A Tiny Seed Causes Growth

Speaker: Archbishop Loren Thomas Hines

June 13, 2021

in Spritual Growth

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2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time
Archbishop Loren Thomas Hines
June 13, 2021

Readings: Ezekiel 31:1-6, 10-14
2 Corinthians 5:1-10
Mark 4:26-34

In our humanity, we have grown to be impatient. We want everything done “now.” It used to be that women would spend hours in the kitchen, just to make sure the food was right. Nowadays, everyone wants fast food and everything done in an instant. The Kingdom of God does not change. We have adjusted to the ways of the world instead of listening to the Word of God.

The Kingdom is like a man planting a seed. It is like God planting a seed in man. It has not come to its fullness yet because planting seeds involves a tedious process. We have put little emphasis on the dust of the ground but the soil is that which gives life to the seed, giving it the ability to grow. When Christ came, he came as a ‘seed” in the body of man. It took Him 30 years before He began His ministry. Things don’t just happen when a seed is planted. It takes time for it to germinate and grow. Inside the seed is the substance to bring forth life. When God placed the seed in man, His goal was planted. His will, His perfection was planted. As it is in heaven, so should it be on earth.

Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
When God is the One planting, the seed cannot be destroyed. Man can only hinder it from growing, out of his own doing, but it can never be destroyed. His plan is perfect. Man can only discover the plan and develop it, but only God can create. If only we would try to really understand the ways of God, then we would have joy in our lives. God is the source and sustainer of life.

We hear so many stories like, the earth is going to be destroyed. But how can it be destroyed when God is the source? He will bring all things into completion. He knows that the seed He has planted will work. The power of God in us gives us strength to conquer battles. The work goes on, it does not stop. In the kingdom of God, we cannot see what is happening, but there are great things taking place. The kingdom is growing. One little seed can do wonders. We have to be patient. God’s word slowly changes one’s character. Little by little it changes man. Every word is like a piece of diamond. His love is consistent, bringing a positive outlook to us and giving us hope. When we begin to delve into the things of God, we will become patient. The good seed has been sown into the world. We need to let the good seed grow and take effect in our lives. It will take away the anxieties and the worries we don’t need. God gives the seed to the body. In that body is the ability to make it grow. We have to prove that God is real. We have to believe that what God has planted in us is perfect.

John 4:35 “Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest?’ I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”
Some people get frustrated when things don’t happen or turn out in their favor. We get angry. But do you know that the Word causes anger to be regressed? The seed causes us to be humble, gives our soul vitality. The Holy Spirit opens our eyes to understand these things. The church is like a seed planted in the community. Christ was crucified more than 2000 years ago but we have yet to come into the fullness of what we should be.

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you – unless of course, you fail the test?

We cannot stop the seed from growing. We may try to hinder it but it cannot be stopped.
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

God is our pattern. His image should be the one we should pattern after. Each of us has a ministry. We are His priests who should be the ones leading people to God.

1 Timothy 3:16 Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great. He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by the angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.”

Psalm 145:10-12 All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you. They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

We should constantly thank Him for the blessings He has given us. We should be bringing out the mighty acts of God to show forth His majesty.

The church will not collapse. The denominational structure may collapse but the church will not. Because Jesus said, “I will build my church.” God is not controlled by emotions. He doesn’t have the ups and downs. He has love that is steady. Our task is to let the world know of His love. He has planted a seed in us for all eternity. We need to take care of it, maintain it, nurture it, cause it to grow for the glory of God.