Waverly Church of Christ
Great Things Often Have Small Beginnings!
Sunday Morning Lesson
Locations & Times
Waverly Church of Christ
438 W Main St, Waverly, TN 37185, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Introduction
Many of us here today have perhaps heard the slogan, “Bigger is better.”
A long time ago, a well known preacher said, “the world worships at the shrine
of greatness.”
There seems to be a mindset these days that we have to start with the biggest, because that is always the best (i.e., biggest house, car, etc.).
Such is not always true, especially when it comes to natural disasters (i.e., biggest hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake, fire, etc.)
In our text today, Jesus reminds us that great things — in this case the Kingdom of God — oftentimes have small beginnings.
In Matthew and Mark’s accounts Jesus started out teaching that day, sitting by the Sea of Galilee.
However, the crowd grew to the point that He moved into a boat pushed away from the shore while the crowd stood on the land (Matthew 13:1-2; Mark 4:1).
As at other times, Jesus began with a question, “What is the kingdom of God like,
to what shall I compare it?” (Luke 13:18).
Typically, when we think of a kingdom, two things tend to come to mind:
a. The territory of that kingdom.
b. The kingdom’s ruler.
Later when Jesus will stand before Pilate and be questioned about His kingship, He will respond by saying,
Many of us here today have perhaps heard the slogan, “Bigger is better.”
A long time ago, a well known preacher said, “the world worships at the shrine
of greatness.”
There seems to be a mindset these days that we have to start with the biggest, because that is always the best (i.e., biggest house, car, etc.).
Such is not always true, especially when it comes to natural disasters (i.e., biggest hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake, fire, etc.)
In our text today, Jesus reminds us that great things — in this case the Kingdom of God — oftentimes have small beginnings.
In Matthew and Mark’s accounts Jesus started out teaching that day, sitting by the Sea of Galilee.
However, the crowd grew to the point that He moved into a boat pushed away from the shore while the crowd stood on the land (Matthew 13:1-2; Mark 4:1).
As at other times, Jesus began with a question, “What is the kingdom of God like,
to what shall I compare it?” (Luke 13:18).
Typically, when we think of a kingdom, two things tend to come to mind:
a. The territory of that kingdom.
b. The kingdom’s ruler.
Later when Jesus will stand before Pilate and be questioned about His kingship, He will respond by saying,
That is because the kingdom of God is not a physical kingdom which you or I could point to on a map.
Instead it is a spiritual kingdom — involving heart, mind and soul — and God is the ruler of this kingdom.
Thus the kingdom of God involves the reign of God in the hearts of His people.
But the question before us today is this, “what is the kingdom of God like?”
Jesus responds, using two common things known to the people of His day — a mustard seed and leaven (yeast).
The mustard seed was familiar to the men in the crowd because they were usually the ones who tilled the soil, planted the crops and reaped the harvest.
Women were more acquainted with leaven (yeast) since they were the ones who tended to bake the bread in the family.
What is it that Jesus wants us to learn from these two parables about His Father’s kingdom? How are we to apply those lessons in our lives today?
The kingdom of God is like . . .
Instead it is a spiritual kingdom — involving heart, mind and soul — and God is the ruler of this kingdom.
Thus the kingdom of God involves the reign of God in the hearts of His people.
But the question before us today is this, “what is the kingdom of God like?”
Jesus responds, using two common things known to the people of His day — a mustard seed and leaven (yeast).
The mustard seed was familiar to the men in the crowd because they were usually the ones who tilled the soil, planted the crops and reaped the harvest.
Women were more acquainted with leaven (yeast) since they were the ones who tended to bake the bread in the family.
What is it that Jesus wants us to learn from these two parables about His Father’s kingdom? How are we to apply those lessons in our lives today?
The kingdom of God is like . . .
I. A Mustard Seed
A. WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE MUSTARD SEED?
“A man took it and threw it into his own garden” (v. 19a).
In Matthew’s account, Jesus said that the man “sowed [the mustard seed] in his field” (Matthew 13:31).
Another point which Jesus made according to Matthew and Mark is that the mustard seed “is smaller than all other seeds” (Matthew 13:32; Mark 4:31).
The mustard seed is about the size of a pin head — it was the smallest kind of seed that was sown by farmers in Palestine.
“It grew and became a tree” (v. 19b).
Under favorable conditions this small seed can grow to a height of 10 -12 feet.
