Valuing the Kingdom: Treasures of Eternal Significance

Devotional

Day 1: The Incomparable Value of the Kingdom of Heaven

The Kingdom of Heaven is described as a hidden treasure or a pearl of great price. When one truly encounters Jesus, the realization dawns that He is worth more than anything else one could ever possess. This understanding should lead to a re-evaluation of priorities, urging believers to invest in what is eternal rather than what is temporary. The parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price illustrate this profound truth. In these stories, individuals sell everything they own to obtain something of immense value, symbolizing the transformative power of encountering Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven. [46:15]

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 are some earthly treasures you hold dear? How can you begin to shift your focus towards investing in the Kingdom of Heaven today?

Day 2: Unexpected Encounters with Jesus

Sometimes, like the man who found the hidden treasure, people aren’t actively looking for Jesus, but He finds them. These unexpected encounters can be life-changing, revealing the true value of a relationship with Him. Such moments often come when least expected, yet they have the power to transform lives completely. The story of the man who stumbled upon the hidden treasure serves as a reminder that Jesus can meet us in the most unexpected places and times, offering a relationship that surpasses all earthly value. [47:38]

Acts 9:3-6 (ESV): "Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' And he said, 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.'"

Reflection: Can you recall a time when you unexpectedly encountered Jesus? How did it change your perspective or life direction?

Day 3: The Active Search for Meaning

Like the merchant searching for fine pearls, many people are actively looking for meaning and fulfillment in life. When they find Jesus, they discover that He is the ultimate source of satisfaction, worth changing their entire lives for. This active search reflects a deep yearning for something more, something eternal. The parable of the Pearl of Great Price illustrates that the search for meaning culminates in finding Jesus, who is worth every sacrifice and change. [48:08]

Jeremiah 29:13-14 (ESV): "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile."

Reflection: What are you actively searching for in your life right now? How can you seek Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of that search?

Day 4: Investing in Eternity

Jesus teaches not to store up treasures on earth but to invest in heaven. This means prioritizing spiritual growth, relationships, and acts of service over material possessions. The call to invest in eternity involves a shift in priorities, focusing on what truly matters in the long run. By investing in the Kingdom of Heaven, believers align their lives with eternal values, reflecting their worship and devotion to God. [50:25]

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 are some ways you can start investing in eternity today? Consider your time, resources, and relationships.

Day 5: The Call to Radical Change

Following Jesus often requires radical changes in one's life. Whether it’s selling everything one has or simply re-prioritizing time and resources, the call to follow Jesus is a call to invest in what truly matters. This radical change is not just about external actions but also about a transformation of the heart and mind. The parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price illustrate the extent to which one should be willing to go to follow Jesus, emphasizing the immense value of the Kingdom of Heaven. [52:44]

Luke 14:33 (ESV): "So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone! Today’s service is a bit different, filled with energy and participation, and it’s focused on both kids and the young at heart. We began with some classic hymns to honor the seasoned saints who have built the church, and then transitioned to songs and activities aimed at the younger generation. The central theme of today’s service is the concept of value and what we consider to be the most valuable in our lives.

We played a game where we asked participants to identify the most valuable thing they own, and then what a stranger might consider the most valuable thing they own. This led us to a deeper question: What is the one thing you would drastically alter your life to obtain? This question set the stage for our exploration of two parables told by Jesus: the Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price.

In the first parable, a man stumbles upon a hidden treasure in a field and sells everything he owns to buy that field. In the second, a merchant searching for fine pearls finds one of great value and sells everything to purchase it. These stories illustrate the incomparable value of the Kingdom of Heaven and the transformative power of encountering Jesus.

We discussed how sometimes we are like the man who accidentally finds the treasure—we aren’t looking for Jesus, but when we encounter Him, we realize His immense value. Other times, we are like the merchant actively searching for something valuable, and when we find Jesus, we understand that He is worth everything we have.

The message encourages us to seek the Kingdom of God above all else and to invest in it, knowing that Jesus is the ultimate treasure. We are reminded not to store up treasures on earth, where they can be destroyed or stolen, but to store up treasures in heaven. This involves a shift in our priorities and investments, focusing on eternal values rather than temporary gains.

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Key Takeaways

1. evaluate our priorities and invest in what is eternal. [46:15]
2. Unexpected Encounters with Jesus: Sometimes, like the man who found the hidden treasure, we aren’t actively looking for Jesus, but He finds us. These unexpected encounters can be life-changing, as they reveal the true value of a relationship with Him.

3. Active Search for Meaning: Like the merchant searching for fine pearls, many of us are actively looking for meaning and fulfillment in life. When we find Jesus, we discover that He is the ultimate source of satisfaction and worth changing our entire lives for.

4. Investing in Eternity: Jesus teaches us not to store up treasures on earth but to invest in heaven. This means prioritizing spiritual growth, relationships, and acts of service over material possessions. Our investments should reflect our worship and devotion to God.

