The Kingdom of God is right here right now. It is an enigma, few can understand. Silently, powerfully growing. In this passage Jesus tells us about the growth of God’s Kingdom.
Overview
Bible passages: Matt 13.31-32; Mark 4.30-32; Luke13.18-19;
Growth of God’s kingdom:
- Steered by God’s hand
- Slow but sure
- Small to stupendous
- Shelters many creatures
The kingdom here and now
Our mustard seed
Discussion
Objectives
To understand:
- The parable of the mustard seed
- The growth of the Kingdom of God
Bible Passage
The parable of the mustard seed
Matthew 13:31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”
Growth of God’s Kingdom
God is the planter.
His field is the world.
Mustard plant is God’s people, saved believers
Insignificant and persecuted for centuries, God’s kingdom keeps growing.
Eventually, led by Jesus, the Kingdom of God will take over the world, which will be a much better place for all creatures who can now rest and enjoy God’s creation
The Beginnings
“Almost 600 years before Christ was born, the prophet Daniel foretold of three kingdoms which would come after the Babylonian Empire. Then Daniel revealed that God’s kingdom would be established during the last of those kingdoms: “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed ..and it shall stand forever” (Dan. 2:44). History shows that the kingdoms were: the Medo-Persian, the Greek, and the Roman empires. In the days of the Roman Empire, Jesus began His kingdom.” [1]
Growth of God’s Kingdom
From a macro perspective, the Kingdom of God is growing and will take over the world
From a micro perspective in our lives, the transformation caused by Jesus, the word and holy spirit, enables little deeds to cause high impact.
Pioneers have been martyrs, leading saints have been excluded or cast away, yet somehow the kingdom is growing.
Steered by God’s hand
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream that Daniel interprets describes this as well
Daniel 2:34 While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were all broken to pieces and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.
Steered by God’s hand
Paul says in 1 Cor 3:6, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.”
God’s ways are higher than our ways
Like Noah’s ark, it may not even appear logical
It requires faith to not only move but even see God’s mighty hand Matt 17:20
Slow but Sure
When God explains to Jeremiah that the potter will eventually mould the clay (Jer 18), it is a process running through centuries.
Jeremiah 18:6 “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the Lord. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!
Small to Stupendous
Never underestimate
Matt 13:32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree,
Jesus’ disciples are a great example of insignificant people changing the world
Small to Stupendous
When does this huge turnReflection occur?
It occurs when Jesus comes the second time this time to rule.
Jesus the King makes it happen
In a little way the huge spurts in growth occur when Jesus rules our heart.
What may accompany it?
Death, destruction, devastation – the fury of Satan’s final struggles before defeat.
Reflection
What is delaying the growth?
Delay in acknowledging Jesus as King
- Throughout the ages
- In our churches today
- In our lives
Shelters Many creatures
The big and small, rich and poor, good and bad
A different world – a perfect world!
“so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” Matthew 13:32b
“The wolf and the lamb will feed together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox,
and dust will be the serpent’s food.
They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,”
says the Lord.” Isaiah 65:25
The Kingdom here and now
Today, in our own personal lives we see the kingdom of God as a sign.
It is
- Steered by God’s hand
- Slow but sure
- Small to stupendous
- Shelters all creatures
Our mustard seed
Our mustard seed to facilitate this great growth is faith.
Matthew 17:20 He (Jesus) replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, 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.”
Discussion/ Recap
In what ways to you perceive God’s kingdom growing today? Share examples of the following:
- Steered by God’s hand
- Slow but sure
- Small to stupendous
- Shelters many creatures
References
- Scripturessay.com