WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.240 If you have your Bible with you, please open it up to Matthew chapter 13. 00:00:09.480 --> 00:00:11.400 Matthew chapter 13. 00:00:20.679 --> 00:00:28.160 Wouldn't it be exciting if this week, for whatever reason, you were digging a hole in your backyard 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:39.060 and you found a treasure chest buried in your own yard, long lost treasure that had been 00:00:39.060 --> 00:00:40.380 sitting there for decades. 00:00:40.759 --> 00:00:52.100 You open it up and it's full of gold and jewelry, diamonds, the sum total over a million dollars 00:00:52.100 --> 00:00:52.500 worth. 00:00:53.740 --> 00:00:55.079 How would you be feeling? 00:00:57.039 --> 00:00:58.840 You'd probably be pretty excited. 00:01:00.439 --> 00:01:05.079 We love stories of long lost treasure being found. 00:01:05.939 --> 00:01:10.219 One of my favorites comes from the story of The Count of Monte Cristo. 00:01:10.439 --> 00:01:12.379 It's based off of a book, but I never read the book. 00:01:12.439 --> 00:01:13.140 I saw the movie. 00:01:13.879 --> 00:01:17.900 And I love the moment where the treasure is discovered. 00:01:18.819 --> 00:01:22.700 The main character, he ends up going to jail for a crime that he didn't commit. 00:01:22.700 --> 00:01:27.260 And while he's in jail, there's an old man there who tells him about a treasure on the 00:01:27.260 --> 00:01:29.240 island of Monte Cristo. 00:01:29.240 --> 00:01:30.740 And he tells him how to find it. 00:01:31.100 --> 00:01:35.960 And so when he escapes from prison, he goes to this island and he and his servant, they 00:01:35.960 --> 00:01:39.100 find this hidden cave or cavern. 00:01:39.480 --> 00:01:41.140 And in there, there's this kind of pool. 00:01:41.280 --> 00:01:43.620 And he swims down into the water. 00:01:43.980 --> 00:01:45.920 And he finds a chest. 00:01:45.920 --> 00:01:48.960 And the thing is just packed with gold. 00:01:49.219 --> 00:01:53.439 And it's one of many that are strewn across the floor of this cavern. 00:01:54.079 --> 00:01:57.460 And his servant is just giddy with excitement. 00:01:57.719 --> 00:01:58.540 Like, yes! 00:01:59.280 --> 00:02:00.540 I can't believe this. 00:02:01.879 --> 00:02:03.939 Everything is about to change for us. 00:02:03.939 --> 00:02:08.659 We've loaded up the boat with as much as we can fit. 00:02:08.659 --> 00:02:12.159 And there's about eight more boatloads down there. 00:02:13.199 --> 00:02:15.800 Everything is about to change for us. 00:02:17.259 --> 00:02:20.780 I love stories of finding hidden treasure. 00:02:21.659 --> 00:02:27.800 Jesus used a story of a long lost treasure. 00:02:28.280 --> 00:02:29.620 He told many parables. 00:02:29.939 --> 00:02:36.780 And one of the things that he used as an analogy, as an illustration, is the story of a man finding 00:02:36.780 --> 00:02:37.719 a long lost treasure. 00:02:37.819 --> 00:02:39.400 And we're going to look at that this morning. 00:02:40.680 --> 00:02:47.759 And as we do, may we hear the point that Jesus is making. 00:02:48.879 --> 00:02:55.060 Father in heaven, we don't want to come to your word flippantly or carelessly. 00:02:55.420 --> 00:03:00.620 We know that you have a very important thing to say to each one of us this morning. 00:03:00.620 --> 00:03:07.400 And so we ask that you would give us ears to hear and eyes to see the truth about the kingdom 00:03:07.400 --> 00:03:09.039 of heaven that you want us to see. 00:03:09.900 --> 00:03:11.599 We ask this in Christ's name. 00:03:12.500 --> 00:03:12.840 Amen. 00:03:15.140 --> 00:03:19.180 Verse 44 of Matthew chapter 13. 00:03:19.319 --> 00:03:21.020 This is Jesus teaching. 00:03:21.719 --> 00:03:25.980 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. 00:03:25.979 --> 00:03:30.079 When a man found it, he hid it again. 00:03:30.799 --> 00:03:38.099 And then, in his joy, went and sold all he had and bought that field. 00:03:39.780 --> 00:03:44.319 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 00:03:45.439 --> 00:03:53.979 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. 00:03:53.979 --> 00:04:01.599 These are kind of another two short mini parables of Jesus. 00:04:02.599 --> 00:04:07.959 And again, they come to us without an interpretation like some of the previous ones we've looked at. 00:04:08.239 --> 00:04:12.000 The first is about a man who finds treasure hidden in a field. 00:04:12.359 --> 00:04:16.439 The kingdom of heaven, says Jesus, is like treasure hidden in a field. 00:04:16.439 --> 00:04:21.160 When a man found it, he hid it again. 00:04:22.139 --> 00:04:29.660 And then, in his joy, went and sold all he had and bought that field. 