Title One Mustard Seed (Mark 04:30-32)
The year 1996, which started with hope, expectation, and a new determination, is disappearing into history. Now we have the last Sunday of 1996. In just a few days, we will be entering a new year, 1997. I hope that you will become a saint who gives thanks to God for protecting you so far.
Jews divide time into two parts. The first hour is 1 o'clock, 2 o'clock, 3 o'clock... 24 hours that flow. Usually refers to time. The second time is a time that is divided into 1 month, 2 months, 1 year, and 2 years. The first hour is the continuous time that has passed since history, and the second hour is the times given only once in history.
Therefore, the time between 1996 and 1997 has no difference in the first sense. On December 31, 1996 or January 1, 1997, the sun rises in the morning, eats breakfast, works for the day, and the sun sets in the low range and sleeps is the same. But when it comes to time in the second sense, there is a significant difference. The sun rises, eats, works, sleeps and sleeps on the same day, but December 31 is the day to end the year, and January 1 is the day to start a new year.
People live in these two concepts of time. Some people spend each day meaninglessly, while others spend a day, a week, a month, and a year as meaningful time. Today I want you to reflect on how I spend my time.
In order to spend this time of 1996 as a meaningful time, I hope that you will quietly reflect on this year and welcome the new year with meaning.
Today, focusing on the parable of the mustard seed in the text, I hope it will be a time to look back on our past and prepare for the new year. May our reflections, reflections, and plans be fulfilled in the Word of God.
1. Do not underestimate the value of small things.
In Palestine, a mustard seed means the smallest. Of course, there are some that are smaller than a mustard seed, but the mustard seed symbolizes a small thing.
The world we live in pays attention to and praises the big things, but ignores the small things and despises them. In fact, it is believed that mustard seeds are absent. If there is something the size of a mustard seed in our attention, not only do people not pay attention to it, but it is regarded as nothing at all.
But Jesus was always interested in the little things rather than the big things. He welcomed the little children the disciples had driven away, and he valued the widow's two coins more than the rich's many offerings. He valued serving a bowl of cold water and compared the wonderful and great kingdom of God to a small mustard seed. The miracle of Oh Byeong-Eye did not ignore children's small lunch boxes, but received them and congratulated them, so the history of feeding five thousand people took place. In the parable of the judgment in the last days, Jesus identified the least with Jesus, saying that whatever you did for one of the least, you did for me.
Big and important things always start small.
The giant tree that stands tall as if piercing the sky started with a small seed. Even the hero who shakes the world became like that as a child grew up. God took the young shepherd David, defeated Goliath, and made him the greatest king of Israel. He called the young Samuel and made him the greatest priest in Israel. The early church that destroyed Rome began in a small attic, and the gospel of Jesus that moves the world began in small and small Galilee.
It is not that what we do is too small, we shouldn't start with small things. In Matthew 25:14-30, the reason the servant who received the month's rand buried it in the ground was probably because it was too little, so he gave up the month's loan and, as a result, did not reap anything.
When we look back on our past year, we realize that it was a very humble and insignificant year before God. In particular, we want you to look back to see if we have neglected or valued the little things too much.
Yehwa) <Midam> With warmth in a 10-won coin… Date: December 25, 1996
Busan Nam-gu Office (Chairman 李英根) collected over 1 million 10-won coins to help the underprivileged on Christmas Day and the year-end and New Year holidays. On the 25th, Nam-gu Office donated 1.43 million won to Daeyeon-dong Hyundai Mental Nursing Center, 500,000 won to St. Francis's house in Uam-dong, 1 million won to Sohwa Infant Rehabilitation Center in Yongdang-dong, and 700,000 won to Daeyeon-dong Saebit Christian Orphanage. delivered
The ward office started collecting 10 won coins in 1993. A collection box was set up in the civil service office to collect 1,5,721 coins from residents and employees visiting the ward office.
In the meantime, the ward office provided 3.76 million won for the burn surgery cost of Eun-tae White (female^33) in Yongho 1-dong, who is having a hard time living, and 2.32 million won in the ankle treatment cost of Mr. Duho Duho (40) in Yong-ho 2-dong, Gyeong-suk 朱. (Female^39) has delivered 350,000 won for knee joint treatment.
Mayor Lee said, “It is a 10 won coin that is devalued because of its currency value, but it is being kind to neighbors in need.” He said, “I hope all citizens will participate in the coin collecting campaign.”
＜釜山＝尹鳳school＞＞
“It doesn’t matter if I’m the only one who goes to worship! What if I don't meet at a small party? I hope that the year of 1997 will be a year of believers who please the Lord through small efforts (evangelism, service..) and small devotion.
2. The planted seed grows.
Although a mustard seed is small, it has vitality in it. Therefore, if you plant it in the ground, it will sprout, sprout and grow. Paul said that it is man's work to sow and it is God's work to make it grow. Then God gave him a clear promise that he would take responsibility. Paul said in Philippians 1:6, “We are convinced that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus.”
If you look at your personal beliefs and the history of the church, you can see that it starts off as small as a very small mustard seed and looks pathetic, but it grows wonderfully over the years. The early church was started by 12 disciples. They were so feeble that none of the people of that time looked to them. However, the 12 disciples conquered 150, 3,000, and 5,000 of the 70 gates and soon Rome. Today, 33% of the world's population are Christians.
Ex) Yeouido Full Gospel Church is the largest church in the world, and we all know that it started in a tent where no one cares.
You must believe in the fact that no matter how small a seed is sown, it will grow.
example)
It happened in 1920 while Dr. A. Schweitzer was on a mission to Africa.
As he did missionary work for Africa, he suffered many difficulties due to lack of medicine.