A Harvest in Spite of Insignificant Beginnings

Illustration: Common phrase “He that hath ears to ear...” - One way to see the parables is Christ throwing the ball into their court. Playing fetch with the dog. He has a hard time bringing the ball back....Those who respond and draw near, enter into the kingdom. The response is that of doing the will of God. From the context, “doing the will of God” has to do with receiving Jesus Christ as Lord.

Eternal Life:

There are those who are on the inside and there are those who are on the outside. This does not mean that someone can lose their salvation. This means that there are those who are truly born again, and then there are those who are not truly born again.

Works and Salvation:

Works are NOT necessary for receiving salvation, but they are evidence of true salvation. In spite of this fact, the fruit, strictly in this context, is that of those who are drawing near. Before there is the “doing” that proves salvation, there is a new “desire” for Jesus that proves salvation.

Illustration: For the SAT’s we used to have to bring 2 #two pencils. Sometimes you would get one of those pencils and the lead inside of the pencil had would slide out by an inch or so. What good is a pencil, upon examination day, if there is no lead in it?

Is there something so powerful that it can take a sinful, self-serving individual and powerfully make them new and lead them in a life of faithful devotion to the Lord?

Brief Application:

This is especially relevant for some of you today. Some are unwilling to come to Christ because they don’t want to give up their pleasures. Some don’t want to give up what they think is autonomy. You know you are NOT right with God, but you are unwilling to accept the free gift of salvation because you don’t want to give up something. What if there were something powerful enough to actually change you?

Is the gospel of the kingdom really able to build a kingdom, especially from insignificant beginnings?

Remember that Jesus Christ has come preaching the gospel of the kingdom. He is the kingdom of God manifest in flesh. He is teaching authoritatively. He is showing dominion over demons…etc

But, then there are the glaring inconsistencies:

Jesus is a man

Jesus submits himself for baptism

Jesus is subjected to temptation in the wilderness

Jesus apparently needs human followers/disciples

Jesus is spending time with the sinners and hated ones

Jesus is going forth, primarily to the Jews (a despised people)

Jesus is despised by the despised people (leaders)

Jesus apparently cannot force these leaders’ hearts to change

Jesus is being spoken against - as empowered by Satan

Can such a kingdom, led by this King really do anything powerful? Can such a message accomplish all that seems to be said? Could something with such apparent lowly beginnings, and such mixed reviews actually be from the God of Heaven? This is especially true for the first century readers, living under the powerful hand of Rome.

These are the kinds of questions that these two parables will seek to answer. What we will conclude is that:

The gospel of the kingdom is able to build an unparalleled, unexpected kingdom through seemingly insignificant beginnings. (clarify the “gospel”)

Propositional Truth:

Because it is certain that the kingdom of God will prevail in spite of humble beginnings, all men are urged to accept the gospel of the kingdom.

(1) You must be ready for the harvest (v. 26 - 29)

Explanation:

All that the man does here is plant the seed. Though our minds may make us to think that he is tending to the field, the story does not tell us this. Why? The point of the parable is to show that:

(i) the man does not have the power to make the seed fruitful. He has to have faith that divine, natural order will take place. Point: he has to trust that God will do something.

(ii) there is a certain progression that becomes evident

(iii) the harvest certainly comes (though this is often seen as a time of judgment, the point of this parable is to show the positive expectation of the harvest, in spite of no human cultivation).

Application:

Much of the success & failure of the religion of the day relied upon human effort, but the kingdom of God would be a kingdom set up by God, and it is unnecessary to think that its’ fruitfulness would depend upon human effort.

Principle:

What we know for sure is that there is a time of harvest that came at the Resurrection of Jesus Christ,

1 Corinthians 15:20 KJV 1900

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

and there is a time of harvest that is coming at the end of the world. What will be manifested is:

1 Corinthians 15:23 KJV 1900

But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

Are you ready for the harvest?

Brief Application:

Attracted by Faster Results Elsewhere [Amazon Prime Results]

A contemporary situation would be where someone hears the gospel of the kingdom and is not sure that this is the best way to really be successful. They are unconvinced, or pretend as though they are convinced and so they move along. They may even stay for a little while but eventually begin to wonder if the gospel can really do what it says it can.

The application here would be that there is certainty that the gospel will bring forth a harvest. It is as certain as the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(2) You mustn't be fooled by perceptions (v. 30 - 32)

Explanation:

The point of this illustration is to give a contrast. The seed is so small that one could not imagine the plant that would shoot forth from it.

[illustration: premature child growing up to be taller, larger than average]

Principle:

Don’t be fooled by humble beginnings.

It is easy to look at the Roman Empire or the kingdom that these religious leaders are living for and to think that they have real power, but the lowly beginnings of the kingdom of God should not make you consider it to be impotent. ,

Isaiah 53:11–12 KJV 1900

He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; For he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, And he shall divide the spoil with the strong; Because he hath poured out his soul unto death: And he was numbered with the transgressors; And he bare the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.

