THE LEAVEN-YEAST-Mt 13:33
Mt13: 33 He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."
INTRODUCTION
Our previous study examined ‘The Parable Of The Mustard Seed’ Mt13: 31-32,
Where the kingdom is depicted as having remarkable growth despite humble beginnings, and was probably told to reassure Jesus’ disciples that their involvement in the kingdom would not be for nothing, especially after hearing two parables where we see that not all would receive the Word properly, and Satan’s efforts to hinder growth of the kingdom would be noticeable
Another parable that seems to have the same purpose of reassurance, The Parable Of The Leaven is found in Mt 13:33 and Immediately we can see similarities to The Parable Of The Mustard Seed, both are quite brief, with no explanations by Jesus recorded and both appear to be describing the remarkable spread of the kingdom of heaven but there are some differences, so this parable is certainly worthy of careful consideration
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON "LEAVEN"
Leaven is a small portion of fermented dough used to ferment other dough (Holman Bible Dictionary) and once inserted into a batch, it continues its process of fermentation until the whole batch has risen (Hendrickson, New Testament Commentary). Today we use the term yeast instead of leaven.
In the New Testament, "leaven" is often symbolic of corrupting influence, Jesus warned of ‘the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees’, which included their teaching and hypocrisy- Mt 16:5-12; Luke 12:1. Paul also wrote of the danger of how ‘a little leaven leavens the whole lump’, as he addressed the need to withdraw from the impenitent brother - 1 Co 5:1-13. There are some that believe leaven represents something evil.
There are several reasons why this is not likely to be true because it is used elsewhere in scripture, and to read the use of the figure as found elsewhere into this passage is a form of ‘eisegesis’, that is, reading something into the passage not actually there, as opposed to ‘exegesis’, which is to read out of a passage what it actually says or means, and should be the goal of proper Bible study
THE MEANING OF THE PARABLE
I don’t think Jesus meant to use leaven in this context as symbolical of corrupting influence. He was merely establishing that like leaven permeates, so to will the Kingdom permeate, to spread and flow throughout the world. It has been suggested that the loaf represents the world, and the leaven is the kingdom
Indicating that God will gradually make his influence felt in the world. The reign of heaven could manifest itself in many ways, in the form of the gospel (the "word" of the kingdom, Mt 13:19), as it is proclaimed to all creation - Mk 16:15-16-. In the form of the church, which spreads as people accept the gospel or in the influence of the Word and the church, as there influence is felt in society. It is also possible that this parable may also illustrates the "invisible" growth of the kingdom, that is to say as leaven does its work with less than noticeable effect so to the spreading influence of the kingdom is often unnoticeable, but real nonetheless!
THE KINGDOM’S INFLUENCE WILL BE COMPLETE...
Speaking of the loaf, Jesus said "till it was all leavened" No part of the "loaf" (world) will be untouched by the influence of the kingdom.
Paul expressed that the gospel did indeed spread in this way in Ro 10:17-18; 16:25-26; Co 1:6,23
APPLICATION OF THE PARABLE
Don’t measure the growth or success of the kingdom solely by visible standards for as Jesus said to the Pharisees. "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say ’See here!’ or ’See there!’" - Luke 17:20-21a, "For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." - Luke 17:21b. The spread of the kingdom (the rule of God) is taking place wherever the "word of the kingdom" is being sown, and fruit will be borne as it falls on "good and noble hearts", Remain confident in that: what began as a mustard seed will become a great tree and that what started in one small portion of the loaf will eventually spread through the whole loaf
Allow the "leaven of the kingdom" to permeate your own heart and life and take the Word of God into your own heart, study and meditate upon it, and then seek to apply it! Allow that Word to produce fruit in your life, so that you become a leavening influence for the kingdom of God! By word, as you share the gospel of the kingdom with others. By deed, as you do good works that glorify God, for as leaven, we are also "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world" - Mt 5:13-16, designed to glorify God by our good works and so influence our world for good as well!
