Get Connected
Click here to fill out the Get Connected Card
Message Notes
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” —Mark 1:15
“The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.” —Psalm 103:19
“The Kingdom of God is - the visible demonstration of the comprehensive rule of God over every area of life.” —Tony Evans
“The Kingdom of God is what our lives should look like when Jesus is ruling and reigning over everything.” —Brian Bloye
“The Kingdom of God is God’s active and sovereign reign through history, bringing about His purpose in the world through Jesus Christ. Simply put, the Kingdom of God is what the world looks like when Jesus gets His way.” —Jeff Christopherson (The Kingdom Matrix)
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” —Matthew 6:33
What is a Parable? A parable is a story that makes a comparison between a known truth and an unknown truth; it throws them alongside each other. It’s a story that teaches a spiritual lesson.
We are called to shine our light.
“And he said to them, ‘Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light.” —Mark 4:21-22
- The gospel isn’t meant to be kept a secret.
“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” —Mark 4:23
- How you respond to the Kingdom opportunities you have already received will determine how much more God will give you.
“And he said to them, ‘Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.’” —Mark 4:24-25
We are called to spread the message
- Kingdom growth is dependent on us throwing seed.
What is the seed? God’s Word, the Gospel message.
“And he said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground.’” —Mark 4:26
- The power is in the seed, not in the person or strategy that delivers it.
“He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.” —Mark 4:27
- The growth of God’s Kingdom will happen…guaranteed!
“The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” —Mark 4:28-29
“After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!” —Revelation 7:9-10
We should expect the kingdom of God to grow
- It will start off small, but it will explode with growth!
“And he said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.’” —Mark 4:30-32
“On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches.” —Ezekiel 17:23
- It will grow significantly through insignificant people.
“With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.” —Mark 4:33
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” —Acts 1:8
- God will continue to develop you and use you as you faithfully do what He’s already asked you to do.
“He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.” —Mark 4:34
“God takes full responsibility for the life that is fully devoted to Him.” —Charles Stanley
Jesus is incredible, and He’s worth following with your whole life.