WEBVTT 00:00:00.180 --> 00:00:06.299 Welcome to Ontario Community Church, where we are encouraging, equipping, and engaging lives for Christ. 00:00:06.820 --> 00:00:14.720 I'm Pastor Patrick Daly, and each week I share sermons that balance the grace and love of Jesus Christ with the truth of the Word of God. 00:00:15.380 --> 00:00:21.179 Together, we'll explore Scripture using observation, interpretation, and application. 00:00:21.839 --> 00:00:26.019 This helps us discover practical ways to live out our faith every single day. 00:00:26.539 --> 00:00:29.019 Let's dive in together into God's Word. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.200 Let's open in prayer before we begin our message this morning. 00:00:34.780 --> 00:00:35.980 Will you pray with me? 00:00:37.659 --> 00:00:45.500 Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, the creators of the heavens and the earth, the Maker of all things, 00:00:45.600 --> 00:00:49.879 we come before you today as we are in our current situation and circumstance. 00:00:51.379 --> 00:00:55.740 Father, we pray that today we may learn something new. 00:00:55.740 --> 00:01:04.920 Father, we are privileged to be able to open your Word, to read it, to study it, and to apply it to our very lives. 00:01:05.740 --> 00:01:13.640 We recognize that in this world there's a lot of changes that are going on and a lot of just crazy things that are happening in life. 00:01:13.640 --> 00:01:23.819 And we want to offer all of that to you today so that we can focus our minds and our hearts and everything that we are on you this morning. 00:01:23.819 --> 00:01:32.819 Father, we recognize that there are some verses that can be very challenging and some verses that can be maybe not so challenging. 00:01:32.819 --> 00:01:46.000 And as we open the Word today, we just ask that you bless this time as we open the Word and we recognize that the greatest treasure exists in your Son, Jesus Christ. 00:01:46.000 --> 00:01:52.359 That we are to seek that treasure that exists in your Son. 00:01:53.939 --> 00:01:55.120 Be with us today. 00:01:55.819 --> 00:02:01.359 Help us to know you, grow in you, and be moved to do good in your holy name. 00:02:02.079 --> 00:02:05.539 It is in the name of Jesus that we pray and we all say together, amen. 00:02:05.539 --> 00:02:05.680 Amen. 00:02:08.740 --> 00:02:11.900 X marks the what? 00:02:12.900 --> 00:02:14.159 The spot, right? 00:02:14.159 --> 00:02:20.879 These are words that we can think of as children or many times in movies. 00:02:21.740 --> 00:02:25.139 Raiders of the Lost Ark. 00:02:26.159 --> 00:02:28.579 Treasure Island. 00:02:28.960 --> 00:02:31.199 Treasure Planet for some of you, right? 00:02:32.479 --> 00:02:38.060 Very recently I've been spending some time with my kids and we found a new show. 00:02:38.699 --> 00:02:42.019 It's kind of a cute little family movie, like a coming of age movie. 00:02:42.099 --> 00:02:43.579 I haven't seen a lot of those recently. 00:02:43.580 --> 00:02:46.280 I know growing up had a lot of those kind of movies. 00:02:46.900 --> 00:02:51.060 It's a show that's called The Skeleton Crew and it's a Star Wars show. 00:02:51.120 --> 00:02:53.620 If some of you are nodding your heads and watching it. 00:02:54.100 --> 00:02:57.660 It's a very kind of coming of age. 00:02:57.760 --> 00:02:59.800 It reminds me of like the Goonies. 00:02:59.920 --> 00:03:01.800 It reminds me of kind of a different time period. 00:03:01.800 --> 00:03:10.280 And it's a really good show because it's showing these kids, I'm not going to give too many spoilers, that are on a journey to find treasure. 00:03:10.960 --> 00:03:18.100 It's a common pattern of what we see in a lot of the media, a lot of books that we read, magazines and stories that we have. 00:03:18.680 --> 00:03:23.260 There's something that's really exciting about this pursuit of finding different treasures, right? 00:03:23.259 --> 00:03:30.579 If we think of a treasure like this kind of so-called image here, of a treasure chest, right? 00:03:31.479 --> 00:03:35.599 Nowadays we think of the mystery box and what's inside of it, right? 00:03:35.599 --> 00:03:46.340 Or for some of us, when we get a treasure map or something as children, we want to know what is going to be at the end of this journey. 00:03:47.219 --> 00:03:53.919 We go on a journey as children or we read these stories, we watch these videos about an epic adventure. 00:03:53.919 --> 00:04:08.599 Now, I can think that most of us can think of a story, a book or a movie that has that kind of same premise where people are seeking riches beyond all, you know, right? 00:04:08.639 --> 00:04:11.159 The lost city of Atlantis, right? 