Passage: Matthew 13:44-52
Points:
1. The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sold all he had to purchase a field with a hidden treasure.
2. The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant who sold all he had to purchase the fine pearls.
3. The kingdom of heaven is like the fisher men who caught a net full of fish. They kept the good fish but threw out the bad fish.
Personalize
There are two important points made about the kingdom of heaven. First, it will cost us our all in order to receive the benefits of the kingdom. In the parable, we see that the man and the merchant went and sold all they had to possess the treasures found. In Matthew we read: Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (Matt. 10:39) If we want to possess the treasures found in the kingdom of heaven, we must be willing to pay the price. When we surrender our all we will find all we need.
The second point is in order for us to find, we must be searching. The merchant was searching for the fine pearls and he found them. “Seek and ye shall find.” When we fervently seek out the treasures God has for us, we will find what we have been looking for. God will never leave us wanting. As the man found what he was looking for and the merchant’s search was successful; so will our search for real joy and treasures only God can provide.
Prayer
Lord, may we seek the treasures you have for us. In a world of false fulfillment and limited resources, we know our searching will always be rewarded when searching for the things of the kingdom. We desire to find what you have for us and we are willing to surrender our all in possessing them.
