THE KING & HIS KINGDOM (EVERLASTING FATHER) – DYLAN JAHNIG
Scriptures:
Isaiah 9
1 Peter 1:23
The Big Idea: The King is on the inside & the Kingdom is on the increase.
In this powerful message, we’re reminded of the profound truth that the Kingdom of God is like a seed within us. Drawing from Isaiah 9, we explore how Jesus – the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace – comes to rule and reign in our hearts. The key insight is that while we often look for grand, external manifestations of God’s kingdom, it actually starts small and grows steadily within us. Just as a tiny sequoia seed becomes a massive tree, the seed of God’s kingdom in our hearts has immense potential. This perspective challenges us to trust in God’s timing and process, even when we can’t see immediate results. It encourages us to focus on nurturing our inner spiritual life, knowing that as we do, God’s peace and influence will increase in and through us.
The King is on the Inside, and the Kingdom is on the Increase
As we approach the Christmas season, it’s natural to reflect on the year gone by and take stock of our lives. We often measure our success by external factors – our careers, relationships, finances. But what if the most important growth is happening somewhere we can’t easily see?
The story of Christmas reminds us of a profound truth: the King is on the inside, and His kingdom is on the increase. This isn’t about crowns and castles, but about seeds – small, often hidden, yet containing immense potential.
In Isaiah 9:6-7, we read a powerful prophecy:
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.”
This passage speaks of Jesus, the promised Messiah, but it also reveals something crucial about how God’s kingdom operates. It starts small, like a seed, but it’s always growing, always increasing.
Think about the Christmas story itself. The King of Kings didn’t arrive with pomp and circumstance. He came as a tiny baby, born in a humble stable. Yet from that small beginning, what would change the world took root.
Throughout Scripture, we see this ‘seed’ imagery. Jesus often compared the kingdom of heaven to seeds – like the mustard seed, the smallest of all seeds that grows into a large tree. In Mark’s Gospel, we’re told the kingdom is like seed scattered on the ground that grows whether the farmer sleeps or gets up.
This idea of small beginnings with tremendous potential isn’t just about Jesus or the early church. It’s about us, too. 1 Peter 1:23 tells us we’ve been “born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.”
When we welcome Christ into our hearts, it’s like a seed being planted. It may not look like much at first. We might even doubt its presence or power. But make no mistake – that seed contains the very life of God, and it’s designed to grow.
Here’s the challenge: seeds are small. They’re often hidden. In a world that values instant results and visible success, it’s easy to become discouraged when we can’t immediately see the fruit of our faith. We’re like children planting seeds for a school project, checking every five minutes to see if they’ve sprouted.
But God’s kingdom doesn’t operate on our timetable. It grows “all by itself,” as Jesus said. Our job is to nurture the seed, to create the right conditions for growth, and to trust in the process.
Consider the mighty sequoia trees. These giants of the forest can grow up to 90 meters high, with trunks 10 meters in diameter. Some are over 2,000 years old. Yet each of these majestic trees began as a tiny seed, barely visible to the naked eye.
If we could fast-forward through a sequoia’s life, we’d see some fascinating things:
- It starts small: That minuscule seed contains all the genetic information needed to become a towering giant.
- It strengthens over time: As the tree grows, its bark thickens, protecting it from outside threats. It becomes more resilient, better able to withstand challenges.
- It never stops growing: Even after reaching immense heights, a sequoia continues to grow, either taller or wider, throughout its entire life.
These characteristics of the sequoia mirror the growth of God’s kingdom in our lives. The seed of faith may start small, but it contains immense potential. As we nurture it, we become stronger, more resilient to life’s challenges. And the growth never stops – there’s always more of God to discover, more ways for His life to fill and transform us.
But here’s a crucial point: as magnificent as sequoias are, they’re not the pinnacle of creation. You are. We are. Humanity, created in God’s image, carries within it a potential far greater than any tree. The seed of God’s kingdom in your heart is more precious, more powerful, and more world-changing than anything else in creation.
This Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let’s remember that the same God who came as a baby wants to grow His life in us. The King is on the inside, and His kingdom is on the increase.
So what does this mean for us practically?
- Value the small things: Don’t despise small beginnings or seemingly insignificant acts of faith. They contain more potential than you realize.
- Be patient: Growth takes time. Don’t get discouraged if you can’t see immediate results. Trust that God is working, even when it’s not visible.
- Nurture the seed: Just as physical seeds need air, water, and the right temperature, the seed of God’s kingdom in us needs nourishment. Spend time in God’s Word, in prayer, in worship. Create an environment where faith can flourish.
- Expect continual growth: Like the sequoia, we’re designed for lifelong growth. There’s always more to learn, more ways to grow in love and faith.
- Remember your value: You are God’s masterpiece, more precious than anything else in creation. The potential within you is staggering.
And of the increase of His government and peace, there will be no end. This isn’t just a promise for the world at large – it’s a promise for your heart, your life, your story. The King is on the inside, and His kingdom is on the increase. Will you trust Him and let it grow?
Discussion Questions
- How can we better appreciate and nurture the ‘seeds’ of God’s kingdom in our lives, even when they seem small or insignificant?
- In what ways might we be looking for God’s kingdom ‘out there’ instead of recognizing its growth within us?
- How does the concept of the king being ‘on the inside’ and the kingdom being ‘on the increase’ challenge or change your perspective on spiritual growth?
- What are some practical ways we can strengthen our ‘inner bark’ to protect against negative outside influences, as the sequoia tree does?
- How might viewing time as an advantage, rather than a constraint, change our approach to spiritual growth and life goals?
- In what areas of your life do you need to trust that God is strengthening something deep within your soul, even if you can’t see immediate results?
- How can we cultivate an attitude of continuous growth in our spiritual lives, mirroring the never-ending growth of the sequoia tree?
- What ‘seeds’ or promises from God do you need to revisit and nurture in this season of your life?
- How does the image of Jesus coming as a ‘seed’ in the Christmas story impact your understanding of God’s work in the world and in your life?
- In what ways can we create space for the Holy Spirit to ‘breathe’ on the seeds in our hearts, especially during the busy Christmas season?
Prayer: Everlasting Father, thank You for Jesus, our King, who reigns in our hearts and whose Kingdom is ever-growing. Help us trust in small beginnings, nurture the seeds of faith within us, and remain patient as You work. Strengthen us to stand firm and reflect Your peace and love. This Christmas, may we carry the wonder of Christ’s coming and the hope of His Kingdom in all we do. The King is within, and His Kingdom is on the increase. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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