MLC Sermon Notes Note 0510

Treasures of the Kingdom

Reading: Matthew 13:44-52

Introduction

Like the precious metals and gems of the physical world, many of Yahweh's spiritual treasures lie hidden from human view. To possess them we must dig deep and search; and when we find them there is still work to be done - refining, shaping, polishing and finishing - before their eternal value can be fully appreciated. Yahweh has organised a spiritual Treasure Hunt for mankind and all of us are taking part in it. He has extremely good things available for His people; but His best treasures are always hidden or camouflaged.

Matthew 13:44-51

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord."

These parables teach us several basic truths about the Kingdom of Heaven. Let us examine 4 this morning.

1. The Worth of Yahweh's Kingdom

The Kingdom of Heaven is the most wonderful and powerful Kingdom in the entire universe. Its spiritual resources are endless and its moral wealth incalculable. The Kingdom of Heaven is in fact the subject of most of the Saviour's sermons. He came to earth to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven. In this passage the worth of the Kingdom of Heaven, and particularly of its King is likened to an inestimable find. The structure of this Kingdom may be briefly described as follows:

Its King: El Shaddai, Yahweh - God of Israel.
Yahweh's Son: Yeshua the Messiah.
Its Motivator: The Holy Spirit of the Most High.
Its Laws: Heaven's eternal constitution.
Its Citizens - The angels and redeemed host.
Its manifesto - The programme of salvation and future projects.
Its resources - The spiritual/physical expanse of the universe.

Its track record - An unbroken sequence of achievement and victory.

Oh yes, the Kingdom of Heaven is a priceless treasure! No voice can do it justice, no brush can paint it and no pen can adequately describe its matchless worth.

2. Temporarily Hidden from our Eyes

But for all this the Kingdom of Heaven is currently invisible to the human eye. And even though everything about it is more lasting than the things we can see, the fact is - the Kingdom of God is currently hidden from human view. Indeed Yahweh has purposely hidden it. It is as it were "buried in a field." To find this hidden treasure requires effort on one's part. One must diligently search for it. Consider these verses about searching for hidden things:

Matthew 6:31-33	"Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Matthew 7:7-8	"Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find ... For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds."
Colossians 3:1	"... Seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."

It is vitally important that everyone in this audience accept the Almighty's astonishing offer of salvation. It is free! Take up His offer and become a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven - Now!

3. Recognising Value

"The owners of Mount Morgan, in Queensland, toiled arduously for years on its barren slopes, eking out a miserable existence, never knowing that under their feet was one of the riches sources of gold the world has ever known. There was wealth, vast, undreamed of, yet unimagined and unrealised. It was theirs, yet not theirs." (page 93, The Kneeling Christian, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan USA. Make every effort to buy this book.)

Are you in a similar state? Going through life as a spiritual pauper; when God is offering you wealth untold?

Before beginning any search one must be able to recognise things of value and also the things that are worthless. Oh how often people exchange things of great worth for valueless trifles and trinkets. They exchange:

Honour and truth for ... wealth.
Virginity and virtue for ... cheap thrills.
Friendship and love for ... power and authority.
Time and effort for ... perishable trinkets.
Good health for ... temporary enjoyment.
Respect and decency for ... applause and fame.
Eternal salvation for ... the pleasures of sin.

Unlike the experienced merchant man seeking goodly pearls, they are unable to recognise a valuable thing when they see it; and they barter away their most precious possessions for worthless junk.

4. Total Commitment Commanded

Though entry to the eternal Kingdom of Heaven is freely obtainable through Jesus Christ, a believer must put forth some effort to realise available benefits. Both parables stress the important point of total commitment.

The man in the field
Matthew 13:44	"... and he selleth all that he hath ..."
The pearl merchant
Matthew 13:46	"... and he went and sold all that he had ..."

Total commitment is not simply an ideal which believers may or may not strive for. It is commanded.

Deuteronomy 6:5	"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thine soul, and with all thy might.
Deuteronomy 10:12	"And now, Israel, what doth the lord require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul." (Also Deut.11;13)
Matthew 22:37	"... Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."

There are of course millions of believers who do not render this kind of service. They believe, but only just. They serve the Most High, but with a subdued fervour and a restrained commitment. Most start off very well; but many - too many - slump back into a kind of half-hearted service. Their results will not be good. It is a sad truth, but they will be the eternal losers in the long run.

5. The Judgement

Make no mistake about it, at the end of our lives we will all be judged. It is a good idea to keep this sobering fact in mind.

Matthew 13:47-51

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord."

6. What Makes a Good Fish?

The Bible says all have sinned - all of us. What makes one fish good and another bad? The answer is faith in Jesus Christ. Good fish are good because they have faith. Bad fish are bad because they lack faith - they disbelieve. That primary action of the mind determines who is reckoned by God as good and who is bad. There is also the fact that faith must subsequently exhibit itself in good behaviour: else it is presumption. The following analogy defines this essential.

1 Corinthians 3:11-17

"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are."

7. Success

Totally committed believers will have great success in the Treasure Hunt of Life. They will recognise clues and find treasures which others pass by. They will find Christ and salvation. They will recognise the value of Yahweh's law and will keep the divine commandments. They will put everything they have into making life a success and will build spiritual houses of the finest materials. And with the Almighty's help they will stand the test of time. And at the judgement they will hear those wonderful words. Well done, good and faithful servants; enter into the joy of thy Lord! Aim to be one of those servants. You can do with Christ!

MLC Sermon Notes

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