OceanSide church of Christ

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Part of the series: PARABLES OF JESUS
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THE PARABLE OF THE HIDDEN TREASURE

Matthew 13:44

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   We have studied two of Jesus’ shorter parables the past two weeks.

1.     The Parable of the Leaven

2.     The Parable of the Mustard Seed

 

B.    Tonight, we want to look at another brief parable of our Lord, “The Parable of the Hidden Treasure.”

1.     This parable is only recorded by Matthew.

2.     The parable has a companion parable referred to as “The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price.”

 

C.   Matthew 13:44

 

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

 

D.   The main lesson of this parable is the high value of the kingdom and the price man should be willing to give in order to obtain it.

 

I.           THE KINGDOM IS LIKE UNTO TREASURE

 

A.   Treasure defined:

1.     Wealth or riches stored or accumulated

2.     Treasure usually consists of precious metal, coins, jewels, jewelry, and money.

3.     Question:  Would a box of such items estimated at $10 million be worth much to you?

 

B.    The kingdom of God has great value like the treasure.

1.     The kingdom has great value because it is the only place that offers refuge from the powers of darkness (Col. 1:13).

 

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.

 

a.     Those outside the kingdom reside in the kingdom of Satan (Eph. 2:2-3).

 

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:  among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

b.    When a person is born again, he enters the kingdom of heaven and is set free from the guilt and domain of sin, so that he can serve God.

1)     John 3:5

 

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

 

2)     Romans 6:17-18

 

But God be thanked that he were the servants of sin, be ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

 

2.     The kingdom has great value because of what it contains (Rom. 14:17).

 

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

 

a.     Righteousness involves a right standing in the sight of God through faith in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:9).

 

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.

 

b.    Peace has to do with the inner peace that comes from knowing one is right with God.  It is a peace that passes understanding.

1)     Colossians 3:15

 

And let the peace of God rule in your heats, to which ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful.

 

2)     Philippians 4:7

 

And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.

 

c.    Joy is an abiding joy in the Lord, regardless of one’s circumstances.

1)     This joy is experienced now (Rom. 15:13).

 

Now the God of hope fill you will joy and peace in believing…

 

2)     This joy will be experienced when Jesus comes again (I Pet. 4:13).

 

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad with exceeding joy.

 

 

3.     The kingdom is valuable because it is destined to eternal glory (I Cor. 15:22-24).

 

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.  But every man in his own order:  Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.  Then cometh the end, when he shall have delievered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority, and power.

 

C.   Yes, my friend, refuge, spiritual blessings, and a destiny in glory make the precious kingdom a true treasure chest worth finding.

 

II.         SOME FIND THE KINGDOM UNEXPECTEDLY

 

A.   In our parable, a man “found” the treasure in a field.  He was not actively seeking it.  He merely came across it.

 

B.    The apostle Paul is an example of one who discovered the kingdom unexpec-tedly.

1.     Saul was on a mission of destruction when he traveled the road to Damascus (Act 9:1-2).

 

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

 

2.     When the Lord appeared to him on that road, he realized he was in error.

a.     He was told to arise and go into the city and there it would be told him what he must do (Acts 9:6).

b.    Ananias came to him and taught him the gospel of Christ.  Acts 9:18 reveals his response.

 

And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forth-with, and arose, and was baptized.

 

c.    Paul realized what he had received.  Later in his writings he will refer to the gospel as a treasure in II Corinthians 4:7.  He will also write of the “treasures of wisdom and knowledge” that are in Christ Jesus (Col. 2:3).

 

C.   In our door-knocking efforts, all of our evangelistic programs, and mission works, we may help someone to accidentally discover the treasure of the kingdom of God.

 

III.       THE TREASURE OF THE KINGDOM IS WORTH ONE’S ALL

 

A.   “…for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field…”

 

 

B.    Paul is an example of this (Phil. 3:7-8).

 

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:  for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.

 

C.   There are many things that are involved in the purchase of this treasure.

1.     The price of repentance from sins (Acts 3:19).

 

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

 

2.     The price of complete submission to God’s will (James 4:7).

 

Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

 

3.     The price of family (Matt. 10:37).

 

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me:  and the that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

 

4.     The price of putting the kingdom first in our lives (Matt. 6:33).

 

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

 

5.     The price of self-will (II Cor. 5:15)

 

And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   Once the man had sold all and purchased the field, I wonder how he felt?

1.     Was he glad?

2.     Was his purchase worth it?

 

B.    The same can be said of the treasure of the kingdom of heaven.  Sell what you must to purchase it.  You will be glad!  Your purchase will definitely be worth it.