The Mustard Tree and the Grass

Windhoek
Church of
Christ
Sun 05 Oct 2008

Stefan Wolmarans
 Introduction
 The Parable of the Mustard Seed
 Matthew 13:31-32
He told them another parable: The kingdom of heaven
is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in
his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet
when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and
becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and
perch in its branches.
 Jesus did not offer any explanation of this parable,
so we need to dig a bit deeper.
 This parable not only serves to explain the
kingdom, but also challenges our hearts about our
role and purpose in the kingdom.
 The Mustard Plant
 The mustard plant is well known for its hot-
flavoured seeds.
 Among seeds sown in a garden it was
generally the smallest.
 As a plant, it reaches 3 to 5 meters in height.
 In the autumn its branches become rigid, and
the plant often serves as a shelter for birds of
many kinds.
The Mustard Seed and Tree
 The Meaning Of The Parable
 The Kingdom Of Heaven Would Have A Small
Beginning
 Its Tremendous Growth Would Overshadow
Its Humble Beginnings
 The birds will perch in its branches – it offers a
place of rest and a haven of safety
 The parable refers to the kingdom overall, but
we should be able to apply it to God’s
kingdom here in Namibia and specifically in
Windhoek
Stefan’s Kids Parable of the Grass
Stefan’s Kids Parable of the Grass
 The Grass looks very nice and real
 BUT:
 The grass is plastic
 It does not grow
 It does not spread
 It does not regenerate when damaged
 It is not alive
 The Growth of the Kingdom
 The Mathematical Possibility
 The Spiritual Possibility
 1 Peter 1:23-25
23For you have been born again, not of
perishable seed, but of imperishable, through
the living and enduring word of God. 24 For,
All men are like grass, and all their glory is
like the flowers of the field; the grass withers
and the flowers fall, 25 but the word of the Lord
stands forever. And this is the word that was
preached to you.
 We have the same "seed" of the kingdom, the
Word of God!
 A "seed" which is incorruptible, that lives and
abides forever, as powerful today as the day it
was written down the first time
 The Spiritual Possibility
 Isaiah 55:10-11
10 As the rain and the snow come down from
heaven, and do not return to it without
watering the earth and making it bud and
flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower
and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that
goes out from my mouth: It will not return to
me empty, but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
 It is not up to us, but to the "seed" of God’s Word
which is capable of producing what God intends
 The seed can only produce if it is sown!
 Growth Beneficial To The World
 Mat 11:28-30
28Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my
yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am
gentle and humble in heart, and you will find
rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and
my burden is light.
 To those seeking rest for their weary souls,
the King offers His invitation to come to Him
and enter His kingdom of rest.
 Parables about the Subjects
 Behaviour of the Subjects of the Kingdom
 Those with ears to hear, having good and noble hearts,
bear fruit intended by the word of the kingdom - Mt 13:3-
9,18-23 (The Sower)
 They do the will of the Father - Mt 21:28-32 (The Two
Sons)
 They prepare themselves for the Lord's return - Mt 25:1-
13 (The Wise And Foolish Virgins)
 They are productive while they await their Lord's return Mt
25:14-30 (The Talents) Lk 19:11-27 (The Minas)
 They love their neighbour, helping those in need - Lk
10:25-37 (The Samaritan)
 They are persistent in their prayers Lk 11:1-13 (The
Friend At Midnight) Lk 18:1-8 (The Persistent Widow)
 They are good stewards of material possessions - Lk
16:1-15 (The Unjust Steward)
 Parables about the Subjects
 Attitudes of the Subjects of the Kingdom
 They are merciful, as God is merciful - Mt 18:21-35 (The
Unforgiving Servant)
 They are free from a mercenary spirit in their service - Mt 20:1-
16 (The Labourers In The Vineyard)
 Their gratitude for salvation is related to the understanding of
being forgiven - Lk 7:41-43 (The Two Debtors)
 They are aware that life does not consist in the abundance of
possessions - Lk 12:13-21 (The Rich Fool)
 They know now is the time to make things right with God – Lk
16:19-31 (The Rich Man And Lazarus)
 They possess the spirit of humility In their relations with others
- Lk 14:7-11 (Taking The Lowest Place) & In their prayers to God
- Lk 18:9-14 (The Pharisee and The Tax Collector)
 They know they are not worthy of the grace received, they
have simply done that which was their duty to do - Lk 17:7-10
(The Unprofitable Servants)
 Growth Depends on People
 Mat 28:19-20
19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching
them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end
of the age.
 Depends on People with vision
 Depends on People willing to put the kingdom of
God first in their lives
 Depends on People willing to be committed to
Christ and living the life of a disciple
 Depends on People willing to continue to be
taught and to grow personally
 Closing
 Heart Check
 Am I putting the kingdom first in my life?
 Am I committed to Christ and living the life of a
disciple?
 Am I making a contribution to the growth of the
kingdom?
 Do I offer people hope and rest from the cares of
the world?
 Am I like the mustard tree or like the plastic grass?