Living as True Children of the Kingdom
Summary
This morning, we gathered as a family to celebrate God’s goodness, share our burdens, and lift one another up in prayer. We rejoiced in new life, healing, and the many ways God is at work among us, while also bringing before Him the deep needs and sorrows present in our community. We were reminded that God is not distant, but intimately involved with His children, longing to hear our voices and inviting us into His presence through Christ.
Turning to Matthew 13, we explored three parables that Jesus used to reveal the nature of the kingdom of heaven. The parable of the weeds and the wheat teaches us that, in this world, both the children of God and those who do not know Him grow side by side. The difference between the two is not always obvious—outward appearances can be deceiving. Only at the harvest, at the end of the age, will the true nature of each be revealed. This is a sobering reminder that it is not enough to look the part or rely on our own goodness; only a genuine relationship with Christ, marked by repentance and faith, makes us children of the kingdom.
The parable of the mustard seed shows us that God’s kingdom often begins in small, seemingly insignificant ways, but grows into something far greater than we could imagine. What started with a baby born in Bethlehem has become a kingdom that spans the globe, welcoming all who come to Christ. The parable of the leaven reminds us that the influence of God’s kingdom is pervasive and unstoppable. Once the gospel takes root, it transforms lives and communities from the inside out, no matter the opposition.
We are called to examine ourselves honestly: Are we wheat or weeds? Do our lives bear the fruit of the Spirit, or are we simply going through the motions? The invitation is to live as true children of the kingdom, letting Christ’s redemptive reign be evident in our actions, our relationships, and our witness to the world. As we came to the Lord’s table, we remembered the cost of our redemption—the body and blood of Jesus—and celebrated the hope of eternity with Him. We also took time to bless and pray over our graduates, sending them out with the assurance of God’s presence and purpose for their lives.
Key Takeaways
- The Parable of the Weeds: Outward appearances can be deceiving; wheat and weeds look alike until the harvest. It is not enough to simply appear righteous or do good works—only those who have truly trusted in Christ and been transformed by His grace are children of the kingdom. This calls for honest self-examination and a humble reliance on Jesus, not our own efforts. [54:40]
- The Reality of Judgment: Jesus does not shy away from the reality of final judgment. At the end of the age, there will be a clear separation between those who belong to Him and those who do not. The only hope for escaping judgment is the righteousness of Christ, received by faith, not our own merit or religious activity. [58:01]
- The Kingdom’s Humble Beginnings and Expansive Growth: God’s kingdom often starts small, like a mustard seed, but grows into something far-reaching and inclusive. What seems insignificant in the world’s eyes can become a place of refuge and blessing for many. We should never underestimate the impact of small acts of faithfulness or the quiet work of God in our lives. [01:02:34]
- The Unstoppable Influence of the Kingdom: Like leaven in flour, the presence of God’s kingdom permeates and transforms everything it touches. The gospel cannot be silenced or contained, no matter the opposition or suffering faced by God’s people. Our lives are meant to be agents of this transformation, bearing witness to Christ’s power and love in the world. [01:04:36]
- Living as Children of the Kingdom: The true mark of belonging to God’s kingdom is not a one-time decision, but a life that continually seeks to reflect Christ. In the midst of daily struggles, frustrations, and temptations, we are called to choose the kingdom of heaven over the kingdom of this world. Our actions, attitudes, and relationships should point others to the redemptive reign of Jesus. [01:10:45]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[12:11] - Praises and Prayer Requests
[16:26] - Opening Prayer
[43:46] - Reading Matthew 13: Parables of the Kingdom
[45:08] - Why Jesus Spoke in Parables
[46:54] - The Parable of the Weeds Explained
[49:46] - The Field, the Good Seed, and the Mission
[50:42] - The Enemy’s Weeds: Sons of the Evil One
[53:37] - Wheat and Weeds: The Danger of Self-Deception
[56:32] - The Harvest and Final Judgment
[58:34] - The Goal: Shining in the Kingdom
[01:00:55] - What is the Kingdom of Heaven?
[01:02:34] - The Mustard Seed: Small Beginnings, Great Growth
[01:04:36] - The Leaven: The Kingdom’s Transforming Influence
[01:08:00] - Two Kingdoms: Which Will You Choose?
