SERMON
NOTES

There was no better storyteller than Jesus. Jesus’ stories were called parables because they were more than tales, yarns, or anecdotes; they had deeper meanings, often made listeners uncomfortable, and made people think. We will examine four of these shorter stories of how the kingdom of God begins small, becomes your greatest treasure, demands a repentant and obedient heart, and forms the unshakable foundation of lives built on Christ. These parables show the internal, hidden, unstoppable growth of God’s kingdom. I’m calling them “Small Stories, Big Lessons.”
 
The parables of the mustard seed and leaven can be considered “twin parables.” They say almost the same thing, but the difference is in the perspective. Both talk about growth that begins almost unnoticeably, but the first's effect is external, while the second's is internal; both give a holistic understanding of God’s working.

But first, what is this “kingdom of heaven” (Matthew) or “kingdom of God” (Mark, Luke, John)? Both phrases mean the same thing. Jesus used the phrase extensively; in fact, Jesus’ message was a calling to repentance and the Kingdom. The Kingdom referred to a person (obviously God, as King, or Sovereign), his power or influence, which extended over a realm (of people). Eventually, it would result in a domain/territory (both real and spiritual). The entrance of Jesus, the Incarnate Son of God, into the created world inaugurated this “Kingdom of heaven/God.”

This was subversive, because by its very nature it stood in contrast to every human kingdom – whether in Jesus’ own time, or now.

• Jesus, the original “mustard seed”/ “leaven” that cannot be confined
• God as king has been working in and through human history, using people whether devoted to him, or otherwise
• We get discouraged when things happen that do not fit our perception of God’s involvement; similarly, we feel encouraged when things do happen that fit into our perception of how God works.
• But with Jesus coming into the world, born as a human baby, there is now the certainty that God is personally involved
• It began small, almost unnoticeably, as a baby, but like the mustard seed, like the leaven, has not stopped making a difference…growing in influence and power
• That is the dynamic nature of the Presence of Jesus. It doesn’t matter whether we like what is happening or not, but
• “This is my Father's world: Oh, let me ne'er forget, that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler (King, that implies his Kingdom) yet.

• You, as the secondary “mustard seed”/ “leaven” that facilitates growth
• The reference to a “kingdom” means that Christianity is not an individualistic religion/Faith
• However, it does start with the individual -> you
• Christ needs to be that leaven in you that makes you grow; he needs to be that mustard seed in you that grows into a shrub/tree that becomes a blessing to others. He needs to take over you, filling you.
• That happens only through acceptance of his love and sacrifice, surrender to his Kingship, and faithfulness in your servanthood.
• This in turn transforms you into leaven, into a mustard seed
• You may never see the results; they could be unnoticeable to you…but never forget what the Kingdom of God is like!

Communion is an opportunity to allow this to tangibly happen in your life.

Let the bread become Christ’s “leaven” in you.

Let the Cup become the “mustard seed” that grows dynamically in sacrifice and service.