00:04:31.040 --> 00:04:33.639 Can you feel the excitement of this man? 00:04:34.560 --> 00:04:36.060 Maybe he's working in this field. 00:04:36.159 --> 00:04:37.159 We don't know exactly. 00:04:37.579 --> 00:04:39.319 As he stumbles across this. 00:04:40.540 --> 00:04:41.120 Wow. 00:04:41.759 --> 00:04:42.639 A treasure. 00:04:42.639 --> 00:04:47.500 But there's only one catch. 00:04:48.919 --> 00:04:50.180 It's not his field. 00:04:51.120 --> 00:04:55.579 The field doesn't belong to him, and therefore the treasure doesn't belong to him. 00:04:58.060 --> 00:05:04.180 So he figures, if I can get the field, the treasure will be mine. 00:05:04.180 --> 00:05:07.240 But there's another catch. 00:05:07.939 --> 00:05:10.060 He's not a wealthy man. 00:05:10.139 --> 00:05:17.240 He doesn't have a whole bunch of cash just sitting in his bank account that he can use to purchase this field. 00:05:18.139 --> 00:05:22.460 In order to get the treasure, he needs to buy the field. 00:05:23.160 --> 00:05:27.899 And in order to buy the field, he has to sell everything. 00:05:27.899 --> 00:05:31.899 All that he owns, says Jesus. 00:05:32.120 --> 00:05:34.139 Jesus is quite emphatic here. 00:05:35.060 --> 00:05:38.599 He goes and sells everything, as much as he has. 00:05:40.859 --> 00:05:42.179 Is it worth it? 00:05:43.759 --> 00:05:47.719 Is there any hesitation on this man's part? 00:05:47.720 --> 00:05:51.480 Well, there's no indication that he hesitates here. 00:05:52.100 --> 00:05:54.660 In fact, Jesus says, 00:05:56.180 --> 00:06:04.280 From his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys this field. 00:06:04.440 --> 00:06:05.740 From his joy. 00:06:07.260 --> 00:06:11.700 The picture that we get in our minds is of him having an estate sale. 00:06:11.699 --> 00:06:21.800 And the people are coming to his sale and taking away his donkey, his horse, his tools. 00:06:22.620 --> 00:06:23.479 There go the dishes. 00:06:24.300 --> 00:06:25.459 There go the clothes. 00:06:27.139 --> 00:06:29.060 Finally, there goes the house. 00:06:30.180 --> 00:06:32.899 And this man is not sad to see any of it go. 00:06:33.680 --> 00:06:37.560 In his joy, he sells all that he has. 00:06:37.560 --> 00:06:45.819 How can he part with all of his possessions, everything that he has acquired in his life, with joy? 00:06:48.160 --> 00:06:57.220 Because the treasure in the field is worth a hundred times more than everything he has combined. 00:06:57.220 --> 00:07:10.780 There is, in the kingdom of heaven, a treasure to be found that's worth losing everything to gain. 00:07:13.460 --> 00:07:18.120 The second parable that Jesus tells is very similar. 00:07:18.660 --> 00:07:23.760 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 00:07:23.759 --> 00:07:34.579 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything, as much as he had, and bought it. 00:07:38.339 --> 00:07:42.000 This parable is about a traveling man, a merchant. 00:07:43.759 --> 00:07:47.459 Jesus says that he's looking for fine pearls. 00:07:47.620 --> 00:07:50.459 Literally, he's seeking fine pearls. 00:07:51.740 --> 00:07:52.339 Why? 00:07:52.339 --> 00:07:52.399 Why? 00:07:53.759 --> 00:07:57.899 I think we need to kind of get into his head a little bit. 00:07:58.480 --> 00:08:00.060 What is he after? 00:08:00.439 --> 00:08:01.579 What is he looking for? 00:08:03.079 --> 00:08:05.920 Jesus says, fine pearls. 00:08:06.139 --> 00:08:10.620 The word there in the original language is kalos. 00:08:11.740 --> 00:08:12.620 It means beautiful. 00:08:12.759 --> 00:08:14.180 That's why we named our daughter Callie. 00:08:15.819 --> 00:08:16.899 Beautiful pearls. 00:08:17.500 --> 00:08:20.319 He's not just a merchant looking to make a buck. 00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:23.360 He's a connoisseur of pearls. 00:08:23.759 --> 00:08:29.740 He recognizes and appreciates the beauty of real pearls. 00:08:29.860 --> 00:08:37.319 He can tell the difference between those phony plastic things that you get from Claire's and a real pearl. 00:08:37.320 --> 00:08:39.580 He understands all of the metrics. 00:08:39.580 --> 00:08:40.780 He understands all of the metrics. 00:08:40.780 --> 00:08:40.820 He understands all of the metrics. 00:08:40.820 --> 00:08:42.420 Size. 00:08:42.420 --> 00:08:42.440 Size. 00:08:43.100 --> 00:08:43.760 Shape. 00:08:44.000 --> 00:08:45.000 Luster. 00:08:45.420 --> 00:08:46.180 Weight. 00:08:46.179 --> 00:08:46.399 house. 00:08:46.779 --> 00:08:47.359 ました. 00:08:47.359 --> 00:08:49.779 Fire. 00:08:49.779 --> 00:08:53.939 Music. 00:08:53.959 --> 00:08:58.879 ootん ng jauntmic. 