Embracing Our Identity as Treasures of God's Love

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound message of God's love and redemption through the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price found in Matthew 13:44-46. These parables illustrate the immense value God places on each of us, portraying us as treasures and pearls for which Jesus gave everything. In a world where valuables were often hidden for safekeeping, Jesus uses these stories to convey the radical nature of God's kingdom—a kingdom that is not something we can purchase but is a free gift of grace. The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man who finds a treasure in a field and sells everything to buy that field, and a merchant who sells all he has to acquire a pearl of great value. These stories are not about our actions but about what God has done for us. Jesus is the one who finds us, treasures us, and gives everything for us, even His life, to redeem us.

We also reflected on the story of Ruth and Boaz, a beautiful narrative of redemption that mirrors Christ's love for us. Boaz's willingness to redeem Ruth and the field she came with is a testament to the lengths God goes to bring us into His family. This story reminds us that we are cherished and valued beyond measure. As we consider these truths, we are called to live as redeemed people, sharing the good news of the gospel without fear. We are encouraged to be bold in our faith, knowing that Christ lives within us and empowers us to be His hands and feet in the world. Let us embrace our identity as God's treasured possession and go forth to proclaim His love and grace to all.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Kingdom's Incomparable Value: The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price illustrate the kingdom of heaven's immeasurable worth. These stories remind us that God's kingdom is not something we can buy; it is a gift of grace, freely given to those who believe in Jesus Christ. We are called to recognize the value of this gift and live in response to it. [27:56]

2. God's Radical Love: Jesus' willingness to give everything for us, as depicted in the parables, highlights the depth of God's love. We are the treasures and pearls for which Christ sacrificed His life. This profound truth calls us to embrace our identity as beloved children of God, cherished and valued beyond measure. [33:39]

3. Redemption Through Christ: The story of Ruth and Boaz serves as a powerful illustration of redemption. Just as Boaz redeemed Ruth, Jesus redeems us, paying the ultimate price to bring us into His family. This narrative encourages us to trust in God's redemptive work and live as His redeemed people. [41:03]

4. Living as Redeemed People: Knowing that we are redeemed by Christ empowers us to live boldly and share the gospel without fear. We are called to be witnesses of God's love and grace, proclaiming the good news to those around us. Our lives should reflect the transformative power of Christ's redemption. [44:39]

5. Embracing Our Identity in Christ: As we understand the value God places on us, we are invited to live as His treasured possession. This identity shapes our actions and interactions, motivating us to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. We are called to go forth, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to proclaim the gospel and embody God's love. [46:39]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Announcements and Events
- [02:00] - Opening Prayer
- [04:00] - Prayer for Healing and Restoration
- [06:00] - Offering and Generosity
- [08:00] - Question of Value
- [10:00] - Parables of Treasure and Pearl
- [12:00] - Understanding the Parables
- [14:00] - Jesus as the Redeemer
- [16:00] - Story of Ruth and Boaz
- [18:00] - Redemption and Identity
- [20:00] - Living as Redeemed People
- [22:00] - Invitation to Prayer
- [24:00] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
- [26:00] - Final Song and Dismissal

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 13:44-46: "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."

#### Observation Questions
1. What actions do the man and the merchant take upon finding the treasure and the pearl in Matthew 13:44-46? How do these actions reflect the value they place on their discoveries?
2. In the sermon, how does the pastor describe the significance of the treasure and the pearl in relation to God's kingdom? [33:39]
3. How does the story of Ruth and Boaz illustrate the concept of redemption as discussed in the sermon? [41:03]
4. What does the pastor suggest about our identity in Christ based on the parables of the treasure and the pearl? [44:39]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the pastor interpret the roles of the man and the merchant in the parables? What does this suggest about God's actions towards us? [33:39]
2. In what ways does the story of Ruth and Boaz serve as a metaphor for Christ's redemptive work, according to the sermon? [41:03]
3. How does the pastor's explanation of the parables challenge the common understanding of what it means to "find" the kingdom of heaven? [33:39]
4. What implications does the pastor draw from the parables about the nature of God's love and grace? [33:39]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like a "treasure" or "pearl" in God's eyes. How did that experience shape your understanding of your value in Christ? [33:39]
2. The pastor encourages living as redeemed people. What specific steps can you take this week to embody this identity in your daily interactions? [44:39]
3. Consider the story of Ruth and Boaz. How can you demonstrate a willingness to go to great lengths for others in your community, as Boaz did for Ruth? [41:03]
4. The sermon emphasizes sharing the gospel without fear. Identify one person in your life with whom you can share the good news of Christ this week. What approach will you take? [44:39]
5. How can you cultivate a deeper appreciation for the "free gift of grace" that is the kingdom of heaven in your life? What practices might help you recognize its value more fully? [33:39]
6. The pastor speaks about being empowered by the Holy Spirit to be Christ's hands and feet. What is one tangible way you can serve others in your community this month? [46:39]
7. Reflect on the idea of being a "treasured possession" of God. How does this identity influence your self-worth and the way you view others? [44:39]

