All Or Nothing

(1) INTRODUCTION:

"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 the field." Matthew 13:44

What is this hidden treasure and how are we to possess it ?

(2) Let us look at each section of the parable and relate to our spiritual experience...

(a) THE HIDDEN TREASURE = God’s Wisdom (Proverbs 2:4-5).

This true wisdom, true way of living to the full, true riches, is only found IN JESUS CHRIST (Colossians 2:3)

(b) THE FINDING OF IT = By God’s revelation of Jesus (Colossians 1:26-28).

See also Psalm 119:162 and 1 Cor 2:7-10 - There must be a searching, a passionate desire for this true treasure and it will be revealed to us.

(c) THE HIDING OF IT = In Our Hearts (Psalm 119:11, Colossians 3:3)

To prevent this treasure being stolen from us by the enemy there must be a digging deep to hide it in our hearts (See Colossians 3:16)

(d) THE SELLING OF ALL TO GAIN IT = Sacrifice, forsaking all other riches.

See Hebrews 11:26 - This was a big step of faith for the man and must have brought much ridicule from those who knew not of the hidden treasure. But it secured this man’s future possession of this treasure.

IT WAS A CASE OF ALL OR NOTHING (Illustration....

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art. When the Viet Nam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very

courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, "Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art.

The young man held out his package. "I know this isn’t much. I’m not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this."

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your

son did for me. It’s a gift."

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel.

"We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?" There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted. "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one." But the auctioneer persisted. "Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?"

Another voice shouted angrily. "We didn’t come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!"

But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who’ll take the son?" Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the long-time gardener of the man and his son. "I’ll give $10 for the painting."

Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. "We have $10, who will bid $20?"

"Give it to him for $10. Let’s see the masters." "$10 is the bid, won’t someone bid $20?"

The crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!"

A man sitting on the second row shouted. "Now let’s get on with the collection!" The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I’m sorry, the auction is over."