The Parables of Jesus - The Hidden Treasure

Today we will look at and understand what the Lord Jesus means when He speaks about the treasure in this parable and we will also consider what this treasure represents in our lives.

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Pastor Karim

Transcript

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So today we continue the parables. So last week we had Pastor Holm from Singapore. He was preaching about living the revival, living the revival sent by the Holy Spirit on earth to give us life. Because we might be alive, but we are dead without the Spirit of the Lord. And what makes us alive eternally, it is the Spirit of the Lord. Sent for the one who believes in Jesus. So today we're gonna talk about a treasure. It is a parable of the hidden treasure. It is only one verse, but very meaningful. Let's read together. In Matthew chapter 13, verse 44. If you have your Bible, or you can read on screen. Then in his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Amen. So today we look at and we to understand what the Lord Jesus means. When he speaks about the treasure in this parable, because the meaning of the treasure has different meanings throughout scripture, but in this parable has something special. We will also consider what this treasure represents in our lives, and how we are involved in discovering this wonderful treasure, which is the kingdom of heaven. It's very explicit, manifested and revealed by God through the work of the Holy Spirit in us. There is also the idea of seeking the kingdom of heaven and investing our lives in it so that we may explore the mysteries and the depth of God. Not by our own strength, but by the power and the work of the Holy Spirit, if we submit ourselves to Him and walk in obedience to His word. Amen. The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. The hidden treasure here represents the kingdom of heaven. Something that is revealed by the sovereign action of God at the appointed time from all eternity. He decides. But this is not speaking about a physical treasure, something of very high material value, such as a large amount of gold, silver, precious stones, nothing material here. Instead, it speaks about something spiritual, something that cannot be seen in the natural eye, but that through the work of the Holy Spirit becomes real. Where in the life of a man and a woman it becomes real. This treasure is seen in love, peace, joy, and the transformation of the heart. And the firm assurance that we belong to Christ. This is the treasure. This is the priceless value. It is priceless. Nothing can buy this. Nothing. In our lives here on earth, but even more for eternity. This treasure cannot be measured by any riches of this world. It goes far beyond everything that a person can possess materially. It is a spiritual wealth that God gives to those who come to Him by faith and humility. So in biblical text, the field often symbolizes the world. And sometimes the human heart. It is an image used to speak about spiritual growth, judgment, and the mission of the church. The field, the world. It is a place where the action of God and the activity of people met. This is the field. In the world and in our heart. Reflecting things such as labor, responsibility given by God, and his providence. The frequent use of the field in scripture shows that it represents the place where God works among people and where his plan of salvation unfolds. In this passage, the field represents the world and the work of God within it. Where the salvation of people is revealed with power. This is what this passage represents. Which a man found and covered up. I want to break it down as usual, just to understand. It's only one verse, but a lot of things to understand. In this parable, the man discovers a treasure of incomparable value. But before finding something like this, there is often a journey, a desire, a spiritual search in the heart of a person. Many people search for meaning in life. They search for truth. They search for inner peace that the world cannot give. They search, but what is the target? The Lord tells us that the one who seeks finds. And the one who knocks will have the door opened. However, when we speak about seeking God, we are not saying that we are saved by works, doing things. It doesn't work like that. We are saved by grace, the grace of God. Grace means unmerited favor. We don't merit anything. We are separated from God. And it is by his grace that we are saved. We don't accept anything, he accepts us. But a person is called to respond to a call of God with faith. This is how we are participating. Respond to a call. The word of God tells us that faith comes from hearing. And hearing through the word of Christ, the word of salvation. Nobody can tell the Lord, I didn't hear, I was not aware. You are today. If we are gathered here today, it is to hear the word of life. This truth is sown so that it may touch and convince receptive hearts. Are you receptive today? Not sure. Those who discover this treasure, they understand the immensity of his value. Yes. Nothing matters. Only Jesus at the center. It is not something selfish, even