00:04:11.179 --> 00:04:16.180 Or the road to El Dorado and, you know, the cities are paved with gold and all these things. 00:04:16.639 --> 00:04:21.839 And it's something that as human beings, people seek riches on earth. 00:04:21.839 --> 00:04:28.560 And we know that in scripture, the Lord speaks so much about treasure. 00:04:29.619 --> 00:04:32.959 But treasure, not in the way that we think of treasure. 00:04:33.519 --> 00:04:36.839 I know for many of us, we'd love to find a pot of gold, right? 00:04:37.399 --> 00:04:45.299 Or we'd love to find that treasure chest on the road and open it and see all the gold coins and the gems and the rubies and all the things. 00:04:45.899 --> 00:04:48.419 It's kind of that, it gets you excited about that. 00:04:48.420 --> 00:04:59.240 We know that in scripture, that it says that we are not to store ourselves treasures on the earth, but treasures in heaven. 00:05:00.120 --> 00:05:01.319 Well, that's challenging. 00:05:01.540 --> 00:05:05.600 And when we hear that, you're like, well, Lord, I mean, have you seen this shiny thing before? 00:05:06.160 --> 00:05:07.480 We think about that. 00:05:07.480 --> 00:05:21.640 But in the same way that we pursue or people get so excited seeking treasures, lost civilizations, or they're going on these exploring the deep sea diving, right? 00:05:21.740 --> 00:05:23.960 I mean, even the Titanic, right? 00:05:24.000 --> 00:05:28.240 The whole premise of that was they're trying to find the, what is it, the jewel? 00:05:29.020 --> 00:05:30.040 Heart of the ocean. 00:05:30.220 --> 00:05:30.640 Thank you. 00:05:31.140 --> 00:05:31.580 Right? 00:05:31.579 --> 00:05:33.259 They're trying to find a jewel. 00:05:33.979 --> 00:05:40.159 And in the same way that people pursue these earthly things, we have got to pursue the treasure. 00:05:40.620 --> 00:05:47.120 The greatest treasure that exists for us as Christians, and we should know that that greatest treasure is in Jesus Christ. 00:05:48.039 --> 00:05:56.060 Knowing that salvation is free and available for all is a great treasure that is not exclusive to one, 00:05:56.060 --> 00:06:01.220 not exclusive to many, but is available for all who believe. 00:06:02.560 --> 00:06:08.120 Now, I don't know about you, but if I find a treasure someday, I'm probably going to post it on Instagram. 00:06:08.660 --> 00:06:13.259 I'm probably going to do a live on TikTok, even though I probably shouldn't because somebody's going to want, 00:06:13.519 --> 00:06:15.040 hey, can you share some of that treasure? 00:06:15.560 --> 00:06:15.720 Right? 00:06:15.720 --> 00:06:23.320 And in the same way, though, when we have matters of salvation, receiving the greatest gift that keeps on giving, 00:06:24.240 --> 00:06:26.880 we've got to share with other people. 00:06:27.120 --> 00:06:27.320 Amen? 00:06:28.280 --> 00:06:30.140 So let's turn to the scriptures today. 00:06:30.240 --> 00:06:32.540 We're going to go to the Gospel of Matthew. 00:06:32.720 --> 00:06:33.720 It's going to be page 974. 00:06:34.480 --> 00:06:36.480 The verse is up here on the screen. 00:06:36.980 --> 00:06:38.720 Matthew chapter 13, verse 44. 00:06:38.720 --> 00:06:47.320 And as many of you know, we've been going over the parables of Christ, these simple truths that have such depth to them. 00:06:48.100 --> 00:06:50.940 They're so easy that a child can read them and understand them. 00:06:51.460 --> 00:06:57.040 But yet there's so much depth that even scholars, biblical scholars, argue and debate about them. 00:06:57.520 --> 00:06:58.440 Now, that's fascinating. 00:06:58.440 --> 00:07:05.180 I mean, if you want to know one thing about the Lord is how he kind of jam packs things into the word. 00:07:05.180 --> 00:07:12.120 And we as Christians get to read, we get to learn about it, we get to grow in our individual faith, 00:07:12.680 --> 00:07:17.100 grow as a church, grow as a community, and continue to be transformed. 00:07:17.340 --> 00:07:23.639 I mean, let us remember when we come to the Lord in faith and we're saved by grace, it's not the end. 00:07:23.800 --> 00:07:27.360 It's actually the beginning of our new life and continued transformation. 00:07:29.079 --> 00:07:30.980 And so are we all there? 00:07:31.480 --> 00:07:33.920 Gospel of Matthew chapter 13, verse 44. 00:07:35.180 --> 00:07:40.660 You can use your Bible of choice or your ESVP Bible, these handy dandy blue ones here. 00:07:42.500 --> 00:07:47.560 So we'll read it and we'll kind of explore what's going on in the context and we'll just go from there. 00:07:48.180 --> 00:07:50.960 So it's known as the parable of the hidden treasure. 00:07:52.620 --> 00:07:56.160 So Jesus is saying the kingdom of heaven is like what? 00:07:56.160 --> 00:07:59.900 Treasure hidden where? 