Hidden Treasure. All of us are looking for something that will change and enrich our lives.
We're all looking for something that will radically change our life for the better. And if we can have our loved ones included, so much the better.
But one thing to keep in mind is that one man's treasure is another man's trash! Just look at all those tag sales.
Back to our parable and the lesson at hand.
Before we get to the application video, let's review what Jesus spoke in Matthew 13:44 - "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."
The Parable of Hidden Treasure may only be 2 English sentences long, but it's a very powerful word picture. Last week, we broke it down and looked at 5 parts of the parable. We're looking at what real treasure is - the Kingdom of Heaven. We're looking for God's idea of treasure - His creation, us.
For our class purposes, we will concentrate on each one of the Aspects with the 4 Parables that we'll watch over the course of this study.
These are the 4 Aspects of Living the Parables:
- Duty
- Character
- Goals
- Truth
Each parable will highlight one of these Aspects as we flesh out our Christian life and living in the Kingdom of God. In this Parable of Hidden Treasure, we'll discuss the Aspect of Duty.
Before we engage that discussion, a starting question would be: Is there a particular order or hierarchy to these Aspects of Living the Parables? Not necessarily, but class discussion "differed" a bit on that idea. In my opinion and to the producers and writers of the Modern Parables, there is an order. The order that you see above. And there is a certain sense to that. A couple of other folks felt and believed differently.
Some believe that you have to begin with Truth. By and large, I can almost buy into that idea. But the problem comes in understanding what "Truth" is. Whose Truth? God's Truth? What of the unbeliever's worldview and what he or she is looking for? Many unbelievers are "seeking after truth" and when they find the "truth" that fits their worldview, it will be "accepted" and they'll let you know what that "truth" is. If you would like to take a deeper look at the unbeliever's worldview, please click here.
I believe that there has to be a distinction between the believer and the unbeliever when it comes to listening to and applying parables. Especially Jesus' parables. After all, Jesus did say, "Those who have ears to hear, let him hear." Mark 4:9. Why did he say that? Why is that "True"? That's an idea and thought process that we'll come back to often as we go through these parables.
You could also say, and quite rightly, that these Aspects form a circle, and depending upon "where" you get on the circle, you will continue around through each of the 4 Aspects. That's a fair and reasonable argument.
So what about these 4 Aspects of Living the Parables? Let's define them.
Duty. Duty asks the question: What am I to DO? More specifically, "Lord, what am I to do?" God has created us as human beings rather than human doings, but He has called us to obedience to His Word and His Commandments. Jesus said, "If anyone LOVES me, he will obey my teaching." John 14:23 and "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." Luke 11:28.
We cannot fulfill our participation in God's Kingdom without our obedience. But the problem comes when we substitute legalism for obedience. Obedience demonstrates love. Legalism is cold and "self-serving". Obedience is "other-centered". Legalism is "self-centered".
Do we know what we are "to do"? One of the class participants likened the flow from Duty to Character when you are teaching a child. They don't know any better. You have to build Character by teaching them their daily chores or Duties. Well said.
We'll look at how Duty plays itself out in this Parable of Hidden Treasure in a few minutes.
Character. Some folks think, and maybe rightly so, that Character has to come first. But as we look at these Aspects of Living the Parables, the question of Character asks, "How can I become the person or obtain the character that let’s me do what is right?" What am I to come to BE? Who does God want me to be?
Jesus puts this idea of a person's character in the correct light and context in Luke 6:45. Here's what He says, "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart." That's a remarkable and penetrating comment on the general character of the human race! How true that is.
We would then ask, "Is character static"? Is it dynamic? If so, then what is contributing to that dynamic?
We'll look at the Aspect of Character next week.
Goals. Where am I to GO in the Kingdom of God? To what causes should I devote my energy? Duty and Character grow outward into Goals…
Here's a good question: Are God's goals my goals?
How has Christianity and its growth affected the world? To what end is God moving? His goals obviously, but what does that look like?
Truth. Start here or end here. The converted or regenerated person may have God's Truth as an underpinning for his or her life, the unbeliever, as we spoke of above, does not have God's Truth.
One question always is: Are we able to Discern Truth from Error? With the Holy Spirit indwelling us, we have a better chance or opportunity to do so... without him... well.
Is truth necessary in our lives? What do you think? Truth provides the proper boundaries for living. Truth provides the "lenses" through which we can experience God's Kingdom in the world around us.
No matter how long we've been Christians, we will continue to seek after God's Truth. The apostle put it this way in Ephesians 1:17 - "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ may give you the Spirit of Wisdom." Now, if Paul had to ask that question, I definitely need to God's face!
Duty and Treasure.
In the Parable of Hidden Treasure, we discussed the Duty aspect.
What is our Duty? Our duty is to seek the Kingdom of God; seek the Kingdom of Heaven. That's what God has called us to DO. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus said, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." We are commanded, by God Himself, to seek the Kingdom FIRST.
When we follow our duty, the rest will fall into place.
Next, what does this parable say about Apperances versus Reality? The appearance of what we "see" in this temporal world are often times NOT what God has in mind. After all, what's really "real" is of God. The rest is a copy at best and a counterfeit at worst. As we keep our Duty in our sight, we "see" what God wants or desires us to see.
And then grab hold of. That's the exciting part!
But are we doing it out of Love or out of "duty"? Read that last duty as legalism...
And so our last question. What did we give up as individuals to attain the Kingdom of God? Have we done it partially or wholeheartedly? Are we willing to give it ALL up for Him?
Are you uncomfortable? I know I am as I think about this... Am I seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness? Am I seeking out the lost with the purpose of expanding God's Kingdom? Am I doing that daily?
Lord God, help us to seek You, Your righteousness and Your Kingdom each day. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit. Give us Your eyes to see and Your heart to feel. Lead us powerfully.
Click here to return for lesson notes and to the Modern Parables Study.
Music Video: Jason Gray - "I am New"
