P.O. Box 53055    
Los Angeles, CA 90053   

“YOU’RE INVITED!”

Say, would you like to gain 24 pounds in 30 days? Probably not, but even if you did, I still wouldn’t recommend what filmmaker Morgan Spurlock did as he worked on his 2004 project, Super Size Me. As he traveled from place to place interviewing people about fast food, he lived on the stuff. He gained 24 pounds, and in the process nearly destroyed his health permanently.

Well friend. . .it’s no secret that “bigger” is not always “better.” Super size burgers and fries are definitely not better for your health.

Jesus taught the value of little things. Take a mustard seed, for example. Tiny – no bigger than the point on a pencil. Yet Jesus told His disciples that the kingdom of God was like a mustard seed.

Wow! Why on earth would He say that? Didn’t He come to share the gospel (that is, the “Good News”) of the kingdom of God? Didn’t He want lots of people to join Him in His heavenly kingdom one day? Wouldn’t that mean a BIG kingdom? Isn’t bigger better when it comes to the kingdom of God?

Well, maybe so, but let’s take some time today to consider why Jesus talked so much about tiny little mustard seeds. One day, He told His disciples that if they have faith the size of a mustard seed, they could move mountains! Mustard seed faith. What’s that?

Friend, consider with me three elements of mustard seed faith.
1. Small is OK in God’s hands
2. Attitude is more important than size.
3. God cares about us and our growth.

First let’s look at the parable itself, in Mark 4:30-32.

Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade” (NIV).

In other words, small is OK—if you put it in God’s hands. From small, seemingly insignificant beginnings come mighty results. One small spark can ignite a blazing fire. Perhaps you’ve heard the story of what 57 cents can do:

It was near the turn of the last century, when Pastor Russell H. Conwell found a small girl in tattered clothes standing outside his church sobbing. When he asked what the problem was, she said, "I can't go to Sunday School, they said there isn’t enough room."

Pastor Conwell took the little girl inside and found room for her. But he had no idea what sort of mustard seed his deed of kindness had planted until he was called to the little girl’s home two years later. Unfortunately disease had claimed the poor child’s life, and her parents wanted the kind pastor to have the funeral. They also showed him her little red purse.

The contents: 57 cents and a childishly handwritten note: "This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday school."

Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit the next Sunday, Pastor Conwell told the little girl’s story. Then he challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building.

From there the story spread, inspiring thousands to chip in their dimes and dollars. Checks poured in. Within five years the little girl’s gift had increased to $250,000! Her unselfish love had paid large dividends.

Next time you’re in Philadelphia, look up Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 3,300, and Temple University, where hundreds of students are trained. Have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building that houses hundreds of Sunday scholars, so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside at Sunday school time.

Then ask someone to show you the room where the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents started it all is hung beside a portrait of her pastor, Dr. Russel H. Conwell, author of the book, "Acres of Diamonds."
Here’s another lesson from the mustard seed. It reminded the disciples that God’s unique strategy has always been to use a creative minority. A few women, fewer men. Just a living seed (with a supernatural life force within) that fell to the ground and died over twenty centuries ago.

But in that one, solitary life was the kingdom of heaven . . . and a powerful explosion that turned the world upside down. It has grown to become one of the greatest “plants” spreading country to country, to island, to continent. Now people everywhere can rest between its branches in spiritual security.

You see, Jesus didn’t care about numbers and big crowds – something we seem to worship today, even in our churches. Jesus stressed the little things. Like sharing a cup of cold water. Being faithful in the small duties of life.

Writer Carl Sandburg, author of one of the best-loved biographies of Abraham Lincoln, told of two men exchanging gossip at the General Store in Hardin County, Kentucky, back in February, 1809.

“Anything happen over the last week?” asked the first man.

The second man replied: “No, nothing’s happened…Oh, ‘cept there’s a new baby down to Tom Lincoln’s house. A boy, I think…”

And friend, listen. Bethlehem was just a small town. Nazareth, too. Calvary was just a tiny spot on the globe. But praise God! The gospel of Jesus Christ is the unique celebration of the seemingly small and insignificant.

The mustard seed story Jesus gave us reminds us to believe. And that brings us to our second principle – that mustard seed faith shows us that attitude is more important than size. In Matthew 17:20 Jesus told his disciples:

“I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (NIV)

Now that, my friend, is true positive possibility thinking!

And how do we obtain Mustard Seed Faith? It’s a gift from God (Romans 12:3). This faith is ours to accept, to apply, to nurture and grow.

You know, life really is a matter of attitude. As John Milton expressed it:

“The mind is its own place, and in itself
Can make a Heav’n of Hell, a Hell of Heav’n.”

That’s certainly true in hospital wards. Studies show that patients who have cheerful, optimistic feelings recover faster from surgery, and with less pain.

It’s equally true in spiritual things. Mustard seed faith, positive attitude, possibility thinking – adds “spice” to your life! If things seem boring, bland and just going nowhere – add a little mustard. By the way, did you know that mustard is the second-most-popular spice in America? Many people would never consider eating a hot dog without it! Just too boring.

Imagine the possibilities of living every moment with Jesus in your heart. Surrendering your life in complete trust to Him. And in faith, being willing to follow where He leads. That’ll add some spice to your life! Every day with God can be a true adventure in faith!

And that brings me to our third, and final, element to successful “mustard seed” living: We are not alone in this universe. God cares about us and our growth. This is God’s world. He is in control and at work in His world. You can be a part of His work of sharing Jesus and the Good News of His second coming and His heavenly kingdom.

When you face disappointment and discouragement, when you feel lonely, forgotten, let down – remember. You are not alone! There’s a divine presence within that seed of faith. And the possibilities for your life are limitless.

Jesus taught that His supernatural kingdom is already here. It completely surrounds us. “I am the Way,” Jesus said. Knowing and accepting Him plants us firmly in His eternal kingdom.

Perhaps if Jesus had lived in China instead of Israel, He would have spoken of the Chinese bamboo tree instead of mustard, for its growth is an even more amazing example of great things coming from small beginnings. The bamboo seed must be planted, watered and fertilized. The first year, nothing happens. The second, third, fourth years equals zero. But finally, sometime during the fifth year, the seed sprouts. And within just six weeks, that bamboo tree grows 90 feet tall!

Jesus says to us, it can be like that with the mustard seed in our spiritual lives. At times we may wonder. Where is God? Where is the growth in my own experience? When will I see any results?

And Jesus’ answer is this: “Look to the Mustard Seed. Surprises come in small packages. You may not see it yet, but I’m changing things in your life. I’m beginning to move mountains for you!”

Friend, don’t you want that kind of faith? I know I do, and I’m just certain you do, too. How do we get that kind of faith? We’ve got to plant it. We’ve got to nurture it, by spending time in God’s Word each day. We’ve got to exercise it, by sacrificial investment of our time and talents.

Let’s pray together.

“Lord, through the mustard seed story, we see that the Gospel in our lives will triumph throughout the world. Please help us plant that WORD of life daily in our hearts and give our lives fully to Jesus Christ. It might appear insignificant now. But we want to be YOUR seed in Your field. We choose YOU. And one of these days, Jesus says things will happen. Help us believe You ARE working within each sincere heart. Help us recommit ourselves to planting that tiny faith seed. Nurturing it. Watering it with tears, prayers and the Word. We believe YOU guarantee a harvest. Amen.”