Seeing God s Will for Life Embedded in Creation: Studies in Mark

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1 SESSION ONE Mark 4:26-34 Preaching Supports Seeing God s Will for Life Embedded in Creation: Studies in Mark Year B Lectionary 11 / 2 Pentecost Focus Statement We can discover the will of God whenever we discern the impulse for abundant life in all of its forms. Key Verse When [a mustard seed] 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. Mark 4:32 Tip Many of the creative worship suggestions in these preaching and liturgy supports require some preparation, so please look through them well in advance. Theme Statement An overarching glimpse of the entire worship series. God s will is not always visible. This does not mean that the will of God leading to the coming of God s kingdom is not at work. This series will explore how God s will for life in all of its abundance can be seen and shared. In Mark 4 s parables, in order for the seed to grow it must first be hidden in the soil. Out of this hiddenness comes the sprout and then the harvest or the great shrub of the mustard seed. Likewise, the Christian by faith can see God s will emerge and triumph in the midst of natural disasters. God does not cause these disasters or tragedies. But God has chosen to use human beings as well as nature itself to bring abundant life from them. Finally, we see that the will of God embodied in Jesus, the demonstrator and guarantor of God s promises, is experienced in the ways that the kingdom of God for life emerges even through encounters with disease and death. 1. Seeing God s Will for Life Embedded in Creation: Mark 4:26-34 (Year B Lectionary 11 / 2 Pentecost) 2. Trusting God s Will for Life When Nature Runs Amok: Mark 4:35-41 (Year B Lectionary 12 / 3 Pentecost) 3. Laying Hold of God s Will for Life in the Face of Disease and Death: Mark 5:21-43 (Year B Lectionary 13 / 4 Pentecost) Text Study An expository summary of the reading related to the Together in Faith Adult Bible Study. The parables of the scattered seed and the mustard seed both rely on organic imagery for the kingdom of God. Both share certain attributes and assumptions. In both parables, the hiddenness of the seed in the earth is countered by the assurance of growth. In verse 28, the Greek word is automatos. From this word we derive the English word automatically. Though the coming of God s kingdom often seems hidden, we can be assured that it will emerge and bear fruit. The inevitability of the emergence of the kingdom of God blesses our lives with assurance, patience, and hope. In the second parable, Jesus expands the themes found in the first parable. In the parable of the mustard seed our assurance is not simply that the kingdom will grow and produce fruits, but that what it produces Preaching Supports: Mark 4:26-34, p. 1

2 will be great indeed great in its capacity to protect and provide for life. We can wait with patience, knowing that our hope will not merely be realized, but exceeded. Sermon Outlines The first outline is designed for use if the scheduling of this series corresponds with the Church Year calendar. The second outline is provided for general use at any time of the year. Outline 1: (Lectionary-based Sermon) Gospel Connection: The text is the gospel for this Sunday. Jesus teaching reminds us that the active will of God may be invisible but will emerge in time. In commemorating the Cappadocian fathers and Macrina, on this day the church celebrates how God s presence and will emerges in the life of God s people. These saints rose up in their time to bear fruits of great faith. We who have been implanted with the seed of the gospel are called in our own way and within our own context to declare Jesus as Messiah and point to the life-giving promises of God. Title: The Radical Optimism of Faith 1. There are always excuses not to do anything. a. We think it will never be enough. i. The issues are too great. ii. We are too small. b. Jesus debunks our excuses. i. Read the parables. ii. What is small has large consequences. iii. What is hidden, by the touch of God s Holy Spirit, grows and shows God s will for abundant life. 2. Spirit-led willingness. a. The radical optimism of our faith. i. God has chosen to work through us. ii. It is God s work. iii. Our confidence is God s touch on our labor. iv. God invites each person to participate in God s mission in the world. 1. We never work alone. 2. We are part of God s universal church. 3. God combines our labor with the labors of others to bring love and peace into conflict and pain. 4. This is the promise in the parables. 3. God s will is at work. a. Luther said, You can serve God willingly or serve God anyway. i. Creation, though broken, serves God will. ii. God s will is productive; it leads to harvest in the first parable. iii. God s will is our protection and provision; the mustard seed provides shade and place for nests. iv. God s will embedded in creation is for life. b. Jesus embodies the life-giving will of God. i. Jesus is the presence of God s kingdom. ii. Jesus demonstrates and guarantees the triumph of life over death. Preaching Supports: Mark 4:26-34, p. 2

