Sermon: The Secrets of the Kingdom - How We Hear, Grow, and Shine

Sermon Date: 9/14/2025

Bible Verses:

• Matthew 13:1-43

Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley

Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-

Introduction: “Why Parables?”

Jesus didn’t speak in parables to confuse—but to reveal spiritual truth to those who are willing to hear.

“To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven…” (v. 11)

Jesus is unveiling what the Kingdom of God is really like—not a worldly kingdom of armies and palaces, but one that grows in hearts, spreads like yeast, and bears fruit when received in faith.

So let’s walk through the first three major parables in this chapter:

• The Parable of the Sower – How do we hear?
• The Parable of the Weeds – How do we live in a world of evil?
• The Parables of the Mustard Seed and Leaven – How does the Kingdom grow?

1. The Parable of the Sower – “What Kind of Soil Are You?”

Matthew 13:1–23

Jesus describes a sower casting seed—which is the Word of God. But the outcome isn’t about the seed—it’s about the soil.

Four Kinds of Soil:

1. The Path – Hard hearts, where the Word is snatched away.
2. Rocky Ground – Shallow hearts, excited but easily discouraged.
3. Thorny Ground – Distracted hearts, choked by worries and wealth.
4. Good Soil – Open hearts, who hear, understand, and bear fruit.

“He who has ears, let him hear.” (v. 9)

Key Point:

Hearing the Word isn't enough. How we hear determines what we become.

Application:

• Are you giving God your full attention when He speaks?
• What thorns or rocks are keeping your heart from bearing fruit?

2. The Parable of the Weeds – “Be Patient in a Mixed Field”

Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43

Jesus explains the parable later to the disciples:

• The field is the world.
• The good seed = sons of the Kingdom.
• The weeds = sons of the evil one.
• The enemy = the devil.

God allows both wheat and weeds to grow together until the harvest. Why?

So the wheat isn't uprooted in the process. (v. 29)

Key Point:

God is not slow—He is patient. He delays judgment so more may come to repentance.

Application:

• Don’t be surprised by evil around you—it’s part of the field.
• Don’t lose hope when progress seems slow—God will separate and restore.
• Shine like the righteous (v. 43) in a world of weeds.

3. The Mustard Seed & Leaven – “The Kingdom Grows Quietly and Powerfully”

Matthew 13:31–33

These two short parables reveal something crucial about God’s Kingdom:

• It starts small—like a mustard seed.
• It spreads quietly—like leaven in dough.
• But its growth is inevitable and transformational.

The mustard seed becomes a tree, and the leaven affects the whole batch.

Key Point:

Don’t despise small beginnings. The Kingdom may start in secret—but it will change the world.

Application:

• Don’t measure your spiritual life by big moments—faithfulness in small things matters.
• Your quiet witness, small prayers, and daily obedience are part of God’s massive work.
• The Kingdom is already growing—are you joining it?

Conclusion: The Secrets of the Kingdom

Jesus isn't just giving information—He's inviting transformation.

He speaks in parables not to entertain, but to pierce the heart of those ready to listen.

Summary:

• Sower: Be good soil. Hear and obey.
• Weeds: Be patient. The harvest is coming.
• Mustard & Leaven: Be faithful. God’s Kingdom is advancing.

Closing Reflection:

“Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” (v. 43)

What a promise! If we hear rightly, trust deeply, and live patiently, we will shine with the glory of the Kingdom—forever.