IMPORTANCE OF KINGDOM

1) When we read Matthew-John we often find the word kingdom.

2) In fact, this word, in the ASV occurs 125 times in Matthew-John.

3) That comes out to about 1 and a half times per chapter.

4) Jesus spent much of His teaching time talking about the kingdom.

IN PREVIOUS LESSONS WE HAVE ESTABLISHED WHAT THE KINGDOM WAS, WHEN IT WAS PROMISED, AND THE FACT THAT IT HAS COME. WE HAVE EVEN SEEN HOW IT IS DESCRIBED WITH OTHER TERMINOLOGY SUCH AS THE WORD CHURCH.

a) Tonight I want to take things a step further.

b) I want to consider the kingdom based upon one of the Lord’s parables.

2) Jesus spoke about the kingdom in a wide variety of ways, and this should not surprise us.

3) There is so much to say about the kingdom that one illustration cannot say everything.

4) Thus, Jesus used images like the one found in Mt. 13:44.

a) Before we get to this verse we need to consider how Matthew 13 begins.

b) This chapter starts with the parable of the sower (verse 3).

c) Right after the sower parable another kingdom parable is given — verse 24 — READ.

5) In the church we have often discussed the first parable (the sower).

6) We have rightly used this parable to say that we get different responses when teaching the gospel.

7) What we may not have emphasized enough is what comes after this parable.

8) Matthew says there was “another parable.”

9) Does the second parable have the same subject as the first or a different topic?

10) Verse 24 says the second parable dealt with the kingdom.

11) This subject is not a new topic; it deals with the same point as the sower parable.

12) The first two parables in Matthew 13 are kingdom parables.

a) In spite of this many seem to overlook this point.

b) Nearly everyone looks at the parable of the sower and says,

c) “That’s how people respond to the church.”

d) In the very next parable there seems to be the attitude, “That’s the kingdom—something else.”

e) By using these parables back to back Jesus showed the sameness of the church and kingdom.

f) These two words do not always describe the same thing, but they frequently are identical.

g) Such is the case here.

13) When we come to the first two parables in Mt. 13 we are dealing with the church.

14) This same line of thought extends to the other kingdom parables in this chapter.

15) As we look at what the Lord said we find come to the parable in Mt. 13:44 _— READ.

a) From this single verse we can extract several key points.

b) The kingdom (church) is: like a treasure (like is a comparative word).

c) Jesus further said this treasure-like item is hidden in a field.

d) Though it is hidden, it is “found.”

e) Upon finding this treasure there is “joy.”

f) The finder is so excited he makes it secure and then takes extraordinary steps to make it his.

16) This is a short verse, but is it not one of the most beautiful descriptions of the New Testament church?

17) When we think of the word church, what comes to our mind?

a) I have heard people say the word with disgust and contempt.

b) There are those who see the church in the worst possible terms.

c) When we look at the Bible, verses like this portray it as a treasure.

18) If you doubt this is the right explanation, bear with me for a little while.

19) Jesus said He would build His church (Mt. 16:18).

20) In life we appreciate and even value items created by noteworthy people.

21) Certain works of art are worth millions and are considered treasures because of their creators.

22) When it comes to value and worth, names mean a lot.

23) The builder of the church was the Son of God.

24) Not only did Jesus build the church, He built it with His own blood, Acts 20:28.

25) Eph. 3:10 says it is through the church that God’s manifold wisdom is made known.

26) That sounds important.

27) From these references we must say the church is so significant it is like a treasure.

28) Beyond these passages Eph. 1:22-23 says Jesus is the “head of the church.”

29) Jesus is connected to His kingdom.

30) If the Lord may be viewed as a priceless treasure, what about the church connected to Him?

31) 1 Tim. 3:15 says the church is the “pillar and ground of the truth.”

a) When Jesus gave the little parable in Mt. 13:44 He knew exactly what He was saying..

b) Since we know the church is like a treasure, what about the next point?

THE LORD SAID THE KINGDOM (CHURCH) IS LIKE A TREASURE HIDDEN IN A FIELD.

a) I may not fully understand what this part of the parable means.

b) I do want to present something for your consideration.

c) It seems to me that there is a sense in which the church of the New Testament is hidden.

2) Tonight we could call out the names of several religious groups found in local phonebooks.

3) For the most part those in our world would say, “I have heard of all these groups.”

4) Big and leading denominations are familiar to even the non-religious.

5) Suppose we asked these non-religious people if they know about the church of Christ.

6) In my experience many are simply unfamiliar with the church of the New Testament.

7) In many respects the church Jesus died for is hidden.

a) If this conclusion is correct we might ask how will people learn about it.

b) “If Jesus built His church, why would He try to keep it a secret?”

