DCLM Higher Everyday 19 October 2023 — Little Leaven
Topic: Little Leaven
Text: Galatians 5:1-10
2Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
3For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
4Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
7Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
8This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.
9A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
10I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
Key Verse: “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” (Galatians 5:9).
Message
Jesus stated, “The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.” It is worthy of note that Jesus presented some of His most memorable lessons in parables as helpful ways of connecting abstract spiritual truths with regular everyday activities. In today’s text, leaven is applied negatively to mean bringing legalism (circumcision) into the faith gospel. If allowed, it could destroy the whole gospel message.
Leaven is yeast that helps in fermentation and causes bread to rise. During certain holy festivals, Israelites were instructed not to eat bread that contained leaven. This was because the leaven had become a metaphor for negative influence such as insincerity or hypocrisy. For example, ‘a little sin’ in a family or church member can ruin the other members. On the other hand, leaven provides a perfect image of the kingdom of God. God wants the leaven of the gospel to begin humbly and impact the entire world. Believers, including the youths, must spread the gospel and not sin.
Quote: Spread the gospel and not sin.
Challenge: You can transform others from the inside.
Prayer for today: Gracious God, help me to transform lives!
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
