The Parable of the Growing Seed
He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.”
With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
Mark 6 v 26-34
Your church or Christian group may seem fairly insignificant. Maybe it's large and flourishing. Or maybe you're one of only a few Christians your age in a cold, half-empty building every Sunday and the "kingdom of God" looks unimpressive to say the least. But Jesus says this is what we should expect — it looks small now (like the mustard seed) but its growth is supernatural — it's down to God, and one day it will be seen by everyone. So look around you for signs of the presence and growth of God's kingdom. It is happening.
The word "catechism" may conjure up for you images of a world gone by, with musty prayer books and children repeating answers to questions couched in ancient language.
Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City and The Gospel Coalition have just released a modern catechism on iPad that could change the way we think about this.
New City Catechism aims to help adults and children memorise a 52-point exposition of the Gospel. One for each week of the year. The app encourages adults to learn a full version of the answers, and there is a shorter question and answer that is suitable for children to learn, which uses a subset of the words in the adult version. This makes it easier for children to "upgrade" to the adult version at the appropriate moment.
The catechism was written by Tim Keller and Sam Shammas at Redeemer, but contains a wealth of supporting material to the basic question and answer, including: a Bible verse; a prayer; an extended quotation on the theme of the question from one of the great theologians of the past; and video comment from a contemporary pastor, including Don Carson, Mark Dever and John Piper. You can download a PDF of the full catechism here.
This is a superbly thought out app, with a wealth of riches to be enjoyed as an adult, and a very worthwhile exercise to build into family life. If you've got an iPad, download it for free at the Apple app store. If you haven't got an iPad - this may be a worthwhile reason for buying one!
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Two extracts from Scene Seven: Simeon—"A sword will pierce your own soul"
There’s only one old man who gets a mention at Christmas. He wears red… brings the presents… and, bizarrely, often pops up at random points in nativity plays. Santa Claus may not be real (sorry if that’s news to you) but he’s pretty popular. Of course, Santa was nowhere to be seen at the first Christmas. But there was an old man at the heart of the real events. Not Santa, but Simeon. And Simeon didn’t do presents.
But he did do predictions…... continue reading
An extract from Scene Two: the angel—"Christ the Lord"…
Christ: not just a surname
What job had this royal baby come to do?
“Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
God had given his Son Jesus two jobs. He was (still is, in fact) Christ.
For years, I thought “Christ” was Jesus’ surname. I assumed that Joseph and Mary were Mr and Mrs Christ, and so Jesus’ full name was Jesus Christ.
But actually, “Christ” is a title, not a name.... continue reading
It may feel a bit early to start thinking about Christmas (though of course the decorations are starting to appear in the shops, and most children under the age of 10 are starting to compile their wish-lists…), but this week on the blog we've got some posts about TGBC's just-launched Christmas evangelistic title, Christmas Uncut. It's worth thinking about now, so that come December you know whether you're going to give it away, and who to.
Here's author Carl Laferton talking about why he wrote Christmas Uncut, what's in the book, and what he's hoping for this December…
All this week, you can buy Christmas Uncut for just $1.99. Simply enter the code "uncutdeal" as you check out. Why not read it in October, pray about giving it away during November and buy in some more copies, and then give it to non-Christian friends and family in December?
Tomorrow on the blog we'll feature an extract from the book.
It may feel a bit early to start thinking about Christmas (though of course the decorations are starting to appear in the shops, and most children under the age of 10 are starting to compile their wish-lists…), but this week on the blog we've got some posts about TGBC's just-launched Christmas evangelistic title, Christmas Uncut. It's worth thinking about now, so that come December you know whether you're going to give it away, and who to.
Here's author Carl Laferton talking about why he wrote Christmas Uncut, what's in the book, and what he's hoping for this December…
All this week, you can buy Christmas Uncut for just ÂŁ1. Simply enter the code "uncutdeal" as you check out. Why not read it in October, pray about giving it away during November and buy in some more copies, and then give it to non-Christian friends and family in December?
Tomorrow on the blog we'll feature an extract from the book.
The evening service had just finished, and as we packed away the final bits of PA equipment from the school hall there was the usual buzz of conversation after the service. But the question on some peoples lips was, "Did you notice one of the lines in one of the songs tonight?"
For the last three weeks during the evening service my church has been going through the book of Job. It's been fantastic to reflect on suffering - and, more importantly, on God. To fit in with the series, we've introduced a song by Keith and Kristyn Getty called 'When Trials Come'. It's a great song that talks of God's faithfulness to us and His enduring love in the midst of trials and suffering. It talks of the triumph of the cross and, in the last verse, about a day when all things will be made new.... continue reading
I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came upon me;
I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the LORD:
“O LORD, save me!”
The LORD is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
The LORD protects the simplehearted;
when I was in great need, he saved me.
Be at rest once more, O my soul,
for the LORD has been good to you.
For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before the LORD
in the land of the living.
Psalm 116 v 1-9
