Tuesday, January 25, 2005

Get More Out of the Bible! 1.26.05

I've noticed recently that the book "South Beach Diet" has been on the New York Times bestsellars list for well over a year. With millions of people reading this book about weight loss, I wonder how many readers are actually loosing weight. Reading the book is the easy part. Allowing the book the change your routine and diet is the real work. Seems that many people do much the same thing with the Bible, committing to read a little each day but never realizing it's full benefits. Join us this Wednesday at 7pm as we discover practical steps from James on how to get more out of the Bible!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

The number 10 principle
Believing the best in people usually brings the best out of people

1. Everybody wants to be somebody
2. Nobody cares how much you know until he knows how much you care
3. Everybody needs somebody
4. Anybody that helps somebody influences lots of bodies
5. Somebody today will rise up and become somebody

It’s better to believe
 Our disappointment in a few people should not stop us from believing in people
 A trusting heart is emotionally healthy
 We behave in light of our beliefs
 A healthy marriage is built on high expectations
 Expressing belief in people’s potential encourages them to reach their potential

The confrontation principle
Caring for people should precede confronting people

A road map for healthy confrontation
1. Confront a person only if you care for that person
2. Meet together ASAP
3. First seek understanding, not necessarily agreement
4. Out line the issue
5. Encourage a response
6. Agree to an action plan

Anonymous said...

The Pursuit of Happyness

There is a popular movie that has been in theatres that has a local connection. The movie is ‘The Pursuit of Happiness’ and it is based off the story of Chris Gardner


Earlier this month, I read in USA Today the results of a Pew Research Center poll that asked people what their life goals were. According to this poll 81% of young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 said that getting rich was their most important goal. And this figure rises with each generation.

Thus ours is a time when a pursuit of happiness is linked to a pursuit of wealth. So what does the Bible have to say about this?

In Matthew we read 2 stories of two different men both seeking riches.

Our Text

Matthew 13:44-46

44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
The context:
The Gospel of Matthew was written primarily to a Jewish audience, speaking to people who were religious, who claimed to have a privileged relationship with God.
And Throughout the book of Matthew are numerous teachings and parables that make a distinction between people who think they’re in the kingdom of Heaven and those who actually are.
This is the backdrop of which Jesus tells the parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl.

These two stories have many similarities with the shared purpose of giving the reader a better grasp of what is the Kingdom of Heaven, and what it means to be truly living in it.

The Kingdom of Heaven.

• Compared
o To a man who sowed good seed
Matthew 13:24-30,38-43; Mark 4:26-29
o To a granule of mustard seed
Matthew 13:31,32; Mark 4:30,31; Luke 13:18,19
o To leaven (yeast)
Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:21
o To a treasure
Matthew 13:44
o To a pearl
Matthew 13:45
o To a net
Matthew 13:47-50
o To a king who called his servants for a reckoning (an audit)
Matthew 18:23-35
o To a householder
Matthew 20:1-16
o To a king who made a marriage feast for his son
Matthew 22:2-14; Luke 14:16-24
o To ten virgins
Matthew 25:1-13
o To a man, traveling into a far country, who called his Servants, and delivered to them his goods
Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-27
The kingdom of Heaven is a huge concept that is worth your investigation. This kingdom includes salvation and eternal life, but is not limited to that. It’s a way of life that’s not of this world, with a purpose and power that comes from the true God in Heaven

To our parable:

the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field--no uncommon thing in unsettled and half-civilized countries, even now as well as in ancient times, when there was no other way of securing it from the envy of neighbors or marauders.

Jesus tells of an individual who isn’t necessarily looking for a specific treasure, but when they come across this buried wealth, they immediately see it’s value.

I believe that there’s something we can learn from this tonight. There are many people that surround us on a daily basis that are looking for something more in their life, but they aren’t specifically looking for a church, or for Jesus.

I’m amazed at how many cars I pass on the road that will have a crystal hanging in the window, or perhaps a dreamcatcher.

They realize that they have a soul, and they’re looking for spiritual fulfillment, but they haven’t found the real treasure yet – The Kingdom of Heaven.

It’s sometimes easy to dismiss people with crystals, people who are entangled in the New Age as simply clueless, lost, and without much hope.

But these people may be closer than we think. Because there’s a pursuit in the lives. They’re searching. Can they see the Kingdom of Heaven in us?

They’re not looking for religion. And they’re not interesting in knowing a bunch of facts. They want something valuable, something worth selling off everything else and giving their life to.

When the man found the real thing, real treasure, real wealth, he knew it was a sure bet, and he had to have it.

I’ve been encouraged and personally challenged to know several individuals who have recently decided to give their lives to Christ, often leaving everything else behind to pursue their new treasure.

And one of the dangers of serving God over a period of time is that we lose sight of what is at stake. That we could have so much through the kingdom of Heaven if we sought after it with all we have.
This is what we’re called to do. To give up everything.

