Matthew 59
Chapter 13: Let that seed take root and multiply!
Matthew 13:31–33 (NLT)
31 Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field.
32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.”
33 Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”
Matthew 13:44–46 (NLT)
44 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.
45 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls.
46 When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!"
Some stumble upon it, others go looking for it!!
44 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field."
· We all like to find that hidden Gem
· Some look for it at garage sales and some look for it at the DG
· But the real treasure in life is finding Jesus!!
· He is the ultimate find, the one thing that will change your life forever
o The never-ending supply
o Of Joy
o Peace
o Love
So where is this hidden treasure?
· The word of God
· The letters in RED
· The gospels of Jesus Christ!
· It is a trove of hidden treasures
· That’s where you will find out about the peace, the joy, the grace God has for you
In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.
· And there is nothing you have that’s not worth giving up to find it and keep it
· Period!
· No job
· No hobby
· No relationship
· Money
· NOTHING is worth it
45 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls."
· Some of us, like the man in the field, stumble upon Jesus and all He has to offer
· And some of us go looking
· We have tried every “Self Help” book and trick
· And there is just always this hole that we can’t fill
· This itch we can’t scratch
· And we go looking and eventually find Jesus (some are here today looking)
46 "When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!"
· And again, when we find it, we know that there is nothing worth what Jesus is offering
· And we will do whatever it takes to keep it
Food for thought!
Think about this:
We all think money will make us happy, but look at the truly wealthy, the rich and famous
· Drugs and alcohol abuse is 100 times the national average
· Suicide and overdoses are high
· They are miserable (just watch how they act)
· Attention seeking
· Just generally unhappy
Can you see it? I bet you can’t! But Something big is coming!!
Matthew 13:31–33 (NLT)
31 Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field."
· The kingdom of heaven is everywhere
· It is in most places but a little tiny seed
· Hidden away
o We hide it
o We forget about
o We save it for a rainy day, but it’s there!
32 "It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.”
· It's tiny
o So small you almost can’t even see it
o The mustard seed (the gospel, the good news of Jesus) (it’s been planted in everyone’s heart)
· And what a powerful thing comes from such a tiny seed!
So, let’s talk about what it takes for a tiny seed to become such a powerful tree!
· First it has to be planted, by someone or something
o That’s where we come in, we should all day every day be planting tiny little seeds
o With our words and/or actions
· Then it has to be cultivated!
o In needs tending to in its early life as a tree
o With love and care
o It needs fed and looked after
o This is the church, better yet the body of Christ, taking care of the seeds that have been planted
o Feeding them and caring for them
o Walking with them, guiding and instructing them
o So their roots run deep and strong (in God's word)
· And one day it becomes a mighty tree
o And that tree starts to produce fruit
o And it provides shade
o And it houses others (the birds)
o And it cares for others
o It teaches others
o Because its roots are strong and healthy
o Because of the love and care they were shown
Food for thought:
Too many of us feed all the time and never give back, our roots never take hold because we consume and never give away what was freely given to us. At some point to continue our growth we all have to give back to the body by mentoring, teaching and serving in the body.
A little Jesus goes a long way!
33 Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread."
· Have you ever seen yeast grow??
· Take some yeast, a little sugar, and water and BAM! It goes crazy!
· We are the yeast!
· God’s word is the sugar
· The church is the water
· We should feed off each other, grow together
· And go out into the world (THE FLOUR)
"Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”
· A LITTLE JESUS (yeast) goes a long way
· We need to spread the word
· Get in the world
· Stop hiding behind closed doors
· Let’s get out and permeate the world with the love of CHRIST!
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