Kingdom Treasure. Kingdom Offense.
Matthew 13:44–58
[Note: the recording for this sermon begins about 7 minutes into the actual sermon, due to a pastoral microphone mishap. Below the sermon text is a manuscript of the sermon introduction. The recording begins shortly after the sermon introduction.]
“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.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
“Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.” 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.”
And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.
Sermon Introduction:
I want you to take a moment to consider something you own—maybe it’s with you now or it’s at your home—but it’s an item that you highly value. Think about that for a moment, what is your most highly valued item?
Maybe for you this is a very valuable instrument. Or for others here maybe it’s a very rare collectible item like a book or antique. Or maybe it’s a sentimental item—a family heirloom.
Now, I have a question for you, what would it take for you to trade that valuable item away? Your gut instinct might say—nothing. But I would guess that there are actually many things that would entice you into trading away that item.
In short, I think you’d trade that valuable item for something better.
One of my most valuable personal items is my wedding ring. It was passed down to me from my grandfather after his death. The ring has two engravings—one reads JM to JB 12-31-55 (my grandmother and grandfather’s initials and wedding date) and the other reads ET 08-10 (Emily and Tom and our wedding date). My grandpa was my best friend. I have so many memories of making model cars and boats with him. Playing catch in the yard. Playing board games. Etc. And then on top of that, this is also a special item between my wife and me. It reminds me of my marriage covenant and vows with my lovely wife Emily. Because of all that history, the sentimental value to this ring is high!
There are so many reasons that I cherish this ring, but that doesn’t mean it’s of insurmountable value.
Consider this, the market value of this ring is probably a couple hundred dollars—pretty basic gold ring. Now, due to the rarity of this ring (there’s only one exactly like it) and the sentimental value of this ring, I wouldn’t sell it for market value. But if someone offered me 10 times market value, then there’s at least a consideration of selling it. And if someone offered me 100 times the market value of this item, well, at that point I’m probably making the deal, and Emily and I will happily find a replacement wedding ring.
The items we have and hold—even the most valuable ones—are all available for the right price.
But I want you to now imagine a scenario where that is impossible—where there is no possible greater value. Something that is so valuable that everything else couldn’t compare.
Well, as we turn to our passage for this morning, we will see that something so valuable is real. And that is the kingdom of heaven. What Jesus brings and what Jesus offers is of such great value that nothing—not even an accumulation of everything—can compare.
The kingdom of heaven is of such great value, that we should be willing to give all we have to seek it! But, not everyone sees it that way. This kingdom is also an offense to many! Too demanding. Too rigid. A GDP nightmare. Etc. Etc. Thus, some will hear the news of the kingdom and they will respond by seeking it with everything they have! But others will hear the news of the kingdom and they will respond with scorn, jealousy, and hatred.
My hope and prayer for us this morning is that we won’t ever be scandalized by Jesus and his teaching—even when it’s provocative, even when it goes against our sensibilities, even when it seems to be very contrary to the popular opinion of the world. May we never be scandalized. But my prayer is for more than that, I also hope that we won’t simply be lukewarm followers of Jesus, who are happy to follow some of Jesus’s teachings—happy to follow him when things are comfortable. No, my hope for is for even more than that. I hope and pray that we will be a people willing to sell all we have for the sake of seeking Jesus and his kingdom. I hope and pray that we will be a people will to uproot our lives, if necessary, to seek Jesus and his kingdom.
Let me lift that prayer to the Lord, and then we’ll turn to our passage for this morning.
