​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​Series:​ ​Stories​ ​of​ ​the​ ​King Sermon​ ​Title:​ ​Don’t​ ​miss​ ​what​ ​matters Passage:​ ​ ​Matthew​ ​13:31-32 Preacher:​ ​Dan​ ​Weyerhaeuser Date:​ ​8.27.17 Sometimes​ ​we​ ​miss​ ​big​ ​things​ ​that​ ​matter​ ​because​ ​they​ ​are​ ​small​ ​in​ ​appearance.​ ​Let​ ​me​ ​illustrate.

You​ ​might​ ​not​ ​think​ ​I​ ​could​ ​carry​ ​something​ ​of​ ​much​ ​size​ ​in​ ​this​ ​bag,​ ​but​ ​you’d​ ​be​ ​wrong.​ ​But​ ​actually​ ​from this​ ​small​ ​bag​ ​I​ ​can​ ​pull​ ​an​ ​8’​ ​wooden​ ​staff.​ ​(Moses​ ​would​ ​have​ ​liked​ ​a​ ​staff​ ​he​ ​could​ ​store​ ​in​ ​a​ ​small​ ​place rather​ ​than​ ​carry​ ​it​ ​all​ ​the​ ​time).

It’s​ ​amazing​ ​when​ ​we​ ​see​ ​something​ ​big​ ​emerge​ ​from​ ​something​ ​small​ ​in​ ​real​ ​life​ ​too.

Kate​ ​Balasa​ ​has​ ​a​ ​friend​ ​who​ ​was​ ​invited​ ​in​ ​the​ ​early​ ​1980’s​ ​to​ ​make​ ​an​ ​initial​ ​investment​ ​of​ ​$10,000​ ​in​ ​a small,​ ​startup​ ​tech​ ​company.​ ​The​ ​guy​ ​behind​ ​it​ ​was​ ​looking​ ​for​ ​100​ ​investors.​ ​Her​ ​friend​ ​decided​ ​not​ ​to​ ​take​ ​the risk.​ ​A​ ​few​ ​years​ ​ago,​ ​that​ ​same​ ​guy​ ​took​ ​those​ ​100​ ​investors​ ​to​ ​Hawaii​ ​to​ ​thank​ ​them.​ ​The​ ​man’s​ ​name​ ​is​ ​Bill Gates,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​company​ ​was​ ​Microsoft.​ ​They​ ​are​ ​all​ ​gazillionaires​ ​today.​ ​Small​ ​start,​ ​big​ ​finish.

There​ ​has​ ​never​ ​been​ ​a​ ​more​ ​dramatic​ ​example​ ​of​ ​a​ s​ omething​ ​huge​ ​emerging​ ​from​ ​small​ ​beginnings than​ ​the​ ​coming​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​God​ ​on​ ​earth.​ ​Jesus​ ​wants​ ​us​ ​to​ ​know​ ​that​ ​the​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​God​ ​WILL​ ​fill the​ ​whole​ ​earth​ ​and​ ​that​ ​the​ ​will​ ​of​ ​God​ ​WILL​ ​be​ ​done​ ​one​ ​day​ ​on​ ​every​ ​square​ ​inch​ ​of​ ​earth​ ​as​ ​it​ ​is​ ​in heaven,​ ​even​ ​though​ ​in​ ​His​ ​day​ ​things​ ​seemed​ ​small​ ​in​ ​size. In​ ​Matthew​ ​4​ ​our​ ​author​ ​tells​ ​us… Matthew​ ​4:17​ ​From​ ​that​ ​time​ ​Jesus​ ​began​ ​to​ ​preach,​ ​saying,​ ​“Repent,​ ​for​ ​the​ ​kingdom​ ​of​ ​heaven​ ​is​ ​at​ ​hand.”

Jesus​ ​announced​ ​to​ ​crowd​ ​after​ ​crowd​ ​in​ ​villages​ ​and​ ​cities​ ​and​ ​in​ ​the​ ​countryside​ ​from​ ​Galilee​ ​to Jerusalem​ ​for​ ​3​ ​years​ ​that​ ​“​The​​ ​kingdom​ ​of​ ​heaven​ ​is​ ​at​ ​hand​.”​ ​It​ ​is​ ​here​ ​now.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​in​ ​reach.​ ​ ​Repent​ ​and believe​ ​and​ ​you​ ​can​ ​become​ ​a​ ​CITIZEN​ ​of​ ​God’s​ ​Kingdom.​ ​TODAY​ ​Jesus​ ​tells​ ​us​ ​that​ ​the​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​Heaven will​ ​keep​ ​coming​ ​until​ ​it​ ​has​ ​filled​ ​the​ ​whole​ ​earth! Main​ ​point:​ ​The​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​Heaven​ ​will​ ​fill​ ​the​ ​whole​ ​earth. Know​ ​this…​ ​believe​ ​this…​ ​live​ ​in​ ​light​ ​of​ ​this!​ ​We​ ​live​ ​differently​ ​when​ ​we​ ​genuinely​ ​believe​ ​God’s Kingdom​ ​is​ ​coming. If​ ​you​ ​are​ ​here​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​figure​ ​out​ ​if​ ​Christ​​ ​is​ ​who​ ​you​ ​are​ ​looking​ ​for,​ ​if​ ​things​ ​have​ ​happened​ ​lately​ ​and you​ ​know​ ​you​ ​need​ ​a​ ​change​ ​but​ ​are​ ​not​ ​sure​ ​what,​ ​we​ ​are​ ​honored​ ​that​ ​you​ ​are​ ​here.​ ​He​ ​IS​ ​who​ ​you​ ​are looking​ ​for!​ ​What​ ​we’ll​ ​see​ ​in​ ​two​ ​short​ ​verses​ ​is​ ​a​ ​picture​ ​of​ h ​ ow​ ​Jesus​ ​comes​​ ​into​ ​our​ ​lives​ ​and​ ​this​ ​world, what​ ​His​ ​coming​ ​is​ ​like​,​ ​and​ ​why​ ​He​ ​is​ ​good​.​ ​Tell​ ​Him,​ ​“Jesus,​ ​I​ ​want​ ​you​ ​to​ ​help​ ​me​ ​in​ ​this​ ​message”​ ​and​ ​He will. We​ ​are​ ​finishing​ ​our​ ​series​ ​on​ ​the​ ​parables​ ​of​ ​Jesus​ ​(which​ ​describe​ ​in​ ​short​ ​stories​ ​truths​ ​about​ ​the Kingdom​ ​of​ ​Heaven)​ ​back​ ​in​ ​the​ ​13​th​​ ​chapter​ ​of​ ​Matthew’s​ ​gospel.​ ​A​ ​quick​ ​reminder…1)​ W ​ hat​ ​is​ ​“the Kingdom​ ​of​ ​Heaven​?”​ ​A​ ​kingdom​ ​is​ ​a​ ​territory​ ​under​ ​the​ ​rule​ ​of​ ​a​ ​king.​ ​If​ ​you​ ​cross​ ​the​ ​Rio​ ​Grande​ ​into Mexico,​ ​you​ ​are​ ​in​ ​a​ ​new​ ​nation.​ ​The​ ​streets​ ​look​ ​different,​ ​the​ ​cars​ ​are​ ​different,​ ​the​ ​language​ ​is​ ​different, the​ ​police​ ​are​ ​different,​ ​and​ ​most​ ​importantly​ ​the​ ​government​ ​is​ ​different.​ ​You​ ​are​ ​under​ ​the​ ​rule​ ​of​ ​a different​ ​“king.”​ ​ ​The​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​Heaven​​ ​is​ ​the​ ​place​ ​where​ ​the​ ​will​ ​of​ ​King​ ​Jesus​ ​is​ ​gladly​ ​obeyed​ ​by​ ​those who​ ​trust​ ​Him.​ ​As​ ​His​ ​Kingdom​ ​comes,​ ​He​ ​restores​ ​what​ ​is​ ​broken! The​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​God​ ​is​ ​nothing​ ​less​ ​than​ ​the​ ​power​ ​of​ ​God​ ​in​ ​heaven​ ​entering​ ​the​ ​world​ ​to​ ​heal​ ​every alienation​ ​and​ ​every​ ​brokenness​ ​in​ ​every​ ​dimension​ ​of​ ​human​ ​life,​ ​whether​ ​is​ ​it​ ​social​ ​or​ ​economic​ ​or​ ​racial​ ​or emotional​ ​or​ ​physical​ ​or​ ​psychological,​ ​or​ ​spiritual.​ T ​ im​ ​Keller

