Refuge Church Of San Antonio
Go And Grow!
Jesus uses two more parables to teach His followers how to go share the gospel with others and what to expect when you do share Him with others. A lesson we can all learn from.
Locations & Times
Refuge Church Of San Antonio
8101 Eagle Crest Blvd, Windcrest, TX 78239, USA
Thursday 10:00 AM
Tuesday 10:00 AM
Go and Grow / – Mark 4:21-34
Shine the Light (Mark 4:21-25)
Parable of the Lamp
21 Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine.22 For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.23 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
24 Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more.25 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”
Mark 4:21-25 NLT
· The gospel isn’t a secret to be kept. It’s a truth to be told and shared with everyone.
· A light that’s covered up is the one that will go out. (Song – “This little light of mine”)
· The amount of Kingdom opportunities or opportunities to share Jesus with others, that you have or get is proportional to what you do with the ones you already have. So get to sharing and projecting the light inside of you.
Throw the Seed (Mark 4:26-29)
Parable of the Growing Seed
26 Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground.27 Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens.28 The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens.29 And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.” Mark 4:26-29 NLT
· Before you and I can experience the growth and the harvest in our lives…much less farming… first, someone has to scatter the seed.
· Real life changing Kingdom growth isn’t something we can get by our own personal skills or any strategies we might think of. Kingdom growth happens when God becomes your choice…to serve, live for and search after.
· Getting to know God more and understanding His Word consists of steady growth rather than drastic results. It’s about the “PROCESS”…And everyone who grows has to go through a process.
Expect the Growth (Mark 4:30-34)
Parable of the Mustard Seed
30 Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it?31 It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds,32 but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.”
33 Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand.34 In fact, in his public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them. Mark 4:30 -34 NLT
· It’s hard to comprehend the contrast between how the church began…back in the day…to what the God’s kingdom in the end is going to be like.
· God’s Kingdom has, will and is growing significantly through insignificant people. And He wants to use you and I to help it grow and get His message out.
· Jesus preached and practiced the need for making disciples through intentional and deliberate relationships.
· Question: SO…are you being intentional and deliberate in being a light for Jesus…to be an example of Him in your daily life to others around you…and are you “sowing Him”, “planting Him”…in relationships with others around you? If not…then are you really one of His disciples or just a “poser”.
Shine the Light (Mark 4:21-25)
Parable of the Lamp
21 Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine.22 For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.23 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
24 Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more.25 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”
Mark 4:21-25 NLT
· The gospel isn’t a secret to be kept. It’s a truth to be told and shared with everyone.
· A light that’s covered up is the one that will go out. (Song – “This little light of mine”)
· The amount of Kingdom opportunities or opportunities to share Jesus with others, that you have or get is proportional to what you do with the ones you already have. So get to sharing and projecting the light inside of you.
Throw the Seed (Mark 4:26-29)
Parable of the Growing Seed
26 Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground.27 Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens.28 The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens.29 And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.” Mark 4:26-29 NLT
· Before you and I can experience the growth and the harvest in our lives…much less farming… first, someone has to scatter the seed.
· Real life changing Kingdom growth isn’t something we can get by our own personal skills or any strategies we might think of. Kingdom growth happens when God becomes your choice…to serve, live for and search after.
· Getting to know God more and understanding His Word consists of steady growth rather than drastic results. It’s about the “PROCESS”…And everyone who grows has to go through a process.
Expect the Growth (Mark 4:30-34)
Parable of the Mustard Seed
30 Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it?31 It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds,32 but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.”
33 Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand.34 In fact, in his public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them. Mark 4:30 -34 NLT
· It’s hard to comprehend the contrast between how the church began…back in the day…to what the God’s kingdom in the end is going to be like.
· God’s Kingdom has, will and is growing significantly through insignificant people. And He wants to use you and I to help it grow and get His message out.
· Jesus preached and practiced the need for making disciples through intentional and deliberate relationships.
· Question: SO…are you being intentional and deliberate in being a light for Jesus…to be an example of Him in your daily life to others around you…and are you “sowing Him”, “planting Him”…in relationships with others around you? If not…then are you really one of His disciples or just a “poser”.