Planting Faith: The Power of God's Kingdom

Devotional

Day 1: Small Beginnings, Infinite Kingdom Growth

God’s kingdom often starts in the smallest, most unassuming ways—a word spoken, a simple act of kindness, a prayer offered in faith. These small beginnings, like the mustard seed, may seem insignificant at first, but they hold the potential to grow into something vast and transformative. When God is at work, even the tiniest seed can become a refuge, a source of hope, and a catalyst for change in many lives. It is important not to underestimate the power of these small acts, for they are the foundation upon which God’s kingdom expands.
As you consider your own faith journey, remember that the kingdom’s growth is often unseen at first. What you plant today may take time to flourish, but God’s work is always active beneath the surface. Trust in the process and be faithful in the small steps you take. [16:25]

“Behold, the kingdom of God 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.” — Mark 4:30-32

Reflection: What small, seemingly insignificant act of faith can you take today that might plant a seed for God’s kingdom to grow in your life or community?

Day 2: Faith in Action: Speaking and Sowing Seeds

Faith is not meant to be a private possession kept hidden or unused. It must be planted through intentional action and spoken boldly to activate its power. When you speak to the “mountains” in your life—those obstacles and challenges—you align your words with God’s promises and invite His power to move in your circumstances. The seed of faith left in the pot does nothing, but when sown, it has the potential to change situations and open doors that seemed impossible.
This means stepping out even when you feel nervous or inadequate, trusting that God’s grace and favor accompany you. Faith grows as it is exercised, and your declarations of God’s kingdom bring transformation not only to your life but also to those around you. [29:40]

“And Jesus answered them, ‘Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be taken up and thrown into the sea,” and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.’” — Mark 11:22-23

Reflection: Identify one “mountain” in your life today. What specific words of faith can you speak over it to begin activating God’s power?

Day 3: Bringing Heaven’s Reality into Earthly Brokenness

God’s kingdom is not a distant or abstract concept but a present reality that calls believers to bring heaven’s wholeness, forgiveness, and peace into the brokenness of the world. As ambassadors of this kingdom, you are empowered to reject despair, sickness, and injustice by proclaiming, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” This proclamation is not mere wishful thinking but a partnership with God to see His reign established in every area of life.
When you encounter situations that contradict God’s kingdom, you are called to stand firm in faith and act as a conduit for heaven’s restoration. This mission invites you to live with hope and courage, knowing that your words and actions contribute to the unfolding of God’s justice and mercy here and now. [19:07]

“Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:5-7

Reflection: In what specific situation around you can you begin to proclaim God’s kingdom and bring a tangible expression of heaven’s peace and justice today?

Day 4: Perseverance Shapes Character and Deepens Trust

God’s timing often differs from our own, and answers to prayers may be delayed rather than denied. During these waiting seasons, faith produces perseverance, and perseverance refines character. Trusting God amid uncertainty strengthens your spiritual maturity and prepares you for greater things ahead. Even when immediate results are not visible, God is faithfully working in and through you.
This process of waiting and trusting is essential to spiritual formation. It teaches patience, dependence on God, and a deeper understanding of His faithfulness. Rather than growing weary or discouraged, you are invited to embrace the refining work of God’s timing, knowing that He is always at work behind the scenes. [35:55]

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” — Romans 5:3-5

Reflection: What is one area of waiting or unanswered prayer in your life where you can choose to trust God’s timing and allow perseverance to shape your character?

Day 5: Partners in Every Stage of God’s Harvest

Believers are called not only to sow seeds of the kingdom but also to nurture and reap the harvest. This partnership with God involves active participation in every stage of His work—from planting to growth to gathering the fruit. Faithfulness in sowing is essential, but so is patience and joy in seeing God bring growth in His timing.
As you engage in this process, remember that growth may be slow and unseen at first, but God is always at work. Your role is to remain faithful, trusting that the harvest will come. Together, as a community of believers, you rejoice in the fruit God produces, celebrating His grace and favor throughout the journey. [38:19]

“The one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” — 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Reflection: How can you actively participate in nurturing or harvesting the spiritual growth of someone else in your community this week?

Sermon Summary

Summary

God’s kingdom is both vast and deeply personal, and it begins with something as small as a mustard seed. Each of us has been entrusted with the seed of the kingdom—God’s presence, power, and love within us. This seed is not meant to be kept hidden or left in the pot; it must be planted, spoken, and acted upon. When we step out in faith, even if we feel nervous or inadequate, God’s grace and favor go with us. The testimonies shared—of boldness in sharing the gospel, of healings, and of lives transformed—remind us that God delights in using ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.

The kingdom of God is not an oppressive rule, but a reign of safety, justice, mercy, and hope. When we encounter situations that do not align with God’s kingdom—sickness, brokenness, despair—we are called to proclaim, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” We are ambassadors, empowered to bring heaven’s reality into earthly circumstances. Faith, even as small as a mustard seed, is enough for God to move mountains. The seed must be spoken, planted, and acted upon; it is not enough to simply possess it.