2)​ ​When​ ​is​ ​the​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​heaven​?​ ​In​ ​the​ ​future​ ​when​ ​Christ​ ​returns,​ ​His​ ​Kingdom​ ​will​ ​be​ ​here​ ​in​ ​full.​ ​In the​ ​meantime,​ ​it​ ​IS​ ​here​ ​in​ ​part.​ ​Each​ ​time​ ​someone​ ​becomes​ ​a​ ​Christian,​ ​and​ ​each​ ​time​ ​a​ ​Christian​ ​conforms to​ ​the​ ​will​ ​of​ ​Christ​ ​with​ ​the​ ​help​ ​of​ ​God’s​ ​Spirit,​ ​the​ ​Kingdom​ ​comes.​ ​And​ ​it​ ​is​ ​GOOD!​ ​“Mercy​ ​Me”​ ​sings​ ​a song​ ​called,​ ​“​Heaven​ ​Is​ ​Here​”… Hallelujah,​ ​sing​ ​like​ ​the​ ​angels​ ​do,​ ​We​ ​don't​ ​have​ ​to​ ​wait​ ​'til​ ​this​ ​life​ ​is​ ​through No​ ​separation,​ ​He​ ​has​ ​raised​ ​us​ ​up,​ ​We​ ​don't​ ​have​ ​to​ ​wait,​ ​heaven's​ ​here​ ​with​ ​us I​ ​say,​ ​we​ ​don't​ ​have​ ​to​ ​wait,​ ​heaven's​ ​here​ ​with​ ​us

2 We​ ​get​ ​moments​ ​in​ ​this​ ​life​ ​when​ ​God​ ​shows​ ​up​ ​and​ ​we​ ​experience​ ​His​ ​love​ ​and​ ​gifts​ ​and​ ​truth​ ​through His​ ​people​ ​and​ ​in​ ​those​ ​moments,​ ​heaven​ ​IS​ ​here​ ​with​ ​us.​ ​Today​ ​we​ ​learn​ ​that​ ​this​ ​coming​ ​Kingdom​ ​of Heaven…​ ​1)​​ ​is​ ​an​ ​irritant,​ ​2)​​ ​it​ ​grows​ ​organically,​ ​3)​​ ​it​ ​has​ ​a​ ​small​ ​start​ ​but​ ​big​ ​finish,​ ​and​ ​4)​​ ​it​ ​attracts​ ​all peoples.​ ​Read The​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​Heaven… 1. …is​ ​an​ ​irritant…​ ​it​ ​is​ ​is​ ​confront-ive I​ ​say​ ​this​ ​because​ ​of​ ​what​ ​the​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​Heaven​ ​is​ ​compared​ ​to.

Matthew​ ​13:31b​​ ​The​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​heaven​ ​is​ ​like​ ​the​ ​grain​ ​of​ ​a​ ​mustard​ ​seed

Who​ ​likes​ ​mustard?​ ​Mustard​ ​has​ ​a​ ​disturbing​ ​quality​ ​to​ ​it.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​an​ ​irritant.​ ​It​ ​bites​ ​the​ ​tongue. You​ ​might​ ​pour​ ​caramel​ ​or​ ​sprinkles​ ​on​ ​your​ ​ice​ ​cream,​ ​but​ ​you​ ​would​ ​not​ ​pour​ ​mustard​ ​over​ ​your French​ ​Vanilla​ ​ice-cream.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​not​ ​a​ ​dessert-condiment.​ ​It​ ​evokes​ ​a​ ​reaction.

It​ ​is​ ​from​ ​this​ ​word​ ​that​ ​the​ ​military​ ​gets​ ​the​ ​word​ ​“muster.”​ ​When​ ​the​ ​bugle​ ​sounds​ ​“muster,”​ ​you​ ​don’t​ ​hit snooze​ ​on​ ​your​ ​clock​ ​for​ ​an​ ​extra​ ​10​ ​minutes.​ ​When​ ​“muster”​ ​sounds,​ ​it's​ ​like​ ​you’ve​ ​been​ ​bitten.​ ​You​ ​jump​ ​out​ ​of bed​ ​and​ ​get​ ​to​ ​attention​ ​now!

The​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​heaven​ ​is​ ​like​ ​mustard.​ ​It​ ​has​ ​a​ ​bite​ ​to​ ​it.​ ​When​ ​the​ ​King​ ​comes​ ​into​ ​our​ ​lives,​ ​He​ ​starts bringing​ ​changes.​ ​He​ ​LOVES​ ​us​ ​and​ ​heals​ ​us!​ ​But​ ​He​ ​immediately​ ​begins​ ​to​ ​change​ ​things​ ​in​ ​your​ ​life.​ ​ ​Jesus shares​ ​3​ ​chapters​ ​of​ ​examples​ ​in​ ​Matthew​ ​5-7.​ ​In​ ​our​ ​world​,​ ​if​ ​you​ ​get​ ​hurt,​ ​you​ ​get​ ​even.​ ​But​ ​if​ ​you​ ​are​ ​a citizen​ ​of​ ​God’s​ ​Kingdom​ ​and​ ​you​ ​get​ ​hurt,​ ​He​ ​leads​ ​you​ ​to​ ​forgive…and​ ​PRAY​ ​for​ ​your​ ​enemy​ ​(5:43-48)!​ I​ n our​ ​world​​ ​you​ ​constantly​ ​think​ ​about​ ​how​ ​we​ ​can​ ​get​ ​and​ ​keep​ ​as​ ​much​ ​as​ ​possible.​ ​But​ ​people​ ​of​ ​the Kingdom,​ ​He​ ​leads​ ​us​ ​to​ ​constantly​ ​think​ ​about​ ​how​ ​much​ ​we​ ​can​ ​give​ ​with​ ​radical​ ​generosity​ ​(6:19-24).​ I​ n our​ ​world​,​ ​sensuality​ ​is​ ​flaunted​ ​and​ ​used​ ​to​ ​sell​ ​everything​ ​from​ ​cars​ ​to​ ​clothes.​ ​But​ ​when​ ​the​ ​people​ ​in​ ​the Kingdom​ ​follow​ ​Him,​ ​we​ ​prize​ ​modesty​ ​and​ ​dignity​ ​and​ ​think​ ​the​ ​value​ ​of​ ​a​ ​person​ ​is​ ​not​ ​how​ ​they​ ​look​ ​on the​ ​outside​ ​but​ ​that​ ​they​ ​are​ ​made​ ​by​ ​God​ ​on​ ​the​ ​inside​ ​(5:27-30).​ I​ n​ ​our​ ​world,​​ ​people’s​ ​days​ ​are​ ​dominated by​ ​anxiety​ ​and​ ​fear​ ​because​ ​we​ ​are​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​control​ ​circumstances​ ​that​ ​are​ ​greater​ ​than​ ​us.​ ​But​ ​citizens​ ​of the​ ​Kingdom,​ ​God’s​ ​people,​ ​are​ ​characterized​ ​by​ ​peace​ ​and​ ​joy​ ​on​ ​every​ ​day​ ​because​ ​we​ ​KNOW​ ​our​ ​God KNOWS​ ​what​ ​we​ ​need​ ​and​ ​we​ ​believe​ ​He​ ​will​ ​provide​ ​as​ ​He​ ​promised.​ ​God’s​ ​Kingdom​ ​acts​ ​upon​ ​us (6:25-34)! Truth​ ​–​ ​none​ ​of​ ​us​ ​live​ ​there​ ​all​ ​the​ ​time,​ ​but​ ​we​ ​COULD.​ ​We​ ​have​ ​access​ ​to​ ​a​ ​very​ ​different​ ​life.​ Q ​ :​​ ​How can​ ​we​ ​live​ ​so​ ​differently?​ ​A:​​ ​You​ ​can​ ​forgive​ ​others​ ​when​​ ​God​ ​has​ ​forgiven​ ​you​ ​at​ ​the​ ​cost​ ​of​ ​His​ ​Son​ ​while you​ ​were​ ​HIS​ ​enemy.​ ​You​ ​want​ ​be​ ​generous​ ​when​​ ​you​ ​recall​ ​that​ ​God​ ​has​ ​given​ ​US​ ​every​ ​blessing​ ​He​ ​has​ ​in Christ.​ ​We​ ​can​ ​prize​ ​modestly​​ ​because​ ​we​ ​have​ ​found​ ​a​ ​better​ ​joy​ ​than​ ​public​ ​arousal​ ​that​ ​leaves​ ​you​ ​feeling cheap.​ ​His​ ​Spirit​ ​indwells​ ​us,​ ​bringing​ ​His​ ​Kingdom,​ ​and​ ​from​ ​the​ ​inside​ ​out​ ​we​ ​begin​ ​to​ ​become​ ​more​ ​whole! POINT:​ ​The​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​Heaven​ ​is​ ​an​ ​irritant​ ​to​ ​our​ ​former​ ​way​ ​of​ ​life.​ ​He​ ​is​ ​gentle​ ​and​ ​we​ ​find​ ​rest​ ​for our​ ​souls​ ​with​ ​Him​ ​in​ ​charge.​ ​But​ ​His​ ​commands​ ​guide​ ​us​ ​back​ ​to​ ​the​ ​life​ ​you​ ​were​ ​designed​ ​to​ ​live,​ ​because you​ ​were​ ​designed​ ​for​ ​good…​ ​we​ ​were​ ​designed​ ​to​ ​be​ ​like​ ​HIM.​ ​ ​His​ ​Spirit​ ​enables​ ​us​ ​to​ ​choose​ ​to​ ​obey​ ​Him. The​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​heaven… 2. …​ ​grows​ ​organically​ ​(by​ ​seeds​ ​planted) When​ ​a​ ​human​ ​kingdom​ ​invades,​ ​they​ ​come​ ​violent,​ ​abruptly,​ ​and​ ​traumatically.​ ​Think​ ​of​ ​Germany invading​ ​Poland​ ​or​ ​France​ ​and​ ​you​ ​see​ ​how​ ​our​ ​kingdoms​ ​advance.​ ​When​ ​human​ ​kingdoms​ ​come,​ ​we impose​ ​our​ ​will​ ​upon​ ​a​ ​weaker​ ​nation​ ​and​ ​its​ ​territory​ ​becomes​ ​ours. ​ ​But​ ​the​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​Heaven​ ​comes​ ​with​ ​far​ ​greater​ ​force​ ​than​ ​that​ ​of​ ​human​ ​might…​ ​yet​ ​gently.​ ​God Himself​ ​is​ ​moving​ ​into​ ​the​ ​world​ ​and​ ​there​ ​is​ ​no​ ​stopping​ ​HIM.​ ​YET,​ ​He​ ​is​ ​gentle​ ​and​ ​humble​ ​of​ ​heart,​ ​and​ ​his kingdom​ ​comes​ ​organically,​ ​like​ ​a​ ​seed​ ​that​ ​grows​ ​in​ ​the​ ​ground. “The​ ​kingdom​ ​of​ ​heaven​ ​is​ ​like​ ​a​ ​grain​ ​of​ ​mustard​ ​seed​ ​that​ ​a​ ​man​ ​took​ ​and​ ​sowed​ ​in​ ​his​ ​field.

