Building on our series about the Kingdom of God, that is so keenly displayed in our two familiar parables, this week we’re looking at ways to maintain our zeal for God’s kingdom, in a challenging, sinful world. It brings us back to the central point in our faith: the cross of Christ.

Our passage:  Galatians 3:24 and Matthew 13:44-46 (OT Reading: Isaiah 6:1-5). Preacher: Ian Bayne (8th March 2020).

Recap

We have been looking at the twin parables of the treasure without measure in Matthew 13:44-46 over the last few weeks: the awesome Kingdom of God has come, and we are called to be a part of it.

As Christians, we are citizens of the Kingdom and have gained the treasure. Wherever Christians meet, Jesus promises to be in our midst, to grow us, and to love us.

This is a kingdom worth looking for, liquidating for and loving with all our hearts.

We’re expanding on what it means in practice to be a lover of the kingdom: to share it, care for it and adhere to it.

To accept the Kingdom is to accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. It can be tempting to divide lordship from salvation, but that’s not what the Bible says. If we want to show love by adhering to God’s word then we will accept Jesus as Lord of our lives.

since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:16 (Peter is quoting from the OT, e.g. Leviticus 11:45b)

We are not made holy through our own ability, but through God’s.

Last week, we looked at maintaining a zeal for the kingdom: to keep going to the end. We can get ground down and absorbed into the principles and ways of the world. The Bible is full of examples of people who have fallen in this way and we looked at a few last week.

Today we face challenges both specific to our times, yet similar to those faced throughout Christian history. How do we maintain our zeal for the kingdom in relation to our surroundings? How do we sustain a sensitive conscience while living in a fallen world?

Further implications: sustaining a sensitive conscience while living in a fallen world

The world is full of temptation. It can almost feel like we are required to live different lives: one around Christians, and one that helps us blend into the world and avoid being persecuted.

Even in the earliest days of the world, such temptation has been common. In the times of Genesis, Abraham’s nephew, Lot, was living in Sodom – a city described as wicked, and having committed “grave sin” (Gen 18:19).

and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked [8] (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard);

2 Peter 2:7-8 ESV

In Peter’s letter, he describes Lot as being a believer, tormented by the state of his city.

Today we watch as we see the laws of our nation gradually move away from God’s word, and laws and policies being brought in that make it more difficult to be a practising Christian. We can see a glimpse of what Lot experienced in our own lives.

Another example of a righteous man who was aware of the state of the world around him is Isaiah. In Isaiah 6 he receives a vision of God. Isaiah is transported into the presence of God to receive his instructions. The angels are singing “holy, holy, holy” around the presence of God, and Isaiah is in awe.

And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”

Isaiah 6:5 ESV

He becomes acutely aware of two things:

1. His own sinfulness
2. He’s dwelling amongst a sinful people

Application: sustaining ourselves in the world

Let’s look at two ways we can sustain a heart longing after God in an unclean world.

So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.

Galatians 3:24 ESV

We can think of this verse in terms of conversion, in that the law convicts us of our sin. When unbelievers come to realise they can’t meet the standards of the law they turn to Christ.

But there’s something more here. The verse does not apply to unbelievers coming to faith, it applies to Christians every day.

If we miss this meaning, there is a danger that we can think becoming a Christan and having the free grace of God is a licence to do whatever we like, and can distract us from our ongoing battle with sin. We need forgiveness every day, and the law helps us realise this.

Such realisations help in the way we believe in God. We are interested in the whole of the scripture.

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

John 1:17 ESV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

The law describes the standard of God’s holiness. If you are not a believer then see God’s law and come to Christ for forgiveness. But believers keep on sinning. We need to be alert for this, but ultimately God is working through us for our sanctification from sin. He grants us forgiveness, and he gives us the strength to resist temptation.

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Galatians 6:14

It brings us back to there centrality of the cross.

1) as believers, we must resist the temptation to redefine what sin is

When we see God’s law we typically either:

1. Admit our sin
2. Redefine right and wrong to not be sinful

Our hearts can be deceitful. They would like to redefine right and wrong rather than admit we do wrong. We have been given a new heart, but we are not yet sanctified and still prone to sin, so must be wary of our desires.

The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

Psalm 119:160

He is right and holy. We are not.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.

Proverbs 21:2 ESV

Sin leads to death, and God has already defined what that is. Regardless of what we think, God will judge us according to His law.

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:8 ESV

We are all sinners, without exception. Only Jesus has ever lived a sinless life.

2) allow God’s mercy to sensitise our consciousness every day

Through His kindness, mercy and grace

Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. [3] For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. [5] I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

Psalm 32:2-3,5 ESV

Psalm 32 is the twin Psalm to Psalm 51, which is the famous Psalm David wrote after his sin with Bathsheba. Silence brings pain. We need to acknowledge our sins before God in order to be forgiven.

As the song based on Romans 2 goes: “It’s Your kindness that leads us to the repentance, O Lord”. It is a great act of kindness to forgive us, who so often break His commands and don’t give Him the love and praise our creator deserves.

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? [5] But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

Romans 2:4-5 ESV

The song is exalting the fact that God’s kindness is reaching out to us, which is a great motivator. Why wouldn’t we want to live a life that’s zealous for God if he’s reaching out to us?

