Joyfully Embracing the Treasure of God's Kingdom
Summary
In today's reflection, we delve into the profound truth of the Kingdom of Heaven and its unparalleled value. We began by contemplating Matthew 13:44, which speaks of the Kingdom of Heaven as a treasure hidden in a field, so valuable that a man joyfully sells all he has to obtain it. This parable challenges us to examine our own lives and priorities. Are we like the rich young ruler, hesitant to let go of our earthly possessions, or like the man who joyfully sacrifices everything for the Kingdom?
The essence of our journey is not about the compulsion to give up our possessions but about the joy and privilege of gaining something far greater. It's about shifting from a mindset of "have to" to "get to." This transformation is rooted in recognizing the beauty and worth of God's Kingdom, which surpasses all earthly treasures. The Kingdom of Heaven invites us to a life of selflessness, mirroring the life of Jesus, who emptied Himself for others.
We are called to evaluate our lives through the lens of the Kingdom. This doesn't necessarily mean quitting our jobs or selling everything, but rather aligning our resources and talents with God's purposes. For some, this might mean supporting missionaries or using their wealth to further the Kingdom. For others, it might mean living simply and focusing on eternal investments.
The challenge is to desire the right things, to long for the eternal rather than the temporary. As we invest in the Kingdom, our hearts will naturally follow, and our lives will reflect the beauty of Christ. This is not about loving earthly things less but about loving God and His Kingdom more. When we truly grasp the value of the Kingdom, everything else pales in comparison, and we find joy in giving and serving.
Key Takeaways:
- The Kingdom of Heaven is a treasure worth more than all earthly possessions. It invites us to joyfully give up everything to gain something far greater. This shift from "have to" to "get to" is a heart transformation that comes from recognizing the Kingdom's true value. [03:52]
- Our journey is not about compulsory sacrifice but about the joy of aligning our lives with God's purposes. Whether through supporting missions or living simply, our focus should be on eternal investments. [06:50]
- Jesus' life exemplifies selflessness and love. As we strive to be like Him, we are called to empty ourselves for others, finding beauty in self-giving and service. This is the essence of Christ-likeness. [11:08]
- Our desires should be aligned with the eternal rather than the temporary. By investing in the Kingdom, our hearts will naturally follow, leading us to a life of joy and fulfillment in God's purposes. [15:23]
- The Kingdom of Heaven is not about loving earthly things less but about loving God and His Kingdom more. When we truly grasp its value, everything else pales in comparison, and we find joy in giving and serving. [25:22]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Focus on Scripture
- [00:46] - The Kingdom of Heaven
- [02:23] - The Rich Young Ruler
- [03:09] - The Treasure in the Field
- [04:45] - Personal Reflection
- [05:24] - Kingdom Priorities
- [06:50] - Aligning with God's Purpose
- [08:27] - Heart Transformation
- [10:36] - The Example of Jesus
- [13:31] - Treasures in Heaven
- [15:12] - Longing for Heaven
- [18:03] - Sacrifice and Contentment
- [21:07] - Eternal Investments
- [24:48] - The Life That's Truly Life
- [27:09] - A Call to Christ-likeness
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 13:44
- Matthew 6:19-21
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Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 13:44, what is the significance of the man selling all he has to buy the field with the hidden treasure? How does this reflect the value of the Kingdom of Heaven?
2. How does the story of the rich young ruler, as mentioned in the sermon, contrast with the parable of the hidden treasure? [02:23]
