Luke 13:18-19, "Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it."
There are many good causes in which we can invest our time, efforts, and finances (anti- abortion efforts, political reform, family advocates, etc.). But the greatest cause of all to invest in is the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
This little parable is perhaps one of the least know parables in all the Bible, yet is illustrates a powerful truth.
Notice three thoughts from this great little parable about investing our lives, talents, and treasures into the service of our Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel.
The Simplicity of Serving Jesus. Serving the Lord Jesus is, in many ways, as simple as casting a seed into the ground. We as Christians often have a tendency to complicate things. One aspect of wisdom is the ability to take something that is complicated and make it simple. We have a tendency to take on God's responsibility and role in the work of the ministry. We try to "convict" someone of their sins. We cannot convict anyone of their sins, that is the Holy Spirit's responsibility. My responsibility is to simply live by God's Word and declare God's Word to the unsaved world. God does the convicting. - A simple person can serve Jesus. "...a man..." Not a prophet of God, or some outstanding farmer or highly educated scholar. Just a man. An un-named man at that. Just someone willing to plant a seed. God is not looking for great abilities, just simple availability. - A simple place to serve Jesus. "...his garden..." He did not have a great thousands acre farm, just a garden. Our area of service may not be a large "field" of influence, but rather just a "garden." When living in differing cities throughout the years of various ministries, we would often come across small flourishing gardens in people's backyards or along their flower beds. We must never think that because our area of ministry may not be as large as someone else's that we are insignificant to the Lord or that we cannot have a significant influence on this sinful world. There are children in nearly every neighborhood that need Jesus. There are families in all corners of the world that need the Word of God and the help of the Holy Ghost. - A simple procedure in serving Jesus. "...took and cast..." Not a very difficult procedure. It just required a little time and effort. This man did not blow and trumpets, flash any lights, sound any horns, wear any extravagant clothing. He just threw out the seed. Serving Jesus is primarily just simply "taking and casting" the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a good deed and a kind word. To many of our churches and ministries are trying every new thing that comes along, except the simple declaration of God's Word.
- A Simple product in serving Jesus. "...a grain of mustard seed." A mustard seed is a seemingly insignificant seed. We sometimes get accused of preaching a "simple" Gospel. Our answer is, "guilty!" The Gospel of the Bible is simply the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
The Significance of Serving Jesus. When sowing the "seed" of the Gospel, we are... - Sowing a life producing thing. The seed contains the life of the plant into which it will grow when received by the soil. When declaring the Word of God, we are declaring life... eternal life! Only the Gospel of Jesus Christ can produce eternal life in the heart and soul of the one who receives it. - Sowing a comprehensive thing. Everything is in the seed that will ever come out; the trunk, branches, leaves, fruit, etc. Everything that is necessary to save a soul from Hell is found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Everything that is necessary to give eternal life is found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Everything that is necessary to transform a life here and now on this earth is found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ Everything that is necessary to have purpose and fulfillment in life is found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. - Sowing a miraculous thing. Every life is a miracle of God. Every new birth is a miracle of God. Every saved man, woman and child is a miracle of God. Only God can give life, both physical and eternal (spiritual). We must rejoice in what God does when He uses us to bring the Gospel to the unsaved of this world. Note: there is not room for bragging or boasting in the service of the Lord. He does it all, we just have the opportunity and privilege of having a part in what He does.
The Success of Working for Jesus. - The seed grew. "...and it grew,..." It may take some time, but the Gospel will grow. Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;" Psalm 126:6, "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Isaiah 55:11, "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." - The seed became great. "...and waxed a great tree..." All the great works of God throughout church history have begun by the simple sowing of the Gospel "seed." Many times by unknown, or relatively unknown "sowers" who faithfully sowed the seed of God's Word. - The seed was good. "...and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it." The seed, when received and gown did not produce a poisonous plant or briars, but rather something good and beneficial. The Gospel of Jesus Christ always has a good and positive influence on the lives of those who receive it and will benefit the community in which it exists. The Gospel will make liars honest, drunkards sober, fornicators pure, the sad happy and bring blessings to where curses reigned.
This is a great little proverb that illustrated the powerful influence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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