The Treasure That Seeks Us

Devotional

Day 1: The Kingdom of Heaven Is the True Treasure

The kingdom of heaven is not just a distant, abstract idea but a reality more substantial and lasting than anything we can see or touch in this world. Jesus describes it as a treasure hidden in a field and a pearl of great price—so valuable that those who find it joyfully give up everything else to possess it. This challenges us to consider what we truly value and to recognize that heaven, and life with God, is worth more than all the temporary pleasures and possessions of earth. When we grasp the worth of this treasure, our priorities shift, and our hearts are drawn toward eternity. [01:10]

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 earthly treasure you are holding onto too tightly, and how can you begin to loosen your grip so you can seek the true treasure of heaven?

Day 2: God Seeks and Treasures You

Before you ever thought about God, He was already seeking you, loving you, and valuing you as His precious treasure. The story of redemption is not just about us searching for God, but about God joyfully giving everything to redeem us. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and the Father is actively seeking those who will worship Him in spirit and truth. Even when we feel unworthy or distant, God’s love pursues us relentlessly, and He gave everything—His very Son—for our sake. [06:44]

Luke 19:10 (ESV)
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Reflection: When you consider that God is seeking you with joy, not reluctance, how does that change the way you see yourself and your relationship with Him today?

Day 3: Heaven Is More Real Than This World

It’s easy to let the tangible things of this world feel more real than the unseen promises of God, but Scripture reminds us that what is seen is temporary and what is unseen is eternal. Our true citizenship is in heaven, and Jesus is preparing a real place for us—more real than anything we experience here. As we set our minds on things above, we find hope and perspective that anchor us through life’s changes and challenges, knowing that our eternal home is secure. [09:12]

2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV)
“As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally set your mind on the reality of heaven today, rather than being consumed by the temporary things around you?

Day 4: God’s Blessings Are Pearls That Point to Eternity

God fills our lives with “pearls”—blessings like family, friends, community, and time with Him—that are meant to point our hearts toward the greater treasure of heaven. These gifts are previews of the eternal joy and fellowship we will experience with God, but they are not replacements for the true treasure. As we enjoy these blessings, we are reminded to hold them with gratitude, letting them lift our eyes to the hope and home that await us in God’s presence. [12:48]

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

Reflection: Which “pearl” in your life—family, friendship, community, or time with God—do you need to appreciate more deeply as a preview of heaven, and how can you express gratitude for it today?

Day 5: Hold Loosely to Earth, Tightly to Heaven

We are called to remember both the old and new treasures God gives—His past faithfulness and His fresh mercies each day. Yet, all these blessings whisper the same truth: don’t hold too tightly to this world. Our hearts are made for eternity, and we are invited to live with our eyes fixed on heaven, treasuring God above all else. As we enter seasons of gratitude, let us ask ourselves what we are clinging to and what heavenly treasure God is calling us to seek, so that our lives reflect the reality of eternity. [18:24]

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Reflection: What is one new mercy or blessing God has given you recently, and how can you let it remind you to hold loosely to this world and more tightly to the hope of heaven?

Sermon Summary

As we enter the Thanksgiving season, our hearts are drawn to gratitude, family, and the blessings that fill our lives. Yet, in the midst of all the tangible joys and challenges of this world, Jesus calls us to lift our eyes to something far greater—the reality of heaven. In Matthew 13, Jesus shares parables about a hidden treasure, a pearl of great price, and a net gathering every kind of fish. These stories are not just quaint illustrations; they are windows into the true nature of God’s kingdom and His heart toward us.

The world around us often feels more real than heaven. We can touch, taste, and buy what’s here, while heaven can seem distant or abstract. But Scripture reminds us that what is seen is temporary, and what is unseen is eternal. God treasures us so deeply that He gave everything—His own Son—to redeem us. Before we ever thought of seeking God, He was already seeking us, loving us, and calling us His treasure. The joy that led Jesus to the cross was the joy of bringing us into eternal relationship with Him.

Heaven is not just a distant hope; it is more real and lasting than anything we experience here. Our citizenship is in heaven, and while we wait for its fullness, God fills our lives with “pearls”—family, friends, community, and time with Him. These are blessings, previews of the eternal joy to come, but they are not the treasure itself. They point us toward our true home.

The parable of the net reminds us that God’s grace is wide, gathering every kind of person—impressive, ordinary, broken, or confused. Yet, eternity and judgment are real, and our souls long for something more than this world can offer. Like the husband searching for his wife’s lost ring, God seeks us relentlessly, not because of our worth in the world’s eyes, but because of His love and covenant with us.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, we are invited to remember both old and new treasures—God’s past faithfulness and His fresh mercies each day. We are challenged to loosen our grip on earthly things and hold tightly to the hope of heaven, living as those who truly believe it is real. God treasures us, seeks us, and prepares a place for us. May our hearts be drawn toward eternity, treasuring Him above all.

