WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.140 Good morning, everyone. 00:00:02.960 --> 00:00:07.400 Hope everyone's going okay on this fresh, cold morning. 00:00:08.599 --> 00:00:11.220 Thanks to the Musos too, doing a wonderful job today, 00:00:11.480 --> 00:00:14.759 and to Leigh for the Bible reading and Ian for the kids' talk. 00:00:15.919 --> 00:00:19.640 Now you must be thinking, three verses, this is going to be a short sermon. 00:00:20.740 --> 00:00:21.460 We'll see how we go. 00:00:22.420 --> 00:00:25.679 First, we'll just start by praying together and then we'll get into it, hey? 00:00:26.379 --> 00:00:27.379 So pray with me. 00:00:28.160 --> 00:00:33.659 Father God, yeah, we just come before you, mighty God, holy God, 00:00:34.019 --> 00:00:39.280 thinking today about the ultimate treasure we can have in this world. 00:00:39.939 --> 00:00:43.060 And Father, we just ask today that you would show us our hearts, 00:00:43.439 --> 00:00:46.579 show us what motivates us, show us what we truly long for, 00:00:47.239 --> 00:00:51.420 and Lord, may we never be the same again 00:00:51.420 --> 00:00:55.879 as we hold on to the ultimate treasure in your name. 00:00:55.879 --> 00:00:56.519 Amen. 00:00:57.380 --> 00:00:59.220 Okay. 00:01:00.020 --> 00:01:05.799 Well, I want to start by asking you, what gets you going in the morning? 00:01:06.540 --> 00:01:07.960 What gets you out of bed? 00:01:08.740 --> 00:01:10.060 Is it a good cup of coffee? 00:01:10.859 --> 00:01:11.980 I'm sure that can help. 00:01:12.659 --> 00:01:16.879 Or is it a two or three-year-old of yours jolting you out of your sleep coma? 00:01:17.900 --> 00:01:20.099 It didn't happen to me this morning, it's happened other days. 00:01:20.099 --> 00:01:25.659 Or do you just get out of bed because you've got to get moving for that deadline that's about to happen, 00:01:26.140 --> 00:01:28.099 getting ready for work, whatever that might be? 00:01:29.079 --> 00:01:35.140 Well, today I want to introduce you to two men that never started the day quite the same again 00:01:35.140 --> 00:01:39.759 when something jolted their reality so much it changed them forever. 00:01:39.760 --> 00:01:46.460 These two men make their introduction in two of Jesus' shortest but most powerful parables. 00:01:47.460 --> 00:01:53.820 In the first parable, we have the story of the treasure. 00:01:53.819 --> 00:02:02.059 We find a man who is likely a labourer who stumbles across a hidden treasure beyond all measure hidden in a field. 00:02:02.799 --> 00:02:05.239 And it changes him immediately. 00:02:06.099 --> 00:02:08.979 He doesn't want to lose this life-changing treasure, 00:02:08.979 --> 00:02:14.859 so he goes and sells all he has so he can obtain it, so he can get this wonderful treasure. 00:02:16.060 --> 00:02:19.299 The second story of the pearls is actually nearly identical. 00:02:20.099 --> 00:02:23.239 The difference is we have a merchant, not a labourer. 00:02:23.899 --> 00:02:26.819 The merchant came from better means in those days 00:02:26.819 --> 00:02:32.060 and had more money and more things in his possession. 00:02:32.799 --> 00:02:36.060 And this merchant is already searching for pearls or for treasure. 00:02:36.060 --> 00:02:41.360 And then he too, he comes across this pearl of immense value. 00:02:42.400 --> 00:02:46.080 So the labourer finds the treasure by accident, almost stumbling across it. 00:02:46.080 --> 00:02:50.479 And the other man, the merchant, has been searching possibly his whole life 00:02:50.479 --> 00:02:54.199 and he finds this ultimate treasure in a pearl of great value. 00:02:55.240 --> 00:02:57.599 Both men come to the same conclusion. 00:02:58.300 --> 00:02:58.800 It's this. 00:02:58.939 --> 00:03:05.259 Nothing that they have is anywhere near close to the value of the treasure and the pearl they found. 00:03:05.259 --> 00:03:12.179 So they let go of literally all they have for the treasure that they see of far greater value. 00:03:13.319 --> 00:03:18.739 As we've heard in previous weeks in the sermons on the parables, 00:03:19.560 --> 00:03:23.739 most parables tend to hinge around one key point. 00:03:24.399 --> 00:03:28.699 And Jesus in these brief parables makes this point very clear. 00:03:28.699 --> 00:03:34.379 There is a great treasure beyond anything of value these men have. 00:03:34.919 --> 00:03:37.899 And it's very clear it changes both of them immediately. 00:03:38.219 --> 00:03:39.719 They will never be the same again. 00:03:40.379 --> 00:03:45.620 Their outlook changes to simply want to pursue that treasure that they found that's beyond all comparison. 