Have you ever regretted not seizing an opportunity that you wished you had taken? Perhaps it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to travel to a new or exotic place or take a promising job that entailed some risk. Maybe you faced a situation where you could have emerged stronger or deepened your faith but chose the safer path to stay within your comfort zone.
 
Today, we will look at someone in the Bible who seized an opportunity that involved a lot of risk. Often, his impulsive nature got him into trouble, but his fervor for the Lord drove him to take bold steps. In Matthew 14:22-36, we find a story frequently cited in sermons as an example of failure due to a lack of faith. The man in question is Peter the Disciple. This narrative is commonly viewed with pity for Peter’s impulsiveness and perceived lack of faith, as Jesus calls him out of the boat. Eventually, he began sinking into the turbulent waves.
 
Matthew 14:22 – 36
 
I think there is a different angle to this story. Instead of us looking at Peter’s wavering faith that caused him to sink into the turbulent waters, I want to focus on the extraordinary faith that caused him to do something that no one has ever done besides Jesus. How can you say Peter had extraordinary faith when he sank into the waters? Let me answer that question with a question: How many of us have ever walked on water?
 
It is safe to say that no one has ever accomplished such a feat. So, can we call someone a failure for doing something, even if it is for a few moments, that no one else has ever done or even tried to do? Today, I want to focus on Peter's success and relate it to you personally and our church. Instead of focusing on the sinking disciple, let us focus on the water-walking disciple of Jesus Christ.
 
Imagine for a moment a boat filled with twelve men fighting the sea's wind and storm. These men have tirelessly witnessed and assisted Jesus’ miraculous of feeding five thousand with merely five loaves of bread and two fish before this account. Jesus stays back to dismiss the crowds, minister to them, and pray. Our tired but ambitious disciples are in the boat fighting the waves and the wind. The turbulent sea sends crashing waves tossing the boat to and fro on the waters. Struggling and working not to capsize, many probably wonder if they will make it to the other side alive.
 
I can imagine Jesus standing on the shore watching the disciple’s struggle. Instead of yelling for them to come back and pick him up, he does something unconventional—he walks on top of the water to meet them in the boat. As the disciples look into the distance, they see this figure walking on the water and are terrified, thinking they see a ghost! Knowing their fear, Jesus shouts out, “Don’t be afraid! It’s me, Jesus!”
 
Once the disciples realize who it is and what is happening, Peter yells, “If it is you, then command me to come out there with you!” Jesus replies, “Come!” I don’t think Peter hesitates as he gets out. I don’t believe he checks to see if he has proper footing or if he will be stable. I think he just jumps without thinking, thus becoming the first person ever to walk on water besides Jesus.
 
Not until he realizes what he has just done and second-guesses himself does he start to sink and scream for help. Jesus, being who he is, gently reaches out, grabs Peter, helps him, and sadly says, “O Peter, why did you doubt? I told you to come, and I would have been with you every step of the way.”
 
I don’t think Peter was a failure. I think his response was natural in his excitement for Christ. Jesus told him to come, and he did, and eventually, he sank. But here is the key—Peter. Walked. On. Water! Sure, his doubt became stronger than his faith after he realized what he was doing, but this in no way makes him a failure. Author and Pastor John Ortberg writes, “The way I see it, there were eleven failures sitting in the boat.”
 
Those eleven men never knew what it was like to walk on water. They never knew the excitement, the adrenaline rush, the amazement of doing something so miraculous that it could only be attributed to God himself. These eleven men had to live with the lingering question: “What if?” “What would have happened if I had got out of the boat?” They had to live with regret of never taking the chance when God called them out of their safety net.
 
This brings us to the point of today’s message. Sometimes, God invites or even commands us to do some risky things that seem uncomfortable, foolish, and even dangerous. We love comfort. We love security. We love assurance. This is what the boat in this story represents—comfort, security, and assurance. By nature, we are not risk-takers. However, I think God has designed us to be this way because when God does call us to do outrageous things, our only response can be awe and amazement when met with success.
 
