WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.620 Pray with me. 00:00:04.560 --> 00:00:06.600 Come, fountain of every blessing. 00:00:08.800 --> 00:00:09.839 Every blessing. 00:00:11.800 --> 00:00:14.419 Oh, our King, you are King of glory, 00:00:15.179 --> 00:00:17.280 who can stand before you, 00:00:18.539 --> 00:00:22.039 and yet you shower your grace upon people like us, rebels, 00:00:23.240 --> 00:00:25.460 and you have won us by your grace. 00:00:25.460 --> 00:00:31.020 So come now and cause your grace to fall on us 00:00:31.020 --> 00:00:34.359 in the form of your word, spoken words of life. 00:00:35.359 --> 00:00:39.740 Father, would you speak life now through what you have said, 00:00:40.439 --> 00:00:42.140 through your son's lips. 00:00:43.560 --> 00:00:44.679 In his name we pray. 00:00:45.439 --> 00:00:45.719 Amen. 00:00:46.640 --> 00:00:47.560 You may be seated. 00:00:51.179 --> 00:00:53.240 Worship team, thank you guys so much. 00:00:53.240 --> 00:00:56.500 So grateful for you leading us in worship. 00:00:59.200 --> 00:01:02.060 We're going to be in Matthew chapter 13 this morning. 00:01:02.780 --> 00:01:04.560 So you open your Bibles there. 00:01:04.879 --> 00:01:07.359 If you don't have one, look in the back of the pew in front of you. 00:01:07.420 --> 00:01:08.280 There should be one there. 00:01:13.560 --> 00:01:16.480 Children didn't need any reminding, so they're on their way. 00:01:17.900 --> 00:01:19.079 They're eager to go. 00:01:19.740 --> 00:01:20.680 They know the routine. 00:01:20.680 --> 00:01:25.100 Well, speaking of children, when I was a kid, 00:01:26.020 --> 00:01:30.020 my mom worked as our church's secretary for a number of years. 00:01:31.240 --> 00:01:32.160 How many years, mom? 00:01:33.840 --> 00:01:34.240 Five? 00:01:34.480 --> 00:01:35.020 There you go. 00:01:35.600 --> 00:01:39.580 And these were like the prime years of childhood right here, 00:01:40.020 --> 00:01:41.340 the exploration phase. 00:01:41.340 --> 00:01:46.620 And my brother and I had all kinds of fun exploring the church building, 00:01:47.240 --> 00:01:48.740 getting into a lot of trouble, 00:01:49.219 --> 00:01:52.500 and exploring the property around the church building as well. 00:01:53.200 --> 00:01:55.420 And one day, it was a hot summer day, 00:01:55.900 --> 00:02:00.219 we were exploring a little drainage ditch behind the back of the church 00:02:00.219 --> 00:02:01.800 in the back parking lot, 00:02:01.799 --> 00:02:03.099 and to our great excitement, 00:02:04.019 --> 00:02:08.120 we saw little glints of gold shining up at us. 00:02:08.120 --> 00:02:11.800 And in the hot Missouri sun, 00:02:12.099 --> 00:02:13.460 we dug feverishly, 00:02:14.460 --> 00:02:16.599 and we thought we had struck it rich. 00:02:17.080 --> 00:02:18.140 We thought, that's it. 00:02:18.539 --> 00:02:19.439 We're good to go. 00:02:20.480 --> 00:02:21.379 College is paid for. 00:02:21.439 --> 00:02:22.360 We probably didn't have that on our mind. 00:02:22.360 --> 00:02:26.100 I don't know how much of this stuff we dug up, 00:02:26.280 --> 00:02:27.280 but we worked hard. 00:02:27.360 --> 00:02:28.720 We were modern-day gold rushers. 00:02:28.840 --> 00:02:30.440 We found stuff to sift it out, 00:02:30.640 --> 00:02:32.160 and oh, man, we were so excited. 00:02:32.360 --> 00:02:35.880 But the bummer of it all is that we brought it to our mom 00:02:35.880 --> 00:02:38.420 and found out that it was fool's gold. 00:02:40.140 --> 00:02:41.180 Iron pyrite. 00:02:41.920 --> 00:02:42.960 Not the real deal. 00:02:44.820 --> 00:02:48.780 And if all that iron pyrite we had dug up was real gold, 00:02:48.880 --> 00:02:51.240 man, that would have been really amazing. 00:02:52.360 --> 00:02:56.100 Well, in Matthew 13, starting in verse 44, 00:02:57.320 --> 00:03:01.300 Jesus wants us to get our attention on treasure. 00:03:03.540 --> 00:03:07.460 So let's read these two parables together. 00:03:10.400 --> 00:03:13.540 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:16.320 which a man found and covered up. 00:03:17.340 --> 00:03:21.940 Then, in his joy, he goes and sells all that he has, 00:03:22.360 --> 00:03:23.940 and buys that field. 00:03:25.400 --> 00:03:27.480 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant 00:03:27.480 --> 00:03:29.020 in search of fine pearls, 00:03:29.600 --> 00:03:32.580 who, on finding one pearl of great value, 00:03:33.200 --> 00:03:34.880 went and sold all that he had, 00:03:35.580 --> 00:03:36.500 and he bought it. 00:03:36.500 --> 00:03:39.840 So here in Matthew 13, 00:03:39.840 --> 00:03:44.360 we've been peering into what Jesus is revealing about the kingdom of heaven, 00:03:44.560 --> 00:03:45.439 God's kingdom. 00:03:46.500 --> 00:03:48.159 How the kingdom is received, 00:03:48.379 --> 00:03:49.659 how the kingdom grows, 00:03:50.439 --> 00:03:52.580 how we need to respond to that kingdom. 00:03:53.000 --> 00:03:53.680 But now, 00:03:53.680 --> 00:03:56.620 Jesus is going to shift gears for a minute, 00:03:56.740 --> 00:04:00.400 and he's going to paint two masterful pictures 00:04:00.400 --> 00:04:03.020 depicting not how you enter the kingdom, 00:04:03.200 --> 00:04:04.420 or how you receive the kingdom, 00:04:04.500 --> 00:04:05.340 or how the kingdom grows, 00:04:05.420 --> 00:04:05.879 but rather, 00:04:06.300 --> 00:04:09.620 the kingdom's unequaled value. 00:04:10.460 --> 00:04:13.379 The kingdom's desirability. 00:04:13.379 --> 00:04:17.120 In fact, the kingdom is so valuable, 00:04:17.379 --> 00:04:18.519 so desirable, 00:04:18.920 --> 00:04:22.379 that it is worth obtaining at any cost. 00:04:23.379 --> 00:04:26.379 You should walk away from these parables this morning thinking, 00:04:27.139 --> 00:04:31.379 there is nothing I wouldn't give up to get this kingdom. 00:04:32.439 --> 00:04:36.939 God's kingdom is worth obtaining at any cost, 00:04:36.939 --> 00:04:42.759 because it is of unequaled value. 00:04:43.899 --> 00:04:47.079 Because the kingdom is of unequaled value, 00:04:47.240 --> 00:04:49.100 it's worth obtaining at any cost. 00:04:49.240 --> 00:04:50.220 That's the big idea. 00:04:51.220 --> 00:04:53.120 So I've got three things for us to do this morning 00:04:53.120 --> 00:04:55.500 to get that big idea sunk into us. 00:04:55.800 --> 00:04:57.120 First, we're going to examine. 00:04:57.879 --> 00:04:59.240 Second, we're going to gaze. 00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:00.680 And third, open. 00:05:00.899 --> 00:05:02.560 Examine, gaze, open. 00:05:02.779 --> 00:05:03.139 Ego. 00:05:03.579 --> 00:05:04.279 That was accidental. 00:05:04.720 --> 00:05:05.720 I'm not trying to say anything. 00:05:06.040 --> 00:05:06.360 Ego. 00:05:06.360 --> 00:05:07.759 So examine, gaze, open. 00:05:07.879 --> 00:05:12.100 Let's start first by examining these parables. 00:05:12.840 --> 00:05:13.780 We're going to do it one at a time. 00:05:13.840 --> 00:05:15.240 But before we dive right in, 00:05:15.259 --> 00:05:18.500 I want to remind us of what Pastor Mike has been pointing out 00:05:18.500 --> 00:05:20.439 the past several weeks in chapter 13. 00:05:21.040 --> 00:05:22.980 That Jesus is using parables, 00:05:23.100 --> 00:05:24.900 these little real life, 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:26.860 easy to relate to word pictures, 00:05:27.199 --> 00:05:32.199 to compare God's kingdom to something in real life. 00:05:32.580 --> 00:05:34.480 And when he does this, though, 00:05:34.480 --> 00:05:36.580 the parables have two functions. 00:05:37.480 --> 00:05:40.000 First, they reveal the kingdom 00:05:40.000 --> 00:05:42.180 to those who have ears to hear. 00:05:42.819 --> 00:05:46.020 They help us grasp the kingdom more fully 00:05:46.020 --> 00:05:49.580 if we have humble ears to listen. 00:05:50.280 --> 00:05:51.660 But at the same time, 00:05:52.439 --> 00:05:55.439 it also hides the kingdom even further 00:05:55.439 --> 00:05:57.400 for those who do not have ears to hear. 00:05:57.399 --> 00:06:00.139 There is a revealing, 00:06:00.419 --> 00:06:01.439 but there's also a hiding. 00:06:01.899 --> 00:06:05.199 And so what I want us to humbly do now 00:06:05.199 --> 00:06:06.179 is say, 00:06:06.699 --> 00:06:09.159 God, I need you to reveal the kingdom. 00:06:09.279 --> 00:06:10.739 We need humble hearts. 00:06:12.339 --> 00:06:14.439 Not proud, I've got this figured out hearts, 00:06:14.560 --> 00:06:15.439 but humble hearts to say, 00:06:15.500 --> 00:06:17.179 God, show me your kingdom. 00:06:17.379 --> 00:06:18.739 Help me to see that in this parable. 00:06:18.740 --> 00:06:20.259 So let's make sure our hearts 00:06:20.259 --> 00:06:21.180 are positioned well 00:06:21.180 --> 00:06:23.540 to respond with faith to these parables. 