Devotional

Day 1: The Kingdom's Incomparable Value
The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price reveal the immeasurable worth of the kingdom of heaven. These stories illustrate that God's kingdom is not something we can purchase or earn; it is a gift of grace, freely given to those who believe in Jesus Christ. The man who finds a treasure in a field and sells everything to buy that field, and the merchant who sells all he has to acquire a pearl of great value, both demonstrate the radical nature of God's kingdom. We are called to recognize the value of this gift and live in response to it, understanding that our worth is not determined by worldly standards but by the love and grace of God. [27:56]

Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV): "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Reflection: What is one earthly treasure you are holding onto that might be hindering your full embrace of God's kingdom? How can you begin to shift your focus to the eternal treasures of heaven today?


Day 2: God's Radical Love
The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price highlight the depth of God's love for us. We are the treasures and pearls for which Christ sacrificed His life, demonstrating His willingness to give everything for us. This profound truth calls us to embrace our identity as beloved children of God, cherished and valued beyond measure. Understanding the radical nature of God's love helps us to see ourselves through His eyes and to live confidently in the knowledge that we are deeply loved and valued. [33:39]

Ephesians 3:17-19 (ESV): "So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Reflection: How does knowing you are a treasured possession of God change the way you view yourself and others? What is one way you can embrace and reflect God's radical love today?


Day 3: Redemption Through Christ
The story of Ruth and Boaz serves as a powerful illustration of redemption. Just as Boaz redeemed Ruth, Jesus redeems us, paying the ultimate price to bring us into His family. This narrative encourages us to trust in God's redemptive work and live as His redeemed people. We are reminded that our redemption is not based on our own efforts but on the sacrificial love of Christ, who gave His life to secure our place in God's family. [41:03]

Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to trust more fully in Christ's redemptive work? How can you live out your identity as a redeemed person in your daily interactions?


Day 4: Living as Redeemed People
Knowing that we are redeemed by Christ empowers us to live boldly and share the gospel without fear. We are called to be witnesses of God's love and grace, proclaiming the good news to those around us. Our lives should reflect the transformative power of Christ's redemption, as we seek to be His hands and feet in the world. Embracing our identity as redeemed people enables us to live with purpose and courage, knowing that Christ lives within us and empowers us to fulfill His mission. [44:39]

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us."

Reflection: What is one way you can boldly share the gospel with someone in your life this week? How can you be an ambassador for Christ in your community?


Day 5: Embracing Our Identity in Christ
As we understand the value God places on us, we are invited to live as His treasured possession. This identity shapes our actions and interactions, motivating us to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. We are called to go forth, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to proclaim the gospel and embody God's love. Embracing our identity in Christ allows us to live with confidence and purpose, knowing that we are deeply loved and valued by our Creator. [46:39]

1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

Reflection: How does your identity as God's treasured possession influence the way you live and interact with others? What is one practical step you can take to embody God's love in your community today?

