The Pearl Of Great Price The Parables of The Hidden Treasure & The Pearl Of Great Price Matthew 13:44-46

Matt 13:44-46 44 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

The Pearl Of Great Price The Parables of The Hidden Treasure & The Pearl Of Great Price “Here are twin parables that are brief and penetrating” (Lightfoot, 30) While the parables are two – the subject is the same Both emphasize the value of the kingdom

Customs of the Day – Burying Treasure No banks, safes or vaults Dangers of war, raids, & thieves Often bury valuables Unknown to family members

Should he have told the landowner? Did the Man do Right? Should he have told the landowner? Little information about total circumstance “But it is not in this part of his procedure that the point of the parable is to be found…” (Taylor, 76) Point / purpose is to illustrate his earnestness with which he pursued the treasure Are details in parables that are not to be imitated: i.e. dishonesty of the unjust judge (Luke 18)

The Point of the Parables Rather than pressing each point of the parable to application Grasp the one important lesson: Value of salvation

Matt 13:44-46 44 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. The Value

The Value of spiritual matters Treasure Like a pot of gold, rare jewels – even greater! This is true riches (Eph. 3:8; Col. 2:3) So precious – willing to surrender all that interferes Fully satisfies all our needs Brings inner peace & satisfaction (Acts 7:54-60)

Pearl Like a diamond today in value Not just any pearl (may have had many) In quest for the best pearl All else is cheap beside it

The Value of spiritual matters Treasure Hidden As a treasure chest buried in a field - in a cave Hidden because of its great value Not easily seen on the surface May either be stumbled upon or found by diligent search Field? - Some think it is the Scriptures

The Value of spiritual matters Treasure Hidden Found By an unexpecting man While working on things far less important While his focus is on other things Not out looking for hidden treasure By a discerning man Immediately recognizes the value Understands – this is worth more than anything he has Hides it – because of its value - lest he lose it

How Valuable Are Spiritual Matters To You? Do you view spiritual matters as a great treasure? Do you view spiritual matters as a priceless pearl? How earnest are you in striving for spiritual things? Are material & temporal things calling you away from spiritual? Is the spiritual treasure causing you to forget the other quest you have? Are spiritual matters so great – that it is not worth the risk of letting other thing get in the way?

The Value The Price Matt 13:44-46 44 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. The Value The Price

The Price paid Voluntarily Not forced to sell & buy No one urged it upon him He goes, sells & buy without hesitation All because he knows the value!

The Price paid Voluntarily Joyfully Not like going to a funeral Not as a thing he regrets, but has to do “For joy over it” – he went, sold & bought No complaints The pain of parting is lost in the joy of the treasure

The Price paid Voluntarily Joyfully Great Price Sold ALL he had No price too great to pay! Willingly sacrifices everything else! Self denial (Matt. 16:24) Pearl: gave up all other pearls he owned for that one Examples: Paul (Phil. 3:8-9) Corinthians (1 Cor. 6:9-11) Ephesians (Acts 19:17-20) Thessalonians (1 Thess. 1:9)

What Price are You Willing to Pay? Renounce every desire, care, interest, & pleasure that is incompatible with the salvation you seek? Family religion? (Gal. 1:13-14) Money? Job? Family relationships? (Ezra 10; Mt. 19:29; 10:35-39) Own life? (Rev. 2:10)

The Value The Price The Difference Matt 13:44-46 44 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. The Value The Price The Difference

The Difference in how men come to the kingdom Some are looking & searching Man looking for beautiful pearls (vv. 45-46) Man with a purpose & direction Not living with aimless direction Some are looking for the truth – searching for right Bereans (Acts 17:10-12) Eunuch (Acts 16:29-34) Cornelius (Acts 10:1-8; 30-33) Cleopas & companion (Luke 24:27-29)

The Difference in how men come to the kingdom Some are looking & searching Some stumble upon on Man found treasure in a field (v. 44) Don’t realize that what they have is not the treasure Not out seeking, searching. Some come to know the truth – never intended to Gentiles did not seek (Rom. 10:20) Nathaniel was not looking for Jesus (John 1:45) The jailer was not expecting… (Acts 16:19-ff)

What About Your Coming to the Kingdom? Have you found the treasure? The Pearl? Have you been seeking, searching – wanting to find something of greater value? Have you stumbled upon something – never realized was there?

The Value of spiritual matters 44 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. The Value of spiritual matters The Price paid The Difference in how men come to the kingdom