Welcome to the Kingdom

Matthew 13:31–33, 44–52

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then, in his joy, went and sold all he had and bought that field."

 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away, sold everything he had, and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-46

We are delighted to welcome you to our worship service today. By gathering outside our sanctuary, we embrace Jacob's proclamation in Genesis 28:16-19, where he named the place of his encounter with God "Bethel," meaning "House of God," even though there was no temple present. This demonstrates that God is everywhere and ready to accept our worship.

We also warmly welcome you to the Kingdom of God, where Jesus is King, and the joy of the Lord is our strength! In the parables we read this morning, Jesus is not only describing the Kingdom but also inviting us in, saying, “Come in.” The ultimate goal of every Christian, after experiencing this earthly kingdom, is to be with Christ in His eternal Kingdom, as He promised in John 14:1-3. These parables serve as Jesus’ welcome message. They illustrate what the Kingdom looks like, how it operates, and what is required of us.

Jesus says the Kingdom is like a mustard seed—so small you can lose it between your fingers. Yet once planted, it grows into something large enough for birds to rest in.

The kingdom starts small but becomes unstoppable. That’s how God works—He begins with a seed, a conversation, a prayer, or a moment of obedience. It may seem insignificant, but when God plants it, it cannot be stopped.

Don’t despise small beginnings. If God has planted something in you, it will grow.

Jesus compares the Kingdom to yeast. You don’t see yeast working, but you see its results. It changes the entire dough.

The kingdom works quietly but transforms completely. That’s how God moves—quietly and steadily, beneath the surface. You may not see the changes day by day, but transformation is occurring. Trust the unseen work of God. The Kingdom is moving in your heart, your home, your relationships—even when you can’t trace it.

Jesus emphasizes that the Kingdom is worth everything. It is not just an accessory to your life, like homes, clothes, or cars. It is the true treasure of your life and what you should aim for daily.

Just imagine a man who finds treasure in a field and sells everything to buy it, and a merchant who finds a pearl so valuable that he sells all he owns to possess it. Isn't that incredible? Knowing how amazing and priceless the kingdom is, what are you holding onto that keeps you from fully embracing it? Jesus doesn’t ask for just part of you—He invites you to give your all because the Kingdom is worth everything.

Jesus says that the Kingdom is like a net that gathers fish of every kind. Everyone is invited. Everyone is caught. But not everyone stays. The Kingdom is radically inclusive—yet ultimately discerning. Grace gathers. Holiness sorts.

We do not decide who belongs in the Kingdom; we welcome, love, and serve everyone.

The Kingdom is open to everyone and transforms those who fully enter it. So, don’t just get caught in the net—enter the Kingdom fully.

Jesus describes a scribe trained for the Kingdom as someone who brings out treasures both old and new. The Kingdom shapes us into people who value both tradition and innovation. Kingdom people respect the old truths of Scripture while welcoming God's new movements. We don’t hold onto tradition so tightly that we miss the ongoing changes in our society. At the same time, we don’t chase after novelty so quickly that we forget Scripture. We hold both perspectives with care.

I welcome you to the Kingdom, which is described as small but unstoppable, hidden but transformative, costly but priceless, open to all but accountable, and rooted in the old yet bursting with the new—a truly path to eternal life!

The kingdom is here, and Jesus, our King, is inviting you to fully embrace His reign. Today, He is saying to us, "Welcome to the Kingdom." Step into it, live in it, and grow as we journey together towards inheriting the eternal kingdom of heaven that has been prepared for us.

Aren't you ready? Let us pray.