The Hidden Treasure!

 8^th Sunday after Pentecost!

 

Introduction:  Things of interest about the book of Matthew.

 

     A.   It is believed to be the second gospel written.

          1.   Mark being the first!

          2.   Matthew having Mark as a source, so most of what is

in Mark is also in Matthew with some added!

 

     B.   It was written by Matthew who was a tax collector and

          also a disciple of Jesus.

 

     C.   Being accustomed to bookkeeping it may be that he kept           notes on the works of Jesus.  It seems he gave a more

          detailed account of the Sermon on the Mount and the              teachings of Jesus.

 

     D.   It is arranged topically thus chap. 13 is concerned

          with parables; Matthew is not writing Chronologically!

 

     E.   The chief purpose for which Matthew wrote his gospel

          was to convince the Jewish people that Jesus was the

          Messiah predicted int their scriptures.

 

     F.   Thus he speaks a lot about the kingship of Jesus and

          his kingdom!

     Trans.

          Let's look this morning at one of these parables about           the Kingdom and see what we can learn about the Kingdom          of God from it!

                            Prayer

                          Matt. 13:44

 

I.   First let's look at what the Kingdom of Heaven is.

 

     A.   Vines dictionary says about the Kingdom:

          "The Kingdom of God is the sphere of God's rule.

          Since, however, this earth is the scene of universal

          rebellion against God, the Kingdom of God is the sphere          in which, at any given time, His rule is acknowledged."

 

     B.   Thus the kingdom of God is in a believer!  When we

          acknowledge his rule and become a Christian, we are a

          part of the kingdom!

 

     C.   And the Kingdom of God is in Heaven where his rule is

          acknowledged.

 

II.  Let's look at the Parable!

 

     A.   The Treasure hid in the field is Christ!  Through Christ         all the real treasures are found!

 

          1.   All fullness.

              Col. 1:19 "For it pleased the Father that in him

                        should all fullness dwell:"

 

              John 1:16 "And of his fullness have all we

                        received, and grace for grace."

 

              In Christ, we can have the fullest life!

 

          2.   wisdom and knowledge

              Col. 2:3  "In him are hid all the treasures of

                        wisdom and knowledge."

 

          3.   righteousness, grace, peace, love and many more.

 

     B.   This treasure is hid in a field!  The field could be the         Bible!

          1.   The treasure is there to those who search.

          2.   The treasure is there for whomsoever (John 3:16)!           3.   Search the scriptures to find the treasure!

 

     C.   Because it is hid in a field only those who search will          find it!

          1.   The field looks to be of no value at first!

          2.   The Bible looks like any other book at first glance              until we open it and Search the Scriptures!

              John 5:39 "Search the Scriptures; for in them ye

                        think ye have eternal life: and they are                        they which testify of me."

 

     D.   Those who realize the value of the treasure in the

          field will sell all to attain it!

          1.   So it is with Christ!  When we realize the value

              of Christ we will make him 1st priority!

              Phil. 3:8      "Yea doubtless, and I count all

                             things but loss for the excellency                              of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my                             Lord: for whom I have suffered the                             loss of all things, and do count

                             them but dung, that I may win

                             Christ."

          2.   And when we do everything else will fall in place!

              Matt. 6:33     "But seek ye first the kingdom of

                             God, and his righteousness; and all                             these things shall be added unto

                             you."

 

     E.   The field could be the world!

          1.   People search throughout the world to find meaning               in life.

 

          2.   There are lots of options to try to find meaning in

life: pleasure, wealth, popularity, etc.

 

          3.   The real treasure in the field is Christ!

 

          4.   Once one finds Christ, they will sell out to attain

it!

Conclusion:

     A.   Have we found this treasure?  Christ?

 

     B.   Do we even realize the value of Christ?  OR does He

          not really seem that important to us?

          1.   Are we willing to make Christ first priority?

          2.   Are we willing to sell out for Christ?

 

     C.   What this parable seems to be saying is that once we've          found Christ he will be worth it all! 

 

     D.   I can honestly say that I don't regret following Christ          or living for Christ at all! 

1.   I don't regret anything I have done for Christ! 

2.   I regret some things that I have done outside of

Christ, the times I have not sold out to Christ!

3.   Christ has made a difference in my life!

 

     E.   How about you?  Have you accepted Christ?  Are you

following Christ fully?  The Kingdom of Heaven is where

Christ reigns; does Christ reign in you?  As we encounter

Christ at the table today, you can sell out to Christ, you

can let Christ reign!

 

                      Prayer of Confession

Service of Communion