The Portable Pastor Podcast Mike Stafford

Kingdom Parables Wrap-up
Matthew 13:51-52
 Points of the wrap-up:
Jesus wanted His disciples to understand the parables. (51)Jesus expected His disciples to become educated in the scriptures. (52)Mature disciples treasure and share their faith growth. (52) Main Point: Maturing disciples will value and tell others about kingdom living. 
 What do we do now? A kingdom citizen must be willing to:
Sow gospel seeds. (the Sower)Grow among the weeds. (the Weeds)Benefit those around you. (the Mustard plant)Affect culture with the gospel. (the Yeast)Abandon everything for the cause of Christ. (the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl)Be saved by Jesus (the Net) 

The Hidden Treasure and the Pearl
Matthew 13:44-46
Points of the parable:
The Kingdom of Heaven is coveted. The Kingdom of Heaven is concealed.The Kingdom of Heaven is costly. The Main Point of this pair of parables:
 It would be foolish to refuse the opportunity to own something so valuable. 

The Mourning, the Miracle, and the Meeting
1 Cor. 15:1-8, ESV 

The gospel story has been retold today. The question is, "Do you believe that story?" Millions have, and I have to tell you, the trajectory of their lives was changed forever. I know it sounds crazy. But it's true. On My granddaddy's grave, it's true. Do you believe it? 

You might ask, "So what? Why do I have to believe that? " Oh friend, you don't have to believe it. God gives you that option. But if you do, and I hope you do, your life's destiny will change. Maybe not physically when it comes to your situation here. You still live on earth. You will still face today's problems, but your attitude will change towards those things.  And catch this: Your eternal story will be rewritten, and your name will be recorded in His book with the millions of other people found worthy to live as citizens of heaven with Jesus forever. 

Can you believe His story today? You bet. I did. You see, the Bible is true. And it says that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved for heaven. You will inherit citizenship in heaven. Do you want that? I know you do.
And since you do, would you confess your sins to God today, right now, and believe he has the power over death, the ability to give you eternal life? Agree to live under His authority and for His glory, and it will be yours.

The Eating, the Examinations, and the Exit
Luke 22:14-20, 66-71; 23:44-53
 The Eating
Jesus was looking forward to this Passover meal. (15)Jesus would not eat it again until the millennial kingdom. (16)Jesus would not drink again until they would be reunited. (18)Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. (19-20) The Examination
The Pharisees were fishing for an excuse to kill Jesus. (66-67a)Jesus gave a leading answer. (67b-69)The Pharisees jumped to a conclusion. (70a)Jesus told them what they wanted to hear. (70b-71) The Exit
Unexplainable things happened right before Jesus died. (44-46)Some disciples noticed that other onlookers had a change of heart. (47-49)A Pharisee buried Jesus. (50-53)

The Leaven
Matthew 13:33
 The Communicated Part
The cook already had flour.The cook added yeast to the flour.The yeast leavened all of the flour. The Learned Conclusion
The flour mixture would increase in size. What do we do with that knowledge? 
We pray God will work here.We join in that work by sharing the gospel.

The Mustard Seed
Matthew 13:31-32
 The Growth of the Kingdom of Heaven
The Kingdom’s startup was small. The Kingdom’s promotion will be huge.The Kingdom’s growth will be exponential. The Kingdom's growth will be incomparable. The Kingdom’s benefit would be universal.