Hidden Treasure & A Pearl Of Great Price
Introduction:
A. Our Lord liked to teach in parables.
1. A parable is a comparison of something known or familiar to
something unknown, or unfamiliar so it can be understood.
2. Jesus used simple every day things to teach spiritual lessons.
a. Mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32) = growth of kingdom.
b. Lost sheep (Luke 15:1-7) = Jesus wants the lost saved.
c. Sower (Matthew 13:3-9) = not everyone will believe, obey, and be saved.
3. Parables are also easy to remember.
a. Good Samaritan.
b. Prodigal son.
B. The parables, in one way or another, taught spiritual lesson about
the kingdom/ church Jesus was going to set up.
1. Mustard seed = growth of the kingdom.
2. Sower = the means whereby the kingdom would grow.
3. 10 wise/ to foolish virgins = those in the kingdom need to be
ready at all times for the Lord's return, for He will return for
His kingdom one day, and those that are ready will return with
Him to heaven, and those who are not will be lost.
This morning I would like us to look at a parable in Matthew 13:44-46
that shows the value of the kingdom.
I. The kingdom of heaven is priceless.
A. It is like a treasure found in a field.
1. The man who found the treasure:
a. When he found the treasure hid it so no one else
would find it and take it away from him.
b. And with joy sold all that he had so he could buy
the field that he might have the treasure.
2. The point is clear.
a. Some people might miss the point by over analyzing
the parable (i.e. where did he hide it; was it wrong
for him to hide it, etc).
b. The point is this...the treasure (the kingdom of heaven)
is worth more than anything, and we should be willing
to do whatever is necessary to have it.
B. It is like a Pearl of Great Price.
1. This merchant man:
a. Knew the value of pearls; that was his trade.
b. When he found a certain pearl, he sold everything to buy it.
c. He knew that pearl (kingdom of heaven) was priceless.
2. As with the man who found the treasure, there seems to be no
delay in doing what had to be done to have the pearl.
a. They didn't wait to ask others what they thought.
b. They didn't say some day I'll sell everything, and buy
that field, or that pearl.
c. Nor did they say, I'm not ready right now, I'll buy it later.
II. Both men found something priceless (kingdom of heaven).
A. People may think a lot of the things they find are treasures.
1. Wealth.
a. Big beautiful home/s.
b. Fancy furniture.
c. Expensive cars.
d. Exotic trips.
2. But, wealth...
a. Cannot buy you eternal life.
b. MAY give you temporary pleasure.
c. Is easily lost.
d. You can't take it with you.
B. The treasure God would have us find is the kingdom of heaven.
1. Consider the value God puts on the kingdom.
a. It was in His eternal plan - Ephesians 3:10-11.
b. He had men prophesy about it throughout time - Isaiah 9:6-7.
c. His Son left the glories of heaven, and was made in the
likeness of men to bring it into existence - Philippians 2:5-7.
d. He was crucified to establish it - Philippians 2:8.
2. The kingdom of heaven is truly a treasure.
a. It is in the kingdom/ church / Christ where all spiritual
blessings are found - Ephesians 1:3,7.
b. By being in the kingdom/ church, where all spiritual
blessings are found, we are no longer dead in sins
(seperated from God, our Father) - Ephesians 2:1.
c. And, those in the kingdom will be delivered up to the
Father when Jesus returns - I Corinthians 15:24.
C. We must find it.
1. We can find it by looking to God's word.
a. There is only one - Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:4.
b. Jesus built it - Matthew 16:18.
c. It is not a divided church/ kingdom - I Corinthians 1:10.
2. We can find it if we will look.
a. If you will examine the scriptures, and see what they say
about the kingdom/ church, you will see that it is very
different from all the counterfeits in the world.
b. Since there is only one, you must make sure you find
the true one, and only the true one.
III. But, it's not enough to find it.
A. Once you have found it, you need to see it's worth.
1. You are going to have to believe that it is priceless, just
like the man who found the treasure, and the pearl.
a. They thought it was worth everything they had.
b. You need to believe it is worth more than anything.
2. What is it worth to have...
a. Forgiveness of sin?
b. Eternal life?
c. A home in heaven?
3. Is it worth...
a. Giving up sinful activities?
b. Being alienated by friends, and family?
c. Totally changing your life?
d. Job?
B. Because it is not enough to find it, or to see it's value.
1. The men in the parables sold all they had.
a. They didn't just find it. That wasn't enough!
b. They didn't just see that it was priceless.
c. They did what they had to do to obtain it.
2. You must be willing to do what is required to obtain it.
a. Believe, repent, confess, be baptized.
b. Put off the old man, and put on the new - Ephesians 4:22-24.
c. Seek first the kingdom, and God's righteousness - Matthew 6:33.
d. Don't look back at the life you lived - Luke 9:62.
e. Therefore you need to count the cost - Luke 14:25-33.
Conclusion:
A. God has made a treasure available to you.
1. That treasure it the kingdom of heaven.
2. That treasure is more valuable than anything this world has
to offer (forgiveness of sin, eternal life, home in heaven).
B. But, you must do more than just find it.
1. You should be willing to sell all that you have to buy it, but
that is not what God wants you to do to have it.
2. God would have you (Believe, repent, confess, baptized),
and He will add you to the church/ kingdom (Acts 2:47).
2. You must also be willing to live godly life, and put that
kingdom, and His righteousness first (Matthew 6:33).
C. If you are willing to do these things...won't you do so now?
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