8) Another verse sheds some light on these two thoughts.

9) The word hidden in Mt. 13:44 is also used in the Sermon on the Mount, Mt. 5:14.

10) It is the same word, and it is very, very interesting.

11) When we consider Mt. 5 and Mt. 13 we have an unusual paradox.

12) If you have found Mt. 5, let’s look at verse 14 – READ.

a) According to Mt. 13, the kingdom of God (church) in some sense is hidden.

b) As I proposed a moment ago, even in our modern times this is still true.

c) While the church is in one sense hidden, it can also be “found.”

d) How can the church of the New Testament be located?

e) In many instances it will be found through us, Mt. 5:14 because we are like a light.

13) We are the spokesmen for God and His kingdom the church.

14) Why did Jesus give the great commission in Mk. 16 and Mt. 28?

15) Mt. 13 tells us; many are not going to find the church unless we help them.

16) There will be some like the man in Mt. 13 who found the treasure hidden in the field.

17) Through his own efforts he found the fortune.

18) Some find the truth in this way, but many need someone to guide them, and that is us.

THE FINAL TWO POINTS IN JESUS’ PARABLE ARE DEPICTED AS “JOY” AND A MAN TAKING STEPS TO SECURE WHAT HE FOUND.

a) Both of these items are also consistent with the church of the New Testament.

b) When we read about people becoming Christians, what reaction is recorded?

c) Acts 8 is one verse which tells us about the response of Christian converts.

d) Before a gospel preacher came to town people in the area of Samaria were being duped.

e) They were being led astray by a sorcerer named Simon.

f) Someone preaching the truth came to Samaria and those people heard the truth.

g) Many who heard what was right obeyed the gospel.

2) Luke says (Acts 8:8) this created much “joy” in the city.

3) What was the result of the man who found that great treasure? Joy.

4) Consider another reference outside the book of Acts, Rom. 14:17.

a) In this verse Paul spoke about the “kingdom of God” (the church).

b) He said the church is not “eating and drinking.”

c) Jesus did not die for a big social club; we can have that in the world.

d) Jesus’ church is “righteousness, peace, and JOY in the Holy Spirit.”

5) Jesus knew what His church would be like.

6) It is so sad that this knowledge is not shared by many now living.

7) There are people who speak badly of the church.

8) Others do not want to have anything to do with the kingdom known as the church.

9) God’s view of the church is a place of peace and joy.

10) Our depth of joy in the church is carefully described in Mt. 13:44.

a) Jesus said the finder of this treasurer buried it.

b) He then sold all his possessions and bought the land so the treasure would be his.

c) Jesus used all types of illustrations. Some of His illustrations were based upon righteous people.

d) Other illustrations were drawn from the lives of evil men or evil acts.

e) Even now it is understood that we can learn from bad people as well as good people.

11) Mt. 13 tells about a man who may not have done something illegal, but it was questionable.

12) He didn’t steal the treasure, but there is also no indication he told the landowner what was on the land.

13) As we look at the entire story it is important to study the point Jesus was trying to make.

a) Was the Lord telling us we should try to cheat people in our business dealings?

b) Did He leave us a business model for taking advantage of the ignorant and gullible?

c) No, He was speaking about the kingdom of God.

d) Earlier He described how people receive the gospel of the kingdom.

e) In this parable He spoke of seeking the kingdom.

14) He appealed to a man who was willing to sell all he had to gain the treasure.

15) This lesson was not a new sermon for the Lord.

16) He taught this same thing at other times in His life.

17) Who here is not familiar with Mt. 6:33? Quote. This is the very point in Mt. 13:44.

18) In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus spoke about ripping out an eye or cutting off a hand.

19) He told use to use extreme measures if such were necessary to get us into the kingdom.

20) Mt. 13:44 tells about a man who took extreme measures to gain a great treasure.

21) In a single verse we have a beautiful picture of the church, and one we must apply.

22) What is known as the church is the most important body ever to exist in the world.

23) God wants us to treat the church with all the respect, love, and honor we have.

24) Today I spoke with someone who told of a preacher, not far from here, who split a congregation.

25) Mt. 13:44 says something about church splits.

26) If you would never take a million dollar painting and slash it with a knife, never cut up the church.

27) If we try to ravage or destroy God’s treasure, He has promised to destroy us.

28) In the church we have the greatest treasure man will ever know.

29) For the Christian, seeing the church as a treasure helps us live.

a) Will we dig into our pockets and put a handful of change in the collection plate?

b) Or, will we give thinking we are helping to care for the world’s greatest treasure?

c) This also answers questions about attendance and other parts of Christian living.

30) God has shown His love by welcoming all into the kingdom (church).

31) Are we a part of that great treasure?