Theme: Small Things
Sunday we talked about the four truths every Christian must know.
God says the Kingdom is meant to GROW.
God says NO SECRETS in the Kingdom.
God says in the Kingdom I AM in control.
God says in the Kingdom SMALL things make a BIG difference.
I want to focus on the fourth.
Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.” - Mark 4:30-32 (NIV)
Ant Man from the Marvel movie world has made modern culture aware of the power of small. When Jesus was here, the mustard seed was the smallest of all seeds. The garden plant it became was the largest of all garden plants. The picture is worth a thousand words - see it in your mind's eye. I think Jesus is saying God takes small things and makes a big difference with them. That is good news for most of us. But what does this look like in real life, the nine to five so to speak?
Well, today, we have nano technology. Things so small they are practically invisible! But think about it, invisible forces are the things that effect us the most. Look at physical things like gravity, too much you are dead, too little you are gone. You cannot see it, but it's real. Radiation, without enough we are dead, too much we are gone. You cannot see it, but it's real. When we look at forces like love, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control, and faithfulness we must realize the power they have. These are not visible things you can buy off the Walmart shelves, but they are invisible forces that effect us more than anything.
Just a thought, but maybe the smallest expression of these invisible forces could make a big impact. How do you feel when someone hugs you, overlooks a shortcoming, sends you a thank you, gives you a gift, forgives, or simply stays by your side? You feel really good, right?You have a very positive emotional response, something you cannot see, but it's real. If we sit on a rock and think about it, these small expressions of invisible forces make a big difference, don't they?
Personally, I am glad Jesus held up that mustard seed. It was small, probably not even visible to the guy in the back row of the crowd. Why did Jesus use this parable? Maybe Jesus is reminding us that the smallest amount of love, the smallest amount of patience, the smallest amount of kindness, the smallest amount of goodness, the smallest amount of self-control, or the smallest amount of faithfulness can grow into more than we ever thought possible. So here is the question to think about this week.
What SMALL thing can I do believing it will make a big difference?
Scripture: Mark 4:30-32
Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”
Prayer
"Father, thank you for all the small things that have made a big difference in my life. Sometimes I think only the big things matter. But I believe what Jesus taught, the smallest things can make the biggest difference. I ask you to make me aware of how important the small things are. I ask You to show me the small things you want me to do. By the Holy Spirit, nudge me to do these small acts of kindness. I believe You will cause them to grow and become more than I could have dreamed. In the name of Jesus, Amen."