Discovering Joy Through the Treasure of God’s Kingdom

Devotional

Day 1: The Kingdom of Heaven Is the Greatest Treasure

The kingdom of heaven is of such surpassing value that when truly discovered, it compels total joy, wholehearted surrender, and radical reprioritization of your entire life. The parable of the hidden treasure reminds us that the joy of finding Christ and His kingdom far outweighs any cost or sacrifice we might make. When the man in the story found the treasure, he didn’t hesitate—he sold all he had with joy, not reluctance, because he recognized the incomparable worth of what he had found. This is the invitation for each of us: to see the treasure of Christ, to let go of lesser things, and to embrace the fullness of joy that comes from belonging to Him. [01:11:51]

Matthew 13:44 (NIV)
“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.”

Reflection: What is one thing you are holding onto that keeps you from fully embracing the joy and value of God’s kingdom? Are you willing to surrender it today for the sake of the greater treasure?

Day 2: The Good News Brings Great Joy to All People

The message of Jesus is not just good news—it is the most joyous news the world has ever heard, and it is for everyone, everywhere. The angel’s proclamation at Jesus’ birth was that the arrival of Christ would bring great joy to all people, not just a select few. This joy is not fleeting or reserved for special occasions; it is a deep, abiding gladness that comes from knowing and receiving the gift of Jesus. No matter your background or circumstances, the joy of the Lord is available to you today, inviting you to experience the fullness of His love and grace. [01:08:07]

Luke 2:10 (NIV)
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’”

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear or see the joy of Christ through you today? How can you share this good news in a tangible way?

Day 3: True Surrender Leads to Joyful Transformation

Surrendering to Christ is not about reluctantly giving up what we love, but about joyfully exchanging our life for His. The man in the parable sold all he had not out of obligation, but out of joy, because he saw the surpassing worth of the treasure. When we truly grasp the value of Jesus, surrender stops being painful and becomes our worship. The transformation that follows is marked by joy, not loss, as we let go of what holds us back and embrace the abundant life Christ offers. [01:34:52]

Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where surrender feels difficult? What would it look like to joyfully give that area over to Jesus today?

Day 4: You Can’t Love the Treasure and Reject the Field

Embracing the treasure of salvation means also embracing the responsibility of tending the field—God’s kingdom work. The man in the parable didn’t just admire the treasure; he bought the whole field, committing himself to its care. In the same way, we are called not only to receive the blessings of Christ but also to invest our time, talent, and resources into the work of God—our families, our church, our city. True stewardship means taking ownership of the field and being faithful in the responsibilities God has given us. [01:38:27]

Matthew 25:36-40 (NIV)
“‘I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

Reflection: Where is God calling you to invest your time, talent, or treasure in His kingdom work this week? What step can you take to tend the “field” He has given you?

Day 5: Joy Is Found in Serving Others and Letting Go of Possessions

One of the reasons many lose their joy is because they stop serving others and become attached to possessions. The paradox of the kingdom is that when you give your life away—your time, your resources, your love—you gain more than you could ever imagine. Jesus calls us to lay up treasures in heaven, not on earth, and to prove our repentance and transformation by sharing with those in need, being honest in our dealings, and being content with what we have. Joy flourishes when we serve, give, and bless others in Jesus’ name. [01:44:24]

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV)
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

Reflection: Who is someone you can serve or bless today with what God has given you? How can you use your resources to reflect the joy and generosity of Christ?

Sermon Summary

This morning, hearts were called to a deeper encounter with the living God, to set aside distractions and enter His presence with thanksgiving and praise. The assurance was given that God ministers to us at the level of our worship, and that in His pasture there is sustenance, joy, and healing for every soul. The Holy Spirit was invited to leave His unmistakable fingerprint on every life, so that no one would leave unchanged.

The focus turned to the parable of the hidden treasure in Matthew 13:44, where a man discovers a treasure in a field, sells all he has with joy, and buys the field. This story is not just about sacrifice, but about the surpassing worth of the kingdom of God—a treasure so valuable that surrendering everything else becomes a joy, not a loss. The tension between surrendering all to God and receiving all He wants to give was explored, highlighting that true joy is found not in what we keep, but in what we give up for Christ.

The paradoxes of the kingdom were unpacked: to live, we must die; to gain, we must lose; to be strong, we must be weak. These truths defy worldly logic but are proven in the life of faith. The joy of the Lord is not a fleeting happiness, but a deep, sustaining reality that comes from discovering and embracing the treasure of Christ. Many spend their lives searching for fulfillment in people, places, or possessions, only to find emptiness—until they encounter the true treasure.

