Treasure hunt Part 1

Let’s go treasure hunting

I. The Parable of the Treasure

“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 that field." Matthew 13:44

• A man found something so valuable that he sold everything he had to get it. He was so excited about finding the treasure that he was willing to do whatever he had to do in order to purchase it.

II. The Parable of the Pearl

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

Matthew 13:45

• This parable describes a man who goes around looking for beautiful pearls and then sells them to retailers for a profit. But when he finds the most beautiful pearl he has ever seen, he sells everything that he has to obtain it for himself.

III. Lessons From These Parables

1 The value of the treasure

“For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"

Matthew 16:26

2. The treasure involves a sacrifice

“Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said unto him, ’Lord, I will follow you wherever you go."

- Here’s the price for following me. You give up your comfort and I’ll give you my kingdom.

Luke 9:57-58

John Calvin:

“The natural meaning of the words is, that the Gospel does not receive from us the respect which it deserves, unless we prefer it to all the riches, pleasures, honours, and advantages of the world, and to such an extent,

that we are satisfied with the spiritual blessings which it promises, and throw aside every thing that would keep us from enjoying them.”

• Obtaining treasure requires sacrifice.

3. The treasure is a source of joy

“…for joy over it goes and sells all that he has.”

“What things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. But indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.” Philippians 3:7-8

• The trasure is a source of great joy.

4. The treasure is found under different circumstances

The two parables we’ve looked at are very similar. Each parable has a man. Both men found something of great value…

In both cases, they recognized that great value and were willing to pay any price to obtain what they had found.

Their sacrifice was made joyfully. But there’s one big difference, though.

* In the parable of the treasure, the man made his find by accident.

* In the parable of the pearl, the man found what he was searching for.

Conclusion:

There are really two things that stand out in these parables:

A.What you need to give up, and

B. What you stand to gain.

“If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

Luke 9:23-24

• The world says that’s foolish. The world says, "Take what you can get and enjoy it!" But I can promise you that if you’ll make the sacrifice, you’ll gain in return something far greater that you could ever imagine.

“We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18