THE EVER RISING KINGDOM OF GOD
Text: Matthew 13:33
The first time that my mother ever tried to make homemade bread, she mixed some yeast with the dough. But what did not expect was the reaction that took place. My parents were getting ready to go downtown, after my mother had formed the dough. She had filled the container to the top with the dough. When my parents got home, my mother went into the kitchen as she discovered that the dough had expanded over the top the container, down the side and onto the table. In Matthew 13:33, Jesus mentioned the same kind of transforming power that takes place as the Kingdom Of God expands. This parable describes a mixture, a reaction and a result.
MIXTURE
Is the interpretation of this parable in the eyes of the reader? Most scholars will point out how leaven was associated with evil in the Bible. 1) Negative: Mark 8:15 serves as an example: “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod” (NIV). 2) Positive: I identify with those who say that the yeast in parable was meant to be something positive. Consider Isaiah 55:11, 13: Isaiah 55:11-13: so will my message be that goes out of my mouth—it won't return to me empty. Instead, it will accomplish what I desire, and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. … (13) Instead of thornbushes, pine trees will grow, and instead of briers, myrtles will grow; and they will be a sign for the LORD, and an everlasting name that will not be cut off" (ISV). 3) The inner-working and transformation: Can we not conclude that the yeast was present in the dough to change and transform the dough? Does the working of the yeast in the dough equate with the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives for the continual transformation? Are Christians placed into the yeast of the world for its transformation?
How often do we underestimate what God will do? 1) God’s effectiveness: Remember the promise of Isaiah 55:11? God is at work in the world. God takes Christians and mixes them into the dough of the world to bring about changes. As John Wesley put it: Thus will the Gospel leaven the world and grace the Christian. However, we sometimes underestimate just how much change God brings through the Christians in the mix. 2) Salty and beaming Christians: What is the litmus test of God’s work and its fruit in our lives? Are we salty and beaming with light (Matthew 5:13 – 16)?
Are you Online with God? Let’s compare the growth of the internet to mixture of the leaven in three measure of flour or meal. What we know as the internet today actually began in 1962. In 1962 Paul Baran who was an engineer with Rand Corporation found a way to move messages through Defense Department computers. Six years later in 1968 the Department of Defense commissioned Advanced Research Projects Agency to build the ARPAnet. In 1971 only twenty-three computers were on the internet. Ten years later in 1981 IBM introduced the world to the personal computer, bringing it home. Five years later in 1986 the ARPAnet became part of the NSFnet sponsored by the National Science Foundation which became the internet backbone. In 1989 the number of computers online was one hundred thousand. In 1992, the number increased to a million computers online. “In 1993 the first graphic face, called Mosaic which made the internet more accessible.” In 1994 the internet was becoming accessible through local online providers who expanded the internet’s range of services. It is said that by 1995, thirty million computers were on the internet.
“The kingdom of God is like the Internet. It began small with only a few disciples following Jesus. But it has spread for [over] two thousand years, person to person, culture to culture, with more and more people getting on-line with God”. (Craig Brian Larson. ed. Contemporary Illustrations For Preachers, Teachers, & Writers. [Source: James Coates, “Orbiting On-line: The Evolution Of The Interent.” Chicago Tribune, 26 March 1995, sec. 7, page 4]. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1982, p. 120). As Christ’s disciples we have been called to make disciples (Matthew 28:19) and expand God’s kingdom here on earth. Our calling began and continues and will never until the consummation of God’s kingdom because of God’s grace!
REACTION
Have you ever had yeast rolls that were better than Betty Crocker? In Spartanburg, there is a restaurant known as "Wades" which is well known for its yeast rolls. “… Wade’s produces it’s famous yeast roll by hand for over 2000 customers each day” according to their facebook page. Wade’s has been in business for over fifty years. The response of the customers has grown with their business to keep them going all these years. I am sure that the dough would not say to the yeast, “Now you slow down, you’re doing too much!” The question we must ask ourselves is whether or not we are expanding God’s kingdom.
Have you had a grace awakening? 1) Dynamic: We cannot always see the inner workings of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 2) Diligence required: Nevertheless, it is possible to grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) because we are called to fan into flame the gift of God’s working in our lives (I Timothy 2:16) because we were not given that gift to be idle, lazy or complacent! We are not here for our own self-preservation! We here to be disciples who participate in God’s kingdom building until Christ comes back to consummate God’s kingdom!
What happens when there is a vacuum? 1) Default: Vacuums always operate by default! Why? Vacuums create opportunities for disaster and dysfunction. Is it any wonder why Benedict Spinoza once said that "Nature abhors a vacuum"? (Ethics. Part I. Proposition 15: Note). 2) Present to vote: Satan would rather have us try to put in our spiritual input and vote by absentee ballot! Satan seeks to capitalize and aggrandize on every vacuum caused by our complacency or indifference!