00:03:46.399 --> 00:03:50.219 So they're never going to wake up quite the same again after finding it. 00:03:50.219 --> 00:03:55.080 So we need to start, I think, by looking at who are these men and what is this treasure? 00:03:55.319 --> 00:03:57.340 What is this treasure of all treasures? 00:03:58.180 --> 00:04:02.680 Unlike some of the previous parables, we aren't given an interpretation to go along with. 00:04:03.520 --> 00:04:07.520 But as it turns out, we have some good company in the Bible trying to find these answers. 00:04:07.680 --> 00:04:13.379 So if you turn with me to Matthew chapter 6, we'll look at some of Jesus' words about treasure. 00:04:13.379 --> 00:04:17.899 So Jesus says this in Matthew chapter 6, 19 to 21, 00:04:18.560 --> 00:04:42.899 So Jesus references treasure as being in heaven in Matthew chapter 6. 00:04:43.379 --> 00:04:51.639 Then, in Matthew 19 and Mark 10, we read of this encounter that Jesus has with a rich young man. 00:04:52.459 --> 00:04:55.800 This man wants to know about how to have eternal life. 00:04:56.759 --> 00:05:01.300 This young man in Jesus' day, he had everything the world could throw at him. 00:05:01.759 --> 00:05:09.600 He had wealth, he had privilege, he had reputation, and he even kept the law to a T, or so he thought, 00:05:10.319 --> 00:05:12.980 but he wasn't sure that was enough. 00:05:13.379 --> 00:05:17.120 He didn't feel certain that he had the greatest treasure of eternal life. 00:05:17.759 --> 00:05:19.620 So he approaches Jesus one day. 00:05:20.639 --> 00:05:24.439 And Jesus, seeing this man, he's filled with compassion for him straight away. 00:05:25.159 --> 00:05:26.740 Jesus actually saw through him. 00:05:26.819 --> 00:05:30.659 He saw his life wasn't as whitewashed and clean as he might make himself look. 00:05:31.319 --> 00:05:35.899 And Jesus challenges him at his heart to give up his possessions. 00:05:35.899 --> 00:05:39.079 This is something he valued above all else. 00:05:39.079 --> 00:05:40.299 And the reason why? 00:05:41.279 --> 00:05:46.639 Again, so this rich young man could have treasure in heaven, and so he could follow Jesus. 00:05:47.560 --> 00:05:50.699 So treasure in heaven comes up again and again throughout the Gospels. 00:05:51.139 --> 00:05:55.299 And I think when we come to the parable of the treasure and the pearl, it's a similar pattern again. 00:05:55.300 --> 00:05:59.960 Again, the meaning behind the treasure of all treasures is eternal life. 00:06:00.460 --> 00:06:10.620 It's about heaven and it's about a future that would look very different to the hostile and rejecting world that the disciples back then would have seen Jesus facing. 00:06:10.620 --> 00:06:15.860 So in a sense, this is the not yet stuff. 00:06:16.019 --> 00:06:16.840 It's the not yet stuff. 00:06:16.920 --> 00:06:22.040 It's things you have to put your trust and faith in that they will happen because they haven't happened yet. 00:06:22.740 --> 00:06:31.720 So just like the labourer who chased the treasure and the pearl hunter, notice that they don't have or they don't possess that treasure just yet. 00:06:32.420 --> 00:06:38.220 When they find it, they understand even though they don't have it, it is worth anything to get it. 00:06:38.220 --> 00:06:44.480 And they are willing to do whatever it takes, even sell all they have. 00:06:45.360 --> 00:06:51.880 Now, we have to be very clear here that gaining eternal life, gaining the treasure of heaven, it can't just be bought. 00:06:52.320 --> 00:06:54.240 It can't just be made in a transaction. 00:06:54.980 --> 00:07:05.880 Jesus in this parable, actually what he's doing is using the idea of selling everything to amplify his point of how important the treasure is and how important that treasure should be to us. 00:07:05.879 --> 00:07:10.060 We simply don't have enough that we can barter with God. 00:07:10.159 --> 00:07:12.079 We can't even say that we'll meet God halfway. 00:07:12.959 --> 00:07:13.959 So it's kind of like this. 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:22.620 It's like you going to Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, and telling him you have a fantastic business deal you want him to consider. 00:07:23.560 --> 00:07:31.800 And when Elon says to you, sure, that's great, I want to hear all about it, you sit down, you look Elon in the eye and you go, Elon, I understand you have an excellent company in Tesla. 00:07:31.800 --> 00:07:33.639 Look, the cars are cool. 00:07:34.160 --> 00:07:36.060 They're electric, they're eco-friendly. 00:07:36.620 --> 00:07:38.139 I mean, it's amazing. 