00:06:24.699 --> 00:06:25.660 So with that in mind, 00:06:25.740 --> 00:06:27.019 let's look at verse 44, 00:06:27.180 --> 00:06:28.420 and I want us to look at the parable 00:06:28.420 --> 00:06:29.240 of the hidden treasure. 00:06:29.540 --> 00:06:31.220 Let's examine this parable. 00:06:32.400 --> 00:06:33.040 The kingdom of heaven 00:06:33.040 --> 00:06:34.500 is like treasure hidden in a field, 00:06:35.120 --> 00:06:37.120 which a man found and covered up. 00:06:37.699 --> 00:06:38.540 And in his joy, 00:06:38.699 --> 00:06:40.480 he goes and sells all that he has 00:06:40.480 --> 00:06:42.139 and buys the field. 00:06:43.100 --> 00:06:44.280 Pretty straightforward, right? 00:06:44.360 --> 00:06:45.600 Jesus can accomplish a lot 00:06:45.600 --> 00:06:46.720 in just like a sentence. 00:06:48.540 --> 00:06:49.420 A guy is in a field, 00:06:49.560 --> 00:06:50.360 finds buried treasure, 00:06:50.660 --> 00:06:51.220 keeps it hidden, 00:06:51.700 --> 00:06:52.360 goes out with joy 00:06:52.360 --> 00:06:53.100 to sell everything he has 00:06:53.100 --> 00:06:53.620 to buy the field 00:06:53.620 --> 00:06:54.379 so he can keep the treasure. 00:06:55.740 --> 00:06:56.720 We've examined the parable. 00:06:56.860 --> 00:06:57.060 Done. 00:06:57.180 --> 00:06:57.520 Just kidding. 00:06:59.100 --> 00:07:00.400 Now if you'll pardon my pun, 00:07:00.500 --> 00:07:03.600 I want us to dig into this parable 00:07:03.600 --> 00:07:04.160 a little bit 00:07:04.160 --> 00:07:05.460 to notice a few details. 00:07:05.920 --> 00:07:06.460 My wife's probably 00:07:06.460 --> 00:07:07.260 rolling her eyes right now. 00:07:08.460 --> 00:07:09.160 First of all, 00:07:09.660 --> 00:07:10.840 I want us to look and see 00:07:10.840 --> 00:07:13.680 how rare and surprising 00:07:13.680 --> 00:07:15.560 a discovery like this 00:07:15.560 --> 00:07:16.240 was. 00:07:16.579 --> 00:07:17.920 One did not stumble 00:07:17.920 --> 00:07:19.319 across buried treasure 00:07:19.319 --> 00:07:20.759 in the land of Israel 00:07:20.759 --> 00:07:21.459 every day. 00:07:22.180 --> 00:07:23.160 It's probably as common 00:07:23.160 --> 00:07:25.139 as winning the lottery today. 00:07:25.879 --> 00:07:26.360 And apparently, 00:07:26.480 --> 00:07:26.939 you're more likely 00:07:26.939 --> 00:07:27.920 to be struck by lightning, 00:07:28.399 --> 00:07:29.340 killed in a plane crash, 00:07:29.639 --> 00:07:30.620 and become a movie star, 00:07:31.340 --> 00:07:32.639 probably all three at once, 00:07:32.740 --> 00:07:33.639 than winning the lottery. 00:07:33.860 --> 00:07:34.439 So this is probably 00:07:34.439 --> 00:07:35.300 not that likely. 00:07:36.220 --> 00:07:37.740 But it wasn't unheard of, 00:07:37.860 --> 00:07:38.100 either. 00:07:39.379 --> 00:07:40.279 Jesus' audience, 00:07:40.519 --> 00:07:41.120 his disciples, 00:07:41.340 --> 00:07:42.040 that's who he's talking to 00:07:42.040 --> 00:07:42.519 right now, 00:07:42.980 --> 00:07:44.139 they have probably heard 00:07:44.139 --> 00:07:46.279 of a few rare tales 00:07:46.279 --> 00:07:48.139 of a farmer plowing his field 00:07:48.139 --> 00:07:49.139 somewhere in Galilee 00:07:49.139 --> 00:07:50.259 and turning up 00:07:50.259 --> 00:07:51.240 some buried treasure. 00:07:51.360 --> 00:07:51.860 After all, 00:07:52.159 --> 00:07:52.599 Palestine, 00:07:52.860 --> 00:07:53.479 the land of Israel, 00:07:53.599 --> 00:07:54.680 for hundreds of years 00:07:54.680 --> 00:07:55.979 had been subject 00:07:55.979 --> 00:07:57.459 to invading armies 00:07:57.459 --> 00:07:58.819 coming in and out. 00:07:59.300 --> 00:08:01.099 And when an invading army 00:08:01.099 --> 00:08:01.579 is coming, 00:08:01.740 --> 00:08:02.740 what else are you going to do 00:08:02.740 --> 00:08:04.060 with your family heirlooms 00:08:04.060 --> 00:08:05.319 and your life savings 00:08:05.319 --> 00:08:06.899 but hide it away? 00:08:07.620 --> 00:08:08.519 You're going to find 00:08:08.519 --> 00:08:09.699 some kind of hardy container, 00:08:09.879 --> 00:08:10.680 hastily bury it 00:08:10.680 --> 00:08:11.560 in the ground somewhere 00:08:11.560 --> 00:08:12.720 so the marauding hordes 00:08:12.720 --> 00:08:13.280 don't get it. 00:08:13.780 --> 00:08:14.400 And then, 00:08:14.579 --> 00:08:15.180 if you're lucky enough 00:08:15.180 --> 00:08:15.900 to come back, 00:08:16.199 --> 00:08:16.920 you can dig it up 00:08:16.920 --> 00:08:17.959 and you still have 00:08:17.959 --> 00:08:18.879 what you had. 00:08:20.300 --> 00:08:21.139 But the chances 00:08:21.139 --> 00:08:21.900 of this guy 00:08:21.900 --> 00:08:23.079 finding something like this 00:08:23.079 --> 00:08:25.939 are so close to nil 00:08:25.939 --> 00:08:27.660 that this is very rare. 00:08:28.120 --> 00:08:29.379 This is very exciting, 00:08:29.519 --> 00:08:31.120 very surprising. 00:08:31.280 --> 00:08:32.220 This is his lucky day. 00:08:33.259 --> 00:08:34.379 So a likely scenario 00:08:34.379 --> 00:08:35.680 that Jesus probably had in mind 00:08:35.680 --> 00:08:36.860 went something like this. 00:08:37.220 --> 00:08:38.240 This fortunate man 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:39.580 was probably a laborer 00:08:39.580 --> 00:08:40.240 of some sort 00:08:40.240 --> 00:08:43.480 working in his boss's field, 00:08:43.620 --> 00:08:44.720 the guy who owned the field. 00:08:45.560 --> 00:08:46.460 And while he's working, 00:08:46.560 --> 00:08:47.639 whether he's digging 00:08:47.639 --> 00:08:48.600 an iridation ditch 00:08:48.600 --> 00:08:49.600 or plowing a field, 00:08:50.580 --> 00:08:52.360 his tool strikes something 00:08:52.360 --> 00:08:53.060 in the ground 00:08:53.060 --> 00:08:53.780 that's not dirt, 00:08:53.940 --> 00:08:54.639 it's not rock, 00:08:55.120 --> 00:08:56.080 it goes thud 00:08:56.080 --> 00:08:57.180 or clank or something. 00:08:58.200 --> 00:08:59.080 And he uncovers it, 00:08:59.580 --> 00:09:00.580 he can tell that it's 00:09:00.580 --> 00:09:01.780 extremely valuable 00:09:01.780 --> 00:09:03.440 but he doesn't lift it out 00:09:03.440 --> 00:09:05.220 and then he covers it back up. 00:09:06.340 --> 00:09:06.840 Why? 00:09:07.460 --> 00:09:08.900 Why wouldn't he just lift it out 00:09:08.899 --> 00:09:10.079 and say, 00:09:10.220 --> 00:09:10.459 woohoo? 00:09:11.399 --> 00:09:12.559 Well, it wasn't his field. 00:09:13.519 --> 00:09:13.899 Technically, 00:09:14.919 --> 00:09:16.600 it was his boss's field, 00:09:16.819 --> 00:09:17.439 most likely. 00:09:18.860 --> 00:09:20.459 The law of the rabbis 00:09:20.459 --> 00:09:21.620 at this time 00:09:21.620 --> 00:09:22.919 did say that 00:09:22.919 --> 00:09:24.419 finders keepers, 00:09:24.480 --> 00:09:24.799 basically. 00:09:25.000 --> 00:09:25.799 If you find 00:09:25.799 --> 00:09:27.600 hidden treasure in the field, 00:09:27.720 --> 00:09:28.220 it's yours. 00:09:28.559 --> 00:09:29.779 No matter who owns the field. 00:09:29.779 --> 00:09:30.279 But, 00:09:30.779 --> 00:09:32.699 if the laborer 00:09:32.699 --> 00:09:33.959 lifts it out, 00:09:34.399 --> 00:09:35.740 the owner could 00:09:35.740 --> 00:09:36.879 potentially claim 00:09:36.879 --> 00:09:38.000 that he had sent 00:09:38.000 --> 00:09:38.659 the laborer 00:09:38.659 --> 00:09:39.899 to go dig the treasure out 00:09:39.899 --> 00:09:41.079 and therefore say 00:09:41.079 --> 00:09:42.199 that it's the owner's treasure, 00:09:42.379 --> 00:09:43.740 not the laborer's. 00:09:44.220 --> 00:09:44.740 And so, 00:09:44.839 --> 00:09:46.480 the only surefire way 00:09:46.480 --> 00:09:47.860 to get the treasure 00:09:47.860 --> 00:09:49.679 was to obtain the field. 00:09:50.759 --> 00:09:51.319 So, 00:09:51.379 --> 00:09:52.039 what does this guy do? 00:09:53.120 --> 00:09:53.799 He went, 00:09:54.480 --> 00:09:55.860 he sold all that he had, 00:09:55.860 --> 00:09:58.000 and he bought the field. 00:09:59.019 --> 00:10:01.000 He liquidated his assets 00:10:01.000 --> 00:10:02.779 and exchanged 00:10:02.779 --> 00:10:04.480 his entire material life 00:10:04.480 --> 00:10:06.480 for that field 00:10:06.480 --> 00:10:08.000 and for what it contained. 00:10:09.620 --> 00:10:10.460 Just for a moment, 00:10:10.580 --> 00:10:11.080 let me take you 00:10:11.080 --> 00:10:12.580 on a little mental exercise. 00:10:14.000 --> 00:10:15.000 I want you to imagine 00:10:15.000 --> 00:10:16.060 all of your assets. 00:10:16.940 --> 00:10:17.800 Start with your possessions. 