It was the largest of all kinds of plants which the farmers in Palestine grew from seeds.
“The birds of the air nested in its branches” (v. 19c).
Within one growing season the plant became sturdy enough for birds to perch in its branches.
In Matthew’s account, Jesus said that the man “sowed [the mustard seed] in his field” (Matthew 13:31).
Another point which Jesus made according to Matthew and Mark is that the mustard seed “is smaller than all other seeds” (Matthew 13:32; Mark 4:31).
The mustard seed is about the size of a pin head — it was the smallest kind of seed that was sown by farmers in Palestine.
“It grew and became a tree” (v. 19b).
Under favorable conditions this small seed can grow to a height of 10 -12 feet.
It was the largest of all kinds of plants which the farmers in Palestine grew from seeds.
“The birds of the air nested in its branches” (v. 19c).
Within one growing season the plant became sturdy enough for birds to perch in its branches.
B. HOW IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD LIKE THIS TINY SEED
The kingdom of God starts with the planting of a tiny seed.
In Luke’s account of another parable which Jesus tells, the parable of the sower, Jesus tells his disciples that the seed sown there is the “word of God” (Luke 8:11).
In 1 Peter 2:23, the apostle Peter tells us that this seed, which he calls “the living and enduring word of God” is “imperishable” and it causes us to “be born again.”
In James 1:21, James informs us that this word, when implanted in our hearts and minds, “is able to save your souls”.
The key point in all of this is that this seed must be planted — it is worthless if left on the shelf or in its original container.
How well are we doing at allowing this seed to be planted in our lives and the lives of those around us?
Have you shared this seed with anyone you know this past week?
The kingdom of God grows exponentially.
Once planted, the power to make this seed grow is not ours, but Gods.
In Paul’s first letter to the Christians at Corinth, he indicated that he and Apollos were simply servants through whom those in Corinth had come to believe the gospel (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
The kingdom of God starts with the planting of a tiny seed.
In Luke’s account of another parable which Jesus tells, the parable of the sower, Jesus tells his disciples that the seed sown there is the “word of God” (Luke 8:11).
In 1 Peter 2:23, the apostle Peter tells us that this seed, which he calls “the living and enduring word of God” is “imperishable” and it causes us to “be born again.”
In James 1:21, James informs us that this word, when implanted in our hearts and minds, “is able to save your souls”.
The key point in all of this is that this seed must be planted — it is worthless if left on the shelf or in its original container.
How well are we doing at allowing this seed to be planted in our lives and the lives of those around us?
Have you shared this seed with anyone you know this past week?
The kingdom of God grows exponentially.
Once planted, the power to make this seed grow is not ours, but Gods.
In Paul’s first letter to the Christians at Corinth, he indicated that he and Apollos were simply servants through whom those in Corinth had come to believe the gospel (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
The early church grew in leaps and bounds:
In response to Peter’s preaching of the Gospel on the Pentecost follow our Lord’s resurrection, God caused 3,000 to be added to His kingdom.
Following the preaching of Peter’s second sermon in the Temple (Acts 3)
In response to Peter’s preaching of the Gospel on the Pentecost follow our Lord’s resurrection, God caused 3,000 to be added to His kingdom.
Following the preaching of Peter’s second sermon in the Temple (Acts 3)
Finally, in Acts 8, the Christians in Jerusalem began to suffer great persecution, to the point of being thrown into prison for their faith.
Many left Jerusalem out of fear for their safety, but they took the seed with them because Luke wrote,
Many left Jerusalem out of fear for their safety, but they took the seed with them because Luke wrote,
I think you get the picture — as the seed is sown, God’s causes it to grow in the hearts and minds of receptive people and souls are saved.
Thus, the kingdom of God increases at a rate we can only imagine.
People from all nations find rest in its branches.
In telling the parable, Jesus quotes from a prophecy of Ezekiel, made some 600 years earlier, “the birds of the air nested in its branches” (Ezekiel 17:23).
There, God had spoken of a tree He would plant on a high and lofty mountain in Israel and that “birds of every kind would nest under it” and “in the shade of its branches” (Ezekiel 17:23).
We often sing a hymn which bears this truth out:
“Of one the Lord has made the race, through one has come the Where sin has gone must go His grace, the gospel is for all”
Jesus told His disciples shortly before His ascension back to His Father that they would be His “witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
As the good news continued to be sown, the kingdom of God became a place where there was “neither Jew nor Greek . . . slave nor free man . . . male nor female,” because all became one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).
