The Treasure

Bread

The Lion Loosed

44 “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.”

Matthew 13:44 (NIV)

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.”

Matthew 13:45-46 (NIV)

1 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

Isaiah 55:1-2 (NIV)

4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

Isaiah 64:4 (NIV)

3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

John 17:3 (NIV)

9 However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”-- 10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (NIV)

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

32 ���Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke 12:32-34 (NIV)

17 “Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. 18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. 19 I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.”

Isaiah 65:17-19 (NIV)

12 “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.”

Revelation 22:12 (NIV)

Butter

The Lesson Learned

“Jesus did not come to give us our best life now. He came to ‘deliver us from the present evil age’ (Galatians 1:4) and ‘bring us safely into His heavenly kingdom’ (2 Timothy 4:18).” Jon Bloom

“In the day of salvation, Christ comes into the soul, and He does not come empty handed, but brings all the treasures of His wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Troops of mercies, yea, the best of mercies come with Him. It is a day of singular gladness and joy to the heart of Christ when He is united to and received by the believing soul; it is the coronation day to a king.” John Flavel

“When we are born again, we glimpse and desire the Treasure: God himself. And the more we see of him, the more we desire him and all he desires for us. And the more we grow to hate all that might rob us of that Treasure. So, direct your heart. Most importantly, direct your heart to delight in the Lord. For if you do, God himself will give you the desires of your heart.” Jon Bloom

“Christians would far rather give quietly, humbly acknowledging that their true reward and treasure is in heaven with Christ—no earthly recognition can compare.” Michael Youssef

“Solid joys and lasting treasure none but Zion’s children know.” John Newton

“If we will look back upon the past, many of us will find that the very time our heavenly Father has chosen to do the kindest things for us, and given us the richest blessing, has been the time we were strained and shut in on every side. God’s jewels are often sent us in rough packages and by dark liveried servants, but within we find the very treasures of the King’s palace and the Bridegroom’s love.” A. B. Simpson

“Carry your cross, and by the power of the Spirit of God you will soon be so in love with it, that like Moses, you would not exchange the reproach of Christ for all the treasures of Egypt. Remember that Jesus carried it, and it will smell sweetly; remember that it will soon be followed by the crown, and the thought of the coming weight of glory will greatly lighten the present heaviness of trouble.” Charles H. Spurgeon

“Christ’s riches are unsearchable, and this doctrine of the gospel is the field this treasure is hidden in.” Thomas Goodwin

“When we think of the apostles, we think of holy men of God. And though they were gifted and dedicated, they also were ordinary. Jesus did not call these men because they were great; their greatness was the result of the call of Jesus. A great writer can take an ordinary piece of paper, and with the addition of his or her words, it suddenly becomes extremely valuable. It wasn’t the paper that was valuable; it was what the writer put down on that paper. A great artist can take a canvas and paint, and suddenly it becomes a costly work of art because of what the artist did. It wasn’t the canvas that was valuable; it is what the artist painted on the canvas. As believers, we recognize in ourselves that we are sinners separated from God. But let’s also recognize that when Christ came into our lives, He gave us value. He put His treasure in earthen vessels, or in jars of clay, which are our lives… With a new confidence and boldness, we have something to offer. It is not self-confidence; it is God-confidence. It is not self-esteem; it’s God-esteem.” Greg Laurie

“We usually believe that greed, worry, and generosity primarily deal with how we manage our money, but all three conditions are actually heart issues. Wealth is never evil in itself. It is amoral – not good or bad. But the question we must all ask ourselves is always, ‘Do I have wealth or does it have me?’ It’s never about the money; it is always about the heart. Jesus reminds us of this truth with His words, ‘Where you treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ (Luke 12:34).” Donna Evans

“I could not love Thee, so blind and unfeeling; Covenant promises fell not to me. Then without warning, desire, or deserving, I found my Treasure, my pleasure, in Thee. I have no merit to woo or delight Thee, I have no wisdom or pow’rs to employ; Yet in thy mercy, how pleasing thou find’st me, This is Thy pleasure: that Thou art my joy.” John Piper

“There is something, Someone, right and good to hold on to. There is a worthy treasure; a valuable pearl. There is a Precious that is life giving and promise keeping. Jesus is the True Precious who actually holds onto us. Instead of poisoning us, he gives us life. Instead of diminishing us, he makes us flourish. Instead of ensnaring us, he sets us free. It is Jesus who holds us and who we hold above all else.” Scott Sauls

“The treasures of most men are perishing, earthly, cankered and moth-eaten treasures. Where is yours, O Christian? Is it in the world, or the next? Is it in present vanities, or future glory? Is it in present contentments, or in an everlasting inheritance? Is it in corn and wine or in the light of God’s countenance? Is it in profits, pleasures, and honors, or in grace and glory? Do you build, plant, and sow for heaven? Many profess the hope of heaven, but meanwhile in their conversations they savour only earthly things. If a man’s profession is ever so heavenly, but he is overtaken by earthly living, that man’s religion is vain. Never talk of a name in heaven, as long as your heart is buried in the earth.” Matthew Mead

“We may have as much of God as we will. Christ puts the key of the treasure chamber into our hand, and bids us take all that we want. If a man is admitted into the bullion vault of a bank, and told to help himself, and comes out with one cent, whose fault is it that he is poor? Whose fault is it that Christian people generally have such scanty portions of the free riches of God? McLaren

Heart Savor

The Lion Roars

  • We are never to be lacking in zeal but keep our spiritual fervor serving the Lord.
  • We are to be zealous for the Lord’s great Name – through His power for His glory.
  • Create in me a pure heart and a steadfast spirit Oh Lord.