The Kingdom of GOD

Scripture: Matthew 13:10-15

C.I.: Responsibilities of “Kingdom” Citizens - #1

Parables are Jesus way of revealing God's truths thru stories (depending upon hearts – they reveal/conceal!).
Today we will see four other parables Jesus gives - to explain His kingdom to us!

I. Four Parables of the Kingdom, (Matthew 13:31-33, 44-46)

A. Two Parables about Growth, (vs. 31-33)

1. Parable of the “Mustard Seed,” ( vs. 31-32 ), “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took
and sowed in his field; - and this is smaller than all other seeds; - but when it is full grown, it is larger than the
garden plants, and becomes a tree”

a. In this parable Jesus is talking about the external growth of the church .
1) The church is like a mustard tree - its numbers began small – but that quickly changed.
a) ( Acts 1:15 ), “At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren ( a gathering of
about 120 persons was there together)…”
b) ( Acts 2:41 ), “Those who had received his words were baptized, and there were….”
c) ( Acts 4:4 ), “Many of those who heard the message believed, and the number of men
came to be about five thousand.”
d) ( Acts 5:14 ), “All the more believers, multitudes of men & women were constantly
added to their number.”
e) ( Acts 12:24 ), “The word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied .”
f) This is just what Jesus had promised – ( Acts 1:8 ), “You shall be My witnesses….”

3) God expects His church to GROW!
a) He has commanded it, ( Matt. 28:19 ), “Go therefore and make disciples…”
b) He has provided for it, ( Lk. 8:11 ), “The seed is the word of God.”
c) It was Christ' example for us, ( Lk. 19:10 ), “I have come to seek & to save that….”
d) We could double in size next week – if “Each One Brings One!”

2. The parable of “The Leaven,” ( v. 33 ), “The kingdom of heaven is like heaven, - which a woman took, and hid in
three pecks of meal, until it was all leavened.”
a. Whereas the first parable spoke of the external growth of the church – this speaks to the internal growth
of the believer .
1) Everyone can look into a field and see the size of a mustard tree.
2) But leavening (yeast) does its work on the inside.

b. God also does some of His best work inside the believer!
1) As with children there is a process of maturation, ( I Pt. 1:23; 2:2; II Pt. 3:18 )
2) The Apostle Paul feels the same way, ( Phil. 2:13 ), “For it is God who is at work in you, - both
to will and to work to His own good pleasure.”

c. In these two parables – we find that Jesus wants His kingdom to grow – numerically & spiritually!

B. Two Parables about Discovery, (vs. 44-46)

1. The Parable of the “Hidden Treasure,” ( v. 44 ), “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field
which a man found and hid; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field.”
a. The person who “discovers” - the good news about the kingdom of God – does 3 things…

b. #1 – He hides the treasure, i.e., he tucks it away in his heart that he might not lose it!
1) ( Psa. 119:11 ), “Your word have I hidden/treasured in my heart….”
2) Notice in the parable that the man was not “looking” for treasure – he stumbled across it.
a) Matthew understands this - ( Matt. 9:9 ), “Jesus saw a man named Matthew sitting in
the tax office; and He said to him, ‘Follow Me!' and he rose and followed Jesus.”
b) How many here today became disciples of Jesus – almost by accident (?!

c. #2 – He goes and sells all he has, i.e., he repents of all the things he once believed to be important!
1) ( Matt. 4:17 ), “From that time Jesus began to preach & to say, ‘Repent, for the K…at hand.”
2) The example from the life of Paul – ( Acts 9:1-2, 18, 20 ), “Now Saul, still breathing threats
and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for letters from
him to the synagogues in Damascus, that if he found any belonging to the Way, both
men/women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem … He arose and was baptized … and
immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God.'”
3) The changes a person is willing to make – shows the value of God's kingdom in their life!!

d. #3 – He buys the field, i.e., he commits himself totally to possess the treasure ( the kingdom of heaven ).
1) God does not want half-hearted commitment – Ex.: lukewarm tea, ( Rev. 3:15-16 ), “I know
your deeds that you are neither hot nor cold; I wish you were hot or cold. – so because you are
lukewarm, I will vomit you out of my mouth.”
2) ( Rom. 12:1 ), “I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your body….”
3) All may not seeking God – but He is sure seeking them, ( Jn. 4:23 ), “…true worshipers
worship the Father in spirit & in truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers .


2. The Parable of “The Pearl of Great Price,” ( vs. 45-46 ), “The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine
pearls, and upon find one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
a. This parable is similar to the “treasure” parable – only this find was not accidental.
1) ( Matt. 7:7 ), “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find .”
2) How many here – became followers of Jesus – because you were searching for the truth?!

b. There are many “seekers” – but too often they are looking for what they want – not what God wants.
1) To the religious Jesus said, ( Jn. 5:39-40 ), “You search the scriptures because you believe in
them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me; -and you are unwilling to
come to Me, - that you may have life.”
2) But those who learn the truth – and then act upon it – blessing, ( Jn. 8:31-32 ), “If you abide in
My words, you are truly disciples of Mine, and you shall know the truth, and the truth….”

CONCLUSIONS:

1. Jesus desires for His Kingdom to GROW: Numerically ( each one bring one ) & Spiritually!!!

2. Some people we talk to will be looking for the truth – and others will not realize that is what they are looking for.

3. A door can look just like a wall – without a doorknob! – It is the doorknob that shows us it is possible to get through the wall.
– Our responsibility is to show others that there is a way to God… Jesus is the way, ( Jn. 14:6a ). – When we show others the
way – it is up to them to walk through the door, ( Mk. 16:15-16 )!!!