The “kingdom of God” parables reveal an important element for evangelism or spreading the word about how we’re supposed to live. If we look at several parables mentioned in Matthew 13 we see they feature the ACTIONS of an individual man and woman or a collective “they.” It’s what men and women do as they come in contact with the “living by the kingdom rules…now.” Some responses are more involved than others, but in each, the ultimate outcome depends on what is done personally or collectively. Let’s take a quick look:

• Verse 24: “The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sows….”
• Verse 33: “The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took…”
• Verse 47: “The kingdom of heaven is like a net…which when it was full they drew to shore….”

We are frequently asked, “What can I do to get the word out in my family or community.” There’s no single answer other than to do what you are gifted to do. And frankly, some are more gifted than others. In some cases, it may be no more complicated than making “the good news” available. One of our ministers recently related this story. He talked about a conscientious member who received our weekly sermon tapes. This man decided to play them where he worked, so that everyone coming or going would hear them. He thought it would be better to have everyone listening to sermons rather than all the confusing and oftentimes irritating music that we’re all incessantly exposed to. Now, many weeks later, there are 20 or so men who have become interested in some aspect of “the truth.”

If we were to put this in a modern day parable it might go like this: “The kingdom of God is likened to a man who took his CDs and … [you fill in the rest].” Among so many possibilities, God has determined to have His way of life promulgated through the efforts and example of men, women, and “they.” What we do individually and collectively is a means to an end. In a sense, you are part of a kingdom of God parable. Just imagine what it says about you.

                                                                                                                        Charles E. Groce

Scripture is a primary source of divine revelation, but Scripture itself affirms that it is not the only source through which God has revealed Himself to humankind. “The heavens declare the glory of God,” says the Psalmist. “And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard” (Psalm 19:1–3).

Similarly, the apostle Paul declares that God’s “invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead [divine nature], so that they [who suppress the truth] are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).

Creation, then, reveals the Creator. The starry night sky cries aloud declaring the glory and power of its Maker. The human body, fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), and the marvelous human mind with its capacity to store far more information than one could accumulate over many lifetimes, its power of reason, and its ability to perceive of intangibles such as justice, mercy, and morality declare the existence of a supremely intelligent Designer.

The ancients marveled at the power and glory of the Creator when they considered the works of His hands. Yet, they knew only a fraction of what we know. The breathtaking beauty of the “firmament” moved them to bend their knees before the Creator, but they knew nothing of quasars, black holes, galaxies, red shifts, gamma bursts, supernovas, or the space-time continuum. They saw the universe from below; we see it through the lenses of the Hubble telescope, so to speak.

We are also able to see the marvels of a much smaller, but no less marvelous, world—the world of the cell. Far from a simple glob of protoplasm, the cell, we now know, is an amazingly complex little information-processing machine. The notion that such a wondrous mechanism emerged by sheer chance from the primordial soup of earth’s evolutionary past defies logic. Even more fanciful is the idea that the purely accidental formation of the first cell led to an ages-long series of additional accidents that eventually produced the human mind, not to mention every life form that now exists or ever existed.

Paul says the ancients who refused to hear the sermon in creation were without excuse. Perhaps it is even more inexcusable for us if we fail to see the glorious power and majesty of the great Creator God through the marvels of creation.

Christians are able to look past the Darwinian threads that have been woven into the fabric of modern science and scientific theory and see the brilliant glory of God shining through. How awesome is our God!

Our finite minds will not allow us to comprehend the true greatness of God. He is wholly other than the material universe. In His essence, He is unapproachable, unknowable, invisible. He does not live on another planet; He inhabits eternity. He does not occupy a space in the universe; He is above it, beyond it. Yet there is no place inaccessible to Him. The divine nature is truly incomprehensible.

When we think of God this way, He seems so far removed from us, perhaps even impersonal. But we know He is personal, and that He loves us immensely. How do we know this? How can we be sure of it?

Scripture reveals a great mystery that is even more astounding than the wonders of the created universe. The incomprehensible God—the Creator of all things—has come to us as one of us! God has come to this earth in the Person of Jesus Christ and has died for us so that we may have eternal life. Now we can see God as we could not see Him before.

John put it this way: “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him” (John 1:18). In ancient times, men saw manifestations of God, not the divine essence. But now, through the Incarnation, we “see” God in a way that past manifestations could not reveal Him. Indeed He is infinite, eternal, and wholly other than the material creation, but He is also personal—and He loves us!

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

                                                                                                                   Vance A. Stinson

An Unexpected Phone Call … Most everyone is drawn to real-life drama, particularly the experiences that validate our capacity to care for each other. No doubt about it, each of us can choose to do what goes against “carnal human nature” and do those things that are pleasing to God and helpful to each other. When that happens, the results are usually more beneficial and inspiring than the alternative.

A few weeks ago a member of our fellowship called and passed along a request. He had been watching our weekly service on the live webcast. He learned, at the same time as our local congregation, that one of our members was undergoing dialysis three times a week. This prompted his call and the question, “Has anyone offered to give him a kidney?” He went on to say, “Check into it and if it’s doable, he can have one of mine.” After finishing the call, I sat back and collected my thoughts on his unsolicited willingness to literally give up part of himself to help someone else have a better life. I wondered about the impetus behind his unadulterated altruism—there were no strings attached. 

So, how did he come up with this idea? Why would anyone even think about giving one of his organs to someone outside of his personal family…unless he was devoted to biblical principles?

Those who follow Jesus’ teachings know He said, “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). In a very real sense, this principle was driving one member of our fellowship to take a risk for another. Such thoughtfulness cannot be overstated but its origins can be understated. 

Christians have a way of stepping up to do the remarkable. It happens more often than we realize. They do pray for each other; they do make personal sacrifices to serve each other; they do volunteer (in this case it was done secretly) to risk their well-being to help a friend to wellness. It seems selflessness is inherent in practiced Christianity and fundamental to discipleship. Some try it, many don’t. Imagine how different life would be if more of us gave it a try.

[You are invited to share your thoughts on how you experienced “Christ in you” (Colossians 1:27) or observed it in someone else.]

 Charles E. Groce