Sermons From Matthew

The Kingdom Of Great Value (13:44-46)

INTRODUCTION
1. During His earthly ministry, the key theme of His preaching and teaching
was "the kingdom of heaven"...
a. He began His ministry proclaiming it was at hand - Matt 4:17,23
b. He sent His apostles on the limited commission to proclaim the same
message - Matt 10:7
2. He taught many parables to illustrate great truths about this kingdom...
a. Through which He revealed many things that had previously been
secret - Matt 13:34-35
b. Like the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price Matt 13:44-46
3. In these two parables, Jesus illustrated the kingdom to be one of great
value...
a. So great that one who stumbles upon it sells all to obtain it
b. So great that one searching for it sells all to buy it
4. In this lesson, I wish to address several questions that come to mind...
a. What is this "kingdom"?
b. Why is it considered to be of such great value?
c. Is it really worth it?
d. What will it cost us?
[Let's begin, then, with the first question...]

OUTLINE
I.

WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?

A. IT INVOLVES FOUR INTER-RELATED IDEAS...
1. God's kingship, rule, or recognized sovereignty

a. The term "kingdom" as used by the Jews often stressed the

abstract idea of rule or dominion, not a geographical area
surrounded by physical boundaries
b. It is used this way by Jesus in Matt 6:10 - "Your KINGDOM
come; Your WILL be done..." (note the connection between
kingdom and will)

Thus, the "kingdom of heaven" would involve the rule of

heaven in the hearts of men

2. This rule of heaven is spiritual in nature

a. It is not a physical kingdom - cf. John 18:36
b. But one that is spiritual - cf. Rom 14:17
3. Its visible manifestation today is in the form of the Lord's church
a. For the church is that community of souls in whose hearts God
is recognized as Sovereign
b. That the church constitutes the kingdom of God on earth,
consider:
1) How the term "church" and "kingdom" were used
interchangeably - Matt 16:18
2) Comments made to those who were in the church - Col
1:13; 1 Thess 2:12
3) The description of those in the churches of Asia - Rev
1:4,6,9
4. It has a future element as well as a present one
a. Its future aspect is spoken of by Jesus, Paul, Peter - Matt
25:34; 1 Cor 15:50; 2 Tim 4:18; 2 Peter 1:10-11
b. Peter described the coming of its future state in 2 Peter
3:10-13
B. THE KINGDOM IS THEREFORE BOTH PRESENT AND FUTURE...
1. In the present sense...
a. It is found wherever the sovereignty of God is accepted in the
hearts of men
b. It is a spiritual kingdom, for God rules in the hearts of men
c. Its outward manifestation today is the Lord's church
d. This rule or kingdom of God was "inaugurated" on the Day of
Pentecost (Acts 2)
2. In the future sense...

a. The rule or kingdom of God will be "culminated" with the

coming of the Lord
b. It will involve that "news heaven and a new earth in which
righteousness dwells", described by Peter and John - 2 Peter
3; Rev 21-22
c. It will be experienced only by those in the church who are
submitting to God's will today! - cf. Matt 7:21-23; 2 Peter
3:13-14
[Submitting to the rule of God so that we become part of His church is how one
enters the kingdom of heaven, both present and future. This leads to our second
question...]
II. WHAT IS THE GREAT VALUE OF THIS KINGDOM?
A. IT IS A REFUGE FROM THE POWERS OF DARKNESS - Col 1:13
1. Outside the kingdom, one is in the kingdom of Satan! - Eph 2:1-3
a. Under his influence
b. Trapped in various sins
2. In the kingdom of Christ, we find deliverance and refuge
a. Set free from sin to serve God - Rom 6:17-18
b. God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to bear
- 1 Cor 10:12-13
B. IT IS A DOMAIN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE AND JOY - Rom 14:17
1. Righteousness which comes through faith in Christ - Phil 3:8-9
2. Peace from God through prayer which surpasses understanding Phil 4:6-7
3. Abiding joy in the Lord, no matter the circumstances - Phil 4:4;
2:17-19
C. IT IS AN UNSHAKABLE KINGDOM - Heb 12:25-29
1. It will never be destroyed - Dan 2:44
2. Of this kingdom there will be no end - Luke 1:33
3. It is truly an everlasting kingdom - 2 Peter 1:10-11
D. IT WILL BE PRESENTED TO GOD WHEN CHRIST RETURNS - 1 Cor
15:21-26
1. At that time, those who are now "sons of the kingdom" will "shine
forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father" - Matt 13:41-43

2. From then on, those in this kingdom will dwell in the presence of
God - Rev 21:1-7
[The value of this kingdom can be seen further as we consider our third
question...]
III. IS IT REALLY WORTH IT?
A. IF I COULD HAVE SOME "SPECIAL GUESTS"...
1. I would ask Stephen to say if he thought it was worth it - cf. Acts
7:54-60
2. I would ask the early Christians who joyfully accepted the
plundering of their goods and eventually received the promise Acts 8:1-4; Heb 10:32-36
3. I would ask the apostle Paul - 2 Tim 3:10-13; 4:6-8,18
4. I would ask one of your loved ones, a friend or relative, who died
in Christ

I am confident that they would all say forcefully, "Yes! It is

worth giving up all!"

B. IF I COULD, I WOULD HAVE JESUS...

1. Who gave up all to die on the cross - Phil 2:5-8
2. Who became "poor" that we might become "rich" - 2 Cor 8:9

I am persuaded that as He showed you His pierced hands and

feet, He would say with love and great urgency, "Yes! My
kingdom is worth giving up all!"

[But what exactly must we give up? To put it another way...]

IV. WHAT WILL THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN COST US?
A. WE MUST PAY THE PRICE...
1. Of repentance - cf. Mark 1:15
2. Of being born again - cf. John 3:3-5
a. Involving both outward and inward submission to the will of
Christ
b. A submission that will affect our whole life
3. Of putting the kingdom first - Matt 6:33
a. Before our riches - Mark 10:23-25
b. Before our families - Mark 10:28-31
c. Before ourselves - Luke 9:23-26

B. ARE WE WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE...

1. Consider the parable of the dinner - Luke 14:15-24
2. Are we guilty of the same?
a. Putting financial concerns first?
b. Putting family first?
3. Our actions demonstrate whether we are willing to pay the price;
for example:
a. Our devotion to the Word of God and prayer
b. Our devotion to others in the church (kingdom) - Heb 10:2425; Rom 15:1-3
c. Our devotion to the lost - Col 1:28-29

CONCLUSION
1. The kingdom is truly one of great value...
a. It was established through its purchase by the blood of Christ - Acts
20:28
b. Can we expect the Lord to accept anything less than our utmost
devotion for the privilege of being in His eternal kingdom?
1) We are admonished to walk in a manner worthy of the kingdom - 1
Thess 2:10-12
2) But it may cost us greatly to be considered worthy - cf. 2 Thess
1:4-5
2. Our actions will demonstrate whether we value the greatness of this
kingdom...
a. By whether or not we obey the gospel!
b. By whether or not we remain zealous and faithful in our service to the
God!
3. I hope that in some way I have persuaded you that any price we pay is
worthy of "The Kingdom Of Great Value"
If you are convinced that it is, and desire assistance in becoming or remaining a
faithful "citizen" of the kingdom, then let us know...
(from Executable Outlines, Copyright 2011 by Mark A. Copeland. All rights
reserved.)_