Kingdom Reality 3: The Secret of the Kingdom Mark 4:11 Big Idea: God is preparing the field of people’s hearts to receive the seed of his Word. The Kingdom of God is God’s authority and ability to rule over any and all realms within the created order and beyond in order to bestow the blessings of his good and gracious kingdom on unworthy subjects for the purpose of displaying his glory to all peoples. 10 Kingdom Realities: God’s Kingdom takes priority. Jesus is Stronger! God is __________________________ hearts to receive his gospel. Mark 4:11 And he said to them, “To you has been given (granted) the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, Musterion: The mention of a μυστήριον immediately sets the tone for Jesus’ response, but can easily mislead English readers who naturally think of a ‘mystery’ as something which is inherently hard to understand, and which can be unravelled only by unusual cleverness—if it is not totally incomprehensible. But the true sense of μυστήριον is better captured by the English ‘secret’, which denotes not incomprehensibility but hiddenness. A secret is that which is not divulged—but once known it need not be hard to grasp. It is privileged information rather than a puzzle. This passage is touching on the reality that the kingdom of God is hidden to some and revealed to others. It is rejected by some and accepted by others. Some ignore it and dismiss it, others pay attention and embrace it. To some it has been granted to know the secret of the kingdom, to others it remains hidden. In order for a seed to be accepted and thrive, the ground must be prepared to receive it. This parable is not commenting on a haphazard farmer that just goes out and sows seed wherever it falls. No, this parable is bringing to light the inevitability that some seed that he sows will fall on unprepared and untenable ground. Luke 10:21–22 (ESV) — 21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Matthew 16:15–17 (ESV) — 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. John 6:44 (ESV) — 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. John 6:65 (ESV) — 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” This reality is given to us this morning so that we might go out and liberally spread the seed of his gospel, trusting that God has done the preparatory work of tilling the fields of people’s hearts to receive it.
Questions to Consider
What is your favorite thing about fields perfectly prepared to receive the seed of planting season?
How does the truth of God preparing hearts to receive his Word encourage you to share the gospel?
Who might you pray for right now that God would break up their hard and stony heart to receive his Word?