00:07:38.280 --> 00:07:39.579 So here's what I'm willing to do. 00:07:39.939 --> 00:07:46.680 I will trade you everything I own, everything, including my 96 Camry, my house, my car. 00:07:46.780 --> 00:07:48.460 I'll even give you my pet dog and cat. 00:07:49.040 --> 00:07:51.000 And I just want you to give me Tesla in return. 00:07:51.680 --> 00:07:52.460 Thank you very much. 00:07:53.180 --> 00:07:56.379 You know Elon Musk is never going to accept that deal, ever. 00:07:56.379 --> 00:08:01.899 He won't just give his $150 billion company for a house and a car or even a lot more than that. 00:08:02.879 --> 00:08:05.459 Maybe he'll give you Twitter instead, I don't know, but definitely not Tesla. 00:08:06.199 --> 00:08:10.819 The only way you could have Tesla shares is if he gave them to you as a gift. 00:08:11.500 --> 00:08:16.219 So this parable can't be about getting a transactional purchase to happen to get eternal life. 00:08:16.680 --> 00:08:25.399 Otherwise, it totally voids what Jesus did by dying on the cross for us, and it's impossible for us to pay the price for what the treasure is. 00:08:25.399 --> 00:08:31.620 So really, what it's about, it's about a heart that's willing to have eternal life, no matter what. 00:08:31.959 --> 00:08:33.439 A heart that's willing to have it. 00:08:34.840 --> 00:08:38.740 A willing heart for an awesome, eternal reward. 00:08:39.600 --> 00:08:43.159 Now, you would think that would be more than enough to motivate us every day. 00:08:44.120 --> 00:08:45.759 Do you find it that easy, though? 00:08:46.519 --> 00:08:52.340 I mean, do you ever wonder why it's so hard to get out of the bed to live for heaven and for when Jesus comes back next? 00:08:52.340 --> 00:08:56.700 Maybe you're not like me, but that's something I struggle with and wonder about. 00:08:57.780 --> 00:09:03.200 Do you ever find that it's just easy to get caught daydreaming about those things of lesser importance around you? 00:09:04.899 --> 00:09:08.519 What I'm kind of thinking, what I'm kind of wondering is I think as Christians, 00:09:08.680 --> 00:09:13.680 sometimes we try to project our perspective of earth onto a perfect heaven. 00:09:13.980 --> 00:09:15.379 That's how we try to make sense of it. 00:09:15.379 --> 00:09:21.059 I think quietly we sometimes say to ourselves, well, look, if earth is kind of running at 50% 00:09:21.059 --> 00:09:26.120 and I could have a few more possessions, you know, if I can have that mansion that Jesus promised, 00:09:26.759 --> 00:09:30.559 a few less fights with people I love and definitely less sickness. 00:09:31.279 --> 00:09:32.840 We're all sick of being sick at the moment. 00:09:32.960 --> 00:09:34.600 You can hear wheezing and coughing and things. 00:09:35.580 --> 00:09:36.220 And you know what? 00:09:36.460 --> 00:09:37.720 No starving kids. 00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:38.919 Then that would be heaven. 00:09:38.919 --> 00:09:43.479 So then really heaven is earth running at 100%. 00:09:43.479 --> 00:09:50.620 Well, you might be surprised, but the Bible doesn't actually give us many descriptions of what eternal life, 00:09:51.099 --> 00:09:53.939 of what heaven, of what the not yet will be like. 00:09:54.419 --> 00:09:58.120 The Bible does use similes and metaphors and symbols to describe heaven. 00:09:58.939 --> 00:09:59.759 We are told this. 00:09:59.759 --> 00:10:07.779 We're told that no eye has seen, nor heard, nor the heart imagined what God has prepared for those who love him in 1 Corinthians. 00:10:08.679 --> 00:10:12.720 So in other words, we can't fully comprehend exactly what it will be like. 00:10:13.120 --> 00:10:20.460 And perhaps that's why we fall into the trap of trying to superimpose this, you know, perfect earth onto what heaven will be. 00:10:21.360 --> 00:10:27.519 Now, there is some truth there will be similarities, but really it is much, much more than that. 00:10:27.519 --> 00:10:44.799 And the key to unlocking this, I think, of understanding what these parables mean by the greatest treasure being eternal life is this. 00:10:45.679 --> 00:10:49.519 Eternal life is more about a person than a place. 00:10:50.439 --> 00:10:53.279 Eternal life is more about a person than a place. 00:10:53.279 --> 00:11:01.199 John Bunyan, the famous 17th century Puritan, a guy who wrote A Pilgrim's Progress and many other books, he says it like this. 00:11:02.199 --> 00:11:04.159 We do not come to a set of doctrines. 00:11:04.799 --> 00:11:06.240 We do not come to a church. 00:11:06.679 --> 00:11:08.639 We do not even come to the gospel. 00:11:09.659 --> 00:11:11.120 All these are vital. 00:11:12.019 --> 00:11:15.860 But most truly, we come to a person, to Christ himself. 00:11:15.860 --> 00:11:26.680 So I think this is at the heart of what Jesus is driving at with his disciples as he sat with them explaining this picture of the kingdom of heaven with the treasure and the pearl. 