Romans 14:17 – ”  For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”

What is the issue?

Romans 14:1 – Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.

Weakness in faith,’ means an inadequate grasp of the great principle of salvation by faith in Christ; the consequence of which will be an anxious desire to make this salvation more certain by following a set of formal rules.

Paul’s correction is not about what we eat, drink or when we Sabbath but our treatment of each other as Brothers and Sisters, our family, in Christ.

Paul is saying that discounting or dismissing a weak brother or sister’s choices could cause him deep hurt and They may feel that their integrity as a believer is at stake.

How should we treat other believers? Accept them. This means not just “allow to remain to be a member” but welcomed with friendship.

How do we accept them?

Essentials from Romans 14

The Kingdom of God is:

Righteousness

Also: Giving others their due

Peace. 

The Jews themselves often thought of peace as a state of right relationships between individuals. 

Joy. 

We should see other believers through the lens of the Kingdom of God. This includes

This perspective challenges our motives and thinking, requires us to listen to understand and demands that we love them as Christ loves us, even by laying down our own freedoms for their sake.

Matthew 13:47-50

Truth that the audience was coming to understand: Jesus is the love of God expressed to us. Bringing the Good News of a New Covenant Gospel, Jesus is our Savior, Lord, and King.

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. 19 This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. 21 But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.” – John 3:16-21  CSB

“Christians are those who have been justified by faith in Christ Jesus and, in consequence, have peace with God (Romans 5:1).” – D. A. Carson

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Romans 5:1  CSB

“Christians are those who call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:2. ” – D. A. Carson

“To the church of God at Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called as saints, with all those in every place who call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord – both their Lord and ours.” – 1 Corinthians 1:2  CSB

“Christians are those who pray that the power of God may so rest on them that Christ dwells in their hearts through faith, while they themselves increasingly grasp the limitless dimensions of God’s love for them in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:14-21). ” – D. A. Carson

A Story of a Fishing Net  “Also, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was put into the lake and caught many different kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled the net to the shore. They sat down and put all the good fish in baskets and threw away the bad fish. 49 It will be this way at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the evil people from the good people. 50 The angels will throw the evil people into the blazing furnace, where people will cry and grind their teeth with pain.” 51 Jesus asked his followers, “Do you understand all these things?” They answered, “Yes, we understand.” 52 Then Jesus said to them, “So every teacher of the law who has been taught about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house. He brings out both new things and old things he has saved.” – Matthew 13:47-52  NCV

“This parable…like Parable of the Ten Virgins – Matthew 25:1-13 (June 1 – Justin) and the parable of the weeds (June 22 – Chiquacta), tells us about the intermingling of good and bad at the present time and the certainty of their separation at the end of the age.” – Leon Morris

Let’s listen to another parable from Jesus, on a similar theme, to help us understand this one.

The Narrow Door  “Jesus was teaching in every town and village as he traveled toward Jerusalem. 23 Someone said to Jesus, ‘Lord, will only a few people be saved?’ Jesus said, 24 ‘Try hard to enter through the narrow door, because many people will try to enter there, but they will not be able. 25 When the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you can stand outside and knock on the door and say, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ 26 Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in the streets of our town.’ 27 But he will say to you, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Go away from me, all you who do evil!’ 28 You will cry and grind your teeth with pain when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God’s kingdom, but you yourselves thrown outside. 29 People will come from the east, west, north, and south and will sit down at the table in the kingdom of God. 30 There are those who are last now who will be first in the future. And there are those who are first now who will be last in the future.’” – Luke 13:22-30  NCV

Jesus teaches that, at the end of this spiritual era, there is an ultimate result to our decision to receive or reject him.

·         Jesus calls for a decisive response from us. This cannot be ignored.

·         A committed loving relationship is incompatible with rejection.

·         God’s presence is not a safe place for rebellious self-will.

·         There’s a benefit to the kingdom being unified. 1 Cor. 4 “expose motives…some rec. praise,

“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Change your hearts and lives, because the kingdom of heaven is near.’” – Matthew 4:17  NCV 

·         What did this subject of Jesus’ teaching mean to the initial audience?

