“The Kingdom’s Value - and our Variable Response”

Sep.18, 2011 Mt.13:44-52  Play AUDIO (32 kbps mp3)

CHRIST’S COLLEGE CURRICULUM: LIFE-LESSONS WITH THE GREAT TEACHER

•    good order helps college students with course

•    Matthew organized Jesus’ talks in 5 sections: chapters 5-7, 10, 13, 18, 24-25

•    Ch.13: “What is the motivating power / controlling influence / driving force of God’s people?”

•    parables of sower / wheat & weeds / mustard seed / yeast: power of the Good News to bear fruit

THE KINGDOM’S VALUE INSPIRES JOYFUL TOTAL COMMITMENT

•    plunging economy causes folk to re-examine what’s of ‘value’

•    treasure hidden in field: worth selling all to acquire, joyfully (44)

•    finding pearl of great value: sell all to buy gem produced through hardship

•    rare golf club ‘treasure’ find made man happy

STIMULUS AND MEANING FROM OUR FINAL EVALUATION

•    the world your oyster - but still can have case of “the Mondays”

•    those trying to live a godly life can expect to be attacked (2Tim 3:12; 1Pet 5:8f)

•    parable of dragnet: all kinds caught, but not sorted immediately (47-50)

•    God’s eventual judgment assigns our life real value / reward

•    Jesus’ image of hell-fire echoed by early apostles (2Thess 1:6-10)

•    contrast to naturalist worldview: no ‘good’ or ‘evil’ without moral Law-giver

SECRET JOY AFTER BURYING A TREASURE

•    death of young daughter brought great sorrow

•    fountain of joy by breaking forth of Holy Spirit