[01:10:45] - Living as Wheat: The Call to Authentic Faith
[01:12:05] - Invitation and Preparation for Communion
[01:18:25] - Communion: Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
[01:29:16] - Graduation Blessing and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Kingdom of Heaven in Matthew 13
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### Bible Reading
- Matthew 13:24-43 (The Parable of the Weeds, the Mustard Seed, and the Leaven)
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### Observation Questions
1. In the parable of the weeds, who does Jesus say the sower, the field, the good seed, and the weeds represent? ([45:08])
2. According to the parable, why does the master tell the servants not to pull up the weeds right away? ([43:46])
3. What is significant about the mustard seed and the leaven in the way Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven? ([45:08])
4. What happens to the weeds and the wheat at the time of harvest, according to Jesus’ explanation? ([56:32])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus uses the image of wheat and weeds growing together to describe life in this world? What does this say about the church and the world around us? ([49:46])
2. The sermon mentioned that outward appearances can be deceiving, and that wheat and weeds look alike until the harvest. What are some ways people might “look” like Christians but not truly belong to Christ? ([54:40])
3. The parable of the mustard seed shows the kingdom starting small and growing large. What does this teach about how God works in the world and in our lives? ([01:02:34])
4. The leaven is described as something that permeates and transforms the whole batch of flour. How does this image help us understand the influence of the gospel in a person’s life or in a community? ([01:04:36])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenged us to examine ourselves honestly: Are we wheat or weeds? What are some practical ways you can test whether your faith is genuine and not just outward appearance? ([54:40])
2. The reality of final judgment is sobering. How does knowing that there will be a clear separation at the end of the age affect the way you live now? Does it change your priorities or relationships? ([58:01])
3. The kingdom of God often starts small, like a mustard seed. Can you think of a time when something small or seemingly insignificant in your life grew into something much bigger for God’s glory? How can you be faithful in small things this week? ([01:02:34])
4. The influence of the kingdom is like leaven—quiet but unstoppable. Where do you see God at work in your life or in our community in ways that might seem small but are actually making a big difference? ([01:04:36])
5. The sermon said that living as children of the kingdom is not just a one-time decision, but a daily choice. What is one area of your life where you need to let Christ’s reign be more visible—in your actions, attitudes, or relationships? ([01:10:45])
6. When you think about the “fruit” your life is bearing, what do you see? Is there a specific fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, etc.) that you want to ask God to grow in you this month? ([53:37])
7. The church took time to pray over graduates, sending them out with God’s blessing. Who is someone in your life you can encourage or pray for as they step into a new season? How can you be part of God’s kingdom work in their life? ([01:29:16])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray for one another, asking God to help each person live as true children of the kingdom, bearing fruit and being agents of transformation in their homes, workplaces, and community.
Devotional
Day 1: The Parable of the Weeds—True and False Believers Grow Together
Jesus teaches that in this world, both true believers and those who do not truly know Him will exist side by side, often indistinguishable until the final judgment. The parable of the weeds reminds us that outward appearances can be deceiving; only God knows the heart. It is not our works, church attendance, or good deeds that make us wheat, but a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. The sobering reality is that many may think they are secure because of religious activity, yet have never truly surrendered to Christ. Let this be a call to examine your heart and ensure your faith is rooted in Christ alone, not in outward actions or self-righteousness. [54:40]
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 (ESV)
He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’” ... Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all lawbreakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.”
Reflection: Are you trusting in your relationship with Jesus, or are you relying on outward actions or religious habits to assure your place in God’s kingdom? Take time today to honestly examine your heart before God.
Day 2: The Mustard Seed—God’s Kingdom Grows from Small Beginnings
The kingdom of heaven often starts in the smallest, most humble ways, yet God causes it to grow into something far greater than we could imagine. Just as the mustard seed is tiny but becomes a large tree, so the work of Christ began in apparent insignificance—a baby born in Bethlehem—but has grown to encompass people from every nation. The outward growth of God’s kingdom is unstoppable, and what may seem insignificant in your life or in the church can be used by God for great impact. Trust that God is at work, even when you see only small beginnings. [01:02:34]
Matthew 13:31-32 (ESV)
He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
Reflection: What is one small act of faith or obedience you can take today, trusting that God can use it to grow His kingdom in ways you may not see?
