{"id":1555,"date":"2017-06-11T22:44:22","date_gmt":"2017-06-12T02:44:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/?p=1555"},"modified":"2017-06-11T22:44:22","modified_gmt":"2017-06-12T02:44:22","slug":"the-hidden-treasure-part-3-june-11th-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/?p=1555","title":{"rendered":"The Hidden Treasure, Part 3, June 11th, 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"HiddenTreasure\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Central thought: <\/strong><\/p>\n

The Kingdom of God is of inestimable value that must transcend every other earthly possession.<\/p>\n

Hymn:\u00a0There’s a land that is fairer than day…<\/p>\n

Text: Matthew 13:44-46, 19:16-26<\/p>\n

In Matthew chapter 13, the Lord Jesus began to utter mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven in public and private places. \u00a0One of the eight parables in the chapter, is the parable of the hidden treasure. \u00a0All men have different things they treasure at different things they treasure at different times. \u00a0A number of factors determine what men treasure, which may include their wealth, positions, race, etc. \u00a0The main emphasis of the parable of the hidden treasure is that nothing is more precious than the kingdom of God. \u00a0The 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. \u00a0This study will examine the kingdom of heaven as a hidden treasure.<\/p>\n

Lesson Objectives: <\/strong><\/p>\n

We trust God that at the end of this study, we shall be able to:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Discuss practical ways in which believers can demonstrate their citizenship and treasure of the kingdom of heaven.<\/li>\n
  2. Appreciate what characterizes the life of someone who has given up all the kingdom’s sake.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Question 1.)\u00a0In what practical ways can believers demonstrate their citizenship (and treasure) of the Kingdom of Heaven? \u00a0Romans 6:11-12, 16:19; Philippians 3:4-14, 4:5-6, 1 Timothy 6:11-12; Hebrews 12:1-2, 13:5-6<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Treasures are highly valued. \u00a0There are various ways in which individuals treasure their valuables. \u00a0Some keep valued possessions ins are places in the house, in a safe, others with barristers, trusted persons, banks and the court. \u00a0In any manner in which the treasures are preserved, it is for safe keeping for the day of need. \u00a0The same is for the Christian. \u00a0For every Christian, the kingdom of heaven must be treasured. \u00a0Below are some of the ways that believers can demonstrate their citizenship and treasure of the Kingdom.<\/p>\n

    A.)\u00a0Being dead to sin:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Romans 6:11-12, the first practical way to treasure this kingdom is to be dead in sin, e.g. to consciously live above sin. \u00a0Stay away from any thing that is sin. \u00a0Those who are in Christ should not allow their lives to be controlled by sinful nature. \u00a0We should be dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.<\/p>\n

    B.)\u00a0Obedience to God:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Obedience to God relates to submitting to His authority and command. \u00a0It helps the believer to get closer to God. \u00a0It is those that do the will of God that will enter the kingdom, Matthew 7:21. \u00a0Such an individual must be willing to obey God to the letter, Romans 16:19, 6:16, whether it is convenient or not. \u00a0Those that have received Christ are now sons of God and have enablement to obey God.<\/p>\n

    C.)\u00a0Fight for the faith:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    1 Timothy 6:11-12; the believer is encouraged to follow after righteousness, and fight the good fight of faith. \u00a0The Christian race is one that must to run consistently. \u00a0There are so many distractions on the way, and daily the devil presents himself in various forms, all to discourage the believer. \u00a0The world offers itself in different shades, and tries to lure the believer out of the race. \u00a0Hence the believer must fight and contend for the faith, Jude 1:3. \u00a0This means standing \u00a0up to defend the truth of the gospel in the midst of so much perversion. \u00a0The believer must contend and work out their salvation, Philippians 2:12. \u00a0We must be bold to stand by what we believe and defend it, earnestly, consistently and tirelessly. \u00a0Like Apostle Paul we must be able to state with certainty, our stand in God.<\/p>\n

    D. By living the life of Christ:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Philippians 4:5-6, Christians are the Jesus the world sees today, as such, we must represent God properly. \u00a0Ina ll we do, it must be known to men that we are believers, representing the interest of heaven. \u00a0We must always walk in fellowship with our Lord who loved us and gave Himself for us.<\/p>\n

    E. Having the coming of Christ in view, Hebrews 11:13; 1 Peter 2:11<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Many believers have forgotten that we are pilgrims on earth, (passers-by with a home to return to). \u00a0Some have settled here on earth and have lost focus of the return of Christ and of the kingdom heaven their eternal home. \u00a0We must consiciously live with the mindset of Christ return, living every minute like the last. \u00a0It is the consciousness of heaven that restrains from sin. \u00a0We must not be entangled with the affairs of the world as we journey to our heavenly abode.<\/p>\n

    F. Live a life of prayer and thanksgiving:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Philippians 4:5-6, This is from a realization of the supremacy of God who answered sincere and selfless prayers, which are in accordance with His will. \u00a0Thanksgiving to God should be a part of the believer’s daily life style. \u00a0God alone is able to bring HIs words concerning us to pass if we only trust Him.<\/p>\n