Quotes


God, we pray, oh God, for your great mercy to be made known in our lives, understanding that we fall short of the glory of God and you loved us and died for us anyway. And so, God, we are grateful for all that you have done for us, all the ways in which you have made yourself known to us. And we pray, oh God, that we are the light of Christ into this world so that others who have not yet experienced that good news will find a true friend in Christ and in us. [00:19:53]

And just want you to know that myself and Sandy and Eric Bellamy and Lynn and Tim Gross and Buddy Roberts were down in San Antonio this week for the annual awakening. And it's in Frisco next year, which is not really far away, and if you have a chance, I'm going to tell you this later. It's not until next February, but I'm going to tell you this later. If you want to go and see what God is doing in the next generation, go to Annual Awakening, all right? It is powerful what God is doing in Generation Z and beyond, and it is reviving the Mid -Texas Conference in ways that I can't even tell you about right now because it would take far too long, but the work that we do as a local church feeds into that. We sent kids to Revive Mission Work Camp over the past couple of weeks ago, and God did amazing things there, and we're going to summer camp with kids and youth, and your generous giving helps make that possible. We share the gospel with the next generation because they are the church. They're not the future of the church. They are the church, and so God is doing amazing things, and your generosity right here and right now in this moment helps continue to make that happen across our conference and across the world, so let's pray. Gracious and loving God, I thank you so much for the ways in which you have blessed us even up to and this very moment. [00:22:01]

We pray, oh God, that our generosity is multiplied by putting it in your hands because you are far more generous than we are. So God, take the gifts that we give today, bless them, and multiply them so that through them we can continue to be the hands and feet of Christ for this generation and the next and the next and the next because your kingdom is right here and right now. I pray this all in the name of Jesus. Amen. [00:23:33]

Jesus says this, he says, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. Let us pray. [00:28:39]

So Jesus says there's a man who finds treasure in a field. But it's not his field. It's someone else's field. Because he goes on to tell us that he had to sell everything that he had in order to buy the field and then get the treasure. He found it. He had to rebury it and then go buy the field so that then he could go get the treasure. And so this man has sold everything that he has in order to get this one treasure. It doesn't say he opened it and saw what was in there. [00:31:55]

now he's like a merchant looking for fine pearls and when he found one of great value he went away and sold everything he had and bought it now in this particular case he gets to see the merchandise before he sells everything that he's going to to get but he's still willing to sell everything that he has in order to have this pearl this pearl of great price this pearl of great value and he's willing to have just that pearl and nothing else again this is an all -or -nothing kind of deal and jesus says the kingdom of heaven is like that he says the kingdom of heaven is like this guy who's engaged in risky business like he liquidates all of his assets to buy this single pearl and i would imagine the people around jesus who are hearing this story are going man this is crazy why would you do that why would you sell everything that you have to buy a mystery box why would you sell everything you have just to have one pearl because you're probably just going to have to sell it back and get all your stuff back [00:33:45]

depending on where you put yourself in the story changes how this rolls out from here because if we place ourselves as the the man who finds the treasure in the field or the the merchant who finds the pearl of great price and sell everything then the kingdom of heaven becomes that treasure box or that pearl and then it becomes something we can buy and my friends the kingdom of heaven is not something we can buy it is a free gift of the grace of god that is available to all who believe in jesus christ that is the kingdom of heaven that is so it's not us it's not us who are the merchant it's not us who the is the man who's going out in the field it's jesus so then who's the pearl who's the treasure anybody want to take a guess it's us it's us we are the treasure buried in the field and he's got to pick us up and dust us off and open it up and see what's inside and go yeah i can use that or go in and selling everything that he has for a pearl of great price because we are valuable my friends we are worth an infinite amount of money and time and love to our gracious and loving [00:35:11]

God. We are far more valuable. And Jesus is telling us the kingdom of heaven is like that. And if Jesus is the one who goes and gives everything to buy this treasure, to buy the field and with the treasure on it and to buy this pearl, he's telling us what's going to happen at the end of the gospel is that he will give his entire life to gain us as a treasure. [00:36:29]

That, my friends, is the good news. That Jesus loves us so much that he is willing to give everything, that he is willing to have nothing except this pearl, except us. He is willing to give everything that he has in order to draw us into connection with him. So, I hope that you understand. [00:37:02]

And I hope that you begin to sense that these parables are not necessarily about what we're supposed to do, but indeed about what God has done for us. [00:37:40]

Do you know that you've been redeemed by Christ? And if you do, then I invite you to live as the redeemed people of God in this world, not worrying about what other people might say about you, but knowing that Christ lives inside of you through the power of the Holy Spirit, and he fills you and sends you out into this world to proclaim the good news of the gospel, and you can do so without fear. [00:43:35]

Take this time to remember that you are treasured by the Lord. That you have been bought with a price that we could not pay. That we could not earn. That we could not take away. [00:46:02]

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Transcript
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