Principles of Kingdom Growth

Sermon prepared by the Holy Spirit and Pastor Andrew T Okai

4^th Sunday after Pentecost

June 17, 2018

Sermon text: Mark 4:26–34

Introduction

Grace, mercy, and peace...

Today I want to talk a little about the principles of kingdom growth, and the focus of this message is from our gospel text.

This parable is one of the many our Lord told during his ministry here on earth. And just like some of the others, this one speaks about the Kingdom of God. Every person who is saved by his grace is a subject in this spiritual kingdom of God.

Jesus makes it crystal clear that he intends to grow this kingdom. In fact, this was made this plain when he spoke these words to his disciples

In today’s church culture, people have ideas on how we can grow the church: building newer buildings, quietly living as a Christian, allowing more worldliness into the church, or separating ourselves from the church, etc. And for some reason, evangelism is at the very bottom of the list.

In this parable, Jesus tells us about how he is going to grow His kingdom; he gives us some principles of Kingdom growth

Kingdom growth involves a ministry

1. The growing of this kingdom is a human ministry—God has over and again called men to this task. So the whole question of “Can God use a wretch like me” is an irreverent question
2. The growing of this kingdom is a humbling ministry—After the farmer sows the seed, he has done all that he can. He is not responsible for bringing life out of the ground—that’s humbling work because the farmer is at the mercy of the seed.

The Kingdom of God involves a mystery

1. Kingdom growth is a puzzling mystery—No farmer, no scientist, no philosopher can clearly explain how a dormant seed can produce life when it is buried within the soil. So it is with the gospel: it takes the sinner through a process of conviction, conversion, and salvation…
2. Kingdom growth is a private mystery—The gospel works privately in people’s hearts.
3. Kingdom growth is a precious mystery—Look at the phrase “The soil produces grain.”

In closing, we learned today that—

1. God is serious about building his kingdom.
2. God chose to use humans as his builders.
3. This is a humbling experience.
4. This is also a mysterious experience.

In conclusion, we trust God after we have thrown the seed of his word. So God is calling this morning, whom shall I send? I hope we’ll be quick to answer like the great prophet Isaiah: "Lord here I am. Send me."