Through His law, judgement and wrath

We must also allow the law of God to speak to us.

We read the requirements in the law and know he is a holy and just God. Every person deserves the holy wrath of God for even one sin, and we are all sinners.

The law is our schoolmaster (Galatians 3:24), we should allow God’s law to sanitise our conscience.

Some churches advocate reading the 10 commandments each week to remind us of our sinfulness.

(Note we can also be tempted to redefine right and wrong here, by saying “I haven’t murdered, or committed adultery”. But Jesus says: that even becoming angry with a brother, or looking with lustful intent breaks these commandments and makes us liable for judgement (Matthew 5:17-18, Matthew 5:21-22))

3) we need to hold both grace and wrath in balance

If someone is just concerned about God’s grace and not with his wrath then we water down God’s love to a weak love without discipline. But His love is perfect and it includes righteous wrath.

We live in troubling times. Christianity is being diluted or persecuted. In these days, the law of God is still valuable to believers to show us our daily sins, and remind us to head to the cross, where our treasure and citizenship of the Kingdom comes from.

That’s how we can maintain a sensitive conscience when we live in an unclean world.

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.

This Leslie Phillips song, referred to above, is based on Romas 2:4, speaking of God’s kindness leading us to repentance.

This week builds on our previous studies into these two rich parables, by asking: how do we look after and guard our access to the Kingdom? How do we keep it up? How do we maintain our love and ‘zeal’ for the treasure so we keep it for eternity? We’ll use examples from the life of King Asa to show how.

Our passage:  Matthew 13:44-46 and Revelation 2:1-7  (OT Readings: 2 Chronicles 14:1-8).

Recap

Lookers, liquidators and lovers of the Kingdom

We have been spending some time looking at the twin parables in Matthew 13 about the great treasure that is the Kingdom of God.

We’ve looked at how the parables show a need for us to be lookers, liquidators, and lovers; we’ve looked at what this means in practice and how we can do this. Our treasure is the awesome Kingdom of Heaven – which includes a relationship with God and eternal life with Him.

Christians are by definition, seekers of the treasure. But as we’ve seen, we can’t look for it on our own terms for material gain, friendships or respect. We have to love God and give the authority over all of our life to Him. When we call Christ “Lord” we are acknowledging his authority over us.

If He is our Saviour, He is our Lord. The two cannot be separated. Those who love the Kingdom and the pearl of great price accept the treasure of salvation, and Jesus as Lord of their life.

Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

John 14:21 ESV

We do so not because we are inclined to do so ourselves, but because we are affected by God’s Word (John 1:1). We know something is innately wrong with the world as-is (sin and death), and we anticipate better things that the Kingdom offers.

Responding to the Kingdom

Our response to this amazing salvation is to share the treasure, care for it (by making sure our understanding is good and that we are worthy of it (cf. Ephesians 4:13-14), and adhere to it (by following God’s commands).

We have something wonderful. We want to share and care for it.

Until we reach the end times, we are still growing into what we will be. We still sin, we still face difficulties in life (see 1 Peter 1:6-7). We need to care for the Kingdom throughout our lifetime, and be obedient to His word regardless of what happens. This is tough.

Today we’ll look at maintaining the treasure as we run the race of life.

Further implications: Zeal for the Kingdom

Having been motivated to look for the treasure, having given all we have and now loving it, would we let it slip from our grasp, or be taken away? How do we keep hold of the treasure? How do we maintain our zeal for it?

Zeal: great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective

Definition: Zeal (noun)

This is harder than we think, even for people we would look to as having “great faith”.

Last time we looked at 2 Chronicles 16, about Asa, a king of Judah in Old Testament times; leader of a nation of God’s people.

2 Chronicles 16 describes Asa’s later years when had strayed from God, and the narrative is all too familiar for Old Testament kings; most of whom “did evil in the sight of the Lord”. But in our passage today from the beginning of his reign, we read that Asa is commended for doing good:

And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God.

2 Chronicles 14:2 ESV

What has happened? What has gone wrong?

How Asa guarded his kingdom

We’ll look at 6 things he did right and 4 things he did wrong through his life (it is worth reading 2 Chronicles 14-16 if you have time). By looking at such an individual, Lord willing, we might be better able to avoid his mistakes.

1. Asa cleaned the temple

He took away the foreign altars and the high places and broke down the pillars and cut down the Asherim

2 Chronicles 14:3 ESV

We should remove the things that would want us to worship them instead of God.

2) Asa commands the people to seek after God and follow his commands

As king, he used his position to point to God, which was the correct response of an Old Testament king; remembering that God was the reason he was king, having rescued, established and protected his kingdom.

and commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to keep the law and the commandment.

2 Chronicles 14:4 ESV

We also have opportunities to use our position to point people to God. How can we do this?

3) Asa uses the peace during his kingship to prepare for war

And he said to Judah, “Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars…

2 Chronicles 14:7a

There’s a saying: “You’re either coming from trouble, are in trouble, or are heading into trouble.”

It is important to prepare for trouble and “mend the roof while the sun shines”.

When things are going well is when we need to prepare for the inevitable onslaught of the fallen world around us, by fortifying ourselves.

