Mustard: Kingdom growth, not grey poupon!

Matthew 13:31-32 "...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. It is the smallest of all seeds, but 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...”

Mark 4:30-32 "...And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade...”

Luke 13:18-19 "...He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches...”

Context:

- this mustard shouldn't be confused with the American mustard plant.

- this mustard seed sometimes took a few years to get started.

- this mustard seed became a tree 10 to 12 feet tall.

- we might better relate to an acorn becoming a mighty oak.

What is the condition of an acorn?

- full of potential.

- vulnerable and at risk.

What is the condition of an oak tree, given enough time?

- sturdy, strong, massive, majestic.

What was the condition of the early church which Jesus birthed?

- eager and full of potential.

- small in it's scope and affect on the world around it.

What became of this small band of believers who were intent upon following Christ?

- they lived with increasing boldness and purpose.

- they changed the world around them.

- the kingdom grew to great size and scope.

What is the condition of the human heart when first born into the kingdom?

- willing and full of potential.

- feeble in the ways of the Lord.

What becomes of the young convert over time?

- increased awareness of kingdom truth.

- increased understanding of reality.

- increased capacity to love as God loves.

- increased willingness to live sacrificially.

The kingdom of heaven begins simply, but it culminates in glory.

What is the reference to birds nesting in it's branches?

- some think it's a reference to prosperity and bounty.

- others point out that the birds of the air are often a reference to evil, and that birds nesting is a reference to the evil that finds its way into a growing church.

- some think this may have been a reference to the Gentiles becoming a part of the kingdom.

Does the growing kingdom provide shelter and sustenance even for a world that doesn't embrace the reality of God?

WARNING:

- Don't confuse the Kingdom of Heaven with the Church.

- They are not the same thing.

- Preaching the Kingdom makes the Church grows.

- Preaching the Church doesn't make the Kingdom grow.

Leaven: What's expanding within?

Matthew 13:33 "...He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened...”

Luke 13:20-21 "...And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened...”

Context:

- the mustard tree represents an outward expansion.

- the leaven represents an inward expansion.

How does leaven work?

- silently, steadily.

- starting in one place, it expands into all places.

Is leaven good or bad? YES!

- a bushel of flour, infused with leaven, could feed about a hundred people.

- the word of God, at work in a person, has far reaching effects.

- a false word also has far reaching effects.

Mark 8:15 "...And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod ...”

Did Jesus consider discussions about religion and politics dangerous?

Romans 6:12-14 "...Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace..."

Which leaven is working within our mortal bodies? Religion? Politics? God's Word?