The​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​Heaven​ ​grows​ ​like​ ​a​ ​seed.​ ​One​ ​word​ ​we​ ​would​ ​never​ ​use​ ​to​ ​describe​ ​a​ ​farmer’s​ ​growing crop…​ ​is​ ​violent.​ ​A​ ​seed​ ​enters​ ​the​ ​soil,​ ​and​ ​water​ ​activates​ ​it,​ ​and​ ​it​ ​begins,​ ​little​ ​by​ ​little,​ ​to​ ​change,​ ​to​ ​draw nutrients​ ​from​ ​the​ ​soil​ ​and​ ​reform​ ​them​ ​into​ ​a​ ​plant.​ ​The​ ​seed​ ​grows​ ​silently,​ ​imperceptibly,​ ​out​ ​of​ ​sight.​ ​This is​ ​how​ ​the​ ​Kingdom​ ​comes.

3 I’ve​ ​told​ ​you​ ​many​ ​times​ ​about​ ​the​ ​first​ ​night​ ​I​ ​read​ ​the​ ​Bible​ ​when​ ​I​ ​had​ ​such​ ​a​ ​profound​ ​encounter with​ ​Christ.​ ​Since​ ​then,​ ​I’ve​ ​talked​ ​to​ ​my​ ​other​ ​3​ ​friends​ ​who​ ​were​ ​in​ ​the​ ​room​ ​at​ ​the​ ​time…​ ​none​ ​of​ ​them had​ ​any​ ​idea​ ​this​ ​was​ ​happening​ ​in​ ​me.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​almost​ ​a​ ​non-event​ ​for​ ​them.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​a​ ​picture​ ​of​ ​our​ ​window in​ ​Boaz​ ​Hall,​ ​3rd ​ ​​ ​floor​ ​that​ ​looks​ ​just​ ​like​ ​every​ ​other​ ​window.​ ​But​ ​in​ ​that​ ​place​ ​one​ ​night​ ​in​ ​1981,​ ​the​ ​Kingdom​ ​of God​ ​entered​ ​MY​ ​heart​ ​and​ ​I​ ​became​ ​alive​ ​to​ ​God​ ​and​ ​to​ ​life​ ​and​ ​to​ ​people​ ​in​ ​a​ ​way​ ​I​ ​had​ ​never​ ​known​ ​before!

The​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​heaven​ ​grows​ ​like​ ​a​ ​seed​ ​in​ ​the​ ​ground. Question…​ ​what​ ​is​ ​the​ ​seed​ ​Jesus​ ​is​ ​talking​ ​about​?​ ​Two​ ​answers.​ ​1)​ ​In​ ​v.​ ​1​ ​the​ ​seed​ ​is​ ​the​ ​“gospel.”​ ​By “Gospel,​ ​the​ ​Bible​ ​means​ ​“the​ ​good​ ​news​ ​that​ ​Christ​ ​died​ ​for​ ​our​ ​sins,​ ​according​ ​to​ ​the​ ​scriptures,​ ​that​ ​he​ ​was buried​ ​and​ ​on​ ​the​ ​third​ ​day​ ​rose​ ​to​ ​be​ ​God’s​ ​King​ ​over​ ​creation.”​ ​The​ ​seed​ ​is​ ​the​ ​Word​ ​of​ ​God…​ ​and​ ​all​ ​that​ ​it tells​ ​us​ ​about​ ​God.​ ​When​ ​a​ ​person​ ​really​ ​reads​ ​closely​ ​and​ ​listens​ ​to​ ​God’s​ ​Word,​ ​they​ ​learn​ ​from​ ​it​ ​and believe​ ​it,​ ​something​ ​begins​ ​to​ ​happen​ ​inside​ ​of​ ​them.​ ​They​ ​love​ ​things​ ​they​ ​have​ ​never​ ​loved​ ​before…​ ​they feel​ ​uncomfortable​ ​with​ ​things​ ​they​ ​used​ ​to​ ​do​ ​that​ ​seemed​ ​ok.​ ​God’s​ ​Spirit​ ​works​ ​through​ ​God’s​ ​Word. Anyone​ ​ever​ ​experience​ ​that​ ​before? 2)​ ​However​ ​the​ ​seed​ ​here​ ​might​ ​also​ ​be​ ​US.​ ​After​ ​our​ ​parable,​ ​the​ ​disciples​ ​ask​ ​Jesus​ ​“what​ ​was​ ​the​ ​seed” in​ ​the​ ​parable​ ​of​ ​the​ ​wheat​ ​and​ ​tares​ ​(the​ ​second​ ​parable​ ​in​ ​this​ ​chapter)?​ ​His​ ​answer​ ​there​ ​(13:38)​ ​is​ ​that the​ ​seeds​ ​are​ ​the​ ​sons​ ​of​ ​God​.​ ​God​ ​has​ ​planted​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world​ ​a​ ​seed​ ​through​ ​which​ ​He​ ​brings​ ​His​ ​Kingdom and​ ​that​ ​seed​ ​is​ ​His​ ​followers.​ ​WE​ ​effect​ ​our​ ​surroundings.​ ​The​ ​grain​ ​of​ ​mustard​ ​seed​ ​might​ ​well​ ​be​ ​God’s people​ ​who​ ​have​ ​been​ ​changed​ ​by​ ​God’s​ ​Word…​ ​we​ ​have​ ​a​ ​remarkable​ ​effect​ ​in​ ​our​ ​world!​ ​ ​He​ ​is​ ​doing​ ​this now! 2​ ​roses​ ​are​ ​for​ ​my​ ​two​ ​neighbors​ ​who​ ​just​ ​moved​ ​away.​ ​Kyle​ ​and​ ​Enjoli​ ​moved​ ​in​ ​a​ ​few​ ​years​ ​ago.​ ​I’ve​ ​prayed daily​ ​for​ ​them​ ​and​ ​they​ ​came​ ​to​ ​our​ ​BBQ​ ​last​ ​year.​ ​We’ve​ ​had​ ​conversations​ ​in​ ​the​ ​neighborhood​ ​(not​ ​long​ ​ones). But​ ​it​ ​seemed​ ​like​ ​there​ ​was​ ​gratitude​ ​and​ ​warmth…​ ​we​ ​were​ ​getting​ ​someplace. But​ ​then​ ​in​ ​about​ ​a​ ​month’s​ ​time,​ ​they​ ​moved.​ ​I​ ​trust​ ​that​ ​our​ ​prayers​ ​were​ ​not​ ​a​ ​waste,​ ​but​ ​I​ ​was​ ​really​ ​sad for​ ​them​ ​to​ ​leave.​ ​But​ ​then​ ​another​ ​neighbor,​ ​who​ ​is​ ​a​ ​Christian,​ ​stopped​ ​by.​ ​They’d​ ​gotten​ ​locked​ ​out​ ​of​ ​their house​ ​and​ ​asked​ ​to​ ​use​ ​our​ ​phone​ ​and​ ​wait​ ​for​ ​their​ ​son​ ​came​ ​home​ ​to​ ​let​ ​them​ ​in.​ ​While​ ​we​ ​visited,​ ​I​ ​shared​ ​that we’d​ ​been​ ​praying​ ​for​ ​Kyle​ ​and​ ​Enjoli​ ​and​ ​was​ ​sad​ ​that​ ​they’d​ ​left.​ ​He​ ​said,​ ​“Their​ ​last​ ​week,​ ​I​ ​led​ ​them​ ​both​ ​to Christ.”​ ​I​ ​shared​ ​with​ ​them​ ​about​ ​Jesus​ ​(our​ ​neighbor​ ​gets​ ​right​ ​to​ ​that)​ ​and​ ​they​ ​accepted​ ​the​ ​Lord.

