Kingdom Principle: What will the Kingdom of God be like? Who will we find there? On what basis will we enter its gates? What we find in our text for this morning is that many will enter in, but solely on the basis of their relationship to Jesus. Our connection to Christ gains us entrance into God’s Heavenly Kingdom.
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Kingdom of God is ____________________________.
Luke 13:18–19 (ESV) 18 He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”
The mustards are annuals, reproduced with extraordinary rapidity wherever the seed finds a lodgment, a particular that seems to be implied in the parable. In fat soil they often attain a height of 10 or 12 ft., and have branches which attract the passing birds.
No longer was God’s kingdom limited to an ethnic people who could trace their lineage to a single origin. No, instead all people from all backgrounds were invited to participate in God’s kingdom.
Acts 2:41 (ESV) — 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Acts 4:4 (ESV) — 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
Acts 5:14 (ESV) — 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,
Acts 6:7 (ESV) — 7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
Acts 11:21 (ESV) — 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
When Jesus says that the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, he is not only acknowledging that it had humble beginnings, he is also anticipating that the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ would one day permeate the whole known world.
The Religious Elite imagined the Kingdom of God was narrow but broad. They believed that it was reserved for Israel and that all of Israel would be included because of their lineage.
John 8:39–42 (ESV) — 39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.
John 8:58–59 (ESV) — 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.
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The Kingdom of God is _____________________________.
Luke 13:26–27 (ESV) — 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’
The only way into the kingdom is through Jesus himself. The kingdom is offered to all, but only on the basis of their connection to Christ. Simply knowing of Jesus or being socially acquainted with him is not enough. We must be a guest at this table. We must be family.
Ephesians 2:19 (ESV) — 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
Questions to Consider
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In what ways does the remarkable growth of God’s kingdom show that God often does more than we anticipate? In what ways is God working in your life in a way you didn’t expect?
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Reflect on being a guest at God’s table. In what ways does this cause you to be amazed?
