CONNECT Worship Gathering: Mark 4: 35-41 Jesus Calms the Storm

The boat in which the disciples were sailing was actually quite large compared to what most people have in mind.  I have a 14 foot aluminum fishing boat, that is my experience. Peter's commercial fishing vessel, however, was 27.5 feet long, 4.5 feet wide, and around 4.5 feet deep. We know this because a 1st century commercial fishing vessel was discovered and recovered during a 1986 drought in the mud of the Sea of Galilee. The boat was finely crafted - made without nails, but rather wooden pegs which when in water would swell perfectly to a tight fit so that the planks and boards held firmly together. We likened the boat to our lives: no matter how much money or education or things we have, the storm which causes us "poverty of spirit" will inevitably come, the storm that will cause us to put complete faith and trust in God. Five of the twelve disciples were seasoned fishermen, they had been in and experienced storms before, but none like this - they were terrified. Why did they wait until they were in true danger before they woke Jesus? Why did they wait till the last minute to call of Jesus? we do the same thing in the business of our lives, and we don't think of Jesus until the wave is already upon us. Jesus showed his power, got up and calmed the sea. Then he utters the words I hope never to hear from the Lord, "haven't you any faith?" It must have stung the disciples, but through the storm they got to see the power of God. While smooth sailing through life is nice, it is through the storms that God gets to shine, and we can experience His amazing power and presence! When you experience a storm, rouse the sleeping Christ within you to calm the raging sea!

CONNECT Worship Gathering: Mark 4:21-34 The Kingdom Parables

Lamps in Jesus' day were small clay pots with a reservoir for oil and a spout out of which a wick came from the reservoir to be lit. A single flame in a dark room is quite bright. We have to imagine a time with no electricity where it would be unthinkable to put a lamp under a bed. A lamp was placed high on the wall on a shelf where its light could be reflected in the whole room. Oil was the fuel of the lamp. The wick was made of fibrous material which soaked up the oil so that it could burn at the end. We likened the oil to the Holy Spirit and we must ask the question, are we filled with the Holy Spirit in a way that lets our lamp shine? John says in his Gospel that light is Jesus Christ himself. We are the clay pot, and we are privileged to have the presence of Christ, the flame, and the gift of God's Spirit, the oil. But are we filled? Are we holding up the lamp that others may see The Way?

Fruit is to be eaten - the more produced the more people can be fed. But we must also remember that plants have humble beginnings, and spring from a tiny seed. This is Jesus' teaching of the growing seed. The farmer scatters seed, but since the sower is God and we are His people, we are expected to prepare good ground in our hearts. We do this by rooting up sin, and doing those things which lead to loving God and loving our neighbor. By acts of love, prayer, and staying in God's word day and night (Psalm 1:2) we make the soil of our heart more fertile. "By night and day, while he's asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows." (Mark 4:27) describes the work of the Holy Spirit, without us being aware, ever changes us more into the image of Jesus.

The mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds, but grows into a sizable plant. The kingdom of God started in the greatest humility, in a small shepherds cave in Jerusalem as Jesus was born into this world. Now the branches of the kingdom of God, the Church, spread out through the world. The vine is Christ himself, crucified and resurrected, from which the branches spring. The mustard seed only releases its pungent flavor when crushed, as Christ was crushed. As we are tested the fragrance of Christ will come through us as well. The mustard seed teaches us that we are to be the seasoning of Christ to this world. The mustard was a tenacious plant growing wherever it landed, even breaking through stone. As a result, the Pharisees had rules where it could be planted, but Jesus' new teaching swallowed up the old rules. As mustard would crack stone, so the Kingdom of God would take root anywhere not through the law, but through love. The kingdom is a haven for sinners - the birds of the air nesting in the branches of the mustard bush - we who are wanderers find a home for our souls. As such, the Church should be the open door and home of all who are searching, thirsty, and hungry for God.

CONNECT Worship Gathering: Mark 4:1-20 Parable of the Soils and Allowing the Gardener in the Gate

The farmer throws his seed by means of telecasting - indiscriminately throwing it everywhere. Jesus is the farmer and the seed is the truth of the Gospel. The ground represents our own hearts. On some ground the seed never takes root becasue the birds, or the adversary, comes and takes it away. Some gladly recieve the word but because they have no roots (no discipleship or people to mentor them) they whither and die. Some seed germinates but grows among throns that represent the cares of this world, materialism, worry, and other vices. These are things we all must struggle with on a day to day basis. When we let go of things, and pray for our daily bread, we flourish in trusting God and learn to walk in the Spirit hand in hand with Jesus. This describes the good soil that produces fruit related to our level of devotion and love of Jesus that becomes thirty, sixty, or a hundred fold.

We mustn't make the mistake of assuming we are good soil. There are parts of our hearts where stones must be removed, where weeds and thorns must be removed, and where we must allow the Gardener to plow our hearts. Everyday He gives us the opportunity to do more work in the garden of our souls. Thistles, as we have seen many of along the road this Spring, can sprout up and grow over night. We must quickly do some pruning and allow the Gardener to remove that root of anger, greed, or discontent which drains the life out of the rest of our soul. Today, allow the Gardener to do his work in your soul, unlock all the gates of your heart. Let us be sources of fruit so that we can be food to those who are hungry and in need of healing.