God​ ​has​ ​been​ ​at​ ​work​ ​on​ ​my​ ​neighbors​ ​hearts,​ ​drawing​ ​them​ ​to​ ​Himself,​ ​in​ ​ways​ ​I​ ​was​ ​unaware.​ ​His Kingdom​ ​was​ ​coming​ ​like​ ​a​ ​seed!​ ​Clearly​ ​they​ ​had​ ​come​ ​to​ ​a​ ​place​ ​where​ ​they​ ​were​ ​open​ ​to​ ​change​ ​and​ ​my Christian​ ​friend​ ​helped​ ​them​ ​became​ ​my​ ​brother​ ​and​ ​sister​ ​in​ ​Christ!​ ​The​ ​Kingdom​ ​grows​ ​organically. The​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​heaven… 3. …has​ ​a​ ​small​ ​start​ ​but​ ​big​ ​finish Perhaps​ ​this​ ​is​ ​Jesus’​ ​strongest​ ​point​ ​here…

Matt.​ ​13:31​ ​ He​ ​put​ ​another​ ​parable​ ​before​ ​them,​ ​saying,​ ​ ​“The​ ​kingdom​ ​of​ ​heaven​ ​is​ ​like​ ​a​ ​grain​ ​of​ ​mustard​ ​seed that​ ​a​ ​man​ ​took​ ​and​ ​sowed​ ​in​ ​his​ ​field.​ ​32​ ​It​ ​is​ ​the​ ​smallest​ ​of​ ​all​ ​seeds,​ ​but​ ​when​ ​it​ ​has​ ​grown​ ​it​ ​is​ ​larger​ ​than​ ​all​ ​the garden​ ​plants… ​ ​Mustard​ ​seeds​ ​are​ ​small.​ ​Does​ ​anyone​ ​see​ ​the​ ​seed​ ​I​ ​have​ ​in​ ​my​ ​hand?​ ​I​ ​know​ ​you​ ​don’t, because​ ​I​ ​don’t​ ​have​ ​one​ ​in​ ​my​ ​hand.​ ​But​ ​if​ ​I​ ​did,​ ​you​ ​couldn’t​ ​see​ ​it​ ​☺.

Mustard​ ​seeds​ ​are​ ​very​ ​small.​ ​Yet,​ ​when​ ​they​ ​are​ ​planted​ ​and​ ​grow,​ ​they​ ​become like​ ​a​ ​tree​ ​about​ ​10’​ ​tall.​ ​ ​How​ ​THIS​ ​tree​ ​grows​ ​from​ ​THIS​ ​seed​ ​is​ ​remarkable.

I​ ​had​ ​about​ ​30-40​ ​minutes​ ​of​ ​Bible​ ​reading​ ​one​ ​night​ ​in​ ​college,​ ​and​ ​something​ ​got​ ​unleashed​ ​in​ ​me​ ​that changed​ ​me​ ​forever!​ ​A​ ​small​ ​moment​ ​in​ ​God’s​ ​Word​ ​and​ ​the​ ​entire​ ​direction​ ​of​ ​my​ ​life​ ​was​ ​changed​ ​by​ ​Him!​ ​If​ ​you have​ ​ever​ ​been​ ​encouraged​ ​by​ ​Christ​ ​through​ ​ME,​ ​that​ ​all​ ​started​ ​with​ ​a​ ​small​ ​moment​ ​when​ ​someone​ ​challenged me​ ​to​ ​read​ ​the​ ​Bible.​ ​35​ ​years​ ​later,​ ​I’ve​ ​been​ ​in​ ​on​ ​telling​ ​a​ ​LOT​ ​of​ ​people​ ​about​ ​Christ,​ ​and​ ​I​ ​believe​ ​my​ ​best​ ​days are​ ​in​ ​front​ ​of​ ​me. The​ ​same​ ​is​ ​true​ ​for​ ​YOU!​ ​How​ ​did​ ​God​ ​begin​ ​to​ ​work​ ​on​ ​your​ ​life?​ ​Did​ ​a​ ​host​ ​of​ ​angels​ ​appear​ ​and​ ​shake​ ​the earth,​ ​or​ ​God’s​ ​fire​ ​fall​ ​on​ ​Mt.​ ​Everest​ ​while​ ​you​ ​were​ ​there?​ ​Or​ ​did​ ​something​ ​just​ ​begin​ ​to​ ​happen​ ​in​ ​your​ ​heart? Did​ ​you​ ​hear​ ​a​ ​sermon​ ​or​ ​someone​ ​tell​ ​you​ ​about​ ​how​ ​Christ​ ​had​ ​changed​ ​their​ ​lives?​ ​Did​ ​you​ ​open​ ​the​ ​Bible​ ​and start​ ​to​ ​read​ ​and​ ​something​ ​small​ ​but​ ​unmistakable​ ​happened​ ​in​ ​YOUR​ ​life?​ ​And​ ​how​ ​many​ ​lives​ ​have​ ​been touched​ ​by​ ​you​ ​since?

Why​ ​is​ ​this​ ​important​ ​to​ ​know?​ ​Here​ ​stands​ ​Jesus​ ​with​ ​his​ ​12​ ​disciples.​ ​Compared​ ​to​ ​the​ ​religion​ ​of​ ​the Greeks​ ​or​ ​the​ ​Romans​ ​who​ ​had​ ​temples​ ​all​ ​over​ ​the​ ​world,​ ​or​ ​even​ ​compared​ ​to​ ​Judaism​ ​as​ ​it​ ​was​ ​practiced

