September 26, 2021
Morning Service

Along our journey with Jesus, we have seen some miraculous things; the sick healed, the dead arise, and storms obey His command.  We have listened as He spoke straight forward to us through the Sermon on the Mount and now He is teaching us through parables.  Parables are simple stories about things we understand that He uses to illustrate a deeper spiritual truth or lesson for us.  Jesus not only used parables to teach to those to whom it was given to understand, but He used them to keep those who it was not given from understanding.  We are blessed to have eyes that see and ears that hear the truth.  We have looked at the parables of the soils and the wheats and tares today we will begin with two short parables with similar meanings.

Mat 13:31-33 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, (32) which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches."  (33)  Another parable He spoke to them: "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened."

            The kingdom of heaven that Jesus is now beginning to build is starting very small but with great growing potential and Jesus here compares it to a mustard seed.  The mustard seed is the smallest seed that people in this area would be familiar with.  Its growth rate is phenomenal as this extremely small seed produces a bush like tree that can grow to ten feet tall and even have birds build nests inside of it.  The second parable is similar in that a small portion of leaven mixed in will permeate throughout a large amount of dough eventually infusing it all.  The kingdom Jesus is establishing is indeed starting small with a Rabbi and twelve students, but eventually it will change the entire world and continues to grow today.  Each of us is a part of this kingdom and a part of its growth. He has chosen you to follow Him and to proclaim Him as the Light of this dark world.  I love how Peter describes our part of the kingdom in his first letter.

 

 1Pe 2:4-5 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, (5) you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1Pe 2:9-10 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (10) who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Each of us play a part in the building of Jesus’ kingdom; Peter calls us “living stones being built up in a spiritual house.”  “We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, called to proclaim His praises to bring people into the light.”  Each of us can look in the mirror and think “what can little old I do that matters in something as big as the kingdom of heaven?”  We are each like a mustard seed and a measure of leaven in that we have a potential to cause phenomenal growth by simply obeying and allowing the Spirit within us to work (follow faithfully).  He chose each of us and uniquely placed us exactly where we are for a purpose.  He has brought us here together this morning knowing we are better together.  We don’t have to look far for a good example of how this can work.  Our beloved pastor had no idea where his calling would go to start the Bride of Christ Fellowship back 40 years ago. Many people have been touched from the Lord through this ministry including each one of us.  It began in a small mustard seed like way and has grown into what we all are part of today; all because Jerry chose to say “Yes Lord let your will be done in me.”  God then called each of us along his journey to walk side by side with him and Jesus bringing us to this very day and this very moment.  What does tomorrow hold for us as a unified family of believers? A time of growth and prosperity or is He leading us into tough times ahead?  I have no idea but what we do know is that Jesus is leading and we are faithfully following and will do so until our Lord returns to take us home together.  Each of us play an important role in that future as “living stones and a royal priesthood.”  Are you faithfully doing your part however small you think it is?  Be advised that no word of encouragement or act of loving kindness done in the name of our Lord ever is done in vain but is used by God to build His kingdom a little at a time.  Be faithful in doing what God has called you to do with your life no matter how small you think it may be; even the size of a mustard seed.

  The next few parables are simple, but yet have great depth.

 

Mat 13:44 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

            When we truly realize the value of following Jesus and all He has done for us (hidden treasure), we are willing to give up everything to be faithful to our calling. Surrendering all to win the victory.

 

Mat 13:45-46 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, (46) who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

            When the one who is truly seeking something finds it he greatly rejoices.  He who seeks truth, peace, joy, love and contentment finds it in Christ, he will rejoice greatly and give all that he has to attain it.  Do you realize the beautiful pearl you have found in Christ?  Have you sold all you had for Jesus?  So many around us today are seeking, but have not found this pearl we as Jesus followers have found.

 

Mat 13:47-50 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, (48) which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away.  (49)  So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, (50) and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."

            This parable ties closely with the first two parables we looked at in that we see that not all will be saved and there is a coming day of judgement for us all.  We who have made preparations for His coming will enter into the “joys of the Lord” and those who have not will play their part in the lake of fire.  Church time is short, let’s get our loved ones in here to hear and receive the gift of salvation.

 

Mat 13:51-52 Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."  (52)  Then He said to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old."

            The “old treasure” is the OT scriptures that point God’s people to the coming Messiah; Jesus.  It contains some great truth and aids us in building our faith as we see God’s plan unfold.  The “new treasure” is the kingdom of heaven that Jesus has established through His sacrifice on Calvary.  The OT law is “holy, just and good” but the new covenant is perfect and without flaw being available to “whosoever will” accept its invitation to receive the free gift of salvation and a close relationship with our Creator and Savior.

            Our Lord is teaching us by choosing to follow Him we choose to have an active and growing faith.  We need to grow in Him and produce the fruits that display that growth.  Our personal growth then transfers into growth of the kingdom.  Following faithfully is not easy, but it is greatly rewarding for those who surrender all and are on field with working alongside Jesus not in the stands cheering.  Let’s give Jesus our best, the pearl of great value is our relationship with Him.  Our relationship with Him should be the single most important thing in our life; making Him our everything!

 

Heavenly Father, open our eyes and ears to see and hear You.  Grant us opportunities to serve You and let us do our part to build you kingdom as “living stones and a royal priesthood.”