00:08:00.640 --> 00:08:04.439 In a field which a man found and covered up. 00:08:04.520 --> 00:08:05.939 Well, that's kind of interesting. 00:08:06.100 --> 00:08:06.900 He covers that up. 00:08:06.980 --> 00:08:07.900 We'll get into that. 00:08:08.300 --> 00:08:08.440 All right. 00:08:08.460 --> 00:08:10.860 That's why we have the title of this hidden, found and covered. 00:08:11.000 --> 00:08:11.200 Right. 00:08:11.260 --> 00:08:14.200 Sounds like an insurance policy, but, you know, it's OK. 00:08:15.160 --> 00:08:15.520 Right. 00:08:17.120 --> 00:08:18.240 That wasn't intentional. 00:08:18.379 --> 00:08:19.980 That was just taking straight from the scripture. 00:08:20.200 --> 00:08:20.400 Right. 00:08:20.399 --> 00:08:20.479 Right. 00:08:22.139 --> 00:08:23.319 And then it goes on. 00:08:23.639 --> 00:08:25.419 Then in his joy, he goes. 00:08:25.539 --> 00:08:26.199 And what does he do? 00:08:27.319 --> 00:08:30.479 He sells all that he has and buys that field. 00:08:30.599 --> 00:08:36.539 I mean, you got to talk about an incredible treasure to be able to sell everything for this. 00:08:36.539 --> 00:08:39.339 What we can see in this. 00:08:39.419 --> 00:08:39.639 Right. 00:08:40.500 --> 00:08:45.480 We'll notice in the scripture, if you turn one page prior. 00:08:46.779 --> 00:08:50.219 We'll notice that we had the parable of the weeds. 00:08:50.480 --> 00:08:50.699 Right. 00:08:51.059 --> 00:08:55.079 The wheat and the tares or the wheat and the weeds. 00:08:55.860 --> 00:08:57.099 And we were learning. 00:08:57.319 --> 00:09:00.019 So this kind of helps set the scene of what's going on. 00:09:00.019 --> 00:09:08.039 Previously, we were talking about how the weeds represent sin and the wheat represents purity transformation. 00:09:09.299 --> 00:09:15.559 And we noticed in previous parables that when soil has a bunch of weeds in it, it's a representation of sin. 00:09:16.259 --> 00:09:20.919 And unfortunately, it gets it hits home when I call you a weed. 00:09:21.159 --> 00:09:21.639 Right. 00:09:21.799 --> 00:09:23.519 Or someone calls you a weed. 00:09:24.199 --> 00:09:27.659 Well, you got to be transformed going from a weed to wheat. 00:09:27.659 --> 00:09:32.379 It's being transformed, going from the former things into the new things of Christ. 00:09:32.959 --> 00:09:33.120 Okay. 00:09:33.159 --> 00:09:34.399 So that helps us understand. 00:09:34.519 --> 00:09:38.559 In fact, Christ explains to his disciples what exactly that means. 00:09:38.679 --> 00:09:39.639 And so, okay. 00:09:40.159 --> 00:09:45.980 We are seeing then that we have the parable of the weeds and the wheat. 00:09:46.559 --> 00:09:49.259 And then it's going on into the hidden treasure. 00:09:50.039 --> 00:09:56.620 If you look even further then, the parable of the pearl of great value, which we'll do next week. 00:09:56.620 --> 00:09:59.279 But we'll see that it's very similar. 00:09:59.480 --> 00:09:59.560 Right. 00:09:59.620 --> 00:10:07.560 The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls who, finding the one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:15.940 And so there's kind of this pattern that's going on here, realizing that the wheat is of great value. 00:10:16.259 --> 00:10:16.740 Right. 00:10:16.740 --> 00:10:19.159 The treasure is of great value. 00:10:19.279 --> 00:10:22.399 And then further on, the pearl is of great value. 00:10:22.500 --> 00:10:24.460 So that helps us kind of set the scene. 00:10:24.580 --> 00:10:24.759 Okay. 00:10:26.120 --> 00:10:28.320 These are, there's a pattern that's going on. 00:10:28.399 --> 00:10:31.639 Why, Lord, are you repeating this going on? 00:10:31.680 --> 00:10:35.480 And I mean, even when you go further into the parable of the net, we won't even go into that yet. 00:10:35.480 --> 00:10:40.539 But it's the same kind of thing where there's the seeking and there's the finding. 00:10:41.440 --> 00:10:43.700 We find that a lot in scripture. 00:10:44.820 --> 00:10:51.860 And so Jesus is telling this short but powerful parable about discovering hidden treasure. 00:10:52.200 --> 00:10:52.659 Right. 00:10:52.740 --> 00:10:53.879 So what can we observe? 00:10:53.980 --> 00:10:55.139 Let's go to that next slide. 00:10:55.259 --> 00:10:55.440 Right. 00:10:55.440 --> 00:11:04.360 So the treasure, we know right off the bat, is it out in the open or is it hidden? 00:11:04.700 --> 00:11:04.820 Right. 00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:05.940 So it's hidden. 00:11:06.820 --> 00:11:08.240 Then we have the field. 00:11:09.140 --> 00:11:16.140 We have the man who is, he's finding, he finds it and he covers it. 00:11:16.180 --> 00:11:17.580 Now that's kind of an interesting image. 