Again, the kingdom of God is like . . .
Thus, the kingdom of God increases at a rate we can only imagine.
People from all nations find rest in its branches.
In telling the parable, Jesus quotes from a prophecy of Ezekiel, made some 600 years earlier, “the birds of the air nested in its branches” (Ezekiel 17:23).
There, God had spoken of a tree He would plant on a high and lofty mountain in Israel and that “birds of every kind would nest under it” and “in the shade of its branches” (Ezekiel 17:23).
We often sing a hymn which bears this truth out:
“Of one the Lord has made the race, through one has come the Where sin has gone must go His grace, the gospel is for all”
Jesus told His disciples shortly before His ascension back to His Father that they would be His “witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
As the good news continued to be sown, the kingdom of God became a place where there was “neither Jew nor Greek . . . slave nor free man . . . male nor female,” because all became one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).
Again, the kingdom of God is like . . .
II. Leaven
A. THE LEAVEN’S EFFECT ON THE DOUGH
In Jesus’ day bread was a standard at every meal.
People had bread when they had nothing else.
It was made from wheat or in the case of those who were poor, barley.
It was leavened, not with fresh yeast, but by keeping a piece of fermented dough from the previous baking and mixing it with a new batch, like the friendship bread which many of our ladies do today.
The woman Jesus described mixed the leaven in with three measures (Gk. sata) of flour.
This was approximately 50 lbs. of flour, enough to make bread for one hundred people.
The point of Jesus’ parable is very clear — a small amount of yeast, hidden in the dough, can have a remarkable effect.
In Jesus’ day bread was a standard at every meal.
People had bread when they had nothing else.
It was made from wheat or in the case of those who were poor, barley.
It was leavened, not with fresh yeast, but by keeping a piece of fermented dough from the previous baking and mixing it with a new batch, like the friendship bread which many of our ladies do today.
The woman Jesus described mixed the leaven in with three measures (Gk. sata) of flour.
This was approximately 50 lbs. of flour, enough to make bread for one hundred people.
The point of Jesus’ parable is very clear — a small amount of yeast, hidden in the dough, can have a remarkable effect.
B. THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF THE KINGDOM
Jesus’ second parable was not really about yeast and dough, but about the kingdom of God — “to what shall I compare the kingdom of God?” (v. 20).
Just as the yeast cannot change the dough while on the outside, but works withing the dough, quietly and unseen, so the kingdom of God works quietly within our hearts through the influence of Christ.
Yeast cannot change the dough while on the outside; it must work from within.
Jesus’ second parable was not really about yeast and dough, but about the kingdom of God — “to what shall I compare the kingdom of God?” (v. 20).
Just as the yeast cannot change the dough while on the outside, but works withing the dough, quietly and unseen, so the kingdom of God works quietly within our hearts through the influence of Christ.
Yeast cannot change the dough while on the outside; it must work from within.
It is all about us . . .
Growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
Walking in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:7).
“Seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1).
When we are in the kingdom of God, when He alone rules in our hearts and minds, then we are...
Growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
Walking in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:7).
“Seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1).
When we are in the kingdom of God, when He alone rules in our hearts and minds, then we are...
Conclusion
I know that as you and I sow and water the seed of God’s word, God’s kingdom will grow, it is inevitable, because God makes it to grow.
I know that its growth is exponential, because the power of God stands behind it and nothing can thwart God’s purposes.
I know that God’s kingdom has room for men and women from every race and nation, whether young or old, rich or poor.
I know that His kingdom works quietly from within us to change us into the glorious individuals we are meant to be.
What I do not know is whether or not those of you who are not a part of God’s kingdom will choose to submit to His reign in your heart.
But I do know that God’s word is able to save your soul if you will allow it to take root in your heart today.
I know that as you and I sow and water the seed of God’s word, God’s kingdom will grow, it is inevitable, because God makes it to grow.
I know that its growth is exponential, because the power of God stands behind it and nothing can thwart God’s purposes.
I know that God’s kingdom has room for men and women from every race and nation, whether young or old, rich or poor.
I know that His kingdom works quietly from within us to change us into the glorious individuals we are meant to be.
What I do not know is whether or not those of you who are not a part of God’s kingdom will choose to submit to His reign in your heart.
But I do know that God’s word is able to save your soul if you will allow it to take root in your heart today.