Readings & Notes for 26th July 2020
Matthew 13:44-52
[44] “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.
[45] “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
[46] When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
[47] “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.
[48] When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.
[49] This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous
[50] and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
[51] “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied.
[52] He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
Romans 8:26-39
[26] In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
[27] And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God.
[28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
[29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
[30] And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
[31] What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
[33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
[34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
[36] As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
[37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
[38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
[39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Talk
The Highest Valued Kingdom
- Matthew 13:44-52 / Romans 8:26-39
Introduction
I went to look at the Forbes rich list and if you do so there are names you know and probably ones you don't know. I didn't see us though which was sad because we, in Christ, have riches beyond measure and that is probably why we are not there! So I looked the world's richest nations to see what I would find there:
Well, it all depends how they add up the figures to count a nation’s wealth - all a bit confusing. Again, what I didn't see was God's Kingdom but I wasn't too surprised because he owns the lot!
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Colossians 1:16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. This is brought out quite strikingly when David dedicates the gifts of the people for the building of the Temple to be done by his son Solomon
1 Chronicles 29:14 (NIV) “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. Everything comes from you.
We belong, as followers of Jesus, to the world's richest kingdom because in the words of Jesus Matthew 6:19-21 [19] “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
[20] But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. [21] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
So this brings us to our two readings under my title, The Highest Valued Kingdom.
Two main headings with one for each passage
1. Nature • Great Worth -
Matthew 13:44-46 [44] “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. [45] “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. [46] When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. Simple - the Kingdom is worth sacrifices and changes will lead to benefits not loss. So many look for meaning and reality in all sorts - treasure on earth. It doesn't last but fades and spoils. What God gives to his children in the kingdom is true treasure and of eternal value hence my 'tease' comments in my introduction.
• Huge but Sorted - Matthew 13:47-50 [47] “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. [48] When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. [49] This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous [50] and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. This seems to echo or parallel the parable of the wheat and weeds with harsh words about the wicked, those not in Christ and so born of the Spirit, words that cannot be ignored or brushed aside. Remember, as seed has to be sown for a harvest a net has to be cast for a catch!
• Embraces eternal truth - Matthew 13:51-15 [51] “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied. [52] He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
They as the ones who will teach the kingdom need to realise that what Jesus teaches, much that is new, is in line with, fulfils and embraces old truths as well. As we would say they haven't to throw the baby away with the bathwater!
2. Realities
• Partnership not Pleasing, Placating or Persuading -
Romans 8:26-27 [26] In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. [27] And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God. In many world views prayer gets answered because of: persuasion / constant repetition / favour / deal / perceived worthiness and goodness - all by the person praying. Key and basic in Christian teaching- Your Kingdom (rule) come, Your will be done on earth as in heaven. Fundamental in understanding the will of God is the word of God but then the word of God is not a book of answers etc. Matthew 6:5ff adds much to this and of course is from the lips of Jesus long before Paul. So, what Paul expresses here is a working of the Holy Spirit who knows he mind of God and with our words, or unspoken words of sighs and groans, searching and trusting, so, the next part:
• Partaking in God's Plan - Romans 8:28-30
[28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
[29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
[30] And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
We are working alongside our heavenly Father who has called us into relationship with Him in the fullness of His purposes and knowledge and however difficult life, circumstances or matters may be, He works for our good. Good in the bigger picture of life.
Matthew 7:7-12, again from the sermon on the mount, supplements what we have here and well worth a look after Matt. 6 from above!
• Positive Proposals - Romans 8:31-37
[31] What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
[33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
[34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life— is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
[36] As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
[37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
The Victory of the cross, which lies behind v 37 is a victory for those who belong to the Father through the Lord Jesus and His sacrifice which brings life.
The world, other people, life etc throws up all sorts against God's children to drag and pull us down and devalue what we are.
What Paul says is that it doesn't stick or hold because God is at work in us: he has called us, he gave Jesus for us, he justifies His people through that and the only one who was condemned was Jesus and he is vindicated. Can we be separated from the love of Jesus? No, he is interceding in the throne room of eternity.
Persecution was starting to kick in for Christians and of course Paul (Saul as he was then) was one of the first to persecute the followers of Jesus but by now he had faced quite a bit himself! However, in 2 Corinthians 11:22ff he lists events he had endured which are reflected in v 35-36. Do these things separate us from the love of Christ? No and then in typical Paul fashion he spells it out even more graphically:
• Paramount -
Romans 8:38-39 [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. I think that is what is called 'dotting I's and crossing T's'. I'll read it again - it speaks for itself and the end is significant too: Christ Jesus our Lord - Jesus, the reigning King in participation in Godhead.
And, it is because of that nothing can touch us in our heritage with him. All this is why the Kingdom is so valuable and worth everything, our pride downwards to everything else, to be part of it.
Conclusion
What are the things, past or present, that hurt, cause us problems, frustration, anxiety, fear, worry and the like?
They may hinder our walk with Father God but think, we lift them with unspoken type prayer knowing we are under God's love and that nothing, no, nothing can separate us from it. Keep going there into that special place where we are safe in that love and cast all on him and seek to leave them there.
Again, when we are in Christ, God is totally on our side and if we are not in him or not sure - easy, remedy it.
Read Romans 8 again and if needed again and again and in doing so commit into the life that is there not in a legalistic way but responding to that love God has for us - you. This is a passage of great encouragement.
We won't find ourselves on any rich list - but we know the treasure we have as God's
Kingdom is the kingdom over all others. It is the highest valued Kingdom and of supreme
worth not monetarily but for life now and eternity.
Oh, and share this good news!
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