00:11:27.100 --> 00:11:28.820 The not yet will be amazing. 00:11:29.060 --> 00:11:30.080 Heaven will be amazing. 00:11:30.279 --> 00:11:31.379 We can't comprehend it. 00:11:32.039 --> 00:11:38.039 But in that moment with the disciples, Jesus presented himself right then and there as the greatest treasure they could have. 00:11:38.560 --> 00:11:43.519 It was the here and now, not just the not yet and in the future. 00:11:43.519 --> 00:11:48.899 It's why Jesus told the rich young ruler to come and follow him to truly find the greatest treasure. 00:11:49.419 --> 00:11:52.879 And it's why Jesus says, I am the way, the truth and the life. 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:55.439 No one comes to the Father except through me. 00:11:56.559 --> 00:12:00.259 Now, you can imagine the encouragement for the disciples hearing this. 00:12:00.699 --> 00:12:04.100 I mean, they watched Jesus experience some incredible rejection. 00:12:04.559 --> 00:12:07.379 He was already hated by the religious elite of that day. 00:12:08.100 --> 00:12:10.179 Jesus didn't fit the mold. 00:12:10.179 --> 00:12:17.879 The kingdom he talked about wasn't what the power brokers, wasn't what the influencers, wasn't what they're wealthy expected or wanted. 00:12:18.539 --> 00:12:25.299 And Jesus' parables before had shown just the nature of the battle around them as many would hear about the kingdom Jesus had come to bring. 00:12:25.799 --> 00:12:26.899 But they would ignore it. 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:28.000 You know, they would twist it. 00:12:28.079 --> 00:12:29.319 They would revolt against it. 00:12:29.320 --> 00:12:41.000 So, to hear Jesus say to the disciples, to hear this message that you have got it, you've got it, you have the treasure and it's me, it must have been a profound moment. 00:12:42.360 --> 00:12:50.680 If you think back to the disciples' own stories in coming to know Jesus, they simply offer a wonderful picture of immediate change. 00:12:50.679 --> 00:12:57.519 Think of John when he said, 00:12:57.519 --> 00:12:59.239 See, the Lamb of God. 00:13:00.319 --> 00:13:04.219 And two of his followers turned and followed Jesus straight away. 00:13:04.579 --> 00:13:06.139 Changed in a moment, just like that. 00:13:06.779 --> 00:13:10.339 They were willing, they believed the Christ had come. 00:13:11.000 --> 00:13:12.419 The light switch had flicked on. 00:13:13.139 --> 00:13:18.779 Or when the disciple Andrew heard from John that they had found the Christ, he immediately turned and followed Jesus. 00:13:18.779 --> 00:13:22.720 The same thing has happened over centuries and millennia since. 00:13:23.100 --> 00:13:27.379 Those who hear God's word and just decide to follow no matter what the cost. 00:13:28.980 --> 00:13:29.819 I think this is it. 00:13:29.980 --> 00:13:31.980 This is what the greatest treasure does to us. 00:13:32.259 --> 00:13:35.439 The greatest person ever known Jesus, he changes people. 00:13:35.539 --> 00:13:37.259 He's in the business of changing people. 00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:39.659 And he changes us from the inside out. 00:13:39.740 --> 00:13:40.799 And today is no different. 00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:45.899 Jesus is still calling and people are still turning from sin and following him. 00:13:45.899 --> 00:13:55.480 So, if Jesus is the greatest treasure we can have right now, why doesn't life seem a bit easier? 00:13:56.539 --> 00:14:01.019 I mean, it seems to be a hostile and crazy world to be living in as a Christian, doesn't it? 00:14:01.579 --> 00:14:04.519 I mean, it's good to know we're going to have a pain-free existence one day in heaven. 00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:06.139 But what about now? 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:12.860 I mean, isn't having family, a few good things, career and health enough for this life to make you happy? 00:14:12.860 --> 00:14:14.779 Why do you need Jesus? 00:14:15.539 --> 00:14:17.820 Some might even say it makes our lives harder. 00:14:18.560 --> 00:14:26.480 We're more likely not to be socially accepted because we say, we act, we do things that are different to what society norm is. 00:14:27.460 --> 00:14:29.519 So, for the Christian life, it isn't easy. 00:14:29.659 --> 00:14:31.860 And Jesus hasn't promised it's going to be easy. 00:14:32.779 --> 00:14:35.840 Even in our church or many churches, there's individual differences. 00:14:36.100 --> 00:14:37.600 We've got people of different backgrounds. 