Jesus: The Ultimate Treasure Worth Everything
Summary
Today, we gathered around the simple but life-changing truth: Jesus is better. No matter what the world offers—success, relationships, pleasure, or comfort—nothing compares to the treasure found in Christ. Drawing from Matthew 13, we looked at two parables where Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven as a treasure hidden in a field and a pearl of great price. In both stories, the people who discover these treasures are willing to give up everything else because they recognize the surpassing worth of what they’ve found. This is the invitation and challenge for each of us: to see Jesus as the greatest treasure, worth more than anything else we could pursue or possess.
Some of us stumble upon Jesus when we’re not even looking, while others are searching for meaning, hope, or love. But whether we’re searching or simply living life, Jesus is the one who finds us. He is the answer to the emptiness and longing that nothing else can fill. The world will always leave us feeling like something is missing as long as someone is missing—and that someone is Jesus.
We also remembered the story of humanity: how sin entered the world, separating us from God and leaving us spiritually dead. No amount of good works or self-improvement can fix this. But Jesus, fully God and fully man, lived the perfect life we couldn’t, died in our place, and rose again. The greatest gift of the gospel isn’t just forgiveness or heaven—it’s that we get God Himself. Eternal life starts now, as God comes to live within us, changing us from the inside out.
Many people hold back from surrendering to Jesus for various reasons: feeling unforgivable, wanting to wait until later, trying to live in the middle, misunderstanding the reality of eternity, or believing they can’t be changed. But Jesus is better than every excuse. No one is too lost, too broken, or too far gone for Him. Today is the day to lay down excuses, trust in Christ, and experience the joy, peace, and purpose that only He can give. Whether you’re stumbling into faith or searching for answers, Jesus is the treasure you’ve been looking for.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus is the only one who truly satisfies the deepest longings of the human heart. All the world’s treasures—success, relationships, pleasure—ultimately leave us empty, but Jesus fills the void with Himself. When we see Him as the greatest treasure, we willingly let go of lesser things to gain what is truly life. [43:19]
- The kingdom of heaven is not about religious activity or moral improvement, but about surrendering to the rule and reign of King Jesus. When He is in charge, we experience the peace, joy, and purpose we were created for. True spiritual life begins when we allow Jesus to rule in our hearts, not just our schedules. [45:19]
- The gospel is not about making bad people good, but about making dead people alive. Sin has left us spiritually dead and separated from God, but Jesus’ death and resurrection bring forgiveness and new life. Eternal life is not just a future hope, but a present reality for those who trust in Him. [57:00]
- Excuses keep us from experiencing the fullness of life in Christ. Whether it’s believing we’re unforgivable, waiting for a better time, trying to live in the middle, misunderstanding eternity, or doubting that we can change, every excuse is answered by the sufficiency and love of Jesus. He is better than any reason we could give for holding back. [01:00:38]
- No one is beyond the reach of Jesus’ grace. There is no sin too great, no heart too hard, no life too broken for Him to redeem. The invitation is open to all: stop trying to fix yourself and start trusting in the One who can truly save and transform you. [01:08:42]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[41:39] - Jesus is Better Than Anything
[43:19] - The Void Only Jesus Fills
[45:19] - The Kingdom and the King
[47:22] - Two Parables: Treasure and Pearl
[50:07] - Searching for Someone, Not Something
[53:04] - The Problem of Sin
[54:35] - The Resurrection and Its Power
[57:00] - The Gift: You Get God
[58:07] - Repentance, Faith, and New Life
[58:57] - Good People Don’t Go to Heaven
[59:50] - Five Excuses That Keep Us From Jesus
[01:00:38] - Excuse 1: Jesus Can’t Forgive Me
[01:03:30] - Excuse 2: I’ll Wait Till Later
[01:05:30] - Excuse 3: Hanging in the Middle
[01:06:00] - Excuse 4: Partying in Hell
[01:07:42] - Excuse 5: Jesus Can’t Change Me
[01:08:42] - No One Is Too Far Gone
[01:09:32] - Responding to the Invitation
[01:10:30] - Confessing and Believing
[01:12:08] - Prayer of Surrender
[01:13:35] - Celebration and Next Steps
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Jesus is Better
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### Bible Reading
- Matthew 13:44-46
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
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### Observation Questions
1. In the parables Jesus tells in Matthew 13:44-46, what actions do the man and the merchant take when they discover the treasure and the pearl? What does this show about how valuable they see what they’ve found?
2. According to the sermon, what are some things people often look to for fulfillment or to fill the “void” in their lives? ([41:39])
3. What does the preacher say is the greatest gift of the gospel—more than forgiveness or heaven? ([57:00])
4. What are some of the excuses mentioned in the sermon that keep people from surrendering to Jesus? ([59:50])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus compare the kingdom of heaven to a hidden treasure and a priceless pearl? What is He trying to communicate about Himself and His kingdom?
