Small Seed, Big Bloom

Small Seed, Big Bloom | A Sermon on Hidden Faith and God's Surprising Work What if the kingdom of heaven is already growing — quietly and invisibly — within us? In Small Seed, Big Bloom, guest preacher Rev. Cecelia D. Armstrong, Co-Moderator of the PC(USA) General Assembly, reflects on Matthew 13:31–33, where Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed: small, easily overlooked, yet capable of transforming everything around it. Preached on February 22, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte, this sermon invites us to look beyond expectations of rapid growth or visible success and instead pay attention to what God may be nurturing beneath the surface. Rather than focusing only on dramatic expansion, this message asks a deeper question: What is hidden within you that God is waiting to bring to life? In this sermon, we reflect on: The surprising and sometimes disruptive nature of God's kingdom Why faith does not always grow in predictable ways How God works through what is unseen and unexpected Discovering the gifts and calling hidden within us Trusting that small seeds of faith can lead to transformative change As we journey through Lent, this sermon invites quiet introspection — noticing what God has already planted within us and allowing that hidden seed of faith to grow for the sake of our community and the world.