3. According to Matthew 6:19-21, what are the differences between treasures on earth and treasures in heaven?
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the concept of shifting from a "have to" mindset to a "get to" mindset in relation to the Kingdom of Heaven? [08:27]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the parable of the hidden treasure challenge individuals to evaluate their priorities and desires in life? [03:52]
2. What does it mean to align one's resources and talents with God's purposes, as discussed in the sermon? How might this look different for various people? [06:50]
3. How does the life of Jesus exemplify the selflessness and love that believers are called to emulate? What does it mean to "empty oneself" for others? [11:08]
4. In what ways does investing in the Kingdom of Heaven lead to a transformation of the heart and a life of joy and fulfillment? [15:23]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current priorities. Are there any earthly possessions or desires that you find difficult to let go of in pursuit of the Kingdom of Heaven? How can you begin to shift your focus? [02:23]
2. Consider your talents and resources. How can you use them to support God's purposes, whether through missions, living simply, or another means? What steps can you take this week to align your actions with this goal? [06:50]
3. Think about a time when you felt compelled to give or serve joyfully. What was the motivation behind your actions, and how did it reflect the value you place on the Kingdom of Heaven? [03:52]
4. Identify one area in your life where you can practice selflessness and service, following the example of Jesus. What specific actions can you take to empty yourself for others this week? [11:08]
5. How can you cultivate a desire for eternal investments over temporary ones? What practical changes can you make in your daily life to focus more on heavenly treasures? [15:23]
6. Reflect on the concept of "get to" versus "have to" in your spiritual journey. How can you cultivate a mindset of joy and privilege in serving God's Kingdom? [08:27]
7. What is one specific way you can demonstrate love for God and His Kingdom more than earthly things this week? How can this change your perspective and actions? [25:22]
Devotional
Day 1: The Kingdom's Unmatched Worth
The Kingdom of Heaven is described as a treasure hidden in a field, so valuable that a man sells all he has to obtain it. This parable invites us to examine our own lives and priorities. Are we willing to joyfully sacrifice everything for the Kingdom, or are we hesitant like the rich young ruler who couldn't let go of his earthly possessions? The essence of this journey is not about the compulsion to give up our possessions but about the joy and privilege of gaining something far greater. It's about shifting from a mindset of "have to" to "get to," recognizing the beauty and worth of God's Kingdom, which surpasses all earthly treasures. [03:52]
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 possession or priority you find difficult to let go of? How can you begin to see it in light of the Kingdom's eternal value today?
Day 2: Joyful Alignment with God's Purposes
Our journey in faith is not about compulsory sacrifice but about the joy of aligning our lives with God's purposes. This alignment doesn't necessarily mean quitting our jobs or selling everything, but rather using our resources and talents to further God's Kingdom. For some, this might mean supporting missionaries or using their wealth to further the Kingdom. For others, it might mean living simply and focusing on eternal investments. The challenge is to desire the right things, to long for the eternal rather than the temporary. As we invest in the Kingdom, our hearts will naturally follow, and our lives will reflect the beauty of Christ. [06:50]
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV): "As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."
Reflection: In what ways can you align your current resources and talents with God's purposes? What is one practical step you can take this week to invest in eternal things?
Day 3: Embracing Christ-like Selflessness
Jesus' life exemplifies selflessness and love. As we strive to be like Him, we are called to empty ourselves for others, finding beauty in self-giving and service. This is the essence of Christ-likeness. The Kingdom of Heaven invites us to a life of selflessness, mirroring the life of Jesus, who emptied Himself for others. This transformation is rooted in recognizing the beauty and worth of God's Kingdom, which surpasses all earthly treasures. [11:08]
Philippians 2:3-5 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can serve selflessly this week? How can you reflect Christ's love and humility in your actions towards them?
Day 4: Desiring the Eternal
Our desires should be aligned with the eternal rather than the temporary. By investing in the Kingdom, our hearts will naturally follow, leading us to a life of joy and fulfillment in God's purposes. This is not about loving earthly things less but about loving God and His Kingdom more. When we truly grasp the value of the Kingdom, everything else pales in comparison, and we find joy in giving and serving. [15:23]
Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself focused on temporary desires? How can you shift your focus to seek the eternal today?
