Mustard Seeds

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8218621.post-38917995340267899052008-04-28T10:24:00.000-05:002008-04-28T10:28:33.132-05:00Mustard SeedsHOW TO BE WHAT GOD WANTS YOU TO BEI originally wrote this sermon in 1978. It is based on Matthew 13:31-32. Basically the sermon deals with a question the disciples are concerned with, "Jesus, how can we find meaning, joy, happiness, and calm serenity in our lives?"It is in response to this question that he shares the parable. "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."The mood of the timing is one of discouragement. A few sick people have been healed but actually Nothing Seems to be Happening. Many times our lives are like that, getting through one day at a time, nothing happening worth mentioning.Also, the disciples were discouraged because they had left their fishing business to follow this itinerant preacher. "I'll make you fishermen of men," he said. So financially the fishing business was dying, the boats rusting in the harbor, the big fisherman (Peter) along with the rest anxious, without results."You sure made a bad trade, Peter," says his friends. And for us it is similar. This Christianity is not always a big joy ride, miracles after miracles, life changing events, and peoples lives turned around. Sometimes it is just difficult to get out of bed, especially in our line of work. Deaths, illness, deadlines, and too much happening in our jobs that leaves us little energy. We are not always on the mountaintop.Two notes are worth looking at:David Brainerd was a missionary to the Indians. He grew discouraged and said, "My circumstances are such, that I have no comfort of any kind. I have little appearance of success to comfort me. I can do nothing to any good purpose. The Indians hat me because I preach to them…….and he adds that the greatest difficulty of all is that, "God hides his face from me."2.      Then there is Frank Laubach, a missionary to the Philippines, who wrote in 1930 that he realized he was failing as a missionary.It is in response to this nothing happening problem that Jesus says, "Start Where You Are, Plant a tiny seed." In other words start where you are with what you have. We all have gifts. Are we using them? The smile that changes the reflection on another's face. The comforting word that comes from our mouth. Helping another. Look at your gifts and start where you are.Secondly Jesus says, "Wait Patiently." You mean the tree doesn't grow over night? How many of us have planted a garden and watch everyday to see when it would bare fruit?Daniel prayed for deliverance from Lions and from hopelessness and finally God says, "From the first day thy words have been heard. But the prince of darkness withstood me for 21 days, but finally Michael came to help."  Be patient. Wait for the fruit.And the results of the waiting.David Brainerd writes: "They were praying and crying for mercy in every part of the house. I never saw any day like it."And Frank Laubach, the failing missionary, helped 60 million people learn to read and write in 209 different languages and wrote a popular book on prayer.And the Apostle Peter, the errant fisherman, preached a sermon and thousands of people were converted to the Lord.So, be a mustard seed. Start where you are and Wait Patiently. The day will come when the tree will be filled with birds and leaves and people whose lives you have touched.Remember: Be a mustard seed.Bro. DanDan Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14885264355876434431noreply@blogger.com