The Ever Rising Kingdom Of God (August 15, 2017).

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.