45 – The Games People Play
The Price Is Right
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
Matthew 13:44-46 NIV
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:44-46 NIV)
What turns half-hearted believers into whole-hearted discovers of Christ?
Just like these two men were willing to give up everything they owned so they could possess the treasure and the pearl.
Do you possess that kind of overwhelming hunger to possess Jesus? Willing to forsake everything.
What makes people fully committed followers of Jesus Christ.
It starts with a discovery.
One man discovers a hidden treasure and the other finds a pearl of great worth. Commitment to Christ begins when we discover Him. People discover the truth about Jesus in different ways. The first man wasn’t even looking for a treasure…..he stumbled onto it. Found the treasure in a field by accident.
Been busy around the church, looking like you have discovered Christ but you don’t have a relationship with Him. Can know church but still not know The Lord.
The merchant on the other hand had spent his entire life looking for the most dynamic pearl he could find. Some people spend their entire life searching. Some have never thought about a relationship with The Lord.
Peace with God is not about religion. It’s about relationships.
Not about works. It’s about Grace.
You can’t possess a treasure you never find.
You then must understand its worth.
Must appreciate His value. Must know His Price is Right.
If everyone understood with value of Christ then we would be committed to Him and take care of things the way He would.
Some of us value other things more than we do Christ.
Example: Some of us still call our best friends before we pray.
– The approval of our friends
– Physical beauty or physical strength. Sooner or later cute goes away.
– Sex
– Money. Contentment doesn’t come from the amount of money in your bank account.
Commitment only happens when we recognize His value. Jesus came and paid a price so that we wouldn’t have to suffer for our own conduct.
A lot of people love you because of something you’ve done. Jesus Christ loves us in spite of what we’ve done.
Tamala R. Maddox, Ph.D.
Principal
R.F. Bumpus Middle School