Matthew 13:44-52

TEXT: "The kingdom of God is like" ... A merchant in search of fine pearls, who on finding one peal of great price went out and sold all that he had and bought it.

In his book: JESUS OF NAZARETH, Gunter Borkamm said: "the essence of Jesus' message was threefold."

1. GOD'S WILL WILL ULTIMATELY REIGN

2. IT IS THE WILL OF GOD TO WORK THROUGH HIS    KINGDOM HERE UPON THE EARTH.

3. THE KINGDOM IS AMONG US.

Wiser than Solomon and incarnating the wisdom of God, Jesus tried communicating his knowledge to people. He could say the words ...some people could hear...some could see what he was talking about. Yet, at the same time few could understand what he was saying.

Example: "The kingdom of God is among you." People were amazed. They could not understand. Nothing unusual was going on around them. Everything looked normal. Where was this kingdom?

He tried telling them how to enter the kingdom. Unless you become as a little child ...with naive faith, and trust in the unseen you will not enter the kingdom. He did not say you must act like little children forgetting that one is an adult. Trust...believe like little children.

The results were blank stares, and questioning minds.

Jesus changed his technique. He started telling stories familiar to life. Within the stories were the keys to the kingdom of God.  He was saying that in the ordinary happenings of life existed the kingdom of God.  It embraced something of the good and bad. The Kingdom was not a religious happening.  It is the good in the experience of life.

1. lady who lost her dowry necklace

2. shepherd who lost his sheep

3. father who lost a son

4. a farmer who found a treasure in the field

5. fisherman who cast their nets looking for fish

6. sower who went forth to sow

7. man who sought after the pearl of great price

THERE'S A COMMON THREAD WHICH RUNS THROUGH ALL OF THESE EXAMPLES...

1. One pursues a positive goal ...

2. There are some risks involved ...

3. The experience changes an individual. ...

When the kingdom is experienced there comes the joy of celebration!

Maybe the kingdom is the wellbeing which comes from success.

Let us see if we can experience something of the meaning of Kingdom of God. In our minds let us imagine we are in that Eastern Bazaar and find that merchant.  I'll set the stage for you.

The bazaar exists among the narrow winding streets of the city. On either side are booths. The Vendors have their wares laid out in the booths. No price tag exists on any item. One asks..."how much". The price is given. You must barter! The price is determined by one's ability to negotiate.

The bazaar is full today! People are pushing and shoving all around. Children are chasing each other through the crowd. There's a musty scent of body odor. A dog's bark is heard. There's a gust of hot air. Dust is blown down the narrow corridors. Dust is everywhere.

Ah, there he is... our pearl merchant. Can you see him?  He is a poor man. He carries the product he sells in the pockets located in the folds of his robe. He can't afford a booth.

His pearls are all inferior ones. The color may not be consistent in one. Another may not be perfectly round, or a perfect tear drop. Some have chipped outer layers. Each one has some value. But because they are not perfect the value is not much. Our merchant has spent his whole life eking out a living by selling these imperfect gems.

Then one day as he makes his way through the market...He sees it! There it is displayed on a fine Banarii cloth. A dark grey mother of pearl. It is perfectly round. The outer layer absorbs and reflects the rays of the sun ... it looks like it is alive.

He can imagine its worth. He fondles the pearls in his pocket and estimates his worth. To his amazement if he can sell them at their minimum value he could purchase this PEARL OF GREAT PRICE.

MOMENT OF DECISION:  GOAL ...PEARL OF GREAT PRICE ...

RISK ...His clientele will change. Those who could afford such a pearl are few and far between. Those who can purchase his cheap gems are many. He'll have to learn to deal with a wealthy more difficult clientele.  Does he dare take the risk?

ACTION ...HE TAKES THE CHANCE.  He buys the gem. ...

JESUS SAID ...THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS LIKE THIS. GOING AFTER SOMETHING OF VALUE AND CLAIMING IT...

It occurs to me that you and I live in the market place of life. It occurs to me that here are many times in life when we have an opportunity to trade the inferior for something of greater value.

To my mind's eye come two young people (JANE AND PEM)shopping for furniture thirty five years ago. They were getting married and were planning their first home. They were poor and had to purchase furniture on which to get by.

Children have come. They have grown up and left home. The couple has done well in this life. They are now upper middleclass.

Not long ago they went back to the same furniture store. They are contemplating turning the sons bedroom into a guest room. They have seen the most beautiful solid cherry bedroom suit and the wife is trying to decide whether or not to purchase it.

There is a dilemma. Johnny slept there for 20 years. He was the only son. This was his room. Said his mother, "I remember when I tucked him in at night. I remember bringing his teddy bear to him in the night. There are so many precious memories attached to the room as it exists. On the other hand I want the new bedroom. Eventhough he is married,and has two children of his own, I don't know if I can let him go."  WHAT WOULD YOU DO? HOW MANY TIMES DO WE FACE THIS DECISION IN LIFE?

1. Sometimes in trading hobbies.

2. SOMETIMES IN GIVING UP AN OLD JOB FOR A NEW ONE.

Hundreds of times I have heard, "I have indigestion, muscle pain, head aches, can't sleep, don't have any energy. If I could just have the courage to give up this old job for a new one with promise."  Moment of decision.

3. Maybe you have been married for a few years ...you still have a dog and three cats ...no children. You really want a baby. Yet, you don't want to be tied down.

4. Some of you have just finished high school and will be going to college. Are you willing to make the investment to be what you really want to be, or are you just going to college.

5. Living without a goal is dangerous. Recent studies discovered that half of the men who retire die in the first year. If they make it through the first year they lived 11 longer than the average. The reason given was that men tend to become what they do. When they retire they no longer have an identity OR A GOAL. They give up and die.

Jesus said ..."The kingdom of God is like a person who has a goal to live for and goes after it." ... A positive goal worthy of that individual.

When we chose the highest, and the best; And invest ourselves in the pursuit of the same we are experiencing the Kingdom of God.

WHAT IS THE NAME OF YOUR PEARL?   Will you claim it today?