I would say. It does not mean that faith should not be shared. Instead, it shows the desire to preserve what has been discovered and to keep this precious treasure safe in the heart. I want to keep it. I want to keep it. This speaks about a personal commitment. Yes. Protecting what we have found, guarding this treasure from harmful influences, and preserving the purity of the kingdom of heaven, revealed in each one of us through the Holy Spirit. I want to keep it pure in my heart. Then in his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that feel. The joy of this man is great. It appears with strength and conviction. I want that feel. We see that his desire to obtain the feel becomes immediate, passionate, and complete. He says all. He sells everything he owns in order to buy the field where the treasure is hidden. Isn't it beautiful? Yes. This man moves from an outward wealth but an inward poverty to a much greater inward wealth. From the outside he was rich, but from the inside he was poor. This treasure frees him from his attachment to the things of the world. This is also the meaning of this parable. His heart is no longer tied to material riches or temporary things. No. But to the eternal riches that God gives to his children through the Holy Spirit through salvation. His perspective changes completely. His priority changes. What once seemed important to him is no longer important. Because he has discovered something infinitely more valuable. Amen. Let's continue. This parable also helps us understand that the man chooses to invest in the kingdom of heaven completely and without hesitation. I can even add, it's not the brain, it is the heart. He goes because he found a treasure. Everything he owns suddenly loses its value. In comparison to the treasure he has found in his heart, he's no longer attached to the things of the world, but only to the treasure that now lives within him, in his heart. No one can take this treasure. No one can take it away from him. It cannot be seen in the eyes of men. But it becomes clear when the love of God, through his grace, deeply touches our hearts. It becomes evident. When someone truly encounters Christ, they cannot live in the same way anymore. Their life takes a new direction. Lord, I want to follow you. This passage remains another passage in the Bible. The passage of the wise man, the magi. There is also an interesting typology connected to the event of the birth of Jesus. When the wise man, the magi, went from eastern territories to Jerusalem, offered valuable gifts as a sign of recognition, love, and worship. They recognize the majesty of Jesus. The gift sent from heaven, the King of the Jews, sent by God. Let's read this passage. Matthew 2, verse 10 to 11. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going to the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then opening their treasures, they offered him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These men came with offerings of great value to honor the King of Kings who came to save the world. They have been guided by a sign in the sky. A star that stirred their hearts and led them across the east so that they could met the Lord. Generosity is not only about giving money. No. It also includes giving our time, our gifts, spiritual gifts, our resources to serve others, and advance the kingdom of God. The Bible encourages believers to be attentive to the needs around them and to respond with compassion and generosity. In summary, generosity reflects God's character and calls believers to live selflessly. Through giving, Christians show their faith, they manifested their love and their trust in God's provision as well. Lord, I trust in you. Bringing glory to Him because we trust Him. Not because He provides, but because we trust that He will provide. This is the difference. I've got a few questions for you today. The first one is what has the most value for us or for you? What is the most valuable thing that we have in our lives? Every man and every woman places value on something in life. We cannot say we have no value for nothing. It's impossible. For some it is material wealth, for others, it may be success, security, recognition, or just pleasures in this world. But the question this parable asks us is this. What truly value has value in the eyes of God? And what place do you think these things have in our hearts? God sees everything. Don't worry. God is not only in this building, we are in His creation. The riches of this world are temporary, once again. They can disappear, destroy, be taken away from us. But the kingdom of God is an eternal treasure that can never be lost. The second question is, what price are you willing to pay? In the parable, the man sells everything he owns in order to buy the field. This doesn't mean that salvation can be bold, because salvation is a gift from God. But what it shows that we, when someone truly understands the value of the kingdom of heaven, the entire view of life changes. Certain things must be left behind. Attachments, habits, priorities that once occupied the first place in our hearts. Number one. Yes, we work, family, life, and God just here, somewhere. But