THE HEART THAT DESERVES THE KINGDOM OF GOD, Dr. Samuel Lee
WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN LIKE?
Passage: Matthew 13:31~35  
Key verse: 33
The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast(A)(B)
31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like(C) a mustard seed,(D) which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”(E)
33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like(F) yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds[a] of flour(G) until it worked all through the dough.”(H)
34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.(I) 35 So was fulfilled(J) what was spoken through the prophet:
Footnotes
- Matthew 13:33 Or about 27 kilograms
- Matthew 13:35 Psalm 78:2
Cross references
- Matthew 13:31 : 13:31, 32pp — Mk 4:30-32
- Matthew 13:31 : 13:31-33pp — Lk 13:18-21
- Matthew 13:31 : S ver 24
- Matthew 13:31 : Mt 17:20; Lk 17:6
- Matthew 13:32 : Ps 104:12; Eze 17:23; 31:6; Da 4:12
- Matthew 13:33 : S ver 24
- Matthew 13:33 : Ge 18:6
- Matthew 13:33 : Gal 5:9
- Matthew 13:34 : S Jn 16:25
- Matthew 13:35 : ver 14; S Mt 1:22
- Matthew 13:35 : Ps 78:2; Ro 16:25, 26; 1Co 2:7; Eph 3:9; Col 1:26
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
1. It is like a mustard seed (31-32)
Jesus gave parables to help people understand the kingdom of heaven, which cannot be seen or touched. It is a miracle of nature how a small seed such as a mustard seed can become a large plant with spreading branches. In the same way, the work of God can grow from very humble beginnings to become a blessing to the world. Each of us can be like a mustard seed of the kingdom when we have the life of Jesus in us.
2. It is like yeast in dough (33-35)
When a small amount of yeast is mixed through a lump of dough, it is invisible. But it causes the dough to rise and expand greatly. In the same way, God's people may not look remarkable among the people of the world, but by their influence they can raise society up toward the kingdom of God. Jesus revealed deep secrets of the kingdom of heaven with stories about ordinary things.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing the principles of the kingdom of heaven. Make me a mustard-seed-like influence in this world.
One Word: The kingdom of heaven starts small and grows.
Jesus gave parables to help people understand the kingdom of heaven, which cannot be seen or touched. It is a miracle of nature how a small seed such as a mustard seed can become a large plant with spreading branches. In the same way, the work of God can grow from very humble beginnings to become a blessing to the world. Each of us can be like a mustard seed of the kingdom when we have the life of Jesus in us.
2. It is like yeast in dough (33-35)
When a small amount of yeast is mixed through a lump of dough, it is invisible. But it causes the dough to rise and expand greatly. In the same way, God's people may not look remarkable among the people of the world, but by their influence they can raise society up toward the kingdom of God. Jesus revealed deep secrets of the kingdom of heaven with stories about ordinary things.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing the principles of the kingdom of heaven. Make me a mustard-seed-like influence in this world.
One Word: The kingdom of heaven starts small and grows.