Introduction –
Prophetic certainty of the gospel and the sure growth of the kingdom of God. We should encouraged even in our own battles. Things don’t “seem” to be going in the right direction. He came to His own and His own did not receive Him. The disciples believed He was going to set up His kingdom soon and that would be earthly. Right after this parable they asked are only few going to be saved? In spite of small and humble appearance the kingdom of God will succeed. It is guaranteed. It will grow beyond its expectation. It will be massively successful.
1 – The smallness of the kingdom. V19
It is like a mustard seed and leaven. Both of these things are small. The great king lies in a manger. His beginnings are so humble. Started small and ended in humiliation and death. What is the great means that God uses to save men? A simple message of the Gospel. Angels don’t preach the gospel, men do. God uses humble sinful men to spread the gospel. It’s a simple but powerful message.
2 – Greatness of its growth
Men sow, men water, but God causes the growth. How does the gospel turn an enemy into a friend of God? The Gospel! It’s such a wonderful mystery.
3 – Success of its growth v21
The kingdom of God will succeed. God raises up saints throughout history. The gospel spreads and the kingdom of God grows. The Gospel(leaven) has spread throughout the entire world. The success of the kingdom and the individual is in these parables. The gospel overcomes your weaknesses. Do not despair, do not grow weary. Trust in Christ. God loves to use the weakness of men to demonstrate His strength and glory. Trust in the words of Christ “I will build my church.” Live up to what you have learned and know of Him. Share the Gospel and let God do His work.
Stay the course. Turn to the king. The seed will grow, the leaven will spread but water that seed. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. The leaven of truth will spread. Dwell among the brothers and sisters in the faith. Let’s also be patient in others if we don’t see a lot of growth. Let’s be happy for any progress. Phil 1:6 – The humble simple gospel is the means of growth. When Jesus comes again He is going to take the massive kingdom and give it to the Father.
Luke 13:18-21 (NKJV) 18 Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 “It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.” 20 And again He said, “To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? 21 “It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”