The Parables of the Mustard Seed

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Lesson 10 The Parables of the Mustard Seed
Leaven
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The Parable of the Mustard SeedThe Narrative
Matt. 1331-32 Mk. 430-32 Lk. 1318-19

• The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed
• The parables of the mustard seed and the leaven
  were told perhaps to encourage the disciples
  about the nature of the kingdoms growth.
• The mustard seed was proverbial for its smallness
• Often set out in the open field, as it grows to
  10-15 feet with branches spread out like a tree
• Used to describe anything that is small in its
  beginning

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The Parable of the Mustard SeedThe Narrative
Matt. 1331-32 Mk. 430-32 Lk. 1318-19

• The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed
• The kingdom seemed to have a small and
  insignificant beginning
• Christ did not have qualities often associated
  with the establishment of a great empire
• a tender plant, as a root out of dry ground
  (Isa. 532)
• Reared in a despised town (Matt. 223 John 146)
• No formal training (John 715)
• No great wealth (2 Cor. 89 Luke 957)
• No political fame
• Rejected by His own people (John 111 75 666)

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The Parable of the Mustard SeedThe Narrative
Matt. 1331-32 Mk. 430-32 Lk. 1318-19

• The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed
• The kingdom seemed to have a small and
  insignificant beginning
• Christ did not have qualities often associated
  establishment of a great empire
• Christs apostles, mostly, were not men with
  formal training, but were plain, working men
  (Acts 413)
• Jesus was put to death, which usually signals the
  termination of a kings reign
• From a human point of view, Christianity had
  little chance of succeeding.

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The Parable of the Mustard SeedThe Narrative
Matt. 1331-32 Mk. 430-32 Lk. 1318-19

• The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed
• Christs kingdom was characterized by tremendous
  growth
• Prophesied in O.T. (Isa. 22-4 119)
• And the stonebecame a great mountain and filled
  the whole earth (Dan. 235-44).
• From 120 to 3,000 in one day (Acts 241-47)
• Soon grew to 5,000 (Acts 44)
• Continued to multiply (Acts 67 931)
• Become myriads in just one city (Acts 2120)

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The Parable of the Mustard SeedThe Narrative
Matt. 1331-32 Mk. 430-32 Lk. 1318-19

• The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard
  seedwhen it is grown becomes a tree, so that
  the birds
• The growth of the kingdom has proven beneficial
  to the whole world, but especially those who take
  refuge in its branches.
• The remarkable nature of the growth of the
  kingdom is emphasized in this parablefrom a
  small, insignificant beginning to a large
  outcome.
• We must not despise that which is small, as being
  inconsequential (cf. Zech. 410).

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The Parable of the LeavenThe Narrative
Matt. 1333 Lk. 1320-21

• The kingdom of heaven is like leaven
• Leaven is a small piece of fermented dough used
  to ferment other dough.
• A small amount of leaven is able to influence the
  larger mass with which it comes in contact.
• Once inserted into a batch of dough, it continues
  its process of fermentation until the whole batch
  has risen.

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The Parable of the LeavenThe Narrative
Matt. 1333 Lk. 1320-21

• The kingdom of heaven is like leaven
• The kingdom of heaven worked in a reserved and
  dignified way.
• The simple ministry of Jesus was foretold (Isa.
  421-4 cf. Matt. 1218-21).
• The influential nature of the kingdom is
  emphasized
• The kingdom was not characterized by force (John
  1836 2 Cor. 104ff).
• It was not accompanied with pomp (Luke 1720-21
  Matt. 62ff).
• It was to be salt (Mt. 513) light (Mt.
  514-16 Phil. 215).
• The power of example is emphasized (Mark 314 1
  Pet. 221 1 Cor. 111 Phil. 317 49 1 Pet.
  53).

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The Parable of the LeavenThe Narrative
Matt. 1333 Lk. 1320-21

• The kingdom of heaven is like leaven till it
  was all leavened
• The growth of the kingdom will be pervasive.
• It will permeate and spread throughout the world
• Its growth is reserved, dignified and often
  unnoticeable or invisible (like leaven), yet
  real and happening nonetheless.
• The growth of the kingdom will be complete.
• No part of the dough/loaf/world will be
  untouched.
• It reached the whole world in 1st century (Col.
  123).
• We see the leavening influence of the seed in the
  growth of the church and its influence in society.

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Parables of the Mustard Seed LeavenLessons
Learned

• Christianitys powerful influence is evidence of
  its divine origin.
• Pompous techniques are not essential to the
  gospels success.
• We must patiently allow the mustard seed to grow
  the leaven to work.
• Dont lose heart. Dont measure the
  growth/success of the kingdom solely by visible
  standards.
• Both of these parables demonstrate how the gospel
  works from within.
• Do your part to plant the seed and to be a
  leavening influence for righteousness.
• Christianity is contagious.