Read: Luke 13:18-35

By: Pastor Jarren

“Jesus is the human face on the kingdom of God. He makes it concretely accessible.” – Dallas Willard

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 perched in its branches.

What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.

What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is a man who gives of himself for his wife, a wife who gives of herself to her husband. It is the selfless act of marriage.

What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is speaking for those without a voice. It is standing up for those who cannot stand for themselves. It is seeing injustice and brokenness, living life there, and inviting Christ into it.

What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is seeing beauty, experiencing nature, realizing what is good. It is noticing grace, experiencing love, living in joy. And giving all the credit to its Creator.

What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is worship. True worship. Not only in word but in deed. It is living a life that speaks to the goodness and faithfulness of your God. It is celebrating Him in the good times and the bad.

What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is surrender. It is laying down your life for another. It is laying your life down at Jesus’ feet. It is sacrificing yourself on the altar of His grace.

What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is a wildfire of the Spirit. It is people encountering the Holy Spirit when they first believed and never letting go. It is allowing the Spirit to change you, to mold you, to fill you.

What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is unstoppable. Nothing can stop God’s work from being done. No plot from hell nor scheme of man can ever mess up the work that God is doing.

What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is reconciliation. It is forgiving your brother and sister and loving them with the love of God. It is being reconciled to humans and being reconciled to God. It is the restoring of relationship.

What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is open doors, open windows, tore-down walls. It is open arms and open invitation. Sinners and saints alike are welcome in the house of God.

What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is humanity. It is everyone from every color and creed. All of Christ’s followers from all over the earth. It is the entirety of creation renewed by God in the end. It is all of creation thrown back into balance by its Creator.

What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is eternity with a God who loves us, cares for us, and wants us.