What Is Priceless?
Sermon
Questions Of Faith
Gospel Sermons For Sundays After Pentecost
Introduction
What is your most priceless treasure? A friend found out the night her house was burglarized. She got up to go to the bathroom and noticed that lights were on downstairs. She thought that was strange and wondered if one of the children had come home from college unexpectedly. However as she got downstairs, she noticed that a window screen had been cut and the back door was propped open. It was then in her sleepy state that she looked to see if her piano had been taken. When she was more awake, she realized how ridiculous that was. Who would steal a piano? But it also told her what she prized most of her worldly possessions. She had worked hard to save enough money to buy that piano.
What do you prize most? Many of us work long hours in order to have a sports utility vehicle, a second home at the lake, or the best equipment with which to play golf or some other sport. And then there are others who have more money than they need and can buy anything and everything they want. That group is not just those with inherited wealth. There are young people in their twenties and thirties, not only the pro athletes and the Hollywood stars, who are entrepreneurial-minded young adults. They have done well in business and in investing and are already millionaires able to buy any toy they want. In time they will discover that even though material things can bring pleasure, they wear out and are ultimately unsatisfying.
Those who lived in the Red River Valley discovered what they prized most when they were faced with the floodwaters in 1997. Person after person who had lost everything they owned in the flood, expressed thanks that no lives had been lost. The family was still together. They found out that it was not possessions but their families that were priceless.
That was also true of the 91-year-old widow who had spent her life accumulating worldly goods. She and her husband had worked long hours to be able to afford nice things. They had lived in a beautiful home filled with treasures. Now at age 91 she has given everything away and is living in a nursing home. She has but one thing left to give that really matters, and that is love. She tells her family frequently how much she loves them. She has learned that love -- to be loved and to love -- is more important than any possession.
The Kingdom Of Heaven
There is something far more priceless than possessions and even more priceless than love of family and friends. After all, our spouse, through death or divorce, will leave us. Our children will grow up and leave home. Friends will come and go. And there is a good chance that there will be times when both family and friends will disappoint us.
What then is the greatest treasure? In today's Gospel, Jesus tells us that the kingdom of heaven is the one and only thing that is priceless. There is nothing else that compares to it. It is more valuable than your business, your farm, your beautiful home, your cars, your good looks, and even your family. And the Good News is that the kingdom exists for you.
What is it and what makes the kingdom of heaven so priceless? It should be said that the "kingdom of heaven" and the "kingdom of God" are interchangeable. Matthew likely used the phrase "kingdom of heaven" because out of fear he was hesitant to write the name of God. He, like his Jewish forbears, believed that using God's name violated its holiness. In the Gospel of Mark, it is the kingdom of God that Jesus came preaching. "Kingdom of heaven" and "kingdom of God" both mean God's eternal reign of love.
In the thirteenth chapter of Matthew, Jesus tells several parables to explain the kingdom of heaven. Each parable gives us an idea of what the kingdom is like and tells us why the kingdom is priceless. What do they tell us about God's eternal reign of love?
First, the kingdom is both a present reality and a future one. We can experience it now and look forward to experiencing it in its fullness in the life to come. The kingdom of heaven will not rust out, wear out, or die. It may seem as inconspicuous and inconsequential as a mustard seed. Yet like a mustard seed and like yeast, it can bring about amazing things. The mustard seed produces the greatest shrub, and yeast can affect a whole loaf of bread. No matter how vast the world, God's reign is supreme and can transform lives.
Second, the kingdom is in the hearts of believers. A friend told me about a family she knew who had inherited wealth and were people of faith. On the surface it looked like they had everything. They owned homes in Tennessee, Colorado, and Florida. Each place was beautifully decorated and filled with antiques and original art pieces. Neither their wealth nor their faith protected them from the sorrows and pains of life. This family lost a son in an auto accident, a daughter was sexually abused by her riding instructor, one of their homes burned to the ground, and the father was recently diagnosed with cancer. They never asked, "Why us?" Instead they said, "Why not us?" Because of their faith in God, they were able to rise above these tragedies and grow from them. They kept strong and kept hope.
