PARABLES: Finding the Pearl?...PRICELESS - Rick Barnard • Pathway Church Shorewood • 10/12/2025

The kingdom of God is the central theme of Jesus’ teaching, a treasure of immeasurable worth that surpasses anything else in life. In Matthew 13, Jesus uses parables to reveal the nature and value of the kingdom. The first parable likens the kingdom to a hidden treasure found in a field—so precious that a man joyfully sells all he has to obtain it. This illustrates that nothing in our lives compares to the surpassing value of being part of God’s kingdom, both now and for eternity. The kingdom is not just a future hope; it is a present reality, available to us through the Holy Spirit. We have already been transferred from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son, and Jesus, having received all authority in heaven and on earth, reigns as King even now.

The second parable shifts the focus: the kingdom is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, who, upon finding one of great value, sells everything to buy it. Here, the merchant represents Jesus, who left the glory of heaven and gave everything—even his life—to redeem his bride, the church. The story of Scripture is a story of God’s pursuit of a people for himself, culminating in the marriage of Christ and his church. We are the pearl of great price for whom Jesus paid the ultimate cost.

The third parable, the dragnet, reminds us that the kingdom gathers all kinds, but at the end of the age, there will be a separation between the righteous and the wicked. Entry into the kingdom is not automatic; it requires being born again by the Spirit. Outward association with the church is not enough—true transformation and surrender to Christ are essential. The call is to examine our lives for idols, to seek first the kingdom and Christ’s righteousness, and to surrender every area—relationships, ambitions, possessions—to the King who is worthy of it all. The kingdom is not just about what we gain, but about who we become and who we bring with us into eternity.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The kingdom of God is a present reality, not just a future hope. Through the Holy Spirit, we experience righteousness, peace, and joy now, having already been transferred from darkness into Christ’s kingdom. This truth calls us to live with kingdom awareness and authority in our daily lives, recognizing that Jesus reigns as King today. [08:26]
• 2. The surpassing worth of the kingdom demands our total allegiance. Like the man who sold all to buy the field, we are called to lay down every idol and lesser treasure for the sake of Christ and his kingdom. Our priorities, ambitions, and affections must be reordered so that Jesus and his kingdom are truly first in our lives. [19:48]
• 3. Jesus is the merchant who gave everything for his bride, the church. The story of redemption is not just about our pursuit of God, but his relentless pursuit of us. Christ’s sacrificial love invites us to see ourselves as the pearl of great price, cherished and redeemed at infinite cost, and to respond with wholehearted devotion. [25:03]
• 4. The kingdom gathers many, but only those born again by the Spirit will remain. Outward association with the church or Christian culture is not enough; true entry into the kingdom requires spiritual rebirth and a transformed life. Ongoing, unrepentant sin is incompatible with kingdom life, and we are called to examine ourselves and walk in genuine repentance and faith. [35:53]
• 5. Surrendering our plans, relationships, and ambitions to Jesus leads to true fulfillment. God’s call to “sell all” is not about loss, but about gaining what is truly valuable. When we yield every area of our lives to Christ, we discover his best for us—purpose, joy, and a place in his eternal kingdom, both now and forever. [40:18]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:32] - Opening Prayer and Introduction to the Kingdom
• [01:12] - The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
• [02:34] - The Centrality of the Kingdom in Jesus’ Teaching
• [05:05] - The Value of the Kingdom: Worth Everything
• [06:59] - The Kingdom is Here Now
• [09:38] - Jesus’ Authority and the Fulfillment of Daniel’s Prophecy
• [12:16] - The Early Church and the Preaching of the Kingdom
• [14:03] - The Gospel of the Kingdom: Good News and Healing
• [17:15] - The Kingdom Must Be Preached to All Nations
• [18:28] - The Kingdom is in Your Midst
• [19:48] - Treasures in Heaven and Guarding Against Idols
• [24:22] - The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
• [25:40] - Jesus’ Sacrifice for His Bride
• [30:51] - The Parable of the Dragnet: Separation at the End
• [35:53] - The Necessity of Being Born Again
• [39:04] - Personal Testimony: Surrendering All to Jesus
• [41:29] - Prayer and Call to Respond

Bible Reading

Matthew 13:44-50 (ESV) — 44 “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. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. 47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. 48 When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Colossians 1:13 (ESV) — He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.

John 3:3,5 (ESV) — Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” ... “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

Observation Questions

1. In the parable of the hidden treasure, what does the man do after finding the treasure, and what does this show about the value of the kingdom? (Matthew 13:44)
2. According to the sermon, who does the merchant represent in the parable of the pearl, and what does he do to obtain the pearl? [25:03]
3. What happens to the fish caught in the dragnet at the end of the parable, and what does Jesus say this represents? (Matthew 13:47-50)
4. What does Colossians 1:13 say has already happened to believers regarding the kingdom? [08:26]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Jesus describe the kingdom as something worth selling “all” to obtain? What does this suggest about the priorities of someone who truly values the kingdom? [05:05]
2. The sermon says the merchant in the parable of the pearl is Jesus, who gave everything for his bride, the church. How does this change the way we see our worth and God’s pursuit of us? [25:03]
3. The dragnet parable shows that not everyone gathered into the kingdom will remain. What does it mean to be “born again” and why is this necessary for true entry into the kingdom? [35:53]
4. The sermon mentions that the kingdom is a present reality, not just a future hope. How should this affect the way believers live day to day? [08:26]

Application Questions

1. The man in the first parable joyfully sold all he had for the treasure. Is there anything in your life that you are holding onto more tightly than Jesus and his kingdom? What would it look like to “sell all” for the sake of Christ this week? [19:48]
2. The sermon challenges us to examine our lives for idols—things we put before God. What is one “idol” (relationship, ambition, possession, habit) that you sense God might be asking you to surrender? What step could you take to lay it down? [23:05]
3. Jesus gave everything for his bride, the church. How does knowing you are the “pearl of great price” change the way you see yourself and your relationship with God? How might this affect your devotion or worship? [25:03]
4. The dragnet parable warns that outward association with the church is not enough. How can you tell if your faith is genuine and you have truly been “born again”? Are there areas of ongoing, unrepentant sin that you need to bring into the light? [35:53]
5. The sermon says the kingdom is here now, and we have already been transferred into it. What is one way you can live with more “kingdom awareness” this week—in your work, family, or community? [08:26]
6. The call to “seek first the kingdom” means reordering our priorities. What is one practical change you could make in your schedule, spending, or relationships to put Jesus and his kingdom first? [21:48]
7. The story of the preacher’s own surrender (giving up a relationship, career plans, etc.) was shared. Is there a decision or area of your life where you sense God is asking you to trust him more fully? What would it look like to take a step of faith? [40:18]