Matthew 13:45-46 Sermon series “The Kingdom of heaven is like…” The parables: What do they reveal about the King and His kingdom? What response do they provoke from us? Matthew 13: 44 - 46 (ESV) The Parable of the Hidden Treasure 44 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Revelation - The King and His kingdom have been revealed! Revelation - The King shares the riches of His kingdom with us! In Him we have… - Redemption and forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7) - Life and eternal life (John 1:4, Romans 6:23) - Healing of all physical illnesses and diseases (Matthew 8:17) - Healing of all emotional wounds/ mental illness (Isaiah 53:5) - Every need sufficiently met (Philippians 4:19, 2 Corinthians 9:8) - Every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3) - Abundant peace and security (Jeremiah 33:6) - a rich store of wisdom and knowledge (Isaiah 33:2) - An inheritance (Ephesians 1:11) - And more! All from a King who is rich in love, rich in mercy, and incomparably rich in grace! (Ps 145:8, Eph 2:4, Eph 2:7) Response - Count the cost of the Kingdom. Response – Exchange everything for this one thing. “Sin is not simply doing bad things; it is putting good things in the place of God. So, the solution is not to simply change our behaviour, but to reorient and centre the entire heart and life on God.” (Tim Keller, The Reason for God) 2 Corinthians 8:9 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.