00:14:37.600 --> 00:14:40.720 And we're called to serve and be part of the body. 00:14:40.899 --> 00:14:42.159 We can hurt each other. 00:14:42.960 --> 00:14:44.040 Relationships constrain. 00:14:44.700 --> 00:14:50.040 We struggle with the pull of our natural desires towards selfishness and pride. 00:14:50.200 --> 00:14:57.680 And we battle against Satan who actively tries to undermine the church and each one of us in shining the light of Christ to others. 00:14:57.679 --> 00:15:02.639 I remember going back to visit the church I grew up in one day. 00:15:03.439 --> 00:15:07.979 The church I knew had struggled with conflict and people had been hurt. 00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:10.779 There had been real pain in worshipping together. 00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:14.620 And some people had been even discouraged, disillusioned. 00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:19.539 But I remember vividly this moment where after the service, I sought out the elder. 00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:26.659 He's a man I deeply respected and highly possible I wouldn't be following Christ today if it wasn't because of his influence. 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:32.259 I sat there next to him that day and just said to him, how are you going? 00:15:33.379 --> 00:15:39.519 He just turned to me and he said, quietly and softly, he said, Andrew, I'm learning about fellowship in suffering. 00:15:40.539 --> 00:15:42.799 Andrew, I'm learning about fellowship in suffering. 00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:47.139 And he went on to tell me about living with two Corinthians in mind. 00:15:48.179 --> 00:15:48.979 It was just a moment. 00:15:49.079 --> 00:15:50.279 It like blew my mind. 00:15:50.439 --> 00:15:56.359 Like he was a guy who could tell me about how others had hurt him and how they deeply pained him. 00:15:56.439 --> 00:15:58.000 Or he could even just blame other people. 00:15:58.620 --> 00:16:04.019 But instead, he chose to show humility and his care and love for his brothers and sisters. 00:16:04.899 --> 00:16:08.059 At heart, he cared for others just like Christ loved the church. 00:16:08.059 --> 00:16:23.939 So when we hit big hurdles, when we ask, is it worth the cost, when the Christian walk really hurts, I think we simply need to come back to the person of Jesus to understand more about who he is at heart. 00:16:24.459 --> 00:16:25.919 Just like I learned that day. 00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:37.000 As Jesus actually says, where you put your treasure is of far greater, far greater importance than the circumstances of your life. 00:16:37.939 --> 00:16:46.579 And in fact, Matthew chapter 6 says it actually matters most where you fix the direction of your heart because that is where your treasure is. 00:16:46.580 --> 00:16:49.480 And that's what is going to anchor you in the storms of life. 00:16:50.700 --> 00:17:03.820 So Jesus is really saying here that at our very center, at our very core, from our desires to our passions to what we plan for, even our sense of purpose in this life, it's all driven by our heart. 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:05.759 And we'll find our treasure there. 00:17:06.819 --> 00:17:08.460 So it doesn't matter what happens to you. 00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:10.779 What really matters is where your heart is focused. 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:21.460 If the direction we fix our heart is important, does this mean the direction Jesus fixes his heart and his treasure is also important? 00:17:23.359 --> 00:17:24.079 Absolutely. 00:17:24.619 --> 00:17:25.279 Absolutely. 00:17:25.639 --> 00:17:32.579 Because Jesus calls us out to treasure him, then we need to understand what he treasures. 00:17:32.579 --> 00:17:37.519 To know that we're going to have a sure, a secure, unbreachable trust. 00:17:38.119 --> 00:17:43.599 To be confident that we can step in faith towards him and know he's going to move towards us. 00:17:45.939 --> 00:17:49.419 There's this beautiful insight into Jesus' very heart. 00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:50.619 What he treasures. 00:17:51.119 --> 00:17:52.579 What he came with purpose to do. 00:17:53.099 --> 00:17:56.399 And what engages his very own passions and emotion. 00:17:57.339 --> 00:17:57.919 And here it is. 00:17:57.920 --> 00:18:01.539 So please read with me from Matthew 11. 00:18:02.060 --> 00:18:05.400 Matthew chapter 11, verse 28 to 30. 