One method for this is to learn passages from scripture and creeds (human summaries of key truths) by heart. Whilst creeds and recitals can be overused, their value is that we can recall them quickly in times of trouble, and they can give us something to anchor ourselves to when all seems to be going wrong and we can’t think clearly. Hence it’s important to have a memory-bank of these.

Psalm 18: My God is a rock is a great devotional to help us with this.

4) Asa admitted his own capability

“…The land is still ours, because we have sought the LORD our God. We have sought him, and he has given us peace on every side.” So they built and prospered.

2 Chronicles 14:7b ESV

As we discussed in point 2, everything Asa has is from God. Everything we have, including the great treasure of the Kingdom is from God. Admitting this is the first step to overcoming pride in ourselves.

5) Asa worshipped God

Throughout 2 Chronicles 14-15, Asa and the people worship God in a number of ways:

[11a] They sacrificed to the Lord on that day from the spoil that they had brought…[12a] they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord…[14a] They swore an oath to the Lord…[15]And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought him with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the Lord gave them rest all round.

2 Chronicles 11a, 12a, 14a & 15

There’s no particular place or way to worship God. Worshipping God is simply the only reasonable response to who He is and what He has done for us.

nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”

Luke 17:21

6) Asa disciplined his own mother because of her worship of pagan gods

Even Maacah, his mother, King Asa removed from being queen mother because she had made a detestable image for Asherah. Asa cut down her image, crushed it, and burned it at the brook Kidron.

2 Chronicles 15:16 ESV

The Kingdom is more important than a title given to Asa’s mother.

The bond between Christians is greater than family. Not saying we shouldn’t love our families (see Ephesians 6:2), but we should love the Lord more.

When Jesus started his ministry, his family came to him. The context of the below passage was that they were coming to speak with him, and possibly to take him home. It is likely they thought he was mad.

While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. [48] But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” [49] And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! [50] For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Matthew 12:46,48-50 ESV

Our family can be well-meaning, but when family want you to do something that is not right in the eyes of God, perhaps doing something else on a Sunday morning instead of worshipping Him – our Christian family is more important.

How we can guard the Kingdom better than Asa did

1) watch out for the noon day snooze.

Success in life is often followed by sleep.

• King David was victorious, then committed adultery with Bathsheba.
• Solomon was the wisest man in the world. He married for political alliances, and his wives led him astray.
• Asa started trusting in human alliances with pagans, despite all the victories God had brought him

A life in Christ is filled with zeal, but the world wants to grind us down. Don’t ignore the scriptures: allow them to convict us and work through us in our lives. The process can be painful, but the scriptures are there to protect us.

2) start with the little things and build up

Like with building a fire we need to start small. This links in with our discussion of Matthew 31-33 on the parable of the mustard seed: don’t despise small beginnings.

Evie Tornquist, a gospel singer from the 1970’s, sings “it only takes a spark to get a fire going, then soon all around us will be burning” (not a recommendation, but the example springs to mind).

3) don’t dwell on the past

Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.

Ecclesiastes 7:10 ESV

We need to remember as believers we have been redeemed. As God has rescued us in the past He will rescue us again “to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 3:4).

The same also applies to dwelling on pain and suffering. God is doing His work through us and sanctifying us.

4) take opportunities our failure presents, and praise God for his mercy

Even our sins are an opportunity to praise God:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 ESV

He has atoned for our sinfulness. This gives us cause to rejoice in Him. Take the opportunities to do this.

There are perhaps more opportunities to learn from God during our trials. As James wastes no time in saying in James 1:3:

Count it all [pure] joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, [3] for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

James 1:2-3

Wisdom for how to overcome trials is always on offer to those who ask in faith (James 1:4-5). The book of Proverbs is another useful resource.

A warning from Jesus: zeal for the Kingdom is essential

We must guard the treasure with zeal and not let go of it. Jesus says to the church in Ephesus:

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

Revelation 2:4 ESV

You can go to the city of Ephesus and see the theatre where they shouted for the god of the city for two hours. The church today is a ruin. They were commended for not being tolerant of evil and testing their leaders, but in the end, they were ground down.

We should heed Jesus’s advice to them:

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

Revelation 2:5 ESV

Remember his mercy, grace and love. Live the life we are called to.

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 

2 Timothy 1:6 ESV

We have a great treasure. Let us guard it and finish the race.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7 ESV

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.

P.S. The song referred to above is below.

Today we’re continuing our study into what it means to love the buried treasure and pearl of great price Jesus refers to in Matthew 13:44-46, when He is talking about the Kingdom of Heaven.

Our passage: Matthew 13:44-46 (OT Readings:  2 Chronicles 16:7-10).

GCW Sermon – Preacher: Ian Bayne, 09/02/2020.

Recap

So far we have reduced these two short parables on the buried treasure and pearl of great price into three words: lookers, liquidators and lovers.

We need to look to find God’s kingdom, and then liquidate everything we have to God to gain it – this is not to deprive ourselves, but allow Jesus to direct it. Jesus is the king of the kingdom of heaven.

Last week we saw how people who gain the kingdom do so because they love the kingdom. There is an affection for it, an unexplained irresistibility towards it, an admiration for it and an appreciation for it. We saw how Psalm 18:1-2 gives 10 reasons why we should appreciate God. We anticipate the Kingdom of God and want more.