God’s timing and ways may not always align with our expectations, but perseverance in faith produces character and deeper trust. Sometimes, the answer to our prayers is delayed, not denied, as God works in us and through us. We are not only sowers, but also reapers and harvesters—called to participate in every stage of God’s work. The growth of the kingdom may be slow and unseen at first, but God is always working, bringing forth a harvest in his time.

Ultimately, the seed is Jesus himself—his life, death, and resurrection are the foundation of our hope and the source of new life. Each of us is invited to receive this gift, to believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord. As we do, we become part of God’s family, empowered to carry his kingdom wherever we go. Let the mustard seed remind us: nothing is impossible with God, and his grace and favor are with us as we step out in faith.

Key Takeaways

1. The Kingdom Begins Small but Grows Beyond Imagination God’s kingdom often starts in the smallest, most unassuming ways—a word spoken, a simple act of kindness, a prayer offered in faith. Like the mustard seed, what seems insignificant can become a place of refuge, hope, and transformation for many. Never underestimate the power of small beginnings when God is at work. [16:25]
2. Faith Must Be Planted and Spoken, Not Just Possessed It is not enough to simply carry the seed of faith; it must be planted through action and proclamation. Faith is activated when we speak to the mountains in our lives, declaring God’s promises and aligning our words with his will. The seed in the pot does nothing, but when sown, it has the power to move obstacles and change circumstances. [29:40]
3. God’s Kingdom Brings Heaven’s Reality to Earth We are called to bring the realities of heaven—wholeness, forgiveness, peace—into the brokenness of our world. As ambassadors, we do not accept situations that contradict God’s kingdom; instead, we proclaim, “Your kingdom come, your will be done.” This is not wishful thinking, but a partnership with God to see his reign established in every area of life. [19:07]
4. Perseverance in Faith Develops Character and Trust God’s timing is often different from ours, and sometimes the answer to our prayers is delayed. In these seasons, faith produces perseverance, and perseverance shapes our character. Trusting God in the waiting refines us and prepares us for greater things, reminding us that he is always faithful, even when we do not see immediate results. [35:55]
5. We Are Sowers, Reapers, and Harvesters—Partners in God’s Work Each believer is called not only to sow seeds of the kingdom but also to participate in the harvest. We are invited into every stage of God’s work: sowing, nurturing, and reaping. As we faithfully scatter the seed, God brings the growth, and we rejoice together in the fruit he produces. [38:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:49] - Distributing Seeds and Introduction
[01:42] - Testimonies of Boldness and Salvation
[04:59] - Sharing the Good News in Everyday Life
[06:31] - Live Testimonies from the Congregation
[10:01] - Overcoming Fear and Stepping Out
[12:14] - More Testimonies and Encouragement
[14:04] - God’s Grace and Favor for All
[15:28] - The Mustard Seed: Jesus’ Illustration
[16:25] - The Power of Planting the Seed
[17:17] - Faith in Action: Throwing the Seed
[19:07] - Bringing Heaven to Earth
[21:41] - The Nature of God’s Kingdom
[23:37] - The Power of Words and Love
[26:29] - Lessons from the Disciples’ Experience
[29:40] - Speaking to the Mountains
[31:14] - God of the Impossible: Personal Testimony
[35:55] - Perseverance and God’s Timing
[37:37] - The Call to Be Workers in the Harvest
[38:19] - Sowing, Reaping, and Harvesting
[39:58] - Growth and the Unseen Work of God
[40:42] - All Glory to God: Grace and Favor
[42:29] - Invitation to Receive Jesus
[44:56] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Mark 4:30-32 (NLT) — > Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.”

- Matthew 17:20-21 (NLT)
> “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

- Matthew 6:10 (NLT)
> “May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.”

Observation Questions

In Mark 4:30-32, what does Jesus compare the Kingdom of God to, and what happens to the mustard seed after it is planted?
According to Matthew 17:20-21, what does Jesus say even a small amount of faith can do?
In the sermon, what are some real-life examples given of people “planting” the seed of the Kingdom?
What does the phrase “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” mean in the context of the sermon?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus chose a mustard seed to illustrate the Kingdom of God, instead of something bigger or more impressive?
The sermon says, “The seed does not work in the container. You’re the container. You have loads of seeds of the kingdom of God. And you’ve got to speak it out.” What does this mean for how faith is supposed to work in our lives?
When the sermon talks about proclaiming “Your kingdom come, your will be done” over situations that don’t line up with God’s kingdom, what does that look like practically?
The sermon mentions that sometimes God’s timing is different from ours and that perseverance produces character. How does waiting or not seeing immediate results help shape our faith?