2. The sermon says, “You’ll always feel like something is missing in your life as long as someone is missing and his name is Jesus Christ.” What does this mean about the way people search for meaning or satisfaction? ([43:19])
3. The preacher says, “The gospel of Jesus Christ is not about making good people better. It’s about making dead people alive.” How does this challenge common ideas about religion or self-improvement? ([57:00])
4. The sermon lists several excuses people use to avoid surrendering to Jesus. What do these excuses reveal about our understanding of God, ourselves, or eternity? ([59:50])
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### Application Questions
1. The man and the merchant in the parables gave up everything for the treasure and the pearl. Is there anything in your life right now that you are holding onto more tightly than Jesus? What would it look like to “let go” of that for Him? ([45:19])
2. The sermon says that people try to fill the emptiness inside with things like success, relationships, or pleasure, but only Jesus truly satisfies. What is one area where you’ve tried to find fulfillment apart from Jesus? How did that work out? ([41:39])
3. The preacher shared that some people stumble into faith while others are searching. Which story do you relate to more—stumbling into Jesus or searching for Him? How did you come to see Jesus as the treasure? ([47:22])
4. The message says, “No amount of good works, no amount of being a good person will fix this.” Have you ever tried to “fix yourself” or earn God’s approval? What happened when you tried? ([58:07])
5. Of the five excuses mentioned (feeling unforgivable, waiting till later, living in the middle, misunderstanding eternity, believing you can’t change), which one do you most relate to or have struggled with in the past? What helped you move past it—or what might help you now? ([59:50])
6. The sermon says, “No one is too far gone for Jesus to reach.” Is there someone in your life you think is “too far gone”? How does this truth challenge you to pray for or reach out to them? ([01:08:42])
7. Eternal life is described as starting now, not just in the future. What is one way you can experience more of God’s peace, joy, or purpose in your daily life this week? ([57:00])
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Devotional
Day 1: Jesus is the Greatest Treasure—Nothing Compares
The kingdom of heaven is described as a treasure hidden in a field and a pearl of great price, showing that encountering Jesus is discovering the most valuable thing in life—so valuable that nothing else compares and everything else is worth giving up to have Him. When you truly see Jesus for who He is, you realize that no achievement, relationship, or possession can fill the void in your heart like He can. Whether you stumble upon Him unexpectedly or have been searching for meaning, Jesus is the answer your soul longs for, and embracing Him brings a joy and fulfillment that the world cannot offer. [41:39]
Matthew 13:44-46 (ESV)
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
Reflection: What is one thing you are tempted to value above Jesus? What would it look like to surrender that to Him today, trusting that He is the greatest treasure?
Day 2: Only Jesus Can Truly Satisfy and Complete You
No matter how much we chase after money, success, relationships, or pleasure, there will always be a sense of emptiness as long as Jesus is missing from our lives. The world offers countless substitutes for fulfillment, but they always fall short, leaving us searching for more. Jesus alone can fill the deepest void in your heart, offering a love, peace, and purpose that nothing else can provide—He is the only one who can make you whole. [43:19]
Colossians 2:9-10 (ESV)
“For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”
Reflection: Where have you been looking for fulfillment apart from Jesus? How can you invite Him to fill that space in your heart today?
Day 3: The Good News—Jesus Saves and Gives Us God Himself
Jesus, fully God and fully man, lived the perfect life we could not live, died in our place, and rose again so that we could be forgiven, made spiritually alive, and receive the greatest gift of all: God Himself. The gospel is not just about escaping hell or gaining heaven, but about being restored to a relationship with God, who comes to live inside of us and transforms us from the inside out. Eternal life starts now, as you experience His peace, joy, and love in your daily life because you have Him. [54:35]
Romans 10:9 (ESV)
“Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Reflection: How does knowing that the greatest treasure of the gospel is getting God Himself change the way you approach your relationship with Him today?
Day 4: Don’t Wait—Today Is the Day to Go All In
Many people put off surrendering to Jesus, thinking they’ll have time later, or try to live with one foot in the world and one in the church, but Jesus calls us to go all in because we are not guaranteed tomorrow. There is no middle ground with Jesus—you are either with Him or against Him—and delaying your response is risking missing out on the life and eternity He offers. Today is the day to lay down your excuses, trust Him fully, and let Him change your life forever. [01:03:30]
2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV)
“For he says, ‘In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Reflection: What excuse or hesitation has kept you from fully surrendering to Jesus? What step can you take right now to go all in with Him?
Day 5: No One Is Too Far Gone for Jesus to Save and Change
No matter your past, your failures, or how broken you feel, Jesus is able and willing to forgive, heal, and transform you—there is no one too lost, too dirty, or too wounded for Him. Stop trying to fix yourself or earn your way to God; instead, trust Jesus to do what you cannot do for yourself. He specializes in finding the lost, cleansing the dirty, and making dead hearts alive—if you surrender to Him, He will make you new. [01:08:42]
Ezekiel 36:26 (ESV)
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you feel too broken or unworthy for Jesus to change? Will you trust Him today to do what only He can do in you?
Quotes
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