Day 5: Loving God and His Kingdom More
The Kingdom of Heaven is not about loving earthly things less but about loving God and His Kingdom more. When we truly grasp its value, everything else pales in comparison, and we find joy in giving and serving. This transformation is rooted in recognizing the beauty and worth of God's Kingdom, which surpasses all earthly treasures. As we invest in the Kingdom, our hearts will naturally follow, and our lives will reflect the beauty of Christ. [25:22]
Matthew 22:37-39 (ESV): "And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Reflection: How can you demonstrate your love for God and His Kingdom in a tangible way this week? What is one specific action you can take to prioritize His Kingdom in your daily life?
Quotes
I want to I want to start with us just focusing on a verse of scripture okay I just want us to all just stare at it because sometimes I'll like read a scripture and them real quick to explain it and it's like you know what I really want God's words to stand above mine like this came straight from him I'm not messing it up I'm not explaining it I just want you to read it and just soak it in so we're gonna throw it on the screen it's Matthew 13 verse 44. [00:00:00]
you know last week Dave read the story of the rich young ruler you know the guy that wanted to follow Jesus is okay Jesus I I want the kingdom of heaven what do I got to do and Jesus says to him we'll sell everything you have and give it to the poor and the guy was shocked by that, and he just walked away sad and Jesus just looks like it's so hard for the rich because because that guy was thinking oh man I want the kingdom I want Jesus but but he went away sad because the ego because he had a lot of stuff because man everything you want me to give up all of this he's like I don't know if I can do that. [00:02:14]
and he just goes away sad and then you contrasted to this parable of this guy that sees this treasure in a field so--but he's so great that he just covers it all up and he goes to the guy goes look I want that field I want that field I'll give you everything like joyfully like please take everything I own take everything I own just give me that field just give it to me you see the contrast there's one guy that that's looking at the kingdom of heaven and going on or no I've got a lot of stuff and there's the other guy that's going just give it to me just give it to me I'll pay any price and it's not like that he's like oh trying to figure out it says with joy so one guy is sad one guy is thrilled. [00:03:13]
so my question for you this morning is who do you more resemble just think about yourself and go with your ID do you look like see last week when we were done speaking I had a couple a few of you came up and a lot of the same questions which made me think okay maybe I wasn't so clear or this or that but but but one of the questions that came up from a few of you is so what are you saying do I need to quit my job do I need to sell everything to have to quit my job do I have to sell everything you know you talked about this race for the bottom and this the servant thing does that mean I shouldn't work a job does it mean I should just live in a tent you know should I live in the street should I just give everything away to the poor. [00:04:21]
and it was time when I did we you know my family week we left we went to India Thailand we're sitting in this orphanage and Thailand and and I'm so happy I'm like thrilled we we were there for like a month and I'm watching my kids wake up and they're helping these these orphans or these kids have been sex traffic that we've rescue or we're building playgrounds and this and this this and uncle Matt this is so cool but I started to just think through me great god this is awesome I love this but why did you make me an iced foot you know did you make me to be entirely because I'm happy here I actually liked it more okay but what did you make me for I'm it speak Thai you know it's like why is this really where I'm supposed to be and is the best use of me for your kingdom because it's not about me god I think I'd be happier here I think I enjoyed this more but I just think through God what did you make me for because I want to use it I want to be used up I want to be spent I want to be emptied just like Jesus was. [00:07:00]
if everything in your your faith is about half two versus get two then I gotta ask man you gotta pray for your heart okay because it's that once of are you kidding me okay you can give me that field like I want that I want that I want that versus I have to sell everything to follow you see the difference it's that hard attitudes like how great how beautiful is the kingdom to you that you go I get to do I was talking to Dave you know this week we're praying together I'm working the lesson together which I just gotta say I love Dave I love David Lama so I just say that publicly I just love him okay good good you should love him okay but you know we're just praying and talking about stuff and then you know we were just talking about this half two versus get to and and he was just talking about he goes man I want them to get that like I don't know if you know this I don't know if he would says but but David you know he before he came here he had this vision of this you know this body in San Francisco and so he sold his house and cashed out his retirement and quit his job. [00:08:09]
