In this week’s sermon, Jesus the master storyteller, compares the Kingdom of Heaven to yeast that works its way through a batch of dough. Although hidden in the dough, the tiny yeast has a profound effect in transforming the nature of the entire batch. While last week’s sermon on the Parable of the Mustard Seed emphasized the growth of the Kingdom of Heaven, this week’s sermon focused on the fact that there is no area of our lives or aspect of our culture that is excluded from the reach of the transforming rule of the Kingdom. There is no sacred-secular dichotomy! God is ruler over all His creation (Col.1:16)!
Too often, however, the church has been cowed into accepting this dualistic mindset. In the past, Christians have withdrawn from the world because of a misunderstanding of what true holiness is. As a result, the culture has suffered. Instead, Christians are meant to be like the yeast that works its way through the entire batch and transforms its very nature. We are to seek to be involved in all aspects of culture and bring gospel values to bear as we reflect the mind and character of Christ (Col.3:12-17). In so doing we will be participating in Jesus’ work of rolling back the curse and restoring God’s world for God’s glory!
