Visiting Pastor Stuart Briscoe brings a message on the Kingdom of God from Luke 13:18-21. After Jesus healed a woman who was “bound by Satan” a debate erupted that left the people deeply divided. Jesus took the opportunity to raise the question, “What is the kingdom of God like” and answered it himself by way of analogy. The kingdom of God is “like a mustard seed” and can be compared to “yeast…worked through dough”. Clearly some interpretation is needed!
SERMON OUTLINE
I. The Context. (Luke 13:10-17)
- A crippled woman had come to the synagogue looking for help.
- Jesus diagnosed her condition as “bound by Satan.”
- He called her forward, touched her and pronounced her “free.”
- A demonstration of compassion, authority and power.
- Some saw only a challenge to their religious system; others something infinitely greater.
- Jesus had taught the significance of His overcoming Satan—see 11:20.
- What they had witnessed was a tiny part of a cosmic spiritual conflict—but not all recognized it.
II. The Conflict.
- God had promised a Savior who would “crush Satan’s head” (Genesis 3:16)
- God had decided the Savior would rule from David’ s throne—an everlasting kingdom. (Isaiah 9:6, 7)
- Israel failed but even in captivity they heard of a conquering kingdom. (Daniel 2)
- When Christ announced the kingdom (4:43)—they misunderstood. (Acts 1: 6)
- When Christ died, Satan thought he’d won; until Christ rose again.
III. The Challenge.
- Believing there is a conflict between two kingdoms.
- Believing that Christ is destined to win the cosmic struggle. (see Revelation 11:15)
- Because He seems to be losing—like when He was on the Cross?
- Because His church is so outnumbered –
- Because His people are weak and failing—so were His 11 disciples.
- Believing I have a role to play.
- I’m so small—but so is a mustard seed.
- I’m so “bound”—so was the little lady.
- I’m so insignificant—so is yeast.
IV. The Commitment.
- I choose to believe that the kingdom has come but has not yet fully come—and I expect its fulfillment.
- I choose to believe that Christ’s kingdom will continue to grow relentlessly and miraculously.
- I choose to commit myself to allowing your kingdom to grow in my life like yeast in dough.