What are you afraid of?

Mark 4:35-5:43

Jesus demonstrated his ultimate power over all creation by conquering three of humanity's primal fears. Paul would later write, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

One primal fear is weather. In ancient times people believed that weather related phenomena were the work of the gods. Thunder, lightning, and storms were terrifying and unpredictable. More terrifying still is the destructive force of tsunamis, hurricanes and tornadoes. Science has not conquered nature but Jesus has. Once, on the Sea of Galilee, a terrible storm arose. The disciples were frightened but Jesus said, “Quiet! Be still.” (Mark 4:39)

The storm ended and the disciples asked, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4:41)

Another primal fear is the occult. Stories of ghosts and zombies attempt to describe those dark forces we instinctively fear. Our more scientific minds see these creatures as mythical but the fear is still there. TV shows like Criminal Minds and Hannibal take a secular look at activity that once ascribed to demonic creatures. Truly there must be something demonic in the things that some humans will do to others.

Jesus encountered a man who lived among the tombs and was demon possessed. A true horror story here. The demon recognized Jesus' authority and left the man. The Bible tells us of 6 incidents where Jesus cast out demons.

Jeffrey Dahmer, the infamous serial killer and cannibal from Wisconsin, was transformed by the power of Christ. If Christ can conquer the demons that led this man to such acts of horror, then we have nothing to fear from the occult.

Death, a third primal fear, invokes a terror that is both personal and universal. We will spend a fortune to save our own life or that of a loved one. It is hard to let go. Yet, although medical miracles are more frequent today, we all will die.

Jesus demonstrated His authority over this fear, too. Jesus is called upon to heal a sick girl but she dies before he can get to her. Jesus goes to the girl and restores her life and health. We can live without fear. Jesus said “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” (John 11:25 NIV)

The Lord is my light and my salvation

whom shall I fear

The Lord is the stronghold of my life

of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1 NIV

Potential

Mark 4:30-31

Miss Rosalie spent her life bringing the gospel to inner-city children in Miami. One day, a well-dressed young man approached her and said, “You may not remember me but I was in one of your Bible clubs many years ago. I know I was a handful but you are a big part of the reason that I am a pastor, today.”

She remembered the man as a high-energy little boy who needed constant correction and lots of love.

Jesus said that the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. It is tiny and unremarkable yet produces much.

There was nothing remarkable about Miss Rosalie other than her constant sharing of love and the gospel to the children living in the poorest sections of Miami. Her work was not celebrated in the secular nor religious media but she was a hero to everyone whose life she touched. Like so many of God's servants she was quietly planting seeds in the hearts of children.

Like a mustard seed, the Kingdom of God does its work unseen. It is not the pastors and religious celebrities that are changing the world. It is God's people buried deep in the places where the hurting are found, giving words of encouragement that point to Jesus. The Kingdom's influence grows through countless small acts of kindness.

I served alongside her one summer, bringing VBS to the projects of Miami. Her influence led me to attend seminary in urban New Orleans and commit my life to urban ministry. She never knew the impact that she had on my life and, for many years, neither did I.

Like a mustard seed Kingdom work starts out small and continues to grow. Let us not grow weary in our work when we don't see immediate results. It is not about building monuments to our own greatness and making a name for ourselves. The Parable of the Sower teaches us that the power of the gospel lies in the seed not the sower. We should rejoice at small victories, remembering that God's values are different than the world's, and give God the glory.

Spreading Good News

Mark 4:1-20

When God's Word hits fertile ground there is a super harvest. That's why Jesus teaches us that we are to spread God's Word everywhere all the time and trust the Holy Spirit for the results. He makes his point by telling a story from a everyday life about a farmer who walks over his field, scattering the seed with his hands.

He sows the seed indiscriminately because he has plenty. He does not try to change the soil at all. No plowing nor fertilizer; he has one job to do. The sower isn’t responsible for the yield but only for spreading the seed. This was how they planted in Jesus' day.

Jesus explained that the seed represented the Word of God. The soils represented the condition of the hearts of those who hear the Word. The power is in the seed. The soils are God's responsibility.

The seed that fell on the good ground sprouted and grew. It produced a crop 30, 60, 100 times what was expected (Mark 4:20). Even though much of the seed doesn’t produce, the harvest is still huge!

We are to spread God's Word to every heart, ALL the time. The Holy Spirit is at work, preparing the heart's of the hearers. When the time is right, the seed will take root.

There are some easy ways to spread the seed.

1. share your story (what does God mean to you)
2. share tracts
3. invite people to a church event

Create opportunities for the Holy Spirit to work. God promises that spreading His Word will result in a great harvest!

“For the word of God is living and powerful,

and sharper than any two-edged sword”

Hebrews 4:12