Parables 4
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Parables 4
The Hidden Treasure
The Hidden Treasure
Matthew 13:44 (NLT) — 44 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.
Why use parables?
Why use parables?
Why not just say what you mean?
Jesus told parables for a particular reason.
1 - To hide the truth.
Hidden from the enemies of God.
Don’t cast your pearls before swine.
2 - But to reveal the truth.
3 - Parables are thought provoking.
4 - They need interpretation: The disciples asked, “What does that mean?”
5 - They disarm the enemy “Let me tell you a story”
6 - They can make a connection.
The Hidden Treasure
The Hidden Treasure
It’s a strange one.
We hear stories of buried treasure in a backyard.
A jar full of money
We would just keep it and say nothing else.
We need to take a trip back in time.
Israel at the world’s crossroads.
In war many countries would march through Israel.
Other times they were to be conquered
A family would make a run for it.
There were no banks. So, you would take your valuables and hide in the ground.
Hoping someday to return.
Remember the wicked servant
But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.
Why?
I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’
He hid the money because he was afraid.
The hidden treasure.
You hide the money – but you didn’t return.
There it is hidden.
The meaning of the parable.
I need to find myself.
I need to find myself.
What does that even mean?
They usually mean they are on a journey of self-discovery.
Seeking to understand who they truly are at a deeper level.
Maybe you have questions like these.
What do I truly value?
What is my purpose?
What do I believe in?
What makes me feel fulfilled, happy, or alive?
Maybe you just need to get lost first.
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
“In a world that constantly urges us to “find ourselves,” “follow our dreams,” and “make it big,” Jesus gives a startling challenge”
Jesus says the way to live is to surrender.
Search for your meaning and identity in Christ.
O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
Did you know you are created in the image of God?
The true self is not found in self-focus, but in surrender to God.
Our identity is most clearly understood in relationship with Jesus.
What would you give in exchange for your soul?
A Farmer and the Field.
A Farmer and the Field.
The accidental discovery.
A servant is sent to plow the field.
The servant hears the breaking of a clay jar.
Here’s the tricky part.
If the servant dug up the jar it belonged to the farmer.
It wasn’t finders’ keepers.
But if he left it and covered it up. Then he didn’t have to hand over to the farmer.
So, what does he do?
He sells everything he has and buys the field.
Because he knows that the value of the treasure is worth more than all his possession.
So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose”
I wonder do you know Him?
Some people kind of stumble upon the gospel.
They hear for the first time. They know Jesus who he is. They just don’t know HIM.
Some people will discovery what really matters isn’t in things.
Some here this morning are chasing the wrong things.
Something has replaced the joy of your salvation.
Like the seed that fell in the weeds.
They have that hollow empty feeling and it not going away.
Worth Every Cent.
Worth Every Cent.
In his excitement.
This is not reluctant sacrifice.
But joyful surrender.
Jesus is the treasure
To gain the Kingdom is to gain Jesus.
Nothing is more valuable
I wonder do you know him?
Seek his Kingdom while you still can.
Are you living like He is your treasure?
Recommit with this prayer: “Lord, You are my treasure. I give all to follow You.”