As JD Rockefeller said in response to being asked what would make him happy: “just a little bit more”. We’re talking about a kingdom that is so much more than wealth and earthly treasure.

Further implications

How big a deal is the Kingdom?

Let’s spend some more time thinking about the love that we have for the “pearl of great price” the amazing treasure that has been discovered by those who have entered into the kingdom.

Winning the lottery is a big deal – it’s a 1 in 35 million odds, and a life-changing sum of money. Those who win the lottery don’t need to work to support their family. But the kingdom is way better than winning the lottery (see also Matthew 6:19-21) – we have the pearl of eternal life; and it’s free to obtain. We don’t even need a ticket.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV

he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Titus 3:5 ESV

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23 ESV

We have done nothing to deserve a prize greater than winning the lottery jackpot.

What do we need to do?

1) Claim the Kingdom

What do we need to do in order to be part of the Kingdom? Jesus was asked this very question by His disciples.

Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” [29] Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

John 6:28-29 ESV

Jesus calls us to believe in Him. Paul gives us the reason for why we are called to do this in his letter to the Ephesian church:

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

We are created in Jesus to complete good works that we’re prepared for beforehand. Our faith never stands alone, but is manifested, or displayed in our works. It is important to remember that our works are not to obtain our salvation, but because of our salvation. They are a response to the great treasure we have received. He’s given us such winnings that we can never imagine.

to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

1 Peter 1:4 ESV

2) Look after the Kingdom

Now finding ourselves in the kingdom, we must look after it and steward it well, looking after the deposit entrusted to us (2 Timothy 1:14).
Given that we’ve liquidated all we have to obtain the kingdom, it makes sense that we look after it.

So, how do we look after it:

1) Share the kingdom

With others

The treasure is wonderful and precious. Think of museums. Their purpose is to keep treasures and precious artefacts to share with everyone. Likewise we are called to share the Kingdom, as Paul did in the early days of the church:

So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 ESV

We need to let others interact with the kingdom, building relationships with others so that they can experience it.

With our family

We also need to bequeath the treasure, as we do with all other good things we want to pass on to our children, because we want to give them a good legacy to support them.

This is a positive command that we’re given. Most of the ten commandments in Exodus 20:1-16, are negative: instructing us in what not to do. However, there are two exceptions that come with a promise:

1. the first is keeping the Lord’s day holy (Ex 20:11) for rest and to enjoy God’s blessing
2. the other is to honour one’s parents (Ex 20:12) so that our “days may be long in the land the Lord has given to you”

This is mirrored in a summary of the commandments given in Deuteronomy 6:1-9 which further emphasises how important it is to spend time with the Lord and our family going about the work of His kingdom, “so that your days may be long” (v2).

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Deuteronomy 6:7 ESV

When Abraham was called, and given a promise that he would be the father of a great nation blessed by God, the promise was ultimately for his children.

For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

Acts 2:39 ESV

Our children may not come to faith, but our job is to share the Kingdom in order to bequeath it to them.

2) Care for the kingdom

We need to maintain the Kingdom. This week’s Old Testament reading (2 Chronicles 16:7-10) is about the later years of King Asa. He strayed from God’s teachings, so that a prophet had been sent to warn him that he had trusted in men rather than God.

But he started off as a good man (2 Chronicles 14). He listened to the first prophet who came to him (2 Chronicles 15), but on the second occasion in Chapter 16 he doesn’t; becoming angry at the prophet. He didn’t maintain his faith that God had given to him.

The church at Ephesus gets a similar rebuke from Jesus in His letters to the 7 churches in Revelation 2-3.

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. [5] Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

Revelation 2:4-5 ESV

Don’t let up. It is those that endured in the end that will be saved.

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. [7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [8] Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:6-8 ESV

3) Guard the kingdom

Someone wants to steal the treasure we have for their own purposes. They want to use it for their own glory. Both Satan and worldly influences are motivated to steal the treasure.

We guard the treasure by adhering to the Kingdom, by following God’s commands and rejoicing in them. For example: we need to watch that our motives for attending church and seeking the treasure are for the glory of the Lord and not for us as individuals.

True Christian faith never stands alone. We are challenged to live the perfect life that Christ lived, and that our deeds in life reflect the treasure that we have.

Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

John 14:21 ESV

Without such a testimony, no-one will believe that we have such a treasure.

If you haven’t already, it might be worth spending some time reading the 10 commandments in full in Exodus 20:1-17, and the summary: Deuteronomy 6:1-9, and then praying through them with the Lord.

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.

Our passage: Matthew 13:44-46 (OT Readings: Exodus 20:4-6, Psalm 18:1-2).

GCW Sermon – Preacher: Ian Bayne, 02/02/2020.

Recap

This is the third week of application regarding these two short, but profound parables. We have been using three words to focus our application by giving different perspectives on the passage: Lookers (or seekers), liquidators (or sellers), lovers (or storers).

Over the last two weeks we have looked at lookers and liquidators:

1. Lookers (or seekers) – in both parables there is someone who is searching for something

• only those who seek will find
• our search must have the right motive
• our search is in response to God. We love Him because He first loved us.
• they are successful because they search for the right thing
• they persist until they find it
• true searchers give utmost priority to the search. The kingdom is the most important treasure to seek in this life.

