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Morning Message Text: Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52
The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast
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.”
33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
The Parable of the Net
47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.
48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.
49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous
50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied.
52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
Morning Message:
What is the kingdom of heaven like? I think that is a question that most people have wondered about. The mind cannot begin to imagine the glory and beauty and majesty of heaven. But Jesus is not only speaking of the beauty of heaven but more so the nature of heaven. To understand the nature of heaven we need only look to the nature of God. If we look at God’s creation, we can catch a glimpse of what heaven may be like. It is the nature of God’s economy for there to be a continual state of increase. For instance, the seeds in the apples on a single apple tree will produce multiple times more trees. Even Jesus spoke of himself as a singular vine from which multiple branches bear an abundance of fruit (John 15: 1-8). God set in motion a self-sufficient world that reproduces and grows naturally. Even we humans were commanded by God to reproduce. If you just take the time to think about it, you will realize the wisdom of God.
In John 14:12 Jesus told His disciples that they would produce greater works than He did. Many people are baffled by what Jesus said to His disciples in John 14:12: “He who believes in me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do.” But Jesus knew that His greatest ministry was still ahead of Him. He was going to send the Holy Spirit into the lives of believers and continue His work through them by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our Christian work is never a matter of what we are doing for Christ but of what He is doing through us by His Spirit. Once again, we see the nature of God’s plan, a continual state of increase, we are never to be satisfied but always striving to do more to further God’s kingdom. Oswald Chambers said this: “The only life that ever pleased God on earth was the life of Jesus Christ, and He must reproduce His life in us.”
What is the kingdom of heaven like? A mustard seed. We have the wonderful opportunity, the honor and great privilege of helping to grow God’s kingdom here on earth. Whether or not we choose to do that will only be a detriment to us. God’s kingdom will grow and flourish. The kingdom that Jesus inaugurated will one day come to full flower and be recognized for its greatness. The kingdom—like a tree—will be a place where people find rest and security. The kingdom of heaven will be a place of peace and tranquility, a place free from fear where we can perch.
The kingdom of heaven is like yeast. I don’t have a lot of experience with yeast, but I know this, a little goes a long way and it works slowly and steadily; it works over time. When yeast is mixed in you don’t see immediate results, eventually its presence affects everything around it. Many times, we grow impatient, don’t we. We like to see instant results, or at least somewhat quick results. I am the same way when it comes to preaching. It is easy to become discouraged in ministry when we are result driven because that is not how God’s Word works and more often than we would like, the response is slow. We must allow the kingdom to grow on people and at the right time God will bring them in. We have to live the Christian life. We must be a steady presence in this hurting world, to our friends and neighbors and family, and allow God’s kingdom to grow.
What should the kingdom of heaven be like to us? This is important and I think we need to hear this in the church. The kingdom of heaven is not precious enough to us. Well, what do you mean pastor? I love the kingdom of heaven. Really! When the man found the treasure hidden in the field what did he do? He went and visited it every Sunday for an hour. Maybe he sacrificed a little money and made a nice little dwelling place for the treasure. I know, he took a little of his precious time and prayed for his treasure to show how much he loved it. No, he sold all he had and purchased the whole field; he gave everything for the sake of his treasure.
When the merchant found the pearl of great value he waited and saved up so that he could buy it without giving up any of his other pearls. There was no rush. That wonderful pearl would always be there; no sense rushing into anything. He immediately sold everything he had and bought that which was most precious to him. I believe that we Christians forget how precious the kingdom of God is, and we take it for granted. We live like this life will last forever when we should live, as that country song says, “Like we were dying.” Think about that. How precious would God’s kingdom be to you if you knew that you were dying? I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we are all dying, we just don’t know when. How much more would you live for God’s kingdom if you knew that you were entering it soon?
What is the kingdom of heaven like? It is beautiful and glorious beyond anything we could ever imagine, but it’s not for everyone. Oh, everyone has the opportunity; God invites everyone to come by way of Jesus, but unfortunately some won’t come. The kingdom of heaven is an exclusive club, exclusive to those who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. One day God will pull all of mankind from this ocean of life and separate the good from the bad, the saved from the unsaved. Just the opposite of the glory of heaven is the place where the unrighteous will end up. Some people might say, “Why do you preach about hell and the lake of fire?” I do it because I know that it is an actual place, a place of torment for eternity, and I preach it in the hope that I can convince some to avoid it.
In Christ’s Love and Peace,
Pastor Bob
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