God is not a conventional God. He uses extraordinary means to accomplish unthinkable tasks. Think about it: he used Gideon and 300 men, initially 20,000, to take down the Midianite army. He used trumpets, clashing cymbals, voices, and marching to knock down the wall of Jericho. He used a donkey to open the eyes of the Spiritual realm that surrounded Balaam. He used two fish and five loaves to feed 5,000 people. I think it is safe to say that God is not conventional. Humanly speaking, I can say that God is a risk-taker, and he invites us to take risks with him. The risk doesn’t come in the form of him not knowing the outcome. The risk lies with entrusting humanity to do his will.
Humanity is the risk that God takes. We are a fickle species. One moment, we may be filled with faith to do the most extreme things for God; the next, we can’t trust him for the smallest bit of faith.
 
Why don’t we like to take risks? Here are two reasons:

1. Fear of failure
2. Our love of comfort.

I don’t think we ever set out hoping that we will fail whenever we take a risk. However, failure can be our greatest guide to success. I bet that Peter’s faith was strengthened that day. He did something so amazing that no person in history ever did, and Jesus was there to help him up when his faith faltered.
 
Thomas Edison once said, “I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” He also said, “Many of life’s failures are men who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” We cannot fear failure, especially when God calls us out. The boat is a safe place, especially when you are in water. But Jesus wasn’t in the boat. The safest place those twelve men could have been at that time was in the treacherous waters because that is where Jesus was!
 
I think too much comfort makes one lazy and apathetic. I am not suggesting that we go out into the world and live dangerous lives without regard for safety and security. Still, sometimes, I attribute our love of comfort to why our spiritual lives are stagnant and boring, and we do not see God doing miraculous things in our lives.
 
This brings us to the concluding questions and thoughts of this message. I hope God may ask us to do unconventional things and use eccentric methods to reach people. The question is, “Are you willing to get out of the boat?” Are we willing to leave the safety and comfort of our own lives and go to where Jesus is?
 
Taking a risk means trusting God beyond our comfort zones. We are often reluctant to take risks because of fear of failure and love of comfort. The story of Peter walking on water perfectly illustrates what happens when we step out in faith. Even though Peter began to sink when he doubted, he still experienced the miracle of walking on water because he trusted Jesus enough to step out of the boat.
 
In our lives, stepping out of the boat might mean taking on new challenges, pursuing dreams that seem impossible, or following a calling that requires us to leave our comfort zones. When we focus on the risk instead of the potential for failure, we align ourselves with God’s plan and open the door for miracles. The eleven disciples who stayed in the boat missed the opportunity to experience something extraordinary because they were too afraid to take the risk.
As a church and individuals, we must be willing to take risks to see God’s miracles in our lives. This might mean starting new ministries, reaching out to different communities, or supporting missions that stretch our faith. When we step out in faith, trusting that God will equip us and provide for us, we will see His power at work in ways we never imagined.
 
In conclusion, God often calls us to step out of our comfort zones and take risks to experience His extraordinary works. Even briefly, Peter’s act of faith in walking on water is a testament to the incredible things that can happen when we trust God and step out in faith. As we pursue God’s call for our lives and this church, let us be willing to take risks, knowing that God is with us and will equip us for whatever He calls us to do. Let us not let our fear of failure or love of comfort hold us back from experiencing God's miraculous power in our lives. Let’s get out of the boat and walk towards Jesus, trusting Him every step of the way.
 

John the Baptist’s primary role in life and death was to point people to Jesus. He knew his place in the world.  He had a humble (and strong) spirit about him.  He was not a self-promoter; he was a kingdom of Jesus promoter.  He had no agenda of his own.  His desire and message were for the things of God.  He was more concerned with people being right with God through the message of baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sins.  His purpose was to show people a new way of life in the Kingdom of God through the Messiah (Jesus Christ). There were times people thought he was the coming Messiah, but he quickly corrected them and told them there was another, who was the Messiah, and John was unworthy to untie the straps of the sandals of this Messiah. He was a righteous and persecuted man who was arrested for speaking the truth, and ultimately, he was murdered for his truthfulness. His death was gruesome, and his life and ministry always pointed to expansion and a growing Kingdom that was at hand.
​
Matthew 14:1 – 12
 
This passage is a flashback, as John was probably executed several months before the events of Matthew 14. Before this account, John had been imprisoned for about a year and a half. Herod had heard reports about Jesus’ activities, and Matthew’s narrative about the execution is likely a historical flashback and it is here that the events of John’s death were recalled.
 