4 in​ ​its​ ​day,​ ​the​ ​Christian​ ​faith​ ​was​ ​like​ ​a​ ​mustard​ ​seed.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​small.​ ​ ​But​ ​as​ ​a​ ​mustard​ ​tree​ ​(which​ ​is​ ​actually VERY​ ​impressive)​ ​grows​ ​out​ ​of​ ​this​ ​small​ ​seed,​ ​so​ ​too​ ​the​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​God​ ​will​ ​grow​ ​mightily​ ​through​ ​a​ ​few people​ ​and​ ​a​ ​simple​ ​message,​ ​to​ ​the​ ​point​ ​that​ ​in​ ​the​ ​“garden”​ ​of​ ​the​ ​world,​ ​it​ ​will​ ​be​ ​by​ ​far​ ​the​ ​largest​ ​tree! That’s​ ​because​ ​Jesus​ ​said,​ ​“I​ ​will​ ​build​ ​my​ ​church​ ​and​ ​the​ ​gates​ ​of​ ​hell​ ​will​ ​not​ ​prevail​ ​against​ ​it.”​ ​POINT:​ ​We WIN!!!!!!! Ancient​ ​History​ ​–​ ​The​ ​church​ ​flourished​ ​in​ ​the​ ​first​ ​centuries​ ​after​ ​Christ!​ ​ ​By​ ​AD​ ​100,​ ​the​ ​church​ ​had​ ​100,000 members.​ ​ ​By​ ​AD​ ​200,​ ​it​ ​had​ ​grown​ ​to​ ​1.5​ ​million.​ ​ ​And​ ​by​ ​AD​ ​300,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​6​ ​million.​ ​ ​In​ ​an​ ​empire​ ​of​ ​60​ ​million, that’s​ ​1​ ​in​ ​10…​ ​(In​ ​a​ ​hostile​ ​world​ ​where​ ​not​ ​swearing​ ​ultimate​ ​allegiance​ ​to​ ​Caesar​ ​was​ ​to​ ​risk​ ​your​ ​life,​ ​this growth​ ​is​ ​amazing!) PEW​ ​research​ ​tells​ ​us​ ​today​ ​that​ ​there​ ​are​ ​nearly​ ​2​ ​billion​ ​Christians​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​hard​ ​to​ ​believe​ ​that when​ ​we​ ​look​ ​around​ ​in​ ​America.​ ​But​ ​in​ ​sub-Saharan​ ​Africa​ ​(from​ ​the​ ​Sahara​ ​to​ ​the​ ​southern​ ​tip​ ​of​ ​the​ ​continent), there​ ​are​ ​more​ ​Christians​ ​concentrated​ ​than​ ​any​ ​other​ ​place​ ​on​ ​the​ ​planet,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​church​ ​has​ ​been​ ​growing​ ​in new​ ​believers​ ​at​ ​about​ ​35%​ ​a​ ​year​ ​for​ ​years! Today​ ​in​ ​Nepal​ ​and​ ​China,​ ​the​ ​church​ ​is​ ​growing​ ​about​ ​10%​ ​a​ ​year​ ​through​ ​new​ ​believers.​ ​Indonesia​ ​and Brazil​ ​are​ ​two​ ​other​ ​places​ ​where​ ​the​ ​church​ ​is​ ​gaining​ ​ground.​ ​In​ ​all​ ​the​ ​places​ ​I’ve​ ​mentioned,​ ​Christianity dwarfs​ ​the​ ​church​ ​in​ ​America​ ​and​ ​Europe.​ ​(Patheos.com)

All​ ​this​ ​is​ ​happening​ ​because​ ​Jesus​ ​brought​ ​God’s​ ​Kingdom​ ​through​ ​12​ ​followers​ ​2000​ ​years​ ​ago…​ ​and​ ​it continues​ ​to​ ​spread!​ ​ ​PA…​ ​this​ ​helps​ ​us​ ​be​ ​confident​ ​today​ ​that​ ​Jesus​ ​IS​ ​building​ ​His​ ​church.​ ​May​ ​He​ ​do​ ​so here!​ ​But​ ​He​ ​IS.​ ​ALSO,​ ​this​ ​helps​ ​us​ ​realize​ ​that​ ​small​ ​moments​ ​we​ ​have​ ​with​ ​people​ ​that​ ​seem​ ​insignificant, really​ ​CAN​ ​be​ ​the​ ​beginning​ ​of​ ​something​ ​ENORMOUS​ ​in​ ​them​ ​as​ ​well!​ ​Taking​ ​a​ ​minute​ ​to​ ​remember​ ​to​ ​pray for​ ​someone​ ​you​ ​know,​ ​putting​ ​down​ ​what​ ​you​ ​are​ ​doing​ ​when​ ​you​ ​see​ ​them​ ​to​ ​give​ ​them​ ​your​ ​attention, inviting​ ​them​ ​to​ ​a​ ​meal,​ ​caring​ ​about​ ​their​ ​life​ ​and​ ​sharing​ ​your​ ​own​ ​(living​ ​a​ ​Pray​ ​–​ ​Eat​ ​–​ ​Love​ ​lifestyle)​ ​and small​ ​moments​ ​can​ ​be​ ​the​ ​beginning​ ​of​ ​HUGE​ ​change! The​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​heaven… 4. …attracts​ ​all​ ​peoples There​ ​is​ ​a​ ​last​ ​line​ ​in​ ​this​ ​parable​ ​that​ ​is​ ​fascinating…

….when​ ​it​ ​has​ ​grown​ ​it​ ​is​ ​larger​ ​than​ ​all​ ​the​ ​garden​ ​plants​ ​and​ ​becomes​ ​a​ ​tree,​ ​so​ ​that​ ​the​ ​birds​ ​of​ ​the​ ​air​ ​come​ ​and make​ ​nests​ ​in​ ​its​ ​branches.”

In​ ​the​ ​Bible,​ ​King’s​ ​and​ ​their​ ​Kingdoms​ ​are​ ​described​ ​as​ ​a​ ​growing​ ​tree​ ​in​ ​several​ ​places.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​true​ ​of Pharaoh​ ​in​ ​Egypt,​ ​or​ ​Nebuchadnezzar,​ ​King​ ​of​ ​Babylon.​ ​Nebuchadnezzar,​ ​who​ ​had​ ​become​ ​a​ ​follower​ ​of​ ​God, wrote​ ​a​ ​letter​ ​to​ ​the​ ​entire​ ​world​ ​in​ ​which​ ​he​ ​shared​ ​a​ ​vision​ ​he​ ​had​ ​received​ ​that​ ​his​ ​kingdom​ ​was​ ​like​ ​a vast​ ​tree,​ ​the​ ​branches​ ​of​ ​which​ ​spread​ ​out​ ​into​ ​all​ ​the​ ​earth. Dan.​ ​4:12​ ​ ​Its​ ​leaves​ ​were​ ​beautiful​ ​and​ ​its​ ​fruit​ ​abundant,​ ​and​ ​in​ ​it​ ​was​ ​food​ ​for​ ​all.​ ​ ​The​ ​beasts​ ​of​ ​the​ ​field​ ​found shade​ ​under​ ​it,​ ​and​ ​ ​the​ ​birds​ ​of​ ​the​ ​heavens​ ​lived​ ​in​ ​its​ ​branches,​ ​and​ ​all​ ​flesh​ ​was​ ​fed​ ​from​ ​it.

The​ ​beasts​ ​of​ ​the​ ​field​ ​and​ ​the​ ​birds​ ​of​ ​heaven​ ​that​ ​lived​ ​in​ ​its​ ​branches​ ​and​ ​all​ ​flesh​ ​that​ ​fed​ ​from​ ​it… were​ ​a​ ​picture​ ​of​ ​the​ ​people​ ​of​ ​the​ ​nations​ ​all​ ​over​ ​the​ ​world​ ​who​ ​were​ ​in​ ​Nebuchadnezzar’s​ ​kingdom.​ ​In JESUS’​ ​parable,​ ​the​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​Heaven​ ​becomes​ ​the​ ​largest​ ​tree​ ​in​ ​the​ ​garden…it​ ​will​ ​fill​ ​the​ ​universe's.​ ​And people​ ​from​ ​all​ ​nations​ ​will​ ​find​ ​shelter​ ​and​ ​home​ ​in​ ​it​ ​because​ ​He​ ​reaches​ ​all​ ​nations.

TRUTH:​ ​Christianity​ ​is​ ​the​ ​faith​ ​of​ ​God​ ​for​ ​ALL​ ​people!​ ​It​ ​is​ ​NOT​ ​the​ ​invention​ ​of​ ​the​ ​west.​ ​When​ ​we​ ​go​ ​to​ ​India, we​ ​encounter​ ​Indian​ ​nationals​ ​who​ ​resent​ ​western​ ​religion​ ​coming​ ​to​ ​India.​ ​Our​ ​reply​ ​is​ ​that​ ​long​ ​before Christianity​ ​made​ ​it​ ​to​ ​America,​ ​Thomas​ ​the​ ​apostle​ ​of​ ​Christ,​ ​brought​ ​it​ ​to​ ​India,​ ​where​ ​he​ ​was​ ​a​ ​missionary​ ​and martyr.​ ​HE​ ​is​ ​the​ ​One​ ​Who​ ​ALL​ ​peoples​ ​need.

