The Hidden Treasure: Christ's Joy in Redeeming You

Today we began Sacred Stories, walking with Jesus through his parables during Advent. I focused on Matthew 13:44—the treasure hidden in a field—and invited us to see it the way Scripture points: Jesus is the man, and we are the treasure. That reading fits what Romans 3:11 and Ephesians 2:1 make clear: we do not seek God; God seeks us. From eternity, the Father set his love on us (Ephesians 1:4–5). Before we had a past to regret, he chose us. The treasure isn’t polished or impressive; it’s beloved. That’s why this story shocks us—Christ sees worth where the world sees dust. Not because we’re flawless, but because he chose to set his love on us.

Jesus “sells all” in joy. Hebrews 12:2 says the joy set before him led him to endure the cross, and that joy wasn’t heaven, angels, or glory—he already had all of that. His joy is you. Advent tells the same story: our God comes down into our field—Bethlehem straw, Gethsemane soil, Golgotha stone—to find what he refuses to lose. Isaiah 43 grounds our identity: “I have called you by name; you are mine.” That is not probation language. It is covenant language. And redemption is costly. Not with gold or silver, but with the holy, precious blood of the Son.

So live as the treasure he purchased. You don’t need to prove your worth—Christ already has. You don’t need to hide your sins—Christ died for them. You don’t need to fear death—Christ defeated it. You don’t need to worry if you’re forgotten—Christ sought you out. Advent is watchfulness without fear, because the One who came, who gave up everything for you once, will not abandon you now. He will come again and bring his treasured people home. Every beautiful Christmas tale is only an echo of this truest one: the King of heaven joyfully gave all to make you his own—forever.

Key Takeaways

• 1. You are Christ’s treasured possession Your worth isn’t earned; it’s bestowed. Jesus tells the story as the One who seeks, finds, and pays the full price to make you his. Your value isn’t fragile because it rests in his choosing, not your achieving. His love confers worth, and what he treasures he keeps. [37:13]
• 2. His joy was finding you Hebrews says he endured the cross “for the joy set before him.” That joy wasn’t heaven or angels; it was you. He faced Bethlehem’s humility and Calvary’s horror with fierce delight, because losing you was not an option. The cross is the receipt of that joy. [39:09]
• 3. Advent: God comes down Advent doesn’t demand we climb up; it announces God has come down. He steps into our field—our real, imperfect lives—to rescue, heal, and claim. This season leads us to receive, not to perform; to be found, not to posture. The initiative is all his grace. [41:51]
• 4. Redemption cost everything for you “I have redeemed you” means “I bought you back”—at a cost. The Son spent glory, comfort, and life to cancel sin’s wages. That price secures your future now; it’s why watchfulness can be peaceful rather than anxious. The cost paid settles the question of your belonging. [39:47]
• 5. Live from a secured identity Named and claimed, you don’t need to prove, hide, or fear. You live forgiven, adopted, and sent—because Christ has already spoken your name and written your story. This identity steadies you when you stumble and emboldens you to love without self-protection. [45:50]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [11:22] - Announcements and Advent Schedule
• [12:43] - Invocation and Call to Worship
• [17:44] - Baptism of Shaylee Wood
• [28:39] - Scripture Readings
• [30:01] - Sacred Stories Series Begins
• [34:32] - Treasure Hidden in a Field
• [35:14] - We Don’t Seek—God Seeks Us
• [39:09] - The Joy Set Before Him
• [41:51] - Advent: God Comes Down
• [45:50] - Living as Christ’s Treasure
• [50:23] - Communion: Words of Institution
• [55:13] - Song: Jesus Messiah
• [63:12] - Benediction and Sending

1. In Matthew 13:44 what three actions does the man take after he finds the treasure? (read the verse slowly and list the verbs)
2. The pastor reinterprets the roles in the parable: who is the man and who is the treasure according to the sermon? [34:32]
3. The sermon says the treasure is often “dusty” and forgotten and yet Christ still sees worth. What images or reasons did the sermon give for why the treasure (people) is valuable despite being flawed? [37:13]

1. If Jesus is the seeker (the man) and the people are the treasure, how should that change the way a Christian understands initiative in the gospel and personal worth? [34:32]
2. What does Hebrews 12:2’s phrase “for the joy set before him he endured the cross” imply about Christ’s motivation in redemption and the value he places on people? [39:09]
3. Isaiah 43 says, “I have called you by name; you are mine.” How should that covenant language shape a believer’s assurance (as distinct from seeing God’s relationship as probation or a test)? [28:39]
4. The sermon emphasized that redemption was paid at great cost. What implications does the doctrine of costly redemption (the Son’s suffering and blood) have for how the church prioritizes worship, mission, and care? [39:47]

1. The pastor said, “You do not need to hide your sins. Christ died for them.” Identify one habitual sin or shame you tend to hide. What specific person (pastor, friend, small group member) will you confess it to this week, and when will you do it? [45:50]
2. Fear of being forgotten or of death can come back strongly in hard moments. Name one specific Bible verse or short prayer you will memorize or put where you will see it to remind yourself that Christ has defeated death and called you by name. Where will you place that reminder? [43:44]
3. The sermon mentioned baptismal birthdays and small practices of remembering our identity. Choose one concrete habit you will begin this Advent (for example: lighting a candle weekly, keeping a short “called-by-name” journal, or celebrating your baptism day) and say when you’ll start it. [20:56]
4. Advent was described as “watchfulness without fear.” What is one practical change you will make this Advent to replace anxious checking or striving with watchful waiting (for example: a 10-minute evening prayer, a weekly Sabbath unplug, or joining an Advent devotional group)? When will you do it each week? [41:51]
5. Because the man “sells all” in joy to buy the field, what is one sacrificial shift you can make in the next month to serve someone who feels overlooked in your life (a neighbor, co-worker, family member)? Be specific about the action, timing, and expected cost. [38:30]
6. The sermon said the story’s truest point is that the King “joyfully gave up everything to make you his own.” Think of one person in your circle who needs to hear they are treasured by God. Plan a specific step this week to share that truth with them (a call, a handwritten note, an invite to church). What will you say, and when will you do it? [46:30]