On Herod’s birthday, a grand celebration was held in his honor at the palace, where John was imprisoned. Herod had John imprisoned because John had called Herod out on his scandal of marriage to his brother’s wife. John was vocal about disapproving of the new marriage as it violated OT law. It was not just the fact of divorce, but that the specific provisions of the Levitical law were being violated. This marriage was considered a form of incest within the family. This evening, his wife, Herodias’ daughter (named Salome, according to Josephus), is commanded by her mother to dance for Herod. The girl is believed to have been only twelve to fourteen years old, but in this degraded, deceptive setting, she was being forced by her mother to perform this dance and ask for John’s head.  Commentators usually assume that we are being invited to think of seductive dancing before half-drunk men. But this is to jump to conclusions: drunkenness may be the reason for Herod’s recklessness, but dancing need not be erotic or sensual to bring pleasure and to stir appreciation.  Regardless, she “pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.”
 
Herodias steps in immediately to orchestrate eliminating another threat to her husband’s rule. She urges her daughter to ask for the head of John the Baptist on a platter because she wants to be rid of the one who condemned their immoral union. Beheading was a somewhat common practice among merciless leaders.
 
This was not what Herod expected because Herod knew that John was a prophet and was popular among the people. According to Mark’s account, Herod respected and protected John, and he really did not want to execute him. But he also did not want to lose face in front of his guests,“So John was beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother.
 
This was a tragic end to the life of one who dedicated his life to promoting Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.  Thankfully, he is not remembered solely for being the man who was beheaded for his convictions and loyalty to God.  But his legacy is about elevating Jesus and the Kingdom of God. This brings us to the second text I would like to look at this morning.
 
John 3:22 - 30
He Must Increase…
This was the primary message of John the Baptist.
 
Verse 22 - 24:  Jesus and his disciples went to the countryside in Judea and were baptizing people.  We see that it wasn’t Jesus but his disciples who were baptizing (John 4:2), which caused concern among the disciples of John the Baptist (vs. 26).
 
Verse 25, 26: There was some discussion between John the Baptist’s disciples and some Jews over the rite of purification.  We are not told the precise details of this conversation, but it was most likely over the significance of baptism and possibly how it was administered.  There was talk about the distinction between John’s baptism and ceremonial cleansing.  The essential factor in John’s baptism was the prior requirement of repentance.  We are also not told what the Jews' motivation was in talking to John’s disciples.  It could have easily been to stir up jealousy and division between John’s disciples concerning Jesus’ baptizing ministry. The Jews could have been saying to John the Baptists disciples, “What are you guys going to do about this Jesus guy and his disciples infringing on your ministry?  Isn’t baptizing your business?  Isn’t this what John and his followers are called to do?  They have no right to baptize people.  There isn’t enough business for the two of you in this area.”  This concerned John’s disciples because they went to their teacher and voiced their concerns.  They said, “Teacher, everyone is going to Jesus to be baptized, and fewer are coming to us!”  They were concerned because they thought they were supposed to be the authoritarians of baptism, and here comes this other band of disciples doing their job.
 
