10-17-21 | Special Treasure
SPECIAL TREASURE
Matthew 13:45-46 – “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
Bought – buy, purchase, redeem, cause release or freedom of persons
1 Corinthians 6:20 – “For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Galatians 3:13a – “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law.”
“A common interpretation is that a person should be willing to part with everything in order to possess the Kingdom, However, the meaning could be that Jesus is the Purchaser who gave His all to secure the Kingdom.” – Spirit-Filled Life Bible
“Christ is the One who found the pearl and gave all that He had to purchase it.” – Dr. A.B. Simpson
“The pearl of great price represents His people whom He describes as His jewels.” – Dr. A.B. Simpson
Father God sees us as a valuable treasure.
Exodus 19:5 – “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My Voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people.”
Malachi 3:17a – “’They shall be Mine,’ says the Lord of Hosts, ‘On the day that I make them My jewels.’”
Every person is a valuable treasure – a pearl of great price – for whom Jesus died and laid down His life.
1 Peter 2:17 – “Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”
Honor – to treat as very valuable, to esteem highly
Great Price – very, very valuable, extremely valuable, very costly
1. SEE YOURSELF AND THOSE AROUND YOU AS PEARLS OF GREAT PRICE
Ephesians 1:17-18a – “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give to you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened.”
1 Samuel 16:7b – “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
“Man’s treasure is material objects, but consistently in Scriptures, God’s treasure is human beings.” – Spirit-Filled Life Bible
LORD, OPEN OUR EYES TO SEE AS YOU SEE.
2. TREAT ONE ANOTHER AS PEARLS OF GREAT PRICE
Romans 12:10 – “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.”
Romans 12:10 (NLT) – “Love one another with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other.”
Brotherly Affection – loving each other like family
Romans 12:10 (AMP) – “Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection, as [members of one family], give preference to one another in honor.”
To honor someone is to treat them as very valuable; as someone of high value.
“Everything and everyone in your life is more important than I am!” – Norma Smalley
3. SPEAK TO ONE ANOTHER AS PEARLS OF GREAT PRICE
Ephesians 4:29 (NLT) – “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
Ephesians 5:3 (NLT) – “Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.”
Ephesians 5:4 (NLT) – “Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes- these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.”
We want our words to communicate honor.
Proverbs 18:21a – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
James 3:8 – “But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”
We cannot tame our tongues, but the Holy Spirit can!
Jesus Christ came to rescue us, restore us to the Father, and empower us to live out His purpose for our lives.
Discussion Questions:
1. Have you ever felt discarded, overlooked, forgotten, or hidden?
2. How did Jesus change you or change your circumstances?
3. Do you see the people around you as valuable; as pearls of great price?
4. If not, what makes it difficult for you to see people as pearls of great price?
5. Are you treating those close to you with honor and high value?
6. Do your words communicate honor?