00:18:06.460 --> 00:18:07.680 It says this. 00:18:09.880 --> 00:18:15.180 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:18.400 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. 00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:23.539 For I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 00:18:24.259 --> 00:18:27.600 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. 00:18:27.920 --> 00:18:36.460 So when Jesus says he is the greatest treasure and you need to come to me, he's saying you can. 00:18:37.380 --> 00:18:40.000 Precisely because of who he is at heart. 00:18:40.900 --> 00:18:45.620 Those who qualify to meet Jesus are those who labor and are heavy laden. 00:18:46.320 --> 00:18:47.620 These are the people he treasures. 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:50.460 These are the ones he dearly, dearly loves. 00:18:50.460 --> 00:18:55.319 We don't need to come and make a payment or try a transaction with Jesus. 00:18:56.039 --> 00:19:01.660 We need to come with a willing, a contrite, and a humble spirit before a holy God. 00:19:01.660 --> 00:19:10.279 As Dane Ortland, who wrote Gentle and Lowly says, these words in Matt 11 from Jesus, 00:19:11.140 --> 00:19:16.860 his very own testimony, his very own heart, and he is showing who he is. 00:19:17.580 --> 00:19:24.580 And who he is, he's tender, he's open, he's accommodating, he's understanding, and he's willing. 00:19:24.579 --> 00:19:34.439 He is there for every weary and discouraged Christian and for every soul who would say they can't make it through this life alone. 00:19:35.699 --> 00:19:37.859 Isn't this the supreme treasure we're looking for? 00:19:39.139 --> 00:19:45.319 I mean, to have someone with the power and authority of Jesus who says, just come to me, rest on me. 00:19:45.319 --> 00:19:49.240 I mean, these words just lighten the soul and our load. 00:19:50.139 --> 00:19:53.519 And more importantly, they have real power when we actually listen and do that. 00:19:53.599 --> 00:19:54.379 We come to Jesus. 00:19:56.439 --> 00:20:03.799 In fact, not only can we simply come to Jesus, we can come with an abundance of joy knowing that he delights in that. 00:20:03.939 --> 00:20:05.619 He delights in us coming to him. 00:20:06.359 --> 00:20:12.779 Just like the treasure hunter in our parable, you can almost see with delight of finding his treasure, 00:20:12.779 --> 00:20:18.559 how he nearly bounds, he nearly leaps immediately to sell everything that he has to get this ultimate prize. 00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:25.319 So when we stop and think about who Jesus is at heart, not just what he's done, 00:20:26.180 --> 00:20:32.200 we can celebrate knowing that he moves towards us in our sin and not away from us. 00:20:32.859 --> 00:20:41.740 We have a king who's the Holy Son of God who moves towards us, touches us, he heals us, he embraces and he forgives us. 00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:46.900 Those who truly least deserve it but yet desire it. 00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:49.940 God's kingdom is good, isn't it? 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:53.559 I mean, we just don't do this enough. 00:20:53.660 --> 00:20:56.680 We don't revel in the beauty of what God has revealed to us. 00:20:58.940 --> 00:21:04.480 And while it's true, it's been revealed to some, it's also true, it's been hidden to others. 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:09.480 And our first parable with the labourer who finds the treasure that's hidden in the field 00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:14.620 is a good example of how the gospel seems to be revealed only to some and not to all. 00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:19.420 I suspect part of the reason we find the kingdom of heaven is hidden to some 00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:24.900 is it's part of our human tendency, our human nature, to find good things 00:21:24.900 --> 00:21:28.480 and turn them into ultimate things for our own satisfaction 00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:32.460 and to the detriment of seeing the best thing in Jesus. 00:21:34.059 --> 00:21:37.319 I don't think, and I'm sure you can share this with me, 00:21:37.360 --> 00:21:41.599 I don't think it's hard to find a number of good things that can soon be prized as most valuable 00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:47.180 but are instead far cheaper substitutes than what's on offer in Jesus. 00:21:48.019 --> 00:21:48.759 Now think about it. 00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:53.400 You've got career, success, reputation, image, all of the above. 