Flourishing Kingdom // Matthew 13:31-33, 16:13-18
The following is a manuscript of the sermon presented by Senior Pastor Dr. Roger Patterson on Sunday, January 22, 2023 at our West U Baptist campus. To view the sermon in full, check out the link below.
One of the things we are learning in our Rise Together Today wellness journey on Sunday nights, is the power of tiny change. Implementing tiny changes…swapping water for soda, or replacing Peanut Butter with Almond Butter.
One of the ways Sean and Dee are teaching us is by reinforcing the concept that “TINY is MIGHTY!”
If you have your Bible, I want you to open it to Matthew 13 and Matthew 16.
We have been studying about the Flourishing Kingdom – the Kingdom of God that is already and not yet. It has been inaugurated by Jesus, is growing and flourishing in this age of grace, and will be fully established with his rule and reign when he comes again.
Today, we want you to see how the Kingdom of God is a Kingdom of Purpose and Power, and though it has small beginnings, its reach is limitless.
Let’s read Matthew 13:31-33, and Matthew 16:15-18.
Matthew 13:31-33
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. 32 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.” 33 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.”
Matthew 16:13-18
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
This past November, I realized I wanted to shift what we were preparing to preach to start the year, and develop this new series on the Flourishing Kingdom. My heart for this series is that we understand and take hold of the reality that the Kingdom way of Jesus is a different way, and as citizens of this kingdom that he offers, we are to understand how it functions and operates.
Today’s teaching is about the Vast Nature of the Kingdom…how it began…how it grows…and how we are extending it.
The Vast Nature of the Kingdom
- How it Began
- How it Grows
- How we are Extending It
In Matthew 13, we are given two very practical pictures from every day life of the nature of the Kingdom of God.
Now, keep in mind, when you talk about a kingdom, you are talking about something that is vast…great…extensive.
Let’s seek to understand what Jesus is saying about the simple beginnings of the Kingdom.
I. How it Began
Look with me at Matthew 13:31.
Matthew 13:31
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…”
Notice what Jesus is saying about the Kingdom of Heaven – It had tiny beginnings.
Why is Jesus using the mustard seed to talk about the Kingdom of Heaven?
- Because of its size and scope –
Simon Kistemaker says…
“The gardener took only one of the mustard seeds. His fingers seemed far too big to hold such an insignificantly small seed. He sowed the seed in his field because he knew that tiny speck had the capabilities of growing into a plant the size of a tree. He needed only one plant. And he knew the contrast between seed and plant.”
If you think about the ministry of Jesus, you see humble beginnings.
- You see a baby born in a manger.
- You see a family living in Nazareth, where one of Jesus’ disciples would ask, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”
- You see significant popularity and fame…then the crowds fall away. The teaching is too hard.
- When he is crucified and buried, he has virtually been abandoned by all of his followers, and betrayed by one, selling him out for 30 pieces of silver.
This Rabbi, who took Galilee by storm, died a criminal’s death and was buried in a borrowed tomb. The movement was stopped.
…….. Or …..So……It……Seems!
Notice Jesus’ words in John 12:24.
John 12:24
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
William Barclay says…
“…as Acts 1:15 tells us, the total number of the Christian Church after the life, death,, resurrection and ascension of Jesus was one hundred and twenty. Yet out of that small beginning came the Christian Church as we know it today. We must never be discouraged by small beginnings and by the apparently infinitesimal effect that we can have. If a thing is right it has God behind it and in the end it will make its mark.”
Application: You see, THE GREATEST THINGS START FROM THE SMALLEST BEGINNINGS!
But in our lives, we want things to happen right away.
How many of you own a crock-pot?
How many of you own a microwave?
How many of you own both a crockpot and a microwave?
Now, the crockpot and the microwave perform the same function – they heat food.
The crockpot does it very slowly, where as the microwave does it very quickly.
Now, think about how often you use your crockpot vs. how often you use your microwave.
I use my microwave every single day…but rarely use my crockpot.
But the truth is, the greatest nourishment, the greatest taste, the greatest enjoyment isn’t going to be from the food that comes from the microwave. It’s going to be the food in the crock-pot.
Fundamentally, we want it and we want it now…but it is very seldom that great things happen instantaneously.
Barclay says…
“All the time, the mustard seed was growing. From day to day and from hour to hour that growth was not measurable; but when the beginning was compared with the end, the growth was a plant for all to see. It is characteristic of our age that we want to see things happen in the flash of an eye. Very seldom do the great things happen that way.”