00:11:17.580 --> 00:11:25.879 It's almost as though when you think of someone who's, maybe they find a diamond and they kind of cover it up, you know, back in the ground a little bit. 00:11:25.920 --> 00:11:28.160 Or they cover it up and they wrap it up kind of thing. 00:11:28.200 --> 00:11:30.400 That kind of imagery that we can think of. 00:11:31.080 --> 00:11:45.820 And we see in here that just like previous parables, when it's saying a man, we can think of first and foremost that that is a representation of God. 00:11:46.960 --> 00:11:47.520 Right. 00:11:47.580 --> 00:11:48.379 We have that. 00:11:48.840 --> 00:11:52.720 We have the treasure representing the kingdom of God and God's people. 00:11:52.820 --> 00:11:54.300 This all makes sense in just a moment. 00:11:54.500 --> 00:11:54.660 Okay. 00:11:55.740 --> 00:12:05.100 The field, as we've talked about previously, the sower scattering seeds into the field, representing the world, but can also represent our heart. 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:11.100 And then the man's action found, covered and sold everything to buy the field. 00:12:11.620 --> 00:12:12.259 All right. 00:12:12.759 --> 00:12:16.060 So it's like we have two layers of this that's going on. 00:12:16.059 --> 00:12:20.699 What exactly, where are you getting at with this in it? 00:12:20.700 --> 00:12:25.560 So think of the connection with the other parables and then you'll get it. 00:12:25.559 --> 00:12:28.159 So the sower, right? 00:12:28.559 --> 00:12:34.119 The man was planting the seeds of the word into the field, representing the world in our hearts. 00:12:34.119 --> 00:12:34.359 Right. 00:12:34.379 --> 00:12:34.959 We know that. 00:12:34.960 --> 00:12:40.519 The merchant later on is searching for fine pearls and giving up everything for it. 00:12:40.519 --> 00:12:44.699 And the man in this parable finds hidden treasure. 00:12:44.700 --> 00:12:46.200 It is of great value. 00:12:46.200 --> 00:12:52.280 So much so that he's going to cover it and he's going to sell everything for it. 00:12:53.440 --> 00:12:55.440 Now, there's two. 00:12:55.520 --> 00:12:56.480 Let's go to that next slide. 00:12:56.560 --> 00:12:58.240 There's two ways that we can look at it. 00:12:58.240 --> 00:13:03.879 And this is what's really powerful about parables is that it's kind of mirrors. 00:13:04.700 --> 00:13:07.879 Sometimes you've got to look at it at layers of different perspectives. 00:13:09.080 --> 00:13:16.440 So here's a kind of simpler way of looking at this is that number one, God seeks his people and redeems them. 00:13:16.440 --> 00:13:29.200 There are some scholars that have that say that the treasure is a representation of the Jewish people and eventually how through that. 00:13:29.960 --> 00:13:36.680 The man sells everything, gives up everything, making salvation available to everyone. 00:13:37.180 --> 00:13:42.460 We can also look at this at how God sees us nowadays, right? 00:13:42.460 --> 00:13:48.100 The Gentiles and the Jews and how Christ was sacrificed, right? 00:13:48.139 --> 00:13:54.780 When God is selling everything, isn't it interesting that scripture says that Jesus paid it all? 00:13:55.980 --> 00:13:56.580 Do you get it? 00:13:57.600 --> 00:14:01.139 So selling everything, so to speak, right? 00:14:01.340 --> 00:14:03.840 Seeks his people and redeems them. 00:14:04.700 --> 00:14:10.780 So that's interesting because when we see the treasure being in the field representing the world, 00:14:10.779 --> 00:14:16.879 those that come to know the Lord are of great value to God. 00:14:17.419 --> 00:14:18.620 Does that make sense? 00:14:19.240 --> 00:14:20.120 Do you see that? 00:14:20.199 --> 00:14:21.279 That's one layer. 00:14:22.199 --> 00:14:29.220 And then the other one, it's just like how we talked about the parable of the lost coin, right? 00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:31.399 And I'll get into that in just a second. 00:14:31.399 --> 00:14:42.139 Well, we can learn that in the same way that we, if we're going out into the world, we must find the greatest treasure. 00:14:42.860 --> 00:14:45.480 And that salvation that is freely available. 00:14:47.699 --> 00:14:51.559 Believing in Christ, offering, getting rid of everything. 00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:54.319 Am I talking about selling all of your assets right now? 00:14:54.320 --> 00:14:57.680 I'm talking about getting rid of the former life. 00:14:58.660 --> 00:15:00.260 Dedicating your life to the Lord. 00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:01.540 Right? 