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• Two Short Parables
• The Hidden Treasure
• The Pearl Of Great Price
• Introduction
• We have been discussing various parables of Jesus.
• These are stories meant to relate spiritual thoughts with physical attributes.
• We will study two short parables today.
• The Hidden Treasure
• Matt 13:44 "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the
field, which a man found and hid; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that
he has, and buys that field."
• Compare this parable with the statement of Paul found in Colossians 2:2-3
"....and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of
understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ
Himself, {3}in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
• The Hidden Treasure
• There are several descriptions and interpretations to which this has been
ascribed.
• Some interpretations are rejected because it might violate some human
doctrine,
• some are rejected because some human doctrine is promoted,
• and some are rejected because the truth presented is just too hard to
bear or measure up to.
• The Hidden Treasure
• Some people go through life not knowing where they are going or why they
are here or there.
• They feel some sort of emptiness that nothing this world has to offer
can fill.
• A treasure is described as a thing of highly estimated value.
• Money, gold, jewels, land, or other possessions.
• The Hidden Treasure
• Some things carry a greater value.
• Love, honor, truth, and integrity.
• One thing surpasses them all.
• The great love that God has shown for us and our response to that love.
• The Hidden Treasure
• In this parable we find a person not knowing what they are looking for
that just, in a sense, stumbles across it.
• Although the principle of "finders-keepers" was recognized by
that society, this person wants to make sure that this possession is rightfully,
legally his, so that there are no contestants of opposition.
• He decides how to make sure this treasure becomes his.
• By hiding it, he stores it in a perceived safe place, making sure that
he would remember where it is, but not allowing someone else to stumble across
it.
• He is so excited about this that nothing else in the world seems to matter.
• The Hidden Treasure
• He is filled with joy.
• Joy is an emotion that is described in full detail in scripture.
• It only comes when we perceive our relationship with God and His acceptance
of us, thus producing joy on our part and glory on His part.
• He then pays the great price of all of his possessions in order to buy
that field.
• Notice that the price was steep but also within possibilities for this
individual.
• The Hidden Treasure
• The man in this parable is represented by two different thoughts.
• One thought is that the man is Jesus Christ who finds the church in the
midst of the world and hides it in secret until He can pay the ultimate price
and take possession of it.
• Jesus purchased the church with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)
• The Hidden Treasure
• The other thought applies to us more than to Christ.
• This is the person of the world who enters the field which is descriptive
of the Bible.
• As the truths are put forth by the written scripture, joy and excitement
come over those who perceive their lost condition and start to learn how to be
saved.
• Upon completion of the requirements of the plan which God set forth,
• [namely---hear, believe, repent, confess, be baptized]
• Joy is truly realized.
• If you notice all of the acts of conversion in the book of Acts, we find
that only after baptism, concluding this plan, are the people found to rejoice.
• The Hidden Treasure
• The price paid is the forsaking of all things and people and our own pride.
• As we humble ourselves in obedient submission, we turn our lives over
to God and Christ and we serve Them.
• In our obedience, our service is extended to our fellow man in the pattern
that God gives us through His word.
• Proverbs 23:23 "Buy truth, and do not sell it, Get wisdom and instruction
and understanding."
• Psalms 105:3 "Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who
seek the Lord be glad."
• The Pearl of Great Price
• Matt 13:45-46 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking
fine pearls, {46} and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold
all that he had, and bought it.
• Unlike the previous parable where the person stumbles across the great
treasure, here the person is shown to be committed to finding this treasure.
• The picture here is of a merchant of pearls.
• Someone who makes their living buying and selling and trading pearls.
• This person is involved in their livelihood.
• They are dedicated to their profession.
• The Pearl of Great Price
• This represents a person who might be described as a believer in Jesus
Christ, as the Son of God, and our Savior.
• But because there are many religions that recognize Jesus, one must be
careful to select the one of the greatest value.
• There is value in a belief, but there is greater value in a belief based
upon the truth.
• This is the person who reads their bible on a regular basis, and believe
that they are right in the sight of God, but upon study of the truth, they are
exposed to the truth, therefore they must make the change from their previous
condition.
• The Pearl of Great Price
• Just like the unbeliever, they must give up all and submit to the will
of Christ.
• They learn that they must repent, confess, and be baptized for the remission
of sins.
• Then they can enter into a relationship with God and His people.
• Jesus is the 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 forever.
• The Pearl of Great Price
• What good will it be to just know Christ, but to know Him as ours.
• Whatever stands in opposition or in competition with Him for our love
and service, we must part with it, though ever so dear to us.
• Jesus said that whoever loved brother or sister or father or mother more
than Him was not worthy to bear His cross.
• We must forsake all in order to gain Christ.
• The Pearl of Great Price
• We must forsake our human relationships and put Christ above them all.
• We must forsake our error and put the truth as top priority.
• We must change our thinking of emotional standards and start to follow
that pattern found in book, chapter, and verse mentality.
• We must follow the instructions that were given to Joshua, so that we
might have success in what we do.
• Joshua 1:7-8
• "Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to
all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right
or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. {8} This book of
the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and
night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it;
for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success."
• The Pearl of Great Price
• Jesus Christ is the greatest treasure that the world has known.
• We can, by obedience, come into possession of Christ.
• Actually we submit and make ourselves, His.
• Then we have the promise and hope of salvation for our continuous obedience
and service for His cause.
• CONCLUSION
• These two parables, though short have a value to us.
• If we will but learn what they mean, we can learn to be joyful of our
salvation.
• We will learn our priorities of this life, and place Christ in His right
position.
• Do you have this great treasure of great value in your life?
By Carey Scott
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