Verse 27, 28:  John’s response was not what his disciples were expecting.  He responds, “You guys know I am not the Messiah.  You have heard me say my job is to prepare the way for the Messiah, which is what I have done.”  He was not upset because he knew his place in this part of history.  John’s role in the Gospel account was small but VERY significant.  His job was to be a promoter of Jesus (The voice crying out in the Wilderness) and not of himself and his ministry.  It wasn’t up to him to convince people to be baptized by him and his disciples; he was on the scene to point people to the Messiah.  This would not be a very good marketing strategy by today’s standards.  Here’s John’s church growth marketing plan: “Don’t come to me because I am just a voice crying out in the wilderness.  Go to Jesus; He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”  He wasn’t all about “LOOK AT ME!”  John was all about “DON’T look at me, look to Jesus!”  
 
Verses 29 - 30:  John shows that he is NOT upset or threatened, but he is ecstatic about what is happening.  He compares himself to the best man in a wedding.  As a best man, you know the wedding has nothing to do with you.  You are there to assist, rejoice, and celebrate with the groom and his upcoming marriage.  I am sure many men may have been the best man from hell when they tried to make it about them, but this is not the case with John.
 
John says Jesus is the bridegroom, and the bride (in the O.T. was Israel) is the Church.  John the Baptist is the “friend of the bridegroom” or best man.  His job is to stand with Jesus and rejoice with him because the time has come for the marriage ceremony.  So, John not only says he is joyful but that his joy is COMPLETE (he can die a happy man).  
 
The following is how John modeled his life, and we should as well… “He must increase, and I must decrease.”  John was not merely making a general statement he was stating what MUST take place.  According to R.C. Sproul, “He (John) was called to go before Christ, and once he had announced Christ, then John was to go into the background that Christ might emerge in the fullness of His leadership as the appointed Messiah.  ‘It is necessary,’ John said.  ‘It’s not optional.  This has to happen.  It has to take place.  I have to decrease.  He must increase.’”  The Church would have a greater impact on the world if it had only heeded these words of John.
 
If we (the Church) make it a point to promote Jesus and not us (our building, music, pastor, friendliness, acceptance, comfort level, etc.), then we would see an increase in people following Jesus.  Like John the Baptist, our job in this world is Jesus’ promotion and not self/church promotion.
 
Verse 31-32:  These verses appear to be the reflective words of John “the Evangelist” and explain why Jesus must increase (since he is from above) and ultimately above all.  John the Baptist speaks of the earthly things and thus does not have the same authority as Jesus, so it is imperative that Jesus increase and John must decrease.  When Jesus speaks about the things of heaven, he speaks with authority, and yet humanity (in general) has not accepted his message.  
 
Verse 33 - 36:  Those who receive Jesus’ testimony do so by accepting that his Word is indeed the Word of God, and that God is faithful.  He has given us an unlimited amount of the Spirit.  He re-iterates the theme of this chapter…  Jesus is the Son of God; all things are given to Him by the Father.  Anyone who believes (Commits unto, trusts, places confidence in, has saving faith) in Jesus has abundant life.  Whoever does not believe or obey will not have abundant life, joy, peace or a place in the Kingdom of God.
  
Application/Conclusion
The command of John the Baptist for "Jesus to increase, and we must decrease" calls us to mutually embody humility, unity, and a Christ-centered focus in the body of Christ. This involves prioritizing the values and teachings of Jesus in our interactions, decision-making, and overall goals. Practically, we can apply this by fostering an environment of mutual support and respect, where the needs of others are placed above individual desires. Engaging the neighborhood, outreach programs, and collaborative efforts to address social issues are some ways we can reflect Jesus' love and compassion. Furthermore, our worship, prayer meetings, and study groups should center around growing in understanding and living out the teachings of Jesus. By doing so, we strengthen our bonds within the community and serve as a beacon of Christ's presence and love to the broader world.
 
The message of "Jesus must increase, and I must decrease" invites us to embrace the Kingdom life. It challenges us to evaluate our priorities and actions, ensuring they align with the teachings of Jesus. As we decrease in our self-importance and increase our dedication to living out our faith, we experience a transformation that enriches our spiritual journey and impacts those around us. By making Jesus the center of our lives, we become more compassionate and Christ-like. This journey of decreasing self and increasing Christ within us is a continuous process that requires daily commitment and a heart open to the transformative power of God's love.
 