but it wasn't like oh look at this it was like are you kidding me okay okay why I could I can actually maybe lead up the body of Christ and in San Francisco and in a new way okay you know let's just sell the house let's just drain the savings let's just let's just quit the job let's just go for because that'd be so awesome because this would be so much better you know it's it's just this desire like I get to do this you've got to be kidding me and and and what happens for those of us who get the kingdom of God is Jesus himself you look at Jesus in the life that he lived on earth and you go wow that was awesome God Jesus is so incredibly beautiful so he had all the riches of heaven he had all of that and he emptied himself and he took the form of a man took the form of a servant and made himself obedient to death and death on a cross like he had that type of self-control and all he did was just give give empty himself and then you lifted him up forever and ever and ever like you you look at that and go god I want to be like that god that is so beautiful I'm not that god I'm self-centered I'm all about me I just think about me and he just thought about others and he was strong enough to let people abuse him spit on him like God I want to be that loving I want to care that little about this temporary life like that's so beautiful to me God if I could be like Jesus by the end of my life that would be awesome. [00:09:56]
and that's what the early believers did they were in this pursuit of Christ's likeness they're like okay Jesus emptied himself he made himself nothing he gave just empty himself for others I want to do that I want to do that and I want to do that and then what happens the Bible says is the people in the world started calling them Christians I was like you guys are like Christ we're gonna call you Christians ha ha you're a Christian like that was almost like it wasn't they themselves like hey we are the fragrance of Christ no it was the world the world looked on and goes oh man you guys are like Christ you just give everything over you're selling your possessions Carey we're gonna call you little Christ's see that's the way it all started it was their lifestyle the way they lived it they were seeing Jesus is so beautiful that they just they strove to be like Jesus they saw it as a beautiful thing because that's his kingdom. [00:11:57]
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 so don't don't do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy or 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 will your heart be where your treasure is there will your heart be see I want my heart to be in heaven it's not always there I want too long in fact this week how many times did you long for heaven this week. [00:13:21]
see I I want to be this person that's not thinking about this just this I want to you know that's who we are as believers that's our identity we long for his return come Lord Jesus I want your new kingdom I want the new heaven the new earth where you're right here and we're rewarded for all the suffering that we went through and everything else and there's it's just gonna be right god I long for that long for that long for that I want my heart to be like that and what Jesus says is well if you want your heart to be like that he goes then put your treasure there it's no different than some of you invests for retirement maybe you put a fortune away for retirement so you're thinking man when I'm 65 when I'm 65 I'm gonna have such a blast I mean that's your choice you can do that you know but it's it's this whole thing if I can't wait to get there I'm gonna stop working I'm gonna golf if my back still is okay I'm gonna do this I'm gonna do that you're just looking for why because you've put a treasure there and so you look forward to it. [00:14:57]
Jesus is saying don't don't put all this treasure on this earth because you'll just start anticipating it too much you're long for I was at a friend's house this week in Malibu and it was like my dream house like it was just crazy crazy crazy and I just thought to myself I couldn't live here if I lived here I wouldn't want to leave you know like like I I don't want that I don't want my heart because if I got I'd been so looking forward to moving into that place and having friends over and everything else that that's where my heart would be so there's things that it's almost like when he says they don't lay up treasures from Earth because what it's gonna do is it'll make you attach to the earth but start giving stuff away and you'll start getting attached to oh I can't wait to die I have so much waiting for me it's gonna be amazing it's gonna be amazing rather than I don't want to die I don't want to die you know cuz everything's here and I get I got a great future coming it's just like no no this is gonna be awesome I'm anticipating anticipating it you know so it's so while there's this desire there's also this what I see and here are some discipline where you go okay you know what I want my heart there so here's what I'm gonna do I'm gonna start getting stuff for me. [00:16:06]
and I pray that as it happens by your spirit God this church would be given power and authority in this city spiritually that when we pray you answer and you hear us God and you begin to heal and set right and leave people to you God that you would restore spiritually and emotionally I got we just have we just walk with this authority that God is with us I pray you make this church beautiful by this. [00:47:56]
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