Peter tells us in this passage that we (believers in Jesus) are a chosen people of God, His treasured possession. But God is also quick to make clear that we are not chosen on the basis of who we are. Instead, as Deuteronomy 7 also makes clear, God chooses us because of His own great love and perfect plan to save His people. Because of the LORD's goodness to the elect in Jesus Christ, God even makes the redeemed to be His holy tabernacle, His dwelling place. And He will be with the redeemed and dwell with them/in them for all of eternity. What great good news!

Jesus brings His third teaching discourse to a close with a few parables that explain more about the Kingdom of God. We see in these verses that the Kingdom of Heaven is of utmost importance and supreme value. Beyond this, if we are equipped with the Kingdom of God (and really, God Himself) as our treasure, then there is nothing that we will lack in this life. And we will be able to bring out of that treasure whatever we may need in order to bless others.

Jesus continues to explain what the Kingdom of Heaven is like in these next two parables. The parable of the mustard seed helps us to see that God's Kingdom is mightier than all others. It starts in smallness, but it will grow into a Kingdom that encompasses the entire universe. The parable of the leaven teaches us that God's Kingdom will continue to work and spread silently, even sometimes without visible effect. But when Christ returns, the Kingdom will have permeated all things, and anything unleavened by God's grace will be cast out.

Matthew continues to record Jesus' parables in chapter 13. The second major parable in this teaching discourse of Jesus' is The Parable of the Weeds. In this parable, Jesus explains that the Kingdom of God/Heaven is like the planting of a field that has good seed, as well as weeds, sown into it. Wisely and patiently, God instructs His workers not to uproot the weeds until the time of harvest at the end of the age. So great is His love for His people that He even suffers evil in the world so that His people can ultimately be saved.

We look at Matthew 13 in this sermon, specifically at The Parable of the Sower (and its explanation). In these verses, Jesus gives a marvelous depiction of what the Kingdom of Heaven does as God's Word is sown throughout the world. The Word of God will not return to the Father without fulfilling the purpose for which He sent it: to glorify His name in and through the person and work of Jesus, His Son. May the Spirit cause this work to bear fruit in each of your lives today!

Matthew 13 begins Jesus' third major teaching discourse in the Gospel account. Verses 10 through 17 give us an explanation from Jesus Himself as to why He taught in parables. His extension of both the grace of God and the judgment of God in the parables fulfills the prophecy from Isaiah 6. Through it all, we see that Jesus is ultimately the embodiment of the Kingdom of God/Heaven, and through Him we gain access into that Kingdom.

Matthew, chapter 12, ends one of the longer narrative sections in this Gospel account. Jesus interacts here both with his disciples and with his own family. He explains, with striking force, that no one has a privilege or right before God, unless it is granted to them by Jesus (John 1:12-13). Jesus explains clearly that those who do his Father's will are the ones who belong to the family and household of God.

As we continue in James 1, pastor James highlights the importance of a life built on the wisdom of God. The greatest barrier to living a wise life is simply not asking God for wisdom. Beyond this, we see that the wisdom that God gives us must be acted upon. It must be lived out by the power of Jesus Christ.

What do you do when times are tough? Have you considered that God is testing your faith? Ultimately, God wants His people to be able to find joy even in the most difficult of situations. As we take up our cross to follow the Lord Jesus, may God continue to make us more and more like His Son, our Savior.

Psalm 23 represents an incredible testimony that the God of the Bible is a deeply relational God. He is not only Creator and Sustainer of all things; He is the Shepherd of His people. This psalm teaches us that God is a Savior of His people; He is the Security of His people; and He is the Shelter for His people.