 

Introduction
In the Gospel of John, Jesus' public ministry unfolds with a display of divine power and compassion. Chapter 2 marks the beginning of this journey, where Jesus, prompted by his mother, performs his first miracle. This event, the transformation of water into wine, showcases Jesus' ability to manifest the miraculous and sets the stage for the teachings and transformative acts that would define his ministry. This initial miracle introduces the narrative of redemption, grace, and spiritual revelation in the Gospel of John.
 
Background
A wedding celebration in Jesus’ time could last as long as a week.  It was truly a festive celebration.  The usual festivities consisted of a procession in which the bridegroom’s friends brought the bride to the groom’s house and then a wedding supper; the festivities lasted seven days. The Mishnah ordained that the wedding of a virgin should take place on Wednesday[1] There was no religious ceremony that precedes the celebration.  The groom would wear his best outerwear and go to the bride’s parents' house.  Friends, musicians, and torchbearers accompanied him if it was nighttime.  He received his bride from the parents, and a celebration followed (signing a contract or document did occur).  In the evening, the bride was escorted to the nuptial chamber by her parents, and the groom by his companions or the bride’s parents. The festivities resumed the following day and continued for the remaining days. It was a festive time, and the community celebrated it.  The groom paid for the festivities and was expected to provide enough food and drinks for the whole party.  To run out of supplies would be an embarrassment.  It was even possible for legal action to be taken against a family if they failed to provide enough food and drink for their guests.
 
John 2:1 – 12
 
The Wedding
Jesus and his disciples attended a wedding in Cana. Most likely, it was a wedding for a relative of Jesus (apocryphal teachings suggest that Mary was the groom's aunt) or a close friend. Jesus and his disciples were also in attendance. The disciples who attended with Jesus were perhaps the five Jesus had previously called: Andrew, Philip, Peter, Nathanael, and the unnamed disciple (John?).  It is reasonable to believe that Mary could have overseen some organizational aspect of the wedding since she was concerned about the wine running out.  The supply of wine may have been her responsibility, or she could have just been concerned about the bridegroom and did not want to see him embarrassed or humiliated.  Whatever the reason, she went to Jesus with her concern and let him know the wine was gone. 
 
 “Jesus’ Mother” Among Arabs today, the “mother of X” is an honorable title for a woman who has been fortunate enough to bear a son. John never calls her Mary.[2]
 
According to theologian D.A. Carson, “Wine in the ancient world was diluted with water to between one third and one tenth of its fermented strength, i.e. something less strong than American beer. Undiluted wine, about the strength of wine today, was viewed as a ‘strong drink’ and earned much more (disapproval).”  
 
Jesus’ mother comes to him with her concern about the wine shortage, and there are several possible reasons why she went to him.  First, her husband (Joseph) was probably dead by this time (since we don’t hear anything from him after the time Jesus taught in the temple at age 12) so Jesus was the head of the household and was the one making the money in the family as a carpenter.  She figured he would go out and use his resources to buy more.  Second, she knew Jesus was who he claimed to be, the Messiah, the Son of God, and she was asking him to do something supernatural.  I mean, she was his mother.  Third, she was worried that this would come back on her, and she was only complaining to Jesus; she was just passing on the sad news that she didn’t do her job right.  Of these three possibilities, the second could be the most plausible, but certainly, all three could also be true.  Mary knew her son was God's divine Son and God would do great things through Him.  She was the chosen virgin to give birth to the Savior of the world.  He was the Messiah; certainly, He could do something about the wine shortage.
 