- Faithful and diligent children don’t spring up overnight…but they must be trained, discipled, and disciplined.
- Great businesses don’t just start out with a large market-share, a great stock price, and lots of cash in the bank. No, they are built by faithful and diligent hands every single day.
- Great churches don’t just spring up throughout town. They have humble beginnings…like this one, starting on the front porch of Nannie B. David, on the last Sunday in February of 1928.
Notice what the impact of the extensive growth of the mustard seed provides.
Matthew 13:32
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.”
I love that Jesus says, “…so that the birds of the air come…” He didn’t say one particular bird. No, he said, “…so that the birds of the air come…” That’s all the birds… every type of bird that was flying…from the sparrow, to the raven.
The growth is to be EXTENSIVE…all encompassing because there is room for everyone!
As you may recall, I went to a conference at Saddle Back Church last fall with global leaders of global ministries and I interviewed Pastors from Syria, Japan, Australia, Brazil, Kenya, Germany, and beyond.
We gathered with leaders from all over the world who are planting churches, translating the scriptures, and using media to get the message of the gospel of Jesus to as many people as possible around the globe. The gospel movement is a GLOBAL MOVEMENT.
The Kingdom had small beginnings, just like a mustard seed, but it didn’t stay a “start-up.” No, after just a few hundred years, it was the dominant faith of Rome and it continues to grow to this day.
But it isn’t just EXTENSIVE…It’s Also INTENSIVE.
Let’s look at our next point together.
Slide: The Vast Nature of the Kingdom
- How it Began
- How it Grows
- How we are Extending It
II. How it Grows…
I’m going to use Matthew 16, Peter’s confession, as well as the parable of the yeast, to help us understand how the Kingdom of God grows.
First, it grows on the confession of Jesus Christ as the Son of the Living God.
Look at Matthew 16 again.
Matthew 16:13-18
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Q: How does the Kingdom of God grow?
A: On the revelation and proclamation of Jesus Christ as Lord.
Charles Spurgeon notes that we all have a need of a supernatural revelation of Jesus. He says…
“If we only know about Jesus what we can discern from flesh and blood, then we are in the same boat as the Pharisees and Sadducees who remained unbelieving even when the Christ was right in front of them.”
The church is built upon the confession of Jesus Christ being Lord.
Janice Farris – I will be conducting Janice Farris’ memorial service. Janice was an amazing lady. She had such a sweet spirit, never met a stranger, and loved you unconditionally.
In speaking with her daughter on Friday, I learned that when Janice moved to this side of town, she started looking for a church. And she would go for a number of Sundays to each church and give them a try. She had been a member at Sagemont Church in Pasadena, so she was looking for a Baptist Church here inside the loop.
Her daughter Erika noted how her mom would come home from a number of churches that she visited and would note that they didn’t preach the gospel…that it was missing in the ministry that was taking place there. This was something that was of utmost importance to her and so she would listen for it…but in so many churches she tried, she couldn’t find the gospel.
Then she came here…and when she came, she heard the good news and she knew that this church was where she needed to be.
So, what is this gospel? What is this confession that Jesus will build His church upon?
It’s the message of God’s love, forgiveness, and Lordship of Jesus Christ.
The Problem…
Romans 3:10
as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;
Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
The Consequences…
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Solution…
Romans 5:8
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 10:9-10
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Slide: A…B…C
A – Admit You Are a Sinner in Need of a Savior
B – Believe that Jesus is God’s Son, who Died for You and Rose Again
C – Confess Your Belief in Jesus and ask him to save You
My friends, churches that capitulate the gospel to the social justice movement or to the political parties of the day begin to decay and die.
Jesus Christ is the head of the church…and He is building His kingdom. And it is through the confession that Jesus is the Lord, the Christ, the Son of the Living God who came for us, bled for us, died for us, and rose again, conquering sin and death, that we find our very life.
It is in him that we live, and move, and find our being.
Notice how Paul exalts Jesus Christ in Colossians 1.
Colossians 1:15-23
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Notice after Paul makes this massive big deal about Jesus, what he says of you and me.
Colossians 1:22-23
22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard,
The kingdom of God is built through the church’s confession of Christ. We are to hold fast to that confession and not shift from the hope of the gospel.
And this gospel is to permeate everything we do.