Kyle​ ​and​ ​Enjoli​ ​were​ ​both​ ​of​ ​a​ ​different​ ​ethnic​ ​background​ ​than​ ​me…​ ​it​ ​didn’t​ ​matter.​ ​Because​ ​more​ ​than white​ ​or​ ​black​ ​or​ ​brown,​ ​we​ ​are​ ​all​ ​humans,​ ​made​ ​in​ ​God’s​ ​image,​ ​who​ ​all​ ​need​ ​the​ ​God​ ​Who​ ​is​ ​and​ ​Who​ ​has redeemed​ ​us​ ​in​ ​Christ!​ ​We​ ​all​ ​need​ ​Him​ ​and​ ​His​ ​forgiveness​ ​and​ ​love! So​ ​we​ ​close​ ​this​ ​series​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Parables​ ​which​ ​describe​ ​God’s​ ​Kingdom​ ​with​ ​this​ ​statement​ ​by​ ​Jesus​ ​that​ ​it WILL​ ​fill​ ​the​ ​whole​ ​earth!​ ​It​ ​is​ ​an​ ​irritant,​ ​it​ ​comes​ ​organically,​ ​it​ ​starts​ ​small​ ​but​ ​ends​ ​big,​ ​and​ ​it​ ​invites​ ​all peoples. Response:

5 1) Be​ ​confident.​​ ​Trust​ ​that​ ​Jesus​ ​will​ ​do​ ​what​ ​He​ ​said​ ​He​ ​will​ ​do!​ ​When​ ​you​ ​know​ ​you​ ​are​ ​a​ ​part​ ​of God’s​ ​plan,​ ​you​ ​can​ ​live​ ​with​ ​a​ ​humble​ ​fearlessness​ ​and​ ​love​ ​because​ ​you​ ​trust​ ​Him.​ ​In​ ​the​ ​face​ ​of​ ​the​ ​threat of​ ​Assyria,​ ​this​ ​was​ ​the​ ​leadership​ ​to​ ​the​ ​people​ ​the​ ​Lord​ ​provided​ ​through​ ​Hezekiah

2Chr.​ ​32:7​ ​"Be​ ​strong​ ​and​ ​courageous.​ ​Do​ ​not​ ​be​ ​afraid​ ​or​ ​discouraged​ ​because​ ​of​ ​the​ ​king​ ​of​ ​Assyria​ ​and​ ​the​ ​vast army​ ​with​ ​him,​ ​for​ ​there​ ​is​ ​a​ ​greater​ ​power​ ​with​ ​us​ ​than​ ​with​ ​him.​ ​ ​ ​8​ ​With​ ​him​ ​is​ ​only​ ​the​ ​arm​ ​of​ ​flesh,​ ​but​ ​with​ ​us​ ​is the​ ​LORD​ ​our​ ​God​ ​to​ ​help​ ​us​ ​and​ ​to​ ​fight​ ​our​ ​battles."​ ​And​ ​the​ ​people​ ​gained​ ​confidence​ ​from​ ​what​ ​Hezekiah​ ​the​ ​king​ ​of Judah​ ​said.

And​ ​indeed​ ​God​ ​did​ ​deliver​ ​them.​ ​But​ ​before​ ​He​ ​did,​ ​the​ ​people​ ​took​ ​confidence​ ​in​ ​Him.​ ​What​ ​would​ ​it look​ ​like​ ​if​ ​you​ ​were​ ​CONFIDENT​ ​that​ ​the​ ​Kingdom​ ​were​ ​coming,​ ​that​ ​the​ ​circumstances​ ​you​ ​are​ ​living​ ​right now​ ​are​ ​temporary​ ​and​ ​not​ ​to​ ​last? 2) Help​ ​people​ ​enter​ ​the​ ​Kingdom.​​ ​God’s​ ​great​ ​Kingdom​ ​enters​ ​people’s​ ​lives​ ​like​ ​a​ ​seed.​ ​Don’t underestimate​ ​the​ ​importance​ ​of​ ​one​ ​prayer,​ ​or​ ​one​ ​act​ ​of​ ​kindness,​ ​or​ ​one​ ​invitation.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​a​ ​small​ ​thing​ ​to invite​ ​someone​ ​to​ ​a​ ​place​ ​where​ ​they​ ​will​ ​hear​ ​about​ ​Christ,​ ​but​ ​it​ ​may​ ​be​ ​the​ ​beginning​ ​of​ ​a​ ​huge​ ​work​ ​of God​ ​in​ ​their​ ​lives. One​ ​way​ ​we​ ​help​ ​people​ ​enter​ ​the​ ​kingdom​ ​of​ ​heaven​ ​as​ ​a​ ​whole​ ​church​ ​is​ ​Alpha.​ ​Alpha​ ​is​ ​a​ ​10​ ​week course​ ​for​ ​people​ ​investigating​ ​Christianity​ ​where​ ​they​ ​can​ ​learn​ ​the​ ​basic​ ​message​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Bible.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​a​ ​safe place​ ​to​ ​listen​ ​and​ ​talk​ ​and​ ​explore​ ​questions​ ​and​ ​issues​ ​you​ ​have​ ​along​ ​with​ ​other​ ​people​ ​as​ ​they​ ​settle​ ​the question​ ​of​ ​their​ ​faith.​ ​Lakeland​ ​family,​ ​people​ ​GET​ ​to​ ​Alpha​ ​usually​ ​because​ ​someone​ ​who​ ​knows them​ ​invites​ ​them.​ ​Let’s​ ​watch​ ​this​ ​video​ ​from​ ​Alpha,​ ​and​ ​then​ ​I’m​ ​going​ ​to​ ​ask​ ​Sarah​ ​Love​ ​to​ ​tell us​ ​a​ ​little​ ​bit​ ​more.

3)​ ​Come​ ​back​ ​to​ ​church​ ​next​ ​week:​ ​We​ ​begin​ ​a​ ​new​ ​series,​ ​which​ ​is​ ​a​ ​study​ ​of​ ​Paul’s​ ​2nd ​ letter​ ​to​ ​the​ ​church​ ​in​ ​Corinth.​ ​This​ ​book​ ​is​ ​all​ ​about​ ​how​ ​God​ ​has​ ​reconciled​ ​us​ ​to​ ​Himself,​ ​and therefore​ ​reconciled​ ​us​ ​to​ ​each​ ​other.​ ​How​ ​do​ ​we​ ​live​ ​that​ ​out​ ​is​ ​a​ ​big​ ​topic​ ​of​ ​this​ ​book.​ ​And​ ​He has​ ​given​ ​to​ ​us​ ​the​ ​ministry​ ​of​ ​reconciliation.​ ​We​ ​will​ ​fire​ ​up​ ​the​ ​pulpit-cam​ ​and​ ​work​ ​on​ ​how​ ​to​ ​study​ ​a​ ​book of​ ​the​ ​Bible.​ ​It​ ​will​ ​be​ ​great! My​ ​friend,​ ​the​ ​kingdom​ ​of​ ​heaven​ ​is​ ​at​ ​hand​ ​today.​ ​Believe​ ​it!

___________________________________ Side​ ​note…Mustard​ ​seeds​ ​are​ ​NOT​ ​the​ ​smallest​ ​of​ ​all​ ​seeds​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world.​ ​This​ ​has​ ​been​ ​pointed​ ​out​ ​by many​ ​skeptics​ ​over​ ​the​ ​years.​ ​Their​ ​argument​ ​is​ ​that​ ​since​ ​there​ ​were​ ​smaller​ ​seeds​ ​but​ ​Jesus​ ​got​ ​this​ ​wrong, the​ ​Bible​ ​must​ ​be​ ​untrustworthy​ ​and​ ​Christianity​ ​crumbles.​ ​REALLY?​ ​That​ ​sounds​ ​like​ ​the​ ​words​ ​of​ ​someone looking​ ​for​ ​a​ ​reason​ ​not​ ​to​ ​believe.​ ​TRUTH:​ ​Mustard​ ​seeds​ ​ARE​ ​small,​ ​so​ ​much​ ​so​ ​that​ ​their​ ​small​ ​size​ ​is proverbial.​ ​But​ ​it​ ​would​ ​be​ ​foolish​ ​to​ ​miss​ ​the​ ​obvious​ ​point…​ ​Don’t​ ​underestimate​ ​the​ ​potency​ ​of​ ​the Kingdom​ ​of​ ​God​ ​because​ ​while​ ​it​ ​begins​ ​small,​ ​it​ ​has​ ​a​ ​big​ ​finish! ____________________________________