At first glance, Jesus’ response to his mother seems harsh and disrespectful: “Dear Woman, that is not our problem.”  This was not a rebuke or a disrespectful response to his mother. He wasn’t giving an embarrassed teenager response.  Instead, “woman” is a form of address; in Koine Greek, it is a way of speaking politely to a female person. In John 2:4, Jesus uses this word to address his mother courteously.  In some ways, it could be synonymous with the word “Ma’am”.  When he says, “This is not our problem” or “What business is this of mine?” or “Why are you involving me?” he may be saying lovingly, to his mother that he is not under human authority (including his mother), any person’s agenda or will would sway Him into doing something (being a Genie of sorts) that God didn’t foreordain.  This isn’t a form of rebellion against his mother. He is only stating a very important truth; his only bidding is to do ONLY the will of the Father.  From this point on, Jesus began distancing himself from her.  I can’t believe how difficult that would have been for Him or for her to accept.  However, Jesus couldn’t allow himself to be so closely attached to his human mother because his bidding was to do all the Father had told him.  From a human standpoint, it is hard to imagine, but from an eternal perspective, it was necessary.  She, like anyone else, needed to come to him for salvation.  She had no special privileges, and Jesus certainly wasn’t distancing himself out of callousness; his distancing was for her good.  In the light of the cross, this distancing was necessary.  As a mother, she is obedient and trusting of her son as she tells the servants to do what he says.  She trusted Jesus was going to take care of things.  D.A. Carson writes again, “In short, in 2:3 Mary approaches Jesus as his mother, and is reproached; in 2:5 she responds as a believer, and her faith is honored.  She still does not know what he would do; but she has committed the matter to him, and trusts him.”  
 
The result of Jesus performing this miracle of turning water into wine has a significant truth about God.  So many commentators, theologians, preachers, and Christians focus on the symbolism of the water and the wine or the alcohol content of the wine, and I believe they miss the point of this miracle.  Not only does Jesus provide wine for the wedding guests, but he also supplies them with the finest of wine (the best) and provides an abundance.  Here, we see God’s grace in action.  Did Jesus do this for Mary?  Did he do it for the guests?  or did he do it for the groom?  I don’t think he did this specifically for any of these people, but they indeed were recipients of his blessing and grace.  The purpose of this miracle was to reveal his glory so the disciples would believe in him and glorify God.  It wasn’t so much about taking care of the guests; it wasn’t about being obedient to his mother. It was about showing His glory so his followers would believe and testify to who He is.  It’s ultimately about God’s glory and grace.  We see so much grace in this account as Jesus says, “I am not under any human authority, nor will I be used as a Genie to give you what you want.  But because God wants to be the source of all your joy and because of my Father’s great love for humanity, I will do as you ask.”
 
Conclusion/Application
So, what can we take with us today on this special day where we celebrate mothers?

1. Jesus’ mother was a remarkable woman.  Even the savior of the world had a mother, and she was blessed among all women. According to the angel Gabriel, she would give birth to the Messiah, and she was chosen because she was blessed among all women.  What an honorable title to have as a mother. She was the mother of God in human flesh.  As remarkable and blessed as she was, however, she still needed to have her own faith.  Jesus was not going to give her special privileges.  Like everyone else, she needed to trust Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Thus, we can conclude that everyone needs to have faith.  Each person must place their faith in Jesus and trust him personally to be his/her Redeemer, Lord, and Savior.  There are no exceptions.  God does not honor or show favorites; you are responsible for your faith… the faith of your parents, church, or other relatives will not save you.  If Mary is no exception, you and I will not be.
   
   
2. Everything Jesus did was to show the glory of the Father.  God delights in giving good things, but he doesn’t always give them for our benefit… He gives good things for His glory.  In this wedding account, Mary was concerned that the wine had run out.  The groom would be embarrassed, the people could be angry, and Mary could ultimately look bad because she had shirked her responsibility (if not her, someone was going to be blamed for the shortage).  Jesus says, “Humans cannot tell me what to do because I am doing ONLY the will of the Father.  However, because the Father loves you and wants to be the source of joy in every person's life, I will take care of the issue… ONLY so I/God can be glorified, and people will believe.”  Jesus’ sole purpose in life was to show the glory of God and draw others into his presence. 

Today, we celebrate the remarkable women in our lives, including Jesus' mother, Mary. We can draw parallels between her faith and our spiritual journeys. Just as Mary needed her own personal faith in Jesus, separate from her esteemed role as the mother of the Savior, we are reminded that our faith cannot be inherited or borrowed from others. We are called to develop our relationship with God, grounded in faith and obedience.
 
