St Louis UBF UBF Bible Study : Luke 13:18-35 (2011)

Bible Study Materials

Luke 13:18-35 (2011)

by Paul Choi 08/14/2011

Question

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS LIKE A MUSTARD SEED

Luke 13:18-35

Key Verse 13:19

1. Read verses 18-19. With what did Jesus first compare the kingdom of God? What does this parable tell us about the way the kingdom of God grows?

2. Read verses 20-21. How is the kingdom of God like yeast? In what ways is it revolutionary?

3. Read verses 22-30. Why was Jesus going to Jerusalem? (9:51) What was he doing along the way? What did someone ask him? How did he answer? What does “narrow door” imply? In what way is Jesus the narrow door?

4. What does it mean to “Make every effort...”? Why is timing important? What are the consequences of entering or not entering through the narrow door? What do these verses teach about the kingdom of God?

5. Read verses 31-35. What warning did some Pharisees give Jesus? What did Jesus teach about his mission? What was his attitude toward Herod? Why did Jesus weep over the Holy City? What was his longing hope?

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THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS LIKE A MUSTARD SEED-questions.doc

Message

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS LIKE A MUSTARD SEED

Luke 13:18-35

Key Verse:13:19 “It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches.”

Last week we studied how Jesus healed a crippled woman and set her free from her infirmity. Indeed, Jesus is the God of compassion and power who cares for seemingly least important people in the world like the crippled woman. When she was freed from her infirmity, she straightened up and praised God. Her heart was full of thanks, joy, and freedom. Jesus brought the kingdom of God to her and to us, since he himself is the kingdom of God.

Some may wonder what the kingdom of God looks like and how we can taste and experience it. In today’s passage, Jesus gives us a clear answer. Jesus explains what the kingdom of God is like, how to enter the kingdom of God and who can enter the kingdom of God.

First, the kingdom of God grows like a mustard seed.(18,19) According to verse 17, the people who witnessed what Jesus had done for the woman saw the kingdom of God in her heart. They wondered about and envied her who was full of joy and happiness. Jesus saw the hope of the kingdom of God sprouting in their hearts. Look at verses 18,19. “Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches.” Jesus compared the kingdom of God to a mustard seed. We are not familiar with mustards seeds but we know about sesame seeds, which are on the buns of a Big Mac. A mustard seed is known as the smallest seed among all seeds, but it grows into a big tree up to 10 feet in height. It is big enough for birds to perch in its branches and nest. The kingdom of God grows like a mustard seed until it becomes a source of joy, peace and blessing for the world. The kingdom of God starts with a small, insignificant beginning, and continues to grow until it covers the whole world.

The kingdom of God was born with the baby Jesus in a manger. The birth of Jesus looked small, insignificant, and vulnerable. It was like a mustard seed. However, the kingdom of God grew as the baby Jesus grew. Jesus planted the seed of the kingdom of God by preaching the good news of God’s kingdom saying, “The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mk 1:15) Jesus explained about the kingdom of God through many parables to those who couldn’t understand. Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead. By healing the sick and raising the dead, Jesus planted the hope of the kingdom of God in their hearts as he had done for the crippled woman. Jesus called the Twelve and planted their hope and faith in the kingdom of God. The seeds of the kingdom of God began to grow in their hearts until they became spiritual giants and great teachers in human history. Finally Jesus died on the cross in order to open the way to the kingdom of God for all sinners. Through his resurrection, Jesus completed the way of salvation and went to heaven. Even though Jesus ascended into heaven, the kingdom of Christ has continued to grow and expand to every corner of the world. The seeds of the kingdom of God, which had started from the baby Jesus in a manger, continue to grow until all people of the world receive rest and salvation in the kingdom of God.