·         Preach – publicly announce spiritual truth and principles while urging acceptance and compliance

·         Repent/Change – change one’s way of life as the result of complete change of thought and attitude with regard to sin and righteousness

·         Kingdom – area ruled by a king, domain, Realm – a region of activity, knowledge, or influence

·         Heaven – the spiritual realm owned and operated under the control of God alone

·         At Hand – near, close, approaching, arriving now and ultimately arriving in the near future

God’s story line tells us 4 things:

1.      What God wants for us (Creation)

2.      What happened to us and what went wrong with the world (Fall)

3.      What God has done in Jesus Christ to put things right (Redemption)

4.      How history will turn out in the end as a result (Restoration)

– Timothy Keller   Good News of Jesus Christ: What God has done and will yet do.

Who did Jesus die for? 

“He died for all.” – 2 Corinthians 5:15  “By God’s grace, He died for everyone.” – Hebrews 2:9  “God so loved the world that He gave His Son,” – John 3:16  “This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to know the truth.” – 1 Timothy 2:3-4  “God is being patient with you. He does not want anyone to be lost, but he wants all people to change their hearts and lives. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.” – 2 Peter 3:9-10a Who does Jesus teach about a separation of people?

If Jesus died for all, then are all actually saved? (because Jesus parable of the net speaks to separation)

1 Timothy 4:10

that He gave his only begotten Son

John 3:16

Him should not perish but have everlasting life

Matthew 1:21

Hebrews 5:9

–          April 2 Life Group Bible Study Bible study notes from Ken Malmin of Portland Bible College

“God’s sovereign will is absolute and supreme. The moral will of God is that everyone do His will but allows for humanity’s choice whether to comply. When someone chooses to rebel against God’s moral will, it does not mean they have escaped the boundaries of God’s sovereign will.” – Ken Malmin

Whose choice saves us? “From our perspective, God’s choice is responsible for our salvation. From God’s perspective, our choice to respond is necessary. God’s choice is sovereign. Humanity’s choice is significant.” – Ken Malmin

Does our choice matter?  God’s knowledge (“ahead of time”) is perfect. It does not violate humanity’s free will. God’s choosing (election) is based on His foreknowledge. “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,” – 1 Peter 1:2  “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His  purpose. For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified.” – Romans 8:28-30  CSB  Jesus Christ: Savior, Lord, and King!

What should we do?

1.      Pray, asking God for wisdom about the truth of Jesus’ parables and how to apply them/

2.      Read Matthew 13:47-50 and maybe all of Matthew 13.

3.      Ask yourself, What does Jesus see? What does Jesus want me to see from the pictures he presents?

4.      Write down the answers.

5.      Think about how this truth applies to your perspective and values.

6.      Consider how this may apply to the way that you spend your time, energy, and money.

Matthew 13:44-46

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. One day a man found the  treasure, and then he hid it in the field again. He was so happy that he went and sold everything he owned to buy that field. Also, the kingdom of heaven is like a man looking for fine pearls. When he found a very valuable pearl, he went and sold everything he had and bought it.” – Matthew 13:44-46  NCV

4 Responses from Matthew 13:44-46 to the kingdom of heaven: discovery, happiness, attachment, & ownership.

1. Discovery – Jesus describes a point of finding the kingdom of God, which is most valuable. 1 Corinthians 2:8-16

2. Happiness – Jesus describes a joyful response to recognizing and receiving the value of the kingdom of God. Matthew 5:3, 10

3. Attachment –  Jesus describes a wholehearted personal attachment to the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 3:21-23  Romans 8:16-17

4. Ownership – Jesus describes letting go of everything that is temporary for the sake of an eternal commitment to the kingdom of God. Matthew 6:9, 10, 19-24

What do we learn?

What should we do?

1. Read Matthew 13:44-46 this week and think about it.

2. Pray, asking God for his kingdom here and now.

“You should pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’” – Matthew 6:9-10  CSB

3. Pray, asking God to open our spiritual eyes to eternal perspective.

4. Pray, asking God to shape our values and priorities.

5. Think and plan actions based on these truths.

Matthew 13:18-23

1. What does Jesus teach about his followers’ identity, in Matthew 13:18-23? “You have been chosen to know the secrets about the kingdom of heaven, (Matthew 13:11)

This requires that we use active listening, to God, with an intent to understand and respond with gracious humility.

