Pearl Of Great Price (2)

The Pearl of Great Price

INTRO:

1. Set the scene

a. Matt 13:1-ff

2. The parables were so the people could better understand.

Maybe give a specific definition on what a parable is.

3. If they could understand, so can we.

Eph 3:4

These were people who had heard about the coming kingdom.

4. Christ had been preaching the coming of the kingdom.

5. These parables explained the value of the kingdom, but also they showed what the kingdom was to do.

6. This evening lets look into the word of God, and see what we can learn from it.

The kingdom seeks

The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man,

The kingdom here is the church. (Col 1:13)

1 Tim 3:15

There are more verses that you could throw here if you wanted to.

Notice the church is being represented as a merchant man.

Looking back at verse 44, we see that the kingdom (church) is being represented as treasure, and it was being sought.

In verse 44 we see that the church was being sought out.

But in verse 45 the seeker has changed… now the church is the one seeking.

Those who seek the church.

As we saw in verse 44, there are those who seek the truth.

If someone is seeking the truth, they will find the church.

There are still those today seeking truth… but in our text this evening, we must see that it is also our job to seek those goodly pearls.

There is some practical missing in this in my judgment, but you may have some thoughts that are not written down.

I suggest bringing in practical pieces of advice that anyone can do in terms of seeking.

Things like: have religious conversations, sending cards, etc.

We should be seeking goodly pearls.

What is meant by goodly pearls

Consider the parable of the soils (Matt 13:8)

There is good ground, and there is not so good ground.

We want to save souls, but in order to baptize someone, they have to understand, and be penitent. (Acts 2:38)

They have to be open and ready. Count the cost (Luke 18:22-23)

Consider the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:29-31)

Consider Cornelius (Acts 10:1-2)

Throughout scripture, we see the evangelistic mindset those in the first century had.

This could be a runaway (the semitruck analogy from Liddell) moment, but you could give a couple of examples of evangelism from the NT.

These Christians understood that it was their job to find those souls who were willing to accept the truth and be added to the kingdom.

The kingdom sacrifices

When he had found ONE

It is important for us to see the value of just one soul.

There is great value in one soul.

Luke 15:7

Mark 8:36

Acts 16 - Lydia (Bro Webster Handout)

Maybe Paul’s thought on Being all things to all men would be helpful here.

What do you need to sacrifice to convert just one soul

Some think of this only monetarily.

There is more to this than just selling physical possessions.

What hinders you from seeking souls?

Maybe you are not comfortable.

Maybe there is some pride.

Maybe there is an attitude of “well someone else will handle that”

It may be simply we are not willing to sacrifice our time.

We have to be willing to sacrifice these things.

We have to be willing to get out of our comfort zones, and teach others the true gospel.

We have to be willing to sacrifice pride.

We cannot be ashamed of the gospel (Rom 1:16)

We have to step out of our comfort zone to fulfill the command of God, to seek those which are lost.

If we do our job, the world may hate us, but they hated Jesus first (Jn 15:18-19).

The kingdom saves

And he bought it.

A soul is an investment.

One soul being added to the kingdom is more valuable than anything else.

Giving up time for our own desires or hobbies and putting that time into studying with someone is an investment in them.

We are guaranteed a profit (Matt 6:19-21)

If we help add just one soul to the kingdom, that is one soul we will have with us in heaven.

How do we buy a pearl (soul) for the church?

A soul can only be bought with one thing… The blood of Christ (1 Pet 1:18-19)

A soul comes in contact with the blood of Christ in the watery grave of baptism (Rom 6:3-4; Rev 1:5)

A thought: a pearl can lose its luster over time; the same could be said about the Christian. Unlike the pearl, the Christian can regain the luster that he once had. Apostasy could be a potential topic here if needed.

CONCLUSION:

1. As we bring our study to a close this evening, let us notice something…

A. Looking back at verse 44, we see the value of the kingdom.

B. Looking at verses 45-46 we see the value of just one soul.

C. The kingdom is valuable, because the kingdom is built of priceless souls… (Goodly pearls)

2. How great for us to consider this thought… that we being washed in the blood of Jesus Christ, being righteous in the eyes of God, makes us priceless.

INVITATION:

1. It may be the case the evening that you are not apart of the priceless kingdom of God.

2. It may be the case that you would like to be bought by blood of Christ, and added to the kingdom by the Lord (Acts 2:47)

3. Or maybe its the case that you have not been seeking those who could be added to the Church.

4. Or maybe you have not been willing to sacrifice something in order to do the work needing to be done.

5. Whatever your need may be, please come now as together we stand and sing.