00:10:18.519 --> 00:10:19.560 Just get this in your mind. 00:10:20.379 --> 00:10:21.299 From your toothbrush 00:10:21.299 --> 00:10:22.659 to your bed, 00:10:23.419 --> 00:10:24.299 your home decorations, 00:10:24.939 --> 00:10:25.859 your baseball cards 00:10:25.859 --> 00:10:26.339 in the attic, 00:10:26.819 --> 00:10:27.739 your grandmother's china, 00:10:28.439 --> 00:10:29.500 your favorite coffee mug, 00:10:30.359 --> 00:10:31.559 the contents of your safe 00:10:31.559 --> 00:10:33.039 or your safe deposit box, 00:10:33.459 --> 00:10:33.939 your car, 00:10:34.059 --> 00:10:34.559 your house, 00:10:34.959 --> 00:10:35.859 your books on your bookshelf, 00:10:35.919 --> 00:10:36.679 that's a hard one for me, 00:10:37.419 --> 00:10:37.899 your phone, 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:38.459 your tools, 00:10:38.739 --> 00:10:39.559 everything you've got. 00:10:41.199 --> 00:10:41.759 Everything except 00:10:41.759 --> 00:10:42.500 the shirt on your back. 00:10:43.719 --> 00:10:43.959 Okay, 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:44.299 so you've got 00:10:44.299 --> 00:10:45.099 all your possessions. 00:10:46.019 --> 00:10:46.179 Now, 00:10:46.319 --> 00:10:47.019 add to that 00:10:47.019 --> 00:10:48.500 every cent you own. 00:10:49.559 --> 00:10:50.899 In your checking account, 00:10:51.879 --> 00:10:52.799 in your savings account, 00:10:53.319 --> 00:10:54.099 in your retirement, 00:10:54.699 --> 00:10:55.799 all that you've got 00:10:55.799 --> 00:10:57.539 from the cash in your wallet 00:10:57.539 --> 00:10:58.739 to your spare change, 00:10:58.859 --> 00:10:59.899 all that you've got. 00:11:00.919 --> 00:11:01.419 Now, 00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:03.019 imagine taking all of that 00:11:03.019 --> 00:11:04.579 and exchanging it 00:11:04.579 --> 00:11:05.500 for one thing. 00:11:09.099 --> 00:11:10.000 But notice, 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:11.959 it was not because 00:11:11.959 --> 00:11:12.879 he felt like he should. 00:11:14.079 --> 00:11:15.959 It was not out of obligation. 00:11:17.379 --> 00:11:17.759 Did you notice 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:18.559 that little phrase? 00:11:19.559 --> 00:11:22.059 In his joy, 00:11:23.059 --> 00:11:23.939 he goes 00:11:23.939 --> 00:11:26.079 and sells all that he has 00:11:26.079 --> 00:11:27.399 and buys the field. 00:11:27.739 --> 00:11:28.939 So this is what this guy did. 00:11:29.119 --> 00:11:30.439 In a fraction of a second, 00:11:30.939 --> 00:11:32.079 this guy's looking at the treasure. 00:11:32.799 --> 00:11:33.779 In a fraction of a second, 00:11:33.859 --> 00:11:34.639 he mentally takes 00:11:34.639 --> 00:11:35.519 all that he's got, 00:11:36.019 --> 00:11:37.199 all of his possessions, 00:11:37.399 --> 00:11:38.399 all of his life savings, 00:11:38.539 --> 00:11:39.139 everything he's got, 00:11:39.179 --> 00:11:40.139 and he puts it on one end 00:11:40.139 --> 00:11:40.659 of a scale 00:11:40.659 --> 00:11:42.379 and he puts the treasure 00:11:42.379 --> 00:11:43.359 he had just found 00:11:43.359 --> 00:11:44.179 on the other end. 00:11:44.179 --> 00:11:45.899 And when he sees the treasure 00:11:45.899 --> 00:11:47.019 break the scale 00:11:47.019 --> 00:11:48.819 with its immeasurable value 00:11:48.819 --> 00:11:50.279 and tosses meager assets 00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:50.799 up into the air 00:11:50.799 --> 00:11:51.439 like feathers, 00:11:51.899 --> 00:11:53.099 he drops his shovel, 00:11:53.199 --> 00:11:54.159 he runs to his house, 00:11:54.219 --> 00:11:55.079 he shouts to his wife 00:11:55.079 --> 00:11:56.259 that he's going to sell 00:11:56.259 --> 00:11:58.259 everything to go buy that field. 00:11:58.419 --> 00:11:59.179 He tells his kids 00:11:59.179 --> 00:12:00.399 he's made the most joyful 00:12:00.399 --> 00:12:01.559 discovery he's ever made 00:12:01.559 --> 00:12:02.839 and he bought the field 00:12:02.839 --> 00:12:04.099 without a second thought. 00:12:04.100 --> 00:12:07.540 There was no deliberation, 00:12:07.759 --> 00:12:08.659 no foot dragging. 00:12:09.259 --> 00:12:10.320 He didn't stop to ponder 00:12:10.320 --> 00:12:11.779 the cost-benefit analysis. 00:12:12.779 --> 00:12:14.519 He was exchanging pennies 00:12:14.519 --> 00:12:15.720 for millions. 00:12:17.240 --> 00:12:18.200 Who would need to stop 00:12:18.200 --> 00:12:18.920 and think about that? 00:12:20.580 --> 00:12:22.680 This was an easy decision. 00:12:24.399 --> 00:12:25.920 So what does this parable tell us? 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:29.420 It tells us that the kingdom 00:12:29.420 --> 00:12:31.860 is the most joyful discovery 00:12:31.860 --> 00:12:33.220 you will ever make. 00:12:34.100 --> 00:12:36.100 And once you find it, 00:12:36.759 --> 00:12:39.680 once you realize what you found, 00:12:40.560 --> 00:12:42.580 it'll be a joy to give up 00:12:42.580 --> 00:12:44.080 whatever you gotta give up 00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:45.159 to get it. 00:12:47.320 --> 00:12:48.720 And this is very similar 00:12:48.720 --> 00:12:50.980 to what the next parable tells us, 00:12:51.060 --> 00:12:52.659 only with a slightly different emphasis. 00:12:53.740 --> 00:12:54.600 Verse 45, 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:57.300 Jesus gets a slightly different image 00:12:57.300 --> 00:12:58.060 in our heads. 00:12:58.460 --> 00:12:59.800 We have a merchant now 00:12:59.800 --> 00:13:02.680 on hunt for fine pearls. 00:13:02.679 --> 00:13:05.579 Now, in the ancient world, 00:13:06.059 --> 00:13:07.839 pearls were extremely rare, 00:13:08.379 --> 00:13:09.759 especially fine ones. 00:13:10.779 --> 00:13:13.079 We didn't have the capacity back then 00:13:13.079 --> 00:13:15.099 to make synthetic pearls 00:13:15.099 --> 00:13:15.819 as we do now, 00:13:15.919 --> 00:13:16.679 artificial pearls. 00:13:17.219 --> 00:13:19.059 And so they were on par with gold 00:13:19.059 --> 00:13:19.919 in terms of value. 00:13:21.099 --> 00:13:22.219 And unlike the chap 00:13:22.219 --> 00:13:23.319 in the previous parable, 00:13:23.539 --> 00:13:24.759 this merchant's already wealthy. 00:13:24.759 --> 00:13:26.740 If he's able to be hunting down 00:13:26.740 --> 00:13:28.200 the finest pearls on the market, 00:13:28.200 --> 00:13:29.819 he's got the means 00:13:29.819 --> 00:13:30.819 to be able to do that. 00:13:31.200 --> 00:13:32.980 And he obviously knows his stuff. 00:13:33.679 --> 00:13:34.939 He has an eye 00:13:34.939 --> 00:13:36.340 for what he's looking for. 00:13:36.460 --> 00:13:38.100 He knows a fine pearl 00:13:38.100 --> 00:13:38.919 when he sees one. 00:13:39.039 --> 00:13:39.819 I would not be able 00:13:39.819 --> 00:13:40.399 to tell you anything, 00:13:40.539 --> 00:13:41.639 but this guy has an eye 00:13:41.639 --> 00:13:42.319 for quality, 00:13:42.700 --> 00:13:43.319 for beauty, 00:13:43.460 --> 00:13:44.559 and for value. 00:13:44.700 --> 00:13:46.159 His livelihood depended on it. 00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:47.939 And one day, 00:13:48.539 --> 00:13:49.500 he found it. 00:13:50.459 --> 00:13:52.719 He found the pearl. 00:13:54.120 --> 00:13:55.120 In verse 45, 00:13:55.219 --> 00:13:56.240 notice that he's on the search 00:13:56.240 --> 00:13:58.639 of fine pearls, plural, 00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:01.719 and then he finds the one. 00:14:02.819 --> 00:14:06.600 The one pearl of great value. 00:14:07.259 --> 00:14:08.759 As one commentator puts it, 00:14:08.819 --> 00:14:09.819 this is the one pearl 00:14:09.819 --> 00:14:10.740 that once you have it, 00:14:10.779 --> 00:14:11.519 you don't need anymore. 00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:13.500 It was the pearl 00:14:13.500 --> 00:14:15.019 he didn't expect to find. 00:14:15.639 --> 00:14:18.699 It was find beyond his imagination. 00:14:20.379 --> 00:14:21.340 And this merchant 00:14:21.340 --> 00:14:22.460 does the same thing 00:14:22.460 --> 00:14:23.939 as the man in the previous parable. 00:14:24.079 --> 00:14:25.659 He takes decisive action. 00:14:25.779 --> 00:14:26.199 He goes, 00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:27.720 sells everything he's got, 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:29.100 and he buys the pearl. 00:14:30.100 --> 00:14:31.399 But unlike the man 00:14:31.399 --> 00:14:32.299 with the treasure, 00:14:32.939 --> 00:14:34.120 this man couldn't live 00:14:34.120 --> 00:14:34.720 off the pearl. 00:14:35.460 --> 00:14:38.779 It wasn't for the kind of bank 00:14:38.779 --> 00:14:39.740 that he's going to make. 00:14:39.740 --> 00:14:42.000 It's just to have the pearl. 00:14:42.799 --> 00:14:43.960 Just to possess something 00:14:43.960 --> 00:14:46.240 of such fine, fine beauty. 