"THE PARABLES OF JESUS"
The Hidden Treasure (Mt 13:44)
INTRODUCTION
1. In our study on "The Parables Of Jesus", we have seen...
a. Different ways in which the message of the kingdom would be
received ("The Sower")
b. The efforts of Satan to corrupt the character of the kingdom, but
its future consummation in purity and splendor being assured
("The Wheat And Tares")
c. The growth and development of the kingdom ("The Mustard Seed" &
"The Leaven")
2. Each of these parables is found in Matthew 13, and as we continue
to examine that chapter we find...
a. Two parables are found in Mt 13:44-46
1) "The Parable Of The Hidden Treasure"
2) "The Parable Of The Pearl Of Great Price"
b. Like the pair of parables, "The Mustard Seed" and "The Leaven",
in which a similar theme was found, there seems to be a theme
common to these two parables
1) The theme of the earlier couplet was the "growth and
development" of the kingdom
2) The theme of this couplet appears to be the "preciousness and
value" of the kingdom
[In this study, we shall focus on "The Parable Of The Hidden Treasure",
beginning with...]
I. THE PARABLE EXPLAINED
A. THE DETAILS OF THE PARABLE...
1. A man finds a treasure hidden in a field
2. He first hides it, then proceeds to buy the field
3. Though he must sell everything he has in order to buy the
field, he does so gladly in anticipation of the treasure that
will then be rightfully his
B. THE MEANING OF THE PARABLE...
1. Here is the explanation as given by two commentators:
a. "The kingdom of heaven is worth infinitely more than the
cost of discipleship, and those who know where the treasure
lies joyfully abandon everything else to secure it." (D. A.
Carson)
b. "...the kingdom of heaven, the glad recognition of God's
rule over heart and life, including salvation for the
present and for the future, for soul and ultimately also
for the body, the great privilege of being thereby made a
blessing to others to the glory of God, all this, is a
treasure so inestimably precious that one who obtains it is
willing to surrender for it whatever could interfere with
having it." (William Hendriksen)
2. What distinguishes this parable from the one following is that
it describes the value of the kingdom to one who accidentally
finds it
a. Though not purposely looking for it, its value is
immediately recognized
b. So the kingdom of heaven has been, and will be, for many
people!
3. As Hendriksen says again: "...we should grasp its one
important lesson: the incalculable preciousness of salvation
for those who discover it and obtain possession of it without
even looking for it!"
C. THE APOSTLE PAUL AS AN EXAMPLE...
1. He discovered the "treasure" unexpectedly
a. It was on the road to Damascus, going to persecute
Christians - Acts 9:1-2
b. For he thought it was the right thing to do - Acts 26:9-11
c. But once he met the Lord, and learned the will of God, he
did not hesitate to carry it out even at great cost to him
- Acts 26:19-23
2. His estimation of what he found
a. Something worth giving up all, if necessary - cf. Ph 3:4-11
b. Writing of "the gospel of the glory of Christ", Paul refers
to it as a "treasure" - 2 Co 4:7
c. He writes of the "treasures of wisdom and knowledge" that
are found in Christ - Co 2:1-3
[Clearly Paul considered Christ and His kingdom a "treasure" worth
giving up all one had if necessary to obtain. What is there about the
kingdom of Christ that makes it so valuable?]
II. THE KINGDOM OF EXCEEDING VALUE
A. A REFUGE FROM THE POWERS OF DARKNESS - Co 1:13
1. Outside the kingdom of heaven, one is in the kingdom of Satan
- Ep 2:1-3
a. Under his influence
b. Trapped in various sins
2. But the kingdom of Christ offers deliverance, refuge
a. We are set free from the guilt and dominion of sin, so that
we can serve God - Rom 6:17-18
b. God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to
bear - 1 Co 10:13
B. A DOMAIN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, AND JOY - Rom 14:17
1. A righteousness through faith in Christ, in which our sins
have been forgiven - Ph 3:8-9
2. A peace from God, which surpasses all understanding - Phil 4:6-7
3. An abiding joy in the Lord, no matter the circumstances - Phil 4:4;
cf. Phil 2:17-18
C. AN UNSHAKABLE KINGDOM - He 12:25-29
1. One which shall never be destroyed - cf. Dn 2:44
2. Therefore, a truly everlasting kingdom - cf. 2 Pe 1:10-11
D. DESTINED FOR ETERNAL GLORY - 1 Co 15:21-26
1. Presented by Christ to God at His second coming, those who are
truly "sons of the kingdom" will "shine forth as the sun in
the kingdom of their Father" - cf. Mt 13:41-43
2. From that time forward, those in the kingdom will experience
the ultimate fellowship in the presence of God -
Rev 21:1-5; Rev 21:9-12; Rev 21:22-27
CONCLUSION
1. In light of both the present and future blessings found in the
kingdom of heaven, perhaps we can appreciate why many consider the
kingdom one of exceeding value
a. Even when not actively looking for it, but stumbling across it...
b. ...the value is recognized immediately by some, willing to pay
whatever price necessary
2. What is the value of the kingdom? Perhaps we should ask...
a. Stephen, the first Christian martyr - cf. Acts 7
b. The early Christians, who experienced persecution - cf. Acts 8:1-4
c. The apostle Paul, who suffered so much for the kingdom -
cf. 2 Ti 3:10-11; 2 Ti 4:6-8; 2 Ti 3:16-18
d. And of course, our Lord Jesus, who gave up all to make it
possible - cf. Ph 2:5-8
-- With one voice they would all say, "It is well worth it!"
3. How about us? Are we willing to pay the full price to obtain the
"treasure" of the kingdom?
a. The price of repentance?
b. The price of complete submission to the will of Christ? - Mt 28:18-20
c. The price of putting the kingdom first in our lives? - Mt 6:33
Our response to the gospel, and how we live our lives as Christians,
demonstrate our true estimation of the "treasure" of the kingdom of
heaven!
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