What is true treasure? What really matters in life? This question exists in the heart of every human being. It has inspired philosophers to elaborate articulation, sparked the imagination of the greatest artists and quietly exists in your heart and mine today. No one can avoid this question because we are created by God to experience life beyond this life.
True treasure is discovered in things that have eternal value.
Matthew 13:44-46 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. NIV
He joyfully gave up everything he had! Seriously? Really? Everything? Having the Kingdom of God is so valuable that losing everything in this life including life itself is a joyful sacrifice bringing eternal reward.
The pursuit of this life the pursuit of eternal life are two different paths producing two different rewards.
Eternal purpose generating a sacrificial expression of this life unlocks true life. This is why the example of Jesus is so important.
2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. NIV
True treasure is discovered in things that have eternal value.
The key to great friendship is kindness at the expense of your own happiness from both people in the relationship.
Gods plan is for us to learn sacrificial generosity as a way of life. We should all have two testimonies. The life we gained by knowing Jesus and the life we gave by helping others to do the same.
If North America tithed for just one year this amount would be $150 billion! Various sources have reported the cost to solve world hunger is an estimated $30 billion and solving the world’s contaminated water problem is an estimated $10 billion. Contaminated water is actually the number one killer in the world. The tithe of just North America would solve suffering on an incredible level and we would still have $110 billion remaining to address all kinds of other issues to completely transform and enrich society all over the planet.
A TRANSFORMED WORLD IS JUST ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CHURCH’S OBEDIENCE.
We can’t control North America, but we can control us, and we can influence our congregational family. How much more could we do if everybody in our church family would tithe?
Genesis 12:2 I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. NIV
The purpose of His blessing in our lives is to perpetuate the priorities of Jesus as we become a blessing. Somebody asked once, “Pastor are you saying you want me to give a steady percentage of my income to the church so we can more effectively see transformation taking place in our community as more and more people discover the eternal purposes of God?” That is exactly what I’m saying! Let’s change the world!!!
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Purpose this week to bring God’s presence to real life in every realm of society and on every level of community. Here is how to do it: BLESS: We really want to help people discover the true treasure of God’s Kingdom. Simplifying the goal and the pathway to get there is vital!
B - Begin with prayer. I will practice God’s presence as I pray for people in my life and places I go.
Who do you live work and play with that are far from God. Pray that God would create spiritual curiosity in them and then spend time with them.
L – Listen: I will listen to and discover the needs of others, the places where God is at work.
In your interactions with others today take the posture of a learner. Lay down your assumptions and practice being present.
E – Eat: I will share meals. and spend time with others in my life. Who can you eat with or have a coffee with that is far from God
A coworker over lunch a friend or family member during the day or a neighbor over the weekend?
S - Serve - I will respond to the needs of others and help them in practical and impactful ways.
Who will you serve this week? Who do you know that has a practical need? Ask them how you can help.
S – Story: I will share the story of Jesus and what he is doing in my life with others.
Start by sharing how God has blessed you and. Made a difference in your life.
TRUE TREASURE
DISCUSSION GUIDE FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS
Click here for a downloadable pdf file of this guide.
UNDERSTANDING THE SEASON: Our pursuit of God has, in many ways, been reduced to the pursuit of asking God to give us worldly treasure. The Kingdom of God is a sacrificial Kingdom that is built on the sacrifice of Jesus and the continued sacrifice of God’s sons and daughters.
Isaiah 33:6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.
Kingdom Treasure is found in a deeper pursuit of the things that truly matter. This true treasure of God’s Kingdom is central to the understanding that we are blessed to be a blessing!
We want to start our group meetings making room for conversation that brings confirmation that God is speaking to us all as we discuss what we are hearing from the Lord as a family:
DISCUSSION QUESTION:
1. Where are you reading in your Bible and what are you sensing from God?
True treasure is discovered in things that have eternal value.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
2. What are some examples of treasure of this world that lack eternal value?
3. What are some examples of treasure that has eternal value that the world might not see as valuable?
Matt 13:44-46 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. NIV
This man joyfully gave up everything he had in this world because he found true treasure in God’s Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is so valuable that losing everything on earth but getting the Kingdom is a happy tradeoff.
DISCUSSION QUESTION:
4. In looking at the following verses what stands out to you in regard to the fear of the Lord and what that produces in us?
Genesis 12:2 I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. NIV
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Purpose this week to bring God’s presence to real life in every realm of society and on every level of community. Here is how to do it:
BLESS:
B - Begin with prayer. I will practice God’s presence as I pray for people in my life and places I go.
L - Listen: I will listen to and discover the needs of others, the places where God is at work.
E - Eat: I will share meals. and spend time with others in my life.
Who can you eat with or have a coffee with that is far from God?
S - Serve: I will respond to the needs of others and help them in practical and impactful ways.
S - Story: I will share the story of Jesus and what he is doing in my life with others.