Sermon Cloud

What Is The Kingdom Luke 13 (18-33)

I. Introduction:

Illustration Of The Kingdom Of God

Chess - The clash of two Kingdoms...

We have in our study Two truths that important for us to understand this passage and more importantly they define how a Believer sees the world. Otherwise know as a world view.

The First Truth Is "The Kingdom Of God/Heaven"

The Second Is Salvation (Or Entrance Into God's Kingdom)      Read Passage Luke 13:18-30

A. Understanding Parables

Compound Word - Para (alongside)+Ballo (I cast, I throw)   Used to cast a spiritual truth alongside an early story.

Used For One Main Truth - We don't need to interpret everything separately and extract multiple messages for each parable.

B. Understanding The Kingdom

Old Testament

You have the ongoing issue of the Kingdom of Israel   -   God ruling over them in the beginning then after they chose a king we see the dynasty of King David.

We have a promise of an everlasting dynasty of King David by God and we understand that to be fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was from the Line of Judah and is one of David's very descendants. I believe Jesus will in fact come again and rule over the earth from Jerusalem as King David's rightful heir.

New Testament

But we also understand that The Kingdom Of God/Heaven is a much bigger concept from scripture.

The term occurs in the NT more than 100 times, and not clearly defined and often as in our passage is defined  by parable. But, according to Jesus, we learn the Kingdom of God is within (Luke 17:21), is approached through faith and repentance, and entered through spiritual rebirth (being born-again, and those who are citizens do the will of God.

II. (13:18-19) The Kingdom's Abnormal Growth

The First Parable: The Mustard Seed   --Let’s look at this first parable of a mustard seed turning into an abnormally large tree and providing home to birds—first of two truths (1) the Kingdom of God (2) Salvation or Entering in… (v 22-30) Read (Luke 13:18-19)

A. (19) Starts The Size Of A Mustard Seed

1. The Use Of The Mustard Seed

Used to illustrate the size of someone's faith In Luke 17:6

Used here to illustrate the small beginning of the Kingdom Of God

B. (19) Grows Into A Large Bush

1. Mustard Plants/Bushes

The mustard plant typically grew to 6 to 8 feet but on occasion would grow as tall as 12 feet.

C. (19) Develops Into A Home For Birds

1. Birds Used As A Symbol Of Satan

In the parable of the sower Jesus used the birds to illustrate satan coming and stealing the Word Of God from stoney hearted people.

2. Those Who Would Come And Nest

There are many who would draw near to the branches provided by God's Kingdom (The Church)

a)                  Those Innocently Seeking God

Mark 10:13-16  Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

b)                 Those who are Weary

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

c)                  Those Seeking Mercy And Forgiveness

Psalm 86:5 For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.

d)                 Those Seeking To Draw Away The Faithful

Acts 20:25-30 “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

e)                  Those Who Would Deceive And Who Are Deceived

2 Timothy 3:13-14a;16-17  ...evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them...        16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

f)                   Wolves In Sheep Clothing

Matthew 7:15-16 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?

III. (13:20-21) The Kingdom's Internal Problems

Leaven: Used 39 Times - Negative Every Time Except Once In O.T.

The second parable: Leaven in Meal

Let’s look at this second parable of Leaven in a Measure of Meal—still looking at the first of two truths (1) The Kingdom of God (2) Salvation or Entering in… (v22-30)   Read (Luke 13:20-21)

A. (20) The External Growth And Influence

1. On The Outside It Is Growing

 B. (20) The Internal Corrupting Influence

1. One The Inside It Is Decaying

IV. (13:22-24) The Kingdom's Narrow Entrance

The Second Truth: Salvation and its truth in light of the Kingdom.   –Now let’s look at this question and Jesus’ response, keeping in mind the context of the Kingdom.    Read (Luke 13:22-24)

A. (22-23) The Question Of Salvation

1. Are The Few Who Are Saved?

2. Defining The Term: Salvation

3. Its Truth In Light Of The Kingdom

B. (24) The Hard Truth About The Gate

1. The Gate Is Narrow

2. Strive: Agoneezomai English Agonize

MWD 1 : to suffer agony, torture, or anguish  2 : struggle

3. This IS A Daily Battle

See also: (Matthew 7:13-14) The Hard Truth About The Way

Mark 14:37-38 Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Galatians 5:17-18 NIV For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

C. (Matthew 7:13-14) The Hard Truth About The Way

1. The Way Is Difficult

Matthew 7:13-14  “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

V. (13:25-30) The Kingdom's Urgent Opportunity

A. (25) The Need To Know The Master

1. Jesus: Context, and Clear Teaching Of Scripture

B. (25-27) The Need To Enter  The Kingdom

1. Knowing Jesus Christ

C. (28-29) The Need To Decide Now

1. Weeping And Gnashing Of Teeth

To have missed an opportunity...

2. Some Of You Feel That Way About The Housing Market

D. (30) Things Now Effect Things Later...

1. What Was Done By Faith

2. What Was Done For Jesus

VI. Conclusion