Parables of the Kingdom - Mark 4:21-34

The Kingdom is indeed eternal, but it's also here now. Jesus is Lord of the Kingdom, and Lord of all. Demons shudder over his authority! Satan doesn't want us to know about the Kingdom.

Being in the Kingdom means we're under the King! He is our Lord! He brought the Kingdom down to us.

In the parable of the lamp, we see he didn't give us a light to hide it, as he didn't give us seeds to hoard them but to sow. You've been given the light; be generous with what you've been given-- share it as generously as God has shared it with you!

In the parable of the seed growing, the Kingdom grows first in Jesus, then the apostles, then the 120 in the upper room, then the world. We sow, then we go to bed, and sow again tomorrow. Conversion is not up to us; the pressure is off! We ourselves can't change human hearts. Real change is only accomplished by the Holy Spirit! The sower simply sows, and leaves the rest up to God.

"The harvest" may be referring to the return of the Lord. We want to live ready for this harvest! What if today is your last day?

In the parable of the mustard seed, the seed is the Kingdom of God, first sown by Jesus, then the apostles, and eventually around the world. It becomes larger than all the plants in the garden very quickly. The Kingdom of God will eventually cover the entire world! It's not for one kind of person, but for all kinds, all races, all personality types!

What Jesus started in Nazareth has covered the entire world. The church is like Noah's ark; it's the only way to escape God's wrath.

Every good and perfect gift comes from God-- he is good! We can make our homes in the Kingdom of Christ!!!