And the response is immediate.

And yet Scripture tells us of those who were offered this kingdom of heaven and found the price to be too high.

Parable of the rich young ruler

Whatever you have, all your possessions come secondary to this pursuit of true treasure, eternal treasure in the kingdom of God.

Notice that Jesus is not speaking against storing up treasure! The question tonight is not whether you should pursue treasure, the question is where are you pursuing treasure!

And in this way, perhaps our affluence has blinded us from what will truly last, what is really important in life and in eternity.

To the heart that is open, honest, and searching, the offer of the kingdom of heaven is too good to pass up.

Hating father and mother

The Pearl Of Great Price (Mt 13:45-46)
45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
Whereas the man in the parable of the hidden treasure was probably working class and not specifically seeking this chest of wealth, our Pearl merchant was probably well off and had in mind what he was looking for.
He was a guy with good taste. He liked the finest money could buy, and he wasn’t afraid to pursue the desire of his heart.
Although it is not stated here that the kingdom of heaven is like a pearl of great price, a number of analogies suggest themselves. The pearl is a symbol of difficulties overcome, since it is caused by an annoyance to an oyster. It is a life-created thing of great value and beauty.
The Ballad of the Oyster
There once was an oyster
Whose story I tell,
Who found that some sand
Had got into its shell.
It was only a grain,
But it gave him great pain;
For oysters have feelings
Although they're so plain.
Now, did he berate
The harsh workings of fate
That had brought him
To such a deplorable state?
Did he curse at the government,
Cry for election,
And claim that the sea should
Have given him protection?
No! He said to himself
As he lay on a shell,
"Since I cannot remove it,
I'll try to improve it."
Now the years have rolled by,
As the years always do,
And he came to his ultimate
Destiny--stew.
And the small grain of sand
That had bothered him so
Was a beautiful pearl
All richly aglow.
Now the tale has a moral;
For isn't it grand
What an oyster can do
With a small grain of sand?
What couldn't we do
If we'd only begin
With some of the things
That get under our skin.
Pearls may also reference the kingdom of Heaven in that the gates of the Eternal City are said to be "each one a pearl" (Revelation 21:21). That must have come from one giant oyster! Thus, through obstacles overcome, one may enter this incredible home..
The prime comparison, however, regards the merchant. A man engaged in the search. This was Jesus' emphasis: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God!" Seeking is a vital and very necessary part of knowing and sharing the mysteries of God's kingdom; but so is decision!
And so each of us is faced with a decision to make in 2007; a year of breakthrough, a year of living in the power of the kingdom of heaven is available for those who will pursue it.
We’ll take a close look at what this merchant decided, but first let’s consider what he didn’t do!
(1) He did not waste his time admiring the pearl, or wishing he had it;
• One of the areas that my dad’s personality has been passed down to me is in the area of purchasing things.
• If my dad wants to buy a refrigerator, he will spend upwards of 2 years looking around at stores and checking the newspapers, and looking on-line before deciding which appliance to buy! It can drive a guy crazy!
• And now I find myself doing the same thing! I’ve talked about buying a blender for my kitchen for the last 2 years, and I’m still talking, still admiring the blenders at Williams Sonoma, and I find myself without that which I could have
• It’s great not to be an impulsive buyer, but there are times in our life when God is moving, and we can tell that he’s going to do a new thing in our life, and we need to be ready to move with him. Not to keep wishing for God to move in our lives but to follow him as he leads us. To lay hold of the kingdom of heaven.
(2) he did not propose to obtain it at a reduced price;
• As I mentioned before, I imagine this guy was a man of style and great taste. He was a pearl merchant, and he obviously liked nice stuff. This related well to the audience of Jesus’ day, and how applicable is it today in 21st century America.
From early on in life we learn to pursue what is valuable.

And when I look back on my early years, it’s interesting what I saw was worthy of pursuing.

While still in elementary school, there were times in between loathing my older sister Stacey that I actually looked up to her.

And what was evident early on is that Stacey liked nice things.

Although the nearest Saks Fifth Avenue was down in Chicago, Stacey had the department store’s bags pinned all over the walls of her bedroom.

And then she saved up enough one day to get a sweatshirt from Saks. She wore it all the time!

Stacey taught me about being name brand consciences. But it was hard to shop for name brands when you’re in 2nd grade and making $1/week in allowance.

So I began to take my plain white t-shirts, and with markers in hand, transform then into really cool, expensive shirts, like ‘Ocean Pacific’. How many of you remember Ocean Pacific?
• I sought to have the valuable at the price I wanted to pay, which was a fraction of the actual cost.
• During this time growing up, there were a few kids who would ruff me up on the playground, and thus I saw how valuable big muscles would be.
• My sister Stacey came up with a terrific idea. When I’d go out onto the playground, I would put a tennis ball under my shirt, above my arm, to give the appearance of a giant bicep!
• Real good idea Stacey! The tennis balls wouldn’t stay in place, easily fell out, and my problems were bigger than they started out as!
• And anyone that has arms the size of tennis balls knows that it will cost you a lot of time and effort to obtain the real thing.
• I’m convinced this parable teaches us in our lives there’s nothing wrong with pursuing the Great things God has for us in our kingdom. We just have to be willing to pay the price.
(3) he did not delay or postpone his decision;
• When the kingdom of heaven was presented to individuals in the bible, it often left little time to consider whether to pursue this great gift.
1. The Ethiopian eunuch - Ac 8:26-38
a. His journey to Jerusalem to worship, his reading of
Scripture while returning, indicate he was spiritually
searching
b. His immediate desire to be baptized shows his estimation of
the value of the salvation offered through Christ
2. Cornelius - Ac 10:1-8,30-33
a. His prayers and alms were indicative of his search for
"righteousness"
b. As promised by Jesus (cf. Mt 5:6), God took note of his
spiritual hunger and thirst, and sent Peter to tell him the
gospel of Christ
3. Lydia - Ac 16:11-15
a. Her meeting with other women to pray illustrates her
spiritual searching
b. Upon hearing the things spoken by Paul, she and her
household were baptized
[Each of these examples should remind us that there are many people who
know there is some "thing", some "purpose", some "meaning", that is
worthy of diligent search, and who spend their lives trying to find it.
When by the grace and providence of God they come to learn of Christ
and His kingdom, they are willing to give up all to obtain it!

These examples, and the parable itself, confirm the truthfulness of
Jesus' teaching about those "who hunger and thirst for righteousness".
That those who "hunger", those who "search", will indeed find what God
has for them!

(4) he did not reject it as too expensive - none of these things, he simply sold all he had and bought it!
1) A refuge from the powers of darkness - Co 1:13
2) A domain of righteousness, peace, and joy - Ro 14:17
3) An unshakable kingdom - He 12:25-29
4) Destined for eternal glory - Mt 13:41-43

2. Jesus followed His parable with another short parable...
a. Commonly called "The Parable Of The Pearl Of Great Price" - Mt
13:45-46
b. Its similarity to the previous parable is obvious, and yet there
is a difference

[The difference and some related thoughts will serve as the basis for
our study as we take a closer look at "The Parable Of The Pearl Of
Great Price". We begin with...]

I. THE PARABLE EXPLAINED

A. THE DETAILS OF THE PARABLE...
1. A merchant is seeking beautiful pearls
2. He finds one pearl of great price
3. Undeterred by its price, he sells all that he has and buys it!

B. THE MEANING OF THE PARABLE...
1. The use of the word "Again" ties this parable to the preceding
one
a. Where the value and preciousness of the kingdom was being
described
b. Where we saw the value to one who accidentally finds it
2. But in this parable, the person is on a mission to find that
which is of great value
a. He believes there is something out there worth looking for,
or he would not be seeking it
b. When he finds it, he immediately recognizes its value and
is willing to sell all to obtain it
3. Neither this parable (nor the previous one) is suggesting we
can "buy" or otherwise "earn" our salvation
a. For salvation is a gift - cf. Ro 6:23
4. This parable, then, describes how some people react to the
kingdom of heaven, when they know there must be something out
there worthy of great value and have been searching for it



It might be that we may "stumble" across the blessings God has in
Christ and His kingdom (as in "The Parable Of The Hidden Treasure").
But do we want to risk our salvation on possibly "stumbling" across it?

What can we do to ensure that we will find what God has for us? Well,
we need to be like that merchant, "searching" for that "pearl of great
price". How does one do that in regards to spiritual matters...?]

II. SEARCHING FOR "THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE"

A. FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH - Ac 8:27-28
1. Be a student of the Scriptures
2. Apply the Scriptures to the best of your understanding
3. Be open to what others may have to share concerning the
Scriptures

B. FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF THE BEREANS - Ac 17:10-11
1. Again, be open to what others may to share
2. But apply diligence (i.e., "readiness of mind") to understand
what others are saying
3. And in the end, let the Scriptures be your final authority
4. Demonstrate it by "searching the Scriptures daily"

CONCLUSION

1. Like the Ethiopian eunuch, the Bereans, Cornelius, Lydia, and many
other religious people...
a. We may be lost in our present state of understanding of God's
will
b. But if we will search like that "merchant" did, and have the
desire to understand and please God like these people did...
c. ...then we can trust in God's Providence to lead us to the truth,
and to that "pearl of great price"!

2. Is the "pearl of great price" worth it?
a. Again, I wish I could invite those who have passed on to give us
their perspective
b. Who though they may have suffered greatly in this life, have come
to experience the ultimate blessings of the "kingdom of heaven"
-- I am confident they would say "It is surely worth it all!"