6

Small​ ​Group​ ​Leader​ ​Notes August​ ​27,​ ​2017

From​ ​Pastor​ ​Dan… Hello​ ​Small​ ​Group​ ​Leaders​ ​and​ ​anyone​ ​else​ ​using​ ​these​ ​notes, We​ ​bring​ ​our​ ​series​ ​on​ ​Jesus’​ ​parables​ ​to​ ​a​ ​close​ ​this​ ​week.​ ​These​ ​stories​ ​visualize​ ​truths​ ​about​ ​God,​ ​His salvation,​ ​our​ ​response​ ​to​ ​Him,​ ​and​ ​show​ ​us​ ​who​ ​Christ​ ​is.​ ​They​ ​are​ ​very​ ​powerful​ ​when​ ​we​ ​take​ ​them​ ​into our​ ​hearts. FYI,​ ​next​ ​week,​ ​we​ ​begin​ ​our​ ​series​ ​that​ ​will​ ​take​ ​us​ ​to​ ​Easter.​ ​“Reconciled”​ ​is​ ​our​ ​name​ ​for​ ​our​ ​study​ ​of Paul’s​ ​second​ ​letter​ ​to​ ​the​ ​church​ ​in​ ​Corinth.​ ​This​ ​book​ ​depicts​ ​God’s​ ​reconciling​ ​us​ ​of​ ​Himself,​ ​and​ ​therefore to​ ​each​ ​other.​ ​And​ ​God​ ​has​ ​made​ ​us​ ​ambassadors​ ​of​ ​reconciliation​ ​to​ ​the​ ​world.​ ​These​ ​will​ ​be​ ​great​ ​days together. I​ ​remain​ ​grateful​ ​for​ ​you​ ​every​ ​time​ ​I​ ​write.​ ​Thank​ ​you​ ​for​ ​your​ ​prayer​ ​and​ ​service​ ​to​ ​people​ ​Jesus​ ​loves dearly! Warmly, Dan Our​ ​Scripture​ ​Study… Series: Message​ ​#: Sermon​ ​Title: Passage: Preacher: Date:

Stories​ ​of​ ​the​ ​King 11 Don’t​ ​miss​ ​what​ ​matters Matthew​ ​13:31-32 Dan​ ​Weyerhaeuser 2017-8-27

SMALL​ ​GROUP​ ​QUESTIONS Getting​ ​to​ ​know​ ​each​ ​other:​ ​Do​ ​you​ ​like​ ​mustard?​ ​Why?​ ​Why​ ​not?​ ​ ​ ​What​ ​is​ ​your​ ​favorite​ ​condiment? Personal​ ​Study:​​ ​As​ ​you​ ​study​ ​(read,​ ​reread,​ ​consider,​ ​ponder,​ ​reread)​ ​the​ ​passage,​ ​list​ ​observations​ ​you​ ​make. What​ ​is​ ​the​ ​main​ ​point​ ​of​ ​this​ ​passage?​ ​How​ ​is​ ​the​ ​theme​ ​developed?​ ​What​ ​“Aha’s”​ ​come​ ​to​ ​you​ ​as​ ​you​ ​read?​ ​What questions​ ​come​ ​to​ ​mind?​ ​How​ ​do​ ​you​ ​respond​ ​to​ ​the​ ​God​ ​seen​ ​in​ ​these​ ​verses? Bring​ ​your​ ​observations​ ​and​ ​questions​ ​to​ ​your​ ​Small​ ​Group​ ​this​ ​week!

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Matthew​ ​13:31-32

1. Several​ ​times​ ​this​ ​summer​ ​we’ve​ ​talked​ ​about​ ​“the​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​Heaven”​ ​(or​ ​in​ ​other​ ​gospels,​ ​“The Kingdom​ ​of​ ​God.”)​ ​ ​Can​ ​we​ ​remember​ ​together​ ​what​ ​Jesus​ ​meant​ ​by​ ​this?​ ​What​ ​is​ ​it?​ ​When​ ​does​ ​it come? The​ ​kingdom​ ​of​ ​God,​ ​like​ ​any​ ​kingdom,​ ​is​ ​that​ ​place​ ​ruled​ ​by​ ​a​ ​king.​ ​The​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​God​ ​has​ ​come​ ​when​ ​the​ ​will of​ ​God​ ​is​ ​done​ ​on​ ​earth​ ​as​ ​it​ ​is​ ​in​ ​heaven.​ ​Entering​ ​the​ ​kingdom​ ​of​ ​God​ ​is​ ​one​ ​way​ ​the​ ​Bible​ ​talks​ ​about becoming​ ​a​ ​Christian.​ ​ ​Today​ ​the​ ​kingdom​ ​is​ ​here​ ​in​ ​part.​ ​People​ ​who​ ​have​ ​become​ ​Christians​ ​have​ ​become citizens​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Kingdom,​ ​with​ ​King​ ​Jesus​ ​leading​ ​their​ ​lives​ ​by​ ​faith.​ ​We​ ​don’t​ ​do​ ​this​ ​perfectly,​ ​but​ ​we​ ​do​ ​trust Him​ ​and​ ​obey​ ​His​ ​commands.​ ​Jesus​ ​said,​ ​“the​ ​kingdom​ ​of​ ​heaven​ ​is​ ​in​ ​hand.”​ ​But​ ​one​ ​day​ ​the​ ​kingdom​ ​will​ ​be

7 here​ ​in​ ​full,​ ​when​ ​“every​ ​knee​ ​will​ ​bow​ ​and​ ​every​ ​tongue​ ​confess​ ​that​ ​Jesus​ ​Christ​ ​is​ ​Lord,​ ​to​ ​the​ ​glory​ ​of​ ​God the​ ​Father.”

