Parables_week_1.docx

Devotional

Day 1: Seeing the Kingdom’s Worth with New Eyes

The value of God’s Kingdom is unchanging, but our ability to recognize its worth can shift dramatically. Sometimes, the treasures of God are right in front of us, woven into the fabric of our daily lives, yet we walk past them unaware. It is not that the Kingdom becomes more valuable when we notice it; rather, our hearts and minds are awakened to what has always been true.
Ask God to open your eyes to the spiritual riches He has placed around you. Pray for a fresh revelation, so that you do not miss the beauty and power of His presence in the ordinary moments. The Kingdom is not hidden from us, but often hidden by our own distractions or assumptions. Let today be a day of discovery, where you see with new clarity what God has set before you.

“Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me!” (Psalm 119:18-19, ESV)

Reflection: Where in your daily routine might God be inviting you to notice His presence or blessings that you have overlooked before?

Day 2: Joy That Frees Us to Let Go

When the men in Jesus’ parables found the treasure and the pearl, their response was not reluctant or fearful, but overflowing with joy. They did not see their sacrifices as losses, but as the natural response to discovering something of surpassing worth. True discipleship is not about giving up things for God out of obligation, but about being so captivated by Him that everything else pales in comparison.
Let your heart be stirred by the joy of knowing Jesus. Ask Him to help you see that following Him is not a burden, but a privilege. When we are gripped by the beauty and goodness of God’s Kingdom, we find ourselves willing—even eager—to let go of lesser things. Joyful abandonment is the mark of a heart that has truly seen the treasure.

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11, ESV)

Reflection: What is one thing you have been holding onto out of fear or habit, rather than joy? How might seeing Jesus more clearly help you release it?

Day 3: Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary

The treasure was hidden in a common field, and the pearl was found among many others. God’s Kingdom is not reserved for the spiritual elite or found only in dramatic moments; it is present and accessible in the everyday places of our lives. The danger is not that the Kingdom is far away, but that we become inattentive—missing the treasure beneath our feet.
Today, slow down and pay attention to the ordinary. God often meets us in the simple routines, the familiar faces, and the quiet moments. The Kingdom is accessible to all who are willing to look with expectation and faith. Don’t let the commonness of your surroundings blind you to the extraordinary presence of God.

“And he said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.’” (Mark 4:26-27, ESV)

Reflection: What is one ordinary place or relationship in your life where you might begin to look for God’s presence and activity today?

Day 4: The Cost and Reward of Following Jesus

Jesus never hid the reality that following Him would require real sacrifice. Sometimes, it means letting go of possessions, relationships, or personal ambitions. Yet, the reward He offers is far greater than anything we give up. The apostle Paul considered everything else “rubbish” compared to knowing Christ. The sacrifices we make are not losses, but exchanges for something infinitely better: life with God, now and forever.
Consider what it means to count the cost of discipleship in your own life. Are there things you are clinging to that keep you from fully embracing Jesus? Remember, the reward is not just in the future, but in the joy and freedom of living in God’s presence today.

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29, ESV)

Reflection: Is there a specific area where God is asking you to trust Him with a costly decision? What would it look like to say “yes” to Him today?

Day 5: Rekindling Wonder and Gratitude

It is easy, especially for those who have been around church for a long time, to let the wonder of the gospel fade into routine. Familiarity can breed complacency, and our passion for Jesus can grow cold. But the privilege of knowing Christ and being part of His Kingdom is a treasure that should never lose its shine.
Take time today to remember the joy of your first encounter with Jesus. Ask God to renew your gratitude and wonder. Let your heart be stirred again by the beauty of the gospel, and let that gratitude overflow into compassion for others who have yet to discover the treasure.

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.” (Psalm 51:12-13, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical way you can rekindle your gratitude for Jesus today—perhaps through worship, prayer, or sharing your story with someone else?

Sermon Summary

of the Sermon**

This sermon launches a new series on the parables of Jesus, focusing on the parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price from Matthew 13. Through these twin parables, Jesus reveals the incomparable value of the Kingdom of Heaven—something so precious that it is worth joyfully giving up everything else to obtain. The message challenges us to recognize the treasure of God’s Kingdom that is often hidden in plain sight, and to respond with wholehearted devotion. Whether we stumble upon it unexpectedly or search for it diligently, the Kingdom’s worth remains the same; what changes is our ability to see and value it. The sermon calls believers to examine what they are holding onto, to let go of lesser treasures, and to embrace the joy and sacrifice of following Jesus above all else.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Kingdom’s Value Is Constant, Our Perception Changes The treasure and the pearl were always of immense worth, but their value was only realized when someone truly saw them. In the same way, God’s Kingdom doesn’t become more valuable when we discover it; rather, our eyes are opened to its worth. This challenges us to pray for revelation, to see what God has placed right in front of us, and to not overlook the spiritual riches available in our everyday lives.
2. Joyful Abandonment, Not Reluctant Sacrifice The men in both parables didn’t give up everything out of duty or fear, but out of joy. Their discovery led to a radical, joyful response—a willingness to let go of all else for the sake of the Kingdom. True discipleship isn’t about begrudgingly sacrificing for God, but about being so captivated by Him that everything else fades in comparison.
3. The Kingdom Is Accessible, Yet Easily Overlooked The treasure was hidden in a common field, and the pearl was found by someone searching among many. The Kingdom of God is not far off or reserved for the elite; it is present and accessible, often in the ordinary places and moments of our lives. The danger is not its absence, but our inattentiveness—walking the same paths, missing the treasure beneath our feet.
4. The Cost of Following Jesus Is Real, But the Reward Is Greater Jesus makes it clear that following Him may require us to let go of things we deeply value—possessions, relationships, even our own ambitions. Yet, as Paul wrote, everything else is “rubbish” compared to knowing Christ. The sacrifices we make are not losses, but exchanges for something infinitely better: life in the presence of the King, both now and forever.
5. Guard Against Familiarity Breeding Contempt For those who have grown up in the church or served for years, it’s easy to take the gospel and the Kingdom for granted. The sermon warns against letting our service become routine or our passion grow cold. We must continually remind ourselves of the privilege and joy of knowing Jesus, allowing gratitude and wonder to fuel our devotion and compassion for others who have yet to discover the treasure.