Key Takeaways

1. God Seeks and Treasures Us First Before we ever thought to seek God, He was already seeking us, loving us, and calling us His treasure. This truth reframes our relationship with Him—not as a desperate search for a distant deity, but as a response to a God who joyfully gives everything for us. Our worth is not in what we do, but in being the object of His relentless love. [06:44]
2. Earthly Blessings Are Pearls, Not the Treasure Family, friends, community, and even time with God are precious pearls—gifts that point us toward heaven. Yet, they are not the ultimate treasure. If we cling too tightly to these blessings, we risk missing the greater reality they foreshadow: the eternal joy and presence of God Himself. [12:48]
3. Heaven Is More Real Than This World Though the world feels tangible and immediate, it is temporary. Heaven is the true reality—permanent, unshakable, and prepared for us by Christ. Living with this perspective transforms our priorities, loosens our grip on fleeting pleasures, and fills us with hope that endures beyond every circumstance. [08:40]
4. God’s Grace Gathers Every Kind The kingdom of heaven is like a net that gathers all kinds of people—regardless of their background, brokenness, or confusion. God’s grace is wide and inclusive, yet eternity and judgment are real. Our souls are restless here because we were made for more, and God’s invitation is for all to find their place in His eternal family. [13:21]
5. Hold Loosely to Earth, Tightly to Heaven We are called to examine what earthly treasures we may be holding too tightly—comfort, control, approval, or relationships. God invites us to seek heavenly treasures: His peace, holiness, presence, and eternal hope. As we do, we learn to live as those who truly believe heaven is real, treasuring God above all else. [18:24]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:24] - Entering Thanksgiving Season
[01:10] - Parables of Treasure, Pearl, and Net
[03:05] - The Struggle: Earth Feels More Real
[04:18] - God Treasures and Seeks Us
[05:25] - Parables: Multiple Layers of Meaning
[06:44] - God as the Seeker
[07:57] - The Joy of Redemption
[08:40] - Heaven: The True Treasure
[09:54] - Pearls of Blessing: Family and Friends
[11:15] - Community and Time with God
[12:48] - Pearls Point to Heaven
[13:21] - The Net: God’s Wide Grace
[14:40] - Made for Eternity
[15:12] - The Lost Ring: God’s Relentless Search
[17:27] - Old and New Treasures
[18:24] - Letting Go of Earthly Treasures
[19:54] - Living Like Heaven Is Real
[21:17] - Prayer and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Treasuring Heaven Above All

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### Bible Reading

Matthew 13:44-52 (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.
51 “Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.”
52 And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV)
…as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Philippians 3:20 (ESV)
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

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### Observation Questions

In the parables Jesus tells in Matthew 13:44-52, what are the different things the kingdom of heaven is compared to?
According to 2 Corinthians 4:18, what is the difference between what is seen and what is unseen?
In the sermon, what are some examples of “pearls” or blessings that God gives us in this life? ([09:54])
What does the parable of the net teach about the kinds of people God’s kingdom gathers? ([13:21])

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven as something so valuable that someone would sell everything to gain it? What does this say about how we should view heaven? ([08:40])
The sermon says that God is the one who seeks us first, not the other way around. How does this change the way we think about our relationship with God? ([06:44])
The “pearls” in our lives—family, friends, community, time with God—are described as blessings that point us to heaven, but not the treasure itself. Why is it important to see the difference? ([12:48])
The parable of the net includes both a wide invitation and a final sorting. What does this teach us about God’s grace and the reality of eternity? ([14:05])

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### Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to consider what “earthly treasures” we might be holding onto too tightly—like comfort, control, approval, or relationships. Is there something in your life that has taken first place over God? What would it look like to loosen your grip on it? ([18:58])
The pastor shared a story about a husband searching for his wife’s lost ring, comparing it to how God seeks us. When have you felt “lost in the sand” of life, and how did you experience God seeking you? ([16:54])
The message says that heaven is more real and lasting than anything we experience here. How does believing this change the way you handle disappointments or challenges in your daily life? ([08:40])
Family, friends, and community are described as “pearls”—gifts that point us to heaven. How can you enjoy these blessings without making them your ultimate treasure? ([10:11])
The sermon mentions that God’s grace gathers “every kind” of person. Is there someone in your life who feels like they don’t belong or aren’t “good enough” for God? How can you show them the wide grace of God this week? ([13:21])
The pastor asked, “Am I living like heaven is real?” What is one practical change you could make this week to live more like your true home is in heaven? ([19:54])
As you reflect on both “old treasures” (God’s past faithfulness) and “new treasures” (fresh mercies), what is one way you can practice gratitude this Thanksgiving season? ([17:27])