00:15:01.980 --> 00:15:07.280 Because when we believe in Christ, we are getting rid of the former things and putting on the new self, 00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:09.800 being transformed by the renewal of our minds. 00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:12.460 It is spiritual transformation that happens. 00:15:12.960 --> 00:15:18.760 And so it is seeking the treasure and responding to the Lord. 00:15:18.759 --> 00:15:30.799 Now, there's other ways that people have looked at this, but this seems to be the most consistent with the other parables and the most consistent with Scripture. 00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:33.159 And it's beautiful imagery then. 00:15:33.919 --> 00:15:44.659 Just like when I was mentioning the parable of the lost coin, how the woman was sweeping through the dirt to find the coin. 00:15:44.659 --> 00:15:50.600 And in the same way, we must diligently search for that which is valuable. 00:15:51.399 --> 00:16:05.539 So they kind of piggyback off of each other, but it's explained in a different way to help us understand that which is simple, that which is true, that which is very deep and profound in our lives. 00:16:06.639 --> 00:16:07.500 It's wild. 00:16:07.500 --> 00:16:17.879 You think of this, you read this on the surface then, and you're thinking, okay, well, I want to think about this. 00:16:18.899 --> 00:16:24.500 You imagine for a moment if you're going about your day and you find a treasure. 00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:27.279 Maybe the treasure is too heavy. 00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:28.379 You can't put it in your car. 00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:30.600 You have to kind of cover it and hide it for a little bit. 00:16:31.340 --> 00:16:33.940 The covering is also a very interesting thing. 00:16:33.940 --> 00:16:41.260 Just like how the Lord covers all of our sins, right? 00:16:41.800 --> 00:16:50.840 Or just like how we must treasure, right, our salvation, knowing that it is covered. 00:16:52.360 --> 00:16:54.000 It's fascinating, isn't it? 00:16:54.040 --> 00:17:00.940 And it's just kind of such a simple parable here, but yet there's so many implications of that. 00:17:00.940 --> 00:17:08.440 So both of these views work, that God seeks us, and that we as human beings must respond to his call. 00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:11.380 This is just a different way of looking at it. 00:17:11.500 --> 00:17:23.600 And what I like about this is how we think culturally in our everyday world how much literature, media, stories are found about people seeking treasure. 00:17:23.599 --> 00:17:32.399 What wonderful way that you can identify and talk with someone about you're seeking earthly treasures. 00:17:32.939 --> 00:17:36.419 How about you seek the greatest treasure that's offered to you? 00:17:37.159 --> 00:17:44.059 Why not share this story with someone who loves the great myths and the great stories throughout different cultures and whatnot? 00:17:44.159 --> 00:17:46.740 That'd be a great way to relate to someone. 00:17:46.740 --> 00:17:56.960 The kingdom is life-changing for those that recognize his worth, and God is actively searching for his people. 00:17:57.620 --> 00:17:59.660 Are you going to respond? 00:18:00.519 --> 00:18:05.839 And in this, then, we go to the next slide, then, is, well, then how can I apply this? 00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:11.980 How can I respond to this, live this out in my everyday life? 00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:21.059 Because I want you to think that here at Ontario Community Church, there are a lot of people here from many different backgrounds, 00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:25.819 different denominational upbringings, different cultural backgrounds. 00:18:26.299 --> 00:18:29.079 We all come together united in Christ. 00:18:29.079 --> 00:18:37.220 And these applications might speak to you, and I hope that at least one of them does. 00:18:38.220 --> 00:18:40.859 The first one is, these are questions. 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:43.539 Have you found the treasure? 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:48.139 Are you seeking in the right area? 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:54.059 Are you seeking in the pleasures of this world, but you find nothing but emptiness? 00:18:54.059 --> 00:18:54.299 Yes. 00:18:55.399 --> 00:18:59.399 Those that are addicted to many, many different things. 00:19:01.139 --> 00:19:05.960 Or maybe those people that feel like there's something that's missing in their life. 00:19:07.099 --> 00:19:13.019 They said, no matter how many women or how much money or how much fame and notoriety, I still feel empty inside. 