00:08:58.879 --> 00:09:02.759 beautiful of pearls are not easy to come by. 00:09:03.360 --> 00:09:05.159 And so he's looking for them. 00:09:05.240 --> 00:09:10.200 He's seeking them, presumably to add to his collection. 00:09:13.259 --> 00:09:18.000 Jesus says he finds one of great value. 00:09:20.419 --> 00:09:21.840 He sees it. 00:09:22.080 --> 00:09:22.940 It's beautiful. 00:09:23.940 --> 00:09:29.040 It's the most beautiful pearl he has ever laid eyes on. 00:09:29.620 --> 00:09:31.220 But there's only one catch. 00:09:32.720 --> 00:09:35.600 It belongs to someone else already. 00:09:37.800 --> 00:09:45.220 So he figures, if I could get that, I'll have to buy it from him. 00:09:46.280 --> 00:09:48.080 But there's the second catch. 00:09:48.080 --> 00:09:55.400 Even though he's probably a wealthier guy, he's probably got a decent collection already, 00:09:56.280 --> 00:10:00.400 this pearl is worth so much. 00:10:01.400 --> 00:10:09.460 He can't afford it unless he sells everything, all that he has, 00:10:09.860 --> 00:10:13.100 and we assume the rest of his pearl collection. 00:10:13.100 --> 00:10:16.560 Is it worth it? 00:10:17.019 --> 00:10:18.040 Does he do it? 00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:19.639 Absolutely. 00:10:21.120 --> 00:10:25.519 He sells everything as much as he has, says Jesus. 00:10:27.659 --> 00:10:31.100 And we assume the rest of his collection. 00:10:32.920 --> 00:10:38.139 And he exchanges it for the one pearl of great value. 00:10:38.879 --> 00:10:39.480 Why? 00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:48.480 Because it is more beautiful and worth more to him than everything that he has 00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:50.360 and the rest of his collection combined. 00:10:53.240 --> 00:10:59.779 There is in the kingdom of God a treasure to be found 00:10:59.779 --> 00:11:05.879 that's worth and beauty far surpasses that of anything else. 00:11:05.879 --> 00:11:13.000 So much so that it's worth giving up and losing everything that we have 00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:15.480 in order to gain it. 00:11:21.179 --> 00:11:22.159 What is the treasure? 00:11:23.340 --> 00:11:25.600 That's probably the question that we're all wondering. 00:11:25.860 --> 00:11:29.539 What is the treasure of the kingdom of heaven? 00:11:29.659 --> 00:11:31.039 We're going to get to that in a moment. 00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:35.319 But before we do, let's take a step back and consider, 00:11:35.699 --> 00:11:38.759 why did Jesus tell these parables in the first place? 00:11:40.079 --> 00:11:41.419 What's his purpose here? 00:11:44.579 --> 00:11:51.459 What kind of response is he trying to get out of the people who hear this? 00:11:51.460 --> 00:12:03.500 Jesus is revealing through this parable that there is a treasure. 00:12:03.660 --> 00:12:08.139 When it comes to the kingdom of heaven, there is a treasure to be found. 00:12:08.840 --> 00:12:10.060 The treasure is real. 00:12:11.680 --> 00:12:17.200 It's not just the stuff of myth or legend or fantasy or ancient prophecy. 00:12:17.200 --> 00:12:19.280 It's real. 00:12:24.160 --> 00:12:28.600 It may look invisible or seem invisible. 00:12:29.020 --> 00:12:31.500 It may not be apparent what it is. 00:12:32.680 --> 00:12:37.920 As we talked last week, the kingdom of heaven has some invisible qualities to it 00:12:37.920 --> 00:12:41.259 with how it starts. 00:12:41.420 --> 00:12:45.160 It becomes the greatest of kingdoms, yet it starts as a little mustard seed 00:12:45.159 --> 00:12:50.759 or a little teaspoon of yeast in a lump of dough. 00:12:53.000 --> 00:12:55.899 The treasure is hidden in a field. 00:12:56.839 --> 00:12:59.360 And it can't be had until it's found. 00:13:01.039 --> 00:13:05.839 This pearl of great value is unknown to the merchant 00:13:05.839 --> 00:13:09.319 until he finds it. 00:13:09.320 --> 00:13:11.160 First, he must find it. 00:13:11.160 --> 00:13:16.160 And then he can try to obtain it. 00:13:21.540 --> 00:13:22.940 The treasure is real. 00:13:25.760 --> 00:13:28.580 That's the first thing Jesus, I think, intends to reveal. 00:13:28.860 --> 00:13:32.600 There is a treasure to be found in the kingdom of heaven. 00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:34.899 Make no mistake about it. 00:13:36.519 --> 00:13:39.639 Can you imagine how the story of the Count of Monte Cristo 00:13:39.639 --> 00:13:42.960 would have gone if he was in the prison 00:13:42.960 --> 00:13:46.000 and the old man told him that there's this great treasure 00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:47.360 on the island of Monte Cristo, 00:13:47.700 --> 00:13:50.300 but instead Edmund didn't believe him? 00:13:51.240 --> 00:13:52.620 Oh, that's a bunch of hooey. 00:13:53.320 --> 00:13:55.220 That's just hopeful, wishful thinking. 00:13:55.440 --> 00:13:57.680 That's all fairy tale and legend and myth. 00:13:57.679 --> 00:14:00.019 Can you imagine what it would have been like 00:14:00.019 --> 00:14:02.059 if he gets out of prison 00:14:02.059 --> 00:14:05.259 and he didn't even go to the island to check? 00:14:07.019 --> 00:14:09.039 He never would have become the Count. 00:14:09.459 --> 00:14:12.239 He would have spent the rest of his days as a poor sailor 00:14:12.239 --> 00:14:16.779 and missed out on the best of what this world had to offer him. 00:14:18.819 --> 00:14:20.799 And so the first question we must ask is, 00:14:21.219 --> 00:14:24.159 what are we going to do with Jesus' words here? 00:14:25.899 --> 00:14:27.240 Do we take him seriously? 00:14:27.679 --> 00:14:33.719 Is there really a treasure to be found in the kingdom of heaven? 00:14:37.819 --> 00:14:43.659 The second thing that we see about why Jesus is telling these parables 00:14:43.659 --> 00:14:46.379 is the value of the treasure. 00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:49.620 The treasure is supremely valuable. 00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:57.019 It's worth giving up everything in order to get it. 00:14:59.460 --> 00:15:01.919 Jesus tells us that there is a treasure. 00:15:02.060 --> 00:15:03.100 The treasure is real. 00:15:03.639 --> 00:15:05.740 The treasure is supremely valuable. 00:15:06.779 --> 00:15:08.840 But he doesn't tell us what it is. 00:15:08.840 --> 00:15:13.000 How come? 00:15:14.879 --> 00:15:18.700 I mean, he says the kingdom of heaven is like this situation. 00:15:18.920 --> 00:15:20.040 Is the kingdom the treasure? 00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:21.740 Is it something in the kingdom? 00:15:22.019 --> 00:15:23.000 What's the treasure? 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:29.340 Why doesn't he include that detail? 00:15:31.700 --> 00:15:38.639 What kind of response is Jesus wanting as he tells this parable? 00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:49.460 What does he expect the people who hear this to do in response to these parables? 00:15:49.460 --> 00:15:54.120 The treasure is real. 00:15:54.220 --> 00:15:56.560 There's a treasure to be found in the kingdom of heaven, 00:15:56.560 --> 00:15:58.940 and it's supremely valuable. 00:15:59.060 --> 00:16:00.639 It's worth losing everything to gain it. 00:16:01.300 --> 00:16:02.360 What should you do? 00:16:02.360 --> 00:16:09.700 Look for it. 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:10.340 Yes. 00:16:11.940 --> 00:16:12.740 Seek it. 00:16:13.300 --> 00:16:14.399 Go find it. 00:16:17.919 --> 00:16:21.539 Get up off the metaphorical couch and go after it. 00:16:21.560 --> 00:16:24.220 I'm not just telling you that there's a treasure to be found 00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:27.100 just as a nice story so that you can say, 00:16:27.720 --> 00:16:29.500 wow, wouldn't that be good if it were true? 00:16:30.259 --> 00:16:32.039 No, the treasure is real. 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:35.060 Go find it. 00:16:36.180 --> 00:16:41.539 Just like the merchant who was seeking fine pearls. 00:16:42.419 --> 00:16:43.139 Get seeking. 00:16:44.300 --> 00:16:48.300 What did Jesus say earlier on the mountainside only six chapters ago? 00:16:49.560 --> 00:16:52.279 Ask, and it will be given to you. 00:16:53.019 --> 00:16:55.659 Seek, and you will find. 00:16:56.759 --> 00:17:00.180 Knock, and the door will be opened to you. 00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:03.819 For whoever asks, receives. 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:06.720 He who seeks, finds. 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:11.399 And to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:19.100 Jesus is saying, the treasure of the kingdom of heaven is real. 00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:21.920 It's worth giving up everything to gain it. 00:17:22.660 --> 00:17:23.720 Go after it. 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:25.300 Seek it. 00:17:26.040 --> 00:17:26.660 Find it. 00:17:26.660 --> 00:17:31.040 So how do we start? 00:17:31.040 --> 00:17:39.580 Well, Jesus says that this is about the kingdom of heaven. 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:41.220 We're talking about the kingdom of heaven. 00:17:42.040 --> 00:17:45.900 He says a lot about the kingdom of heaven, about the kingdom of God. 00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:52.080 And so looking at what he said, that's the place to start. 