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Like a Growing Seed (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In the Parable of the Growing Seed, found in Mark 4:26-29, the analogy illustrates that God is the One who gives the increase to the crop in His field. He provides the essential resources and experiences needed to bring His sons and daughters to maturity, ensuring real growth. Just as a seed must absorb water, nutrients, and sunlight to grow, a Christian must consistently respond to God's providence to produce spiritual fruit. The seed, activated by water, puts out roots and a shoot, eventually developing height, a head, flowers, and fruit through continued use of these resources. Without the seed's response to God's blessings, no sprout would break the soil's surface. Similarly, God supplies knowledge, environment, energy, gifts, and all that is necessary for growth, but the Christian must take heed in how they build upon this foundation. A plant that responds poorly withers and dies, just as a Christian who fails to respond properly may stumble or become unfruitful due to external troubles or worldly stresses. God has planted us in His field, seeking spiritual growth to harvest us for His Kingdom, and He promises healing and growth to those who fear His name, as the Sun of Righteousness arises with healing in His wings.

Like a Growing Seed (Part One)

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Parable of the Growing Seed, unique to the book of Mark, presents a simple yet profound metaphor for the Kingdom of God. As a Kingdom parable, it illustrates how God's Kingdom operates in its present, spiritual manifestation among men on the earth. Jesus uses the natural process of plant growth to explain how those whom God calls develop spiritually in this world. The process parallels the growth of a seed into a full-grown, food-producing plant, happening invisibly and somewhat mysteriously. In the parable, a man sows the seed and goes about his tasks, sleeping and rising, not fully understanding how the growth occurs. He trusts that it will happen, though he does not know the mechanics behind it. The seed sprouts due to the resources that God provides, such as light, warmth, water, and nutrients. The sower, often a minister, merely scatters the seed by speaking a word or preaching a sermon, while God works behind the scenes to bring a person to the knowledge of the truth. Ministers are unaware of all the ways God opens an individual's mind and turns him to the truth, allowing him to accept His way of life. God, as the Prime Mover, works invisibly and mysteriously to bring forth a productive plant, desiring not just a sprout but a fully developed plant with ripened fruit, symbolizing spiritual maturity. A Christian develops in a similar manner, with God using various methods to capture attention and lead to truth. Though a minister may feed and cultivate, he cannot discern the invisible, spiritual ways God develops a person for His Kingdom. Growth occurs in stages, often imperceptible day by day, yet God is aware of each step, ensuring progress toward maturity in His Kingdom.

Seedtime and Harvest

Sermonette by Martin G. Collins

Like the farmer waiting patiently for the rains, we must wait patiently for the yield of the implanted seed, the fruit God will harvest from us.

Four Views of Christ (Part 4)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus sets a pattern for us by serving without thought of authority, power, position, status, fame, or gain, but as a patient, enduring, faithful servant.