A tipping point is a culmination of a build-up of small changes that effects a big change. Malcolm Gladwell popularized the concept in his book, “The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference,” showing examples of technologies, procedures, services or philosophies reaching critical mass and becoming mainstream. In New York City, for example, subways were cleaned of graffiti, which led to a sharp decrease in the crime rate after 1990. The kingdom of God has its own tipping point when Christ compared it to a mustard seed (smallest of all seeds) and leaven (obscure material) that grows like a tree, and leavens bread, respectively.

Neither the Galileans whose blood Pilate mingled with the Roman sacrifices nor the 18 killed when the Siloam tower collapsed on them were greater sinners than those still alive. Unless you repent, you will also perish. For three years, a fig tree did not produce fruit. If the tree did not bear fruit the fourth year after putting fertilizer around it, he would cut it down (Lk. 13:1-9). God designs circumstances so people repent of sin and bear fruit.

A woman stood erect after being bent double for 18 years with a sickness caused by a spirit when Jesus laid His hands on her. The Sabbath healing upset a synagogue official. Jesus said they were hypocritical because they untied their ox and watered them on the Sabbath. Shouldn’t a daughter of Abraham be released from Satan’s bonds? All His opponents were humiliated and the entire multitude rejoiced over the glorious things done by Him (Lk. 13:10-17). Jesus wants to release people from Satan’s bonds so they can experience freedom. 

Jesus compared the kingdom of God to a mustard seed that grew and became a tree. The kingdom of God is also like leaven that a woman hid in meal until it was leavened (Lk. 13:18-21). God’s kingdom spreads throughout the world from small beginnings to impact a person from the inside out.

When someone asked if just a few are saved, Jesus said to enter by the narrow door since many seek to enter without success.  Those who know God’s will, will eat and drink with Christ and those left out will experience weeping and gnashing of teeth (Lk. 13:22-30). God’s kingdom is revealed to those who do God’s will.

The Pharisees told Christ to leave since Herod wanted to kill Him. He told them of His goal to cast out demons and perform cures until His death and resurrection. Christ expressed His sorrow over His people rejecting and not seeing Him again until His Second Coming (Lk. 13:31-35).Christ calls on everyone to receive His death and resurrection.

To show how God’s kingdom grows corporately, use a chiastic structure beginning with the first paragraph: A, B, C, D, C’, B’ A’. We group together the content in A & A’, B & B’, etc.:

1. God desires people to repent of their sin and personally receive His death and resurrection
2. God desires people to bear fruit in their lives by accepting His rule
3. God works from the inside out by releasing people from bondage to Satan so they experience freedom. 
4. God’s kingdom spreads throughout the world from small beginnings.


Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *