Sermon Tone Analysis

Matt 13:44-53 "Kingdom Parables of Value"

Marc Transparenti / General

Parables / Parables / Matthew 13:44-46; Matthew 13:47-50; Matthew 13:51-53; Matthew 13:54-58

Jesus teaches four parables pertaining to value of His kingdom citizens

Good morning Calvary Chapel Lake City!

• If you don't have a Bible, please raise your hands and one of our ushers will bring you one.

• If this is your first time at Calvary Chapel...I'm Pastor Marc...welcome!

• Calvary Chapel is known for a few things...a relaxed environment, vibrant worship, and teaching the Bible chapter-by-chapter and verse-by-verse.

Thanks for joining us today!

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Please turn in your Bibles to Matthew 13, we are picking up in V44.

We find ourselves in a section of scripture where Jesus is changing things up.

Opposition to Jesus has been mounting, both in friend and foe, and Jesus has come to a tipping point where now He begins to turn from Israel exclusively, and opens His arms to anyone who would authentically follow Him.

• 2000 years later it's still the same...Jesus wants authentic relationship with you...not ritualistic relationship.

The parables in Matt 13 was a change in how Jesus communicated to the huge crowds who were gathering to Him.

In this scene, Jesus is sitting on a boat (likely a Galilean fishing boat) on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, and the audience is standing on the shore.

Jesus spoke in parables to conceal truth to unbelievers...those who didn't have "ears to hear;"... to reveal truth to believers...those with spiritual sight;...and to all...to fulfill prophecy.

Parables Gk. paraballō means "to throw alongside."

Parables are a teaching tool where the teacher throws a natural or known truth (something observable and relatable in the world)...alongside a spiritual or unknown truth (something invisible...heavenly...eternal).

Often, when you hear a story it is more memorable and impactful and certainly parables have that intent.

But in light of the context, we also have to remember that Jesus is teaching this crowd about the kingdom of heaven knowing that if they were not good soil, the depth in His meaning and intents would enter their ears, but would not penetrate their hearts.

In V11, to His disciples, Jesus said, "...it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given."

• In this crowd were people who were hard hearted towards Him...unbelievers;... those with shallow hearts (quick to say "yes" to Jesus, and quicker to fall away during trials...possibly apostates; ...people who professed Christ, but got distracted by the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches...becoming unfruitful...carnal Christians;...and lastly there were people who professed Christ and fruit was seen in their life...good soil...true believers.

The first four parables all depicted growth in the kingdom...Seed on Soil, Wheat and Tares, the Mustard Seed, and the Parable of Leaven...parables about the reality of world and how evil in the world will corrupt the church...an honest depiction of what has happened in the church over the ages.

• But, there is always a remnant, in every age, of true believers... that good soil Jesus spoke about in the first parable...those who enter the narrow gate, avoiding the wide gate and the broad road to destruction.

Last week we observed in V36, that Jesus sent the crowds away, went into the house (possibly Peter's house in Capernaum), and privately taught the disciples the meaning of the Wheat and Tares which leads right into our teaching today...picking up in V44...a continuation of this private teaching to His disciples.

• The final four parables (presented today) all deal with value (treasure, pearls, a great catch, and again treasure).

Today's sermon is titled "Kingdom Parables of Value."

Let's pray, and after the teaching we will have communion and our fellowship lunch.

Matt 13:44 "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."

1.

The "Parable of the Hidden Treasure."

a. Jesus did not give the interpretation of this parable...which has led to a legion of discussions.

But, there are two main camps on what Jesus is saying.

b.

I remember having...we'll call it a "lively discussion" with a professor in Bible College regarding this parable.

He instructed us to find the "simple truth," to these parables.

i.

So, I went home and studied these parables...and the Holy Spirit was just making things click in my brain.

I was seeing the Parable of the Hidden Treasure in a whole new light.

My mind was blown...truly I think I was getting revelation from God.

So, I was excited.

ii.

I went back to class the next day ready to share.

My teacher opened up discussion and my hand shot up.

I shared these amazing insights...and my teacher responded, "Just stick to the simple truth."

1.

It was like that scene in "A Christmas Story"...you know...when Ralphie was excited about a Red Ryder BB gun, and Santa said, "You'll shoot your eye out kid." Just takes the wind out of your sails!

2. So, my professor and I were obviously in different camps, and he wouldn't accept my view.

I challenged him that you can't be dogmatic because there is no interpretation from Jesus...one of my classmates got in my corner...it was... "a lively discussion."

