August 2008 "The Kingdom of Heaven is Like…."

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
{31} He (Jesus) put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; {32} it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches." {33} He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.".... {44} "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. {45} "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; {46} on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. {47} "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; {48} when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. {49} So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous {50} and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. {51} "Have you understood all this?" They answered, "Yes." {52} And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old."

The Kingdom of Heaven is like the following – tiny seed, yeast, hidden treasure, a great pearl, a net and, of course, many other things. Jesus, by telling these short parables, makes the point that the Kingdom of God is everywhere. The presence of God is universal. It is also mysterious. Tiny seeds growing into the greatest shrubs do create surprise. Yeast making a lump of stiff dough soft, growing, and ready for the oven portrays slow yet celebrated change. Finding a pearl of great value or hidden treasure produces swift action and untold joy.

The Kingdom of heaven is! In our ministry in this place and throughout the world, you and I receive opportunity to witness this Kingdom again and again. My list of Kingdom recognition grows weekly. The list is too large to be comprehensive but I venture into naming just a few: Stephen Ministry; Confirmation Ministry; 30 New Members; A Year for Service Mission Trips; Youth Ministry; Vacation Bible School; Visitation Pastor Joan Haug; and a new Prayer Chain. These are all vibrant signs of the Kingdom. I am thankful to God for such things!

I also have witnessed Kingdom work in the Faith Budget which becomes reality before our eyes. That Faith Budget which was approved at our annual meeting asks our membership to share an extra $16,000 for ministry. As promised, your church council and I have stepped forward, not just with words but in action. We know new commitment to go beyond our purposed giving and meet new ministry possibility. I am pleased to announce that our leadership has promised an extra gift of over $4800.00. The HTLC Church Council has promised nearly 1/3 of that Faith Budget. Now we ask you to joyfully consider the Kingdom. Give from what God in Christ has first given you and know once again inexplicable joy in the Kingdom of God.

During the month of August, we will consider this important commitment to growing ministry. Please continue or begin prayer filled consideration for recognition of how God has blessed you. Give according to that gift.