Sunday Preview: The Priceless Value of the Kingdom

This spring, we have focused on the preciousness and great value of our adoption into God’s family and our role in His eternal plan, a plan set in motion before the world even began. In May, our focus shifts to the incredible inheritance promised to us—an inheritance spoken about vividly by Jesus through His teachings. A perfect starting point for understanding this is Matthew 13, particularly the parables in verses 44-46, illustrating how we appropriate the kingdom of heaven.

In verse 44, Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven as a treasure hidden in a field. When a man discovers this treasure, he hides it again and, in his joy, sells all he has to buy that field. The point highlights the man’s realization of the treasure's immeasurable worth, prompting him to sacrifice everything for it.

Verses 45-46 shift the focus to a merchant seeking fine pearls, who sells everything to purchase it upon finding one of immense value. In the ancient world, possessing pearls meant holding a fortune. Here, Jesus uses the pearl as a metaphor for the kingdom of heaven—so valuable that it merits the surrender of all one owns.

What can we learn?
The kingdom of heaven is of such extraordinary value that only a fool would hesitate to give up everything to possess it. This truth is expressed in 1 Peter 1:4, where Peter talks about an inheritance "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."
The kingdom is not readily visible or easily found. It requires a deliberate pursuit and spiritual discernment, as described in 1 Corinthians 2:14 and 2 Corinthians 4:4. Spiritual blindness, often due to indifference or distractions, can prevent us from seeing the value of the gospel.

The discovery of this treasure brings immense joy, compelling us to sacrifice all worldly possessions (Matthew 13:44b). The kingdom of God is characterized not by materialistic gains but by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).
The parables also show different scenarios of encountering the kingdom—one man stumbles upon it while another searches diligently for it. Both find something inestimable value, showing us that the kingdom of heaven can be entered from diverse life situations.

A Personal Transaction
Entering the kingdom of heaven involves a personal transaction, not involving money or deeds, but a surrender of all we have in exchange for all He offers. As Jesus said in Matthew 16:24, following Him consists in denying oneself, taking up one's cross, and truly following Him. This is an exchange of our very selves for Jesus as the ruler of our lives. Are we ready to surrender everything for Christ?

OPENING / WELCOME
Matthew Allen
SONG LEADER
Jim Grushon
PRAYER OF PRAISE
Nathan Armstrong
LEAD LORD'S SUPPER
Dave Pennington
 ASSIST LORD’S SUPPER
Bob Zehring
David Williams
Dan Spargo
Matt Barnhart
SCRIPTURE READING
Rich Jacobs
Matthew 13:44-46
PREACHING
Matthew Allen
CLOSING PRAYER
John Key
CLOSING COMMENTS
Boyd Hastings
WELCOME CENTER
Emily McDonald / Kevin Shanesy
USHERS
Jeremy Price / Mike Rosato
SONG DEVOTIONAL
Eric Renegar
COMMUNION PREP
Jeri Hastings
CLOSING THE BUILDING
Josh Childers