The Kingdom Wins

The Kingdom Wins

Matthew 13:31-35 NIV 

THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED

Mat. 13:31–32 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 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.”

This picture of the Kingdom of Heaven was foretold in Ezekiel.

Ezekiel 17:22–23 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches.

 Ezek. 36:26–27 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

THE PARABLE OF LEAVEN

Matthew 13:33 ESV 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.”

THE PARABLES   TODAY

Matthew 13:34-35 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.” 

1. The parables prove that Jesus was and is Lord.
2. The parables reveal a secret: the Kingdom of Heaven is near and here!

AS A FOLLOWER OF JESUS, A CHILD OF GOD  !

1. Don’t be discouraged by the world: your citizenship is in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Philippians 3:20a But our citizenship is in heaven.

2. You are gifted and needed and wanted in the local church.

1 Cor. 12:7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 

3. Stand firm, knowing that Kingdom work is not in vain.

1 Cor. 15:58  Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Revelation 11:15b“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”