The Parables of the Mustard Seed and Leaven in Luke 13:18-21 describe the growth and spreading influence of the church, but from different approaches. The parable of the mustard seed is about outward growth. Birds from outside fly into and become part of the tree. The parable of the leaven is about inward growth. The leaven works from inside the dough. Leaven makes dough rise from within which pictures the way the gospel changes us inwardly: it changes our hearts and then works its way into our actions.

https://youtu.be/jqYR-es4vUgThe Parables of the Mustard Seed and Leaven Jesus taught in Luke 13:18-21 describe the growth and spreading influence of the church.

Table of ContentsFamily Worship Guide for The Parables of the Mustard Seed and LeavenSermon Notes for The Parables of the Mustard Seed and LeavenLesson one: the parable of the mustard seed illustrates the outward growth of the kingdom of God.Lesson two: the parable of the leaven illustrates the inward growth of the kingdom of God.Lesson three: nobody is physically born in the kingdom of God.

Family Worship Guide for The Parables of the Mustard Seed and Leaven

Directions: Read the verses and then answer the questions:

Day 1: Luke 13:18-19, Revelation 7:9, Psalm 72:19, Daniel 2:35, Habakkuk 2:14—How does the parable of the mustard seed illustrate the outward growth of the kingdom of God? In what ways is a mustard seed a fitting metaphor for the kingdom of God? In what ways do you see the kingdom of God spreading throughout the world?Day 2: Luke 13:20-21, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 10:5—How does the parable of the leaven illustrate the inward growth of the kingdom of God? What similarities does the parable of the leaven have with the parable of the mustard seed? What difference or differences are there between the two parables? How do you see the kingdom of God working in people’s hearts?Day 3: John 3:3, Colossians 1:13—What kingdom are we born into? What does it mean to be born again? Why must we be born again? How can we be born again? What takes place spiritually when we repent of our sins and put our faith in Christ?

Sermon Notes for The Parables of the Mustard Seed and Leaven

The title of this morning’s sermon is, “The Parables of the Mustard Seed and Leaven.”

On Sunday mornings we’re working our way through Luke’s gospel verse by verse and we find ourselves at chapter 13, verses 18 through 21.

Please stand for the reading of God’s Word…

Luke 13:18 He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” 20 And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.”

Let’s pray.

I have to tell you that these were some of the most difficult verses that I have preached on in a long time. The reason is that there is such strong, even diametrically opposed interpretations among commentators, about these two short parables.

One interpretation holds that the kingdom of God, and by extension the church, grows and then experiences corruption. This interpretation makes sense, because in the parables the kingdom of God ends up containing birds and leaven, which are both presented negatively in Scripture. For example…

In the Parable of the Sower birds come and snatch away the seed…

Matthew 13:4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.

Then when Jesus interpreted the parable he said…

Matthew 13:19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.

The birds are associated with the devil himself, which obviously makes birds look bad.