Notice again Matthew 13.
Matthew 13:33
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.”
You see, the kingdom of God exerts its influence from within, not from without.
MacArthur states…
Yeast makes dough rise from within. God first changes the heart of a person, and that internal change has external manifestations. The gospel influence in a culture works the same way: Christians within a culture act as agents of change, slowly transforming that culture from within.
[Further] the effect of the kingdom of God will be comprehensive. And…
although the kingdom of God works invisibly, its effect is evident to all.
The nature of yeast is to grow and to change whatever it contacts. When we accept Christ, His grace grows in our hearts and changes us from the inside out.
As the gospel transforms lives, it exerts a pervasive influence in the world at large…and as a result…
The Fruit of the Gospel
- People are Saved
- Families are Restored
- Churches are Planted
- Schools are Started
- Hospitals are Opened
- Cities are Lifted
So, let me take a moment more and tell you how the Kingdom is Expanding through our corporate work together…you, me, our staff, your fellow church members.
Remember…we are looking at
Slide: The Vast Nature of the Kingdom
- How it Began
- How it Grows
- How we are Extending It
III. How we are Extending It
This local congregation has been sharing the gospel of Jesus for 94 years and 11 months to this part of our city.
We have gathered for worship on a weekly basis right here for one month shy of 95 years.
In 2005, we made a courageous step to start another campus, two miles away. So, for the past 18 years, we have been extending the gospel message to children, youth, young adults, single adults, young families, median families and senior adults in not just one location, but two.
Since then, in about 2014, we saw the need to launch specific language-based congregations – specifically our Spanish Speaking Congregation at Crosspoint and our Chinese Congregation here.
Then, in January 2021, we launched CityRise Missouri City, and began weekly worship in English, and absorbed the Spanish Congregation there.
On any given Sunday, we are gathering 1300 people on campus and another 400 people online to pour the truths of the gospel into their lives.
Because you give, you are helping extend the kingdom right here in this city…in our communities.
2022 Worship
- 1300 People on Campus
- 900 People in Community Group
- 400 People Online
- 175 New Members
- 75 People Baptized
But, because Houston is such a global/international city, we provide English as a second Language Ministry.
Community Ministries — ESL
- 610 students from 38 countries attend one or more ESL Class in 2022 with 20 students taking Christ as their savior through the ESL ministry.
Community Ministries – Blood Drives
- 173 people donated blood at one of our 5 blood drives.
Community Ministries – Mercy House Ministries
- We provided 2,072 nights lodging for cancer patients coming to Houston for treatment, collectively saving these patients and their families $518,000 in hotel expenses.
Community Ministries – Casa El Buen Samaritano Medical Clinic
- Casa El Buen Samaritano had 4,584 medical provider visits as well as 191 dental patient visits, leading to 98 salvations!
International Missions
- 169 people deployed on International Mission Trips, yielding 650 professions of faith around the globe.
Online Digital Partnership – Jesus and Science Foundation – Dr. James Tour
- Since the start of the Dr. James Tour YouTube Channel and the Jesus and Science Foundation there have been 5.4 million views of channel content
- Viewers have watched over 512,000 hours of video
- There is a Global Presence – only 55% of views are from the U.S.
- 67 Professions of Faith after 1 to 1 Conversations with Dr. Tour
- One Video has over 3million views and is continuing to go viral
I’ve not even touched on our food distribution ministry in Missouri City and Stafford. I have yet to touch on the growth of our young adults ministry, our partnership with Bridges International, the growth of our Prayer Ministry, the deeper work of church planting taking place with our global partners…
What I want you to know is that we are playing on the winningest team in all of history, and we must stay true to the good news. We must keep preaching Jesus. We must keep loving, serving, giving, growing and going. We must keep worship as a priority and hold out the good news to this city.
We are just a few weeks away from turning 95 years of age, but my friends, listen to me…
WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED! There are more…many many more…who need to hear. Who need to know. Who need to bow their knee to Jesus.
And we need you. We need you to join the fight. We need you to join the journey. We need you to get your gifts into the game.
And do you know why?
It’s because you are guaranteed a win! You are guaranteed that you will grow. You are guaranteed to know that your life is not in vain…
Here is that guarantee and I’ll close with this…
Matthew 16:18b
I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
There is no finer mission. There is no finer calling. There is no finer team to be on than that of the local church who proclaims the supremacy and lordship of Jesus Christ.