9th Sunday after Pentecost!
Prayer
Matt. 13:45-46
Introduction
A. If you heard a commercial on T.V. for genuine pearls from the Mediterranean Sea, an exclusive offer, for a limited time and never to be offered again, for only $14.95.
1. It wouldn't take a jeweler to
realize that the
product you would be getting would be far from
genuine pearls.
2. If you didn't know the
difference, you might not
mind.
3. But when the lacquer began to
flake off of these
genuine pearls, chances are, you would know the
difference.
B. We live in a day of imitations: imitation
jewelry,
imitation furs, imitation wood furniture, imitation body parts, imitation websites that are developed to scam you, and yes imitation Christianity, church, and people.
C. The scripture we read this morning reminds us that there is a ONE OF A KIND "pearl," there is no imitation that comes close, and it is worth everything we possess to have this Pearl.
D. What is this Pearl? Let's look into this parable of Jesus and see what we can learn from it this morning.
I. The Parable.
A. Parables were the "life stories"
Christ used to get his message across to the people.
B. He shares the Parable of the Pearl.
1. There was a merchant with many
fine pearls and jewels.
2. But, he is not satisfied because he knows there is this special, unique, unmatched pearl out there somewhere.
3. So all of his life and in all
of his travel he is constantly seeking for this precious
pearl.
4. One day, perhaps unexpectedly, he sees it: the rarest, most exquisite pearl he has ever seen. There is no doubt that finally he has found this one of a kind pearl.
5. Without further thought or
question, he goes out and sells all he has and buys this pearl.
II. The Lessons of the parable.
A. The kingdom of God is the loveliest, most
precious and unique pearl in the world..
1. True, there are many imitations: fakes, rip-off artists, and con-people.
2. But, when the TRUE LOVE OF GOD
is found, it cannot be equaled.
3. It is also true that many times
we as Christians act as if it is something to take for
granted.
4. Sometimes we act as if it is
not important at all.
5. Sometimes we act as if it is a terrible burden to serve God when in reality our service is a means of grace through which we encounter God!
6. Because of the preciousness of
the Love of God, we should never forget that God's love
and forgiveness are never just "a so-so part of
life!"
B. There are other Pearls, but only one PRECIOUS
PEARL.
1. People search in many good ways
to find meaning.
a. Some get educated.
b. Some follow after the arts.
c. Some try to be very athletic.
d. Some try to do many good works.
e. Some try to do nice things for
many people.
2. All of these within themselves
are truly pearls.
They are good things for us to
do. None of these
are bad!
3. But, until we have found the
GREAT AND PRECIOUS
PEARL, we will always feel a
void and a need for the real meaning of life.
C. We must be willing to pay the price.
1. The merchant invested his time
and effort searching; then, he gave all he had to obtain the
Pearl.
2. So many times today, we as Christians are undisciplined.
a. In our commitment to God. Too many times
today, we commit ourselves to
things that we
think will make us happy or
that we feel
others expect of us and God and
Christian
growth come in at the bottom of
the list.
b. In our commitment to the
church.
1) Too many times, we are
spectators and not participators. We enjoy the worship but fail
to see the need to get involved in the other ministries of the church.
2) If our church is to grow and
expand, each of us needs to be willing to do our part to
that no one will be over burdened and so our church can keep making a
positive difference in people=s
lives.
c. In our commitment to share
financially.
1) Sometimes, we do this and never
give of our time and talents. This is admirable, but God
and people need the special touch hat each of us can give. They need our hands,
our feet, and our love.
2) Sometimes, we work in the church and feel that we have done our part and fail to give financially.
3) In the Old Testament, we are told to give a tithe of all that we have. We can still use this as a guideline, but in the New Testament, we are told to give as much as we honestly can, or we're taught 100% commitment. In giving our tithe or as much as we honestly can, we show that we know that God owns it all; our giving is a reflection of our commitment in all parts of our lives.
a) If we throw a $5 in the plate to ease our conscience, then we probably aren=t very committed beyond our Attendance, unless that is truly all we can give.
b) On the other hand, if we are pushing ourselves to give the 10% or more or at least as much as we can right now and we are working on getting our finances in order so that we can better support the Lord=s work, then it is a pretty good indicator that we are making Christ the Lord of all areas of our lives. We are a Christian that God can count on!
3. We as Christians today must
learn that the only
way to ever be happy with Christ is to get
disciplined and do whatever it takes to find the
great pearl. It takes 100% commitment of time,
talents, and finances!
III. What the parable leads us to do.
A. Give ourselves to Christ totally!
1. No "good road
Christians" here.
A missionary (David Livingston) was once asked
(by a missionary society) if he had found a
good road to where he was ministering. They
said, if he had, they would send others to join
him. He replied,
if all they had were people
who would come only if there was a good road,
he didn't want them to come. He needed people
who would come regardless of the condition of
the road.
2. Just so, the church needs
people who are willing to give, care, go, and do whatever it
takes regardless of the circumstances.
B. Also, this parable leads us to be joyful
people at
peace with God, others, and self.
This is the
attitude that shows the true nature of God and makes people want
to come to God.
C. Thirdly, it calls us to examine our lives, all of us, and ask if we want all of God's blessings but are seldom ready to assume our Christian responsibilities.
Conclusion
A. God gave Jesus. God gave love. God gave God's all for
us!
B. On this 9th Sunday after Pentecost
as we examine ourselves
for growth, are we ready to come to God this morning and
not just give an imitation but to give God the real thing:
our lives?
C. As
we encounter Christ at the table this morning, we can
do that!
Prayer
of Confession
Service
of Communion
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