In the past, Simon Peter’s only desire was to become a successful fisherman. His desire and hope was on this earth. But when he met Christ Jesus, the hope of the kingdom of God was planted in his heart. This hope began to grow despite his erring character and many mistakes in following Jesus. One day he disowned his master Jesus three times in front of a little girl. After Jesus’ crucifixion, he went back in despair to his original life as a fisherman. In spite of numerous spiritual ups and downs, the seed of the kingdom of God remained in his heart and continued to grow. Finally, after meeting the Risen Jesus, he saw the glorious hope of God’s kingdom. Peter overcame fear of death and anxiety of the world and became a great man of faith and courage. He became the top leader of Jesus’ church and one of the most influential men in human history. Before he met Jesus, he was only a smelly fisherman. But, after following Jesus, Peter became a great spiritual leader, the source of blessing and encouragement to people of the world.

I thank God who started our Young Disciples Meeting with several students. Three years ago, when we started this meeting, it looked like a handful of small mustard seeds, just fellowship among young men and women. But for the last three years, the seeds have been growing spiritually until most have dedicated their lives to Christ Jesus. Last Thursday we were invited to Priscilla’s new apartment. I was very moved, not only by her hospitality, but also by her sincerity and loyalty to Christ Jesus her Lord and Savior and her desire to learn about Jesus’ compassion. Ben and Priscilla are young. The capacity of their spiritual growth is limitless. As their faith, love, and faithfulness to Christ Jesus grows, they will become great spiritual leaders and spiritual giants in this generation.

UBF ministry started in Kwangju Korea in 1961, one of the smallest country in the world, with two servants of God, the Korean pastor Dr. Samuel Lee and the American missionary Sarah Barry. But it grew continuously because they had God’s life, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Their hope and faith in the kingdom of God was planted into the hearts of Korean college students through one to one bible studies and prayer meetings. At that time, young Korean students were poor and hungry. They did not know what to do for themselves and for their country after the devastation of the Korean War. But they saw the kingdom of God in Jesus through Bible studies. They had a vision and a hope to pioneer campuses and change the whole world through the gospel of Jesus Christ. As the kingdom of God grew, these students went out to the world as missionaries and Bible teachers. They spread throughout the world and planted the seeds of the kingdom of God wherever they went. The seeds of the kingdom of God are growing on each campus and in each country.

Do you remember shepherd Ison Hong who used to be a member of Springfield UBF? When he came to the USA from Malaysia six years ago, his only hope was to finish his studies in America and go back to his country to find a good-paying job. He had no hope for God’s kingdom at all. But he met a UBF missionary in Chicago and began to study the Bible. The kingdom of God began to grow in his heart. Six years later, after finishing his school in the USA, he went back to Malaysia not as a successful career man, but as a missionary for his own people. Most of his people are Muslim. But he prayed and decided to start a UBF ministry all by himself. Then God sent several prayer partners and co-workers, such as Vincent Lee from Hyde Park UBF and a married couple from Philippine UBF. The work of salvation has started in the Muslim world in Malaysia. The seed of the kingdom of God, which had been planted in the heart of one foreign student, grew and is now conveyed to Malaysia and continues to grow in the Muslim world. Who knew that God would use shepherd Ison Hong like the Apostle Paul to change the history of the world?

26 years ago, the seed of the kingdom of God was planted in my heart. At that time, I was wandering in the darkness of sin and death without any life direction. I was dying with spiritual and physical sickness. But through Bible study, I had hope for eternal life in the kingdom of God. This faith and hope changed my life. At that time, there was no UBF shepherd nor sheep at my college among 8,000 students. However, the seed of God’s kingdom that started in my heart began to grow and spread to all the students on the campus. It was only me, just one person when UBF started at my college, but later it became two, and then several, and now many in every corner of the world. Our one to one Bible study here looks as small and insignificant as a mustard seed. Missionary James Lee’s one to one bible study with Jamin Lee, Msn. Abraham Park with Andrew, Msn. Isaiah with Chinsana, and Shepherd Ben with Natalie all look small and insignificant to human eyes. However, when the seeds of God’s kingdom grow in their students’ hearts, they will grow to be big spiritual trees, giants who will become sources of blessings to people all over the world Amen.