    G. Anxiety-free life:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Philippians 4:6, We live in a world where reasons abound to cause anyone to be anxious. \u00a0In the midst of all these, God admonishes us to “be anxious for nothing”. \u00a0Believers must stop worrying like unbelievers, and stop complaining. \u00a0Most times we do otherwise, because we do not know the God we serve, and so we limit Him, Psalm 78:41. \u00a0We should stop behaving as though we are alone, as if we do not have God. \u00a0This is not to say, we should be carefree about the issues of life; we must appreciate situations and take steps in faith, in accordance with scriptures to resole them trusting God for desired results.<\/p>\n

    H. Not insist on rights:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Philippians 4:7, There are some things we must let off and forgo due rights, for Christ’s sake. \u00a0The believer is sometimes tagged foolish for not insisting on rights. \u00a0Even if we have to be so tagged for Christ’s sake, it is not too much. \u00a0In doing this prayerfully, some persons could be won over to the Lord. \u00a0You must die to self and let certain things go for Christ’s sake.<\/p>\n

    I. \u00a0Evangelism, Luke 9:2; Matthew 24:14:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    A practical way we can demonstrate how much we treasure the kingdom of God is tell others about it so that they too would find this treasure. \u00a0One visible method for accomplishing this task is house to house evangelism, in which we meet and share the gospel message with others. \u00a0We can also preach to others by our life style, by allowing people to see Christ manifest in us. \u00a0We must show the love of God to others, and then will they be willing to accept the Christ we preach.<\/p>\n

    J. \u00a0Do good works, Ephesians 2: 10; Titus 2:17:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The believer should desire to do good to others especially those in the household of faith. \u00a0He should also endeavor to live at peace with others, 1 Corinthians 14:33.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Question 2) What characterizes the life of someone who has given up all for the kingdom’s sake? Colossians 3:1-2; Matthew 6:19-21<\/strong><\/p>\n

    A distinctive feature that characterizes in life of someone who has given up all for the kingdom’s sake is that such an individual is not materialistic. \u00a0Even in acquiring properties, he\/she exhibits no attachment to them. \u00a0Even in the acquisition of worldly goods such as lands, houses and money, the main drive is to use them for furthering the growth and advancement of the kingdom of God. \u00a0Unlike the ungodly, the main motivation is not to promote self. \u00a0The individual’s heart is continuously conscious of heaven and eternity and is thereby guided in his\/her dealings and actions. \u00a0Because of this frame of mind, the individual works more to lay up treasures (in heaven) where no moth and rust can corrupt them nor thieves break in to steal them. \u00a0This manner of life pleases the Lord.<\/p>\n

    Humility is another hall mark of such an individual. \u00a0The individual does not always insist on his\/her right, especially where doing so will adversely affect others. \u00a0He\/she would rather endure hardship for the safe of the Kingdom, and so practically demonstrate the reality of a kingdom life style. \u00a0In so doing he becomes the Jesus men see, and are won to the kingdom.<\/p>\n

    Another characteristic of such and individual is a peaceful disposition. \u00a0Follow peace with all men, Hebrews 12:14, and becoming peace makers, Matthew 5:9, becomes a visible pattern in such a life.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Daily Living Application<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The Kingdom of God is the hidden treasure and the costly pearl. \u00a0Nothing should be spared to ensure its acquisition like the wise merchant who sold everything he hd to buy it. \u00a0It starts with accepting Christ into our lives and the having al life-long relationship \u00a0with Him. \u00a0Life the heroes of faith, Hebrews 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. \u00a0The race is certainly not easy but we can count on the Lord’s strength to overcome. \u00a0Our love for Jesus, who sacrificed His life to redeem us should be a propelling force in our heaven – ward journey. \u00a0The prospect of eternal life with God should more than excite us and give us a focus in our quest for heaven.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Memory Verse <\/strong><\/p>\n

    Colossians 3:1<\/p>\n

    \u201cIf ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

    \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

    Daily Devotional Guide <\/strong><\/p>\n

    Monday: Why the merchant man sold all that he had to buy the hidden treasure<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Matthew 13:44-46<\/p>\n

    Tuesday: How a man can find the kingdom of heaven today<\/strong><\/p>\n

    John 3:3-8, Romans 10:9-10<\/p>\n

    Wednesday: Values to be given up for the sake of the kingdom. Self and worldly pleasure<\/strong><\/p>\n

    1 John 2:15-17, Mark 8:34-38<\/p>\n

    Loved ones and worldly possessions<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Matthew 19:29, 6:19-21<\/p>\n

    Thursday: Practical ways believers can really treasure the kingdom of heaven they have found.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Philippians 3:4-14 and 4:5-6<\/p>\n

    Friday: Characteristics of the life of someone who\u00a0has given up all for the kingdom sake.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Colossians 3:1-2 and Matthew 6:19-21<\/p>\n

    Saturday:\u00a0Benefits of giving up all, to follow Jesus.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Matthew 19:27-29<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Central thought: The Kingdom of God is of inestimable value that must transcend every other earthly possession. Hymn:\u00a0There’s a land that is fairer than day… 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. \u00a0One of the eight parables […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1555","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sundayschool"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1555","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1555"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1555\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1556,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1555\/revisions\/1556"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1555"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1555"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1555"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}