00:17:52.880 --> 00:17:59.660 The apostles, they add a lot under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to what Jesus taught and said. 00:17:59.660 --> 00:18:09.100 And this right here is the map that leads to the treasure of the kingdom of heaven. 00:18:12.180 --> 00:18:14.100 We've been given the key. 00:18:14.099 --> 00:18:20.299 How will I know when I've found it? 00:18:25.639 --> 00:18:26.419 You'll know. 00:18:28.099 --> 00:18:33.219 You'll know that you've found the treasure when you stop wondering whether you've found it. 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:36.819 Because you know that you've found it. 00:18:36.819 --> 00:18:42.619 You'll know when you look at the treasure. 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:47.559 And you look at your life and everything that you have. 00:18:48.399 --> 00:18:53.220 And if you had to give up one for the other, this is a no-brainer. 00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:59.399 I'd happily give up my life and everything I have to have this. 00:19:01.939 --> 00:19:04.079 That's when you know that you've found it. 00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:11.299 So what is the treasure of the kingdom of heaven? 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:18.179 What is the kingdom of heaven? 00:19:18.839 --> 00:19:20.039 Maybe we should start there. 00:19:20.639 --> 00:19:24.579 We've been talking about that for the last number of weeks through Jesus' parables. 00:19:26.519 --> 00:19:28.539 It's not a geopolitical kingdom. 00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:30.799 Not yet, anyway. 00:19:30.799 --> 00:19:39.000 It's a kingdom that has been in the works, in the making, from generation to generation. 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:43.220 Jesus pointed all the way back to guys like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:47.819 As those who will be present in the kingdom. 00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:52.639 It's a land and a people. 00:19:53.700 --> 00:19:55.079 A promised land. 00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:58.220 Blessed are the meek. 00:19:59.819 --> 00:20:02.559 For they shall inherit the earth. 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:05.439 I will give it to them. 00:20:06.899 --> 00:20:10.579 It's a promised land to a people of promise. 00:20:10.699 --> 00:20:11.799 To a promised people. 00:20:12.019 --> 00:20:14.879 To the sons and daughters of the kingdom. 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:15.000 It's a kingdom. 00:20:16.040 --> 00:20:19.380 It's a thing that's here now and is present. 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:25.220 The people of the kingdom are mixed and interspersed throughout the people of the world. 00:20:25.220 --> 00:20:27.480 As we've seen in the previous parables. 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:30.900 But it's a kingdom that's not fully here yet. 00:20:31.320 --> 00:20:36.400 A kingdom that is coming one day in such gratefulness. 00:20:36.660 --> 00:20:40.880 Where it will be the greatest of kingdoms that this world has ever known. 00:20:40.880 --> 00:20:45.040 A kingdom that endures forever. 00:20:45.280 --> 00:20:48.820 It breaks the cycle of the rise and fall of kingdoms. 00:20:48.820 --> 00:20:51.080 Because it's the one that never will fall. 00:20:52.560 --> 00:20:56.460 It's a kingdom where justice will reign. 00:20:57.160 --> 00:20:59.960 Where there will be no more sin. 00:21:00.080 --> 00:21:02.420 No more rebellion against God. 00:21:03.180 --> 00:21:04.240 Nothing to taint. 00:21:04.420 --> 00:21:05.300 Nothing to corrupt. 00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:12.259 Righteousness and love and joy and peace will be every day. 00:21:12.659 --> 00:21:13.460 Always. 00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:15.200 Forever. 00:21:16.639 --> 00:21:17.859 Every hunger. 00:21:18.139 --> 00:21:18.919 Every thirst. 00:21:19.819 --> 00:21:22.720 Every desire and longing and delight will be met. 00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:25.460 How is all this possible? 00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:31.139 Because it's a kingdom with a great king. 00:21:31.140 --> 00:21:34.540 The son of God. 00:21:35.660 --> 00:21:36.940 The son of man. 00:21:37.580 --> 00:21:39.360 Jesus the king. 00:21:39.700 --> 00:21:41.360 Jesus the Christ. 00:21:42.360 --> 00:21:45.800 And he will reign over this kingdom. 00:21:46.580 --> 00:21:49.380 With righteousness and justice. 00:21:50.280 --> 00:21:55.700 And his citizens will serve him and love him. 00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:57.200 Forever. 00:21:59.200 --> 00:22:00.500 In his kingdom. 00:22:01.140 --> 00:22:03.420 Are you getting a bit of a picture? 00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:06.660 Of what this kingdom is like? 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:08.620 The kingdom of heaven is. 00:22:09.140 --> 00:22:13.100 The treasure about the kingdom of heaven is hard to describe. 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:15.780 Because it's not just one thing. 00:22:16.520 --> 00:22:18.880 It's not just one gold trinket. 00:22:19.460 --> 00:22:23.000 It's not just one chest of gold. 00:22:23.180 --> 00:22:24.360 Not even multiple. 00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:26.460 It's a multifaceted thing. 00:22:26.460 --> 00:22:31.020 There are so many things that are treasures within the kingdom. 00:22:32.140 --> 00:22:34.840 It's like a treasure trove. 00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:37.980 That's full of treasure. 00:22:37.980 --> 00:22:43.380 I like to think of the movie National Treasure. 00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:45.360 I don't know how many of you have seen that. 00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:49.980 But there's that scene in the movie where they finally find the long lost treasure. 00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:54.400 And it's in this structure that has been built underground. 00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:57.580 And as far as the eye can see into this cavern. 00:22:57.579 --> 00:22:59.619 And as wide as your eye can see. 00:22:59.619 --> 00:23:10.000 The whole room is just filled with gold and valuables and famous paintings and works of art and all kinds of treasures. 00:23:10.339 --> 00:23:13.039 And they just stand there when they first see it. 00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:17.399 Like, how do you describe that? 00:23:17.400 --> 00:23:20.940 How do you describe what that treasure is? 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:23.680 Words fail you in that moment. 00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:25.060 You can't. 00:23:26.400 --> 00:23:29.140 I was thinking about this this week. 00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:36.519 How do I put into words what's so good about the treasure of the kingdom of heaven? 00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:46.079 Well, so much of this whole book describes different aspects of the treasure. 00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:49.079 Different treasures within the treasure. 00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:55.359 It would take a lifetime to go through all of that. 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:57.220 And to lay it out. 00:23:57.339 --> 00:24:04.019 So that you see the full picture of the beauty and value of the kingdom of heaven. 00:24:04.619 --> 00:24:06.099 Of the kingdom of God. 00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:12.379 At the very least, the treasure is having the kingdom. 00:24:13.359 --> 00:24:15.359 Belonging to the kingdom. 00:24:16.259 --> 00:24:17.799 That's what this parable is about. 00:24:17.799 --> 00:24:20.319 I mean, yes, the kingdom has intrinsic value. 00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:24.119 Yes, the gold has intrinsic value in the ground. 00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:26.659 The pearl has intrinsic value. 00:24:26.799 --> 00:24:31.119 But this is not a parable about just its intrinsic value. 00:24:31.419 --> 00:24:36.240 This is a parable about seeing the treasure and then obtaining it. 00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:44.740 If the kingdom is the treasure, this is about having the kingdom. 00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:47.299 It's about obtaining it. 00:24:47.299 --> 00:24:51.399 It's about gaining citizenship in the kingdom. 00:24:51.399 --> 00:24:55.240 At the very least, that's what the treasure is. 00:24:55.619 --> 00:24:59.480 But that doesn't even do justice to the value of the treasure. 00:24:59.919 --> 00:25:06.419 Because it doesn't describe how good it is to be a citizen of this kingdom. 00:25:06.420 --> 00:25:20.820 As I said before, this whole book is filled throughout with promises and prophecies and pointers to the goodness of belonging to this kingdom. 00:25:20.820 --> 00:25:22.720 Of having this kingdom. 00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:30.700 And of course, there's not time to look at all that there is. 00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:32.380 And so I just want to go to one place. 00:25:33.120 --> 00:25:38.240 The Apostle Paul, in one of his letters, in his letter to the Philippians, 00:25:38.240 --> 00:25:50.620 He shares a little bit with them about what he is willing to give up in order to gain what he sees as most valuable to him. 00:25:50.619 --> 00:26:00.119 In Philippians chapter 1, verse 21, Paul says this. 00:26:00.119 --> 00:26:30.099 He says, 00:26:30.119 --> 00:26:33.079 Isn't that the same attitude? 00:26:33.079 --> 00:26:40.439 I would happily give up everything, my life, everything I have to be with Christ. 00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:49.680 Paul goes on in his letter in chapter 3, verse 7. 00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:50.840 He says, 00:26:50.840 --> 00:27:00.860 But whatever were gains to me before, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 00:27:01.720 --> 00:27:10.380 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing. 00:27:10.440 --> 00:27:13.900 Christ, Jesus, my Lord. 00:27:15.900 --> 00:27:16.900 There it is. 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:19.820 I would give up everything. 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:23.799 It's all rubbish compared to this. 00:27:24.460 --> 00:27:25.720 Knowing Christ. 00:27:26.400 --> 00:27:28.160 But he doesn't stop there. 00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:47.120 He says, 00:27:47.119 --> 00:27:47.500 He says, 00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:50.199 Not that I have already obtained all this. 00:27:50.359 --> 00:27:51.139 I haven't. 00:27:52.139 --> 00:27:59.539 But I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus has taken hold of me. 00:28:00.959 --> 00:28:02.639 I forget what's behind. 00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:04.519 I press on towards what's ahead. 00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:12.480 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:18.019 There's other people that are enemies of the cross of Christ. 00:28:18.819 --> 00:28:21.519 Their end is destruction, says Paul. 00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:25.960 Their minds are set on earthly things. 00:28:27.319 --> 00:28:30.720 But our citizenship is in heaven. 00:28:32.559 --> 00:28:38.720 And it's from there that we eagerly await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:43.339 who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:50.000 will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. 00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:58.740 According to Paul, what's the treasure of the kingdom? 00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:02.500 It's not just one thing. 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:06.380 He starts with Christ. 00:29:07.400 --> 00:29:08.539 Knowing Christ. 00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:10.240 Gaining Christ. 00:29:10.339 --> 00:29:13.039 And then he moves on to the things that Christ does for us. 00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:17.799 A right standing with God that I never could have got on my own. 00:29:18.380 --> 00:29:20.380 A resurrection from the dead. 00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:23.000 It's a multifaceted treasure. 00:29:23.400 --> 00:29:24.559 Citizenship in the kingdom. 00:29:25.059 --> 00:29:28.019 The chance to live in this kingdom of heaven. 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:31.839 When Christ brings it with him. 00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:39.000 The treasure starts with Jesus. 00:29:39.599 --> 00:29:41.079 And with knowing him. 00:29:41.559 --> 00:29:45.859 But it also includes everything that he is and does. 00:29:46.900 --> 00:29:49.579 For the citizens of the kingdom. 00:29:49.819 --> 00:29:50.900 For his people. 00:29:52.640 --> 00:29:55.240 And this is just the tip of the iceberg. 00:29:57.059 --> 00:29:58.759 Don't take my word for it. 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:01.000 Get in here. 00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:02.519 Search for it. 00:30:02.940 --> 00:30:03.680 Find it. 00:30:04.099 --> 00:30:04.980 For yourself. 00:30:06.019 --> 00:30:09.220 This is just a sampling that we see from Paul. 00:30:09.220 --> 00:30:19.900 We live in a world where people go after all kinds of earthly treasures. 00:30:19.900 --> 00:30:25.780 The question I want to leave you with this morning is. 00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:28.340 Have you found the one treasure? 00:30:30.340 --> 00:30:31.840 The treasure of the kingdom. 