God’s Kingdom continues to grow. Jesus tells a few parables of what the Kingdom of God, or the Kingdom of heaven, is like. These parables describe the growth of God’s kingdom and the spread of the gospel.
Mark 4:26-29
And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
God’s Kingdom continues to grow. As we share the gospel, God plants a seed into people’s hearts. We may not know how, but through the Holy Spirit, those you would never think would ever have faith in Jesus Christ or change their lives, do. I know, because I am one of those. I still look back and say, “how did that happen? Why me? I don’t deserve it.” But that is how much God loves us. He will save the most unworthy. And as we turn to Him, He will continue to grow us into men and women of faith.
Mark 4:30-32
Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.”
Jesus says that the littlest thing may be what brings others to belief. A small act of kindness, the right word and the right time, may be all it takes. The smallest bit of faith can be used by God to guide us to maturity and to lead others to Christ. That little act of kindness can give comfort to someone who may have lost hope and that person can rest under its shade and find hope.
Luke 13:20-21
And again He said, “To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”
As we share God’s love, as we live in a way that honors Christ, as we become light in the darkness, God’s word will spread and His kingdom will grow.
John 4:34-38
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”
As a believer, we should be sharing the gospel with others. God prepares their hearts beforehand so that we can be a witness of His grace to them. Sometimes the seed is already planted from others and we are used to water that seed. As others accept His gift of salvation, we can rejoice with them. And as others grow in their faith, we can disciple them and help them on their journey.
Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Acts 1:6-8
Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
God has commanded us to spread the Good News. The Spirit that is in us will give us the words. The disciples were much like us. Average, everyday people, not well versed in the scriptures. The Holy Spirit gave them boldness and the right words, sometimes even in different languages they did not know so that they can share the gospel to those at Pentecost (see Acts 2), so that those listening could all hear it in their own language. And because of their obedience and their boldness and allowing the Spirit to work in them, God did some amazing things.
Acts 2:37-47
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
This was the start of the church. As believers were faithful, the church exploded, and the Lord added daily to the church. Wouldn’t that be incredible to see that happen now?
My Daily Scriptures 