The Kingdom Is Like King Jesus

Introduction

Good morning, church.

When people hear the word kingdom, they often imagine power, influence, territory, armies, and governments. In Jesus' day, many people thought exactly the same way. They longed for a political kingdom that would overthrow Rome and restore Israel's national greatness.

But Jesus came announcing a kingdom unlike anything they expected.

Instead of describing armies and revolutions, he talked about seeds, yeast, treasure, pearls, and fishing nets.

Why?

Because Jesus wanted his listeners to see that God's kingdom operates differently than human kingdoms. It grows differently. It wins differently. It transforms differently.

And the same lesson is important for us today.

Our Scripture reading comes from Matthew 13:31–33 and 44–52, where Jesus tells a series of parables about the kingdom of heaven.

Before we begin, it's helpful to remember that a parable is more than a simple illustration. Jesus often used parables to surprise people, challenge assumptions, and reveal spiritual realities that were hidden in plain sight.

These parables teach us something profound:

The kingdom reflects the character of its King.

If we want to understand the kingdom, we must look at Jesus.

Bottom Line: The kingdom is like King Jesus.

Let's see what these parables teach us about the King and his kingdom.

Expository Walkthrough

1. The Kingdom Begins Small but Accomplishes the Impossible

Jesus said:

“The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed …”

A mustard seed is tiny—easy to overlook, easy to dismiss.

Yet Jesus says it grows into something unexpectedly large, providing shelter and blessing for others.

This image challenged the expectations of his audience.

They were looking for a kingdom that would arrive with visible power and immediate dominance. Instead, Jesus describes something hidden, humble, and seemingly insignificant.

That's how God's kingdom often works.

It begins quietly.
It works beneath the surface.
It grows where people least expect it.

And doesn't that describe Jesus himself?

He wasn't born in a palace but in a manger.
He didn't gather armies but disciples.
He didn't seize power but willingly surrendered himself to death on a cross.

Like a seed planted in the ground, Jesus entered the grave.

But what appeared to be defeat became victory.
What appeared small became world-changing.

Through his death and resurrection, God inaugurated his kingdom.

Today, millions across the world worship the risen Christ because that tiny seed produced an unimaginable harvest.

The kingdom accomplishes what human power never could.

The kingdom is like King Jesus.

2. The Kingdom Quietly Transforms Everything It Touches

Jesus continues:

“The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour …”

Yeast is almost invisible once it is mixed into dough.

Yet its influence spreads throughout the entire batch.

Jesus uses this picture to teach us that God's kingdom works from the inside out.

Many people expect transformation through force.
God often transforms through presence.

His Spirit works quietly in hearts, families, churches, and communities.

Sometimes we wish God would instantly fix everything wrong in our lives.

Instead, he often works gradually, patiently shaping us into the image of Christ.

The same is true in the world.

Even when we cannot immediately see it, God is at work.

He is healing.
He is renewing.
He is restoring.
He is drawing people to himself.

The kingdom may seem hidden, but it is never absent.

Wherever Christ is present, transformation is taking place.

As believers, we participate in that kingdom through faith, baptism, communion, obedience, and daily surrender to Jesus.

The Holy Spirit continues his work in us and through us.

The kingdom is like King Jesus.

3. The Kingdom Reveals the Incomparable Worth of Jesus

Jesus then tells two short parables.

One man discovers hidden treasure.
Another finds a pearl of great value.

Both respond in exactly the same way.

They gladly sell everything they have to obtain what they found.

The emphasis is not on sacrifice.
The emphasis is on value.

When someone discovers something truly priceless, every other possession becomes secondary.

Ultimately, these parables point us to Jesus himself.

Paul describes Christ this way:

Though he was in very nature God, he emptied himself and took the form of a servant.

The Son of God possessed every glory imaginable.

Yet he willingly entered our broken world.

He humbled himself.
He suffered.
He died.

Why?

Because we were his treasure.
Because no price was too high.
Because his love would not leave us lost.

The cross reveals the astonishing value God places on humanity.

Jesus gave everything to redeem us.

And when we begin to see the beauty of Christ, we discover that nothing compares to him.

The kingdom is not merely something we receive.
The kingdom introduces us to the King.
And the King is worth everything.

The kingdom is like King Jesus.

4. The Kingdom Gathers All People and Removes All Evil

Jesus' final parable describes a fishing net gathering fish of every kind.

This image would have surprised many listeners.

Some expected God's kingdom to belong primarily to Israel.

But Jesus reveals a kingdom that reaches far wider.

The net gathers all kinds.

This points to the inclusive scope of Christ's saving work.

When Jesus became human, he entered our shared humanity.
When he died, he died for the world.
When he rose, he opened the way for all people to share in his life.

No one is beyond the reach of his grace.

Yet Jesus also reminds us that evil will not have the final word.

At the end of the age, God will bring justice.
Everything opposed to his goodness will be removed.
Everything that destroys life will be defeated.

Sometimes we wonder why evil still exists.
Why doesn't God eliminate it immediately?

The answer is not because God is indifferent.
Rather, he is patient.

His desire is repentance, redemption, and restoration.

Even now, through Christ's death and resurrection, the power of sin and death has already been broken.

The final victory has been secured.

We simply await its full revelation.

One day Jesus will return.
He will renew all things.
The hidden kingdom will become fully visible.
And evil will have no place in God's new creation.

The kingdom is like King Jesus.

Conclusion

So what have we learned today?

The kingdom begins small but accomplishes the impossible.
The kingdom quietly transforms everything it touches.
The kingdom reveals the incomparable worth of Jesus.
The kingdom gathers all people and ultimately removes all evil.

Most importantly, every one of these parables points us back to the same truth:

The kingdom is like King Jesus.

The kingdom is not primarily about politics, power, or human achievement.

It is about the reign of Christ.

It is God's gracious rule breaking into the world through the life, death, resurrection, and continuing work of Jesus.

And that kingdom is already at work among us.

Whenever forgiveness replaces bitterness,
Whenever generosity overcomes selfishness,
Whenever love triumphs over hatred,
Whenever hope rises in the middle of suffering,
the kingdom is being revealed.

Not through domination.
Not through force.
But through the character and life of Jesus.

Call to Action

This week, ask yourself:

Where is Jesus inviting me to participate in his kingdom?
Who needs to experience his love through me?
What hidden work might God be doing that I have failed to notice?

Let us follow our King faithfully and join him in his work of healing, renewal, and reconciliation.

Closing Prayer

Father, thank you for revealing your kingdom through your Son, Jesus Christ.

Thank you that your kingdom is already among us and that one day it will be revealed in all its fullness.

Teach us to trust your work even when it seems small and hidden.

Fill us with your Spirit so that we may reflect the character of our King in our words, actions, and relationships.

Help us to live as faithful citizens of your kingdom and to bear witness to your love wherever you send us.

We pray in the name of Jesus, our King.
Amen.

Click on link to see original sermon: https://equipper.gci.org/2026/06/sermon-for-july-26-2026-proper-12