Philippians 2:8–10 KJV 1900

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Brief Application:

Attraction by Other Kingdoms:

Another situation is where someone refuses to receive the gospel because they don't see an attracting appeal externally. They see the trappings and are too concerned with what they will have to give up. They consider that their current experiences, materials...etc Are far greater than what they perceive to be offered in the kingdom. They see the kingdoms of this world, the structures of this world, as far greater in strength than the weaker Christian community.

The application here is that the Kingdom of God will expand to reveal glorious strength above all kingdoms.

(3) You must enter by faith (v. 33 - 34)

Explanation:

This phrase “as they were able to hear it” is a connection again with those who have ears to hear. The point is that they must respond to what they do hear, by faith, and the Lord continues to give more.

It is important to realize what he’s telling them:

(i) the gospel of the kingdom is powerful - faith is required. This means no trust in self.

(ii) the kingdom may have small beginnings, but don’t be fooled it will organically grow - many will be saved and brought under the rule of God into the kingdom of Christ.

It is the gospel that is the very bedrock of this kingdom:

(1) Christ will be planted and bring forth fruit through his Resurrection -

(2) Christ began in ruddy appearance but was ultimately glorified

Romans 1:16 KJV 1900

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Conclusion:

USH - What is amazing about this is that God did not rely upon human power to accomplish this work. The kingdoms that men kept setting up were riddled with sin and strife, but God has set things in motion that cannot be thwarted. He Himself has come to save people and build His kingdom.

Colossians 1:12–13 KJV 1900

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Non-Christian - this is again a stern warning. A time of harvest is coming where true believers will be made manifest. In addition, a secondary warning is to fight against the common perceptions of judging success by initial appearances or by wordly standards. What matters most is when the kingdom is consummated, who's kingdom will you be a part of?

Matthew 7:21–23 KJV 1900

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Public - The Christian's life in public should not be marked by easily swaying over initial appearances. It may seem that the Lord will not return, and it may appear that the kingdom of God is being violently attacked and losing; but we are not of those who draw back. In public, our lives can confidently show forth King Jesus even when the world judges us by a different standard of success. Why? We know the harvest is coming. We are sure that His kingdom will prevail. ,

2 Peter 3:3–4 KJV 1900

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

2 Peter 3:10–11 KJV 1900

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

Unity in Diversity - It should be noted that just as the initial beginnings of the kingdom appear to be somewhat of a paradox, consider that no one enters the kingdom except by the same way. All (rich/poor, black/white) must relinquish self-dependence and humbly have faith in Christ alone. What began as a lowly creature in need of salvation becomes a new creature who will shine forth as a child of the kingdom.

Work - to the Christian employee, this shapes our entire perspective because we are not merely laboring for a financial harvest at the end of a pay period; but we recognize that we are laborers as subjects of the kingdom of God. This guides our attitudes, our thoughts, and our actions.

Gender/Marriage/Family - For Christian men and women, this means that gender equality is not that which will bring you the power to accomplish what you want. Rather, you see that the gospel of the kingdom is the divine work that brings about the harvest. The world may consider a distinction in function to be weakness but in the kingdom, the weak are made strong. In the kingdom the least are the greatest. Don't believe the narrative of the world. This includes for spousal roles.

Individual Christians (Singles) - You may be considering that money, career - these are what really makes you successful and powerful; but for the Christian, it is the gospel that saves you and brings forth a harvest. You may consider the service opportunities to be smaller in the Lord's work, but what has weak beginnings has a powerful end.

Your Local Church - This means that the local church, as the embassy or outpost of the kingdom of God is involved in the greatest work. We believe that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation for all people. Thus, in spite of lesser means, appearances, structures - we confident that what began with a lowly Carpenter will conclude with a Glorious Savior - and until He returns we live believing that people must be part of His kingdom through salvation. We preach the gospel to every creature. We get involved in giving, going, sending!

Questions:

Christian, are you tired because you think that the success of the gospel rests on your shoulders? Know that we work, not because the success rests on us, but because we believe Christ has already won. Will you decide to rest in Christ’s finished work today?

Christian, are you often deceived by appearances, and this leads you to poor decisions - in your careers, your relationships, your homes…etc Do you see success based on how the world sees success? [You have an “American Idol” or “The Voice” idea of success…] Will you confess and ask the Lord to help you with this tendency today?

Unbeliever, do not be fooled, the harvest is coming. Are you ready? Will you give your life to the Lord Jesus Christ today?

Illustration:

Jussie Smollette case in Chicago. - he allegedly staged this racial attack…etc It ultimately did not turn out the way he apparently had intended, though there was no prosecution made. Here’s the point, our world is characterized by pursuits, desires, works that leave division, strife, and regret.

As Christians, we should not be deceived into thinking that the church and the kingdom of God is small potatoes. Consider the end. Consider Christ. We have more today to go on because of Christ’s finished work.

For unbelievers, you are not dealing with Chicago prosecutors who have a conflict of interest. You are dealing with God, your Creator…etc