3 Outline 2: (Thematic Sermon) Title: Where Is God? 1. Where is God? a. The invisible creator has a will for life. i. God created all that is. ii. God continues creating and sustaining life. b. We do not always see God s will for life. i. In the destruction of hurricanes and tornados. ii. In an accidents of nature: trees falling, mudslides, avalanches. 2. The promise in the parables. a. God is always at work. i. The kingdom will come. ii. God will provide. b. God s perspective. i. God sees forward and backward simultaneously. ii. God works through all things to bring life. iii. The cross becomes the doorway to Easter. 3. Life will triumph. a. Faith sees more. i. God is not the cause of accidents or tragedies in nature. ii. God will not leave us alone (Romans 8:28). b. The kingdom will come. i. In us. ii. Through creation. iii. At the end of time. Children s Lesson The first option is designed for use if the scheduling of this series corresponds with the Church Year calendar. The second option is provided for general use at any time of the year. Option 1: (Lectionary-based Lesson) Supplies needed: a seed and large plant. Welcome everybody! How many of you love to hear a good story? (Allow time for hands to go up.) Every Sunday you can hear special stories from the Bible here at church or during Sunday School. Jesus liked to tell stories too and he used them a lot to teach people about life. In our Bible text today, Jesus used parables which are stories to tell us what the kingdom of God is like. Why don t you all try saying that word with me parable. Parables are stories that tells us about one thing so we better understand something different. Let me show you what I mean by talking about this seed. (Show your seed.) What would happen if I plant this seed in the ground or a pot of dirt? (Allow time for answers.) What if we add water and sunlight? (Allow more time.) Absolutely it would grow and grow! Seeds grow into flowers, trees, and lots of other much bigger things than this tiny seed. (Show large plant.) In this parable Jesus uses a seed to tell us about the kingdom of God. We don t need to be very big to do great things. With God, we are all able to make the world a better place. There is no need to worry about what we can or can t do because our God is an awesome God! God has the power to take something pretty tiny and make it something incredibly large! Preaching Supports: Mark 4:26-34, p. 3

4 Pray: God, we thank you for being so amazing! How incredible it is that you can take something so teeny tiny and create such large miracles. What a blessing it is that we can be any size and still be important in your kingdom. Amen. Option 2: (Thematic Lesson) Supplies needed: mustard seed or other tiny seed. Good morning! I am glad you all are here today. How many of you have seen a mustard seed before? They are definitely one of the smallest seeds and are very hard to see. Here, I have one to show you. (Share with the kids.) It is hard to believe, but when planted this tiny seed will grow into something much larger. This is what the kingdom of God is like to us. Although we may feel so small, God loves us no matter what and we are an important part of God s world. Some people wear a necklace with this tiny seed inside of it to remind them that God can use even the smallest of us to do big things (1 Samuel 16:1-13). If we all work together, with faith in God, we can do so much to make God s world a better place! Pray: God, help us to always remember that size does not matter to you and that we are all important in your kingdom. Even though we are small, you will still use us to grow your kingdom. Amen. Ideas and Images for Preaching What follows are a variety of creative ways to enhance the communication of the message. While some links to ideas and images are provided, permission and payment may be required for congregational use. Active Participation Ways to create an active learning environment. Option #1: The Sheltering Shrub Print notecards some with an outline of a bird and others with an outline of a leaf. Punch a hole in them and run a loop of string through it. Have worshippers use the bird cards to list the names of people they would like your church to shelter in some way. On the leaf cards invite them to describe some way they can help stretch the branches of your ministry. Place a large, living shrub in front of the worship space. During the offering or communion encourage members to hang the cards on the shrubbery. Collect the cards and give to prayer groups and ministry teams. Plant the shrub where it will be a blessing. Option #2: Give everyone packets of vegetable seeds so they can begin planting a recession garden. Go online and research this phrase for ideas. Suggest that they plant a row for the hungry. This is also a searchable phrase connected to agricultural charity efforts. Illustrations Stories and anecdotes that enhance understanding. Illustration #1: Tamarack Pinecone For years the national forest service practiced controlled burns in order to prevent forest fires. Later they would learn that the heat of a forest fire was necessary in order for the seeds of the Tamarack Pine to open and reforest the mountainside. Forest fires are necessary as part of God s natural cycle to sustain the mountain forests. Illustration #2: Mount St. Helen When Mount St. Helen erupted in western Washington state, it did so with the force of many nuclear bombs. The devastation was so great that predictions were that it would take decades for the flora and fauna to return. Within three years much of the flora was flourishing. Within five to seven years, the deer and elk, the rabbit and the fox had returned. At the same time, the ashes from the mountain were spread across eastern Washington and northern Idaho. Again, predictions were that it would have devastating effects on crops. Instead, an abundant harvest resulted over the next five years. The point is that what appeared to be destruction at a mythic level was in fact an act of recreation by God. The only loss of human life was that of an individual who refused to leave, knowing the mountain would erupt. Preaching Supports: Mark 4:26-34, p. 4

5 Projection NOTE: The PowerPoint presentation provided for use in the Book of Faith Adult Bible Studies can be easily adapted for worship settings. Props and Objects Ideas for designing a more multi-sensory sermon. Option #1: Tape a mustard seed to every bulletin cover or on a specially printed prayer card to serve as a focal point for meditation. Option #2: Use some classic Russian or stacking dolls to illustrate how the will of God sometimes seems hidden. Images Links to photos or art that enhance multimedia presentations. Image #1: Jesus Teaching the Parables (from Image #2: Mustard Seeds (from Image #3 World s Smallest Seed (from Links Are you a helpful link? Consider making any creative worship ideas that your congregation develops available for more churches to use via the social networking features of Option #1: There are several Web sites like on the Internet for pastors to use as resources for sermons or to do more historical research on this text. You can always do an online search to find something of particular interest. Option#2: Visit Web sites such as to view images, videos, and PowerPoint presentations for use during your worship services. Preaching Supports: Mark 4:26-34, p. 5