the wickedness will remain hidden.  Live knowing that all is transparent.

Lord, help me to understand.  Help me to live life such that I know all things are visible to You.  Guide me to not plot, as the wicked do, but to seek to do Your will.  Guide me, Lord Jesus, so that I am not afraid, but also that I do not try to hide things.  Lead me to have a heart that reaches out to others in order to show the light of Your love through my life.  Take me from where I am to where I need to be.

Lord Jesus, You have spoken in clear and understandable words.  I can do nothing about those who do wickedness, but I can stand firm in the light of Your revelation and reflect Your word in me to others.  Help me so that I live into the life You have given me in faith.  Lead me to understand these things and reflect them through all that I say and do.  Guide me now and always, knowing that all things are visible to You.  Amen.

“And those are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold” (Mark 4:20).

This is a logical and easily understood principle.  Those willing receive the word of the Lord and that seed grows inside to bear fruit.  Sadly, those who do not receive the word do not understand and, hearing the same word, have nothing happen to them.  The word must be received and then it will grow and produce what the Lord intends.  We need to be receptive.  Or to be blunt, surrender.

Lord, just because I sit and listen, and the words fly by, does not mean that I am taking these words in and receiving them.  Help me to resist the evil words of this age and receive Your words of truth.  Too often, I suspect, it is the other way round, and I reject You while being fed by wickedness.  Change is needed.  The good must go in and the evil must be deflected and only You know truly which is which.

Lord Jesus, You have told me that if I abide in You, knowing that You abide in me, I will bear fruit.  Make me good soil so that I am receptive to Your word and watch as it takes root and grows in me that which the Father desires.  Till the ground of my soul and help me to be receptive.  Guard my soul so that I am sensitive to the wickedness that is all around me.  Help me to bear good fruit for Your kingdom.  Amen.

“And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mark 4:18-19).

We all want what we want.  We are driven by as many motives as there are people in this world.  It is sinful anarchy.  Too many things are able to choke out the faith which we have been given unless we surrender to the Lord knowing that He is who must be the author and finisher of our faith.  The Lord will raise up those who are born in the mire of this world to bear fruit befitting the kingdom of God.

Lord, You know where I fall short.  You know the places where the temptations of this world get in the way of my living the life which You have given me through faith.  I am conditional, but Your love is unconditional.  Guide me so that I do not settle for the things of this world which are perishing.  Lead me instead to live into the life of faith which You have grown in me.

Lord Jesus, I sometimes act as if these are platitudes for others and they do not apply to me.  Lead me out of the doldrums of this life into the new life which You have given me.  Guide me along the narrow path so that Your word of truth grows in me, bearing fruit for Your kingdom.  Lord, let me not watch what is growing, or even how much anything grows, but look to You, the Word made flesh, knowing that You will guide me into all truth.  Amen.