7/18/21             Parables of the Kingdom             Sermon Notes

The Kingdom of Heaven is what God is doing to reestablish His reign in creation through Jesus.

Meaning & Significance: Meaning is simply what Jesus meant, Significance is how it applies and changes my life today.

Matthew 13

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

If obtaining the Kingdom relies primarily on me and what I am able to do…I am toast!

If the Kingdom of Heaven is just about me trying harder

then it isn’t Good News, and it’s not offering us anything different than what the world is.

In these Parables, Jesus is the Main Character.

Matthew 13

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

To Jesus you are a precious treasure that is worth selling everything to have.

Hebrews 12

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Philippians 2

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  

Jesus paid for the whole field.

Jesus says come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest for your souls… And I need that rest!

Kingdom Concepts:

1. You, I and others are precious to Jesus

2. We are participants, not the perfecters

3. I am not perfect, but my savior is.  

Jesus has done everything needed for our salvation. Now we GET to be participants in bringing that rest to others.

Prayer of the Week:

Heavenly Father, I recognize your presence here with me right now and I invite you Father, Son and Holy Spirit into my life and this time of prayer. Holy Spirit, lead my prayer and show me how to pray.

Lord I thank you for sending Jesus to bring your Kingdom Reign into the world. I thank you for teaching me through parables. I thank you for every opportunity that you provide for me to be a contender for the Kingdom. (you are invited to spend a few seconds giving thanks to God) I thank you most of all for ransoming my life on the cross. Thank you Jesus.

Jesus I recognize my need for you today. I know that on my own I am unable to follow you. I ask your forgiveness now. (take some time confessing to Jesus whatever sins come to mind now) Heavenly Father, thank you for loving and forgiving me, through Jesus. Thank you that you never stop loving me. Help me to live more and more every day into the identity that I am a truly loved child, who is precious to you.

Holy Spirit as I think about my day and upcoming week there are many things that I can think of that worry me. I ask and contend for your Kingdom reign to come into those places now, both in my life and in the lives of others. (spend some time praying over that now) Jesus help me to see and respond to all the different places where you have called me to be a contender for the Kingdom.

Thank you Father for revealing yourself to me. I desperately desire to live the meaningful life Christ intends for me this day! Amen  

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week.

The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Matthew 13:44-46

Tue – Matthew 11:28-30

Wed – Hebrews 12: 1-2

Thu – Philippians 2:5-11

Fri – Romans 8:31-34

Sat - Psalm 62:1-8

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths... Just be... “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved