FINDING DIRECTION: THE PARABLES OF JESUS

“The Pearl of Great Price”

Pastor Duane Cross| 07.15.2012

“The 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. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-46(NIV)

WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?

1) New order

2) Personal

3) Now

I) THE TREASURE

“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve,

everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:10-11(NIV)

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)

II) THE SEEKER

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.”

(Matthew 13:45)

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8(NIV)

III) THE PURCHASE

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17(NLT)