Day 3: The Leaven—The Transforming Influence of God’s Kingdom
Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to leaven that a woman mixes into flour, which then permeates the whole batch. In the same way, the presence of God’s kingdom in the world—and in your life—brings transformation that cannot be undone or contained. The influence of Christ in a believer’s life should spread into every area, changing attitudes, actions, and relationships. Even when the world tries to silence or oppose the gospel, the kingdom’s influence continues to grow and change lives. [01:04:36]
Matthew 13:33 (ESV)
He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.”
Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need the transforming influence of Christ to permeate and bring change? Invite Him to work in that area today.
Day 4: The Urgency of Genuine Faith—Eternal Consequences
Jesus warns that at the end of the age, there will be a final separation between those who truly belong to Him and those who do not, regardless of outward appearances. The reality of judgment and eternity is not something to take lightly or delay. Hell is not a party or a myth, but a real place of separation from God, while heaven is the eternal joy of being in God’s presence. The most important question is not what you have done, but whether you truly know Jesus and have received His forgiveness. [58:34]
Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV)
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
Reflection: If you were to stand before Jesus today, would you be confident that you truly know Him—or just know about Him? What step can you take to deepen your relationship with Him?
Day 5: Living as Children of the Kingdom—A Distinctive Witness
Believers are called not just to make a one-time decision for Christ, but to live daily as citizens of the kingdom of heaven, showing the world the difference Jesus makes. The world should see the redemptive reign of Christ in your life through your actions, words, and love. This is not about perfection, but about a continual striving to be more like Jesus, allowing His Spirit to shape you and using every opportunity to be a witness for Him. Let your life reflect the hope, grace, and transformation that comes from belonging to God’s kingdom. [01:10:45]
Philippians 2:14-16 (ESV)
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally show the love and character of Jesus to someone around you today, so that others may see the difference Christ makes?
Quotes
Like that is what defines us as his children, that we have been changed and our lives bear fruit. I also bring this up because, much like we talked about last week, there's a lot of folks that think they're wheat and they're a weed. There's a lot of folks that think they're secure in who they are and they don't know who Jesus Christ is. You're not good enough on your own to make it to heaven. You can't give enough away, you can't do enough good stuff to meet the standard. Because we have all not met the standard already because we have all sinned. And the standard for entrance into heaven is sinlessness. And the only way for us as sinners to make it into heaven is to claim the blood of Jesus Christ over our sins. [00:54:40] (44 seconds)
And then the Father doesn't see us as a wretched sinner anymore. We're now the righteousness of Christ because of the blood of Christ. I bring this up again because, and I'll say it again, I've been in ministry long enough and I've lived long enough because I lived it too, that I was a weed for a long time that thought I was wheat. I was a weed that did everything to make it look like I was wheat and I was not. And it wasn't until I confessed that I was a sinner and needed a savior that I became a child of the kingdom. Jesus says in Matthew 9, 9, Many will say to me, Lord, Lord, didn't we insert whatever good work you want in your name? And he's going to say, Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness. I never knew you. [00:55:24] (45 seconds)
That's a scary thing, folks. And I said it last week and I'll say it again because it's still true. There are people in churches every Sunday that think they're going to make it to heaven because they're butts in a seat every week in a sanctuary. And they're going to meet Jesus face to face for the first time after they leave this world. And he's going to say, Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness. I never knew you. This is why these parables, in my opinion, are so important because this wheat and this weed look so much alike that you can come in here every Sunday and you can fool everybody in this building. But Jesus will not be fooled. [00:56:09] (38 seconds)
And every knee and every tongue is going to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, whether we do it here or we do it after we leave this world and we're cast into a lake of fire. But everyone is going to confess Jesus as Lord. The question is when and where. And then, of course, that gives us a couple different outcomes that we're going to talk about as well. So then we get to what he talks about here with the harvest and the end of the age. So he talks about that he tells him not to uproot the weeds because he doesn't want to uproot the wheat in verse 30. And then he tells his disciples in verse 40 that the harvest he's talking about is the end of the age, the end of this world, right? That's the end of the age. The reapers are the angels. The weeds and the wheat are people, the people in the world. And he says that we're going to go to one or two places once he comes. [00:56:47] (52 seconds)