Additionally, as we reflect on Jesus' actions at the wedding at Cana, we are reminded that the purpose of our lives is to glorify God. As we receive blessings and honor the mothers who have nurtured and shaped us, we are called to recognize that these blessings are ultimately meant to point back to the goodness and glory of God. In honoring our mothers, we honor the God who created them and sustains us all.
 
As we celebrate Mother's Day, let us express gratitude for the mothers in our lives and recommit ourselves to living lives that magnify God's glory. Just as Jesus' actions brought joy and honor to the wedding party, may our lives reflect God's character and draw others into His presence, ultimately bringing honor to His name.
 

[1] Raymond E. Brown, The Gospel according to John (I–XII): Introduction, Translation, and Notes, vol. 29, Anchor Yale Bible (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2008), 97–98.

[2] Raymond E. Brown, The Gospel according to John (I–XII): Introduction, Translation, and Notes, vol. 29, Anchor Yale Bible (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2008), 98.

Introduction
Jesus often spoke in parables. Throughout his teachings, Jesus frequently delved into discussions about the kingdom of God, using parables. Now, what exactly are parables, you might ask? Well, they're like little nuggets of wisdom wrapped up in simple, everyday stories. Think of them as Jesus' way of painting vivid pictures to convey deep spiritual truths, religious principles, or moral lessons.
 
Instead of hitting people with heavy theological jargon, Jesus opted for a more down-to-earth approach. He'd tell stories about farmers sowing seeds, lost coins, or wayward sons—this is stuff everyone could relate to. And in these ordinary stories, he'd unravel the mysteries of God's kingdom and shed light on the nature of God Himself.
 
Why did Jesus choose this storytelling method? Because he knew that to truly grasp the profound truths he was sharing, people needed something tangible, something they could wrap their minds around. So, he'd draw parallels from everyday life, using familiar experiences to unlock the secrets of the divine and that brings us to this morning’s text.
 
Matthew 13:31 – 50
Vs 31: Jesus describes the Kingdom of God as a mustard seed: “Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.”
 In this, Jesus shows that the Kingdom of God is continually growing.  He also likens the Kingdom to leaven (13:33), a treasure hidden in a field (13:44), a merchant searching for fine pearls (13:45), and a net in the sea (13:47 – 50).  In other words, Jesus is saying the kingdom of heaven is an expanding kingdom of great worth and value to God.  In this passage the word kingdom is translated from the Greek word Basileia which means an area or district ruled by a king, royal power, kingship, the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah. The word is used in the N.T. to refer to the reign of the Messiah.  So, what does mean when he talks about the Kingdom of God? The Bible does imply that the Kingdom of God is a present spiritual reality fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ.  He is the King but has not yet, set up his eternal kingdom.  The king has come, he is supreme, he is sovereign, however, He has not fully established his true kingdom here on earth, thus it is also a future kingdom.    
 
 The kingdom is present through Jesus Christ (through his physical appearance on this earth, and through his indwelling Spirit in the believer) and it is future in the second coming which ushers in his messianic reign for all eternity.  
 
Luke 17:20 – 21: “One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, ‘When will the Kingdom of God come?’ Jesus replied, ‘The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs. You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you.’” In this conversation Jesus was saying that He is the fulfillment of the kingdom, in fact, the kingdom was standing before the Pharisees in the flesh, and they did not recognize it.
 
Thus if the the kingdom is present through Jesus then it is also present in his body (the Church) as it is important and valuable in every aspect to God.  So much so that He sent His Son to be the perfect sacrifice so that all who believe in Him can access His Kingdom both now and for all eternity, and this kingdom you and I are a part of, we help expand it for God’s glory.   The simple truth is that wherever Jesus is present, there the Kingdom is present.
 