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Sermon Clips

Because I often read this parable, and many of you did too, and think, well, I'm the treasure hunter. I'm the one who finds God. And that's true. Partly true. But church, the bigger truth is this. God is the one who seeks us. The one who finds us. He's the one who gives everything to redeem us. Jesus said, the man in his joy sold all that he had. Not in his sadness, not in his reluctance, in his joy. [00:05:39] (46 seconds) #GodSeeksYou

Here's my point. Before we ever thought about God, God was thinking about us. Romans 5, 8 declares, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He was seeking for us, and he gave everything that he has for something valuable. You don't give up everything you have for something mediocre, something average. You don't sell your car and empty your bank account, quit your job so that you can buy a new toaster. Nobody does that. And if you have, come see me after service and we'll pray for you. [00:06:48] (44 seconds) #SacrificialLove

But, as the passage tells us, if something is truly of value, priceless, you will gladly give everything for it. Hebrews 12, 2 tells us that Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before him. He endured the cross for the joy set. Well, what was that joy? That joy was you, your salvation, your presence with him in eternity, all eternity. So heaven is real. It's far more real than this temporary world. And you are his treasure worth giving everything for. And he did. He gave everything. [00:07:32] (51 seconds) #JoyInSalvation

Another pearl is time with God. Yeah, time with God is a pearl too but let's be honest. Sometimes we treat it like it's green bean casserole. If I have room I'll get to it. But time with God is not the side dish. Time with God is the appetizer of heaven. Remember David said in the Psalms 16 in your presence is fullness of joy. It's a preview of heaven. Another pearl is being sought by God. God seeking us. [00:11:35] (37 seconds) #TimeWithGodMatters

But it's important to realize church these pearls are blessings. They're previews. They're not replacements. They point us toward heaven but heaven is the treasure. Jesus' parable of the dragnet says that the kingdom gathers every kind of fish. That's important for us today I believe. Every kind. The impressive ones the ordinary ones the scarred ones the confused ones who swim in circles all day the ones who feel like they don't belong or they're not good enough. God casts His grace wide. [00:12:48] (58 seconds) #PearlsPointToHeaven

And I put Revelation 7 and 9 in because it gives kind of the final picture. Every nation tribe people and language gathered in heaven. But Jesus also reminds us in this parable that there will be a sorting with the fish. Eternity is real judgment is real. Hebrews 9 tells us it is appointed unto men once to die then the judgment. I mean when you're focused on that no wonder this world feels too small for us for our souls because we were made for something more. [00:14:00] (41 seconds) #GraceForAll

And finally just as the sun was setting and it was starting to get dark he did find it and he held it up with joy and tears in his eyes. Why did he search so hard for something that could be replaced? Maybe it was expensive but it wasn't because of the cost. He did that because it represented the love and the covenant and the relationship that he had with his new wife. Jesus tells us that same story in Luke 15. He speaks of a shepherd leaving the ninety-nine for the one. [00:16:04] (37 seconds) #RelentlessLove

God's past faithfulness, the stories that we tell that make us smile. What are the new treasures? Well, fresh mercies, new gratitude from God, moments of grace and glimpses of heaven in everyday life. I don't often quote Lamentations but Lamentations 3, 22 says his mercies are new every morning. Psalm 103, forget not all his benefits. Another one, Psalm 77, I will remember the works of the Lord. Old blessings, new blessings. And all of them whisper, don't hold too tightly to this world. Hold tight to heaven. [00:17:41] (55 seconds) #LetGoAndSeekHeaven

What earthly treasure am I holding too tightly right now? Maybe it's comfort or control, approval, a person or a relationship that has bumped God out of first place in my life and moved him down the list. Material things could be any number of things that have caused us to take our eyes off of God and to forget that this is not what we're all about. And the second question is what heavenly treasure is God calling you to seek? Peace? His holiness? His presence? Maybe eternal hope? [00:18:50] (62 seconds) #LiveLikeHeavenIsReal

``You are God's treasure. He loves you. He seeks you and he's preparing a place for you a real place more real than anything here. So if you need prayer for letting go for letting God seek you for refocusing on heaven then our hearts and our hands are open. We would be honored to pray with you. See God already knows what you need but it blesses him when his children ask. So ask. [00:20:50] (45 seconds)

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