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

2. 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.

3. 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

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

5. 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)

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

7. 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

8. 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)

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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?

13. 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

14. 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!

15. 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

16. 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)

17. 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)

18. 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

19. The Difference in how men come to the kingdom
Some are looking & searching
Man looking for beautiful pearls (vv )
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)

20. 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)

21. 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?

22. 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