2. Jesus​ ​describes​ ​the​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​Heaven​ ​as​ ​like​ ​a​ ​mustard​ ​tree.​ ​What​ ​is​ ​true​ ​about​ ​mustard?​ ​How might​ ​this​ ​be​ ​analogous​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​Heaven? Mustard​ ​has​ ​a​ ​bite.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​not​ ​sweet,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​pungent​ ​it​ ​is​ ​disturbing.​ ​We​ ​mix​ ​it​ ​with​ ​vinegar​ ​and​ ​lemon​ ​juice.​ ​We​ ​don’t put​ ​it​ ​on​ ​our​ ​desert.​ ​The​ ​kingdom​ ​of​ ​heaven​ ​is​ ​disturbing​ ​when​ ​it​ ​comes​ ​to​ ​people​ ​it​ ​bites​ ​us.​ ​It​ ​confronts​ ​us.​ ​It disturbs​ ​us.​ ​It​ ​declares​ ​we​ ​can’t​ ​be​ ​the​ ​same​ ​as​ ​we​ ​used​ ​to​ ​be.​ ​There​ ​might​ ​be​ ​things​ ​we​ ​used​ ​to​ ​do​ ​that​ ​we didn’t​ ​care​ ​about​ ​which​ ​now​ ​have​ ​become​ ​things​ ​that​ ​trouble​ ​us.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​a​ ​sign​ ​that​ ​God​ ​is​ ​at​ ​work​ ​in​ ​our lives! 3. In​ ​Jesus’​ ​first​ ​sermon​ ​in​ ​Matthew​ ​(C.​ ​5-7,​ ​which​ ​we​ ​call​ ​the​ ​“Sermon​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Mount”)​ ​Jesus​ ​shows​ ​how “citizens”​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Kingdom​ ​live​ ​differently​ ​that​ ​citizens​ ​of​ ​our​ ​world.​ ​Leaf​ ​through​ ​these​ ​chapters​ ​and identify​ ​several​ ​ways​ ​Christians​ ​can​ ​live​ ​differently.​ ​(POINT:​ ​Each​ ​of​ ​these​ ​are​ ​ways​ ​God’s​ ​Kingdom have​ ​“confronted”​ ​our​ ​old​ ​way​ ​of​ ​living.) In​ ​this​ ​world​ ​when​ ​you​ ​get​ ​hurt,​ ​you​ ​get​ ​even​ ​but​ ​when​ ​you​ ​are​ ​in​ ​the​ ​kingdom​ ​and​ ​you​ ​get​ ​hurt,​ ​you​ ​forgive​ ​and pray​ ​for​ ​your​ ​enemy.​ ​In​ ​this​ ​world,​ ​you​ ​try​ ​to​ ​get​ ​as​ ​much​ ​as​ ​you​ ​can.​ ​But​ ​when​ ​you​ ​are​ ​in​ ​the​ ​kingdom,​ ​you want​ ​to​ ​give​ ​as​ ​much​ ​as​ ​you​ ​can.​ ​Citizens​ ​of​ ​the​ ​kingdom​ ​of​ ​God​ ​want​ ​to​ ​become​ ​like​ ​him,​ ​and​ ​that’s​ ​different from​ ​our​ ​world.​ ​Etc. 4. What​ ​enables​ ​Christians​ ​to​ ​live​ ​that​ ​way? We​ ​have​ ​been​ ​loved​ ​by​ ​God​ ​when​ ​we​ ​were​ ​his​ ​enemy’s.​ ​While​ ​we​ ​still​ ​hated​ ​him,​ ​Jesus​ ​died​ ​for​ ​us​ ​so​ ​that​ ​we could​ ​be​ ​forgiven.​ ​When​ ​we​ ​believed​ ​in​ ​Christ,​ ​His​ ​Spirit​ ​entered​ ​us​ ​and​ ​“made​ ​us​ ​alive​ ​together​ ​with​ ​Christ.” Something​ ​came​ ​to​ ​life​ ​in​ ​us…​ ​which​ ​is​ ​God.​ ​And​ ​we​ ​realize​ ​and​ ​love​ ​that​ ​God​ ​wants​ ​us​ ​to​ ​be​ ​his​ ​children. When​ ​you​ ​are​ ​loved​ ​like​ ​that,​ ​and​ ​made​ ​new​ ​in​ ​your​ ​heart​ ​by​ ​God’s​ ​spirit,​ ​you​ ​can​ ​live​ ​differently. 5. In​ ​our​ ​parable,​ ​how​ ​does​ ​the​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​Heaven​ ​grow? The​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​Heaven​ ​comes​ ​like​ ​a​ ​see​ ​grows….​ ​Organically,​ ​gently,​ ​a​ ​little​ ​at​ ​a​ ​time.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​in​ ​contrast​ ​to​ ​the way​ ​that​ ​human​ ​kingdoms​ ​come​ ​into​ ​new​ ​lands,​ ​violently,​ ​through​ ​subjugation,​ ​by​ ​might. 6. What​ ​are​ ​the​ ​“seeds”​ ​Jesus​ ​refers​ ​to?​ ​(See​ ​13:19​ ​AND​ ​13:38)​ ​Discuss​ ​which​ ​of​ ​these​ ​Jesus​ ​might mean. v.​ ​1-23​ ​Jesus​ ​first​ ​parable​ ​is​ ​about​ ​the​ ​sower​ ​and​ ​the​ ​seed.​ ​There​ ​the​ ​seed​ ​is​ ​the​ ​word​ ​of​ ​God.​ ​V.​ ​24-30,​ ​in​ ​Jesus second​ ​parable​ ​about​ ​the​ ​wheat​ ​and​ ​the​ ​tares,​ ​the​ ​seed​ ​in​ ​the​ ​ground​ ​are​ ​the​ ​sons​ ​of​ ​God.​ ​The​ ​seed​ ​is Christians.​ ​I​ ​think​ ​in​ ​our​ ​parable​ ​the​ ​seed​ ​of​ ​God​ ​sows​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world​ ​is​ ​us​ ​who​ ​have​ ​been​ ​changed​ ​by​ ​Gods word.​ ​You​ ​are​ ​God’s​ ​seed​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world​ ​through​ ​whom​ ​he​ ​brings​ ​his​ ​kingdom. 7. Can​ ​you​ ​see​ ​a​ ​seed​ ​growing?​ ​How​ ​do​ ​you​ ​know​ ​it​ ​did​ ​grow?​ ​How​ ​might​ ​this​ ​help​ ​us​ ​understand​ ​God’s Kingdom? No.​ ​seeds​ ​grow​ ​underground​ ​and​ ​out​ ​of​ ​sight.​ ​A​ ​seed​ ​will​ ​grow​ ​for​ ​some​ ​time​ ​before​ ​the​ ​plant​ ​breaks​ ​into​ ​the open. In​ ​the​ ​same​ ​way,​ ​Gods​ ​kingdom​ ​begins​ ​to​ ​grow​ ​in​ ​our​ ​hearts.​ ​At​ ​first,​ ​its​ ​out​ ​of​ ​sight.​ ​We​ ​begin​ ​to​ ​see​ ​things differently,​ ​and​ ​care​ ​about​ ​new​ ​things.​ ​Eventually,​ ​this​ ​change​ ​becomes​ ​visible​ ​in​ ​our​ ​words​ ​and​ ​actions.​ ​ ​And that​ ​is​ ​how​ ​Gods​ ​kingdom​ ​grows​ ​in​ ​us,​ ​from​ ​the​ ​inside​ ​out. 8. If​ ​the​ ​Kingdom​ ​of​ ​Heaven​ ​is​ ​like​ ​a​ ​mustard​ ​“seed​ ​–​ ​become​ ​–​ ​a​ ​–​ ​tree”,​ ​what​ ​point​ ​might​ ​Jesus​ ​be making? As​ ​Jesus​ ​speaks​ ​this​ ​parable​ ​it​ ​is​ ​only​ ​him​ ​and​ ​twelve​ ​disciples​ ​who​ ​make​ ​up​ ​the​ ​kingdom​ ​of​ ​God​ ​on​ ​earth.​ ​It’s​ ​a pretty​ ​small​ ​group​ ​compared​ ​to​ ​Greek​ ​or​ ​roman​ ​religions.​ ​There​ ​were​ ​temples​ ​to​ ​pagan​ ​gods​ ​all​ ​over​ ​the world.​ ​Even​ ​the​ ​Jewish​ ​religion​ ​was​ ​much​ ​bigger​ ​than​ ​the​ ​Christians.​ ​One​ ​might​ ​think​ ​Christ’s​ ​followers​ ​are small. But​ ​like​ ​a​ ​mustard​ ​seed,​ ​which​ ​becomes​ ​the​ ​biggest​ ​tree​ ​in​ ​the​ ​garden,​ ​so​ ​the​ ​church​ ​will​ ​grow​ ​up​ ​and​ ​fill​ ​the

8 whole​ ​earth.​ ​Today,​ ​no​ ​one​ ​worships​ ​the​ ​gods​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Greeks​ ​or​ ​the​ ​Romans.​ ​But​ ​Christianity​ ​is​ ​the​ ​largest religion​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world. We​ ​can​ ​be​ ​confident​ ​that​ ​Gods​ ​kingdom​ ​will​ ​come​ ​and​ ​fill​ ​the​ ​earth,​ ​even​ ​when​ ​it​ ​seems​ ​week.​ ​We​ ​win! 9. Why​ ​might​ ​this​ ​be​ ​helpful​ ​to​ ​Jesus’​ ​followers​ ​to​ ​hear? 10. Read​ ​Ezekiel​ ​17:22-24;​ ​31:6;​ ​and​ ​Daniel​ ​4:12.​ ​What​ ​had​ ​been​ ​“prophesied”​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Old​ ​Testament about​ ​God’s​ ​Kingdom? Since​ ​Abraham,​ ​God​ ​had​ ​planned​ ​to​ ​reach​ ​all​ ​nations​ ​threw​ ​his​ ​people​ ​(​ ​Genesis​ ​12:1-3).​ ​One​ ​way​ ​this​ ​was described​ ​was​ ​like​ ​our​ ​parable.​ ​The​ ​birds​ ​of​ ​the​ ​air​ ​are​ ​like​ ​the​ ​peoples​ ​of​ ​the​ ​nations.​ ​Threw​ ​the​ ​church many​ ​will​ ​enter​ ​the​ ​kingdom.

11. How​ ​could​ ​we​ ​summarize​ ​the​ ​message​ ​of​ ​this​ ​parable? Group​ ​discussion​ ​question. 12. How​ ​do​ ​we​ ​join​ ​in​ ​with​ ​what​ ​Jesus​ ​is​ ​doing​ ​in​ ​growing​ ​His​ ​Kingdom​ ​here? We​ ​heard​ ​about​ ​alpha​ ​beginning​ ​in​ ​several​ ​weeks.​ ​Is​ ​there​ ​anyone​ ​you​ ​might​ ​pray​ ​for​ ​and​ ​invite​ ​to​ ​alpha?​ ​Share the​ ​story. Are​ ​there​ ​any​ ​other​ ​ways​ ​we​ ​can​ ​respond​ ​to​ ​this​ ​parable?