THE HIDDEN WORK OF THE SPIRIT3rd Sunday after Pentecost

(Ordinary Time)

14th June 2015

Where are we now?

Discipleship

Transformation

Personal Journey

Corporate Journey

Growth

How are we in our journeys now?

What are we focused on as a Christ follower today?

Stop, Rest and Ponder!

Mark 4: 26-34• 4:26 He also said, "The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter• seed on the ground,

• 4:27 and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout• and grow, he does not know how.

• 4:28 The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full• grain in the head.

• 4:29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because• the harvest has come."

• 4:30 He also said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it?

• 4:31 It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth;

• 4:32 yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade."

• 4:33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it;

• 4:34 he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

Quick contemplation…He explains to His disciples.

It is a JOURNEY we are on.

Secrecy and hiddenness

The growth of His church, us is not in our control, a mystery to us, we just know the growth is great

Our resources include: message of the Kingdom, along with call to repent and believe in the Good News, is Jesus’ promise to equip and shape us as hearers

Importance of hearing (call for good ears)

The SPIRIT of God is at work….

Ezekiel 17: 22-24• 17:22 Thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will take a

sprig from the lofty top of a cedar; I will set it out. I will break off a tender one from the topmost of its young twigs; I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain.

• 17:23 On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it, in order that it may produce boughs and bear fruit, and become a noble cedar. Under it every kind of bird will live; in the shade of its branches will nest winged creatures of every kind.

• 17:24 All the trees of the field shall know that I am the LORD. I bring low the high tree, I make high the low tree; I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. I the LORD have spoken; I will accomplish it.

Quick contemplation…Renewal and hope are alive!

In those places and times of hardship, it seems appropriate to think about the newness and

change and hope that comes when God takes twigs and makes cedars.

Emphasis lies on the small seed becoming a larger plant.

A seed or a twig -- and growing larger -- a bush or a tree -- in order to provide

nourishment and protection to “the birds of the air.”

GOSPEL The SPIRIT of God is at work….

How then do we keep our soil ready?

1. Spend TIME in PRAYER!

2. LISTEN to Him!

3. Get to know Him through His Word

4. Consistently…

How then shall we live?

Be a part of the family

Remember you are part of BLC

Give of yourself to BLC: time, talent, treasure

What shall I do for my relationship with God today?

Think and Commit to the Lord!

Therefore….

[So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”] John 20:21

Let the SPIRIT of God work….