God wants you all. Certain things, yes, we have to left behind. The third question is: what are our priorities in life? Our priorities always reveal what is truly important for us. What we give our time, energy, thoughts, efforts to often show us where our heart really is. The Lord causes us to seek first the kingdom of God. It's not me, it's the Lord saying that. This means that our relationship with God must become the priority. And once we have this priority, we can organize all the areas in our lives. The other question is where is our treasure? Jesus gave us a simple and powerful truth. In Matthew 6, 21, one verse makes it clear. For where your heart your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Our desire. Which means his character, how he behaved. Not just some promises, just pick and choose in the Bible. No. It's him living within us. So the last question is: where do we invest our lives? Every person invests their life somewhere. Some invest all their energy in things that will one day disappear. But Jesus calls us to invest in what is eternal. This means not becoming attracted or attached to what is temporary, but investing instead in what is eternal. Investing in the kingdom of God means seeking God first. We are not only talking about financial investments, no. He's investing time with the one we love, the one who has saved us. Walking in obedience, serving the Lord, and living for what glorifies him. Nothing that is done for God will ever be lost. The Lord says, Do not lay up your for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up your for yourselves treasures in heaven. Jesus said to him, If you would be perfect, him it was the young rich man who was following the law, mechanically following the law from the outside. But his heart was not circumcised, he didn't receive the grace of God. Jesus said to him, if you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess, and give to the poor. And you will have treasure in heaven. And come and follow me. You see the difference. We can come to church, we can do religious things, liturgy, and stuff, but we might not be saved. We might not encounter Christ. If we see Christ within us, we love him and we follow him. Today we have, today we don't have, no problem. But Lord, you save me and I trust you. I have faith in you, Lord. To conclude, the parable, this parable of the hidden treasure reminds us that the kingdom of God is the greatest treasure that a person can ever discover. Many people pass by this treasure without seeing it. Because the eyes are fixed on things of the world. But when God opens the eyes of the heart and a person discovers the value of the kingdom, everything changes. What once seemed important begins to lose its value. Because that person has found a treasure far greater. Way far. Like the man in the Bible, the one who discovers this treasure is ready to give up everything in order to possess it. I want to have this kingdom. Not out of obligation, but with joy. So the question that remains for each one of us is simple. Where is our treasure? For where our treasure is, there our heart will always also be. So let's find our treasure. Let's ask the Lord to reveal us what is our treasure in our lives. Amen. What can we learn and apply from this passage? First of all, the kingdom of heaven is the joy of salvation. Discovering the treasure, finding in Christ the salvation that gives eternal life. This is the first joy. This is what is the treasure that we find. The joy of being saved and belonging to Jesus. Leaving behind the values of the world. As the old life loses its own on the heart. We left behind. This is also called repentance, changing the way we lived. Turning away from sin. The kingdom of heaven is the joy of transformation, receiving a new heart as Christ changes our desires and our priorities. It might be hurtful sometime. But it has to be joyful. Why? Because we become like Christ. We will never experience the suffering of Christ. Never. The kingdom of heaven is the joy of identification. Belonging to Christ and His kingdom, knowing we are now part of His people. Isn't it beautiful? We belong to God. And the kingdom of heaven is the joy of commitment, giving everything for the treasure, placing Christ above all things. Amen. Let's close in prayer. Heavenly Father, Almighty God, Sovereign God. We come before you with gratitude, with a joyful heart, for who you are, for your grace that allows us to worship you in the spirit and the truth. We rejoice in hearing and delighting in your word. And above all, in proclaiming your Son, Jesus Christ, as our Lord and Savior and the head of this church. O Lord, we ask you to open our hearts by the help of your Holy Spirit, so that we may understand where our treasure truly is, where our hearts are focused, and what our true priorities are in our lives. Keep us, O God, on the narrow path of your truth. As we seek you in your living word, we thank you for all you have done, for all you are doing, and for all that you will continue to do in our lives. As you sanctify and transform us for your glory, we pray all these things in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Praise God.