Power in Hidden Places | Arik Hayes | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Power in Hidden Places

2819 Church • Apr 5, 2026 • 38 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this message on Matthew 13:31-33, Elder Arik Hayes unpacks the parables of the mustard seed and the leaven to remind us that God's Kingdom often operates in hidden, gradual ways. While we often look for instantaneous miracles, God's transformative power works over decades to grow His Kingdom and sanctify our souls. Every believer is entrusted with the gospel, which carries inherent divine power to save and transform lives without depending on superstar preachers.

Themes

Kingdom GrowthThe Power of the GospelPatience in SanctificationEvery-Believer MinistryGod's Faithfulness

Key Points

1.
The Kingdom of God often begins in small, hidden ways like a mustard seed or leaven, but carries exponential power to expand.
2.
Miracles compress God's power into an instant, but we must not discount God's power stretched faithfully over decades.
3.
Having continuous struggles or thorns does not mean you are not making progress in sanctification.
4.
In discipleship, believers plant and water seeds of truth, but God alone brings spiritual maturity and increase.
5.
The power of the gospel resides in the message of Jesus itself, not in the charisma or status of the person speaking it.
6.
God's design for the Church is not to rely on a single leader, but to mobilize thousands of everyday believers who can share the simple gospel message.
7.
The government of God's Kingdom rests entirely on Christ's shoulders, so earthly politics or cultural darkness cannot halt His ongoing work.
8.
Because salvation was God's initiative from the start, we can trust Him to finish the good work He began in us rather than relying on self-effort.

Sermon Moments

“Elder Arik Hayes illustrated the parable of the leaven by noting that just four pounds of leaven permeates sixty pounds of flour to produce over 150 pounds of bread—showing how small Kingdom beginnings affect everything.”

“He pointed out that no one sits around watching a tree grow minute by minute, but returning years later reveals steady, added rings of growth.”

“He highlighted Jesus carrying a heavy crossbeam after being beaten at the whipping post, emphasizing that our healing was purchased through real sacrifice before the cross.”

“He reminded the congregation that the gospel turned the ancient world upside down and continues to permeate every corner of the earth today despite media headlines.”

This Week

Reflect on how God has sustained and matured you over the past years rather than being discouraged by slow progress.

Practice articulating the simple story of the gospel so you are prepared to share it with someone this week.

Release the burden of trying to change others, remembering that you plant and water, but God gives the growth.

Shift your focus from seeking instantaneous miracles to thanking God for His faithful power working daily over time.

Stop putting pressure on pastoral leaders to be 'superstars' and take ownership of your personal ministry context.

Surrender feelings of anxiety about world events or politics by reminding yourself that the government rests on Christ's shoulders.

Combat spiritual self-reliance by meditating on Philippians 1:6 when you feel condemnation or fear of failing.

Remember This

The Kingdom of God works with quiet, unstoppable power that grows over time, and the God who started a good work in you will faithfully complete it.

A Challenge for You

Stop trying to carry the burden of completing your own salvation through self-reliance, and place your full trust in Jesus who initiated the work and promises to bring it to completion.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.