Free Gift: The Parables of Treasure and Pearl

Follow Along with the Message

"So they went on their way from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame in His name."--Acts 5:41

"There are many to whom Christ means nothing.  Some to whom Christ means something.  Only a few to whom Christ means everything."

FREE?

     "For by grace are you saved through faith, and this not of yourself, it is a gift of God."--Ephesians 2:8

     "Come, all who are thirsty.  Come to the water.  You who have no money.  Come buy and eat.  Without money or cost."--Isaiah 55:1

Free is the START but not the FULL STORY. 

BURIED TREASURE

The kingdom of heaven is HIDDEN.

The kingdom of heaven is DISCOVERED.

     "The Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul."--Acts 16:14

The kingdom of heaven has a PRICE.

     "Whatever things were gain to me, those I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  More than that, I have suffered the loss of them and count them but rubbish that I may gain Christ."--Philippians 3:7-8  

     Not BALANCE but WORSHIP.

The kingdom of heaven is a PRIZE.

     "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead."--Philippians 3:10-11

The kingdom of heaven is PURSUED WITH JOY.

     Not Sorry!

PEARL OF GREAT PRICE

     "You search the Scripture because you think that in them you have eternal life, but these tell you of Me, and you are not willing to come to Me that you might have life."--John 5:39-40

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Another Interpretation

The Pearl is you.  He will pay any price.  Has.

     "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know. . .what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints."--Ephesians 1:18

 
     "In the stars His handiwork I see.  On the winds He speaks with majesty.  Though He ruleth over land and sea, what is that to me?
     
     'Til met the Savior face to face, and I felt the wonder of His grace, then I knew that He was more than just a God who didn't care, Who lived a way out there.

     Now He walks beside me day by day, ever watching o'r me lest I stray, helping me to find the narrow way.  He's everything to me."--Ralph Carmichael