We can say that the kingdom of heaven is priceless in spite of suffering because the reign of God is in the hearts of believers. This means God will be with us in our suffering. In the kingdom of heaven we are transformed from fearful people to courageous people. We can have hope and peace of mind even in tragic times because as Paul writes: "We know that in everything God works for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
Third, the kingdom is hidden joy. Even though God's reign may seem ordinary, yet when it comes, it comes unexpectedly and with joy. In fact it comes with so much joy that it is worth sacrificing everything we have for it. Jesus compares it to a treasure hidden in a field, which a laborer found and covered up, and then in his joy he sold all that he had to buy that field. And he compares it to a pearl of great value. A merchant finds it and sells everything to buy it. There is no sense of sacrifice to buy the field or the pearl. Both the laborer and the merchant will sacrifice everything to possess it because it brings joy.
Now we don't hide our treasures in fields. We are more apt to put our treasures in safety deposit boxes or in our attics or basements. We have become more aware of the value of antiques through the television show, Antiques Road Show. In that show, appraisers and dealers offer free appraisals on antiques and collectible memorabilia. It is both a history lesson and a treasure hunt. A painting in your attic, even if it is not a Rembrandt, may be worth thousands of dollars. An old book may be a collectors' first edition. It has been said that this show encourages people to hang on to old dishes, furniture, and other collectibles thinking that someday a piece just might be worth something and bring their children joy, even a ticket to easy street.
The kingdom of heaven is not a ticket to easy street. And it is not a joy that is dependent on externals such as wealth and worldly possessions or even on relationships. It is a joy hidden deep within us knowing that we are loved by God.
Fourth, the kingdom is costly. Both the laborer and the merchant had to sell everything to possess the treasure and the pearl. And we know the kingdom of heaven cost Jesus Christ his life. Often we forget this when we hear about God's love and that salvation is a gift to us. It is a gift to us, yet our response requires everything we have, including our lives.
Some churches have lowered the cost of discipleship to bargain basement prices. They recruit members by telling them nothing is expected of them. You may be asked to be an usher, to serve on a committee, or to sing in the choir. Then they add, come when you can. Anyone can do it. It won't take much of your time. When churches do that, they ignore an important truth: people want to find something in life that is so wonderful, so meaningful, fulfilling, and satisfying that they can give themselves to it in total commitment. People are not afraid to suffer and sacrifice, if they can find something that they think is worth it. Think of some families whose children play hockey or another sport. Once the season begins, it is all consuming. They will sacrifice everything for that sport.
The truth is that the kingdom of heaven is costly. It can cost you a lot in terms of your time and your money. There is a church in Minneapolis that has a large sculpture in the outline of the head of Christ on the front chancel wall. It is a vivid reminder to the congregation of God's love in Jesus Christ but also a reminder that members are called to be Christ's eyes, ears, mouth, hands, and feet in the world. They come to church to thank God and be nourished in order to bring the kingdom of heaven, God's eternal reign of love, into their worlds.
Finally, the kingdom is based on love. Jesus tells the parable of the net thrown into the sea to catch fish of every kind. It shows that the kingdom is for all people. It is for you no matter who you are. It is not dependent upon your economic standing, your nationality, your class, or your age. But it is dependent upon how you love.
There is a judgment time, but that judgment is different from what we might think. There is no criteria set forth for judgment in the parable. It just says that the good will be saved and the bad will be thrown out. We know from other stories in the Bible that it is a judgment not based on color of skin, blemishes, size or shape, talents, wealth, fame or education. Nor is it based on beliefs, dogmas, or creeds. It is based on love.
Those who will enter God's eternal kingdom are those who respond to the needs of others out of their love for God. Jesus will say to them:
"Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me."
-- Matthew 25:34-36
Judgment time is not only a final judgment day but it is also ongoing. We experience that judgment whenever we are separated from God or our neighbors and are living only for ourselves. And likewise we experience the kingdom of heaven, God's eternal reign of love, when we are close to God and our neighbor and living for others out of our love for God. It is then when life is both challenging and exciting.
Conclusion
The kingdom of heaven is priceless. Whatever treasure you may have, the kingdom of heaven is more valuable. No matter how happy you are in your marriage, no matter if you have great health or a great career, and no matter how many places you have traveled, if you have missed out on the kingdom of heaven, you have missed out on the one thing in life whose value exceeds all others.
God's eternal reign of love here and now and forever is priceless, and it is for you and for me. It is priceless because it transforms lives giving them meaning even in suffering. It brings forth great joy that is not dependent upon external circumstances, and it is costly. It cost Jesus Christ his life. May Christ claim us that we may live in the kingdom here and now and for all eternity. Amen.
