Sermon # 5 - Faith In The Midst Of Life's Storms Series

The question Jesus asked His disciples as recorded in Mark 4:40, Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Why are you frightened? Do you still have no faith?" (GNB)

Let us look at the background to this verse. We read in Mark 4:1, Again Jesus began to teach beside Lake Galilee. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it. The boat was out in the water, and the crowd stood on the shore at the water's edge. (GNB)

When Jesus lived on the earth, He spent much of His time teaching, and preaching to the people. Jesus was an excellent teacher. There were many who preceded Jesus, who also taught many things, but the people were not able to understand their teachings. When Jesus taught, the people could comprehend His teachings with ease, and therefore great crowds followed after Him wherever He went.

Jesus taught through parables

We read in Mark 4:34, He would not speak to them without using parables, but when he was alone with his disciples, he would explain everything to them. (GNB)

Jesus used stories or illustrations from day to day life, which were called parables, to help teach the people the deeper spiritual truths, and secrets of the Kingdom of God. The crowds that gathered hears all these parables, but it was only when He was alone with His disciples, did Jesus explained the hidden meanings of these parables to them in great detail.

If one were to compare this with a class of students in a school, there is normal class for everyone, but for a chosen few the teacher chooses to have special classes. All of us come to church and hear the word, but it would be good for us to take notes, and meditate on them when we get home. That way we get to have that special time alone with the word of God.

Let us look at four parables of Jesus as recorded in Mark 4

1. Parable of the sower

In this parable Jesus talks about a man who went out to sow seeds. Being in a culture where agriculture was their major occupation, the crowds could easily understand the parable. Jesus explained how when the farmer sowed seeds, some seeds fell on the wayside, which was basically hard from people constantly walking on it, and these were picked up by the birds as soon as they fell there. There are many whose hearts are hardened because of hardships, grudges, hurts and when the seed which is the word of God falls on it, it does not even stay because the evil one just doesn’t allow it to penetrate inside. Just as a farmer prepares the soil before sowing the seeds, we too must ask the Lord to prepare our hearts to receive His word, and bring transformation in our lives.

Some seeds fell on rocky places, which grew immediately but had no root to sustain the plant. There are those who come to God with zeal, but are not rooted in Him and so fall away quickly. The third set of seeds fell among thorns, which grew but got choked by the thorns. These are those who also receive the word with joy, but get overwhelmed with worries, cares and riches of this world, and so become useless. The fourth set of seeds fell on good soil, which produced bountiful fruit. The seeds which fell on good soil, died initially, but brought forth abundant fruit to bless many.

We too are called to be those who will let our egos die, so that the Lord can take us and use us to be a blessing to many. The Kingdom of God is a fruit bearing Kingdom, which satisfies the hunger of many.

2. Parable of a lamp on a lampstand

This parable is recorded in Mark 4: 21-25. Here Jesus talks about a lamp that is lit, and placed on a lampstand. The lamp when lit dispels darkness in a room. We too are called to be those lights that will shine bright for the Lord, and dispel the darkness of sin from this world. Many people lived in darkness until Jesus came to the earth, and when Jesus the true light shone on them they realized that there were so many areas of darkness that needed to be changed. The Kingdom of God is one that sheds light, and eradicates darkness.

3. Parable of the growing seed

The third parable is recorded in Mark 4:26-29. A man sows the seeds and he just goes about his usual work. The seeds unnoticed to anyone grow, and become full grown plants ready for harvest. So also, the Kingdom of God is growing unobtrusively or quietly.

4. Parable of the mustard seed