2. Liquidators (or sellers) – in both parables, the seeker is willing to give all they have to secure the treasure

• in terms of goals such as: leisure, treasure and pleasure
• in terms of aspects such as our: opportunities, access, possibility and existability

We still engage in these things during our search for the kingdom, but we liquidate and cede them to God.

Further application

Today we’ll look at the passage from the perspective of lovers (or storers), and see what motivates us to seek the kingdom.

3. Lovers (storers)

The word storers comes from Jesus’ sermon on the mount.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, [20] but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

Matthew 6:19-20 ESV

We need to be a lover of the treasure that is the kingdom. We will use four words to aid our application:

Affection

When we see something really beautiful we have an affection for it. For example: those who have visited the Tower of London will have seen that the crown jewels in the UK have a beauty to them.

We can’t necessarily explain how our treasure is so beautiful. The phenomenon of ‘love at first sight’ is similar. Despite the name, this is more infatuation than love because we don’t know the person, but we know there is something special about them. There’s an irresistible pull.

The kingdom is amazing and we’re attracted to it. Like the storer in each of our parable characters, we are drawn to something beautiful in it.

Admiration

There is also an admiration of what the Kingdom offers.

Some people like the taste of fine wine. If you have seen them in action, you will know that expert wine tasters take their time over tasting: they admire the look and smell before they think about tasting.

We love to look at what God has done: in Christ we have every blessing. Isn’t this amazing!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

Ephesians 1:3 ESV

We can smell the stench of our sin and the sweet forgiveness of Christ as we take part in Communion, where we drink red wine as a symbol to remind us of Christ’s blood. Others see the ‘aroma’ of God’s Word preached, and our deeds as we put our faith into action.

For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,

2 Corinthians 2:15 ESV

But we don’t just look and see the effects of God’s Kingdom – we can experience it for ourselves.

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Psalm 34:8 ESV

We can discover the intricacy of the kingdom through our relationship with God through His Word, prayer and fellowship with other believers.

There is nothing cheap about the kingdom. Once we have tasted it, there’s no going back. We will never be happy to settle for anything less again.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was eventually killed by the SS in Nazi Germany. He observed that much of what was being practised in religious circles was a “cheap grace” that cost nothing because it was an academic belief in some far off God that requires little response and changes nothing. We don’t want this.

We need to draw deeper into the Lord, admire Him, and never settle for skimming the surface.

Jesus, Lord of all created, invites us to have fellowship with Him – how amazing is this offer?

In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

John 14:2 ESV

Appreciation

In most instances in the Bible, the word ‘love’ is a verb (doing something), however it is occasionally a passive word: an appreciative love. An example is found in Psalm 18. In two short verses we’re given 10 different reasons why we should appreciate God.

I love you, O LORD, my strength. [2] The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 18:1-2 ESV

For each one of these we can say: “I love you Lord because you are my…

… strength, rock (anchor), fortress (safety), deliverer (rescuer), God, refuge (rest), shield (defence), salvation (made the way to Him), horn (power), stronghold (puts a fence around us to protect us).”

These verses are just some of the reasons why we should appreciate our God.

Application

So if we have affection, admiration and appreciation for something, then wouldn’t we want more of it? Like our parable protagonists seeking and selling as much as they can to store as much as possible of it?

But we normally talk about wanting more in the negative: more money? more status? more friends? If we are seeking these things of themselves then we will always need “just a little more” and will never be satisfied.

Fellowship with Jesus? In this context, surely wanting more is good? We should never be satisfied with what we have, and earnestly seek more of His Kingdom.

A lover is a collector. Some may collect trains, wine, stamps, memories with loved ones, eventually hoarding what is most precious. Most of the time hoarding is negative, because we are hoarding created things: e.g. money, possessions. However, hoarding the Kingdom of God is a good thing.

One way we can do this is by studying His Word.

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:11 ESV

Don’t be satisfied with a little of the Kingdom. Get a lot: pursue it. Want more fellowship with God. We have found something of such great value; way beyond anything this world can offer. Why would we want anything else?

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.

Our passage: Matthew 13:44-46 (OT Reading: Exodus 20:4-6).

GCW Sermon – Preacher: Ian Bayne, 02/02/2020.

Recap

We can make applications for this passage in three ways: applications to lookers, liquidators and lovers (or seekers, sellers and storers if you prefer).

Last week we were looking at the first application around looking or seeking: only those who seek will find. We have to search for the right things, for the right reason, and prioritise the search.

For example:

• If you’re looking for wealth, don’t follow Jesus: He died a poor man
• If you’re looking for health, don’t follow Jesus: He was killed at age 33.

Having found true treasure, our passage shows that seekers will readily liquidate all they have for God’s kingdom. To liquidate means to convert an asset into something that can easily be sold or given away, in this case: to God.

Last week we looked at Ecclesiastes 2 which tells us about Solomon seeking leisure, treasure (wealth) and pleasure – he failed to find meaning in any of these things. These things prevent us from obtaining the Kingdom of God; not because there’s anything wrong with leisure, pleasure and wealth in of themselves. But for us as believers having liquidated these things, they are no longer our ultimate aim.