00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:17.940 You would think that if money is the greatest fulfillment, everyone would be rich. 00:19:17.940 --> 00:19:28.039 But yet, celebrities and wealthy people, not all of them, but there are those that feel empty. 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:31.340 Or those that are so famous, right? 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:39.320 They've got the best looks, you know, magazine covers or whatever it is, but yet there's still that emptiness inside of them. 00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:42.600 Seeking in the wrong area. 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:45.820 So ask yourself, have you found the treasure? 00:19:45.819 --> 00:19:52.720 If you haven't, let this be a call for you to seek the greatest treasure. 00:19:54.139 --> 00:20:01.579 Seeking salvation that Jesus has fulfilled, made available for all. 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:07.700 And like I said, it's not like having one gold coin and that's it. 00:20:08.179 --> 00:20:12.200 Or a thousand gold coins and only so many people can have it. 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:15.600 But this is the gift that keeps on giving. 00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:20.819 And so it's a call for us to recognize the kingdom's worth, right? 00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:26.660 What's fascinating about this parable is, well, how long was the treasure there? 00:20:27.080 --> 00:20:27.779 We don't know. 00:20:28.460 --> 00:20:29.720 It's a good question, right? 00:20:30.340 --> 00:20:32.180 And for us, the treasure is there. 00:20:32.580 --> 00:20:34.600 You just have to seek and find it. 00:20:34.599 --> 00:20:43.980 And it also reminds us to think that faith is not about earning, but is about receiving what's already been given. 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:47.480 Let that be a call for you to receive in salvation. 00:20:48.419 --> 00:20:51.279 So are you searching in the wrong places? 00:20:51.399 --> 00:20:53.000 Only you can answer that question. 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:56.639 The second thing then is, are you ready to respond? 00:20:56.640 --> 00:21:04.360 Maybe, just maybe, maybe you need to respond. 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:05.920 Maybe you know the treasure's there. 00:21:08.100 --> 00:21:10.540 But maybe you haven't made that decision yet. 00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:21.080 For some people, you know, there's a lot of people that I have met who, for one reason or another, life just happens. 00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:23.200 That happened to all of us, though. 00:21:23.340 --> 00:21:24.220 Let's be honest here. 00:21:24.220 --> 00:21:26.019 Life happens. 00:21:26.920 --> 00:21:27.960 Situations happen. 00:21:28.100 --> 00:21:29.160 People get sick. 00:21:29.339 --> 00:21:30.819 Work gets overbearing. 00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:31.400 And children? 00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:34.799 I love my children, but they can be overbearing at times. 00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:35.680 Right? 00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:38.039 Life happens. 00:21:39.180 --> 00:21:42.220 Sometimes we get hurt by our bosses. 00:21:43.059 --> 00:21:45.400 Sometimes we even get hurt by other Christians. 00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:49.279 And sometimes we need to respond by just coming back. 00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:53.539 Coming back to the fold and continue being transformed. 00:21:53.539 --> 00:22:00.240 Because, may I remind all of you, our faith is not in man. 00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:04.279 It is in the living God who will never fail you. 00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:11.559 And I can't tell you how many people I've met where man or a person, an individual, has failed them. 00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:13.619 Have we been failed before by people? 00:22:13.659 --> 00:22:14.359 Don't raise your hand. 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:14.619 Right? 00:22:15.420 --> 00:22:16.899 We've been failed by people before. 00:22:16.900 --> 00:22:19.180 If you haven't, then come talk to me later. 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:20.960 I'd love to know how you do it. 