The Growing Process

The Growing Process
Mark 4:26-29

Mark 4:26-27 (HCSB)
“The kingdom of God is like this,” He said. “A man scatters seed on the ground; he sleeps and rises-night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows-he doesn’t know how…”

The Miracle of Maturity
* Man’s role
* Scattering seed
* Done liberally
* Over every inch of ground
* Proclaiming the word of God
* In all things
* To all people
* Beyond your influence
* Sprouting and maturing
* Occurs naturally by God’s design
* We cannot control the outcome of the sowing
* Our role is obedience in sowing

Mark 4:28 (HCSB)
The soil produces a crop by itself-first the blade, then the head, and then the ripe grain on the head.

The Process of Maturity
* Grain
* Seed
* Blade
* Head
* Ripe grain
* Faith
* Proclamation of the word of God
* Hearing the word of God
* Romans 10:17

Romans 10:17 (HCSB)
So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.

The Process of Maturity
* Grain
* Seed
* Blade
* Head
* Ripe grain
* Faith
* Proclamation of the word of God
* Hearing the word of God
* Romans 10:17
* Applying the word of God
* James 1:22

James 1:22 (HCSB)
But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Mark 4:29 (HCSB)
“…But as soon as the crop is ready, he sends for the sickle, because harvest has come.”

Harvest Time
* Determined by the farmer
* Grain is at full maturity
* Timing is critical
* Window of opportunity
* Maturity is determined through examination
* The process
* The sickle
* The instrument of the harvest
* Removes the fruit from stalk
* Gathering
* The principle of the harvest
* Bringing together that which is harvested

How’s Your Harvest?
* Have you been scattering seed?
* Are you checking the condition of the crop?
* Are you proficient with your sickle?

**Powerpoint available on request