• Leisure allows us to recharge so we have energy to serve God
• Treasure allows us to direct resources for God’s work
• Pleasure is a gift of God, giving us a taste of heaven

Ultimately what are we seeking: the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 13:44-46) or idols (Exodus 20:4-6)?

Further implications

Whilst we can draw parallels between the time of Solomon and people today idolising these same aims of leisure, treasure and pleasure, there are also circumstances unique to the times we live in that affect us differently from previous generations.

Having looked through the aims of our life which are forward-looking, describing what we’re ultimately seeking from life, today we’ll look through 4 more immediate aspects of our lives:

• Opportunity – what opportunities are available to our generation?
• Accessibility – which of these opportunities are actually available to us?
• Possibility – what choices and options do we have?
• Existability – what is our timeframe for success?

Let’s have a look at each of these:

Opportunity

Moreso than previous generations, we have a huge number of options created for us by wealth and innovation. In New Zealand, Wellington, we have the highest income per capita in NZ, and live in the 9th wealthiest country in the world.

We can travel, we can choose how and when we work, we can learn whatever we like. Technology and connectivity has enabled these things. It has also made it harder than ever to unplug.

With the opportunities out there, we must remember that we have been called to not be of the world (John 17:14-19), and to flee from sinful opportunities.

Accessibility

Not all opportunities are available to everyone. We’re fortunate that we have access to more than most. What, of these opportunities can we actually get our hands-on? What opportunities are we praying for God to give us access to?

It can be tempting to be disheartened that we don’t have abundant wealth, or health, or time and envious of others. Our circumstances are unique and God-given.

Possibility

Possibilities describes the choices available for a given, accessible opportunity. In previous day’s choices tended to be simpler and less frequent: what to work on or eat that day. Life-changing decisions were mostly made for us, for instance children carried on in the family-run business. Contrast this to today’s gig economy with micro contracts for even just an hour’s work.

Some choices have got easier thanks to technology advances: a hundred years ago brave people would spend months on a sailing boat to get to New Zealand – they would have to pay for their passage and food for months with little possibility of earning. Nowadays we can fly anywhere in a couple of days, so it’s not such a big decision to come.

It’s a privilege to have so many choices, but the reality is that it clogs our lives and too many choices can be a real burden. How do we know we have made the right one? How much time do we need to spend researching and understanding each option?

The most successful people in our society are the ones who can adapt to change quickly, and this is becoming more difficult. Is it a wonder that there are more challenges with mental health when we’re faced with such complex lives? The first sign of depression is an inability to make choices. Given how frequently we need to make choices, this can be self-perpetuating.

An understanding of the Bible and Godly wisdom helps us narrow down choices to those that are pleasing to God. Prayer helps us see His way through them.

Existability

The vast majority of people have an expectation we have a very long life ahead of us. Death is foreign to us and we have a lot of faith in modern medicine. We don’t typically expect ourselves, or anyone in our family to die soon. We are not exposed to death as much as in days gone by: infants in our community don’t typically die.

This can make God seem distant and unnecessary to society. The opportunities and choices can keep us away from God and the reality of our eternal existence with Him.

We need to trust each breath we take to God, and thank Him for giving us life. This should give us purpose as we look at our opportunities and choices.

Application

How do we examine our opportunities and choices?

This year is an election year in New Zealand, and so we’ll use a political example: that of an inquiry or royal commission.

What are our aims? Leisure, pleasure and treasure have a purpose: we have been given them and need to use them for the sake of the Lord.

When we liquidate these things from being fixed sinful assets, to being freely given to God for His use (like the man and the merchant do in Matthew 13:44-45), we enable His work to be done. We are not saying that we’ll throw these things away, but that we’ll seek to use them for the glory of God.

The aspects of our life: our opportunities, our possibilities/choices, our existability, should likewise be aligned to His will: choices are no longer our choices, we should trust God for every breath we take.

In New Zealand, a royal commission inquiry is the highest form of public inquiry for when something bad or corrupt happens, where the matter cannot be trusted to the government to investigate, so is instead investigated by the Governor-General outside of the government. We are essentially sinful: bad and corrupt. We cannot be trusted to investigate ourselves, therefore should hold our own royal commission by inviting Jesus to look into the church of New Zealand and our own lives.

When you concede defeat you give the winner the right to rule over what has been conceded. We should give Jesus the mandate to rule in our lives.

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Matthew 4:17 ESV

He is the king and the ruler of the world. If we liquidate all we have, concede defeat and hand it over to Him, both in our lives and in the church, then we can be free of the worldly anchors that prevent us from accessing Him.

What are we holding on to?

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.

Our passage: Matthew 13:44-46 (OT Reading: Exodus 20:4-6).

GCW Sermon – Preacher: Ian Bayne, 26/01/2020.

The notes below were taken live during the sermon, and have been adapted for the website; they should not be considered an accurate transcript.

Recap

We are continuing our series in kingdom parables. Last week we learned that the Lord uses small beginnings, and sometimes progress can be slow in growing His Kingdom. We should not be discouraged. The sinfulness that remains in us slows down our ability to follow Jesus, but even Paul had these challenges.