2. What is active listening?

Key Aspects of Active Listening:

What is active listening?  …showing love by listening with an intent to understand…

Jesus’ teaching shows evidence of his years of listening to Father God and listening to people. Good thoughts on this subject in The Revolutionary Communicator by Jedd Medefind & Erik Lokkesmoe

3. What are the obstacles to active listening, to God, and how do we overcome them, in Matthew 13:18-23?

Obstacles: Lack of Understanding, Enemy Influence, Shallow Application, Resistance, Worries, Temptation

Overcoming: Active Listening, Deep Questions, Careful Consideration, Spirit-enabled Understanding, Deep Application, Resisting Enemy’s Influence, Participation in Producing Fruit

What does this “listening” mean, as a Biblical concept? 

“Let those with ears use them and listen.” – Matthew 13:9

“God said to Peter and John, ‘This is my beloved Son; listen to him.’” – Mark 9:7

This is a call to attentive listening and understanding, implying a deeper, spiritual meaning beyond simply hearing with physical ears. Deuteronomy 29:4, Psalms 115:4, Proverbs 1:33, 2:2, 10:17, 16:20, 19:20, Jeremiah 25:4, Ezekiel 12:2, Matthew 11:15, Mark 4:9, 23, Luke 8:8, 21, 11:28, 14:35, John 14:15, James 1:22-24, Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29, 3:6, 13, 22  ACTIVE LISTENING “Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And set your heart on my knowledge; For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, That they may be established on your lips. So that your trust may be in Yahweh,” – Proverbs 22:17-19  LSB

Matthew 13:9-17

Preview: What does Jesus teach about his followers’ identity? What are the obstacles to active listening, to God, and how do we overcome them?

Matthew 13:9-17 Why Jesus Used Stories to Teach

They must have wondered: Why was Jesus telling these stories that people could only partly understand? Why was he making them think and not telling them the answers?

·         “parables/stories”(Matthew 13:10)  – expressions which are not to be understood literally, but symbolically, figuratively, or allegorically

·         “parable” (Matthew 13:18) – a relatively short narrative with symbolic meaning, allegory, figure of speech, story telling device as vehicle for communication

What does Jesus teach about his followers’ identity?

11 Jesus answered, “You have been chosen to know the secrets about the kingdom of heaven, but others cannot know these secrets.

“know” – to come to an understanding as the result of ability to experience and learn (also translated to understand, able to understand, to know about,

“secrets” – the content of that which has not been known before, but which has been revealed to an in-group

12 Those who have understanding will be given more, and they will have all they need. But those who do not have understanding, even what they have will be taken away from them. 13 This is why I use stories to teach the people:” “That’s why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward receptive insight.” – Matthew 13:13  The Message  “They see, but they don’t really see.

They hear, but they don’t really hear or understand. “Jesus speaks in parables in “response” to this lack of understanding.” – Ulrich Luz (2001). Matthew: a commentary (H. Koester, Ed.; p. 246). Augsburg. 

16 But you are blessed, because you see with your eyes and hear with your ears.” “ “But you have God-blessed eyes—eyes that see! And God-blessed ears—ears that hear!” – Matthew 13:16  The Message   17 I tell you the truth, many prophets and good people wanted to see the things that you now see, but they did not see them. And they wanted to hear the things that you now hear, but they did not hear them.” – Matthew 13:9-17  NCV

1. What does Jesus teach about his followers’ identity? 

“You have been chosen to know the secrets about the kingdom of heaven, (Matthew 13:11)  (Our response to the “message” aka the Gospel Good News of Jesus and our resulting relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord, and King.)

Jesus’ instruction to listen, for the sake of coming “to know the secrets about the kingdom of heaven,” includes the interaction of a healthy relationship with God and God-enabled learning that produces understanding.

“Self-awareness, Self-management, Social awareness, Relationship management” – Daniel Goleman

Spiritual emotional intelligence through wholehearted devotion to God. Learning who we are through learning who God is, how God relates to us, what God communicates to us, and who God has designed us to be. Such knowledge, understanding, and wisdom is learned and learnable. This requires that we use active listening, to God, with an intent to understand and respond with gracious humility.

