KINGDOM LIVING
God’s Kingdom will have a Powerful
Effect
Matthew
13:44-52
Jerry A Collins
SCC
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Is the
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Why should the
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What kind of influence can we expect God’s kingdom to
have?
It
is legitimate for each of us to ask and answer this question honestly: What is the source of your significance,
security, and authority in life? In his book the knowledge of the holy A.W. Tozer said
something like this; what you think, when
you think ‘God’ is the most important thing about you. Your concept of God
and His kingdom will do more to shape your thoughts and actions than any other
single concept in your life. It is no wonder God gave
so much revelation in the Bible emphasizing His attributes. Citizens and
subjects of God’s kingdom must derive all of their significance, security and
authority only from this Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is a Biblical figure used
to designate the true, eternal, heavenly and supernatural domain of God over
all those who wish that dominion—those in heaven, angels, and believers today
and future. So what is this kingdom like? How does the realm of God’s domain
function and operate and develop? The parables of the Kingdom explain that to
us. Jesus gives us six pictures—the
kingdom of heaven is like—of the nature of this kingdom.
Observation:
Each
of the parables begins with the same phrase highlighting the pictures
illustrating the concepts.
Interpretation: GOD’S
KINGDOM STARTS OUT SMALL AND RAPIDLY GROWS
Mustard Seed: We observe several things about this seed (1) It is very small—smaller than all seeds. (2) It is sown in
the sower’s field—sown by Christ and His follower’s
in the world. So it may not seem to amount to much especially with all of the
other competing kingdoms—Pharisees, Sadducces,
Scribes, Roman—vying to give you significance, security and authority. (3)
However, in this environment the
Application: (1)
We should not attempt to build God’s kingdom for Him—Jesus said He will do
that. Just plant disciples—sow them in the world. (2) Expect God’s Kingdom to
start small barely noticeable—Jesus and the disciples—but rapidly grow after
that—Acts. (3) We should plant the truth of the Kingdom and watch it grow. We
have no control over it.
Observation:
Interpretation: GOD’S
KINGDOM IS IMPERCEPTIBLE BUT THEN SPREADS AND PENETRATES THE WORLD Leaven: Like leaven hidden by a woman in the flour, so the
kingdom sowed in the field is hidden to the world but grows by it’s own nature
to penetrate that field—the world. Notice she hid it inconspicuously and may no
attempt to spread it. It spread all by itself. The source of this growth would
be secret—most likely the Holy Spirit at work in the hearts of men—and it’s
impact and influence would spread all over the place. In fact, only 40 years
after Christ spoke these words, the gospel had been taken to the end of the
known world.
Application: (1) We have the privilege of participating in the
expanding influence of this Kingdom and He invites us to do that in our world—not
build our own or think He needs our help. This Kingdom has the ability to
penetrate on it’s own. (2) Don’t think that you are
indispensable to God’s program.
Observation:
These
two parables explain the value attached to this kingdom—if it is understood, it
will be seen as the greatest value of anything.
Interpretation: GOD’S KINGDOM IS OF SUPREME VALUE GREATER
THAN ALL OTHER VALUES
Hidden Treasure: Again we have the picture of a field and a type of sower as the previous parables. So God’s kingdom is similar
to a man finding hidden treasure—something obviously valuable but
unexpected—and then buries it—which is common to protect it from being
plundered—sells all he has and buys the same field. A point made is the
unexpected discovery of God’s
kingdom—almost by chance from his viewpoint. Realizing it’s
value he hides it again. The idea is the value is so great he gives up
everything he has to get it. It’s so valuable that he gives up everything
necessary to have it.
Costly
Application: (1) God’s Kingdom may be found by seeking for it or
like one coming on it by chance—in either case, if it’s understood, it will be
seen as the greatest value ever. (2) Salvation is of crucial value because it
is the only way to enter God’s Kingdom. But it is a means not an end—a start
not a finish—a door not the house. The ultimate value is the
Observation:
Interpretation: GOD’S
KINGDOM IS SCATTERED AMONG FALSE KINGDOMS
The Dragnet: Like a large net requiring a team to operate
encircling a large area to trap fish and then be pulled and hauled to shore—is
the
Application: (1) The gospel is not simply an offer to heaven but
warning about hell. As good news it has power to save men from bad eternal destiny.
One does not have to choose hell to get there. Only refuse the claims of
Christ—or do nothing at all. (2) We must not have any competing kingdom for our
significance, security and authority. Our homes, churches, organizations,
hobbies or careers may be used of God to advance His Kingdom—but never a place
where my significance, security or authority are sought for nor found.