Apple Of One's Eye

What is the apple of your eye, anyway?Answer: The idiom "apple of one's eye" actually refers to the pupil of the eye. In ancient times, the pupil was believed to be a round, solid object comparable to an apple. Since the pupil is essential to vision, it was held to be something very precious. Thus, when you call someone the "apple of your eye," you are telling them that they are cherished.

The phrase is from the Bible, in which it appears in four books of The Old Testament: Deuteronomy, Psalms, Proverbs and Lamentations. The first use of the phrase appears in , which reads "He found him in a desert land, and in the howling waste of the wilderness; he encircled him, he cared for him, he kept him as the apple of his eye." A more literal translation of the Hebrew is actually "little man of his eye," which probably refers to the reflection of oneself that one sees in the eye of another person. In early English translations of the Bible, however, the phrase appears as "apple of his eye." This probably developed from the Anglo-Saxon word "arppel," meaning both "apple" and "pupil." Thus the phrase developed into "apple of one's eye" and retained the meaning of something treasured.

Preaching the Word: Matthew—All Authority in Heaven and on Earth Gospel Gain

We have looked at gospel growth and gospel judgment. Lastly we come to gospel gain. This theme is found in parables five and six.

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. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. (vv. 44–46)

Notice the parallels between these two parables. They both begin, “The kingdom of heaven is like …” (vv. 44a, 45a), and they both end with precisely the same action described with slightly different words. In verse 44c the man goes and sells all he has and buys the field, and in verse 46b he went and sold all he had and bought the pearl that was found. The element of joy is mentioned in the first parable and implied in the second.

So two parables make the same point. And what is the point? That God wants me to be rich? No. That it’s okay to spend one’s life looking for hidden treasures? No. That it’s ethically valid to buy someone else’s land if you know there is something valuable hidden within it? Again, no. That the wearing of fine pearls on Sunday for church is a sign of holiness? No. The point is “that the kingdom is so valuable that it is worth sacrificing anything to gain it.”12 The gain is worth the pain.

In Philippians 3:8 Paul says, “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” Underline “gain.” Put a star next to it.

I want to follow Jesus even if it means persecution or poverty because it means citizenship in the kingdom of heaven. As Jesus said concerning persecution in the Sermon on the Mount, “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven” (5:12). Gospel gain!

To most people in the world the kingdom of heaven is hidden. But to those who recognize its value, search for it, find it, and take hold of it despite the cost, it is worth it.

$72,649,684,000 Total lottery revenue generated by the U.S. in 2016

$8,344,023,000 Total lottery revenue generated by the state of New York in 2016, the highest in the country

$27,074,000 Total lottery revenue generated by the state of Wyoming in 2016, the lowest in the country for states with a lottery

$223.04 Yearly amount spent by the average American on the lottery 

$762.98 The average Massachusetts resident's yearly lottery expense, the highest in the country

$44.90 The average North Dakota resident's yearly lottery expense, the lowest in the country for states with a lottery

I think of our men in the arm forces who risk there lives for their country and lose an arm or a leg even their own life. They gave it all for their country. They risk losing their family, PSD etc. They love their country and are willing to do whatever it takes. With such bravery theses men and women should be shown lots of respect and honor for their sacrifice.

My question to you this morning is? If people are risking their lives for their country, why is it hard to risk our lives for the name above all names which is the name of Jesus?

I want you to think of somethingSunken treasureIt’s estimated that, beneath Earth’s waters, 3 million undiscovered shipwrecks exist. And right now, all across the planet, the locations of a select few of these lost ships are actively being sought.The Merchant Royal Treasure hunters have been searching for years for the Merchant Royal, also known as the “Eldorado of the Sea.” This British sailing ship that went down near the Isles of Scilly during a violent storm in 1641 is believed to be loaded down with unimaginable riches. As one of the more well known shipwrecks, under-the-sea hunters have invested years into seeking out the location of this near 400-year-old wreckage. According to historians, the Merchant Royal’s treasure includes “gold, silver, and bullion estimated to be worth hundreds of millions in today’s prices.” Some believe its worth could surpass $1 billion. (Source https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-greatest-shipwrecks-still-out-there) Billions of dollars have been spent in search of sunken treasureImagine that you we vacationing somewhere in the vicinity of where the treasure is supposed to be and you somehow found it.What would you do?Book theme: Jesus is the promised Messiah-King of the OT, but he is not what the religious leaders expected.Third discourse closes todayThis is a discourse of parablesNot allegoryThree Parables todayLaid out to reflect and expand the last 3 parablesLast Week: Weeds, Mustard Seed, LevenMustard seed was equal with LevenArranged “Chiastically” or in oppositional orderThis Week: Hidden Treasure, Pearl of Great Value, NetHidden treasure and Pearl of Great Value are equal, yet each gives nuance to the meaningNet provides an interpretationCloses with a final parable to the disciples onlyMatthew 13:44 ESV44 “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 parable of the hidden treasureHere is a situation where a man is in a field that is not his. We don’t know if he had permission to be there or if he was hired to work the field or if he was just passing through.Whatever he is doing, he finds a treasureHe doesn’t pick it upInterestingly, in the Jewish system at the time, if he would have picked it up, it would legally have belonged to the owner of the field.He instead “covered it up” and cashed in everything he could to buy the field and own the treasure for himselfLegality/morality of situation not addressed.The next parable is similar, look at verse 45Matthew 13:45–46 ESV45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.Here is one who’s business involved buying and selling pearls.

I. Being a part of the Kingdom is of the highest value and worth the cost of discipleship

The Hidden Treasure emphasized that, because of the value, if the kingdom is shown to someone, they will believe The pearl emphasized that knowing the cost is not a deterrent because it is truly worth it. Applications are many: Be willing to give up sin Be willing to give sacrificially Be willing to prepare Be ready

Bearing a cross meant carry their won execution device while facing ridicule along the way to death.

Commitment to Christ means taking up your cross daily giving up your hopes, dreams, possessions even your life if your life

Truly they were not able to put to death their own idea, plans, and desires and exchange them for his.

2 Corinthians 7:25