This underscores the importance of the meaning of this parable, Jesus reveals in Matthew 13:18-23.

2. What are the obstacles to active listening, to God, and how do we overcome them, in Matthew 13:18-23?

Obstacles: Lack of Understanding, Enemy Influence, Shallow Application, Resistance, Worries, Temptation

Overcoming: Active Listening, Deep Questions, Careful Consideration, Spirit-enabled Understanding, Deep Application, Resisting Enemy’s Influence, Participation in Producing Fruit

God desires us to earnestly ask Him for more workers for the harvest and to actively participate in that work by following the example of Jesus.

Matthew 9:35-38

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Look to Jesus as our example: What do we see here?

1.      Jesus went to the people, he did not wait for them to come to him.

2.      Jesus was aware of the condition of the people

3.      Jesus had compassion. He was “moved in his guts/bowels or stirred deep inside” (the bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity). Compassion involves identifying with the situation of others that one is prepared to act for their benefit, to address their physical needs.

4.      Jesus Does something to address their physical needs: “healing every disease and  sickness”

5.      Describes people as a harvest

6.      Jesus Invites, encourages & teaches others to respond the way He does

7.      The workers

8.      Why are there “few” workers? Idle Christians: without purpose or effect

It’s the idea of people who say they are Christians but are really seeking a comfortable life and doing all they can to prevent possible adversity. But they need to have a fire lit under them, or rather inside them, to drive them out of their comforts into a world of need.

9.      What does Jesus say we need to do to address these issues?

10.   How can we participate in the harvest like Jesus? (besides prayer)

11.   What can you do this week?

Matthew 22:1-14

Wedding feast – a countrywide celebration of several days, coming to the feast represents entering His Kingdom

Bible Wedding Feast imagery:

“Lord, will make for all peoples, a feast…all nations, wipe away tears, ‘Let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.'” – Isaiah 25:6-9

“feast on the abundance of your house. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.” – Psalms 36:8-9

Parable of the Bridegroom and Ten Virgins – Matthew 25:1-13 June 1 Justin

John’s vision of the wedding feast of the Lamb: “7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” – Revelation 19:7-9  ESV

New Testament era Wedding Feast culture: Rejecting invitation would be extreme insult, dangerous affront to His authority

Proper wedding attire expected.

1. Some evidence in the ancient world for a king supplying garments for his guests (Genesis 45:22, Esther 6:8-9). There is the story of God clothing his unworthy people in beautiful garments (Ezekiel 16:10-13). Jesus could be alluding to imputed righteousness, which Paul elaborates later (Romans 3:21-31, 4:22-25). Thus by not wearing the garments provided, this guest has highly insulted the host.

2. The wedding garment may refer to a clean garment, symbolizing evidence of righteous works. Either way, it is described as something essential. – ESV Study Bible

“The proper wedding garment is charity from a pure heart. The wedding garment is not baptism as such but love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith.” – Augustine

“God’s kingdom is a kingdom in which love and justice and truth and mercy and holiness reign unhindered. They are the clothes you need to wear for the wedding. And if you refuse to put them on, you are saying you don’t want to stay at the party. That is the reality. If we don’t have the courage to say so, we are deceiving ourselves, and everyone who listens to us.” – Wright, T. (2004). Matthew for Everyone, Part 2: Chapters 16-28 (p. 85). Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.

“Yes, many are invited, but only a few are chosen.” – Matthew 22:14

“Many are invited to apply, but few are selected.” Louw-Nida

“Effectively called, those who respond with true faith,” – ESV Study Bible 1 Corinthians 1:24, 26-28

“For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach a Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.” – 1 Corinthians 1:22-29  NASB

“Chosen”, term used by Jesus in reference to his true disciples, Matthew 11:27, 24:22, 24, 31 “the elect,” – Matthew 24:22, 24, 31

“All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” – Matthew 11:27  ESV

What do we learn?