CONCLUSION
With an understanding of these two parables, ("The Mustard Seed" and "The Leaven")
we can take heart in knowing that the work of Christ in regards to His Kingdom will not be for nothing. As we close this lesson, let me ask, "What kind of leaven are you?" This parable has been describing, "leaven" as a positive force. But remember, "leaven" is also used to illustrate that which is harmful
The "leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy" - Luke 12:1 which is a corrupting force, and needs to be purged - 1 Co 5:6-8
SERMON Matthew 13:33-33 A Little Yeast
Mt 13:33 He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."
INTRODUCTION
Sometimes I feel that I am living in two completely different, unattached worlds.
I live in God’s world or kingdom and read His word, hear His promises and see that He is at work in my life and in the lives of others. I See Him answer prayer, and offer comfort to those who are suffering. However, there is another world a world that will not even acknowledge let alone recognize God. Doing its own thing and often that thing is disgusting to the way of the Lord and what He expects from us. There are individuals who may even acknowledge God but who seem more influenced by the world than by God.
Are these two worlds or realities unattached? Is there any connection between the world or kingdom of God and the kingdom of man or the evil one? In addition, what is the use of trying to work against the evil with man’s heart and throughout our society? Moreover, what is the use of seeking to reach out to this world and those who dwell in it? To be honest, I do sometimes ask these questions myself.
NOW LET US CONSIDER THE PARABLE OF ‘THE LEVEN’
while the working of yeast is somewhat of a mystery to me, it is an amazing thing it is a substance that promotes fermentation. It makes something undergo a radical change. A chemical activity or breakdown that affects or permeates everything in which we find it.
Make some dough for pizza and leave out the yeast - nothing happens. When yeast is added, we may not see a change for a while, but soon the whole batter or dough comes to life and grows. Yeast is often used in Scripture as an image of evil or unrighteousness. In Mat 16:5-12, Jesus warns us of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees which included their teaching and hypocrisy and for this reason, only unleavened bread was to be eaten at the Passover feast.
But this is not how leaven or yeast is used here. Jesus says that the kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into flour. [As we said leaven changed the character of the bread. Unleavened bread was like a water biscuit, hard, dry, unappetizing and uninteresting. While in contrast, leavened bread was soft, porous and spongy, tasty and good to eat.] Jesus tells us that his kingdom, His rule and His will, is like leaven that is added to this world and which works through it to change it.
IT BEGINS WITH THE INDIVIDUAL
As he or she takes in God’s word and studies it and is transformed by the Holy Spirit, just as the nature of dough is changed so to, are you and I. It is not just when we go to church but in all aspects of our lives. The Kingdom grows within us as we are being transformed from one level of glory to another. 1 Cor 8: 9-11 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders. 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
As we are changed by the leaven so we become leaven. [In Israel some of dough set aside to be used again in new batch]. And so to as we change we become, we become agents of change in the world (Mat 5:16) In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. As believers we represent the kingdom because we are part of it. Our purpose is not just to get to heaven or to get others to heaven, but to be an instrument in God’s hand to bring every kind of evil no matter what into submission to the mind and will of Christ.
WHEN we pray "Thy kingdom come" what we are actively doing is bringing God’s kingdom into this world. This means how we live our lives, it means guiding and teaching others to let Christ rule and. bringing society under the will of God, even those who do not believe in God. As He has transformed us, He will transform the world through us! As mere individuals and as a church.
It is our responsibility to speak out against all that is evil and not of God, it is not our choice, it is our obligation as Christians and the victory will be ours. Nothing we do is of us, It is God in us and although we may not always see the result [We may not see the dough rising we can rest assured the yeast is working nonetheless
CONCLUSION
Recognise that we are leaven of the Kingdom and we will see the victory. God is in us and is using us. We need to change and stay changed and as He has changed and transformed us we to can become an agent of transformation. Col 1:6 that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth. Phil 2 : 1-5 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
The victory will be ours. Before then will be times of discouragement. Battles may be lost but Christ will win the war. The final victory is His - do not lose heart.
