Embracing Intentional Growth in the Kingdom of Heaven

 

Summary

In our gathering today, we explored the profound concept of growth within the Kingdom of Heaven, as illustrated by the parable of the mustard seed. This parable, found in Matthew 13:31-32, serves as a powerful metaphor for the intentional and transformative growth that Jesus desires in our lives. Just as a mustard seed, though small, grows into a large tree, our relationship with Jesus, when nurtured, can become the central and most significant part of our lives.

We began by reflecting on the importance of being present and engaged in our community, recognizing that our participation in worship and fellowship is not just for our benefit but also to inspire others. Church growth is not merely about numbers; it's about the spiritual and relational growth that Jesus plants in us. This growth is intentional, much like planting a mustard seed in a field, and it requires nurturing and care.

The parable reminds us that growth often starts small and may not be immediately visible. It requires patience and faith, as the initial stages of growth happen beneath the surface. This unseen growth is crucial, as it lays the foundation for the visible transformation that follows. In our spiritual journey, we may not always see immediate changes, but we are encouraged to trust in the process and allow Jesus to work in us.

We also discussed the importance of allowing Jesus to grow in every area of our lives, not just in the comfortable or visible parts. This means being open to His influence in our jobs, relationships, and personal struggles. By doing so, we allow the Kingdom of Heaven to expand within us, transforming us from the inside out.

Finally, we were challenged to consider what the Kingdom of Heaven looks like in our lives right now. Are we allowing Jesus to grow in us, or are we content with keeping our faith confined to certain areas? The invitation is to let go of limitations and embrace the full potential of what Jesus can do in and through us.

Key Takeaways:

1. Intentional Growth: Just as a mustard seed is intentionally planted, Jesus intentionally plants His relationship with us. This growth requires nurturing and care, and it often starts small and unseen. Trust in the process, even when immediate changes are not visible. [44:04]

2. Patience in Transformation: Growth in our spiritual lives often happens beneath the surface before it becomes visible. This requires patience and faith, as the initial stages of growth lay the foundation for future transformation. [48:40]

3. Expanding Beyond Comfort: Allow Jesus to grow in every area of your life, not just the comfortable or visible parts. This means being open to His influence in your job, relationships, and personal struggles, allowing the Kingdom of Heaven to expand within you. [51:14]

4. The Significance of Small Beginnings: The impact of our relationship with Christ may not look significant at first, but as it grows, it becomes the central focus of our lives, changing us from the inside out. [49:23]

5. Challenge to Grow: Consider what the Kingdom of Heaven looks like in your life right now. Are you allowing Jesus to grow in you, or are you content with keeping your faith confined? Embrace the full potential of what Jesus can do in and through you. [56:07]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [38:14] - Opening Prayer
- [38:55] - The Importance of Being Present
- [39:58] - Redefining Church Growth
- [41:27] - The Kingdom of Heaven Among Us
- [42:22] - The Parable of the Mustard Seed
- [44:38] - The Potential of Growth
- [46:12] - Patience in Spiritual Growth
- [48:55] - The Significance of Small Beginnings
- [51:14] - Expanding Beyond Comfort
- [55:09] - What Does the Kingdom Look Like?
- [57:15] - Addressing Sin and Growth
- [59:00] - Steadiness Through Growth
- [01:02:21] - The Peace of Deep Roots
- [01:06:28] - Invitation to Growth and Baptisms

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 13:31-32

Observation Questions:
1. What does the parable of the mustard seed in Matthew 13:31-32 illustrate about the Kingdom of Heaven? How does this relate to the concept of growth in our spiritual lives? [42:22]
2. In the sermon, what examples were given to show how Jesus intentionally plants His relationship with us? [40:25]
3. How does the sermon describe the initial stages of spiritual growth, and why might they be unseen? [48:24]
4. What areas of life did the sermon suggest we should allow Jesus to influence for growth? [51:14]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the parable of the mustard seed challenge our understanding of what significant growth looks like in our spiritual journey? [49:23]
2. Why is patience emphasized in the sermon as a necessary component of spiritual growth? How does this patience relate to the unseen stages of growth? [48:40]
3. The sermon discusses expanding beyond comfort zones. What might be the spiritual implications of allowing Jesus to grow in uncomfortable areas of our lives? [51:14]
4. How does the sermon suggest we redefine church growth beyond just numerical increase? What does this mean for our personal spiritual growth? [39:58]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual journey. Are there areas where you feel growth is happening beneath the surface? How can you nurture this growth with patience and faith? [48:40]
2. Consider a part of your life where you have been hesitant to let Jesus influence. What steps can you take this week to open that area to His transformative power? [51:14]
3. The sermon challenges us to think about what the Kingdom of Heaven looks like in our lives right now. How would you describe it, and what changes might you need to make to align more closely with Jesus' vision? [55:09]
4. Identify a specific relationship or situation in your life that feels like a "rock" hindering growth. What practical steps can you take to address this obstacle and allow for spiritual growth? [57:46]
5. The sermon encourages us to embrace the full potential of what Jesus can do in and through us. What is one specific area of your life where you can invite Jesus to bring about significant change? [56:07]
6. How can you be more intentional about being present and engaged in your community to inspire spiritual growth in others? What actions can you take this week to demonstrate this commitment? [39:44]
7. Reflect on the idea of church growth as spiritual and relational growth. How can you contribute to this type of growth within your church community? [39:58]

Devotional

Day 1: Intentional Growth in Christ
In the parable of the mustard seed, Jesus illustrates the intentional nature of spiritual growth. Just as a mustard seed is deliberately planted, so is our relationship with Jesus. This growth requires nurturing and care, often beginning small and unseen. It is essential to trust in the process, even when immediate changes are not visible. The initial stages of growth may happen beneath the surface, but they are crucial for laying the foundation for future transformation. As we nurture our relationship with Jesus, it can become the central and most significant part of our lives. [44:04]

"For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations." (Isaiah 61:11, ESV)

Reflection: What small, intentional steps can you take today to nurture your relationship with Jesus, trusting in the unseen growth that is happening beneath the surface?


