The Kingdom of God is Like
- Power In the Blood Assembly
- May 5
- 6 min read
“An Instrument of Change”
Pastor Terrence Sobers
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
Mathew 13:31-32 31 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, 32 which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”
The Parable of the Leaven
Mathew 13:33; 37 33 Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three [c]measures of meal till it was all leavened.” 37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
Mathew 13:44 44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
Mathew 13:45-46 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
The Parable of the Dragnet
Mathew 13:47-52 47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, 48 which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” 51 [d]Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes, [e]Lord.” 52 Then He said to them, “Therefore every [f]scribe instructed [g]concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”
Main Points:
The Kingdom Grows toward Significance
The Kingdom Transforms from Within
The Kingdom is worthy of Sacrifice
The Kingdom must be Pursued
The Kingdom draws all kinds to itself and is Judicial
The Kingdom is Redemptive in Nature
The Kingdom is Eternal in Nature and has Dominion
Summary
The Kingdom of God has many attributes that are often ignored by most believers. As a result they never experience the fullness, commit change and be as fruitful as God envisioned. This Kingdom is eternal, redemptive, judicial and empowering. It starts small from within by simple methods but creates significant change and transformation outwardly and has the capacity to transform the entire world.
Key themes
The Kingdom Grows Toward Significance
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
31 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, 32 which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”
The Kingdom of God starts with small, simple things and actions- Sharing the Gospel, being kind to a neighbour, reading the word, sharing fellowship yet grows into a massive, transformative presence that impacts the whole world- transforms your thinking, your beliefs, your actions and your ultimate destiny.
It signifies rapid expansion, divine growth from humble origins, and the provision of spiritual refuge for many - Families are helped, homeless, sick, needy, creates a community for the disenfranchised the intent, desire of the heart and actions of a man being good, creates an environment for change individually and then communally
The Kingdom Transforms from Within
The Parable of the Leaven
33 Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three [c]measures of meal till it was all leavened.”
It is internal focusing, it grows from inside out- the ways it enters sems insignificant, but the results are visible and impactful
The Kingdom has a Power to cause rapid growth that belies its size-the Gospel is simple words, yet the degree of heart change, societal change, and ultimately world change it can cause is incredible
The Kingdom is worthy of Sacrifice
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
The kingdom can be stumbled upon- it is present for persons to encounter while on there way in natural life
The Kingdom is of Great value- the gospel and God’s way are of supreme worth to the wellbeing of Mankind
The kingdom warrants any sacrifice to possess them. The sacrifice is viewed as a good trade
The Kingdom gives Joy- It highlights that discovering this kingdom brings immense joy, prompting a willing surrender of all earthly possessions to secure it
The Kingdom must be Pursued
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
The Kingdom must be sought- it is not immediately obvious, it requires pursuit and perseverance to uncover its true substance
The merchant represents a seeker of truth or, in some interpretations, Christ himself,
The costly pearl represents salvation in its multitudinous aspects- saved from sin, saved from death and hell, saved from sickness and disease etc.
Exposure to joy and wellbeing, exposure to wisdom and purpose etc.
The kingdom makes all other pursuits seem less valuable
The Kingdom draws all kinds to itself and is Judicial
The Parable of the Dragnet
47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, 48 which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
The Kingdom is attractive and draws all kinds of persons to itself when it is properly presented
The Kingdom is inclusive - there are genuine, nominal and false Christians in every church and are allowed to participate and be exposed to the presence of God and His word
The Kingdom is judicious - it ultimately separates the changed from the unchanged
52 Then He said to them, “Therefore every [f]scribe instructed [g]concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”
A scribe - A teacher brings out old principles (timeless truths) and new perspectives (current applications) to make the Gospel relevant to modern situations.
A householder - Knowledge of the kingdom makes you become a master of a household - someone who possesses substance and authority
Treasure - Knowledge of the kingdom makes you a possessor of things of Value- wisdom, character, vision, spiritual and natural ability, capacity for impact
Old and New - They will possess new and ancient skills and understanding, revelations and methodologies
The Kingdom is Redemptive in Nature
Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to [a]heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
The Kingdom is empowered by the Spirit of God
The kingdom spreads through preaching and teaching
The Kingdom spreads through healing and comfort
The Kingdom spreads through enlightenment and freedom
The Kingdom is Eternal in Nature and has Dominion
(Psalm 145:13) "Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations"
The kingdom will have no End - it is enduring and indestructible
The kingdom can rule and have preeminence in any generation, culture or age
Daniel 2:44 And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall [a]break in pieces and [b]consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.
Declarative Prayer:
Dear God
Help me to be transformed by your Kingdom
Help me to Know your Kingdom and make it Known
Help me to Establish your kingdom and see it Grow
Help me to be Redeemed and make me a Redeemer
IN JESUS NAME
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