PARABLES OF JESUSThe Hidden Treasure and

The Fine PearlMatthew 16:44-46

April 21, 2013FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

JACKSON, MISSISSIPPIUSA

References:

THE COMPLETE GUIDE to the PARABLES

By R. T. KENDALL

“Jesus Speaks to Anxious Hearts”

Sermon by Rev. Darrell Johnson

Prophecy in Psalm 78

Psalm 78:1-41 My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old— 3 things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.

Psalm 78:1-4

WHY PARABLES?

• A simple story to illustrate a profound truth

• Earthly example to illustrate a spiritual truth

• Only target audience understood its meaning

• The kingdom of heaven is like……..

The Kingdom of Heaven (God)

• What is it?

• “the rule of God in heaven and earth through Jesus as Savior”

• The Lord’s Prayer - “…your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…”

Questions of the day?

• What is most important to you?

• What do you treasure most?

• Can you place a value on everything?

• Can you place a value on spiritual things?

MATTHEW 13:44-4644 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

MATTHEW 13:44-46

The Hidden Treasure by Rembrandt

The Pearl of Great Price by Fetti

Elements of the Hidden Treasure Parable

• Treasure hidden in a field▫ Treasure belonged to owner of field▫ Treasure was worth more than the field▫ Finder of treasure was not wealthy▫ Finder did not steal the treasure▫ The discovery was accidental

Elements of the Fine Pearl Parable

• The fine pearl (pearl of great value)▫ Merchant was seeking to find it▫ Merchant was authority in pearls▫ Merchant recognized the value of the pearl▫ Pearl’s value was worth all merchant owned

The find of a lifetime!

The economy of using pearls

WHAT IS THE PARABLES’ FOCUS?

• The focal point of the parables is the VALUE of the treasure and fine pearl.

• The treasure and fine pearl are worth any sacrifice in order to possess them.

• The kingdom of heaven is worth sacrificing everything.

WHAT ARE THE PARABLES NOT SAYING?

• They do not deal with moral or ethical issues of the situation.▫ Owner of field not told about treasure

• Not referring to salvation by good works or buying you way into heaven

• Parable used to illustrate a truth - Don’t overanalyze!

WHAT IS THE TREASURE & FINE PEARL?

• Non-believer = salvation

• Believer = salvation and spirit filled life

• We (believers) are the merchant diligently seeking a closer walk and special relationship with God through the Holy Spirit.

• Old Testament refers to this as wisdom and knowledge of God

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES -Solomon

Proverbs 2:1-6 1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding — 3 indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 2:1-6

Solomon on Wisdom

Proverbs 4:7-97 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. 9 She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a crown of splendor.

Proverbs 4:7-9

The Apostle Paul

1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (KJV)30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (KJV)

(Jesus has become wisdom for the believer)

THE TREASURE & FINE PEARL FOR THE BELIEVER

• Understanding & wisdom about what is important in life

• “It’s not about me.” THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE

• Realization about the purpose of your life

• Revealed through the Holy Spirit

WHAT IS THIS TREASURE OR PEARL WORTH?

• When you realize the purpose of life, worldly goods are meaningless.

• The treasure (kingdom of heaven) is worth more than ANYTHING you have on this earth!

Apostle Paul’s View of LifePhilippians 3:7-117 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3:7-11

The Rich Young Ruler

Matthew 19:16, 21-2216 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Matthew 19:16, 21-22

(NOTE: The finder of the hidden treasure went in joy to sell all he had.)

WHAT DID JESUS SAY ABOUT TREASURES?

Matthew 6:19-2119 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21

Treasures are present on earth (possessions) & in heaven (rewards).

Your heart follows your treasure.

Earthly Treasures• Things that will not last – money, power, jobs,

pleasure, etc.• You cannot take it with you – it does not go beyond

your earthly life.• It can be stolen.• You have to work to maintain it.

▫ Cars need repairs, jobs and power can change▫ Pleasure has to be renewed and repeated.

Treasures in Heaven• They can be enjoyed now and in the future.

▫ Personal relationship with God▫ Forgiveness of sins▫ Peace and Joy

• They are stored up for the future.▫ Song: “Thank You For Giving To The Lord”

• They cannot be stolen or lost – God is your security guard!

Heavenly Treasures

1 Timothy 6:17-1917 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

1 Timothy 6:17-19

Your Heart Follows Your TREASURE

Matthew 6:2121 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:21

•Wherever your heart is, you will find your treasure.•Look at your checkbook, debit card and credit card.•Look at your calendar.

Jesus next teaches about your VISION

Matthew 6:22-2322 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

Matthew 6:22-23

•The believer has a clear view on the purpose of life and focused on things of God (light).•The non-believer has vision that is clouded by the things of the world (darkness).

Jesus next teaches about your MASTER

Matthew 6:2424 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate

the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Matthew 6:24

• Pharisees taught devotion to God and devotion to money were perfectly compatible.

• Jesus said you cannot serve both!

What is Money? Mammon?

• Mammon in King James Version(KJV) translated to money in New International Version (NIV) of Bible.

• Mammon is anything other than the living God into which we put our trust.

• Mammon can be good things – they gain our trust (money, pleasure, etc.)

• Sin of idolatry is to put trust in anything but God.

Quote from Frank Pollard

“Man was made to have a MISSION, a MATE and a MASTER.”

TREASURE- VISION - MASTER• What happens when these 3 things are out of

alignment?

Matthew 6:2525 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,

what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

Matthew 6:25

• Jesus answers: WORRY, ANXIETY

• Trying to secure your future with earthly treasures

• Worry – “lacking faith and not trusting”

JESUS’ CURE FOR WORRY• #1 – SHIFT THE FOCUS – “Look at the birds”

Matthew 6:26-2726 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap

or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life ?

Matthew 6:26-27

• Start looking until you see the Father in everything!

Shift The Focus – “Look at the flowers”

Matthew 6:28-3228 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

Matthew 6:28-32

CURE FOR WORRY #2 – Channel The Energy

Matthew 6:3333 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,

and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

• Focus on kingdom living.

• What are my goals?

• What am I seeking?

CURE FOR WORRY #3- Don’t Focus on Tomorrow

Matthew 6:34 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for

tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:34

• Tomorrow is a promise, not a possession.

• Don't waste today worrying about tomorrow.

WORRY!!!!!

• Worry happens when our TREASURE, our VISION, and our MASTER are out of alignment.

• Matthew 6:25-34 – The Cure For Worry

• Shift the focus – “Look at birds & flowers...”• Channel the energy – “Seek first….• Don’t focus on tomorrow.

TREASURE TEST

1. What gives me a sense of security?

1. What is my greatest delight and joy in life?

1. What do I fear?

1. Where do I resist God’s Word?

1. What is it, if God took away, I would curse Him?

WHAT IS GOD’S GREATEST TREASURE?

“YOU”

John 3:1616 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16