The Kingdom of Heaven is Like Leaven

Transcription

1 The Kingdom of Heaven is Like Leaven Introduction: Another parable he spoke to them; The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three means of meal until the whole was leavened. (Matthew 13:33) Read also Luke 13: In this parable Jesus uses leaven as a symbol of the wholesome influence of His kingdom; the church (Matthew 16:18,19). Let us know study the qualities of leaven and the application to our lives. Leaven is a Silently Working Force 1. We can no more see or hear leaven working than we can see or hear the trees growing. a. We are to avoid doing things to be seen by men i. Matthew 6:1-8 ii. Romans 1:30 b. We are to live lives of humility, gentleness, and quietness. i. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 ii. 1 Timothy 2:2 iii. 1 Peter 3:4 iv. Galatians 5:22-23 v. James 3:17 vi. 2 Timothy 2:24 vii. Titus 3:2 1

2 Leaven Influences and Is Not Influenced 1. Leaven does not cease to be leaven because it is hid in the meal; rather, it influences the meal until it, too, is leavened; Christians should guard against losing their identity in the world so they may influence the world be become Christ- like. a. We are to transform Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 6:17,18 b. We are to overcome the world 1 John 5:4,5 c. We should look out for the interests of others James 1:27 d. We should not befriend the world James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17; John 15:19; 17:16. e. We need to always remember His kingdom is not of this world John 18:36 2. Share Biblical examples of people becoming influenced by the world. a. Genesis 19 Lot s family 3. Share Biblical examples of people who were NOT influenced by the world. a. Daniel 1:8 - Daniel Leaven Works Persistently and Unceasingly, Though the Majority Is Against It. 1. Jesus stated in this parable, until the whole world was leavened. 2. Quitters never win, and winners never quit. a. Jesus never quit Hebrews 12:2 b. Paul never quit 2 Corinthians 4:23-33; 2 Timothy 4:6-8 c. We are never to quit 1 Corinthians 15:58; Galatians 6:9 Leaven Works From Within To Without 1. In the parable the leaven was, hid in three measures of meal, and here it stated its work. a. Conversion and reformation must spring from the heart; from within i. Romans 6:16-18 ii. Matthew 15:8 b. We must not focus on the externals only to neglect the internals. i. Matthew 23:25-28 Leaven Must Be Mixed with the Substance To Be Influenced. 1. In the parable the leaven was hid in the meal. It must make contact: a. Jesus made contact with sinners Matthew 9:9-12 b. We all have our spheres of influence and opportunity. 2

3 c. Meal without leaven is not affected. Lost humanity will remain lost until we contact them. i. God works for men through men 1. Acts 8: Acts 9: Corinthians 4:7 d. If men ever hear the gospel and are saved, it will be because we contacted them and taught them. Leaven Exerts Its Peculiar Influence by Virtue of the Fact That It is Leaven 1. Just be a real Christian in thought, word, deed, and influence will take care of itself. Leaven Changes the Substance into Which It Is Placed Into the Nature of Leaven Itself. 1. Self assessment: a. Are you willing for your companion, children, fellow- workmen, schoolmates, neighbors, etc., to be changed into the same type personality you are? b. Suppose every person in the world was the same type person I am as: a husband or wife? A son or daughter? A father or mother? A church member? A citizen? An employer or employee. c. Suppose every member was: A soul winner like me? Read the Bible like me? Prayed like me? Gave like me? Talked like me? Visited like me? Attended like me? Had an attitude like me? Leaven Multiplies: It is Contagious 1. The early church multiplied. a. Acts 2:47 b. Acts 4:4 c. Acts 5:14 d. Acts 6:7 e. Acts 19:20 i. So evangelistic, gospel preached to every creature. 1. Colossians 1:6,23 2. Leaven influences gradually, part by part. a. If each one, tells one; we will get the job done! 3

4 Leaven Causes the Mass Into Which It Is Inserted To Swell and Bubble; to Seethe. 1. Leaven zumee is from the Greek zeo which means to boil or seethe as in fermentation. a. When we make contact with the world, not everyone will appreciate it. b. Biblical example is Acts 17:6 Leaven Renders Palatable That Which It Influences. 1. Under the influence of Christ; people are transformed. a. John, one of the sons of thunder was transformed into the apostle of love. b. Peter, a fickle and vacillating character, was changed into a stone- like personality. c. John Mark, who turned back on the first missionary tour become profitable for ministry. d. Who is next? Who is someone who has been written off will Christ use for His glory? Leaven Works Slowly 1. Sometimes it take considerable time to influence and win a soul for Christ. Let us not grow weary (Galatians 6:9). Leaven Just a Little of It Can Add Its Qualities Too Much 1. Amazing to contemplate what great good can be done by just one person or by a few. a. Jonah 3:4-11 One man saved a whole city. 2. Let us never acquire the mindset which says we cannot do anything for the cause of Christ. 3. Regardless of our congregation size, let us be strong, fighting and influencing for Christ. a. Ephesians 6:10 Leaven Changes the Substance with Which it Comes into Contact. 1. Christians should effect the following changes in the home: hate to love; strife to peace; selfishness to selflessness, and harshness to kindness. 2. Christians should effect the following changes in the church: turmoil to peace, pessimism to faith, indifference to zeal, and defeat to victory. 4

5 3. Christians should effect the following changes in the community: dishonesty to integrity, impure speech to wholesome language, indolence to activity and immorality to purity. Conclusion: The only way for the leaven of the gospel or the kingdom, to reach and influence the whole world, is for each and every member of the Lord s church to be sure they have within themselves the qualities of leaven as discussed in this lesson. 5