Explanation

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

[45] “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, [46] who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Matthew 13:44-46 ESV

We come today to two more parables in Matthew 13:44-46, that both have a number of similarities:

1. The thing being searched for is of great value (e.g. pearls and treasure)
2. There is successful discovery in each case
3. All that the searcher had before was given away in order to acquire the treasure

Application

Despite these verses being short there is a lot to say:

1. The only people who will find anything are those that seek
2. Every generation must rise up to acknowledge Christ’s lordship
3. This generation in particular must surrender to the call of Christ

We’ll look at point 1 this week, and make three applications:

1. We must seek in order to find

Everyone is searching for something that gives meaning to their life; their “treasure”. When searching and seeking, there are some that say that they have no interest in searching. But deep down everyone is seeking something.

“If a man doesn’t believe in God, they don’t believe in nothing, they believe in anything.”

GK Chesterton

Such people have replaced a search for God with a search for something else to fulfil their lives.

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.

Psalm 14:1 ESV

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

Hebrews sets out the criteria for finding God: that we believe He exists and seek him.

2. Not everyone has the right motivations

There are others who are searching, but are searching for searching’s sake; seeking to justify their own theories on where fulfilment is found. Some philosophers fall into this category.

In Ecclesiastes 2: King Solomon is looking back over his life and how he sought meaning in lots of different things, but everything was ultimately “vanity” and “like the wind”; fleeting and not fulfilling.

He sought:

• mind-altering substances.
• style in gardens.
• riches
• pleasure from orchestras, dancing women and concubines

He was searching for pleasure. The Epicurean school of thinking follows this path. What we are really searching for is something we’ve lost: a relationship, a relationship with our Creator.

As believers, we are fortunate that we didn’t initiate the search. God started it by looking for us. He stirs us up to seek Him in the first instance, and then He finds us.

3. A search for the right treasure is wonderful

A true search is a good and wonderful search when we’re searching for the right thing; that is: God, His Son and His Plan

Unlike searching after pleasure and worldly things which are quickly found to be insufficient, a search for God persists until the object of the search is found.

We must give priority to seeking the kingdom.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:33 ESV

What are we aiming for? What is most important to us? What are we prepared to sacrificed to get what we want?

There are a number of examples we can look to in the Bible:

• Woman washing Jesus’s feet (Luke 7:36-50)
• Lowering a paralytic through the roof (Mark 2:1-12)

These people put seeking God before social norms. How can we do likewise?

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.

Our passage: Matthew 13:31-35 (OT Reading: Ezekiel 17:22-24).

GCW Sermon – Preacher: Ian Bayne, 19/01/2019.

The notes below were taken live during the sermon, and have been adapted for the website; they should not be considered an accurate transcript.

Introduction

These two parables about the kingdom are giving the same truth. The kingdom starts small and becomes large.

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Matthew 4:17 ESV

We are part of the kingdom.

Explanation

The first parable concerns the outward appearance of the kingdom and the second is about the inward working. The first comes about because of the second.

First parable

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. [32] It is the smallest of all [other] seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

Matthew 13:31-32 ESV

While the mustard seed is not the smallest of all seeds as some translations say, it is a very small seed and the plant then grows up to 2 or 3 meters providing shade and shelter for birds, making it one of the largest plants in a middle eastern garden at the time.

Christianity started small: Jesus had a small group of disciples for three years, then gave them the Holy Spirit, and then the gospel went out to pretty much the whole known world within 400 years, so much so that Rome, despite initially persecuting Christians, was eventually overtaken by the gospel. Now Christianity is the world’s largest faith group.

The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. [20] Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” [21] Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. [22] You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.

John 4:19-22 ESV

The Jews were given the oracles (scripture; the Word of God), but were not supposed to keep it to themselves. Abraham was to be a blessing to all nations, but in practice the nation of Israel was not the shining light that it was intended to be, so this promise wasn’t ultimately fulfilled until after Jesus’s ministry when God sends for Peter via an angel to preach to Cornelius who was a gentile (Acts 10).

A small seed planted in the ground eventually becomes a place of rest.

Second parable

The second parable is of a woman taking a large quantity of flour and putting leaven (yeast) into it. She hides the yeast into it until it was all leavened (risen).

In the NT yeast isn’t normally associated with good things, for example:

Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Matthew 16:6 ESV

But here leaven is referring to a good teaching.

Application

1. Don’t despise small beginnings

Insignificant starts in God’s hands always produce spectacular results, such as:

• 70 people went down to Egypt under Joseph’s care. 1 million people returned.
• Elijah was one man who prayed and brought a whole nation to its knees.
• Jesus grants us salvation.

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Philippians 2:8 ESV

At the time of the Cross, Jesus’s disciples left him and Peter denied him – the kingdom was very small indeed. This started the process of billions of people eventually coming into the kingdom.

Even a little faith can achieve great things.

It’s good to grow in our faith. Faith comes from the Word of God. Just a little faith can transform a life because that faith is in Christ so it will work.

One regret older Christians often have is not serving the Lord more when they were younger. Younger Christians should therefore get going and serve the Lord. As Paul tells Timothy: don’t worry about age.

2. Don’t be discouraged by slow progress

Older Christians often also regret that progress in battle with sin can seem slow. It can be frustrating that the more we grow the more we see how we disappoint God. But we shouldn’t be disappointed: good works take time.

