The Hidden Kingdom

Kingdom of Heaven (Gospel & Inward Kingdom/ Reign of God in our hearts)

Receiving the Seed/Yeast (Leaven)

Mustard seed (planted in a field)

To 10' in size (Spread of the Gospel all over the world, last 2000 years)

Its fruit provides flavor to food, relieving pain, and for healing

Birds in its branches - Provides habitation for growth & life

No one plants just one seed (Care for each seed that is sown & Certainty for the effectiveness of the Gospel)

Yeast (kneaded into bread dough)

Also, provides flavor to food and drink. (primarily in bread and alcohol)

One small portion leavens the dough (50-60 lbs. for 100 people)

(an absurd amount, probably enough for a party)

Must be worked into the dough (it takes work to kneaded)

It must be warmed & left for a time to rise

Responding by Giving All for What has the Most Value

Hidden Treasure (selling all to attain it)

Finding treasure with Joy

Selling (giving up all to attain it; absurd)

Investing in a place to keep it; spiritual home to keep faith

Pearl

Merchant whose purpose was to find pearls

Finds most valuable one

Sells everything for it

JW - "He that finds this treasure hides it deep in his heart, and gives up all other happiness for it."

Unlike literal treasures and pearls, the kingdom of God cannot be possessed, but it certainly be joined and embodied by living out the words of God.

Thanks be to God, when we fail to hear the divine words, or see the kingdom of God alive and active in the world, God lives and moves to redeem the entire world.

God Sorts It Out

Net (full but it is necessary to sort it out)

The Net is the Gospel, let down to catch all kinds

Brought up full

Fish sorted by (mature and flavorful qualities)

In the end all will be separated (wicked from righteous)

The wicked stand out from the righteous

The sober reality is that the wicked (those who reject who they were created to be in God) will be eternally tormented by the disdain and separation from their Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer.

JW - “Christian discipline, and strong, close exhortation [among believers], begin that separation in this world [out of a changing of values], which will be accomplished by the angels of God in the end.”

The truth of God is present in both the Law and Gospels are treasures.

The treasure of the Scriptures need to be brought to understanding and honored for the life and growth in the Spirit, with the help of other mature believers.

Brothers and sisters receive the words of life together in the field of the world.

Brothers and sisters in Christ respond by giving all that you are and have.

So that, we may be found righteous and lovingly served by Christ now and at the heavenly banquet.