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:21.180 Right? 00:22:21.420 --> 00:22:23.240 Or maybe you've failed someone before. 00:22:23.340 --> 00:22:23.500 Right? 00:22:23.560 --> 00:22:24.340 We're imperfect. 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:27.920 But it's understanding that God does not. 00:22:28.620 --> 00:22:31.060 He is always going to be there for us. 00:22:32.200 --> 00:22:34.220 What God offers is very different. 00:22:35.120 --> 00:22:36.380 Everlasting to everlasting. 00:22:36.680 --> 00:22:38.000 God is constant. 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:41.160 Especially in this world, we need something that's constant. 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:41.400 Amen? 00:22:44.400 --> 00:22:45.740 Many walk away. 00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:48.460 Many life just happens. 00:22:50.420 --> 00:22:52.259 But they still long for connection. 00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:55.140 That's what I found in my own experience. 00:22:55.240 --> 00:22:57.299 That people still long for community. 00:22:57.740 --> 00:23:01.240 A place where they can belong and grow together. 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:04.099 That's what it's all about. 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:06.680 Making disciples. 00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:07.920 Building relationships. 00:23:09.720 --> 00:23:11.319 We have to think about that. 00:23:14.079 --> 00:23:16.180 It's about gaining something greater. 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:19.380 Something greater than what the world has to offer. 00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:24.279 And for those of you who maybe haven't responded or you need to be reminded. 00:23:24.920 --> 00:23:29.019 What would a genuine, authentic faith in Christ look like? 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:32.279 Despite what people have done. 00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:35.740 Again, God will never fail you. 00:23:36.639 --> 00:23:37.740 Man certainly will. 00:23:39.099 --> 00:23:40.220 It's just reality. 00:23:40.839 --> 00:23:42.339 That's the life that we live in. 00:23:43.900 --> 00:23:44.480 And then third. 00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:47.879 Are you sharing the treasure? 00:23:49.859 --> 00:23:56.539 Now something that we can think about in terms of receiving the greatest gift is. 00:23:56.539 --> 00:24:02.299 Well, if you find literal gold coins, probably don't post it on TikTok. 00:24:02.579 --> 00:24:04.119 Just word to the wise here. 00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:04.639 Okay? 00:24:05.159 --> 00:24:08.180 Or if you win a brand new car on the Price is Right. 00:24:08.460 --> 00:24:08.639 Right? 00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:10.879 Maybe not. 00:24:11.859 --> 00:24:16.700 But in terms of salvation though, share it with other people. 00:24:16.700 --> 00:24:22.299 Because it's the gift that is available to every single person. 00:24:23.660 --> 00:24:27.460 And it's a call for us to share in that gift with everyone. 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:31.460 Live life knowing that the kingdom is the greatest treasure. 00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:33.640 And what do I mean by that? 00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:39.120 It's just simply that Jesus Christ providing salvation is the greatest gift. 00:24:39.119 --> 00:24:40.939 It's simple. 00:24:41.419 --> 00:24:45.419 Just like this parable is simple, but yet there's so much to it. 00:24:45.839 --> 00:24:49.839 Coming to Christ is just believing his death, burial, and resurrection. 00:24:50.719 --> 00:24:51.939 That's pretty simple. 00:24:52.819 --> 00:24:56.019 Compared to, you know, you've got to learn the languages. 00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:57.739 And you've got to know the prayers. 00:24:57.739 --> 00:25:00.079 And you've got to recite it every single day. 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:03.720 And we say, our faith in Christ is far different. 00:25:04.699 --> 00:25:06.619 And that's the beautiful thing about it. 00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:20.059 And so, if we see this treasure as valuable, it should change how we live our life. 00:25:20.159 --> 00:25:22.480 Think of the man that sold everything, right? 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:27.379 Representing God, sacrificing everything for us through Jesus Christ. 00:25:27.380 --> 00:25:34.760 But also how we sacrifice our former life to put on the new creation. 