Central thought:
The Kingdom of God is of inestimable value that must transcend every other earthly possession.
Hymn: When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound
Text: Matthew 13:44-46, 19:16-26
In Matthew chapter 13, the Lord Jesus began to utter mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven in public and private places. One of the eight parables in the chapter is the parable of the hidden treasure. All men have different things they treasure at different times. A number of factors determine what men treasure, which may include their wealth, positions, race etc. The main emphasis of the parable of the hidden treasure is that nothing is more precious than the kingdom of God. The parable emphasizes the whole-hearted response a person should give towards the Kingdom of Heaven, and the need for total devotion and commitment to the Kingdom. This study will examine the kingdom of heaven as a hidden treasure.
Lesson Objectives:
We trust God that at the end of this study, we shall be able to:
- Explain values to be given up for the sake of the kingdom.
- Identify if there are sacrifices too great to make for the kingdom.
- Appreciate the benefits in giving up all to follow Jesus.
Question 1.) Explain some of the “Valuables” to be given up for the sake of the Kingdom.
While salvation is a free gift, its value surpasses all things we ever cherished before coming to follow Jesus. To consolidate our grip on salvation, the new believer must give up those values that marked our former life:
A.) Self: Mark 8:34-38
In God’s Kingdom nothing matters more to the individual except the pursuit of same (the Kingdom) and whatsoever will advance it. Self is an enemy to the Kingdom. It is that part of man that seeks recognition and acclaim above God. It promotes its own worth and value above all else. It finds it difficult to be subservient. If any man will seek the Kingdom his/her allegiance must change i.e. – deny self, dethrone self, yield to God and follow Him. The loss of self is the mandatory path to gaining the Kingdom. We must count all (academic qualifications, position, power, wealth, beauty, fame etc.) as dung if we are to gain the Kingdom. They must hence forth be tools by which we serve the interest of the Kingdom and not self. So when we come before the throne of grace, we must come just as we are, forgetting our social or secular status and then humbling ourselves at His feet. We must deny self by consciously laying aside our estimation of self, become like a child before God, and be ready to follow God in simplicity of heart, obeying all dictates by the Holy Spirit. We must not in pursuit of worldly gain neglect our soul no, nor for what this world offers, give up the kingdom. Apostle Paul refused to place any confidence on the flesh. Rather he counted all things as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ (Philippians 3:4-7).
B.) Loved Ones and Worldly possessions: Matthew 19:29, 6:19-21
Jesus’ words in Matthew 19:29 “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life” are to the effect that, anyone who chooses to follow Jesus is not necessarily asked to abandon his/her family, but to place Christ above these close treasured relationships, which ordinarily are uppermost in our hearts. Anyone who does that shall not go unrewarded here on earth and in the world to come. (Mark 10:30 and Luke 18:29-30). Apart from relationships, men also place high premium on possessions (lands, money, houses, gadgets etc.). Attachment to these things can negatively affect our attitude to the Kingdom. In Acts 5, the disciples of their own accord sold lands and brought the proceeds to the apostle’s feet. The story of Ananias and Sapphira, the rich young ruler was however different (Matthew 19:16-23 or Luke 18:18-23). The young ruler could not give up his trust in his wealth to follow Jesus Christ. He was too attached to his possessions. Jesus used this teaching to drive home the point that our most valued/treasured things and relationships are nothing when companied to the hidden treasure of the Kingdom. Until a man places the kingdom high and above these, he is not qualified for the hundred fold blessings here on earth and in eternity. The word to forsake is all about the premium/value we place on earthly possessions. We need to ask God for grace, to help us prioritize our values. It is unfortunate that the church like the world, has become infected with the crave and craze for material things. But Jesus has warned that a man’s worth does not consist of the abundance of the things he possesses (Luke 12:15).
C.) Worldly Pleasure: 1 John 2:15-17, Luke 9:57-62
All that the world offers are the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. In any variant they appear, we must not place them above our relationship with God. The lust of the flesh is the desire to satisfy the cravings of the flesh, like sexual pleasure; lust of the eyes is wanting to acquire whatever one sees, irrespective of how it is achieved and the pride of life is being full of what we think we are. It is esteeming one’s self above what he/she really is. We are warned not to love the world. This is a command and not an advice. This is because you can only express your love to God by complying with this instruction. In the world there is so much craving for fun and pleasure and ultimately the world is filled with pleasure-seekers. There is so much unbridled lust and increased shamelessness. It should be noted that those who seek worldly pleasure are careless. Solomon sought worldly please and in the end concluded that all is nothing but vanity (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11). Believers should not conform to the world and the pleasure thereof. We are to deny worldliness and worldly pleasure.
Question 2.) Is there any sacrifice too great to make for the Kingdom of Heaven?
Matthew 13:44-46, 19:21
The Kingdom of God, having been described as a treasure, pearl of great price, and with so many other adjectives in scriptures, is inestimable in its value. It is more precious and costlier than any treasure known to man. It is the ultimate reward and abode of those redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. The Kingdom of Heaven is the abode of God; its streets are paved in gold. In this Kingdom, the pains, tears, sorrows, failures, darkness and all the ills present in our society will be absent; there Jesus is the light, for there is no night in heaven. Therefore beloved, there can be no sacrifice too great to make for the sake of the kingdom. It is however unfortunate that some believers along the way, allow themselves to be choked by the pressures and the pleasures of the world kingdom. It is only those that endure till the end that are entitled to inherit the kingdom of God. Examples abound of people in scriptural account and contemporary history who have paid the supreme price, that is, have lost their lives maintaining their allegiance to the kingdom. They never wavered nor shrank from their convictions. They remained inclined on the plough right to the end of their lives. These are worthy examples for us to emulate today.
Question 3.) What are the benefits of giving up all, to follow Jesus?
Matthew 19:27-29
The benefits of following Jesus are innumerable. The benefits begin here on earth and go on in eternity. According to Matthew 19:29 “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life”.. As we go along our earthly pilgrimage, we meet the brothers, sisters, father and mothers God has blessed us with. The hundred-fold blessings are encompassed in everything that the Lord has given us for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). These include peace of mind, answered prayers, blessings from God, safety, protection, prosperity etc. and ultimately eternity with God in heaven.
Daily Living Application
The Kingdom of God is the hidden treasure and the costly pearl. Nothing should be spared to ensure its acquisition like the wise merchant who sold everything he had to buy it. It starts with accepting Christ into our lives and then having a life-long relationship with Him. Like the heroes of faith (Hebrew 11), we must run this race to the end and like Apostle Paul, be able with Godly confidence say, I have finished my race; I am ready to receive the crown reserved for me. The race is certainly not easy but we can count on the Lord’s strength to overcome. Our love for Jesus, who sacrificed His life to redeem us should be a propelling force in our heaven-ward journey. The prospect of eternal life with God should more than excite us and give us a focus in our quest for heaven.
Memory Verse
Colossians 3:1
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God”
Daily Devotional Guide
Monday: Why the merchant man sold all that he had to buy the hidden treasure
Matthew 13:44-46
Tuesday: How a man can find the kingdom of heaven today
John 3:3-8, Romans 10:9-10
Wednesday: Some values to be given up for the sake of the kingdom. Self and worldly pleasure
1 John 2:15-17, Mark 8:34-38
Thursday: Some values to be given up for the Kingdom. Loved ones and worldly possessions.
Matthew 19:29, 6:19-21
Friday: Any sacrifice too great to make for the kingdom of Heaven?
Matthew 13:44-46, 19:21
Saturday: Benefits of giving up all, to follow Jesus
Matthew 19:27-29