The Smallest Of Starts
Or
Abnormal Outward Growth
Sunday Jan. 26, 2020
Scripture To Consider:
“Another parable Jesus put forth to them [the multitude], saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.’” Matthew 13.31-32
Something To Consider:
We must keep in mind that Jesus described both good and evil as He spoke to the people in parables. We must be reminded that His direct approach to teaching against the infiltration of evil and the misrepresentation of God by the religious hierarchy has been rejected. We must also not forget that the religious rulers have gone as far as the attempted murder of Jesus because He has pointed out the error of their doctrine. Make no mistake about it, if that is your calling, you should expect no less treatment from the established and organized religious leaders of this generation!
Therefore, Jesus was forced to change His method of delivering the truth, but He did not nor has He changed the truth that was and is to be delivered. There are many warnings to be taken seriously in the parables, and this parable is no different. This short two verse parable speaks volumes to future generations in the spiritual battle for souls that has intensified in these end times by the secret insertion of subtle distortions to the truth of Scripture.
Jesus proclaimed in John’s gospel chapter 8 and in verses 31-32; “If you [true believing Christian] abide [continue] in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” And yet, the opposite is also true! If we do not abide or do not continue in the truth of Christ, who is the Word of God come in the flesh, we will not know the truth and we will not be free from the bondage of sin and eternal death.
Jesus also declared in John 17.17 when praying to His Father in heaven, “Sanctify them [all true believers] by Your truth. Your Word [the Word of God] is truth.” But the enemy has distorted that truth in the hearts and minds of many and continues to do so in this 21st century end time generation. Have we become aware of that evil distortion, or are we approving of that distortion of Scripture by our doing nothing?
Something Else To Consider:
Jesus, in our text said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed…” With this illustration Jesus captured the attention of the multitude that was largely agricultural in their thinking. With just the mention of a mustard seed, most minds in that culture would immediately relate the kingdom of heaven to its smallest form, even as small as the smallest of all seeds to be sown in a garden, the mustard seed.
Since then others have argued the fact that there are smaller seeds on the planet than the mustard seed, but that is not the point being made by Jesus in this parable. The primary point is that the future church of Jesus Christ and true Christianity, was getting its smallest of starts right before their very eyes. The likes of which began with Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the parable telling teacher by the seashore, the Coming One.
Jesus, while standing trial before Pilate after having been arrested in a garden, was asked by Pilate; “Are You a king?” Jesus replied, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” And again, therefore, just the opposite is also true! Everyone who is not of the truth does not hear or heed the voice of Jesus.
According to 1 John 2.4; “He [or she] who says, ‘I know Him [Jesus]’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him [or her].” Therefore, the question must be asked, does the born-again smallest of seed starts of the truth of God’s Word dwell in us? And if not, why not?
Something More To Consider:
And yet, the smallest of a mustard seed start for the church would eventually grow beyond human imagination and with abnormal outward growth indicated by a mustard seed reaching the status of a tree large enough for birds to nest in. Mustard seeds become mustard bushes, not enormously large mustard trees. And according to the parable of the sower, the birds represent those following the wicked one who are accustomed to snatching away the seed of the Word of God.
In this parable the birds, again representing evil agents of the wicked one, find lodging within the church almost unnoticed. And there, this evil entity builds its nest of evil alliance and deception by distorting Scripture in the very midst of the church’s abnormal outward growth. But outward physical growth without inward spiritual change is just that, abnormal outward physical growth. And spiritually speaking, it is unproductive growth and deceiving to say the least.
David, writing in Psalm 101, spoke for God when he declared in verse 6-7; “My eyes [God’s eyes] shall be on the faithful of the land [those continuing in the truth], that they may dwell with Me; he [or she] who walks in a perfect [blameless] way, he [or she] shall serve Me. He [or she] who works deceit [or distorts the truth] shall not dwell within My house; he [or she] who tells lies shall not continue in My presence.”
The Christian life of abiding in Christ and continuing in the truth of the Word of God must remain a present tense experience! Therefore, we must understand that sin separates us from the presence of our God, according to Isaiah 59.2; “But your iniquities [practiced sin] has separated you [and me] from your [our] God; and your [our] sins have hidden His [God’s] face from you [and from me], so that He will not hear [our prayer unless it is a prayer of repentance].”
A Few Final Words:
Has the mustard seed, the smallest of seed starts been allowed to be sown into the fertile soil of our hearts? And if so, has that smallest of seed starts been nurtured by the truth of God’s Word or distorted and disqualified by a false and abnormal outward growth with no true inner spiritual substance? Have we allowed the evil birds of false doctrines of demons and religious appearing traditions of men to sadly override the truth of God’s seed start in our lives?
Jesus, in John 14.6 proclaimed for the written record, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” He later stated in John 16.13, “However when He [the Holy Spirit], the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you [and me] into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” Has the Holy Spirit of truth spoken to you and to me today? He speaks through the Word of God!
Has the truth concerning the smallest of seed starts and the much end times abnormal outward growth of false religious but not spiritual organizations been revealed to you and to me today by way of the Holy Spirit of truth? And if so, what should be our biblical reaction to the truth?
Let me close by saying, true spiritual leaders in training are often overlooked by existing leaders because of the smallest of seed starts. But if planted in good soil God will eventually bring forth much fragrant fruit. “Another parable Jesus put forth to them, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field…’”
Prayer:
Our Father in heaven, open our eyes to the deception of the wicked one. Make us spiritually fruitful even in our smallest of seed starts. In Him Always, Amen!
According to Jesus 