00:25:35.100 --> 00:25:37.780 To be born again, as it were, right? 00:25:38.380 --> 00:25:43.340 Even when we talk about baptism, representing the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. 00:25:44.280 --> 00:25:50.540 Even when we talk about that, it's representing the old is passing away and the new is here. 00:25:50.539 --> 00:25:58.180 Because God works wonders regarding transformation and doing something new in our lives. 00:25:59.700 --> 00:26:04.099 And so, what do you do with something so valuable? 00:26:04.279 --> 00:26:05.279 You've got to share it. 00:26:06.399 --> 00:26:07.420 The treasure is hidden. 00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:10.720 But once it is found, it changes everything. 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:24.680 My friends, I love this parable because it also points to how something that was hidden, the mystery of Christ, was once revealed to all. 00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:28.980 For the Gentile and the Jew, for everyone to believe. 00:26:29.100 --> 00:26:34.360 And that's part of the echo of what we find in Scripture. 00:26:34.359 --> 00:26:37.159 So, ask yourself this question. 00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:38.619 What is your treasure? 00:26:39.599 --> 00:26:42.019 Do you hold on to the things of this world? 00:26:42.159 --> 00:26:45.159 Do you seek God and the treasure that has been offered? 00:26:46.139 --> 00:26:52.259 And what would it look like to live your life knowing you have the greatest treasure? 00:26:53.740 --> 00:26:55.379 You've got to receive it first. 00:26:56.199 --> 00:26:57.539 And live life accordingly. 00:26:57.539 --> 00:27:09.500 And so, in all of this, let us remember then about this small but this amazing parable of the hidden treasure. 00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:14.099 Knowing that that once is hidden, being revealed. 00:27:15.319 --> 00:27:16.460 Representing God. 00:27:17.259 --> 00:27:19.859 Revealing salvation to all who believe. 00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:20.680 Let's pray together. 00:27:22.399 --> 00:27:26.779 Father, we thank you for this wonderful parable. 00:27:28.359 --> 00:27:36.559 Showing how you loved us so much that you sent your son Jesus Christ and you sacrificed for us. 00:27:38.619 --> 00:27:41.119 We are ever so grateful for that. 00:27:41.599 --> 00:27:46.339 We may not fully understand it, but we know that you've done it for us. 00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:49.079 May we receive that gift. 00:27:49.980 --> 00:27:56.899 And as we look at the other side, the mirror, the echo, the additional layer to this parable. 00:27:56.900 --> 00:28:07.040 May we realize that may we be someone that finds the greatest treasure of knowing Jesus Christ by believing in him. 00:28:08.500 --> 00:28:12.380 Father, you call every single person to this treasure. 00:28:12.380 --> 00:28:29.700 Father, I pray that if there's anyone that hasn't made a decision for Christ, may they receive that treasure. 00:28:30.060 --> 00:28:38.500 If there's someone that's been hurt and maybe just has been away, may they come back to you. 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:43.759 And I also pray for those that have received this treasure. 00:28:43.900 --> 00:28:45.200 May they share it. 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:49.920 What a remarkable and powerful parable we've gone over. 00:28:50.180 --> 00:28:51.480 And just one verse. 00:28:52.819 --> 00:28:54.660 What an amazing God you are. 00:28:54.660 --> 00:29:01.300 As we close, we're going to sing this last song, Father. 00:29:01.420 --> 00:29:07.600 And we just pray that this congregation, this church body, and we'll sing it together. 00:29:08.680 --> 00:29:14.279 That because Jesus lives, we can face tomorrow. 00:29:14.279 --> 00:29:28.039 And Father, we love you, we praise you, we glorify you, we honor you, and we thank you for sending your Son the greatest treasure of all. 00:29:29.039 --> 00:29:32.259 It is in Jesus' name that we pray and we all say together, Amen. 00:29:32.779 --> 00:29:33.299 Amen. 00:29:33.299 --> 00:29:33.480 Amen. 00:29:35.319 --> 00:29:39.019 Thank you for listening for this week's message from Ontario Community Church. 00:29:39.399 --> 00:29:43.819 I pray that you are encouraged and strengthened in your walk with Christ. 00:29:44.379 --> 00:29:49.159 For more sermons and resources, visit OntarioCommunityChurch.org. 00:29:49.399 --> 00:29:54.180 May God bless you as you live out His grace and truth every single day. 00:30:03.299 --> 00:30:04.299 Amen.