Parables of Christ - Part 12

Notice

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The Mustard Seed

The Audio Version of today’s note

The House of Bread · Voice Note For 20241014 - The Mustard Seed - Parables Of Christ - Part 12

Mark 4:30-34 KJV

[30] And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? [31] It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: [32] but when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. [33] And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. [34] But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

https://bible.com/bible/1/mrk.4.30-34.KJV

Matthew 13:31-32 KJV

https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.13.31-32.KJV

Luke 13:18-19 KJV

https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.13.18-19.KJV

Note for 20241014

Daily, I fail to hold on to pure righteousness. Let me not be a hypocrite before you friends, we walk the same road, we are brothers and sisters in Christ, each with our own cross to bear. With Paul I say, I am troubled by doing the things I do not want to do and not doing the things I want to do. And as I fail each day, each day yet, I fail less and less. And in the walk after the righteousness of Christ, each day I come a little closer than before. It is an endurance race, until we reach the end. It is an uphill race, but it is our faith in Christ that gives us strength.

We resist the devil, and as we purge one iniquity far from us, then we take on the next hill in this race, knowing what we strive for is a righteous life, in the sight of Him who died for us. Till we have grown big and strong in the Spirit, as the mustard tree. The day will come, when even we ourselves look back and will be surprised how much we have achieved in Christ, from the humble and low beginning from where we started off from.

There are those that will make you believe that the Christian way is easy. Christ said that the world would hate us, because it hated Him first. Through much trials and tribulations shall we enter into the Kingdom of GOD, forsaking this world, taking up our cross and loving God above all. And where is the Kingdom of GOD, do you remember? Yes, the Kingdom of GOD is in us. So where must righteousness rule then, if not in our very own hearts. As Christ forgave us, we are to forgive others; so the fruit of the Spirit may be in us, and benefit our neighbors. The sacrifice of Christ was selfless, He put Himself in our place, stood instead of us. Do we not strive to become Christ-like?

Galatians 4:19 KJV

[19] My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

What did Paul mean here? You see, faith is like this mustard seed, sown in the heart in the hearing of the Gospel of Christ. But, it must grow. How will Christ be formed in us then, if we are not growing in Christ's likeness? If we continue on in the ways of this world, will we not be formed in the likeness of it? This world stands in enmity with GOD, while Christ Jesus did all in accordance with the Will of His Father in Heaven. Yes, even to the point of laying down His life willingly for us, despite His prayer to our Father in Heaven that He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, just before He was taken in bounds by those Judas betrayed Him to.

Matthew 24 KJV

[8] All these are the beginning of sorrows. [9] Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. [10] And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. [11] And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. [12] And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. [13] But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

What is the resilience of the Christian? Is it not that Christ is formed in him or her? Friends, it is about standing in the face of danger in this world, an endurance; through much trials and tribulations and the Love of GOD remaining in us. Even to stand in forgiveness in our final breaths, as Stephen did in the sight of Saul.

Let no man deceive you, the Kingdom to which we belong is not in this world, but it is in us. So, let your faith grow strong.

Matthew 5 KJV

[11] Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. [12] Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Don't you know that when this world comes against you, it recognizes that you are not of it? It is by our trials and tribulations that we grow as the mustard seed in our faith by our endurance, until we are redeemed to GOD. On that day shall we be perfected in Christ, delivered and redeemed.

Just now, I received a message from a brother in Christ's grandfather that passed away. Friends, his race is over. For him, it is done. (What are the chances that message just reached me now, at this moment of the Note this morning? Know this, someone had to die to give confirmation to this note.) Now he will stand for his reward, while we still wait for our Lord's return. Is it joy, or is it sorrow; this man I did not know. The family will mourn for their loss, but who is it that gained him, that I cannot know. Pray with me then, that their loss will count as gain for them in the Spirit of GOD.

So, the mustard tree grows.

Selah, Shalom.

Verse of The Day

(YouVersion - Expanded from verse 9)

Romans 10:1-15 KJV

[1] Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. [2] For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. [3] For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. [4] For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. [5] For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. [6] But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) [7] or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) [8] But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; [9] that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. [11] For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. [12] For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. [13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. [14] How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? [15] And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.10.1-15.KJV