The Hidden Treasure
Parables In The New Testament • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 10 viewsNotes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Greetings…
This year we are focusing, each third Sunday, on the theme, “Parables In The New Testament.”
Have looked last at the Parable of the Mustard Seed, we now turn our attention to another parable, “The Hidden Treasure.”
44 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.
The meaning of this simple parable is very clear…
The kingdom of Christ is worth infinitely more than the cost of discipleship (Luke 14:33).
Why is the kingdom of Christ of such exceeding value?
One only need to compare these two kingdoms to see the easily discernable difference between each one’s value.
What is it about the kingdom of Christ that makes it so valuable?
First and foremost we find it is…
A Refuge From Darkness’ Power
A Refuge From Darkness’ Power
Satan’s Kingdom
Satan’s Kingdom
If we are not in the kingdom of Christ we are in Satan’s kingdom.
Satan is the “ruler of this world.”
31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.
4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
We are under Satan’s influence, trapped in our various sins.
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
However, as this parable points out, there is a far better and exceedingly more valuable kingdom, and it is…
Christ’s Kingdom
Christ’s Kingdom
Christ’s kingdom is so exceedingly more valuable than Satan’s because Christ’s kingdom offers deliverance.
Deliverance or refuge from the “domain of darkness” that has power over us in Satan’s kingdom.
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son
How?
In Christ’s kingdom, we are set free from sin.
17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
In Christ’s kingdom, we are never tempted beyond our ability to bear it.
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Summary
Summary
Christ’s kingdom is of such exceedingly greater value than Satan’s because it is a refuge from the powers of darkness.
The kingdom of Christ is also of such greater value than Satan’s because it offers a kingdom that is.…
Unshakable & Destine For Eternity
Unshakable & Destine For Eternity
Satan’s Kingdom
Satan’s Kingdom
When God the Son became flesh (John 1:14) there was set in motion that which would shake the very foundation of Satan’s kingdom.
Satan’s kingdom is predicated on everyone believing his lies.
44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Those lies are that “you shall not surely die” if you are apart of his kingdom.
4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.”
However, as this parable illustrates, their is an exceedingly more valuable to kingdom than Satan’s even thought he doesn’t want you to know about it.
That kingdom is…
Christ’s Kingdom
Christ’s Kingdom
The kingdom of God is of such greater value than Satan’s kingdom because it is not based on lies.
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
The kingdom of Christ is of such greater value than Satan’s kingdom because it cannot be shaken by Satan’s lies either.
28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
Why, because it is an everlasting kingdom, not a house of cards.
44 And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever
10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Summary
Summary
This everlasting kingdom of Christ is destine for eternity in God’s presence, rather than an eternity of separation from his presence.
21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Conclusion
Conclusion
What is the value of the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?
What value do you think the first Christian martyr, Stephen, would place on it (Acts 7)?
What value do you think the early Christians who fled their homes from persecution would place on it (Acts 8)?
What value do you think Saul of Tarsus would place on it (2 Corinthians 11:23-33)?
What value do you think Jesus, as he hung on the cross, would place on it (Hebrews 12:1-2)?
Brothers and sisters, you all know the exceeding value they would place on the kingdom of Christ.
With one unanimous and shouting voice they would declare, “it is worthy giving up everything in this world.”
Invitation
1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
6 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.
30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent
33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
32 Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures
3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