If we're a weed, we're going to be plucked first. It says he's going to bind us up and we're going to be thrown into the fire. Let's look exactly what he says. He says in verse 42, 41 and 42, the Son of Man will send his angels and they will gather out of his kingdom, his kingdom, all causes of sin and all lawbreakers and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. So I have on here judgment. But the ultimate judgment is if you're a sinner that leaves this world without a relationship with Jesus Christ, you're going to end up in hell. And we don't like to say that a whole lot in churches anymore. Jesus said it a whole lot. Jesus talked about hell a lot more than he did heaven. [00:57:38] (46 seconds)
The reality is if you leave this world and you don't have a relationship with Jesus Christ, you're going to go to hell. No matter how many good things you've done, no matter how much money you've given to the church, no matter if you've got perfect attendance in Sunday school your entire life, none of that is going to matter in eternity. Now, I know that we're going to be judged in the gold and the chaff. I understand that. But I'm talking about for eternity. If you think any of that's securing you anything in eternity, you are woefully wrong. And you're going to be turned away. And you're not going to be with him for all eternity. Like he says, the wheat's going to be gathered into his barn. And I love the way. he says this, then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their father. [00:58:14] (50 seconds)
Friends, that is the goal. That is the goal. Everything on this earth is for that goal, that in eternity, we are going to be in the kingdom of our father. We're going to shine like the sun in the kingdom of our father, that we're going to be in the presence of our savior for all eternity, like we sang about today, that we're going to see the one who bled and died for us face to face. Everything in this world should point to that. Everything in this world, that should be the goal, to hear, well done, my good and faithful service, enter into your rest. To spend eternity with our savior. And we make jokes, people make jokes all the time about, ah, all my friends will be in hell, right? That's where I want to go. No, no, you don't. Hell is not one big party for the rest of your life. It is fire, it is weeping, it is gnashing of teeth, it is a separation for eternity from the God who made you. [00:58:35] (57 seconds)
You're getting grace that you don't deserve as we all do, right? Because the Lord just blesses us. This is his creation and he is sustaining it. He is blessing it. But one day when this is all gone and you're either in heaven or you're in hell and there is utter separation between you and the Father, you're going to realize that it's too late. That this isn't, that hell is not what we thought it was. He's pretty clear about what it is. Weeping and gnashing of teeth don't sound like a good time. I'm not interested in weeping and gnashing of teeth. And I hope you aren't either. I hope that you see the love that he has for us. And this is why he keeps telling us these things and gives us these chances. [01:00:22] (44 seconds)
And he keeps talking about the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of heaven. So let's, we're going to look at these other two parables quickly, but I want to talk about, since we keep saying the kingdom of heaven, I want to talk about what the kingdom of heaven is because isn't God king of everything? Because this is his creation, right? Yes, king of kings, lord of lords. I want to look at it in these, I want you to think when we think kingdom of heaven to think of these two ways, that the redemptive reign of God through Christ, when we talk about the kingdom of heaven, and that redemption of sinners is at its core. Redemption of sinners is at its core. That's what the kingdom of heaven is all about, is the redemption of sinners welcoming us back into a relationship with the holy God because of what Christ has done. [01:01:06] (43 seconds)
So there is no stopping this kingdom. And this is what he's talking about in this parable, that once it's in the world, it's not leaving. It is there and it's going to be there. And man, when we see the kingdom take hold and we see people come to Christ, what a testimony of the power of the kingdom. Every person that comes to Jesus Christ is a miracle. This is what he's talking about with the kingdom. So he presents this kingdom of heaven. We keep hearing about this kingdom of heaven, but he's also presented another kingdom in that first parable because there's two kingdoms at war against one another, the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of the enemy or the kingdom of the devil. So it comes down to this, which kingdom do you want? [01:07:42] (41 seconds)
Of first importance, what Paul says, I delivered to you, what is of first importance? If you think about all the words that Paul wrote in the New Testament, he says, I delivered to you of first importance that Christ died. That Christ died. Of first importance that Christ died, and right with it, that he rose again. And it was all according to the Scripture. It was all according to the Scripture. It was all foretold by the prophets. It was always plan A, because God doesn't need a plan B. This was his plan from before the foundation of the world, that we would rebel against a holy God, that we would forsake him over and over, and that he would send his son to a cross to pay our debt. [01:19:30] (44 seconds)