Be warned: sometimes quick turnarounds can be shallow-rooted.

Battling sin takes effort: we’re paddling upstream against our human nature. Good change is hard and must be fought for.

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. [19] For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.

Romans 7:18-19 ESV

Even the apostle Paul struggled with his own sinfulness. We are in good company.

3) Have confidence that God will complete the work he started

God doesn’t do half a job. He will complete it.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:6 ESV

We are protected by His power. We need never be without hope. We should turn defeats into opportunity to praise God and seek his mercy and grace.

Remember that God’s gift of salvation and a relationship with Him is by grace. Grace is unmerited favour – we do not deserve it and cannot deserve what God offers us. Therefore we shouldn’t retreat. God loves us in spite of our sinfulness.

His mercy is great – He takes away the punishment we do deserve through Christ dying for our sins. The righteous died for the unrighteous, paying our penalty on the cross. This demonstrates that He has such a large fountain of forgiveness; His goodness will never end.

We can also praise God for His patience while He works through us and helps us deal with our sin. We each deal with certain sins that are personal to us. We know what pleases God and what doesn’t, and yet we still are tempted to sin.

When things don’t go well, we should remember to give Him praise for his mercy, grace and patience.

To use a baking analogy: He provides individual attention to knead great results into us. Our walk with Him is a relationship. Isn’t it amazing that He cares for us so much that He’s prepared to spend time working on each of us individually?

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.

Our passage: Matthew 13:1-8; 18-23 (OT Reading: 1 Kings 11:1).

GCW Sermon – Preacher: Ian Bayne, 15/12/2019.

The notes below were taken live during the sermon, and have been adapted for the website; they should not be considered an accurate transcript.

Introduction

The Kingdom of Heaven is not some remote or academic concept: it is both future and current. It’s here and real now: we have the privilege of fellowship with God now!

Last week we looked at the great similarities between the Laodicean church and our own (Revelation 3:14-22). Jesus offered them fellowship despite their lacklustre worship of Him, so there is hope for us all.

This theme is reiterated throughout the gospels. The kingdom parables are for our current times, written to the members of the kingdom: Christians today.

Explanation

Jesus’s parable will be familiar to many of us, telling of seeds scattered over different types of soil.

Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil,

Matthew 13:5 ESV

The different seed types show the different types of believers.

1) Soil type 1: seeds falling on hard ground

Hard ground represents a hard heart; a lack of understanding.

When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.

Matthew 13:19 ESV

An example of this is found in Acts:

And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship [28] and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. [29] And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” [30] So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” [31] And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Acts 8:27-31 ESV

How can we understand what we read in scripture unless people explain it to us? Lack of understanding can be either due to lack of knowledge, or a hardness of heart that blinds us to the truth. Sometimes we don’t understand because we don’t want to understand. This is because we know truth demands a response.

It’s therefore easy to tag Jesus as a spiritual add-on to our lives, rather than being at the centre, to avoid the response we know we must give.

2) Soil type 2: seeds falling on rocky ground

The rocky ground represents rials and persecution.

Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, [20] As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, [21] yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.

Matthew 13:5,20-21 ESV

In rocky or stony ground we get quicker growth, because the shallow ground is warmer, but the plants struggle because there is no depth for their roots.

Sometimes the word of God strikes us, but we have no commitment. As we follow Jesus there are afflictions and persecutions. This is what tests the strength of our roots.

3) Soil type 3: seeds falling amongst thorns

The thorns represent the things of the world that distract us from the truth. A cluttered heart is worried about the things of the world.

As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

Matthew 13:22 ESV

A cluttered heart worries about the “cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches” which “choke the word”. This means we will be “unfruitful”, not living according to Christ.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

1 Timothy 6:10 ESV

Riches themselves are not necessarily bad, but they provide a significant source of temptation. They are like a snake hidden in the grass.

No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Luke 16:13 ESV

Weed creep is a problem, because weeds are native to our hearts. We’re born sinful and have to work at being good. Weeds creep up on us by occupying our attention and deceiving our affections.

They reduce our time to meet with God’s people and study his word. Riches cannot deliver peace, security, love or eternity?

They seem to offer us so much but deliver so little.

True riches and satisfaction are found by planting God in the soil of our heart.

As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

Matthew 13:23 ESV

Application

1) Be careful

As a church we embrace the deity of Christ and the nature of God, but we are prone to have hard headlands in our hearts. In agriculture, these hard headlands are where the stock and tractors go up and down making paths. We also can have hard portions in our heart and need to make sure we plough these up to receive all of God’s Word.

2) Take care that we have good roots

We need a greater appreciation today of God’s grace to counter how deeply we are into sin. We’re worse than we think we are.

But no matter what mistakes have been made: God’s grace and forgiveness are big enough. Keeping this at the centre of our mind can help us battle temptation.

3) Avoid the weeds of the world

Well prepared land is productive land. We need to plough it deep to kill all the weeds. We need to maintain the land, continually weeding. Sometimes weeds are missed. Putting fertiliser on the garden also fertilises the weeds. Good soil will always be productive.

Resources

Questions? Please contact us. Inspired? Come and worship with us on Sundays.