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Hidden Treasure & Pearl of Great Price**
*(Based on Matthew 13:44–46 and the sermon summary above)*

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### Bible Reading

**Matthew 13:44–46 (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.

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### Observation Questions

In the parables, what actions did the man and the merchant take after discovering the treasure and the pearl?
What emotions are described in the parables when the treasure and the pearl are found?
According to the sermon, who was Jesus primarily speaking to when He told these parables?
What is similar and what is different about how the treasure and the pearl were discovered?

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### Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus compare the Kingdom of Heaven to a hidden treasure and a priceless pearl? What does this say about its value and how people find it?
The sermon says the value of the Kingdom doesn’t change, but our perception does. What might cause someone to overlook the value of God’s Kingdom in their everyday life?
The men in the parables gave up everything with joy, not reluctance. What does this teach about the kind of response Jesus is looking for from His followers?
The sermon warns about becoming too familiar with the gospel and losing our sense of wonder. How might this happen to someone who has been in church for a long time?

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### Application Questions

The man and the merchant both gave up everything for the treasure they found. Is there something in your life right now that you are holding onto that might be keeping you from fully embracing Jesus and His Kingdom? What would it look like to let it go?
The sermon talked about the danger of missing the treasure that’s “right beneath our feet.” Are there ordinary places or moments in your life where you might be overlooking God’s presence or work? How can you become more attentive to what God is doing around you?
The response to finding the treasure was joy, not duty. When you think about following Jesus, do you feel more joy or more obligation? What could help you rediscover the joy of knowing Him?
The Kingdom is accessible but easily overlooked. What are some “lesser treasures” (possessions, ambitions, relationships, etc.) that sometimes distract you from the true treasure of Jesus? How can you reorient your priorities this week?
For those who have been Christians for a long time, the sermon warned about letting our passion grow cold. Have you ever found yourself just “going through the motions” in your faith? What practical steps can you take to rekindle gratitude and wonder for the gospel?
The sermon shared a story about someone who gave up a comfortable life to follow God’s call. Is there an area where you sense God asking you to take a step of faith or make a sacrifice? What’s holding you back, and what would it look like to trust Him with that?
The parables show that some people stumble upon the Kingdom, while others search for it. Which of these stories do you relate to more in your own journey with God, and why?

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*Close in prayer, asking God to open your eyes to the treasure of His Kingdom and to give you the courage and joy to follow Him wholeheartedly.*

Sermon Quotes

Sometimes the most valuable things in life don’t look valuable at all. We spend our lives chasing what we think will make us rich, but Jesus tells us a story of true wealth that’s been right in front of us all along.

The Kingdom of God doesn’t suddenly become more valuable when we find it—it’s always been priceless. What changes is our eyes are finally opened to see its worth. That’s what revelation is all about.

Jesus’ challenge isn’t to see something new, but to recognize what’s been right in front of us all along. When we finally see the worth of the Kingdom, it changes everything.

No sacrifice is too great to live in God’s will and experience a relationship with King Jesus. The joy of discovering the Kingdom is worth more than every investment, achievement, or possession.

The man who found the treasure wasn’t searching the world—he was simply living his life and made a life-changing discovery. The Kingdom of God is always around us, but too often, we take it for granted.

Jesus isn’t calling us to self-sacrifice for its own sake, but to joyful abandonment of other things so we can know Him more. The Kingdom is worth every risk and every cost.

Salvation and the righteousness of the Kingdom are greater treasures than anything the world can offer. When we truly recognize their value, every sacrifice pales in comparison to the joy of experiencing God’s presence.

If we’re not careful, serving Jesus can become a drudgery or just another task. But every day is a privilege to help others hear Jesus more clearly, walk with Him more closely, and serve Him more happily.

Maybe you’ve been walking through the same field again and again, never realizing what’s right beneath your feet. If you’ll stop and open your eyes, you’ll see—the real treasure has been here all along, and His name is Jesus.

“I traded a kingdom I could see for one I couldn’t—never been richer.” Sometimes, letting go of what the world values is the only way to discover the true riches of God’s Kingdom.

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