00:14:46.440 --> 00:14:47.600 Not to profit off of it, 00:14:47.820 --> 00:14:48.960 but to possess it, 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:49.720 to have it. 00:14:51.460 --> 00:14:52.039 And by the way, 00:14:52.159 --> 00:14:53.060 Jesus isn't telling us 00:14:53.060 --> 00:14:53.560 these pearls 00:14:53.560 --> 00:14:55.960 for them to walk on all fours. 00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:57.940 We're not meant to critique 00:14:57.940 --> 00:14:58.980 the ethics of the man 00:14:58.980 --> 00:15:00.299 who found the treasure, 00:15:00.399 --> 00:15:01.080 whether he should have told 00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:02.180 the owner of the field or not, 00:15:02.379 --> 00:15:03.500 or we're not supposed to critique 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:04.840 the wisdom of the merchant selling. 00:15:04.899 --> 00:15:05.700 Everybody's got that 00:15:05.700 --> 00:15:06.360 for a little pearl. 00:15:07.440 --> 00:15:08.879 The point of these parables 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:10.320 is to illustrate 00:15:10.320 --> 00:15:12.500 how immeasurably valuable 00:15:12.500 --> 00:15:14.480 the kingdom is. 00:15:15.299 --> 00:15:16.679 And the price paid 00:15:16.679 --> 00:15:17.519 to get the kingdom 00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:19.899 is unquestionably 00:15:19.899 --> 00:15:22.700 and joyfully worth it. 00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:25.720 So we've examined the parables. 00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:28.379 The kingdom is the most joyful discovery 00:15:28.379 --> 00:15:29.159 you'll ever make. 00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:31.939 It's the most valuable object 00:15:31.939 --> 00:15:33.379 you could ever seek. 00:15:33.379 --> 00:15:36.580 Once you find it, 00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:38.240 there's nothing you can compare it to. 00:15:40.019 --> 00:15:41.159 And exchanging it 00:15:41.159 --> 00:15:42.580 for all that you have 00:15:42.580 --> 00:15:45.740 is unquestionably worth it. 00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:48.080 It's pennies for millions. 00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:49.360 It's a no-brainer. 00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:51.939 But you might be sitting there 00:15:51.939 --> 00:15:52.320 and wondering, 00:15:52.460 --> 00:15:52.879 okay, Billy, 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:54.600 I get that Jesus is saying 00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:56.039 the kingdom is immeasurably valuable. 00:15:56.580 --> 00:15:58.080 I see it's worth exchanging 00:15:58.080 --> 00:15:59.100 all I have to get it. 00:15:59.700 --> 00:16:00.779 But can I have a little explanation 00:16:00.779 --> 00:16:02.600 on what it is? 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:04.480 What is the kingdom? 00:16:04.699 --> 00:16:06.879 Why is it so valuable? 00:16:07.079 --> 00:16:08.339 Can you maybe open up 00:16:08.339 --> 00:16:09.500 that treasure box a little bit 00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:11.139 and let me just see it 00:16:11.139 --> 00:16:12.600 so I can know? 00:16:13.139 --> 00:16:14.759 And maybe run my fingers through it. 00:16:15.179 --> 00:16:16.459 Can I hold the pearl, 00:16:16.699 --> 00:16:18.139 feel it on my fingertips a little bit 00:16:18.139 --> 00:16:18.799 so I can know 00:16:18.799 --> 00:16:19.480 that it's worth selling 00:16:19.480 --> 00:16:20.919 everything I've got to get it? 00:16:21.639 --> 00:16:22.019 Yes. 00:16:22.379 --> 00:16:22.980 We can do that. 00:16:23.059 --> 00:16:25.519 Let's gaze at this kingdom. 00:16:25.659 --> 00:16:27.159 Let's gaze at this treasure. 00:16:27.159 --> 00:16:29.919 So we're going to do 00:16:29.919 --> 00:16:31.360 a little gaze at a glimpse. 00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:33.419 Kind of just open the treasure box 00:16:33.419 --> 00:16:33.980 and let you see 00:16:33.980 --> 00:16:35.179 kind of the whole thing 00:16:35.179 --> 00:16:35.879 for a minute 00:16:35.879 --> 00:16:36.779 and I just want to pick up 00:16:36.779 --> 00:16:37.819 one little gem 00:16:37.819 --> 00:16:40.459 that's right here in the passage 00:16:40.459 --> 00:16:41.879 and I want us to gaze at that. 00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:43.699 So let's just kind of start 00:16:43.699 --> 00:16:44.279 from a glimpse. 00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:45.199 What is this kingdom 00:16:45.199 --> 00:16:45.939 we're talking about? 00:16:46.719 --> 00:16:48.480 Well, as Mike has said 00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:49.779 in previous sermons, 00:16:49.980 --> 00:16:51.339 this is the kingdom. 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:52.620 It's God's saving reign. 00:16:53.439 --> 00:16:56.199 It's coming under God's rule. 00:16:56.200 --> 00:16:58.020 It's God's redeeming activity 00:16:58.020 --> 00:16:59.280 in the world. 00:16:59.480 --> 00:17:00.460 Wherever there are people 00:17:00.460 --> 00:17:01.420 who recognize God 00:17:01.420 --> 00:17:02.020 as their king, 00:17:02.140 --> 00:17:03.340 that's where the kingdom is. 00:17:04.880 --> 00:17:06.019 And this has been 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:08.200 the story 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:09.860 of all of the Old Testament. 00:17:10.080 --> 00:17:10.900 From the garden, 00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:12.400 God's people 00:17:12.400 --> 00:17:13.640 in God's place 00:17:13.640 --> 00:17:15.220 living under his rule 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:16.480 and then it's broken 00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:18.319 because we refuse 00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:19.840 to acknowledge God 00:17:19.840 --> 00:17:20.340 as our king. 00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:21.319 We refuse to see 00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:24.019 how great and valuable he is. 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:24.860 It's broken. 00:17:24.980 --> 00:17:25.819 That kingdom is shattered 00:17:25.819 --> 00:17:27.339 and then God reestablishes it 00:17:27.339 --> 00:17:27.899 by his grace 00:17:27.899 --> 00:17:29.480 by choosing one people 00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:30.939 and establishing his rule 00:17:30.939 --> 00:17:32.639 over that one people, Israel, 00:17:32.939 --> 00:17:34.419 and setting up his king, 00:17:34.539 --> 00:17:35.079 King David, 00:17:35.179 --> 00:17:36.000 over that kingdom 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:37.819 and then even that kingdom 00:17:37.819 --> 00:17:38.559 falls apart 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:39.579 because God's people 00:17:39.579 --> 00:17:41.279 still reject his rule 00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:41.839 and his reign. 00:17:42.679 --> 00:17:44.779 But then this guy named Jesus 00:17:44.779 --> 00:17:45.799 shows up on the scene 00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:46.740 and he says, 00:17:46.919 --> 00:17:47.559 the kingdom of heaven 00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:48.339 is here. 00:17:48.980 --> 00:17:49.859 It's here now. 00:17:49.859 --> 00:17:52.619 all of a sudden 00:17:52.619 --> 00:17:53.279 we're beginning to see 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.179 that the kingdom of God 00:17:54.179 --> 00:17:55.439 is God's reign 00:17:55.439 --> 00:17:57.899 over not only all creation 00:17:57.899 --> 00:17:59.479 but particularly his people 00:17:59.479 --> 00:18:01.419 and the good that he's doing 00:18:01.419 --> 00:18:03.919 over his people 00:18:03.919 --> 00:18:04.979 with his rule 00:18:04.979 --> 00:18:05.819 over his people. 00:18:07.059 --> 00:18:09.359 So that's the treasure box. 00:18:09.479 --> 00:18:10.339 If you're looking at the treasure 00:18:10.339 --> 00:18:11.139 just all as a whole, 00:18:11.399 --> 00:18:12.359 that's the treasure box. 00:18:12.439 --> 00:18:13.439 There's so many blessings 00:18:13.439 --> 00:18:14.439 we can pull out of it. 00:18:14.839 --> 00:18:16.179 We're under his good 00:18:16.179 --> 00:18:17.099 and perfect law. 00:18:17.099 --> 00:18:19.059 We're experiencing his presence. 00:18:19.199 --> 00:18:20.459 We're able to receive 00:18:20.459 --> 00:18:21.579 his mercy and forgiveness. 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:22.539 We're able to escape 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:23.139 from judgment. 00:18:23.319 --> 00:18:24.419 We have eternal life 00:18:24.419 --> 00:18:25.279 when we're near him 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:26.039 and under his rule. 