Today’s Scripture

Psalm 42         Genesis 15:1-6            Mark 4:26-34

 

Mark 4:27  “Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.  All by itself the soil produces grain, first the stalk, then the head, and then the full kernel in the head.”

 

            During this week’s readings from Mark, we have seen Jesus heal another man on the Sabbath.  In that incident we see the Pharisees beginning their plot to kill Jesus.  Crowds follow Jesus everywhere.  He appoints the twelve disciples and then makes them apostles.  They are not just followers but now are ones “sent out” to proclaim his word to others and to drive out demons.  Don’t we do the same today as in baptism and in our confession of faith we denounce Satan and all of his ways?  Then Jesus begins the series of parables.  Parables are stories out of ordinary life used to illustrate a spiritual truth.  At the end of today’s reading we learn that Jesus did not leave these parables for our interpretation, but he interpreted their meanings to the disciples.  Jesus continues miracles of healing.  In these healings we are told that it is in faith that people received these healings from Jairus to the bleeding woman. 

 

            Today’s parables teach us about how God’s kingdom grows.  The first parable is with seed planted in the field.  We understand that if the seed is not planted, it is not going to grow.  The farmer works hard sowing the seed into every part of the field.  But the sower cannot do anything to cause the seed to sprout and grow.  He can cultivate and weed and fertilize.  But the seed grows and produces the harvest by the miraculous power God gives it from creation on.  It is not the power of man but the power of God.  Even in a less bountiful year, more grain is harvested than the amount of seed that was sown.

 

            Today we see two things.  One is the miracle of how God’s kingdom grows.  The other is how God uses man to achieve this, growing the kingdom.  First we take a look at Abram and God’s promise and purpose in calling Abram.  He takes Abram out on a clear night.  “Look up to the heavens and count the stars – if indeed you can count them…So shall your offspring be,” [Genesis 15:5].  God also promised Abraham that his descendants would number not just the stars in the sky, but the sands on the seashore [Genesis 22:17].  Abram is now in his late nineties and Sarai approaching ninety.  Having any children of their own does not seem possible at all, let alone countless offspring.  But Abram trusted God.  Today you are Abram’s offspring, called to be God’s dear children through faith and in baptism in that promise.  Today there are upwards of two billion Christians on this earth.  And it is God’s intent to make his kingdom even more.

 

            The sower sows the seed.  Jesus now calls the disciples apostles and sends them out.  His last command upon ascending into heaven is to go into all the world teaching and baptizing.  The purpose for Immanuel Lutheran here in Des Plaines is both discipling and apostling.  We are here both to hear and learn and to open our mouths and speak, telling others God’s love to all in Jesus Christ.

 

            A couple of weeks ago new members were accepted into this congregation.  Each one was due to another member at Immanuel witnessing and inviting, sometimes over many years.  The seed was planted, and by God’s grace that seed grew and continues to grow in each one today.

 

            Paul writes to us about this miracle of kingdom growing in 1 Corinthians3, I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.

 

            We know that faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Jesus Christ [Romans 10:7].  How can people hear and believe if someone does not preach this gospel to them?  [Romans 10:14].  And God promises that “Everyone who calls on the name of the lord will be saved,” [Romans 10:13].  From the beginning we have learned that men called on the name of the Lord [Genesis 4]. 

 

            Jesus did not look like much as he gathered his disciples around him.  Even as crowds gathered around him, he appeared a small influence as the Romans paid him no attention.  This prophet and his followers were going to do no harm.  But when the word of the resurrection went out, throughout the Roman Empire and to all corners of the earth, one cannot go anywhere today without meeting another Christian, if not many.  A small seed has become the largest of the plants in the garden.

 

            Together in the Word.  We at Immanuel are like Abram.  Each one’s influence appears to be insignificant.  Even when you tell another about Jesus, it may not fill more than another pew here at Immanuel.  Think of Dale Hopper.  Dale was a successful high school band director.  His groups had won many awards.  He then took a position as an instructor at Western Illinois University.  Talking with Dale one day, I asked him what it was like being at the University level.  “I used to be able to see my influence in the students and how they grew and developed.  Today, my instruction is immeasurable as each student now goes out and influences who knows how many others who will then reach out to yet another group.”

 

            Like a farmer, when you plant the seed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in another person’s heart, you do not cause that seed to grow.  It is God’s miracle through the Holy Spirit working in that person’s heart.  But the seed grows and makes an increase at the harvest. 

 

            Each one here has many opportunities to help plant seeds.  Each one here has time to contribute to the activities from service to each other to maintenance of our properties to actions that are outreach into this community.  Each one is here to support the work of the church in offerings that support mission and ministry here and throughout the world.  Each one here knows that prayers offered in faith are heard and answered by God.  Each one here knows that works of kindness in all kinds of ways in this congregation and in our community bring the name, “Immanuel,” God with us, to others in this neighborhood and community.  When the seed is planted, God causes it to grow.  And we thank and praise him for that.

 

            We are to be Together in the Word, growing together in that word as the disciples following Jesus.  In that, each one is to be ABLAZE in faith and sharing that wonderful news to another.  When you share the love of Christ with another, you are driving out demons, driving out the influence Satan has in another’s heart to be replaced by the power of the Spirit bringing that person to grow in God’s love, not Satan’s contrivances. 

 

            In Jesus’ undying love.  Amen.