Hello family and friends.

Here are my sermon notes from this last Sunday,

July 19, 2015

 

Sermon title:

“Beginning of the Kingdom”

 

(Jesus Teaches About the beginning of the Kingdom of God)

 

Alternate Title: “The Kingdom has come” or “The Kingdom is Like”

Today's message is more of a lesson than a sermon.

Theme is:

The slow but steady growth of God’s Kingdom in the hearts and minds of humankind.

 

The scripture asks a couple of questions:

Do you know who the farmer is in the parable of the mustard seed?

Do you know who the woman is in the parable of the yeast?

Is the kingdom of God growing in your heart? Since you accepted Jesus as Savior, what changes in your life have you noticed? Is your faith growing?

What activities or lifestyles in your life do you need to weed out that stunt your spiritual growth?

 

Some Lessons:

The kingdom has already been established now we are waiting for Jesus' return.

To be presented July 19. 2015

Written by: Bill Ferguson on 07-01-15

 

Page 1 of 5  

Scripture Reading …......................................... Luke 13: 18 – 21

& .............. Luke 11:17-20 (pay close attention to verse 20)

Referring Scripture.................  Ezekiel 17:22-24 & Ezekiel 31:6

Responsive Reading …...... Psalm 124…..... UMH page 846

 

The Words of God for the people of God, thanks be to God!

 

     First-century Jews expected the kingdom of God to come all at once. (Indeed it did with Jesus’ arrival. And indeed it will, but that is the future description found in both the old and new testaments.) Jesus corrected their perception, by the illustration of the mustard seed and yeast. Both are small; but one grows into a huge shrub (or tree) and the other eventually permeates an entire loaf of bread (much like Christianity has spread throughout the world). 

 

     Jesus did not want his listeners to be deceived by appearances. His ministry began small – healing the sick only in Israel – but the ministry of the gospel would eventually grow to cover the entire globe (a story Dr. Luke began to tell in in the book of Acts). The kingdom of God had come upon them whether they realized it or not. Jesus said in Luke 11:20; “But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.”  Listen. Two thousand years later, God's kingdom has continued to grow, spreading to every nation on earth. I am not talking about churches (buildings) but God's truth. Christians all over the world are awaiting Jesus' second coming, when he will come in glory and power, compelling everyone to bow before him. The question is: Will you and I be ready? 

 

     Listen to Jesus' words in verse 18-19. “He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” Jesus used a variety of parables to describe what the kingdom of God is like. Friends nothing on earth can completely explain the kingdom or give us an adequate picture of it, for the kingdom will be far beyond anything we could ever imagine. Jesus used this parable to explain that his kingdom would have a small beginning. The general expectation among Jesus listeners was that the Messiah would come as a great political king and leader, freeing the nation from Rome and restoring Israel's former glory. But Jesus said his kingdom was beginning quietly and it did. The mustard seed was so small that it would take almost twenty thousand seeds to make one ounce.

 

     From one tiny seed would grow a large shrub – the largest shrub among all the herbs that the farmer would plant in his garden. A mustard shrub could grow six to nine feet in just a few weeks. No other seed so small produced such a large plant. While this is not technically a “tree,” Jesus used its rapid growth to stress both the insignificance (small start) and magnificence of the kingdom. Like the tiny seed that becomes a large plant, the kingdom of God would eventually push outward until the whole world would be changed.

 

     The birds in this parable have had at least three of interpretations. Jesus' mention of the birds of the air added color and showed how large the shrub could become, but it probably had no allegorical meaning here. Some scholars, however, think the birds may represent the Gentiles becoming part of God's kingdom. The Hebrew Bible referring scripture in Ezekiel 17:21-24 and Ezekiel 31:6 (which we read earlier) describes this prophecy. 

 

     We should take note that this parable of the Mustard seed is also recorded in Matthew 13:31. Here's a third interpretation. Some scholars have linked the parable of the Farmer Scattering Seeds, also know as the Parable of the Sower with this parable about the mustard seeds (recorded in Matthew 13:1-23). Listen closely. Their interpretation provides a somewhat more sinister thought. In Matthew 13:4 the birds represent Satan who snatches the gospel truth from those who do not want to hear the truth or to understand. Many of these scholars believe that the birds are the same in both parables. In other words, when the tree (mustard seed) reaches maturity, birds come and live in the tree. Scholars in this third interpretation say that these birds represent demons who invade the church. The demons build their nest and bring doctrines that serve to mislead the church. This third interpretation raises a question:

Could this parable also be prophetic? Quite possibly, this third interpretation might serve to explain why so many denominations are accepting some secular/worldly doctrines which are dividing the church causing many people to fall away. In any case it gives us something to think about.

 

     Speaking to his disciples, in Matthew 13:13, Jesus echoed Isaiah 6:9-11saying, “This is why I speak to them in parables: Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.” In other words, Jesus was saying: “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not.” We might ask, why?

 

     Like this generation, these unbelievers had already rejected Jesus. Their hearts were callous and no amount of explaining or talking would make any difference. The soil of their hearts was hard; the seed of the Word would not grow; the parables would be nothing more than strange stories to them. Jesus was not hiding truth from sincere seekers because those who were receptive to spiritual truth understood the illustrations. To the “path,” “thorn patch,” or “rocky soil” people, the parables were only stories, without meaning. The parables allowed Jesus to give spiritual food to those who hungered for it; but for the others, Isaiah’s prophecy explained their situation.

 

     Now look at verse 20-21. “What else is the kingdom of God like?  It is like yeast used by a woman making bread. Even though she used a large amount of flour; the yeast permeated every part of the dough.” Another symbol of something small producing something much larger occurs with yeast added to flour in making dough. It is important that we know, that in the other Bible passages, “yeast” is used as a symbol of evil or uncleanness. An example of yeast as evil can be found in Luke 12:1 where Jesus warns his disciples about hypocrisy, “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” But here, in today's

scripture, yeast pictures positive growth. While the mustard seed grows, the yeast permeates and transforms, providing another picture of the kingdom of God. Although yeast looks like a minor ingredient (only a small amount is used), it is responsible for the dough's rising. Although God's kingdom had small beginnings, it would grow to have great impact on the world. I might add that this parable about the yeast is also recorded in Matthew 13:33.

 

     Jesus made it clear that his kingdom would not be a political coup overthrowing Roman oppression. Instead, the kingdom would steadily grow in people's hearts, making a difference in people's lives and preparing them for life in that eternal kingdom.

 

     Another title for this message could be Plant Life. Chances are you have never planted a mustard seed, never watched mustard grow, never measured the mass of a full-grown plant against its original seed. No matter. Here's a challenge.

 

     Next spring, take a seed – any seed – most are small. It represents your life in relationship with God and the growth of your faith. Plant it. Care for it. Each time you check it, praise God for your growing faith. It may be slow and quiet, but it is sprouting and bearing (blossoms or fruit) and reaching for the sun. When you water the plant, water your life with God's Word. When you weed around the plant, eliminate activities, habits and lifestyles that stunt your spiritual growth. As you watch the plant grow and blossom, thank God for his personal love and care for you.    

 

     If you have never made a profession of faith or perhaps you feel you need to make a new commitment, please come forward during our closing hym.

    

Dear Heavenly Father, we praise Your Name. Forgive us of our sins and give us strength to do thy will. Lead us into thy Kingdom. Lead us that we will grow as you desire, and share your message with others. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.