Overview
What and where is the Kingdom of Heaven? Can you see it? How can you engage it? These questions and more will be explored over the next seven weeks as we unpack Jesus’ timeless parables about the Kingdom of Heaven. Spoiler alert: these parables are life-changing.
October 8 | Matthew 13:31-32 | The Kingdom of Heaven is like . . . a Mustard Seed
A mustard seed starts small and seemingly insignificant, but it grows like wildfire. According to Jesus, the Kingdom of Heaven starts similarly. It was insignificant at first, but now it has caught fire across the globe, and our actions help spread it.
October 15 | Matthew 13:33 The Kingdom of Heaven is like . . . a Leaven | Pastor Ben
October 22 | Matthew 13:44 | The Kingdom of Heaven is like . . . a Hidden Treasure | Pastor Lacey
October 29 | Matthew 13:47-50 | The Kingdom of Heaven is like . . . a Net
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a net that catches fish of every kind. Think about this. Everyone is caught up in the kingdom experience. Everything is captured by the divine presence that hovers over. This metaphor says a lot to how we should see and engage those around us.
November 5 | Matthew 13:45-46 | The Kingdom of Heaven is like . . . a Pearl
Could you sell everything you own? I could only if what I was buying in return was worth it. Jesus offers us an image of the Kingdom that he believes is worth it. He says Kingdom of Heaven is like a pearl that is so mesmerizing it enraptures us to sell everything we have just to buy it.
November 12 | Matthew 13:24-30 | The Kingdom of Heaven is like . . . Weeds and Wheat
The Kingdom of Heaven is growing and producing good wheat. Unfortunately, weeds spout up in the middle of the good growth. Should you cut it out? According to Jesus, “No. You should not.” Let the weeds and wheat grow together. They will be separated in the harvest. So too will people in the Kingdom of God.
November 19 | Matthew 13:1-9 |The Kingdom of Heaven is like . . . a Sower in a Field
Why would a competent sower sow seeds on ground he knows won’t take root? It seems bizarre but that’s how the Kingdom of Heaven works. Despite some things taking root, the Kingdom spreads everywhere and to every thing. The farmer, like God, is giving everyone a chance to root themselves in Kingdom work.