5. The Call to Radical Change: Following Jesus often requires radical changes in our lives. Whether it’s selling everything we have or simply re-prioritizing our time and resources, the call to follow Jesus is a call to invest in what truly matters.

### [46:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Introduction to the Service
[02:00] - Kids and Young at Heart Focus
[04:30] - Classic Hymns
[10:00] - Audience Participation
[31:54] - Shout Outs
[33:18] - Juggling Game: What’s Valuable?
[35:01] - Stranger’s Perspective on Value
[36:47] - Candy Tournament
[40:32] - The Magical Tree
[42:15] - Story of Jack and the Beanstalk
[44:50] - Parable of the Hidden Treasure
[46:15] - Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
[48:08] - The Merchant’s Search
[50:25] - Investing in Eternity
[52:44] - Radical Change for Jesus
[56:20] - Seek the Kingdom of God
[58:41] - Offering and Closing Songs
[66:58] - Prayer and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In the Parable of the Hidden Treasure, what does the man do after finding the treasure? (Matthew 13:44)
What is the merchant searching for in the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price, and what does he do when he finds it? (Matthew 13:45-46)
According to Matthew 6:19-21, where should we store our treasures and why?
What promise does Jesus give in Matthew 6:33 about seeking the Kingdom of God?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the man in the Parable of the Hidden Treasure was willing to sell everything he had to buy the field? (Matthew 13:44)
How does the merchant’s search for fine pearls relate to our search for meaning and fulfillment in life? (Matthew 13:45-46, [48:08])
What does it mean to store up treasures in heaven, and how does this contrast with storing up treasures on earth? (Matthew 6:19-21, [50:25])
How can seeking the Kingdom of God first change our priorities and investments in life? (Matthew 6:33, [56:20])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you unexpectedly encountered Jesus in your life. How did this encounter change your perspective or actions? ([47:38])
Are there areas in your life where you are actively searching for meaning and fulfillment? How can you shift your focus to seek Jesus as the ultimate source of satisfaction? ([48:08])
What are some practical ways you can invest in the Kingdom of God rather than storing up treasures on earth? Consider your time, resources, and relationships. ([50:25])
Think about a significant change you might need to make in your life to follow Jesus more closely. What steps can you take to start making this change? ([52:44])
How can you prioritize seeking the Kingdom of God in your daily life? Identify one specific action you can take this week to put this into practice. ([56:20])
Evaluate your current investments of time and money. Do they reflect your worship and devotion to God? What adjustments can you make to align them more with eternal values? ([51:10])
Consider the story of the rich young ruler. What might Jesus be asking you to give up or change in order to follow Him more fully? ([52:13])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "So just a heads up, especially you kids, as you go through life, as you go through school and start looking for jobs, sometimes you're gonna be surprised by where you see Jesus already at work." [47:38] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "You invest in what you worship. So where am I investing my time? Where am I investing my money? Where are you investing your time? Where are you investing your money?" [51:10] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Seek the kingdom of God above all else and invest in it, and he will give you everything you need. And everybody in this room, not just the kids, I encourage you to seek the kingdom of God above all else, and invest in it, and he will take care of the rest." [56:20] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "When you meet Jesus, truly meet Jesus, because nobody meets him and stays the same. Everybody changes. If you go back to the Bible, people were either mad at him and wanted to kill him, or they were willing to be killed for him. But there was no like, eh, that's not how Jesus works." [54:53] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant who is looking for pearls, and when he finds the one he wants, it wasn't what he was expecting, he didn't know he wanted it, but when he came across it, he went, this changes everything. I need this. And he radically changes his life to get it." [54:24] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "In our story, the first man didn't know that he was looking for something valuable, but when he found it, he knew it was valuable and he changed how he lived to get it. That's how Jesus is sometimes. He surprises you. You aren't looking for him, but he surprises you." [47:38] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The gospel tradition doesn't expect everybody to sell everything they have and give to the poor, but it does expect some, apparently. And so it's as if Jesus has a two-tiered system. Some followers divest everything they have and the rest invest." [53:21] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "You might be looking for meaning in your job, or in your title, or in your relationships, but when you meet Jesus, truly meet Jesus, because nobody meets him and stays the same. Everybody changes." [54:53] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "So when we go back to the conversation about what's the most valuable thing, probably just money-wise, the most valuable thing we had mentioned was a house. But if you don't work on a house and keep it up, it will begin to fall apart. It needs repairs, because that's how this world works. Everything will deconstruct. But lay up for yourself treasures in heaven, and that changes things." [53:53] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "It's worth noting that Jesus offers a potential next step to him. He says, if you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions give the money to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven and then come and follow me. It's as if Jesus is saying to him, I am the pearl of great value. I'm the one worth following. I'm the one worth selling everything you have to gain." [52:13] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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