Second, the kingdom of God influences and transforms like yeast (20,21). Look at verses 20,21. “Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.” It is interesting to notice that Jesus uses a man for the parable of the mustard seed and a woman for the parable of yeast. The man works outside in the field while a woman works inside in the kitchen. Jesus compares the kingdom of God to yeast which makes dough rise to become bread. The work of yeast cannot be seen by our eyes because it is a chemical reaction. However, yeast permeates a batch of dough and transforms the dough’s size. Yeast is a symbol of permeation and transformation.

Like yeast, the kingdom of God permeates and transforms people, families, communities, societies, nations and the world. In human history there have been many men and women who greatly influenced others, such as St. Peter, the Apostle Paul, St. Augustine, Muhammad, Abraham Lincoln, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and others. All of them were influenced by Jesus Christ, who became yeast for the world. In the past, Paul was a legalistic and self-righteous Pharisee. But after meeting the Risen Jesus, who forgave his sins and called him to be a light for the Gentiles, Paul was changed into a humble, compassionate and sacrificial shepherd for the world. St. Augustine was once an intellectual hedonist. He was a man of bad influence. But when he came to know Jesus Christ personally through Bishop Ambrose in Rome, he was changed. He confessed all his sins and decided to emulate the life of Jesus. He wrote books such as “Confessions” and “City of God,” which have encouraged billions of people in all generations. Abraham Lincoln was an eloquent and cynical politician. His critical comments made him many enemies and political opponents. However, when he accepted Jesus’ words, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged,” he was changed (Mt 7:1). He decided to love his enemies as Jesus did for sinners instead of judging or crushing his enemies. Now he is one of the most respected presidents of the United States and his influence still remains in the hearts and spirits of Americans.

Sarah Barry’s influence has been great in the UBF ministry. Her sacrificial missionary life in Korea and America teaches many men and women how to live as Christians on this earth. The kingdom of God is like yeast. Knowingly and unknowingly it works in people’s hearts by transforming, changing and creating them into new creations.

Third, make every effort to enter through the narrow door. (22-30) Look at verses 22,23. “Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” Some Jews thought that only Jews could be saved by God because they were descendants of Abraham, the man of God’s covenant. How did Jesus answer them? Look at verse 24a. “…he said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” Jesus did not answer how many will enter, but how to be saved and who will enter the kingdom of God. Jesus taught us to make every effort to enter through the narrow door for the kingdom of God. Reading the book “The Pilgrim’s Progress”, we see how much the character Christian suffered and endured until he finally arrived at the gate of heaven. On one occasion, Christian fell into the Swamp of Dispond and almost lost his life. Then he met Mr. Worldly Wiseman who distracted him from his journey. He confronted Giant, who put him in jail and beat him until he almost lost all hope for his life. He passed the Mount of Law, the Market of Vanity, the Valley of Humiliation, and crossed over the River of Death in order to get to the city gate. During his pilgrimage, he risked his life many times. Christian endured all these hardships and finished his pilgrimage successfully. His life reminds us of Paul’s words, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God…” (Ac 14:22)

Indeed, living a godly life in this godless world is not easy. People of the world want to take life easy. They don’t want to struggle but want to live as they feel. However, Jesus’ teaching challenges this. Jesus said, “If anyone who would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Following Jesus is like entering a narrow door. It is not popular or attractive to those who will perish, but to those who are saved it is a great blessing and privilege.

Jesus is the only door for us to enter to the kingdom of God. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Jn 14:6) Jesus also said, “I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture.” (Jn 10:9) These verses teach us who can be saved and who will enter the kingdom of God. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” God opens the door for anyone who believes in His One and Only Son Jesus to enter the kingdom of God. Those who accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior are pilgrims who have started the glorious spiritual journey to the Gate of Heaven. Their life in Christ is like entering a narrow door, but it eventually leads to eternal life. Amen

Verses 25-30 teach us who can enter the kingdom of God. Please read 25-30. These verses teach us to have a deep personal relationship with Jesus as the Lord and Savior. In Matthew 7:21 Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” May God help us to have a personal faith in Jesus and do his will by obeying his words. Amen.

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