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:27.480 There's so many good blessings, 00:18:27.579 --> 00:18:28.379 little pieces of gold 00:18:28.379 --> 00:18:29.019 we can pick up 00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:30.159 and run through our fingers. 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:31.199 But there's one thing 00:18:31.199 --> 00:18:32.899 that I want us to look at 00:18:32.899 --> 00:18:34.500 right here in the passage. 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:36.359 You see that little word 00:18:36.359 --> 00:18:37.159 in verse 44? 00:18:37.980 --> 00:18:38.859 The kingdom of heaven 00:18:38.859 --> 00:18:40.179 is like treasure 00:18:40.179 --> 00:18:41.459 hidden, 00:18:42.399 --> 00:18:43.939 hidden in a field. 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:45.879 That's not the first time 00:18:45.879 --> 00:18:46.759 that Jesus is referred 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:48.039 to the kingdom as hidden, 00:18:48.140 --> 00:18:48.980 even in this chapter. 00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:51.720 Look back up to verse 34 and 35. 00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:54.619 We're going to find 00:18:54.619 --> 00:18:56.599 some great value 00:18:56.599 --> 00:18:59.319 of the kingdom 00:18:59.319 --> 00:19:00.819 in its hiddenness. 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:04.220 All these things Jesus said 00:19:04.220 --> 00:19:04.740 to the crowds 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:05.539 in verse 34, 00:19:05.879 --> 00:19:06.599 in parables, 00:19:06.700 --> 00:19:07.759 indeed he said nothing to them 00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:08.519 without a parable. 00:19:08.740 --> 00:19:09.539 This was to fulfill 00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:10.779 what was spoken by the prophet. 00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:11.960 I will open my mouth 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:12.680 in parables. 00:19:12.859 --> 00:19:14.460 I will utter what has been 00:19:14.460 --> 00:19:15.240 hidden 00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:17.200 since the foundation 00:19:17.200 --> 00:19:18.279 of the world. 00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:20.339 And then in verse 33, 00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:21.319 when Jesus compares 00:19:21.319 --> 00:19:22.519 the kingdom of God 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:23.160 to leaven 00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:24.019 working its way 00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:25.279 through a lump of dough 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:26.880 in the flour, 00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:28.500 it's hidden 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:30.019 in the flour. 00:19:30.359 --> 00:19:30.859 Do you notice that 00:19:30.859 --> 00:19:31.500 in verse 33? 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:33.440 And then 00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:36.480 we see that this kingdom 00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:37.400 is something that's hidden 00:19:37.400 --> 00:19:38.259 since the foundation 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:38.960 of the world. 00:19:39.620 --> 00:19:41.019 And now it's revealed. 00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:44.519 something that was secret. 00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:46.779 Something that was not known. 00:19:47.299 --> 00:19:48.240 And now it's beginning 00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:49.379 to be revealed 00:19:49.379 --> 00:19:50.859 through these parables. 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:52.539 And Jesus' disciples 00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:53.240 are wondering, 00:19:53.339 --> 00:19:54.200 back in verse 10, 00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:54.920 Jesus, 00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:55.799 why are you speaking 00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:57.039 to these people 00:19:57.039 --> 00:19:57.819 in parables? 00:19:58.900 --> 00:20:00.000 And he begins 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:00.660 to describe 00:20:00.660 --> 00:20:02.660 why the kingdom 00:20:02.660 --> 00:20:03.460 is hidden 00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:05.359 and then how it's revealed. 00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:07.319 He says that 00:20:07.319 --> 00:20:08.680 in verse 13 through 15, 00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:10.099 he starts to quote Isaiah 6. 00:20:11.019 --> 00:20:12.259 And he says 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:13.839 that we as humans, 00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:14.960 we hear, 00:20:15.139 --> 00:20:16.200 but we don't understand. 00:20:16.359 --> 00:20:16.819 We see, 00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:18.259 but we don't perceive. 00:20:18.920 --> 00:20:20.900 Our heart is grown dull 00:20:20.900 --> 00:20:22.559 so that we, 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:24.220 the truth is right 00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:24.720 in front of us. 00:20:24.799 --> 00:20:25.139 It's hidden 00:20:25.139 --> 00:20:25.940 in plain sight. 00:20:26.599 --> 00:20:27.519 But we don't get it. 00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:28.599 We can't get it. 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:30.660 Our hearts are too dull 00:20:30.660 --> 00:20:31.660 because of our hardness 00:20:31.660 --> 00:20:33.000 of sin 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:34.440 and not being able 00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:35.099 to respond 00:20:35.099 --> 00:20:35.700 to the truth 00:20:35.700 --> 00:20:36.259 of the king 00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:38.119 that we hear, 00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:38.879 but we don't hear. 00:20:38.879 --> 00:20:39.460 We see, 00:20:39.599 --> 00:20:40.240 but we don't see. 00:20:40.700 --> 00:20:41.519 The kingdom is hidden 00:20:41.519 --> 00:20:42.380 in plain sight. 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:44.200 If we were to stop there, 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:44.960 that would not be 00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:46.700 the kingdom's great value. 00:20:46.799 --> 00:20:47.039 That would be 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:48.160 the kingdom's great tragedy 00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:49.799 that we see it 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:50.440 in plain sight, 00:20:50.539 --> 00:20:51.859 but we don't get it. 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:54.319 But it doesn't stop there. 00:20:54.400 --> 00:20:55.140 Notice what Jesus says 00:20:55.140 --> 00:20:55.839 in verse 16. 00:20:57.940 --> 00:20:58.980 Blessed are your eyes 00:20:58.980 --> 00:20:59.980 for they see 00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:02.420 and your ears 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:03.279 for they hear. 00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:04.259 Truly, 00:21:04.380 --> 00:21:04.920 I say to you, 00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:05.620 many prophets 00:21:05.620 --> 00:21:06.480 and righteous people 00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:07.240 long to see 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:07.859 what you see 00:21:07.859 --> 00:21:08.700 and did not see it 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:09.860 and to hear what you hear 00:21:09.860 --> 00:21:10.960 and did not hear it. 00:21:11.360 --> 00:21:12.340 So we're picking up 00:21:12.340 --> 00:21:12.920 this gem 00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:13.880 of the kingdom 00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:14.600 and we're seeing 00:21:14.600 --> 00:21:16.000 that it was once hidden. 00:21:18.080 --> 00:21:19.380 Now it's revealed. 