It was emphasized that the treasure is not meant to be admired from a distance, but to be possessed and stewarded. The man in the parable did not just find the treasure; he bought the field, taking on the responsibility that comes with the blessing. Likewise, we are called not only to receive the joy of salvation, but to invest our time, talent, and treasure into God’s kingdom work—serving others, stewarding resources, and being salt and light in the world.

The challenge was given: What are we still holding onto that keeps us from full surrender? Are we willing to sell all, to lay aside every idol, and to take ownership of the field God has given us—our families, our church, our city? The invitation remains open to experience the fullness of joy that comes from seeing, surrendering to, and stewarding the treasure of Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. Joyful Surrender Transforms Loss into Gain When the true worth of the kingdom is revealed, surrendering everything else is not a painful loss but a joyful exchange. The man in the parable sold all he had with gladness, not reluctance, because he saw the surpassing value of what he was gaining. True Christian joy is found not in adding Jesus to our lives, but in exchanging our lives for His, letting go of lesser things to possess the greatest treasure. [95:01]
2. The Paradox of the Kingdom: Strength in Weakness, Gain in Loss Scripture is filled with paradoxes that challenge our natural thinking—dying to live, giving to receive, being weak to be strong. These are not contradictions but deeper truths that invite us into the mystery of God’s ways. When we embrace these paradoxes, we discover that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness, and that what we give up for Him is returned to us in greater measure. [73:03]
3. The Treasure Demands Stewardship, Not Just Admiration It is not enough to discover the treasure of Christ; we must also take ownership of the field in which it is found. This means embracing the responsibilities of kingdom living—serving others, investing in God’s work, and stewarding the blessings we have received. The joy of salvation is incomplete if we are unwilling to tend the field, for the treasure and the field are inseparable in God’s design. [98:27]
4. Generosity and Service Are Proofs of a Transformed Heart John the Baptist taught that repentance is demonstrated not just by religious activity, but by generosity, honesty, and contentment. Sharing with the needy, refusing to exploit others, and being content with what we have are tangible signs that the treasure of Christ has truly transformed us. Our approach to money and possessions reveals the state of our hearts and our readiness to invest in eternal things. [104:10]
5. Familiarity Can Blind Us to the Value of the Kingdom It is possible to be surrounded by the things of God and yet miss their true worth because of familiarity or comfort. The parable warns us not to let routine or tradition dull our spiritual senses. We must daily pray for open eyes and tender hearts, so that we do not overlook the treasure that is right before us, and so that we remain willing to embrace change for the sake of God’s kingdom. [91:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[04:23] - Entering God’s Presence with Praise
[05:14] - Opening Prayer and Invitation to Worship
[06:35] - Announcements and Joy in the House
[36:10] - Testimony: The Power of God’s Word
[37:16] - Prayer for Needs and Altar Invitation
[62:07] - Centering on Christ: Breaking the Bread of Life
[64:17] - Introduction to “Treasure: Secrets to Joyful Living”
[66:55] - The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
[69:16] - The Good News Brings Great Joy
[73:03] - Exploring the Paradoxes of the Kingdom
[75:10] - The Joy of Serving Others
[87:41] - The Discovery: Finding What’s Been Hidden
[92:41] - The Decision: Joyful Surrender
[95:39] - The Exchange: Owning the Field
[99:00] - See, Surrender, Steward: The Call to Action
[104:10] - Proving Repentance Through Generosity
[105:50] - Reflection and Invitation to Respond
[111:20] - Altar Call and Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 13:44 (NIV) — > “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.”

Observation Questions

In the parable Jesus tells, what does the man do after he finds the treasure in the field? What is his attitude as he sells all he has?
According to the sermon, what is the difference between admiring the treasure and actually buying the field? [[01:35:53]]
What are some of the paradoxes of the kingdom mentioned in the sermon, and how do they challenge our normal way of thinking? [[01:13:03]]
What does the sermon say about the connection between our spiritual lives and how we handle money and possessions? [[01:24:51]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does the man in the parable sell everything with joy, rather than reluctance? What does this reveal about the value of the kingdom of God? [[01:33:24]]
The sermon says, “You can’t love the treasure and reject the field.” What does it mean to “own the field” in the context of following Jesus? [[01:37:24]]
How does the idea of “joyful surrender” transform the way we think about sacrifice and loss in our walk with Christ? [[01:35:01]]
The sermon warns that familiarity can blind us to the value of the kingdom. What are some ways routine or comfort might keep us from seeing the true worth of what God offers? [[01:31:22]]

