Mark 4:30  And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
31  It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
32  But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
33  And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.
34  But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

Jesus continued His teaching about the kingdom of God. What could it be compared to? It is unique because it is the kingdom of God. God does not force anyone to enter that kingdom, nor does He force anyone to be a part of that kingdom. Those who initially enter that kingdom will be saved individuals. Those who are born into that kingdom in the physical sense, will still need to choose if they want to join that spiritual kingdom. There are things we can learn from and apply to salvation from what Jesus teaches on the kingdom.
We notice here again, God starts with a small thing. God wants all to know that He is behind the growth of anything of value. In Ephesians 2:8&9 the apostle Paul wrote:

Ephesians 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Man cannot save himself. Man can only make a mess of things. It does not matter if it is a $200,000.00 home or a million dollar home, they are all flawed. Also, when it comes to finding peace, man’s efforts are flawed.
God created a perfect world, but it was not populated with thousands of people or with thousands of animals, or other things. God started with a male and female in the animal world. He did the same with mankind. He told them to multiply and fill the earth. Due to the fall of man, we cannot fill the earth. We are increasing the population, but death keeps happening. This will be the reality until God creates the new heavens and the new earth.
In our text, Jesus began with a grain of mustard seed. This seed is very small. This seed sprouts just like a barley seed or a corn seed. It has enough power in that tiny seed to sprout and send out a shoot that goes upward to make the plant and it also sends out roots to draw the needed nutrients from the soil. Of course God also sends the necessary climate and the sunshine to give that plant the opportunity to grow and produce seed. That one tiny seed will produce many more seeds from that plant that will grow.
God tells us here that the mustard seed is one of the greater herbs on this earth. We know there are many benefits from the mustard seed. Jesus was teaching a spiritual truth here.
Jesus came in His first coming in a very simple manner. He was born of a virgin. Mary was not from wealthy stock. The man she married was not a wealthy man. They were not in kings’ courts, although Mary was of the lineage of king David. Jesus was born in the small town of Bethlehem. He did not have the privilege of being born in an inn. There was no room in any dwelling for humans. He was born among the cattle and laid in a manger. His mother and Joseph needed to flee while He was an infant. They needed to leave Israel for a season. When they came back they settled in a small town called Nazareth. Nathaniel understood that town was of no significance. Jesus began His public ministry without any big announcement. John the Baptist was given assurance that this was Jesus, but the common people did not value what they saw. John announced Jesus as the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. Jesus did not parade around Israel like our politicians are doing. He did not have a jet and a bus with His name blazoned across them. He travelled by foot and slept wherever He found room. He ate with the common folk. He was rejected by His own people. He went to the cross, being accused of blasphemy. He was buried and rose again three days later. He came in a very humble way and was rejected by many. He is the seed of the kingdom of God.
As He described that mustard seed, it grew and became a large tree. It became big enough for the birds to lodge in it. The kingdom of God will be a massive kingdom in the Millennium. It will dominate the world at that time. Most of those in that kingdom will not be saved. They will have the benefits of being ruled over by the Lord Jesus Christ, but they will not appreciate that rule. In the end, the majority of the people of that time will perish due to their rebellion against the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a shame when people do not appreciate the blessings of God.
We read that Jesus spoke many parables at this time. He knew what the people could bear and He gave them what they could hear. As we have noted, the deeper meaning of the parables was often hid from the people. They could ponder what they heard, but for most, there was not the interest in actually knowing the meaning of them.
The same is true today. As we noted yesterday, there are many wasted hours spent by men sharing their opinions on the parables and many doctrines in the Bible. Many false doctrines have been developed over time. Many people will waste their time following the false doctrines rather than seeking the truth.
We read that Jesus expounded the parables to His disciples. They were of a different spirit than the majority of the people. They were just twelve men among the multitude of people. This is in keeping with the warning that “few there be that find it”. Few are on the narrow road. Many are gathering where the crowds are. They think that spells success.
Eleven of those disciples would continue on and Jesus would add a twelfth to replace Judas. That would be the foundation of the local churches that would be established. The church age is coming to an end. There are far more false churches than there are true churches. Few people are concerned about actually understanding the Word of God. It is so much easier to follow those who will scratch that itchy ear. Few will endure sound doctrine.
In the Millennium, there will be great opportunity to hear directly from Jesus’ mouth, but most will not appreciate that any more then than they did when He came the first time. Where does your interest lie today. Are you interested in truth? Can you handle the meat or is it milk you want, or are you not even interested in that?
We need to be sure we can see where true value is found.

Zechariah 4:10  For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

Little is much when God is in it. Much is nothing when God is not in it. Be sure you are following the truth. That is what matters.
Pastor Bartel