What is your most priceless treasure? A friend found out the night her house was burglarized. She got up to go to the bathroom and noticed that lights were on downstairs. She thought that was strange and wondered if one of the children had come home from college unexpectedly. However as she got downstairs, she noticed that a window screen had been cut and the back door was propped open. It was then in her sleepy state that she looked to see if her piano had been taken. When she was more awake, she realized how ridiculous that was. Who would steal a piano? But it also told her what she prized most of her worldly possessions. She had worked hard to save enough money to buy that piano.
What do you prize most? Many of us work long hours in order to have a sports utility vehicle, a second home at the lake, or the best equipment with which to play golf or some other sport. And then there are others who have more money than they need and can buy anything and everything they want. That group is not just those with inherited wealth. There are young people in their twenties and thirties, not only the pro athletes and the Hollywood stars, who are entrepreneurial-minded young adults. They have done well in business and in investing and are already millionaires able to buy any toy they want. In time they will discover that even though material things can bring pleasure, they wear out and are ultimately unsatisfying.
Those who lived in the Red River Valley discovered what they prized most when they were faced with the floodwaters in 1997. Person after person who had lost everything they owned in the flood, expressed thanks that no lives had been lost. The family was still together. They found out that it was not possessions but their families that were priceless.
That was also true of the 91-year-old widow who had spent her life accumulating worldly goods. She and her husband had worked long hours to be able to afford nice things. They had lived in a beautiful home filled with treasures. Now at age 91 she has given everything away and is living in a nursing home. She has but one thing left to give that really matters, and that is love. She tells her family frequently how much she loves them. She has learned that love -- to be loved and to love -- is more important than any possession.
The Kingdom Of Heaven
There is something far more priceless than possessions and even more priceless than love of family and friends. After all, our spouse, through death or divorce, will leave us. Our children will grow up and leave home. Friends will come and go. And there is a good chance that there will be times when both family and friends will disappoint us.
What then is the greatest treasure? In today's Gospel, Jesus tells us that the kingdom of heaven is the one and only thing that is priceless. There is nothing else that compares to it. It is more valuable than your business, your farm, your beautiful home, your cars, your good looks, and even your family. And the Good News is that the kingdom exists for you.
What is it and what makes the kingdom of heaven so priceless? It should be said that the "kingdom of heaven" and the "kingdom of God" are interchangeable. Matthew likely used the phrase "kingdom of heaven" because out of fear he was hesitant to write the name of God. He, like his Jewish forbears, believed that using God's name violated its holiness. In the Gospel of Mark, it is the kingdom of God that Jesus came preaching. "Kingdom of heaven" and "kingdom of God" both mean God's eternal reign of love.
In the thirteenth chapter of Matthew, Jesus tells several parables to explain the kingdom of heaven. Each parable gives us an idea of what the kingdom is like and tells us why the kingdom is priceless. What do they tell us about God's eternal reign of love?
First, the kingdom is both a present reality and a future one. We can experience it now and look forward to experiencing it in its fullness in the life to come. The kingdom of heaven will not rust out, wear out, or die. It may seem as inconspicuous and inconsequential as a mustard seed. Yet like a mustard seed and like yeast, it can bring about amazing things. The mustard seed produces the greatest shrub, and yeast can affect a whole loaf of bread. No matter how vast the world, God's reign is supreme and can transform lives.
Second, the kingdom is in the hearts of believers. A friend told me about a family she knew who had inherited wealth and were people of faith. On the surface it looked like they had everything. They owned homes in Tennessee, Colorado, and Florida. Each place was beautifully decorated and filled with antiques and original art pieces. Neither their wealth nor their faith protected them from the sorrows and pains of life. This family lost a son in an auto accident, a daughter was sexually abused by her riding instructor, one of their homes burned to the ground, and the father was recently diagnosed with cancer. They never asked, "Why us?" Instead they said, "Why not us?" Because of their faith in God, they were able to rise above these tragedies and grow from them. They kept strong and kept hope.
We can say that the kingdom of heaven is priceless in spite of suffering because the reign of God is in the hearts of believers. This means God will be with us in our suffering. In the kingdom of heaven we are transformed from fearful people to courageous people. We can have hope and peace of mind even in tragic times because as Paul writes: "We know that in everything God works for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
Third, the kingdom is hidden joy. Even though God's reign may seem ordinary, yet when it comes, it comes unexpectedly and with joy. In fact it comes with so much joy that it is worth sacrificing everything we have for it. Jesus compares it to a treasure hidden in a field, which a laborer found and covered up, and then in his joy he sold all that he had to buy that field. And he compares it to a pearl of great value. A merchant finds it and sells everything to buy it. There is no sense of sacrifice to buy the field or the pearl. Both the laborer and the merchant will sacrifice everything to possess it because it brings joy.
Now we don't hide our treasures in fields. We are more apt to put our treasures in safety deposit boxes or in our attics or basements. We have become more aware of the value of antiques through the television show, Antiques Road Show. In that show, appraisers and dealers offer free appraisals on antiques and collectible memorabilia. It is both a history lesson and a treasure hunt. A painting in your attic, even if it is not a Rembrandt, may be worth thousands of dollars. An old book may be a collectors' first edition. It has been said that this show encourages people to hang on to old dishes, furniture, and other collectibles thinking that someday a piece just might be worth something and bring their children joy, even a ticket to easy street.
The kingdom of heaven is not a ticket to easy street. And it is not a joy that is dependent on externals such as wealth and worldly possessions or even on relationships. It is a joy hidden deep within us knowing that we are loved by God.
Fourth, the kingdom is costly. Both the laborer and the merchant had to sell everything to possess the treasure and the pearl. And we know the kingdom of heaven cost Jesus Christ his life. Often we forget this when we hear about God's love and that salvation is a gift to us. It is a gift to us, yet our response requires everything we have, including our lives.
Some churches have lowered the cost of discipleship to bargain basement prices. They recruit members by telling them nothing is expected of them. You may be asked to be an usher, to serve on a committee, or to sing in the choir. Then they add, come when you can. Anyone can do it. It won't take much of your time. When churches do that, they ignore an important truth: people want to find something in life that is so wonderful, so meaningful, fulfilling, and satisfying that they can give themselves to it in total commitment. People are not afraid to suffer and sacrifice, if they can find something that they think is worth it. Think of some families whose children play hockey or another sport. Once the season begins, it is all consuming. They will sacrifice everything for that sport.
The truth is that the kingdom of heaven is costly. It can cost you a lot in terms of your time and your money. There is a church in Minneapolis that has a large sculpture in the outline of the head of Christ on the front chancel wall. It is a vivid reminder to the congregation of God's love in Jesus Christ but also a reminder that members are called to be Christ's eyes, ears, mouth, hands, and feet in the world. They come to church to thank God and be nourished in order to bring the kingdom of heaven, God's eternal reign of love, into their worlds.
Finally, the kingdom is based on love. Jesus tells the parable of the net thrown into the sea to catch fish of every kind. It shows that the kingdom is for all people. It is for you no matter who you are. It is not dependent upon your economic standing, your nationality, your class, or your age. But it is dependent upon how you love.
There is a judgment time, but that judgment is different from what we might think. There is no criteria set forth for judgment in the parable. It just says that the good will be saved and the bad will be thrown out. We know from other stories in the Bible that it is a judgment not based on color of skin, blemishes, size or shape, talents, wealth, fame or education. Nor is it based on beliefs, dogmas, or creeds. It is based on love.
Those who will enter God's eternal kingdom are those who respond to the needs of others out of their love for God. Jesus will say to them:
"Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me."
-- Matthew 25:34-36
Judgment time is not only a final judgment day but it is also ongoing. We experience that judgment whenever we are separated from God or our neighbors and are living only for ourselves. And likewise we experience the kingdom of heaven, God's eternal reign of love, when we are close to God and our neighbor and living for others out of our love for God. It is then when life is both challenging and exciting.
Conclusion
The kingdom of heaven is priceless. Whatever treasure you may have, the kingdom of heaven is more valuable. No matter how happy you are in your marriage, no matter if you have great health or a great career, and no matter how many places you have traveled, if you have missed out on the kingdom of heaven, you have missed out on the one thing in life whose value exceeds all others.
God's eternal reign of love here and now and forever is priceless, and it is for you and for me. It is priceless because it transforms lives giving them meaning even in suffering. It brings forth great joy that is not dependent upon external circumstances, and it is costly. It cost Jesus Christ his life. May Christ claim us that we may live in the kingdom here and now and for all eternity. Amen.