Is it not true that our decisions bear fruit that is either productive or idle? 1) Reap and sowing: How can we sow to the flesh which is death and expect to reap life from the Spirit which brings life (Galatians 6:7 and 8)? 2) Loveless Christianity?: 1 John 3:17 says “Whoever has earthly possessions and notices a brother in need and yet withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God be present in him”? (ISV). What happens to those that we avoided who were in need of help that we could provide? Will the poor go without food, clothing or shelter or all three if we do nothing? What will happen to the unsaved if we do nothing? If we neglected them did we not also neglect Jesus? Finish this passage of scripture … If you have done it unto the least of these…
Does this passage of scripture hint about anything in our stewardship? God has lavished us with His grace and extravagance! Remember what John Wesley said about yeast and the Gospels?: “Thus will the Gospel leaven the world and grace the Christian”. Are we going to let the allow the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod to short-circuit our calling? Remember that God called us to grow pinetrees and myrtles not thornbushes right? (Isaiah 55:13). God has called us to the stewardship over creation (Genesis 1:26); the stewardship of giving in our tithes (Genesis 14:20); the stewardship of being the keepers of our brothers and sisters (Genesis 4:9); the stewardship of watching out for our families (Romans 14:13 and 15); the stewardship taking care of our bodies because they are the Lord’s temple (I Corinthians 6:19); the stewardship of loving and praying for our enemies (Matthew 5:44); the stewardship of loving one another (John 13:34- 25); The stewardship of making disciples (Matthew 28:19); the stewardship of a devotional life (Matthew 6:5); The stewardship of loving God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37 – 40). How can the Gospel leaven change the world unless the grace of God has changed and continually changes the Christians in this world?
THE RESULT (Final Product)
Jesus told us that the yeast was added to the whole batch of meal or flour in order to make the dough rise. If all the souls earth belong to God, and they do (Ezekiel 18:4), then how can we slight our role as Christians---the yeast in the world that God meant to make the world---His world rise, increase and expand? 1) All: “All” Does that word ring a bell for you? John 3:16 say it with me, “ For God so loved the world … Doesn’t the world equate with all? 2) No small print: Have you ever noticed the small print on documents that they hope you will not read or you’ll need a magnifying glass if you do? The Word of God is clear about “All”: 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (ESV). Do you believe Jesus meant it when He mentioned the yeast working its way all through the dough (Matthew13:33)? Jesus did not say part or this little bit, or that little bit, Jesus said “ALL!”
Can Christians transform the world just as yeast will cause dough to rise? 1) Kingdoms in conflict: During the formation of the early Church, Roman Political officials who considered the Christians to be a threat to the power of their government. 2) Crush the competition: Their solution was to remove Christians through intimidation, persecution and even execution. 3) Boomerang effect: Their intended results backfired as Christianity grew. 4) Modern day rivals: Satan still masquerades as an angel of light (II Corinthians 11:15 ) seeking to deceive (John 8:44), blind would be believers to the light of the Gospel (II Corinthians 4:4), work through his minions (II Corinthians 11:16) and others who have sympathy for Satan and his mission because of their blindness to the truth. Think of any modern day examples of hate and violence like the recent incidents Charlottesville Virginia and we can see that Satan is string to remove Christian influence and values!
Christianity changed the world! Christianity transformed the role of women; Christianity transformed life for the weak and ill; Christianity transformed life for the aged, the weak and the ill and the children. (William Barclay.The Dailsy Study Bible Series: The Gospel of Matthew. Volume 2. Revised Edition. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1975, pp. 80 -81). .Christianity transformed life for those who permitted debauchery and immoral living into seeing the sanctity of marriage and holy living. ( William Barclay.TDSBS: The Letters to the Philippians, Colossian and Thessalonians.. Volume 2. Revised Edition. Louisville: Westminster Press, 1975, pp. 150 - 151). Christian values helped to change the world!
The lives of all of these who were slighted were changed. Women: Perhaps Christianity brought chivalry into the world. The weak and ill: The first hospital on record was founded by a Christian lady. Aged: Slaves who were past their ability to work were no longer thrown out like trash. Children: both genders were seen as people as opposed to the old ways were infant females could be discarded to die. (William Barclay.The Dailsy Study Bible Series: The Gospel of Matthew. Volume 2. Revised Edition. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1975, pp. 80 -81). Are we losing ground that we once gained?
What difference does a Christian’s witness make? Consider this story about the difference that one missionary made. "A Moravian missionary named George Smith went to Africa. He had been there only a short time and had only one convert, a poor woman, when he was driven from the country. He died shortly after, on his knees, praying for Africa. He was considered a failure. But a company of men stumbled onto the place where he had prayed and found a copy of the Scriptures he had left. Presently they met the one poor woman who was his convert. A hundred years later his mission counted more than 13,000 living converts who had sprung from the ministry of George Smith." (Engstrom's 227 Heart-Reachinq Illustrations. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1953, p. 109). Like George Smith we might not get to see just how much of a difference the our witness made in this lifetime but it will make a difference.
God’s purposes will always win, despite the odds. We can go in almost in secular book store or music store and see the proportion of Christian literature and music to that of the quantity of secular art, but we must remember what Jesus told
us in JOHN 16:33: "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (K J V).
CONCLUSION
Just as bread will not rise without the presence of yeast, neither will Christianity expand without Christian witnesses. Jesus told us this parable in order to help us understand that nothing is impossible with God. But he also told us this parable to help us understand that we all have a place in His will. Although Christians might be outnumbered in various places, God has no limitations! Therefore, God can and will work through us if only we will let Him! God can work through us in spite of our limitations beyond our ability to comprehend. God wants us to be in the world to transform it, not to be one of its citizens, because Christians are not of this world. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