Application Questions

The man in the parable gave up everything to gain the treasure. Is there something in your life that you sense God is asking you to surrender so you can experience more of His joy? What would it look like to “sell all” in your current season? [[01:35:15]]
The sermon challenges us to not just admire the treasure, but to take responsibility for the field—our families, church, and city. What is one area of your life where you need to step up and “own the field” God has given you? [[01:38:44]]
The message highlights the paradox that we gain by losing and become strong by being weak. Can you share a time when letting go of something (a habit, a relationship, a comfort) led to unexpected blessing or growth in your faith? [[01:13:03]]
Generosity and service are described as proofs of a transformed heart. What is one practical way you can serve or give this week that would stretch you beyond your comfort zone? [[01:44:10]]
The sermon says that many people miss the treasure because they are too familiar or comfortable with the things of God. Is there a spiritual practice or routine in your life that has become stale? How could you ask God to “open your eyes” to see the treasure afresh? [[01:31:22]]
The message talks about investing our time, talent, and treasure into God’s kingdom. Which of these three (time, talent, treasure) do you find hardest to give? Why, and what is one step you could take to grow in that area? [[01:38:35]]
The sermon ends with an invitation to experience the fullness of joy that comes from seeing, surrendering to, and stewarding the treasure of Christ. What is one change you want to make this week to move toward that kind of joyful living? [[01:51:20]]

Sermon Clips

Let's be honest with ourselves this morning. Let's just take a moment and strip away some things. Our whole lives we've been on a treasure hunt. Be it the perfect person, the perfect place, the perfect thing. Amen. We've all been searching for that elusive thing that would satisfy us completely. Only to find out that when you acquire it, it didn't meet the need. Nowhere better than Solomon in Ecclesiastes does he tell us, vanity, vanity, vanity, meaningless. I tried everything the world had to offer me. And at the conclusion I found that nothing was valuable except knowing my creator. [01:19:21] (43 seconds) #VanityVsCreatorValue

God is a master at doing that. And he will use those. To bring people to himself. Theologically. This speaks of divine revelation. That God opens spiritual eyes. To see the value of the kingdom. Many will walk and see the same field. The world. Hear the same. The gospel. But few see the treasure within it. For the road is straight. And the gate is narrow. And few thereof will enter in. Ask yourself. Have I truly discovered the treasure of Christ. Or am I just walking in the field. Many attend church week in and week out. And have never seen the value of the kingdom's worth. When revelation comes. Everything changes. You begin to value what others overlook. Joy begins to flood the soul. Grace is your guide. Peace is paramount. Mercy is magnificent. And you become a gardener and not a guard. You want everybody to get the fruit from it. Amen. You become a shepherd and not a sheriff. Because you don't want to arrest anybody. You want to nurture everybody. To receive that which God has for them. [01:29:52] (75 seconds) #ResistFamiliarityEmbraceChange

Examine what you're still holding on to. And ask yourself. When am I unwilling to sell. To fully possess the treasure. Then surrender it. Not grudgingly. But joyfully. Knowing that you gained something. Immediately greater. [01:35:18] (19 seconds) #OwnTheFieldShareTheTreasure

You can't love the treasure. You can't love your salvation. Listen to me. And reject the field. What is the field? God's kingdom work. It doesn't work that way. The man didn't steal the treasure. He went and sold all he had. And he bought the field. And then. You know what comes along with that? He has to tend the field. When God saves you. And the treasure. Trove of joy. And love. And peace. Peace is opened up in your life. The next thing that begins to happen. Is it's. It is so wonderful. You should not be able to contain it. What are you sharing today? What are you sharing to a lost. Somewhere I read in the book here. That we're to be salt and light. We're to be the illumination into the dark. [01:37:21] (59 seconds) #StewardshipOfSpiritualGifts

Invest your time. Talent and treasure. Into the kingdom work of God. The one who buys the field. Becomes a steward of the treasure. Commit to the field that God has given you. Your family. Your church. Your city. And stop trying to enjoy the treasure. Without owning the responsibility of the field. That it's buried in. [01:38:32] (20 seconds) #BoldLoveCrossesLines

How do we prove our repentance? You say whoa. Whoa. That didn't feel good. I got a little bit more I need to do. Here's something interesting. In Luke 3. We find John the Baptist questioned. By three different groups of people. And here's what they wanted to know. How do we prove our repentance? This is what they wanted to know. He said listen to this now. He's going to give them these three answers. He said everyone should share clothes and food with the poor. Now I'm all good for right disciplines in your life. He didn't tell him to go read the Bible more. He didn't tell him to pray more. That comes along with this automatically. But he says when you start doing for those that are less fortunate than you. In my name. You're showing that you're saved. [01:41:23] (57 seconds) #LayUpHeavenlyTreasures

There's nothing you can do about your treasure here. Well. Yes there is. You can send it on ahead of you. Because he said. Lay up treasures in heaven where moth and rust cannot destroy. Say pastor. You after my pocketbook this morning. No I'm not. I'm after your salvation. And I'm after your growth spiritually. Because you can't grow if you are bound. To the things of this world. [01:44:55] (27 seconds) #DiscoverAndOwnTheTreasure

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