Matthew 13:44-52 (ESV)

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.

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.

47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. 48 When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

51 “Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.” 52 And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

 

  1. 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.

    1. People buried their valuables.
    2. Must purchase field to own what man finds.
    3. Worth more than all he has.
    4. Was not looking for it but stumbles upon it.
    5. Paul, Nathaniel, Samaritan Woman, Man born blind.
    6. Incalculable treasure stumbled upon
  2. Pearl of Great Price

    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.

    1. A discerning merchant.
    2. Finds the pearl of his life and sells all he has in order to possess it.
    3. Some diligently seek and find – Ethiopian Eunuch, Lydia, Cornelius
    4. Philippians 3:8 (ESV)
      Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

  3. One Fish, Two Fish…

    47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. 48 When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

    1. Similar to the Parable of the Weeds.
    2. The Church’s job is not to sort out the elect from the reprobate.
    3. There will be a time of judgment
    4. Repent and believe for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand.
    5. If you repent and trust you are the good fish.
  4. New and Old Treasure

    51 “Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.” 52 And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

    1. We understand only when we have had our eyes opened.
    2. The true scribe (or teacher)
      1. Must be well trained
      2. A citizen in the Kingdom with the rights as a son in the household
  • Must provide for the household – he knows the treasure and is eager to impart its riches to other members
  1. Not only knows all the old things but is able to impart them to the new situations. The faith once for all delivered is evergreen even as it doesn’t change.  This is living water!