Transformative Power of the Kingdom: Small Beginnings

In Matthew 13, Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven as leaven—a small, seemingly insignificant ingredient that, once hidden in a large amount of flour, transforms the entire batch. This image is surprising, even jarring, because leaven is often a symbol of sin and corruption in Scripture. Yet Jesus deliberately uses it to reveal a profound truth: the kingdom of God, though it may begin in hidden or humble ways, is unstoppable, transformative, and destined to permeate every part of life it touches. The kingdom’s growth is not always visible at first, but its influence is total and irreversible, working from the inside out.

Understanding the parables requires more than intellect; it demands spiritual openness. Scripture is not just a history book but a living word that engages our whole being—spirit, soul, and body. When we approach God’s word, we must ask for spiritual eyes and ears, seeking not just information but transformation. The parable of the leaven challenges us to consider what is shaping us: the subtle, pervasive influence of Christ’s kingdom, or the world’s corruption.

Jesus’ mention of “three measures of flour” is a deliberate echo of Genesis 18, where Sarah prepares an extravagant amount of bread for three heavenly visitors. This detail connects the parable to the moment when heaven touched earth, and God’s promise of new life was given to Abraham and Sarah. The kingdom is about God’s presence filling ordinary lives with extraordinary purpose, abundance, and transformation.

Small acts of faithfulness—like an usher finding a seat for a young Billy Graham, or a nervous Sunday school teacher sharing the gospel with D.L. Moody—can have ripple effects that reach far beyond what we can see. The kingdom’s growth is often hidden, but it is never insignificant. What God works in us, He intends to work through us, until every part of our lives and communities is touched by His reign.

The challenge is clear: do not despise small beginnings or hide what God is doing in you. Even faith as small as a mustard seed, or a simple act of obedience, can become the spark for something world-changing. The kingdom cannot remain hidden; it will shine, spread, and reveal God’s power through all who carry it.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Kingdom’s Hidden Power: The kingdom of God often begins in ways that seem small or insignificant, like leaven in dough. Yet, once it is present, its influence is unstoppable and transformative, working invisibly but thoroughly through every aspect of life. This challenges us to trust God’s work even when we cannot see immediate results, knowing that His kingdom is always advancing. [13:58]
• 2. Spiritual Understanding Over Intellect: Scripture is a spiritual book, and understanding it requires more than just intellectual effort. We must approach God’s word with humility, asking the Holy Spirit to open our spiritual eyes and ears, so that the truths of the kingdom can take root and bear fruit in our lives. This posture of dependence is essential for true transformation. [02:28]
• 3. What Shapes Us Matters: Just as leaven can represent both corruption and the kingdom, we must discern what is influencing our hearts and lives. The world’s values and compromises can spread subtly, but so can the life of Christ. We are called to let the kingdom’s leaven work through us, transforming us from the inside out, rather than being shaped by the world’s corruption. [20:23]
• 4. God’s Purposes in the Details: Jesus’ reference to “three measures of flour” is not a random detail, but a deliberate connection to God’s promise and presence in Genesis 18. This reminds us that God weaves His purposes through the details of our lives, often in ways we do not immediately recognize. Paying attention to these “hidden” connections can deepen our faith and sense of calling. [23:54]
• 5. Small Acts, Lasting Impact: The stories of the nameless usher and Edward Kimball show that even the smallest acts of faithfulness can have eternal consequences. We may never see the full impact of our obedience, but God uses ordinary people and ordinary moments to advance His extraordinary kingdom. Our role is to be faithful, trusting that God will multiply what we offer. [32:59]
  ** [32:59]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:24] - Why Jesus Spoke in Parables
• [01:16] - The Surprising Image of Yeast
• [02:28] - Approaching Scripture Spiritually
• [03:33] - Prayer for Understanding
• [05:15] - The Importance of Context
• [06:31] - Interpreting Parables: Christ and the Kingdom
• [07:31] - Recap: Parable of the Sower and Mustard Seed
• [10:28] - The Kingdom’s Small Beginnings
• [11:23] - The Story of Billy Graham’s Usher
• [12:54] - The Parable of the Leaven
• [14:40] - Leaven: Influence and Transformation
• [16:29] - Warnings About Corrupting Leaven
• [19:11] - The Unstoppable Nature of Leaven
• [21:21] - The Significance of Three Measures of Flour
• [23:54] - Genesis 18: Bread for Heavenly Guests
• [28:17] - The Kingdom: Heaven Touching Earth
• [30:33] - The Story of Edward Kimball and D.L. Moody
• [32:59] - Small Acts, Big Kingdom Impact
• [33:52] - The Kingdom Cannot Stay Hidden
• [35:02] - Letting Your Light Shine
• [37:22] - Faith as Small as a Mustard Seed
• [38:22] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Reading

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.”

Genesis 18:1-6 (ESV) — > And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.”

Mark 4:21-22 (ESV) — > And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light.”

Observation Questions

1. In the parable Jesus tells in Matthew 13:33, what does the leaven (yeast) do once it is hidden in the flour? What is surprising about Jesus using leaven as a picture of the kingdom? [13:58]
2. According to Genesis 18, how much flour did Sarah use to make bread for the three visitors, and why is this detail significant in the context of Jesus’ parable? [23:54]
3. In Mark 4:21-22, what does Jesus say about things that are hidden or kept secret? How does this connect to the idea of the kingdom’s influence? [35:02]
4. The sermon mentions that leaven is often a symbol of sin and corruption in Scripture. Can you find where Jesus warns about the “leaven of the Pharisees” and what does he mean by that? [16:29]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why might Jesus choose to use leaven—a symbol often associated with sin—to describe the kingdom of heaven? What does this teach us about how God works? [14:40]
2. The detail of “three measures of flour” connects the parable to Genesis 18. What might Jesus be saying about God’s presence and promises by making this connection? [23:54]
3. The sermon says the kingdom’s growth is “unstoppable, transformative, and destined to permeate every part of life it touches.” In what ways might the kingdom’s influence be hidden at first, but eventually become visible? [19:11]
4. The stories of the usher and Edward Kimball show how small acts can have a big impact. Why do you think God often chooses to work through small, hidden, or ordinary things? [32:59]

Application Questions

1. The parable challenges us to consider what is shaping us: the subtle influence of Christ’s kingdom or the world’s corruption. What are some “leaven” influences in your life right now? Are there any you need to remove or invite in? [20:23]
2. The sermon says understanding Scripture requires spiritual openness, not just intellect. What is one way you can approach God’s word this week with more humility and dependence on the Holy Spirit? [02:28]
3. Jesus’ mention of “three measures of flour” reminds us that God weaves His purposes through the details of our lives. Can you think of a “small detail” or ordinary moment in your life where you now see God was at work? [23:54]
4. The stories of the usher and Edward Kimball show that small acts of faithfulness can have ripple effects. Is there a simple act of service or obedience you feel prompted to do this week, even if it seems insignificant? [32:59]
5. The kingdom cannot remain hidden; it will shine and spread. Is there an area of your life where you have been hiding your faith or keeping quiet about what God is doing in you? What would it look like to “let your light shine” in that area? [35:02]
6. The sermon encourages us not to despise small beginnings. Is there something in your life or faith that feels “too small” to matter? How might God want to use it for His kingdom? [10:28]
7. Jesus says even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. What is one small step of faith you can take this week, trusting God to multiply it? [37:22]