Kingdom Snapshots

Aim: To get a more accurate ''picture'' of what the kingdom (church) of God is all about.

Exegesis: Picture #1: The power of the kingdom astounds us. The wonder is in the word preached to us (vv. 26-27) and the process accomplished in us (vv. 28-29). Picture #2: The prominence of the kingdom amazes us. God's work starts out in seed form (vv. 30-31) and ends up in tree form (v. 32). Picture #3: The Prince of the kingdom enlightens us. Christ teaches us His ways (vv. 33-34a) and illuminates us in His ways (v. 34b).

Key verse: v. 30 ''Then [Jesus] said, 'To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it?'''