1. God initiates a loving relationship through the Gospel truth of Jesus as Savior.

2. God invites many people, whom he has chosen, to receive and respond to Jesus as Savior.

How do we know what the followers of Jesus believed about this parable?

1. They received the Gospel truth of Jesus as Savior, responding with gracious humility as instructed. This included repentant life change and baptism.

2. They relayed the Gospel truth of Jesus as Savior, with an urgent invitation, to many other people.

3. They refused to be discouraged by those who rejected Jesus as Savior. They ran their race to its end.

4. They rejoice in the eternal glory of Jesus as Savior.

Mark 4: 26-29 (NLT)

26 Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. 28 The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. 29 And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.”

Big Idea: The kingdom of God is like a planted and growing seed. Just like a growing seed, when we allow God’s word to take root and grow in our hearts, we experience the blessing of His truth. We can trust that God will nurture and bring to completion the work of faith that He has already started in us and in others whom we’ve shared His word with.

Inductive Bible Study Steps: Observation, Interpretation, and Application

Observation: What is plainly given in the text? what do you see here?

What are we observing in this passage? Keywords? Context? Who’s Speaking?

What’s Happening? Where is it happening? etc.

Interpretation: Meaning and understanding of text

What has Jesus already revealed about this text? What truth has the Holy Spirit revealed?

Application: How do we apply what we’ve learned in our lives (individually and communally)?

How can we apply what we’ve learned? What is our encouragement? Practical wisdom?

“Jesus also said, ‘The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground.” Mark 4:26 (NLT)

1. Observation:

Jesus is giving a parable about what the Kingdom of God is like. He says that the Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground.

2. Interpretation:

a. The farmer represents the believer who plants the word of God.

3. Application:

a. In God’s kingdom, he has entrusted us with his word. We should be in the practice of sowing the seed of God’s word:

i. Within ourselves first,

b. Start small, plant a “seed”

i. God brings others alongside us, and the Holy Spirit—the Helper—is always at work.

“Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens.” Mark 4:27 (NLT)

1. Observation:

The seed begins to grow and sprout. The farmer isn’t as actively involved with the growth of the seed. In fact, the growth of the seed is a mystery to him.

2. Interpretation:

a. Spiritual growth happens through God’s power, not solely through human effort, though our involvement (planting the seed) is still important (Isa. 55: 10-11)

3. Application

a. Trust God to continue His work in us and others, even when we can’t see the full picture.

i. Ask God for what you need, release the outcome to Him, and trust His timing.

c. Recognize we can’t force spiritual growth in ourselves or others; our role is to encourage and point people to Jesus, trusting God with the results.

“The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens” Mark 4:28 (NLT)

1. Observation:

The earth/soil has everything that it needs for the seed to grow. Growth happens in stages: first the blade, then the head, then the full grain.

2. Interpretation:

a. The earth/soil represents the heart of a person that well-receives the word of God

3. Application:

a. Thank God for what he has already done in you and others

“And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come” Mark 4:29 (NLT)

1. Observation:

a. The farmer harvests the mature grain.

2. Interpretation:

a. We will bear the fruit of God’s word at work within us at the right time

3. Application:

a. Encourage yourself and others to trust God’s timing

Final Observation:

Mark said: ‘Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand. In fact, in his public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them. ‘

Mark 4:33-34 (NLT)

Jesus shared what the parables meant to his disciples when they were alone. This means that he shared what the Kingdom of God is like when they spent time together. This is where it gets really “meta”, Mark never shares the details about what this parable meant. This is an invitation for us to learn from Jesus personally. We can’t grow without our Gardner and the True Vine [John 15:1]

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Kingdom Grows Through Planting: The work begins with faithfully sowing God’s word in our hearts and sharing it with others.

Next Steps

1. Prioritize Receiving and Sowing God’s Word: Commit to regular engagement with Scripture and look for opportunities to share its truth with others.

1. The Kingdom of heaven is the culmination of the good news of Jesus. This is the good news of Jesus:

a. God, who is the source of all goodness, morality, beauty, love, and authority created people to be a reflection of His character and authority. (Gen. 1:26-27)

 i. GOD IS INTO “INCREASE”

c. He planned that we would walk in His authority that He gave us to reflect His virtues—glorifying Him in caring for the earth.

“THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN”

l. Now with our connection restored, the mission is updated, but not changed. The good news is that God is restoring this world through the same methods He from the beginning: “be fruitful and multiply.” (be productive for good and increase)

 i. GOD IS INTO “INCREASE”

2. The Kingdom of Heaven starts with God, it starts small, then it increases.

a. read Luke 17:20-21

 i. The kingdom is within you, if you been reconnected with God.

b. read Matthew 13:31-33 | Luke 13:18-21

i. A “parable” is a comparison between 2 things to illustrate a point.

1. GOD PROVIDES THE INCREASE.

“OUR PART”

3. Are we a part of the increase?

a. This means the kingdom of God is in our hearts first (small area) and it should be increasing in our hearts.

 i. This may be through sharing the good news of Jesus with someone who never knew of Him (evangelism)

d. Examples | Testimonials:

 i. Story of the Good Samaritan – breaking down ethnic divisions to restore God’s original desire for a man in need (Luke 10:25-37)

1. Acts 2:44 – Christians shared things in common with each other.

4. Next Steps:

a. PRAY (for direction)

 i. Seek God for His will. Don’t make it up. God wants increase more than we do. Let Him lead.

b. When you hear direction from God, PRAY (for help) for the thing that needs to be done that you can’t do.

 i. Acts 11:27-30 – Christians use their spiritual gifts and resources to aid others in need.

d. All of this should be done prayerfully. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

5. Summary Conclusion:

a. This is the identity God restored in you:

 i. You are a royal priesthood, a holy people, God’s own people who bear His image. (1 Peter 2:9)

b. God will help us to be a part of the increase of His kingdom.

Key Verses: Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43

1. Horticultural Sabotage: Wheat vs. Bearded Darnel

a. The People listening to Jesus would have likely been able to picture this concept.

b. Wheat and darnel crops are identical to each other when they are immature. It isn’t until they reach maturity that one can visually distinguish which one is which.

2. What’s It Mean To “be good”?

a. In English,” good” can end up being a pretty subjective word.

i. Definition of good – (adjective) to be desired or having the qualities desired for a particular role

ii. Definition of good – (noun) that which is morally right; a benefit or advantage to someone or something

b. In Matthew 13:24 we have the Greek word transliterated as “Kalos”, which is appealing to the eye.

c. More examples of the word “good” in the Bible:

i. Genesis 1:31 – Hebrew word “tov” meaning merry, pleasant, desirable; in order, usable- efficient; friendly; kind; morally good

ii. Mark 10:17-18 – the Greek word “agathos;” good in character, perfect

3. The Important Take Away: Here on Earth, where the enemy has sown his weeds, believers and the spawn of the enemy are growing side-by-side. It is not enough to just be “good” in the subjective way we use the word. In our immaturity, just like the bearded darnel and the wheat, we are indistinguishable!

4. Worry About Yourself…

a. This isn’t an anti-accountability in relationship speech nor is this a call for selfishness/self-centered behavior. It’s especially not any condemnation! It’s a call to be constantly searching our hearts so that we become more like Christ daily…this is anti-complacency.

b. Just being able to quote scripture isn’t enough, if it’s not coming from a changed heart.

i. The Devil knows what God and the scripture says! (Scriptures: Matthew 4:6; Genesis 3:1)

c. The angels will do the separating of God’s people vs. the World’s people in the last days, so no need for us to worry about who’s who, our focus needs to be on examining our own hearts and responding to the Holy Spirit.

5. We Have To Grow Up.

a. God is calling us to maturity

i. 1 Corinthians 13:11

b. God is calling us to the bear fruit of our salvation.

i. Galatians 5:22-26

ii. Philippians 3:12

6. The Steps To Maturing

a. Read Your Bible – Let it change you to your core!

i. Hebrews 4:12

b. Increase Your Prayer Time

i. Romans 12:12

c. Praise and Worship – This Will Keep Your Focus Right

i. Psalm 96:2-3

d. “Say yes to God early and often” – Obedience is better than sacrifice!

i. 1 Samuel 15:22

7. A Note on What Lasts Forever: 1 Corinthians 13:13