3. Six months or so later I was listening to and outlining Matthew 13 "Chuck Tracks"...Chuck Smith's teaching through the whole Bible, and Chuck taught these parables with the exact interpretation and conclusion that was given to me!

a.

My jaw dropped...

I felt confirmed in my bias...I just knew I was right!!

b.

What I didn't know at the time was, these insights of mine actually were one of the major views of this parable held by numerous respected scholars.

4. But, do not forget...these are parables, not doctrinal... it's important that we don't divide over parables...there great scholars in both camps I am going to present today.

a. And, I truly believe that when we are in heaven...we are all going to stand amazed by God's exact meaning in these teachings.

2. But for now, with all the finite wisdom of man trying to comprehend these teachings from an infinite God...here are the 2 major Views on this Parable.

a.

In either view, there are a couple elements to observe...the treasure, the field, and the man.

The big question is "Who's the man?"

b.

In View #1, and most of you have heard this view.

I'll say upfront that I don't agree with this view, but I can appreciate some of the arguments.

One of my former Bible Professors, and a great scholar, Clark Van Wick from Calvary Chapel Bible Fellowship in Temecula, CA holds this view, and you can listen to a great presentation of his support for this view on his app.

i.

In View #1, the believer is the man who found the treasure (the kingdom of heaven which many equate to Salvation in Jesus Christ)...upon discovering salvation this person sold all to obtain it.

ii.

From a natural lens...if a Jew found a treasure in a field, apparently it was legit (under Rabbinic law) to then hid it and legally purchase that land and claim the prize.

Sounds a bit shady to me, but who cares about morals, because this Jew has joy...he found a treasure in someone else's field, and because of some Rabbinic loophole, he doesn't have to be forthright...he can just go buy the land without full disclosure...ethics don't matter...all that really matters is joy.

So, he goes and sells all he has because the treasure is more valuable then all he possesses...so, he buys that field and obtains the prize.

1.

You may sense my sarcasm and skepticism on this view.

Listen, if you believe in View #1, we can still have coffee...no need to divide.

But, right now...I have the mic, so you're going to have to bear with me a bit.

Call it a test of patience and grace.

iii.

When I think about my testimony...did I sell all that I had to obtain salvation?...is that the testimony for most people?

I struggle saying yes, because I didn't sell all that I had when I discovered Christ.

1.

I was saved in 1998 and almost immediately backslide for 2 years... and then the next 12 years I lived for pleasure and wealth while simultaneously attending and serving in church...a foot in the world and a foot in Christ.

It wasn't until 14 years after salvation...14 years after I found "the treasure" in View 1, that I truly sold all...putting to death the old man, forsaking all, and taking up my cross to follow Him.

a. So, at least in my testimony...View #1 does not hold true.

I did not immediately, with joy, sell all that I had to obtain Christ.

2. When Peter followed Jesus, he met Jesus and about a year later he put down his fishing nets when Jesus called him.

Peter followed Jesus, but Peter also struggled with a "act first / think later" mentality...

a.

Not too far off from many of us.

General Custer in the movie "Night at the Museum" said, "We're Americans.

We don't plan, we do!" That's a great line!

...That's why so many of us relate to and appreciate Peter...there's hope for us yet!

b.

Peter would deny Jesus 3x and talk about going back to fishing.

It wasn't until the Baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost that Peter was truly changed...and that was consistent for me as well.

3.

For many Christians, when they encounter salvation in Jesus Christ, there is not a radical change immediately in their hearts where they put aside everything.

For many...there is a "world or flesh detox" that first must happen...the Holy Spirit sanctifies the believer, conforming him or her into the image of Jesus.

a. So, as I search my heart with what I know to be true with scripture and life experience...this first view leaves me wanting.

iv.

Here are my struggles with View 1... And, let me read V44 again to get us focused, "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."

1. Problem #1: The treasure is the kingdom of heaven, but most interpretations equate the treasure to salvation or Jesus Christ.

But, the parable does not say, "Salvation [specifically justification] is like a treasure hidden in a field."

V44 states "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure" and we've discussed the kingdom of heaven is a big concept that points to God's kingdom, His citizens, the church age, and the future eschatological expression of the kingdom.

Salvation is one part of the kingdom, but the kingdom concept is bigger than salvation.

2. Problem #2: Salvation is not hidden.