This study was first taught on November 20, 2012

Topic: The Kingdom of God (4): The Parable of the Mustard Seed

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Background
Last week, we looked at the Parable of the Dragnet (Matthew 13:47-50) being compared to the kingdom of God. In this parable, the dragnet that was cast into the sea gathered some of every kind of sea animals into the net, which when it was full, was drawn to the shore and the fishermen sat down to sort out its contents. The good fish was gathered into vessels, while they threw the bad and unwanted away. Jesus commented that, “So it will be at the end of the Age”. The angels will come forth to separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire, where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. And so we gathered that Jesus was using this Parable to warn the Church and all who seek entry into the kingdom, that not everyone who desires to be in the kingdom of God will actually be chosen on the Last Day, but only the sheep of His pasture who are imputed as: good, just, clothed in fine linen of righteousness, and, are full of good works approved by God; for many are called but few chosen!. We learned from several scriptures that anything that is unclean or defiles can never be allowed into the kingdom of heaven! Therefore, seeing that regular church attendance, being busy in the house of God always, praying daily, or, even having a burning desire to make heaven without being in right standing with God will avail us nothing! So, we concluded that the believer should be diligent to make his or her calling and election sure, so that there will be no surprises on the Last Day.

Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 13:31-32 (Luke 13:18-19)
Today, we shall be studying the Parable of the Mustard Seed, and again, we know that Jesus was not about to give the people a lesson in agriculture or forestry; but was communicating to them, an important truth about His Father’s kingdom which is relevant for us today. So, why did Jesus liken the kingdom of God to a mustard seed which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew to become a large tree where the birds of the air nested in its branches?

John 12:32; 1 Peter 2:2; John 15:1-2, 5-6 (Isaiah 60:21;61:3); John 3:22, 26-27, 34-35; Romans 8:29; Mark 2:1-2, 12; 3:7-10; 5:18-20, 24; Matthew 10:1-8; Luke 10:1-19; John 10:16; Acts 1:8; 2:1-11 (1 Corinthians 14:22a), 37-43; 4:1-4; 5:12-16; 8:4-8; 11:19-21; 9:15-16, 20-22; 11:25-26; 13:1-3, 6-12, 42-49; 14:27; 16:20-21; 17:1-6; 19:6-12, 18-20, 21-41; 20:1-4, 17-24; 18:24-28; 1Corinthians 3:6; 2 Corinthians 5:17-19.

Conclusion
Tonight’s study reveals that the word of God, which is likened in this parable to a mustard seed (and said to be the smallest of all seeds), in the life of a man or woman, is capable of producing wonderful results! It has the power to germinate, receive nourishment, grow, take over territories and domains, and, bring the truly converted believer in Jesus Christ, to the place of spiritual maturity; which will enable him or her to render acceptable service to God, and bear fruit which will abide in the kingdom of God.
This, we have proven through examining Jesus’ brief earthly life and ministry as a ‘mustard’ seed; the Apostles and disciples’ plantings during the Early Church era; and, following some of the missionary encounters of Paul, the Apostle of Christ, and Apollos, as ‘mustard seeds’, in expectation of what the kingdom of God is capable of achieving with the in-dwelling Spirit in our day! Wherever the ‘seed’ of the kingdom of God is planted or received in earnest, it is able to grow and overtake every false way, doctrine, ideology, or philosophy, thereby bringing salvation, deliverance, joy, safety and security to as many as embrace it (Psalm 91:1-16). We are the planting of the Lord, with great potentials to reach the world for Christ; and it is for this reason that the Lord has committed to every Christian, the ministry of reconciliation.

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