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:22.980 I don't know if 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:25.539 you've ever 00:21:25.539 --> 00:21:27.500 been brought in 00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:28.200 on a secret, 00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:30.600 but being brought in 00:21:30.600 --> 00:21:30.940 on a secret 00:21:30.940 --> 00:21:31.519 is kind of fun. 00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:34.440 There's a sense of value 00:21:34.440 --> 00:21:35.880 when you're brought in 00:21:35.880 --> 00:21:36.520 to a secret. 00:21:38.020 --> 00:21:39.120 I hope that you've read 00:21:39.120 --> 00:21:40.260 or seen the movie 00:21:40.260 --> 00:21:41.200 The Lion, 00:21:41.320 --> 00:21:41.520 the Witch, 00:21:41.540 --> 00:21:42.120 and the Wardrobe 00:21:42.120 --> 00:21:43.200 by C.S. Lewis 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:44.340 in The Chronicles of Narnia. 00:21:44.800 --> 00:21:45.400 If you haven't, 00:21:46.020 --> 00:21:47.060 the story is that 00:21:47.060 --> 00:21:47.760 these four children 00:21:47.760 --> 00:21:48.620 walk into this world 00:21:48.620 --> 00:21:49.240 called Narnia. 00:21:49.320 --> 00:21:49.620 They don't know 00:21:49.620 --> 00:21:50.200 what's going on. 00:21:50.320 --> 00:21:51.000 They're clueless. 00:21:51.660 --> 00:21:52.520 And they run 00:21:52.520 --> 00:21:53.560 into this talking beaver 00:21:53.560 --> 00:21:55.420 and this talking beaver 00:21:55.420 --> 00:21:57.060 pulls them deep 00:21:57.060 --> 00:22:01.740 into the closest thicket 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:03.180 of the forest 00:22:03.180 --> 00:22:04.200 and he's trying 00:22:04.200 --> 00:22:07.779 to get them away 00:22:07.779 --> 00:22:08.920 from any potential spies 00:22:08.920 --> 00:22:09.460 that might hear 00:22:09.460 --> 00:22:10.160 what he's about to tell them. 00:22:10.180 --> 00:22:10.779 He's about to reveal 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:11.420 to them a secret 00:22:11.420 --> 00:22:12.920 and they have no idea 00:22:12.920 --> 00:22:13.440 what's going on. 00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:13.640 They're like, 00:22:13.700 --> 00:22:14.259 what's going on? 00:22:14.539 --> 00:22:17.059 And then he brings them in 00:22:17.059 --> 00:22:17.799 and he brings them close 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:18.000 and he says, 00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:18.279 come on, 00:22:18.279 --> 00:22:18.700 close, close. 00:22:19.140 --> 00:22:20.680 You could see the whiskers 00:22:20.680 --> 00:22:22.079 trembling with excitement 00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:22.920 with this little beaver 00:22:22.920 --> 00:22:24.660 and he says, 00:22:25.900 --> 00:22:27.240 Aslan is on the move. 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:29.500 And they didn't have a clue 00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:30.039 what that meant. 00:22:30.099 --> 00:22:31.519 They didn't know who Aslan was, 00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:32.359 but they were brought 00:22:32.359 --> 00:22:33.180 into a secret 00:22:33.180 --> 00:22:33.960 and all of a sudden 00:22:33.960 --> 00:22:35.240 that began to affect them. 00:22:36.440 --> 00:22:37.519 And they began to realize 00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:38.559 the preciousness 00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:39.599 of that truth 00:22:39.599 --> 00:22:40.740 that was just revealed to them. 00:22:40.980 --> 00:22:42.400 The kingdom was once 00:22:42.400 --> 00:22:43.740 hidden from our eyes, 00:22:43.839 --> 00:22:44.639 all of us, 00:22:44.879 --> 00:22:45.559 because we were, 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:46.619 like Paul tells us 00:22:46.619 --> 00:22:47.279 in Romans 1, 00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:49.440 we could see the kingship of God 00:22:49.440 --> 00:22:50.779 in God's creation 00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:52.940 plain as day. 00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:54.740 We could see 00:22:54.740 --> 00:22:56.379 it was plain to us 00:22:56.379 --> 00:22:58.359 that he is the king, 00:22:58.960 --> 00:23:00.279 that God created this world, 00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:00.819 that he is, 00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:02.799 as absolute moral authority 00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:04.819 over all of creation. 00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:06.439 It's plain as day, 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:07.939 but we don't see it. 00:23:09.179 --> 00:23:10.339 And then all of a sudden, 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:11.679 by grace, 00:23:12.179 --> 00:23:13.460 we do. 00:23:14.460 --> 00:23:15.079 The kingdom 00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:16.500 is revealed. 00:23:18.859 --> 00:23:20.299 We're led into a secret, 00:23:21.339 --> 00:23:22.759 and it's in that rarity 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:24.759 of hearing the secret 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:25.720 of the kingdom of God 00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:26.319 that the kingdom 00:23:26.319 --> 00:23:28.579 is all of a sudden 00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.439 very valuable. 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:33.500 You don't go to an art show 00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:36.359 and lay down millions of dollars 00:23:36.359 --> 00:23:39.779 for a copy of a painting, 00:23:40.480 --> 00:23:43.519 for something that anyone can get. 00:23:44.639 --> 00:23:45.799 You go to an art show 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:46.919 and lay down millions of dollars 00:23:46.919 --> 00:23:47.899 for that one, 00:23:48.779 --> 00:23:49.980 because it's so rare. 00:23:49.980 --> 00:23:52.740 It's in the rarity 00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:53.640 of the kingdom, 00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:55.720 of having our eyes opened 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.559 by the king. 00:23:56.599 --> 00:23:57.120 And that's what happened 00:23:57.120 --> 00:23:57.759 to these disciples. 00:23:58.059 --> 00:23:58.880 They saw Jesus, 00:23:59.180 --> 00:24:00.599 they were called by Jesus, 00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:02.380 and they began to follow Jesus, 00:24:02.579 --> 00:24:03.480 and they realized that, 00:24:04.120 --> 00:24:04.819 hey, here's the king. 00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:06.460 And sooner or later, 00:24:06.539 --> 00:24:07.059 they realized 00:24:07.059 --> 00:24:08.400 the secret of the kingdom 00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:09.640 is revealed to us. 00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:11.200 Not because of anything we do, 00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:13.079 but because of sheer grace. 00:24:13.079 --> 00:24:16.319 And not only is the kingdom 00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:17.419 so rare and valuable 00:24:17.419 --> 00:24:19.659 because those whose eyes 00:24:19.659 --> 00:24:20.639 can see the kingdom 00:24:20.639 --> 00:24:22.299 are only those 00:24:22.299 --> 00:24:23.919 whose eyes have been opened 00:24:23.919 --> 00:24:25.199 by the kingdom, 00:24:25.639 --> 00:24:26.339 or by the king 00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:27.079 to see the kingdom. 00:24:27.699 --> 00:24:28.720 Not only is it so rare 00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:29.199 and valuable, 00:24:29.379 --> 00:24:31.099 but it is also costly. 00:24:32.059 --> 00:24:32.879 Because the one 00:24:32.879 --> 00:24:33.539 who brought us 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:34.460 under his reign 00:24:34.460 --> 00:24:36.879 paid a very high price 00:24:36.879 --> 00:24:39.119 for us to be able 00:24:39.119 --> 00:24:40.419 to come under his reign. 00:24:40.539 --> 00:24:41.639 Our king is also 00:24:41.640 --> 00:24:42.660 our priest, 00:24:43.100 --> 00:24:43.840 our mediator, 00:24:44.340 --> 00:24:45.400 our sacrifice. 00:24:47.960 --> 00:24:49.540 So this is the kingdom of heaven. 00:24:50.380 --> 00:24:52.780 If we gaze at the infinite worth 00:24:52.780 --> 00:24:53.500 of the kingdom, 00:24:54.520 --> 00:24:55.280 the infinite worth 00:24:55.280 --> 00:24:56.140 of this king, 00:24:57.320 --> 00:24:58.720 then all we've got here 00:24:58.720 --> 00:24:59.259 and now, 00:25:00.100 --> 00:25:01.400 it's pennies 00:25:01.400 --> 00:25:02.800 for millions. 00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:04.980 It's a no-brainer. 