Mustard Seed

Introduction

Greetings…

Today, we begin a new series of lessons this year for our afternoon lessons here on each third Sunday.

We will be examining the “Parables In The New Testament.”

Today, we being in Matthew 13:31-32, which is typically titled “The Parable Of The Mustard Seed.”

Matthew 13:31–32 ESV

31 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

Let’s examine our lesson for today by beginning with…

The Parable

Small Beginnings.

In this parable Jesus uses the Mustard seed, one of the smallest seeds in the world, to symbolize the prophesied small beginnings of the church.

Daniel 2:34–35 ESV

34 As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, all together were broken in pieces, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, so that not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

Consider what R.C. Trench wrote about this humble beginning, starting with the Messiah himself.

“The Son of Man grew up in a despised province; he did not appear in public until his thirtieth year; then taught for tow or three years in neighboring villages, and occasionally at Jerusalem; made a few converts, chiefly among the poor and unlearned; and then falling into the hands of his enemies, died the shameful death of the cross; such, and so slight, was the commencement of the universal kingdom of God.” (R.C. Trench, Notes On The Parables Of Our Lord)

However, though it started out with a small beginning it quickly…

Grows To Greatness.

Again, Jesus likens the kingdom of God to the mustard seed’s eventual outcome, a strong tree.

Matthew 13:32 ESV

32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.

This growth, as we read in the book of Acts, would be tremendous.

Though it would start as a small stone it would become like a mountain that filled the whole earth (Daniel 2:35).

Though it would start out as one of the smallest of seeds, it would grow into a tree (Matthew 13:32).

The 120 disciples grew to 3,000 in the first day.

Acts 1:15 ESV

15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said

Acts 2:41 ESV

41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

That 3,000 grew to over 5,000 not much later.

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.

The church would continue to multiply in Jerusalem (Acts 6:7) and throughout all of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria (Acts 9:31).

Years later, we read of the “many thousands” or “myriads” of believers in Jerusalem alone, even after the persecution of Paul (Acts 21:20).

Summary

With this simple parable, Jesus offers his small number of disciples encouragement.

The point he wants to help them understand is that, though they are few, they will be a part of something great!!!

This same encouragement is meant today for…

The Church

Small Influence.

In the previous two parables we read of the “Sower & The Seed” and “The Weeds.”

Each of these parables demonstrates that not everyone will accept the word of God or stay faithful to him if they do accept it.

However, that doesn’t mean each congregation, no matter their size, isn’t doing their part to impact the “church.”

We are a small congregation, but we are a part of the church which fills the whole earth and that cannot be defeated (Daniel 2:44).

Daniel 2:44 ESV

44 And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever

This means that every time we have a small influence those around us spiritually speaking, for the better, we actually have a…

Great Impact.

That impact we have on the kingdom of God, isn’t always measured in numbers.

Think of those that impacted the lives in Smyrna, when the church was established there.

They probably had no idea of the great impact they were eventually going to have on this congregation, but of this “most likely small congregation” we read…

Revelation 2:8–9 ESV

8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. 9 “ ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Revelation 2:10 ESV

10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Summary

The size of a congregation does not determine the impact it has.

No the size of the local church is only of no value if it has no influence in the lives of those it comes in contact with.

Conclusion

Thomas D. Lea once stated, “Godliness has the potential of impacting all actions, experiences, and relationships for good.”

Though we may look like a “mustard seed” in comparison to other congregations, our faithfulness, no matter the situation allows us to have a great impact for the church of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ.

Invitation

Isaiah 59:1–2 ESV

1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

Philippians 2:6–7 ESV

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.