For our Sunday morning worship, we continued our study through the Gospel of Mark examining 4:26-29. This is a parable that teaches us the Kingdom is growing. We observed the following three points from the text.

1. The Kingdom grows secretly. That is, the Kingdom grows, we know that it grows, but it does so in ways that we cannot explain! Just as the kernel grows in the ground. We cannot explain it, but it grows all the same. We may describe the growth with terms like “germination” but we do not actually know how germination happens. Life springs from death! The only answer is God! In the same way, the Kingdom grows secretly in our hearts. Although we have heard the Gospel dozens of times, all of a sudden it attaches to our hearts, convicts us, brings us to repentance, and faith springs up! We know not how. The only answer is God!
2. The Kingdom grows mysteriously. That is, the Kingdom grows and we do not see most of the growth! We do not see the seed breaking up under the soil and a sprouting up toward the soil, but it is happening! It is a marvelous, miraculous work that we do not see! In the same way, God’s work within other believers is often a hidden work convicting them and conforming them to Christ. God’s work around the world progresses every single day, and we do not see it! Yet, the Kingdom is growing.
3. Kingdom growth anticipates a harvest! As believers we are growing toward a glorious goal, namely, meeting our Savior! 1 John 3:2-3, “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” Beyond the individual believer, the collective Body of Christ awaits a final harvest! Matt 24:30-31, “they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds.”