00:21:53.400 --> 00:21:58.720 Yet, I think if we ask most of our neighbours who aren't Christians 00:21:58.720 --> 00:22:01.019 what they would say their greatest treasure is, 00:22:01.120 --> 00:22:04.400 I don't think they'd actually rate any of those as their greatest treasure. 00:22:05.300 --> 00:22:09.920 I think they would rate their most valuable treasure as family. 00:22:12.360 --> 00:22:14.620 They would tell you family is most important. 00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:17.759 They'd see it as the Holy Grail, the most important thing. 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:21.220 I need some more water. 00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:31.480 I don't know if you've heard of Dr Bruce Perry. 00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:35.300 He's one of the leading psychiatrists in the world today. 00:22:36.040 --> 00:22:37.340 Brilliant man, brilliant mind. 00:22:37.900 --> 00:22:42.620 But he cuts to the heart, I think, of why family is so important to people today. 00:22:42.620 --> 00:22:43.860 And he says it like this. 00:22:44.620 --> 00:22:44.880 He says, 00:22:44.880 --> 00:23:12.660 So this is why family has such powerful drawstrings. 00:23:12.660 --> 00:23:42.640 He says, 00:23:42.660 --> 00:23:44.900 He actually says to us, 00:23:45.200 --> 00:23:47.600 I'm going to offer you the ultimate family. 00:23:48.620 --> 00:23:51.880 He offers us to be part of his family, part of his kingdom. 00:23:52.940 --> 00:23:58.600 And the head of this family, Jesus, showed his love just for you by dying in your place, 00:23:59.320 --> 00:24:00.279 rescuing your life. 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:05.519 He exchanged his life at great cost and gave us a gift to know him. 00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:13.720 He not only declares us righteous, but he also declares us to be his children, his sons and daughters, 00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:17.839 adopted into his forever spiritual family. 00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:22.179 Now, if you know Jesus, just look to your left and right. 00:24:22.179 --> 00:24:23.439 Look to your left and right. 00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:31.220 You have a spiritual family that extends far greater than these walls throughout many other churches in Newcastle and around the world. 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:38.539 And we can know a love beyond what even our earthly families have given to us because of the very creator of the world. 00:24:38.620 --> 00:24:39.500 He never leaves us. 00:24:39.680 --> 00:24:40.519 God never leaves us. 00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:48.119 He loves us so much that he gave us dignity and value by including us as part of his very own family, 00:24:48.960 --> 00:24:50.279 brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:24:51.059 --> 00:24:55.139 So when we look at this life from the perspective of laying hold of the greatest treasure in Jesus, 00:24:56.139 --> 00:25:00.319 what we've exchanged or given up, it's just put in its place, isn't it? 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:04.179 It's really not a cost or a sacrifice to follow Jesus. 00:25:04.619 --> 00:25:05.799 It's a privilege. 00:25:05.960 --> 00:25:08.319 It's a privilege in knowing Jesus and following him. 00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:14.919 Jim Elliott, the missionary who was killed at the hand of South American natives, 00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:18.220 as he tried to faithfully share the gospel, says it like this. 00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:18.700 He says, 00:25:18.700 --> 00:25:26.700 He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose. 00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:32.860 Just like Jim Elliott, we can run with joy towards what we gain in Jesus as our greatest treasure, 00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:36.480 knowing that we don't need to fear what we lose, even family. 00:25:38.380 --> 00:25:43.519 Now, it's entirely possible you've come to church today, you've heard about Jesus, 00:25:43.860 --> 00:25:48.120 but you've never really considered being willing to follow him. 00:25:49.140 --> 00:25:53.059 I want to ask you today, if that's you, if that's you here today, 00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:59.059 if you are putting your family in the ultimate treasure bucket, like most would, 00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:02.419 I want to ask you, if you believe that so strongly, 00:26:03.079 --> 00:26:08.740 then why not believe in Jesus and the ultimate family he has to offer you through knowing him? 