00:30:32.840 --> 00:30:37.019 That's worth giving all of that up. 00:30:38.120 --> 00:30:39.360 In order to have. 00:30:39.359 --> 00:30:40.359 Do you know. 00:30:40.359 --> 00:30:43.359 Do you know personally. 00:30:43.359 --> 00:30:43.779 Do you know personally. 00:30:44.779 --> 00:30:47.859 The surpassing beauty. 00:30:48.119 --> 00:30:49.139 And worth. 00:30:49.459 --> 00:30:51.159 Of knowing Christ. 00:30:51.679 --> 00:30:54.099 Such that you would give up everything. 00:30:55.099 --> 00:30:56.359 To have that. 00:30:57.799 --> 00:30:58.899 To belong. 00:30:59.359 --> 00:31:00.139 To him. 00:31:00.679 --> 00:31:02.079 And his kingdom. 00:31:02.079 --> 00:31:07.079 Have you found. 00:31:07.079 --> 00:31:08.480 The treasure. 00:31:11.240 --> 00:31:12.359 If you haven't. 00:31:12.679 --> 00:31:14.000 If you don't feel. 00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:15.199 That you have. 00:31:17.599 --> 00:31:18.119 Seek. 00:31:18.639 --> 00:31:19.740 And you will find. 00:31:20.079 --> 00:31:20.759 Said Jesus. 00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:20.879 Jesus. 00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:24.940 And even if you have. 00:31:24.940 --> 00:31:27.099 Or if you've seen pieces of it. 00:31:27.920 --> 00:31:29.180 And you're there. 00:31:29.400 --> 00:31:29.879 You're saying. 00:31:30.299 --> 00:31:30.680 Yes. 00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:32.180 I will. 00:31:32.680 --> 00:31:33.359 Trade everything. 00:31:34.200 --> 00:31:35.460 Consider what Paul says. 00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:38.579 Not that I have already obtained all this. 00:31:39.420 --> 00:31:40.619 I haven't got. 00:31:40.859 --> 00:31:41.180 It. 00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:41.859 Yet. 00:31:42.640 --> 00:31:43.640 I found it. 00:31:45.000 --> 00:31:46.059 What do I do? 00:31:46.160 --> 00:31:46.980 I press on. 00:31:47.099 --> 00:31:48.200 To take hold. 00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:49.059 Of all of it. 00:31:50.759 --> 00:31:52.460 I keep my eyes. 00:31:52.680 --> 00:31:53.559 Focused on it. 00:31:54.019 --> 00:31:55.160 The kingdom of heaven. 00:31:56.839 --> 00:31:58.299 And I run for it. 00:31:58.460 --> 00:31:59.519 Forgetting what's behind. 00:32:06.559 --> 00:32:07.559 There is. 00:32:08.039 --> 00:32:09.299 In the kingdom of heaven. 00:32:09.960 --> 00:32:10.619 A treasure. 00:32:11.099 --> 00:32:11.759 To be found. 00:32:11.879 --> 00:32:12.440 That's worth. 00:32:12.900 --> 00:32:13.460 Giving up. 00:32:13.859 --> 00:32:14.299 Everything. 00:32:15.879 --> 00:32:16.759 To gain. 00:32:18.859 --> 00:32:19.619 Let's pray. 00:32:20.759 --> 00:32:26.579 Father in heaven. 00:32:27.720 --> 00:32:28.680 We thank you. 00:32:28.740 --> 00:32:29.180 That you. 00:32:29.680 --> 00:32:30.379 Have so kindly. 00:32:30.500 --> 00:32:31.440 And so graciously. 00:32:32.180 --> 00:32:33.539 Pulled back the curtain. 00:32:34.099 --> 00:32:34.819 And told us. 00:32:34.920 --> 00:32:35.980 Of the true. 00:32:36.519 --> 00:32:36.879 Treasure. 00:32:39.559 --> 00:32:40.420 Give us. 00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:41.099 Grace. 00:32:41.539 --> 00:32:42.220 And help. 00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:43.640 And strength. 00:32:44.099 --> 00:32:44.660 To seek. 00:32:44.960 --> 00:32:45.640 And to find. 00:32:45.640 --> 00:32:50.240 We ask that. 00:32:50.800 --> 00:32:51.320 You would. 00:32:51.420 --> 00:32:52.180 Grow our faith. 00:32:52.180 --> 00:32:52.420 Lord. 00:32:52.500 --> 00:32:53.040 There's times. 00:32:53.040 --> 00:32:53.700 Where we admit. 00:32:53.900 --> 00:32:54.140 That we. 00:32:54.460 --> 00:32:55.740 We don't feel that. 00:32:56.240 --> 00:32:57.420 We don't see it. 00:32:57.560 --> 00:32:58.840 The things of this world. 00:32:59.840 --> 00:33:00.320 Seem. 00:33:01.920 --> 00:33:02.820 More beautiful. 00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:07.580 Increase our faith. 00:33:07.660 --> 00:33:07.860 Lord. 00:33:07.859 --> 00:33:07.919 Lord. 00:33:10.199 --> 00:33:11.199 And use us. 00:33:11.339 --> 00:33:11.439 Lord. 00:33:11.559 --> 00:33:11.759 To. 00:33:12.419 --> 00:33:12.899 Increase. 00:33:13.319 --> 00:33:13.659 The faith. 00:33:13.659 --> 00:33:14.119 Of others. 00:33:14.979 --> 00:33:15.979 And to point them. 00:33:16.059 --> 00:33:16.619 Towards. 00:33:17.799 --> 00:33:18.559 Your son. 00:33:19.000 --> 00:33:19.699 And his kingdom. 00:33:21.139 --> 00:33:21.759 We ask this. 00:33:21.899 --> 00:33:22.719 In Jesus name. 00:33:23.639 --> 00:33:23.959 Amen. 00:33:24.019 --> 00:33:24.939 Amen. 00:33:24.939 --> 00:33:25.619 Amen.