The Kingdom of God (5)
By Grace Eli
This study was first taught on November 27, 2012
Topic: The Kingdom of God (5): The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
No audio available for this study.Background
Our study last week was based on the Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32). In this parable, the Lord Jesus Christ was comparing the kingdom of heaven, or the kingdom of God, to a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds and yet when it is sown in a field, grows into a big tree with large branches, that provide succour to the birds of the air, that come to nest on it.
We deduced that the mustard seed is an allegory of the word of God, which when it is planted in the heart of man through the receiving of preaching and teaching, is able to grow the believer, or Christian, to the place of spiritual maturity, which will enable him to bring in many sons and daughters into the kingdom, and in turn, also provide them with exemplary leadership, spiritual food, and nourishment. By so doing, the mustard seed (or, the word of God) can very easily take over several lives and territories at any given point, thereby expanding and extending the kingdom. We saw several examples of where many souls were brought into the kingdom through the preaching of Peter at Pentecost, Philip in Samaria, Apollos in Ephesus, Paul and Barnabas in Antioch (so much so that the disciples received the name, Christians, first in Antioch!); and also, Paul and Silas and other members of their group, throughout the region of Asia, such that the Scriptures record that in two years, the whole of Asia had heard the word of God! We also saw another perspective from this parable, where the believer in Christ can actually be regarded as a mustard seed that is planted by God in the world to reconcile men unto Himself (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). Just as Christ through his earthly life and ministry, was ‘a mustard’ seed planted by God the Father on earth to become the Firstborn among many sons (brethren), so did Christ also plant His Apostles and disciples of the Early Church! And today, that precious ministry has been handed down to you and I as ‘mustard seeds’ in the hands of God.
We said that the propagation of the kingdom of God, and the message of the kingdom, is of utmost importance, hence, the Lord would not have taught His disciples to pray: “Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10 (NKJV)). Therefore, we concluded that, wherever the ‘seed’ of the kingdom of God is proclaimed and received in earnest, it is able to overtake and silence every false way, doctrine, philosophy, and traditions of men, thereby, bringing salvation, deliverance, and, providing a safe and secure dwelling for all who come into it!(Acts 13:8-12; 16:20; 17:6; 19:8-11, 18-20).
Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 13:45-46
We will continue our study of the parables of the kingdom of God, by examining the parable of the Pearl of Great Price. We pray that the Spirit of God will sanctify our hearts to receive His instruction today, in Jesus Name, Amen.
Matthew 7:6; Revelation 21:21; John 14:1; Luke 10:21-24; Matthew 11:11-12; Luke 16:16; 13:22-24; Matthew 13:11-13, 16-17; John 1:12-13, Psalm 145:13; John 3:16; 1 John 3:16; Ephesians 1:7; Romans 5:8; Matthew 6:33; John 14:16-17, Hebrews 12:28; Luke 10:17, 19, 20; John 14:12-14; 7:37-38; Ephesians 1:11; 1 Corinthians 2:9; 1 Peter 1:4; Colossians 1:5, 12; Romans 8:17; Luke 12:32; Daniel 7:18, 27; Matthew 16:26; Luke 12:13-15; 19:1-10; Mark 10:17-24; 1 Timothy 6:6-12; Philippians 3:7, 8, 11; Revelation 2:7b, 11b, 17b, 26-28; 3:5, 12, 21.
Conclusion
Our study tonight teaches us that the kingdom of God, as the Pearl of Great Price, like a natural pearl, is: precious, costly, of inestimable valuable, and scarce (difficult to find (Luke 13:24)). As such, the Pearl of Great Price is profitable to the one who possesses it. As a precious ornament, it adorns; as an invaluable possession, it enriches; as a possession of Great Price, it is far greater in value than the sum total of all the riches any man can ever acquire! (Psalm 49:6-8) That is why the merchant in the parable, after he had found the pearl, went and disposed of all that he had, to buy that pearl. The kingdom of God is precious because it is not accessible to just anyone, except to they who believe in Jesus Christ, as the Son of the Living God, and are born and led by the Spirit of God. It is invaluable because it costs the blood of Jesus Christ to redeem its citizens, who have been made to become partakers of the divine nature and to enjoy all the benefits of sonship—Jesus Christ Himself being the Firstborn! It is far greater in value than all the wealth of the world put together (1 Corinthians 2:9) and there is a great reward as shown in the book of Revelation on the Last Day.
Therefore, it is certainly not a comparable exchange for Christians who desire to be a part of the kingdom of God, to lay down their lives to God as living sacrifices, forsaking all that can disqualify them from entry into this kingdom: for example; our personal dreams and ambitions that are not heading in the same direction as God’s plan and purpose for our lives; careers and businesses that may corrupt and taint our character and conduct; educational pursuits that will veer us out of the will of God; accumulation of degrees and qualifications that have absolutely no bearing with our ministry; the pursuit of making money that we intend only to lavish on things that increase unto more ungodliness; and, toeing the path of friends and family that are persistently making themselves enemies of God, to mention just a few. If we really desire to have this ‘Pearl of Great Price’, then, like the merchant, we ought to ‘sell’ all that we have and buy it!
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