Vs. 41 – 43: “The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!”
The kingdom is not merely a present, personal reality but also a future, historical event. It is fulfilled in Christ's return with his angels to gather his elect from the four winds and establish his visible throne upon the earth.   This kingdom will be a time of eternal refreshing restitution, and we will live in the continual presence of Jesus Christ.  This is the great hope for the believer but a looming and terrifying time for anyone who does not believe. 
 
 Luke 1:31 – 33: “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” The Angel Gabriel tells Mary that her son, Jesus, would establish this kingdom, and it will be a never-ending kingdom with Christ reigning as the king.   It will be a place where we eat and drink at the table of Christ and sit on thrones. 
 
John 18:36: “Jesus answered, ‘My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.’” Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world, (governed or established in the world) but it is certainly present in the world.  The future kingdom will be ushered in by the imminent return of Jesus Christ at His second coming.  What a glorious day this will be! 
           
So, who are the beneficiaries of this kingdom?  To begin it should be noted that there is only one way to be part of the kingdom of God and that is through faith in Jesus Christ. 
 
2 Peter 1:5 – 11:  Those who pursue God and commit to living their lives for his glory and honor (through Christ) will be part of his kingdom. 
 
Eph. 5:5: On the other hand, the one who rejects Christ will have no inheritance in the Kingdom of heaven, “You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.” .  
 
Matthew 5:3 Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs” The poor in spirit are those who recognize their need and dependency on God.  They understand that their life is missing something and that something is God.  
 
Matthew 5:10, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.”  Jesus affirms that those who are persecuted for his righteousness’ sake will also be welcomed into the kingdom of heaven.  A big welcome mat will be set out for the men and women who are so committed to Christ that they are beaten, tortured and even killed for their faith in Christ.  
 
Matthew 18:3 – 4 Jesus says, “Truly I tell you,” he said, “unless you turn and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” Thus, the kingdom of God is reserved for the converted and those who have faith in Christ like a child.   This childlike faith is like a child who is dependent on his parents we so must have this same dependency on God.  
 
Lastly, what is our response to the Kingdom of God?  This can be answered with three simple words, “Seek, Pray, and Prepare”.  Jesus says in Matthew 6:33, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
 
  My primary job is to seek FIRST God’s kingdom.  Our perspective in life is not merely temporal nor are my concerns just of or for this world; they are for those things from above.  Romans 12:2 says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
 
We are also to pray for God’s kingdom to come.  This world is not our permanent home but God has placed us in the world to shine the light of Christ, and we are part of God’s kingdom here on earth and eventually our eternal residence.  We are sojourners in this worldly kingdom but we yearn for the eternal Kingdom of God with Christ as our King.  I pray for this and I look forward to the day when I take up residency in heaven and live with my God for all eternity.  However, since we are here on this earth, we also have the responsibility to tell others about this kingdom and pray for our loved ones, friends, co-workers and family so they too may enter the kingdom of God on that glorious day.    
 
Lastly, we should prepare for the kingdom of God.  Revelation 1:7 says, “Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him— even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen!” There will be a second coming of Jesus Christ and we must be ready.  When Jesus does return, He will not come as the humble servant who is giving His life for the flock; instead, He will come as the triumphant King who judges the world, and he will establish His kingdom here on earth.  We must be prepared because we do not know when this day will be.  Jesus says in Matthew 24:44; “This is why you are also to be ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”  For believers, this is the day we anticipate.  For an unregenerate man, this will be a horrible and terrifying day that will end with weeping and gnashing of teeth. 
 
As I conclude, I admit that I have merely scratched the surface regarding the kingdom of God. There is so much more than what I have presented to you today. I would encourage you to get a concordance, look up all the passages on the kingdom of God or heaven, and have your own personal study on this topic. It is both fascinating and mind-boggling.
 
We all have jobs to do. First, we need to set priorities as believers by seeking God’s kingdom in our lives. We should also pray for His kingdom to come because this is our eternal bliss and destiny. However, until that day, we must abide in the kingdom here on earth and prepare for the eternal kingdom by diligently proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to a world that desperately needs hope, and this hope is only found in seeking Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.