3. And the blessings of the kingdom are not limited to the life
hereafter; as Jesus reassured Peter, there are hundredfold blessings
even "in this time" - cf. Mk 10:28-30

Dear friend, do you not desire this "pearl of great price"? Are you
even searching? Can we help you in your search?

The Ballad of the Oyster
There once was an oyster
Whose story I tell,
Who found that some sand
Had got into its shell.
It was only a grain,
But it gave him great pain;
For oysters have feelings
Although they're so plain.
Now, did he berate
The harsh workings of fate
That had brought him
To such a deplorable state?
Did he curse at the government,
Cry for election,
And claim that the sea should
Have given him protection?
No! He said to himself
As he lay on a shell,
"Since I cannot remove it,
I'll try to improve it."
Now the years have rolled by,
As the years always do,
And he came to his ultimate
Destiny--stew.
And the small grain of sand
That had bothered him so
Was a beautiful pearl
All richly aglow.
Now the tale has a moral;
For isn't it grand
What an oyster can do
With a small grain of sand?
What couldn't we do
If we'd only begin
With some of the things
That get under our skin.
There once was a merchant looking for pearls
Thinking of them like nuts to squirrels
But one day he found a pearl of great price
And sold all he had, all his merchandise
To buy the pearl he sought the most
Which in the end would be his boast.
There are those who seek from place to place
What can be found only through God's grace
The pearl of great price is Jesus our Lord
When you find Him you'll find that you can afford
To replace your trust in other things
With the One from whom eternal life springs

Verse 44
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in the field; which a man found, and hid; and in his joy he goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
V. Parable of the Treasure Hidden in the Field
These parables, this one and the two immediately following, were spoken in the house, not to the multitudes by the seashore. In the case of the treasure, it was found when the finder was not looking for it; but in the case of the pearl, its discovery followed a long and diligent search for it. There are other notable differences. In the treasure is a likeness of the kingdom; but in the other, it is the merchantman searching for the pearl. The treasure hidden in the field teaches the supreme regard men should have for the kingdom of heaven; and that, whatever incident or opportunity leads to the knowledge of it, the finder should exercise every human effort to obtain it, even to selling all that he has, if necessary, to come into possession of it. The great consideration is that the kingdom of heaven is indeed a treasure, a treasure surpassing all others in riches and desirability.
Analogies:
The kingdom of heaven is a treasure.
It is hidden to some, indeed to many.
Some find it accidentally, or unintentionally, while doing something else.
Once found, a man should obtain it, regardless of cost.
________________________________________

Verses 45, 46
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto man that is a merchant seeking goodly pearls: and having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
VI. The Parable of the Merchantman Seeking Goodly Pearls
Although it is not stated here that the kingdom of heaven is like a pearl of great price, a number of analogies suggest themselves. The pearl is a symbol of difficulties overcome, since it is caused by an annoyance to an oyster. It is a life-created thing of great value and beauty. Significantly, the gates of the Eternal City are said to be "each one a pearl" (Revelation 21:21). Thus, through obstacles overcome, one may enter the home of the soul.
The prime comparison, however, regards the merchant. man engaged in the search. This was Jesus' emphasis: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God!" Seeking is a vital and very necessary part of knowing and sharing the mysteries of God's kingdom; but so is decision! The merchantman is held up for our approval and emulation because: (1) he did not waste his time admiring the pearl, or wishing he had it; (2) he did not propose to obtain it at a reduced price; (3) he did not delay or postpone his decision; (4) he did not reject it as too expensive - none of these things, he simply sold all he had and bought it!
Some search all their lives for the truth and at last find it. Others, as in the hidden treasure, are not looking for it at all, as, for example, when some sinner marries a Christian wife or husband, but then, in the light of opportunity, rises to claim the prize!
That of the pearl of price (v. 45, 46), which is to the same purport with the former, of the treasure. The dream is thus doubled, for the thing is certain. Note, 1. All the children of men are busy, seeking goodly pearls: one would be rich, another would be honourable, another would be learned; but the most are imposed upon, and take up with counterfeits for pearls. 2. Jesus Christ is a Pearl of great price, a Jewel of inestimable value, which will make those who have it rich, truly rich, rich toward God; in having him, we have enough to make us happy here and for ever. 3. A true Christian is a spiritual merchant, that seeks and finds this pearl of price; that does not take up with any thing short of an interest in Christ, and, as one that is resolved to be spiritually rich, trades high: He went and bought that pearl; did not only bid for it, but purchased it. What will it avail us to know Christ, if we do not know him as ours, made to us wisdom? 1

Anonymous said...

The Pursuit of Happyness

There is a popular movie that has been in theatres that has a local connection. The movie is ‘The Pursuit of Happiness’ and it is based off the story of Chris Gardner


Earlier this month, I read in USA Today the results of a Pew Research Center poll that asked people what their life goals were. According to this poll 81% of young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 said that getting rich was their most important goal. And this figure rises with each generation.

Thus ours is a time when a pursuit of happiness is linked to a pursuit of wealth. So what does the Bible have to say about this?

In Matthew we read 2 stories of two different men both seeking riches.

Our Text

Matthew 13:44-46

44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
The context:
The Gospel of Matthew was written primarily to a Jewish audience, speaking to people who were religious, who claimed to have a privileged relationship with God.
And Throughout the book of Matthew are numerous teachings and parables that make a distinction between people who think they’re in the kingdom of Heaven and those who actually are.
This is the backdrop of which Jesus tells the parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl.

These two stories have many similarities with the shared purpose of giving the reader a better grasp of what is the Kingdom of Heaven, and what it means to be truly living in it.

The Kingdom of Heaven.

• Compared
o To a man who sowed good seed
Matthew 13:24-30,38-43; Mark 4:26-29
o To a granule of mustard seed
Matthew 13:31,32; Mark 4:30,31; Luke 13:18,19
o To leaven (yeast)
Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:21
o To a treasure
Matthew 13:44
o To a pearl
Matthew 13:45
o To a net
Matthew 13:47-50
o To a king who called his servants for a reckoning (an audit)
Matthew 18:23-35
o To a householder
Matthew 20:1-16
o To a king who made a marriage feast for his son
Matthew 22:2-14; Luke 14:16-24
o To ten virgins
Matthew 25:1-13
o To a man, traveling into a far country, who called his Servants, and delivered to them his goods
Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-27
The kingdom of Heaven is a huge concept that is worth your investigation. This kingdom includes salvation and eternal life, but is not limited to that. It’s a way of life that’s not of this world, with a purpose and power that comes from the true God in Heaven

To our parable:

the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field--no uncommon thing in unsettled and half-civilized countries, even now as well as in ancient times, when there was no other way of securing it from the envy of neighbors or marauders.

Jesus tells of an individual who isn’t necessarily looking for a specific treasure, but when they come across this buried wealth, they immediately see it’s value.

I believe that there’s something we can learn from this tonight. There are many people that surround us on a daily basis that are looking for something more in their life, but they aren’t specifically looking for a church, or for Jesus.

I’m amazed at how many cars I pass on the road that will have a crystal hanging in the window, or perhaps a dreamcatcher.

They realize that they have a soul, and they’re looking for spiritual fulfillment, but they haven’t found the real treasure yet – The Kingdom of Heaven.

It’s sometimes easy to dismiss people with crystals, people who are entangled in the New Age as simply clueless, lost, and without much hope.

But these people may be closer than we think. Because there’s a pursuit in the lives. They’re searching. Can they see the Kingdom of Heaven in us?

They’re not looking for religion. And they’re not interesting in knowing a bunch of facts. They want something valuable, something worth selling off everything else and giving their life to.

When the man found the real thing, real treasure, real wealth, he knew it was a sure bet, and he had to have it.

I’ve been encouraged and personally challenged to know several individuals who have recently decided to give their lives to Christ, often leaving everything else behind to pursue their new treasure.

And one of the dangers of serving God over a period of time is that we lose sight of what is at stake. That we could have so much through the kingdom of Heaven if we sought after it with all we have.
This is what we’re called to do. To give up everything.

And the response is immediate.

And yet Scripture tells us of those who were offered this kingdom of heaven and found the price to be too high.

Parable of the rich young ruler
Matthew 19
16Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
17"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."
18"Which ones?" the man inquired.
Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19honor your father and mother,'[d] and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'[e]"
20"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"
21Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."


Whatever you have, all your possessions come secondary to this pursuit of true treasure, eternal treasure in the kingdom of God.

Notice that Jesus is not speaking against storing up treasure! The question tonight is not whether you should pursue treasure, the question is where are you pursuing treasure!

And in this way, perhaps our affluence has blinded us from what will truly last, what is really important in life and in eternity.

After the rich young ruler left Jesus to pursue happiness by holding onto his stuff, Jesus explains the pursuit of the kingdom of Heaven to his disciples:
Matthew 19
25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?"
26Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
27Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?"
28Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother[f] or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
In Luke 14 Jesus again reminds his disciples the cost of pursuing the kingdom of Heaven
Luke 14: 26"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

The disciples had left everything they had known: their occupations, their homes, their families and some of them their fortunes. But Jesus makes it clear that this is hardly a sacrifice. Rather, it's a high-return investment!
you see, a sacrifice involves giving with no expectationas of receiving anything in return. In Matthew 19 Jesus makes it clear that investing in the kingdom yields a high return. In fact, he says we'll receive a hundred times as much as we leave, plus eternal life as a bonus!

To the heart that is open, honest, and searching, the offer of the kingdom of heaven is too good to pass up.

Perhaps some of you can relate tonight to this parable. You knew something was missing, and then God shows up when you least expected it, and you're confronted with a decision to pursue the treasure at the cost of everything, or to keep the status quo.
Or perhaps you find your circumstances closer to our second parable:


The Pearl Of Great Price (Mt 13:45-46)
45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
Whereas the man in the parable of the hidden treasure was probably working class and not specifically seeking this chest of wealth, our Pearl merchant was probably well off and had in mind what he was looking for.
He was a guy with good taste. He liked the finest money could buy, and he wasn’t afraid to pursue the desire of his heart.
Although it is not stated here that the kingdom of heaven is like a pearl of great price, a number of analogies suggest themselves. The pearl is a symbol of difficulties overcome, since it is caused by an annoyance to an oyster. It is a life-created thing of great value and beauty.

The Ballad of the Oyster
There once was an oyster
Whose story I tell,
Who found that some sand
Had got into its shell.
It was only a grain,
But it gave him great pain;
For oysters have feelings
Although they're so plain.
Now, did he berate
The harsh workings of fate
That had brought him
To such a deplorable state?
Did he curse at the government,
Cry for election,
And claim that the sea should
Have given him protection?
No! He said to himself
As he lay on a shell,
"Since I cannot remove it,
I'll try to improve it."
Now the years have rolled by,
As the years always do,
And he came to his ultimate
Destiny--stew.
And the small grain of sand
That had bothered him so
Was a beautiful pearl
All richly aglow.
Now the tale has a moral;
For isn't it grand
What an oyster can do
With a small grain of sand?
What couldn't we do
If we'd only begin
With some of the things
That get under our skin.
Pearls may also reference the kingdom of Heaven in that the gates of the Eternal City are said to be "each one a pearl" (Revelation 21:21). That must have come from one giant oyster! Thus, through obstacles overcome, one may enter this incredible home..
The prime comparison, however, regards the merchant. A man engaged in the search. This was Jesus' emphasis: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God!" Seeking is a vital and very necessary part of knowing and sharing the mysteries of God's kingdom; but so is decision!
And so each of us is faced with a decision to make in 2007; a year of breakthrough, a year of living in the power of the kingdom of heaven is available for those who will pursue it.
We’ll take a close look at what this merchant decided, but first let’s consider what he didn’t do!
(1) He did not waste his time admiring the pearl, or wishing he had it;
• One of the areas that my dad’s personality has been passed down to me is in the area of purchasing things.
• If my dad wants to buy a refrigerator, he will spend upwards of 2 years looking around at stores and checking the newspapers, and looking on-line before deciding which appliance to buy! It can drive a guy crazy!
• And now I find myself doing the same thing! I’ve talked about buying a blender for my kitchen for the last 2 years, and I’m still talking, still admiring the blenders at Williams Sonoma, and I find myself without that which I could have
• It’s great not to be an impulsive buyer, but there are times in our life when God is moving, and we can tell that he’s going to do a new thing in our life, and we need to be ready to move with him. Not to keep wishing for God to move in our lives but to follow him as he leads us. To lay hold of the kingdom of heaven.
(2) he did not propose to obtain it at a reduced price;
• As I mentioned before, I imagine this guy was a man of style and great taste. He was a pearl merchant, and he obviously liked nice stuff. This related well to the audience of Jesus’ day, and how applicable is it today in 21st century America.
From early on in life we learn to pursue what is valuable.

And when I look back on my early years, it’s interesting what I saw was worthy of pursuing.

While still in elementary school, there were times in between loathing my older sister Stacey that I actually looked up to her.

And what was evident early on is that Stacey liked nice things.

Although the nearest Saks Fifth Avenue was down in Chicago, Stacey had the department store’s bags pinned all over the walls of her bedroom.

And then she saved up enough one day to get a sweatshirt from Saks. She wore it all the time!

Stacey taught me about being name brand consciences. But it was hard to shop for name brands when you’re in 2nd grade and making $1/week in allowance.

So I began to take my plain white t-shirts, and with markers in hand, transform then into really cool, expensive shirts, like ‘Ocean Pacific’. How many of you remember Ocean Pacific?
• I sought to have the valuable at the price I wanted to pay, which was a fraction of the actual cost.
• During this time growing up, there were a few kids who would ruff me up on the playground, and thus I saw how valuable big muscles would be.
• My sister Stacey came up with a terrific idea. When I’d go out onto the playground, I would put a tennis ball under my shirt, above my arm, to give the appearance of a giant bicep!
• Real good idea Stacey! The tennis balls wouldn’t stay in place, easily fell out, and my problems were bigger than they started out as!
• And anyone that has arms the size of tennis balls knows that it will cost you a lot of time and effort to obtain the real thing.
• I’m convinced this parable teaches us in our lives there’s nothing wrong with pursuing the Great things God has for us in our kingdom. We just have to be willing to pay the price.
(3) he did not delay or postpone his decision;
• When the kingdom of heaven was presented to individuals in the bible, it often left little time to consider whether to pursue this great gift.
1. The Ethiopian eunuch - Ac 8:26-38
a. His journey to Jerusalem to worship, his reading of
Scripture while returning, indicate he was spiritually
searching
b. His immediate desire to be baptized shows his estimation of
the value of the salvation offered through Christ
2. Cornelius - Ac 10:1-8,30-33
a. His prayers and alms were indicative of his search for
"righteousness"
b. As promised by Jesus (cf. Mt 5:6), God took note of his
spiritual hunger and thirst, and sent Peter to tell him the
gospel of Christ
3. Lydia - Ac 16:11-15
a. Her meeting with other women to pray illustrates her
spiritual searching
b. Upon hearing the things spoken by Paul, she and her
household were baptized
[Each of these examples should remind us that there are many people who
know there is some "thing", some "purpose", some "meaning", that is
worthy of diligent search, and who spend their lives trying to find it.
When by the grace and providence of God they come to learn of Christ
and His kingdom, they are willing to give up all to obtain it!

These examples, and the parable itself, confirm the truthfulness of
Jesus' teaching about those "who hunger and thirst for righteousness".
That those who "hunger", those who "search", will indeed find what God
has for them!

(4) he did not reject it as too expensive - none of these things, he simply sold all he had and bought it!
He knew a good pearl when he saw it. The kingdom of heaven is described as:
1) A refuge from the powers of darkness - Co 1:13
2) A domain of righteousness, peace, and joy - Ro 14:17
3) An unshakable kingdom - He 12:25-29
4) Destined for eternal glory - Mt 13:41-43

So this parable is really quite simple:
1. A merchant is seeking beautiful pearls
2. He finds one pearl of great price
3. Undeterred by its price, he sells all that he has and buys it!

B. THE MEANING OF THE PARABLE...
1. The use of the word "Again" ties this parable to the preceding
one
a. Where the value and preciousness of the kingdom was being
described
b. Where we saw the value to one who accidentally finds it
2. But in this parable, the person is on a mission to find that
which is of great value
a. He believes there is something out there worth looking for,
or he would not be seeking it
b. When he finds it, he immediately recognizes its value and
is willing to sell all to obtain it
3. Neither this parable (nor the previous one) is suggesting we
can "buy" or otherwise "earn" our salvation
a. For salvation is a gift - cf. Ro 6:23
4. This parable, then, describes how some people react to the
kingdom of heaven, when they know there must be something out
there worthy of great value and have been searching for it

And whether you stumbled across the blessings God has in Christ and his Kingdom, or whether it was deliberately sought, notice that there was happiness in the pursuit!
Incredible joy!
Let me ask you since we are still just a few weeks into this new year: Did you have joy in 2006? Do you truly enjoy your life?
I know that all our circumstances in this room tonight aren't equal. But a key trait of pursuing the treasure of the kingdom of heaven is the ability to see beauty in tragedy and trial, and a joy that makes others think you've lost it!

It might be that we may "stumble" across the blessings God has in
Christ and His kingdom (as in "The Parable Of The Hidden Treasure").
But do we want to risk our salvation on possibly "stumbling" across it?

What can we do to ensure that we will find what God has for us? Well,
we need to be like that merchant, "searching" for that "pearl of great
price". How does one do that in regards to spiritual matters...?]

II. SEARCHING FOR "THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE"

A. FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH - Ac 8:27-28
1. Be a student of the Scriptures
2. Apply the Scriptures to the best of your understanding
3. Be open to what others may have to share concerning the
Scriptures

B. FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF THE BEREANS - Ac 17:10-11
1. Again, be open to what others may to share
2. But apply diligence (i.e., "readiness of mind") to understand
what others are saying
3. And in the end, let the Scriptures be your final authority
4. Demonstrate it by "searching the Scriptures daily"

CONCLUSION

1. Like the Ethiopian eunuch, the Bereans, Cornelius, Lydia, and many
other religious people...
a. We may be lost in our present state of understanding of God's
will
b. But if we will search like that "merchant" did, and have the
desire to understand and please God like these people did...
c. ...then we can trust in God's Providence to lead us to the truth,
and to that "pearl of great price"!

2. Is the "pearl of great price" worth it?
a. Again, I wish I could invite those who have passed on to give us
their perspective
b. Who though they may have suffered greatly in this life, have come
to experience the ultimate blessings of the "kingdom of heaven"
-- I am confident they would say "It is surely worth it all!"

3. And the blessings of the kingdom are not limited to the life
hereafter; as Jesus reassured Peter, there are hundredfold blessings
even "in this time" - cf. Mk 10:28-30

Dear friend, do you not desire this "pearl of great price"? Are you
even searching? Can we help you in your search?