00:25:05.540 --> 00:25:06.780 And it's not fool's gold. 00:25:08.100 --> 00:25:09.120 It's the real deal. 00:25:10.460 --> 00:25:11.340 Alright, so we've examined 00:25:11.339 --> 00:25:12.279 we've gazed 00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:13.959 and now I want us 00:25:13.959 --> 00:25:15.139 to open a few things. 00:25:15.659 --> 00:25:16.059 First, 00:25:16.859 --> 00:25:17.980 let's respond to God's word 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:19.179 by opening a few things. 00:25:19.359 --> 00:25:20.819 First, let's open our eyes. 00:25:22.299 --> 00:25:23.220 The king is putting 00:25:23.220 --> 00:25:24.039 hidden treasure 00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:25.679 in plain view. 00:25:26.359 --> 00:25:27.259 So do you see it? 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:29.379 Do you recognize 00:25:29.379 --> 00:25:31.240 the unequaled value 00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:32.639 of the kingdom? 00:25:32.859 --> 00:25:33.599 Living under 00:25:33.599 --> 00:25:35.019 the rule of King Jesus 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:35.879 is worth 00:25:35.879 --> 00:25:37.439 giving up anything 00:25:37.439 --> 00:25:38.480 and everything. 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:40.839 Let me read Paul's words 00:25:40.839 --> 00:25:42.299 in Philippians 3 to you. 00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:45.579 But whatever gain I had, 00:25:45.660 --> 00:25:46.960 I counted it as loss 00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:48.180 for the sake of Christ. 00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:48.819 Indeed, 00:25:49.039 --> 00:25:49.960 I count everything 00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:50.700 as loss 00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:51.920 because of the 00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:52.940 surpassing worth 00:25:52.940 --> 00:25:54.660 of knowing Christ Jesus, 00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:55.360 my Lord. 00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:56.220 For his sake, 00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:57.099 I suffer the loss 00:25:57.099 --> 00:25:57.819 of all things 00:25:57.819 --> 00:25:59.019 and I count them 00:25:59.019 --> 00:26:00.539 as trash, 00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:01.680 rubbish, 00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:03.420 in order that I may 00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:04.420 gain Christ 00:26:04.420 --> 00:26:05.160 and be found 00:26:05.160 --> 00:26:05.720 in him, 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.839 not having a righteousness 00:26:06.839 --> 00:26:07.380 of my own 00:26:07.380 --> 00:26:08.240 that comes from the law 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:09.039 but that which comes 00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:09.700 through faith 00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:10.660 in Christ, 00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:12.140 the righteousness of God 00:26:12.140 --> 00:26:12.839 that depends 00:26:12.839 --> 00:26:13.880 on faith. 00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:15.100 Do you hear Paul's 00:26:15.100 --> 00:26:16.100 sold out joy? 00:26:16.660 --> 00:26:17.299 His determination 00:26:17.299 --> 00:26:19.200 to get the one thing 00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:20.220 that is worth having? 00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:22.940 Paul is saying, 00:26:23.120 --> 00:26:23.779 all that I've got, 00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:24.779 it's loss 00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:26.319 compared to the gain 00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:27.360 of getting the kingdom. 00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:29.480 I want to belong to Jesus. 00:26:29.640 --> 00:26:30.120 I want to come 00:26:30.120 --> 00:26:30.839 under his rule. 00:26:31.100 --> 00:26:32.180 I want the gain 00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:32.900 of the king 00:26:32.900 --> 00:26:33.460 and the kingdom. 00:26:33.460 --> 00:26:34.920 I want the whole package 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:36.220 of saying yes 00:26:36.220 --> 00:26:37.079 to Jesus 00:26:37.079 --> 00:26:37.920 no matter what 00:26:37.920 --> 00:26:38.700 it costs me now. 00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:40.279 So do you see it? 00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:41.960 Let's open our eyes 00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:43.720 and just see the value, 00:26:43.880 --> 00:26:44.319 the worth 00:26:44.319 --> 00:26:46.019 of the king 00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:46.640 and the kingdom. 00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:48.079 If you're sitting here 00:26:48.079 --> 00:26:48.500 this morning 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:49.019 and you're wondering, 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:49.860 I don't know 00:26:49.860 --> 00:26:50.819 if I see it. 00:26:51.220 --> 00:26:51.819 I don't know 00:26:51.819 --> 00:26:52.480 if I get it. 00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:53.340 I don't know 00:26:53.340 --> 00:26:54.000 if I'm in it. 00:26:54.140 --> 00:26:54.700 I don't know 00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:56.120 what there is. 00:26:57.840 --> 00:26:58.279 Please, 00:26:58.500 --> 00:26:59.900 please hear, 00:27:00.700 --> 00:27:02.500 don't just let that sit. 00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:04.880 Act on it. 00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:07.480 Act on God 00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:08.120 is beginning 00:27:08.120 --> 00:27:09.259 to open your eyes 00:27:09.259 --> 00:27:11.019 to see the treasure 00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:11.480 that's hidden 00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:12.240 in plain sight. 00:27:13.120 --> 00:27:13.600 There will be people 00:27:13.600 --> 00:27:13.960 down here 00:27:13.960 --> 00:27:14.559 to help you out 00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:14.880 with that 00:27:14.880 --> 00:27:15.700 after the service. 00:27:15.920 --> 00:27:16.480 I'll be down there. 00:27:16.579 --> 00:27:17.380 I'd love to pray with you. 00:27:18.860 --> 00:27:19.220 Second, 00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:21.640 open your hands. 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:24.059 We want to open our hands. 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:25.640 We want to look 00:27:25.640 --> 00:27:26.980 and see what we've got 00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:27.920 in this life. 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:29.559 Just take a moment 00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:31.279 to personally assess, 00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:32.500 what have I got? 00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:35.700 Have I counted it up? 00:27:36.140 --> 00:27:37.380 Have I counted the cost 00:27:37.380 --> 00:27:39.460 of all that I've got 00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:40.180 in this life 00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:41.960 from my money 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:42.860 to my possessions 00:27:42.860 --> 00:27:44.360 to my career, 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:45.640 my family, 00:27:45.860 --> 00:27:46.559 my talents, 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:47.660 my dreams, 00:27:47.799 --> 00:27:48.380 my car, 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:49.039 my home, 00:27:49.140 --> 00:27:49.860 my time, 00:27:50.200 --> 00:27:50.920 my energy? 00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:52.500 Remember, 00:27:53.160 --> 00:27:54.180 all you've got here 00:27:54.180 --> 00:27:55.519 is pennies 00:27:55.519 --> 00:27:56.920 for millions. 00:27:56.920 --> 00:27:59.960 is laying down 00:27:59.960 --> 00:28:01.120 the kingdom of self 00:28:01.120 --> 00:28:01.720 that you've got 00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:02.560 here in your hands, 00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:03.759 is it worth it 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:05.380 to gain the kingdom 00:28:05.380 --> 00:28:05.800 of heaven? 