web analytics
Skip to main content
Real Life Resources

The Storyteller: Week 2

The Storyteller: Week 2

Listen
Notes
THE PARABLE THIS WEEK 

Matthew 13:44–45 44The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.

 

TRUTHS TO CONSIDER: WHAT IS JESUS SAYING?

1. THE PEARL IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, AND IT HAS COME NEAR.

  •  The Kingdom is salvation from judgment
  •   The Kingdom to come (new heaven and new earth)
  •   The Kingdom now (spiritual)
  •   Notice one man stumbled upon it and the other was searching for it.
  •   None of this was by accident.

 

2. THE PEARL IS OF GREAT VALUE, AND IT COST GOD TO GIVE IT.

  •  The pearl was made available to those who didn’t have it.
  •   The pearl given is of great worth.

1 Peter 1:18–19 18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

3. THE FARMER AND THE MERCHANT UNDERSTOOD ITS VALUE, AS WELL.
  •   With Joy they sold all they had.
    •   The cost of the pearl/kingdom to both the farmer and the merchant
    •   Notice the farmer and the merchant had different amounts but still enough—everything they had.
  •   Some ask, “Are you saying I can buy my way into heaven?” No.
  •   These men had to exchange what they valued for something more valuable
  •   These men had to trust in the pearl for their safety and lives in eternity rather than trusting in what they had trusted and valued before.
  •   Notice both had to make a decision—what they had versus the pearl/kingdom.
  •   The cost is a willingness to put God in His rightful place. The Ten commandments start with, “We shall have no other Gods before Him.”
  •   When He is first, it leads to love for God and others. (Matthew 22:37)

Matthew 10:34–39 34Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35For I have come to turn “a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— 36a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.” 37Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

Exodus 20:3–7 3You shall have no other gods before me. 4You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

 

THE PICTURE OF THIS PARABLE IN REAL LIFE:

  •   The rich young ruler knew Jesus was from God, and yet he didn’t obey.
  •   Jesus didn’t say the same thing to everyone; Jesus knew his heart.
  •   Notice the man kept what wasn’t enough rather than get what he could never lose.
  •   Why is it hard for the wealthy to get into heaven?
    •   They trust what they can see here and now.
    •   They trust what they can control (what they think they can control).
    •   They trust what most humans on planet earth value instead of what God does.

 

Mark 10:17–31

FOR UNBELIEVERS…

  •   What are you choosing to trust and value?
  •   What is holding you back?

FOR BELIEVERS…

  •   What are you using to adorn yourself?
  •   What are you displaying?
  •   What do you do with a pearl? You display it for all to see—for both believers and unbelievers.

QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS N LIFE GROUP OR WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS:

Passages to consider: Matthew 13:44-46; Romans 5:8; Galatians 2:20

  1. Share what insight you gained from the sermon.
  2. Read Matthew 13:44-46. What is Jesus communicating? A) Who is He telling this parable to? Who is listening?
  3. What is your understanding of the kingdom of God? A) How does that compare to what Jesus is describing?
  4. How has encountering Jesus changed what you value? A) Where are you in the process of being in relationship with Jesus? (Talk with someone if you are wanting to commit to follow Jesus.)
  5. Take a moment to consider your life. What is the treasure/pearl that has captured your focus and attention? (Could something be competing with Jesus and His kingdom?) A) How is that focus impacting how you arrange your life and make choices?
  6. After thinking about this parable, what response are you wanting to make to Jesus? A) Share the parable Jesus told with someone this week.