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Mustard Tinted Glasses. Avenue Vineyard September 29 , 2013.
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Mustard Tinted Glasses Avenue Vineyard September 29, 2013
“To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. 13 That is why I use these parables…” Matthew 13:12,13
“What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.” Mark 4:30-32
that his Kingdom had staying power, was persistent, • great potential to infiltrate all of life, • we can’t control it and it won’t always be neat and tidy, • many people will actually oppose it. • That’s not all… Jesus was saying…
In Old Testament imagery great earthly kingdoms or worldly pride were portrayed as grand “Cedars of Lebanon” with majestic “eagles” nesting in their branches (eagles often represent other nations). Exposing worldly expectations
130 ft tall trees vs. 3 ft shrubs • eagles vs. common or unclean birds Contrast
“I know well, Jesus, that love can only be repaid by love; what I’ve always looked for and have found at last is some way of satisfying my feelings by returning love for Your love . . . But this love of mine, how to show it? Love needs to be proved by action. Well, even a little child can scatter flowers, to scent the throne-room with their fragrance; Thérèse de Lisieux
…even a little child can sing, in its shrill treble, the great canticle of love. That shall be my life, to scatter flowers--to miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word, always doing the tiniest things right, and doing it for love.” from The Little Way Thérèse de Lisieux