The Mysteries of the Kingdom
Part 3 “Mustard Seeds of Faith”
Matthew 13:31-32
King James Version.
Matthew 13:31-32
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches
Small Beginnings
We should never underestimate small beginnings
Proofreading W. E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words gave F. F. Bruce a profound appreciation of the New Testament text. This single encounter motivated him to a deeper study into the origins of the New Testament, a field in which he became a scholar.
As an atheist, studying under an atheist, C. S. Lewis bought and read George MacDonald’s book Phantastes. He hadn’t the slightest notion at the time that this single reading would begin his conversion to Christ.
Small Beginnings
In 1918, Cameron Townsend sold Spanish Bibles in Guatemala. One man, who did not read Spanish, asked him, “If your God is so great, why can’t he speak my language?” From that single question evolved the Wycliffe Bible Translators, a mission that to this day continues Townsend’s work of translating the Bible into every language possible.
Small Beginnings
Jesus was born in a stable, unheralded and unrecognized. The morning after, life resumed in Bethlehem as if nothing different had happened. And only one thing had: a baby had been born and in the least desiring place. But oh the beginning-without-end that occurred in that single birth!
We should never underestimate small beginnings!
There are many of you here this morning because you heard someone somewhere sharing the Gospel.
You didn’t get up that morning and expect your life to change
You didn’t get up that day and just decide that today you would be saved, however something began in your life.
You have grown from that day to where you are now, because of the seed of faith that was planted in you.
Parable facts
The parable of the wheat and tares reveals that the kingdom of heaven will be preceded by an age in which good and evil coexist.
The parable of the mustard seed affirms that during that time period, the number of people who will inherit the kingdom will be very small at first.
Parable facts
But though it begins like the smallest of seeds, the nucleus will enjoy growth completely out of proportion to its initial size.
The birds of the air do not represent evil as they do in the parable of the soils. Here they represent a haven for the birds of the air, something productive and prosperous.
God uses Small Beginnings
1 Co 1:27: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; King James Version.
God chooses the small insignificant things of the world to show His glory.
God calls those who the world would not choose to do the things He wants to do. Through you, He can accomplish many wonderful things.
Faith as a Mustard Seed: so what’s faith?
Heb 11:1-3 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Faith?
Faith
Faith leads to Salvation
Justified by Faith
Sanctified by Faith
Faith overcomes the world
Faith shields the Christian
Faith?
Your faith may start out small, you may not have all the answers you want but
Ro 12:3- For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith
Faith to Believe and Grow
God has given us the measure of faith to believe, and to grow.
It starts small, then grows into great things
First saved
Second Baptized
Third membership in the Church
Then growing into the person (the tree) God wants YOU to be. That may or may not be the same as someone else!
Faith to Believe and Grow
It is not based on our abilities. Or how much faith we have.
Not the name it claim it stuff.
I believe we all start out with the same small mustard seed.
From there our walk with Christ is based on our faith in Him, not ourselves.
It is based on what He can do through us.
What we allow Him to control in our lives.
Our seed will only grow when we surrender to him and allow him to work in us.
Many Seeds, Few Trees
As in the field of the sower, there are many seeds planted. However there are few who will surrender.
Mt 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it..
Today’s Decision
You have had many opportunities to start growing in Christ.
You have had the same measure of faith.
What did you do with it?
What will you do with it?
You can leave here today unchanged.
You can leave here today, changed for all eternity. Not because you claim it, but because the word of God promises it.
The mustard seed is there, if you will allow Him, God will produce the tree.
