He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.  Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”  He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds  of flour until it worked all through the dough.” Matthew 13:31‭-‬33 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.13.31-33.NIV The mustard seed demonstrates the dynamic growth of the Church even when the world is against it.  The parable of the mustard seed show the power of God.   The contrast of the smallest of the Kingdom against the Kingdom of the world.   What could be less significant than a small church or a tent revival.   Or a missionary couple living half a world away amongst natives.   We expect to find the Kingdom in the mega Churches, but these parables suggest that the real ki

Acts 20:24; Joshua 1:1-18; 1 Timothy 3:1-10 Martin Luther  - need to pray 3 hours to get work done.  Joshua respected Moses and obeyed him.  Joshua had the form of a servant.  Our Lord Jesus Christ came to earth and took the form of a servant.   Jesus obeyed His Father in heaven,  just as Joshua did under Moses.   Those who accept the authority of those placed in leadership under God's command.  Good leadership makes us want to obey if we accept his authority.   Joshua had learnt this. Obstacles: - Jordan in flood - Jericho  - moving the nation of Israel  Joshua made the Law of the Lord his rule.  The Law is not burdensome until Man becomes involved.   We are to meditate on God's law day and night.  People have to meditate on God's word.   Pastors, leaders cannot do this for people.  We must not neglect the ways of the Lord.   Read it, 'chew on it', teach by example.  Do not let your own failures dishearten you.  Look at the Lord and you will get there. 

Bible references:  Joshua 2 The cleverness of Joshua who sent spies into the land of Canaan to observe and report.  Caleb at the age of 80 raises an army to help take the land the Lord had promised the people.   When we don't use something God has given us, the item doesn't change,  but the value does.  When God gives you something,  use it or lose it. Joshua had the spies in to observe Jericho.   Joshua just sent them to Jericho,  to report to him, as the general.   He wanted to protect for the good of the nation.  This is a story about faith.  Faith in God's promises.  We've got to have the right faith in the right thing.  Faith in God and his promises.   We are to be diligent in doing this His way. Into the city the spies went and found Rehab.  But God had been working in the city and in the life of Rahab.  That which seems to us to be accidental meetings, is God at work.  God raised a woman to help Gods people.   James 2:25 - she did her work by faith.   Joshua had

Bible references:  Jeremiah 1; v1-8; Galatians 1:15 A message for the nations.   Jeremiah came from a suburb of Jerusalem.  He spoke through several king's reigns.   Josiah,  became king at 8 years old.   He takes the people back to God.   He restored the Law of the Lord back.   Jeremiah begins preaching 'beware'. There was a specific time given to Jeremiah to bring the Word of the Lord.  Jeremiah begins his ministry in the thirteenth year of Josiah's reign. He preached that the nation would be going into exile in Babylon.    The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah saying... v5.  He heard the voice of God.   God formed Jeremiah in the womb, set him apart, made him a prophet to the nations.   God chose him, sanctified him, set him apart as a prophet before his birth.  Galatians 1:15 - God called Paul and commissioned him.   God calls people as He needs them.   Think of David,  Gideon.  2 Corinthians 2:15-17 - when God calls you to go, Go.  When He calls you to stand, stand

The word of the Lord came to him in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah, and through the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, down to the fifth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah son of Josiah king of Judah, when the people of Jerusalem went into exile.  The word of the Lord came to me, saying,  “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”  “Alas, Sovereign Lord ,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”  But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord .  Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build a