GOD’S KINGDOM IS OUR TREASURE (Outline)
August 1, 2010 -
Pentecost 10 -
MATTHEW 13:44-52
INTRO: Our society places certain values on everything that one can see, feel, and touch. All too often the bottom line is connected to a dollar amount. But what is the value of those things that we cannot see, feel, or touch? The value of family and friends is priceless. Our Christian faith is invaluable. The kingdom of God is our most precious possession. Paul describes the difference faith made in his life. "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ" (PHILLIPIANS 3:8). To “gain” or know Christ makes everything else seem like garbage.
GOD’S KINGDOM IS OUR TREASURE.
I. Both to value, II. then to share.
I. GOD’S KINGDOM IS OUR TREASURE TO VALUE
A. Jesus uses more parables to teach the difficult by using the easy. The earthly describes the spiritual.
1. Verse 44. A man stumbles upon a treasure in a field. He is not looking for any treasure.
2. Recognizing the value of this treasure the man sells everything and buys the field.
B. Verse 45. This time a merchant is actively seeking the pearl of great price.
1. Verse 46. Finding the pearl brings joy to the merchant. He sells everything to buy it.
2. This is the kingdom of God. It is very valuable. It is worth having. It brings great joy.
C. Verse 47. Jesus describes those who fish. The net is let out. The net is gathered filled with fish.
1. Verse 48. Now the fishermen divide the good fish from the bad. The bad are cast out.
2. God’s kingdom is spread out into the world. Good and bad “fish” are “caught”.
D. Jesus describes the value of the kingdom of God in these parables. What is God’s kingdom? We agree that God’s kingdom is heaven. Heaven is God’s perfect, eternal kingdom. God’s kingdom is also in this world. This world is imperfect, not eternal. Jesus is still the King of both heaven and earth. But God’s kingdom is not political. Churches often blur that line today. Too many get so involved with only worldly causes today they forget the eternal concerns of Christianity. Now there is absolutely nothing at all wrong with concern for society and its needs today. But this cannot be the only focus of a church that is to be concerned about God’s spiritual kingdom. Jesus warns against those who would establish their own kingdom or following disguised as God’s kingdom. "Jesus replied, ‘The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, `Here it is,' or `There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you.’" (LUKE 17:20b, 21). God’s kingdom is within us. God’s kingdom is our faith.
E. Considering God’s kingdom as our faith helps us to remember the value of God’s kingdom. Without faith we are lost and condemned creatures – forever. Purely and simply out of divine love and mercy our heavenly Father gives us faith in his Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, as a gift of the Holy Spirit. We do not deserve to have faith. We simply cannot earn God’s forgiveness. Nor can any of us buy our way into heaven. On our own we are without hope and without heaven. Praise God! "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast" (EPHESIANS 2:8,9). God’s kingdom, our faith is our treasure because it is God’s gift to us.
F. This world and our life on earth eventually pass away. This does not stop us from being overly in-volved with the things of this life. As believers our God directs our thoughts and attention the one thing that is needed. "To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind" (ECCLESIASTES 2:26). Rejoice that God gives each of us “wisdom, knowledge and happiness”! The world strives for things they can see, feel, and touch. God freely gives us faith that supplies us with wisdom of eternal life and the knowledge of our Savior’s forgiveness. Knowing that we are members of God’s kingdom brings us happiness – now and forever.
GOD’S KINGDOM IS OUR TREASURE.
May we remember and always value God’s treasure!
II. GOD’S KINGDOM IS OUR TREASURE TO SHARE.
A. Jesus’ parables were spoken to crowds of people. The believers listened, learned, and grew in faith.
1. We have studied the parables of the seed and the sower and the weeds and the wheat.
a. They seem simple enough. b. Jesus explained both of them in detail to the disciples.
2. Verse 51. Do you understand everything? They answer: “Yes”! They heard and believed.
B. Verse 52. Jesus reminds the people of their blessed privilege and responsibility as believers.
1. \They understand about God’s kingdom. They can now teach others about God’s kingdom.
2. They possess the knowledge of God’s kingdom just like a house owner. They can share.
C. Verse 47. The net, God’s gospel, is cast out into the world. It gathers in all kinds of people.
1. On earth, in this imperfect kingdom of God, not all gathered in by the gospel are “good fish”.
2. Verses 49, 50. Judgment Day will come. The bad will be separated from the righteous.
a. There will be no second chance. b. Like the harvest, Judgment Day is the Last Day.
D. Like this crowd the Lord Jesus Christ gives to each of us the blessed privilege and special opportunity to share the valuable gift of God’s kingdom. We might feel we have to share God’s kingdom because so many are destined to eternal destruction in hell. True. But we can be better moved to share God’s kingdom as we remember that the gates of heaven are open and welcoming for forgiven sinners. "Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins" (JAMES 5:20). God’s kingdom is a valuable gift that we are anxious to share with others.
E. Sometimes we beat ourselves up about not doing enough to spread the word of God. Or we may feel that success in God’s kingdom depends on us. Why don’t those we invite come to church? Why doesn’t our family want to listen to God’s word? We can only plant the seed. It is our Lord God Almighty who gives the success. "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us" (2 CORINTHIANS 4:7). “Treasures in jars of clay” – we are only dust (created from the dust of earth) that have in us faith, God’s gospel, and the gift of God’s kingdom: Treasures!
F. Sadly, some try to browbeat believers into carrying out the great commission of God “to go unto the ends of the world”. This is God’s gospel command. May we never, ever feel this is work that we “have to” or “must” do. Such an attitude is not healthy. Rather, we have a valuable treasure, an eternal gift from and of God. Realizing the value of our faith we joyfully want to share God’s kingdom with those still sitting in darkness. It is Christ’s love that compels us. "For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch" (ISAIAH 62:1). Dwelling in each of us is God’s light. It is a torch to show others heaven.
CONC: God’s kingdom is within us. God’s grace saves us. Christ lives in us that we may live for him. These truths help us to remember that value of our Christian. Our faith is priceless. How do we share this valuable gift of God? "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" (2 PETER 3:15). We set apart Christ as Lord in our hearts and lives. When others see our joy in this life they will ask. We can answer with gentleness and respect that GOD’S KINGDOM IS OUR TREASURE! “Our sins are forgiven. Your sins are forgiven” is our reply for our hope and joy. Faith is God’s gracious gift to us that we are excited to share with others. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
PENT. 10 rdgs:
GENESIS 18:20-32;
COLOSSIANS 2:6-15;
LUKE 11:1-13;
(PSALM 6)
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