The Hidden Work of God's Kingdom

This morning, gratitude fills our hearts as we celebrate the milestones and joys within our community—honoring faithful service, healing, and the achievements of our young people. We are reminded of the gift of being gathered together, drawn from many places into one family by the love and work of Christ. Our prayers and worship rise from this shared life, as we seek to follow Jesus and trust in what God is accomplishing among us.

Reflecting on the parable of the yeast, we see how Jesus draws our attention to the ordinary—bread, yeast, and the slow, hidden processes that bring transformation. Just as a small amount of yeast works unseen to leaven a large batch of dough, so the kingdom of God moves quietly and persistently through our lives and our world. The work of God is often slow and steady, not always visible or immediate, but always active, bringing about change in ways we may not recognize at first.

The story of the bakery and the patience required to make good bread becomes a living metaphor for how God works. We are tempted to rush, to double the temperature and force results, but the best outcomes require time, trust, and surrender to a process we do not control. Even when we cannot see it, God is at work—sometimes in ways that are hidden, encrypted, or easy to miss. The kingdom’s influence is not measured by size or spectacle, but by the quiet, persistent transformation that happens in the background of our lives.

A single word, a small act of kindness, or a moment of grace can have an outsized impact, just as a little yeast leavens a whole batch of dough. God does not need much to do a lot. The hiddenness of God’s work is not a sign of absence, but a sign of wisdom and grace, protecting the process from our interference and inviting us to trust. In our community, in our individual lives, and in the world, the kingdom is rising—slowly, surely, and abundantly.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s work in our lives and in the world is often slow, steady, and hidden. Like yeast in dough, transformation happens beneath the surface, beyond our immediate perception, requiring patience and trust rather than hurried striving. This invites us to rest in the assurance that God is always at work, even when we cannot see the results. [26:53]
• 2. The kingdom of God is abundant and generous, symbolized by the woman mixing yeast into enough flour to feed a hundred people. God’s vision is not of scarcity, but of overflowing provision and shared bread, calling us to participate in a community where everyone is included and nourished. [24:57]
• 3. Small things matter greatly in God’s economy. A single act of kindness, a word of encouragement, or a moment of grace can permeate and transform an entire day, relationship, or community. We are invited to pay attention to the power of the little things, trusting that God can use even the smallest offering for great good. [28:18]
• 4. The hiddenness of God’s work is a blessing, not a curse. If God’s redemptive activity were always visible, we might try to control or interfere, potentially undermining what God is doing. Instead, God works “under cover,” inviting us to trust the process and surrender our need for control. [30:16]
• 5. Our community is like a batch of dough—diverse, imperfect, and yet being transformed by the leaven of God’s Spirit. We are called to recognize and celebrate the quiet, persistent work of God among us, knowing that the kingdom is worth waiting for and participating in, even when the process is mysterious or slow. [31:48]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [12:53] - Celebrating Faithful Service
• [13:29] - Rejoicing in Healing
• [14:06] - Honoring Achievements
• [14:46] - Gratitude for Community
• [15:25] - The Lord’s Prayer
• [16:11] - Hymn: In Christ There Is No East or West
• [17:41] - A Unique Sunday and Announcements
• [18:18] - The Table: Jesus’ Eager Desire
• [18:58] - The Bakery Parable
• [20:13] - The Art and Patience of Breadmaking
• [22:13] - The Unpredictability of Yeast
• [23:36] - The Parable of the Yeast
• [24:57] - Abundance and Timing in God’s Kingdom
• [26:53] - The Slow Work of God
• [28:18] - The Power of Small Things
• [29:39] - The Hiddenness of the Kingdom
• [31:48] - Our Community: Leavened by God

Bible Reading

Luke 13:20-21 (ESV) — > And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.”

Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV) – The Lord’s Prayer — > Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Observation Questions

1. In the parable Jesus tells, what does the woman do with the yeast, and what is the result? (Luke 13:20-21)
2. According to the sermon, how much flour does the woman use, and what does this detail suggest about the nature of God’s kingdom? [24:57]
3. What are some of the ordinary, everyday things Jesus uses in his parables, as mentioned in the sermon? [24:14]
4. In the Lord’s Prayer, what are some of the things Jesus teaches us to ask God for? [15:25]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why might Jesus have chosen yeast—a small, hidden, and slow-acting ingredient—as a picture of God’s kingdom? What does this say about how God works? [23:36]
2. The sermon describes the process of making bread as slow and requiring patience. How does this process mirror the way God brings about change in our lives and community? [26:53]
3. The preacher mentions that the abundance of flour in the parable could symbolize God’s generosity. How does this challenge our ideas about scarcity or limitation in God’s kingdom? [24:57]
4. The sermon suggests that the hiddenness of God’s work is a blessing, not a curse. Why might it be better for God’s work to be “under cover” rather than always visible? [30:16]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says that God’s work is often slow, steady, and hidden. Can you think of a time in your life when you didn’t see God working until later? How did that experience shape your trust in God? [26:53]
2. The parable shows that a small amount of yeast can transform a large amount of dough. What is one small act of kindness or encouragement you could offer this week that might have a bigger impact than you expect? [28:18]
3. The preacher talked about the temptation to rush the process, like turning up the oven to bake bread faster. In what areas of your life are you tempted to force results instead of trusting God’s timing? [26:13]
4. The sermon describes our community as a “big beautiful lump of dough” being transformed by God’s Spirit. Where do you see quiet, persistent change happening in our church or community? How can you celebrate or support it? [31:48]
5. The hiddenness of God’s work protects the process from our interference. Are there situations where you need to surrender your need for control and trust that God is working, even if you can’t see it? [30:16]
6. The parable points to abundance—enough bread for a hundred people. How can you participate in God’s generous vision by including or nourishing others in your daily life? [24:57]
7. The sermon highlights the power of small things. Is there a “little thing” you’ve overlooked that God might want to use for good? How can you pay more attention to the small opportunities God gives you? [28:18]