Application Questions

The sermon shared stories of people stepping out in faith even when they felt nervous or inadequate. Can you think of a time when you felt prompted to share your faith or help someone, but felt afraid? What did you do, or what could you do differently next time?
The seed must be planted, not just carried around. Is there an area in your life where you feel you’ve been “holding onto the seed” instead of planting it? What is one step you could take this week to act on your faith?
The sermon says we are called to bring heaven’s reality—wholeness, forgiveness, peace—into the brokenness around us. Is there a specific situation or relationship in your life that doesn’t line up with God’s kingdom? How could you pray or act differently in that area?
When you face a “mountain” (a big obstacle or problem), do you tend to speak God’s promises over it, or do you just hope it will go away? What would it look like for you to “speak to the mountain” this week?
The sermon talks about perseverance and trusting God’s timing. Is there something you’ve been praying for that hasn’t happened yet? How can you keep trusting God and not give up?
We are not just sowers, but also reapers and harvesters. Is there someone in your life who is open to faith, and how could you help them take a next step toward Jesus?
The seed is Jesus himself—his life, death, and resurrection. Have you personally received this gift, and if so, how does it change the way you live each day? If not, what is holding you back from saying “yes” to Jesus?

Sermon Clips

but you've got to do something with the seed he's given you and me the seed of his kingdom and you see the mustard tree and it says this it says it grows long branches as birds can make nests can i encourage you as you bring the kingdom of people will find rest as you bring him and his kingdom to situations there will be peace where there is chaos you can bring order when you say your kingdom come your will be done this is why when we pray for the sick this is why we can say your kingdom come on in heaven as it is no okay let's try that again your will be done on earth as it is in heaven so in heaven there is no sickness [00:19:07] (65 seconds) Edit Clip

so it's very simple in situations or circumstances we face which god has already said to us we could just say your kingdom come your will be done that's the key that's us bringing heaven to earth so when i see something that doesn't line up with his kingdom i change it we do you know you are an ambassador of christ what a privilege an ambassador oh we're a son but we're more than that we're ambassadors yeah [00:20:34] (44 seconds) Edit Clip

And his desire is for it to fill all the nick and cranny of everywhere to display his rule and his reign. It's not an oppressive reign. It's not a dictator reign. It's a place of safety, health, justice, mercy, love, grace, forgiveness, hope when there is no hope. Impossible is God's favorite word. Well, let me tell you, Jesus is probably his favorite, but one of. He's got so many, doesn't he? Yes. [00:21:51] (49 seconds) Edit Clip

Impossible situations and possible circumstances are opportunities for him to display his glory and his kingdom. It's very simple. We try to do other things. No, no. We are bringing the kingdom of God, not us, his kingdom to this situation. We almost have to capture afresh, not accepting certain circumstances. There's people here that aren't well that have been struggling. I said, God, this is not in line with your kingdom. [00:22:49] (37 seconds) Edit Clip

There's times when we have to trust God in what he says. Amen? So, it says this. You don't have enough faith, Jesus told them. I tell you the truth. If you had faith, even small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, you can say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it would move. Nothing would be. Man, that sounds familiar. Has God been saying that to us? Today. [00:27:57] (35 seconds) Edit Clip

But all you need to do is have faith as small as a mustard seed. And that's enough for me to use. For the impossible. I don't have to have super, he said, no, faith as small as a mustard seed. And I can say to a mountain, move here. You know, sometimes there are mountains in front of you, you have to speak to. I'm going to say that again. There are mountains that are in front of you, and you have to speak to it. [00:29:14] (31 seconds) Edit Clip

The seed does not work in the container. You're the container. You have loads of seeds of the kingdom of God. And you've got to speak it out. Mountain, obstacle, challenge, health. We even heard it from today. You need to move. This is not in line with my God's kingdom. I trust that's a source of encouragement for you. It's faith in Jesus and his kingdom and the Father. [00:29:46] (41 seconds) Edit Clip

Your new birth started with a seed. Jesus is that seed. Matter of fact, it says in Psalm 1 that he's created you in the womb, molded you in the secret place. You are not a mistake. You have been planned before the eternity of time. The God of the impossible, he has been encouraging us. [00:31:22] (34 seconds) Edit Clip

and he figured out how long and when the pregnancy happened and he said this can't be right I did surgery on you and that would have killed the baby she was pregnant at the time of the surgery but God is the God of the impossible amen for whoever that is whether it's a baby whether you're surgery I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt he is the God of the impossible every time [00:35:16] (38 seconds) Edit Clip

And if you're here today and you think, well, my friend brought me, you're not by coincidence. God never does accidents. God has had you on his heart from the beginning of time. And you don't know him. Oh, you might've heard of him. But today by his spirit, that's what's talking to you because he loves you. But sin, which is all the wrongs and things that aren't of the kingdom, have kept you separated, have kept us separated. But God said, I've got a plan. And that plan is my son. [00:42:27] (51 seconds) Edit Clip

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Transcript

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