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:
- the first is keeping the Lord’s day holy (Ex 20:11) for rest and to enjoy God’s blessing
- 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.
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