The Ballad of the Oyster
There once was an oyster
Whose story I tell,
Who found that some sand
Had got into its shell.
It was only a grain,
But it gave him great pain;
For oysters have feelings
Although they're so plain.
Now, did he berate
The harsh workings of fate
That had brought him
To such a deplorable state?
Did he curse at the government,
Cry for election,
And claim that the sea should
Have given him protection?
No! He said to himself
As he lay on a shell,
"Since I cannot remove it,
I'll try to improve it."
Now the years have rolled by,
As the years always do,
And he came to his ultimate
Destiny--stew.
And the small grain of sand
That had bothered him so
Was a beautiful pearl
All richly aglow.
Now the tale has a moral;
For isn't it grand
What an oyster can do
With a small grain of sand?
What couldn't we do
If we'd only begin
With some of the things
That get under our skin.
There once was a merchant looking for pearls
Thinking of them like nuts to squirrels
But one day he found a pearl of great price
And sold all he had, all his merchandise
To buy the pearl he sought the most
Which in the end would be his boast.
There are those who seek from place to place
What can be found only through God's grace
The pearl of great price is Jesus our Lord
When you find Him you'll find that you can afford
To replace your trust in other things
With the One from whom eternal life springs

Verse 44
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in the field; which a man found, and hid; and in his joy he goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
V. Parable of the Treasure Hidden in the Field
These parables, this one and the two immediately following, were spoken in the house, not to the multitudes by the seashore. In the case of the treasure, it was found when the finder was not looking for it; but in the case of the pearl, its discovery followed a long and diligent search for it. There are other notable differences. In the treasure is a likeness of the kingdom; but in the other, it is the merchantman searching for the pearl. The treasure hidden in the field teaches the supreme regard men should have for the kingdom of heaven; and that, whatever incident or opportunity leads to the knowledge of it, the finder should exercise every human effort to obtain it, even to selling all that he has, if necessary, to come into possession of it. The great consideration is that the kingdom of heaven is indeed a treasure, a treasure surpassing all others in riches and desirability.
Analogies:
The kingdom of heaven is a treasure.
It is hidden to some, indeed to many.
Some find it accidentally, or unintentionally, while doing something else.
Once found, a man should obtain it, regardless of cost.
________________________________________

Verses 45, 46
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto man that is a merchant seeking goodly pearls: and having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
VI. The Parable of the Merchantman Seeking Goodly Pearls
Although it is not stated here that the kingdom of heaven is like a pearl of great price, a number of analogies suggest themselves. The pearl is a symbol of difficulties overcome, since it is caused by an annoyance to an oyster. It is a life-created thing of great value and beauty. Significantly, the gates of the Eternal City are said to be "each one a pearl" (Revelation 21:21). Thus, through obstacles overcome, one may enter the home of the soul.
The prime comparison, however, regards the merchant. man engaged in the search. This was Jesus' emphasis: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God!" Seeking is a vital and very necessary part of knowing and sharing the mysteries of God's kingdom; but so is decision! The merchantman is held up for our approval and emulation because: (1) he did not waste his time admiring the pearl, or wishing he had it; (2) he did not propose to obtain it at a reduced price; (3) he did not delay or postpone his decision; (4) he did not reject it as too expensive - none of these things, he simply sold all he had and bought it!
Some search all their lives for the truth and at last find it. Others, as in the hidden treasure, are not looking for it at all, as, for example, when some sinner marries a Christian wife or husband, but then, in the light of opportunity, rises to claim the prize!
That of the pearl of price (v. 45, 46), which is to the same purport with the former, of the treasure. The dream is thus doubled, for the thing is certain. Note, 1. All the children of men are busy, seeking goodly pearls: one would be rich, another would be honourable, another would be learned; but the most are imposed upon, and take up with counterfeits for pearls. 2. Jesus Christ is a Pearl of great price, a Jewel of inestimable value, which will make those who have it rich, truly rich, rich toward God; in having him, we have enough to make us happy here and for ever. 3. A true Christian is a spiritual merchant, that seeks and finds this pearl of price; that does not take up with any thing short of an interest in Christ, and, as one that is resolved to be spiritually rich, trades high: He went and bought that pearl; did not only bid for it, but purchased it. What will it avail us to know Christ, if we do not know him as ours, made to us wisdom? 1
3:19 PM
I've noticed recently that the book "South Beach Diet" has been on the New York Times bestsellars list for well over a year. With millions of people reading this book about weight loss, I wonder how many readers are actually loosing weight. Reading the book is the easy part. Allowing the book the change your routine and diet is the real work. Seems that many people do much the same thing with the Bible, committing to read a little each day but never realizing it's full benefits. Join us this Wednesday at 7pm as we discover practical steps from James on how to get more out of the Bible!
posted by Jon Brooks at 4:47 PM on