A Mustard Seed

In our Miami backyard growing up, we had a Melicoccus bijugatus. Yes, a mamoncillo tree. For those unfamiliar with this tropical delight, it bears clusters of fruit which look like a cross between a lime and a grape. You crack open the pod with your teeth and then enjoy the sweet creamy pulp surrounding the large seed. I spent many a summer afternoon harvesting and consuming scores of these delectables.

However, it wasn’t always this way. The tree stood ignored (by me at least) for several years after it first got planted. It took almost a decade of growth before it began to produce ANY fruit. Then one year, a few clusters appeared. As it produced larger and larger bunches of fruit with each summer, I was forced to take it upon myself to make sure as little went to waste as possible. Truly, I did my best.

Sometimes good things start in little packages and we don’t see the sweet potential until it has fully taken root and developed. However, this isn’t about size or numbers. This is about living the Good News as followers of Jesus and changing the world around us for the better as He changes us with His indescribably deep love.

This is summed up in the first part of our vision for The River.

Life Changing
Small groups of people are where it's at. When asked where our church meets, we laugh. "All over the place," is our response. The church is about people, not buildings. Our Small Groups ARE the church. They meet regularly to share life; both its joys and struggles. You'll find them meeting in bars, malls, coffee houses and diners. You'll see them serving others in our community and beyond. And you'll hear about them starting new groups. There are people all over the place who need to reconnect with God and with others; without new Groups we'd never get to share this journey with them. All kinds of friends are invited to walk along with us. They come because here they discover acceptance and love.

Joe

Related Verses
Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
KJV

Luke 13:18-21
Then Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed that a man planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds make nests in its branches.”

He also asked, “What else is the Kingdom of God like? It is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”

Colossians 4:7-18
Tychicus will give you a full report about how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper who serves with me in the Lord’s work. I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you. I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will tell you everything that’s happening here.

Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way. Jesus (the one we call Justus) also sends his greetings. These are the only Jewish believers among my co-workers; they are working with me here for the Kingdom of God. And what a comfort they have been!

Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God. I can assure you that he prays hard for you and also for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

Luke, the beloved doctor, sends his greetings, and so does Demas. Please give my greetings to our brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.

After you have read this letter, pass it on to the church at Laodicea so they can read it, too. And you should read the letter I wrote to them.

And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.”

HERE IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING—PAUL.

Remember my chains.

May God’s grace be with you.
NLTse