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:13.299 I'm not going to argue our earthly families are great and very valuable, 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:15.039 well, in the right doses. 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:34.059 If you do know Jesus, I mean, isn't it? 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:39.299 It's just incredible, again, to revel in what we have in Jesus, the treasure of all treasures. 00:26:39.299 --> 00:26:44.419 And I just want to leave a story with you to encourage you, if you're here today, you know Christ. 00:26:45.279 --> 00:26:51.139 You may have heard of Corrie ten Boom, a Christian living in Holland during World War II. 00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:57.159 Her family is quite well known because they decided to try and save as many Jews as possible, 00:26:57.559 --> 00:27:01.619 and they tried to save them by hiding them in their house, 00:27:02.139 --> 00:27:04.480 because the Germans occupied Holland at that time. 00:27:04.480 --> 00:27:09.700 So, young Corrie ten Boom, though, she knew it was only a matter of time 00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:12.019 before they were going to get taken to a camp by the Germans. 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:13.599 She knew they were going to get found out. 00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:19.860 So, before this day happened, she packed a bag with some of her most precious belongings, 00:27:20.380 --> 00:27:24.860 a Bible, warm clothes, paper, pen, toothbrush, medications. 00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:29.480 It wasn't much, but it would be invaluable when she was imprisoned. 00:27:30.680 --> 00:27:31.819 So, the day came. 00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:34.059 The German soldiers made their raid. 00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:35.960 They burst into the house. 00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:42.259 And as it turned out, Corrie had an extremely difficult decision to make that day, 00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:45.920 because she realised when the Germans busted in, when they came in, 00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:49.259 she'd left her bag in front of the hiding place, 00:27:50.120 --> 00:27:54.299 a small panel that would give away where the Jews are hiding in their house. 00:27:54.860 --> 00:27:56.759 So, if she took her bag of small comforts, 00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:59.019 she'd risk exposing all the Jews hiding with her. 00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:02.779 What did she do in that moment? 00:28:02.779 --> 00:28:05.480 In that moment, she left the bag. 00:28:05.700 --> 00:28:06.460 She left it behind. 00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:12.059 She esteemed the value and life of her Jewish brothers and sisters as far greater 00:28:12.059 --> 00:28:17.599 than the small bag, the prison bag that would keep her comfortable in prison. 00:28:17.599 --> 00:28:23.119 I think this is an amazing picture of how we can hold on to our own prison bags, 00:28:23.480 --> 00:28:27.039 our own safety blankets, our own cheap treasures in this life, 00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:30.299 when we have the ultimate treasure right in front of us. 00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:35.019 I don't know what those prison bags are or those safety blankets are for you today. 00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:35.919 You know that. 00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:40.720 But I do know that God wants you to know the greatest treasure is in him, 00:28:40.899 --> 00:28:44.339 and it's totally worth the price of whatever you need to let go of. 00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:46.700 So, if you're a Christian here today, 00:28:47.180 --> 00:28:52.119 keep moving ahead in full confidence of the treasure you've laid your hope in. 00:28:52.119 --> 00:28:55.539 Leave your prison bags and safety blankets behind 00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:59.239 and press ahead for the joy set before you in meeting Jesus 00:28:59.239 --> 00:29:00.819 so you can hear him say, 00:29:01.379 --> 00:29:03.699 Well done, my good and faithful servant. 00:29:03.700 --> 00:29:04.000 Amen. 00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:04.100 Amen.