Speaker Sermon/Lesson Title Audio   Video  Text     MS Word Category Bobby Stafford Parable of the Hidden Treasure and Pearl of Great Price         Parables

Parable of the Hidden Treasure and Pearl of Great Price

Introduction:

Jesus used parables to portray divine truth.  He used ordinary, everyday things that were familiar to the people to teach about heavenly things, especially the kingdom of heaven.  Stories stuck with the people.  Those with open hearts received the truths Jesus was teaching in the parables.  Those with closed minds who were not concerned with spiritual matters didn’t understand these parables.  To understand these “Kingdom” parables in Matthew 13, a few words about a kingdom are in order.  There are four essentials:  a ruler, subjects, laws, and territory.  Every citizen of that kingdom must live under the rule of that king.  The king has all authority; his word is final.  Christ is the head of His kingdom, the church.  (Colossians 1:13, 18) “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 18 And He is the head of the body, the church,  who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” NKJV  It is a spiritual kingdom, not an earthly, physical one.  It is in existence now and as the two following parables teach, it is priceless. 

Text: Matthew 13:44-46  “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” NKJV

Body:

I.            Hidden Treasure 

        At that time, houses were easily broken into, so treasures [valuables] were often hidden in places like the ground.  This man seemingly found this treasure by accident.  This treasure is likened, to the kingdom of heaven.  Some treasures are of heavenly nature.  (Matthew 6:19-22) “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  The lamp of the body is the eye.  If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.” NKJV 

Some came to the kingdom without starting out to find it.  Nathanael:  (John 1:43-45) “The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow Me.’  Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.  Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’ ” NKJV  Paul: (Acts 9)  Read from Romans 10:20.  “But Isaiah is very bold and says: ‘I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.’ ” NKJV  Finding the kingdom produces great joy!  But notice the man went and bought the field – personal responsibility! 

II.          Pearl of Great Price 

         A merchant was seeking!  Many in God’s Word were seekers.  Nicodemus:  (John 3)  Cornelius:  (Acts 10)  The eunuch:  (Acts 8)  There is a reward for seeking.  (Matthew 5:6) “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.” NKJV  The kingdom is present and waiting for people to recognize its value.  The pearl is unique among precious stones because it comes from a living organism.  The kingdom comes from something alive:  Jesus Christ!  [Vine and branches]  The kingdom is truly unique, “one” pearl, New Testament Christianity.  There is only one kingdom of heaven, only one church that belongs to Christ!  (Matthew 16:18) “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” NKJV  The pearl is also the only gem which cannot be improved by man;  the kingdom on the divine side is flawless; it cannot be improved by man. 

III.        Value of the Kingdom 

         The kingdom, whether likened to a treasure or a pearl, is worth everything to obtain.  The main point of both is the great value of the kingdom.  Both parables say that the two men went and sold everything to obtain what they had found.  No sacrifice is too high or too great for the kingdom.  

(Philippians 3:3-7) “For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh.  If any one else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more do:  circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which  is in the law, blameless.  But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.” NKJV  One may have to give up money and possessions.  [The right young ruler was not willing].  One may also have to give up time; friends; family.  One may have to give up an unscriptural marriage; possibly even your life.  (Revelation 2:10) “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer.  Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days.  Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” NKJV  What is the kingdom worth to you?  What have you sacrificed for Christ and His church?  Does your religion cost you anything?

Invitation:

Nothing is more valuable than the kingdom.  There are great blessings in being a part of it.  Forgiveness, peace, hope, salvation is only found in the kingdom, the Lord’s church.  Enter by being born of water and spirit.  Our relationship with our heavenly Father is the most important part of life.  All other pursuits are trivial by comparison. 

Bobby Stafford 

October 7, 2018