Day 2: Patience in Transformation
Spiritual growth often requires patience and faith, as the initial stages of transformation occur beneath the surface. This unseen growth is vital, as it lays the groundwork for the visible changes that follow. In our spiritual journey, we may not always see immediate results, but we are encouraged to trust in the process and allow Jesus to work within us. The parable of the mustard seed reminds us that growth often starts small and may not be immediately visible, but with patience and faith, it can lead to significant transformation. [48:40]

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to exercise patience and faith, trusting that God is working beneath the surface even when you cannot see immediate results?


Day 3: Expanding Beyond Comfort
Allowing Jesus to grow in every area of our lives means being open to His influence beyond the comfortable or visible parts. This includes our jobs, relationships, and personal struggles. By doing so, we allow the Kingdom of Heaven to expand within us, transforming us from the inside out. The challenge is to let go of limitations and embrace the full potential of what Jesus can do in and through us. This expansion requires vulnerability and a willingness to step outside of our comfort zones. [51:14]

"Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes." (Isaiah 54:2, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are hesitant to let Jesus in? How can you begin to open that area to His influence today?


Day 4: The Significance of Small Beginnings
The impact of our relationship with Christ may not seem significant at first, but as it grows, it becomes the central focus of our lives, changing us from the inside out. The parable of the mustard seed teaches us that small beginnings can lead to great outcomes. It is important to recognize the potential in these small beginnings and to nurture them with care and attention. As we allow our relationship with Jesus to grow, it can transform every aspect of our lives, becoming a source of strength and guidance. [49:23]

"Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand." (Zechariah 4:10, ESV)

Reflection: What small beginning in your spiritual life can you nurture today, trusting that it has the potential to grow into something significant?


Day 5: Challenge to Grow
The invitation is to consider what the Kingdom of Heaven looks like in our lives right now. Are we allowing Jesus to grow in us, or are we content with keeping our faith confined to certain areas? Embracing the full potential of what Jesus can do in and through us requires a willingness to let go of limitations and to be open to His transformative power. This challenge encourages us to reflect on our current spiritual state and to seek ways to grow and expand our faith. [56:07]

"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What does the Kingdom of Heaven look like in your life right now? How can you take steps to allow Jesus to grow in you more fully, breaking free from any limitations you have placed on your faith?

Quotes


We started talking last week about church growth and we started talking about that that sometimes we look at church growth really as only this numerical thing just this how many people can we get shoved into a room Al together and somehow still be comfortable right but that's not what we're talking about with church growth. [00:40:00]

See last week we started talking about church growth from the perspective of the growth that Jesus intentionally plants in your life right, that just like a tiny Mustard Seed just like it would be if somebody wanted to plant just one of these in a field that is how intentionally Jesus plants this relationship with him in us. [00:40:22]

I love this image this this visual that Jesus gives us with man if you want to know how intentional he is in your life picture keeping up with a mustard seed for more than just a week but then planting it in a field in a particular spot that you can help it grow. [00:44:04]

I love the fact that Jesus uses practical imagery in all of his Parables and and not just for them because they were used to working with this stuff they felt it in their hands that was a normal part of their lives but for us too because we can reflect on and we can see images of. [00:47:06]

Look at that bottom picture and look at how much has to happen before you ever see it on the surface before you ever see any breakthrough you've got to let it grow and even when it feels like nothing is happening you got to let it grow and I love this imagery because I feel like it's such an incredible example of what a relationship ship with Jesus looks like. [00:48:40]

The impact of our relationship with Christ might not look like much at first but I'll tell you yet when it grows it becomes the most significant part it becomes the central focus of the field you know think about this visual with me think about a Barren blank field and then you come back a few years later and there's a tree in the middle of it. [00:49:23]

He wants to grow into the depth of you he wants to grow into the layers of you when when we let that growth happen we see the change from the inside first before we ever see it on the surface we see it on the inside and I think about Jesus I think about s in my life that I I was frustrated because the change wasn't happening fast enough. [00:51:14]

I want to ask you a question as we move into our next steps here what does the kingdom of heaven look like in your life right now and not vaed ceilings not big windows and walls and Towers not that because that's not what Jesus is talking about when he's talking about the Kingdom of Heaven. [00:55:09]

I want to challenge you to pick an area pick a part of your life to lean into that growth maybe it's your job maybe it's your relationship with a spouse or a child or a family member or a loved one or maybe it's in your stress it's not one area it's a thousand areas that have just piled all up on top of you and you just don't know how to dig your way out. [01:03:37]

Find a time this week that you could put aside to start praying and asking the Lord those questions try to make it routine try to make it regular get into new a rhythm you don't know what it is yet start praying maybe you do know what it is maybe you're praying over your job or your your marriage or your relationship with your kids. [01:05:23]

I want to challenge you with this again and then we're actually going to have some baptisms this morning are you excited for that yeah praise the Lord um I want to challenge you invite someone to church not because we're trying to for some surface level motivation worldly motivation of whatever that looks like but because we want want people to have what God has given us. [01:06:28]

We want people to we this this change this growth that God has brought into our lives man what does it look like to be able to gift that to somebody else one of those most incredible Parts about about growth is it's visible and man we get this incredible opportunity to be the visible image of the growth that Jesus wants to bring in people's lives. [01:07:22]

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Transcript
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