GOD’S KINGDOM IS WORTH EVERY PENNY (Outline)
August 1, 2021 - Pentecost 10 - MATTHEW 13:44-46
INTRO.: “Is it worth it?” How often have wondered or spoken this question? “Is it worth it?” We look at our lives and wonder, “Is it worth it?” We see careful plans fall apart. “Is it worth it?” Satan works on our thoughts. The devious devil wants us to doubt. Satan wants us to question the Lord God of Armies and his will. The world’s kingdom is fleeting. God’s kingdom endures forever. God’s kingdom is worth everything. “After all, what will it benefit a person if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul? Or what can a person give in exchange for his soul?” (MATTHEW 16:26) GOD’S KINGDOM IS WORTH EVERY PENNY. I. We treasure its worth. II. We recognize its value.
I. TREASURE GOD’S KINGDOM WORTH
A. In Matthew chapter 13 Jesus uses parables to teach those with hearing ears.
1. The Lord Jesus uses parables to help the crowds understand deep, spiritual truths.
2. Parables are simple, earthly examples to make it easier to understand heavenly subjects.
3. Our text contains the 4th and 5th parables Jesus taught in Matthew 13.
B. Verse 44. ‘The kingdom of heaven is like…” Jesus wanted people to learn about God’s kingdom.
1. “…is like a treasure hidden in a field which a man found and hid again.” Hidden treasure.
2. The man was not looking for treasure. Not expecting treasure. Found. Great worth.
C. “In his joy, he goes away and sells all that he has and busy that field.” This treasure worth every pen-ny.
1. This man valued the treasure he found. Filled with joy at finding such a hidden treasure.
2. Sold everything to buy the field. Treasure worth everything. God’s kingdom = treasure.
D. We live in challenging times. The things of this world are very attractive to our sinful nature. Very distracting to our Christian nature. The worldly items we see, feel, and touch can capture our attention. We might even begin to treasure earthly treasures more than heavenly treasures. In different decades of our lives we have a burning desire for certain possessions. We wanted them. Did everything to get them. All too soon these earthly treasures begin to fade. A few years go by and the luster of shiny objects we obtained have faded. We grow in wisdom. We learn more and more that the kingdom of God is worth every penny. The hidden treasure reminds us of God’s grace. God finds those who are not even looking for him. Paul was looking to persecute followers of the Way. On his way the Lord found Paul. In blindness opened his eyes. His heart. “But even more than that, I consider everything to be a loss because of what is worth far more: knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord. For his sake, I have lost all things and consider them rubbish…” (PHILIPPIANS 3:18) Gave up all things for Christ.
E. The Lord God of Armies drastically and dramatically changed the life and future of the Apostle Paul. Jesus does the same in every believer’s life and future. We are born into this world as wretched sinners. We belonged to the devil. Through the washing of water with God’s word the Lord brings us into his kingdom. Makes us his children through baptism. We belong to the Lord as his chosen children. “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will endure, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." (JOHN 15:16)
F. As members of God’s kingdom our lives bear eternal fruit. Fresh fruit does not last very long once it is ripe. Eternal fruit of Christian lives endures into eternity. Eternal fruit? Yes. “…be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share. In this way they are storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is eternal life." (1 TIMOTHY 6:18b, 19) Generosity and willingness to share are fruits of members of God’s kingdom. As God’s children we reflect the love of our Savior Jesus Christ. This light scatters the darkness.
GOD’S KINGDOM IS WORTH EVERY PENNY. Worth more than any hidden treasure.
II. RECOGNIZE GOD’S KINGDOM VALUE
A. The hidden treasure was worth everything to the man who found it.
1. God’s kingdom is valuable. It is worth everything.
1. Earthly kingdom rise and fall. God’s kingdom is eternal. Perfect.
B. Verse 45. “…kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls.” A merchant is looking.
1. This merchant knows that certain items are more valuable than others. Worth finding.
2. The merchant is seeking out that which has value for his trade. He wants a fine pearl.
C. Verse 46. “When he found one very valuable pearl, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
1. Found the very valuable pearl. Search was over. Sold everything for that one pearl.
2. The person put all of his hopes…his dreams…his investment in that one valuable pearl.
3. What he was looking for, he found. It was worth everything. Recognized value.
D. In both parables the kingdom of God is worth everything. A treasure hidden brought great joy to the one who was not even looking for it. A very valuable pearl was exactly what the merchant wanted to find. A treasure worth much. A pearl very valuable. Jesus wants us to clearly under-stand his point. God’s kingdom is worth every penny. By grace God’s Word is planted in human hearts. God’s kingdom is revealed to those not seeking him. God’s kingdom is valued by those seeking him. Members of God’s kingdom rejoice the Lord has found you. Called you. Saved you. We have been made members of God’s kingdom. This is not an earthly kingdom. God’s kingdom is spiritual. God’s kingdom lives within us. The Lord God of Armies created all things. “He did this so they would seek God and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” (ACTS 17:27) We recognize the value of God’s kingdom within us. We seek him for better understanding.
E. While living here believers are members of two (2) kingdoms. We travel through the wilderness of life as pilgrims in this world. As believers we find our greatest joy as members of God’s king-dom. Our greatest purpose. There is a vast difference between the kingdom of the world and the kingdom of the Lord. This difference widens with each passing moment. Wickedness overflows. Our loving, heavenly Father places before us the very valuable pearl. It is his treasured, valuable kingdom. We grow in years. In wisdom. We uncover the value of God’s kingdom. "Buy truth and do not sell it. Buy wisdom, discipline, and knowledge.” (PROVERBS 23:23) Like the merchant we keep searching. We hear, read, and study. God’s Word is Truth. Valuable. Only God’s truth, wisdom, discipline, and knowledge have any value at all. “Is it worth it?” God’s kingdom is worth every pen-ny.
F. Too many today focus on the here and now. Too many look only at earthly blessings. Worldly blessings. The Lord wants us to have much more than what this sinful world offers. The devil loves to misdirect our focus. But we know better. "We are not focusing on what is seen, but on what is not seen. For the things that are seen are temporary, but the things that are not seen are eternal.” (2 CORINTHIANS 4:18) The world and is desires pass away. The one who does the will of God remains for-ever.
CONC.: “Is it worth it?” Yes. GOD’S KINGDOM IS WORTHY EVERY PENNY. God’s kingdom is worth more than any hidden treasure. God’s kingdom has more value than any very valuable possession. “Is it worth it?” Jesus tells us why. “‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (LUKE 15:9b, 10) Great joy over one sinner who repents! GOD’S KINGDOM IS WORTH EVERY PENNY. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
PENTECOST 10 rdgs: EXODUS 24:3-11; EPHESIANS 4:1-7, 11-16; JOHN 6:1-15; (PSALM 84)
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