00:28:07.820 --> 00:28:08.640 Is there anything 00:28:08.640 --> 00:28:09.320 that you're tempted 00:28:09.320 --> 00:28:10.600 in these hands 00:28:10.600 --> 00:28:11.060 of yours 00:28:11.060 --> 00:28:11.700 to say, 00:28:11.779 --> 00:28:12.240 no, 00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:12.600 no, 00:28:12.600 --> 00:28:13.080 not that. 00:28:14.600 --> 00:28:16.140 That's worth more 00:28:16.140 --> 00:28:16.940 to me than the kingdom 00:28:16.940 --> 00:28:17.279 is. 00:28:18.320 --> 00:28:19.279 Listen to what Jesus 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:19.660 is saying. 00:28:19.720 --> 00:28:20.080 He's saying, 00:28:20.320 --> 00:28:20.940 lay it all down. 00:28:20.940 --> 00:28:23.200 If I could use a quote 00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:24.360 that just never gets tired, 00:28:25.600 --> 00:28:26.420 Jim Elliott said, 00:28:26.559 --> 00:28:27.519 he is no fool 00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:29.259 who gives what he cannot 00:28:29.259 --> 00:28:29.740 keep. 00:28:30.380 --> 00:28:31.960 That's the kingdom 00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:32.500 of self. 00:28:33.360 --> 00:28:34.059 To gain 00:28:34.059 --> 00:28:36.000 what he cannot lose, 00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:36.700 that's the kingdom 00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:37.080 of heaven. 00:28:37.079 --> 00:28:40.439 If you're saying 00:28:40.439 --> 00:28:40.899 that the kingdom 00:28:40.899 --> 00:28:42.059 isn't worth losing this, 00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:43.059 then Jesus is gently 00:28:43.059 --> 00:28:44.139 but firmly telling you 00:28:44.139 --> 00:28:44.839 in these parables, 00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:45.759 you're wrong. 00:28:46.339 --> 00:28:46.859 It is. 00:28:47.779 --> 00:28:48.339 Trust him. 00:28:49.159 --> 00:28:49.980 As Andrew Peterson, 00:28:50.319 --> 00:28:50.859 songwriter, 00:28:51.019 --> 00:28:51.199 said, 00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:52.159 when it's all you have, 00:28:52.379 --> 00:28:53.399 it's all you'll ever need. 00:28:55.839 --> 00:28:56.240 Next, 00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:56.859 I want you to open 00:28:56.859 --> 00:28:57.319 your hood. 00:28:58.819 --> 00:28:59.720 I've opened my hood 00:28:59.720 --> 00:29:01.019 to my car a few times 00:29:01.019 --> 00:29:02.839 to see what's going on 00:29:02.839 --> 00:29:03.139 in there. 00:29:03.619 --> 00:29:04.480 I want us to open 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:05.779 the hood of our lives 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:07.259 and see what's 00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:08.099 driving that. 00:29:08.740 --> 00:29:09.500 What's driving, 00:29:10.599 --> 00:29:11.480 what's the engine 00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:13.440 that's driving our lives? 00:29:14.200 --> 00:29:15.740 Is it affections 00:29:15.740 --> 00:29:17.220 for the kingdom of God, 00:29:17.359 --> 00:29:18.119 the kingdom of heaven, 00:29:18.539 --> 00:29:20.720 or is it affections 00:29:20.720 --> 00:29:22.299 for something else? 00:29:23.180 --> 00:29:24.059 Not to say that things 00:29:24.059 --> 00:29:24.960 of this world aren't good, 00:29:25.059 --> 00:29:25.559 they are, 00:29:25.680 --> 00:29:26.500 that there are good gifts 00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:27.059 from the creator, 00:29:27.180 --> 00:29:27.680 they are, 00:29:28.059 --> 00:29:29.799 but what's driving your life? 00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:31.899 What's the functional 00:29:31.899 --> 00:29:33.079 treasure of your heart? 00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:35.700 Is it the kingdom of self? 00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:37.019 Or is it the kingdom 00:29:37.019 --> 00:29:37.399 of heaven? 00:29:39.599 --> 00:29:41.180 Whose rule are you under? 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:43.119 And how is that 00:29:43.119 --> 00:29:44.480 driving your life? 00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:46.460 So I want us to open 00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:47.119 that hood 00:29:47.119 --> 00:29:47.940 and take some of that 00:29:47.940 --> 00:29:48.539 into consideration. 00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:52.139 Lastly, 00:29:52.960 --> 00:29:53.960 last thing I want us 00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:54.519 to open is, 00:29:55.559 --> 00:29:56.700 if you get it, 00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:57.660 if you see it, 00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:59.059 if you realize 00:29:59.059 --> 00:30:00.399 all I've got here 00:30:00.399 --> 00:30:01.399 is pennies for millions, 00:30:02.559 --> 00:30:03.539 then open your mouth. 00:30:04.759 --> 00:30:05.539 Open your mouth, 00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:07.559 there are many 00:30:07.559 --> 00:30:08.779 who, 00:30:09.980 --> 00:30:10.519 all of us 00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:11.099 were once 00:30:11.099 --> 00:30:12.259 in the dark 00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:13.359 of living for self, 00:30:14.440 --> 00:30:15.920 and Jesus is saying, 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:17.859 go out and tell. 00:30:19.139 --> 00:30:20.279 This kingdom is 00:30:20.279 --> 00:30:23.139 treasure buried in a field. 00:30:23.680 --> 00:30:24.680 It's the finest thing 00:30:24.680 --> 00:30:25.619 you could ever have. 00:30:27.559 --> 00:30:28.599 If you've got treasure, 00:30:28.700 --> 00:30:29.839 your mouth's going to talk about it. 00:30:30.359 --> 00:30:31.419 So open your mouth. 00:30:33.619 --> 00:30:34.299 Let's pray 00:30:34.299 --> 00:30:35.159 and 00:30:35.159 --> 00:30:37.159 let's ask God's help 00:30:37.159 --> 00:30:38.199 to respond well. 00:30:38.200 --> 00:30:43.059 Father, 00:30:43.059 --> 00:30:43.559 thank you 00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:45.039 that you have revealed 00:30:45.039 --> 00:30:46.140 your word to us. 00:30:46.779 --> 00:30:47.400 You've revealed 00:30:47.400 --> 00:30:48.720 your kingdom to us 00:30:48.720 --> 00:30:50.779 through the mouth 00:30:50.779 --> 00:30:51.319 of your son, 00:30:51.420 --> 00:30:52.080 Jesus Christ. 00:30:52.220 --> 00:30:52.600 Thank you, 00:30:52.660 --> 00:30:53.160 King Jesus, 00:30:53.319 --> 00:30:54.039 that you came 00:30:54.039 --> 00:30:55.420 to bring the kingdom 00:30:55.420 --> 00:30:56.140 to us. 00:30:56.980 --> 00:30:57.519 And thank you, 00:30:57.580 --> 00:30:57.740 God, 00:30:57.799 --> 00:30:59.460 that there is nothing 00:30:59.460 --> 00:31:00.559 more valuable 00:31:00.559 --> 00:31:02.980 than your kingdom. 00:31:02.980 --> 00:31:03.980 Father, 00:31:05.099 --> 00:31:05.579 help us 00:31:05.579 --> 00:31:06.299 as a church, 00:31:07.140 --> 00:31:07.640 help us 00:31:07.640 --> 00:31:08.360 as individuals 00:31:08.360 --> 00:31:11.640 to recognize 00:31:11.640 --> 00:31:12.200 that 00:31:12.200 --> 00:31:13.640 it is worth, 00:31:14.519 --> 00:31:14.960 joyfully 00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:15.480 worth 00:31:15.480 --> 00:31:16.740 every cost 00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:18.259 to receive 00:31:18.259 --> 00:31:18.720 the kingdom. 00:31:19.900 --> 00:31:20.400 Father, 00:31:20.500 --> 00:31:20.819 help us 00:31:20.819 --> 00:31:21.339 to live 00:31:21.339 --> 00:31:22.420 for your 00:31:22.420 --> 00:31:23.380 saving reign. 00:31:24.759 --> 00:31:25.400 May that be 00:31:25.400 --> 00:31:25.860 the engine 00:31:25.860 --> 00:31:26.940 that drives our lives, 00:31:27.519 --> 00:31:28.299 may be the treasure 00:31:28.299 --> 00:31:28.900 that our hearts 00:31:28.900 --> 00:31:29.980 so desperately want. 00:31:29.980 --> 00:31:33.240 Father, 00:31:33.319 --> 00:31:33.700 help us 00:31:33.700 --> 00:31:34.440 to give up 00:31:34.440 --> 00:31:35.660 what we cannot keep 00:31:35.660 --> 00:31:37.059 to get what we cannot lose. 00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:39.200 Help us 00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:40.140 to respond in faith 00:31:40.140 --> 00:31:41.140 now by your spirit. 00:31:42.120 --> 00:31:42.420 Help us 00:31:42.420 --> 00:31:43.180 to make decisions 00:31:43.180 --> 00:31:43.860 of obedience 00:31:43.860 --> 00:31:45.660 to respond to this truth. 00:31:46.680 --> 00:31:47.420 We ask it 00:31:47.420 --> 00:31:48.039 in Christ's name. 00:31:48.420 --> 00:31:48.620 Amen.