179 – The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE: THEOLOGY V LESSON # 79

ESCHATOLOGY – THE KINGDOM OF GOD – PARABLES OF HIDDEN TREASURE AND PEARL OF GREAT PRICE

INTRODUCTION:

1. These two parables are parables accentuating the great value our Lord puts upon the objects of His love.
2. When we consider the “bad ground,” the tares, the leaven, etc., we might well ask, “Why would the Great Creator, become a Savior of such as this?”
3. Grace is not only bestowed upon its objects, but by God’s eyes is seen in them.

4. While we can see only a mustard seed, God sees treasure, indeed a pearl of great price.

I. THE HIDDEN VALUE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE KINGDOM

1. The treasure in the field and the value of the pearl remain hidden, except to the one who purchases it.
2. In Christ’s day there was a great difference in Christ’s appraisal of the children of the kingdom and popular religious opinion.

i. The poor in spirit were the heirs of the kingdom. (Mat. 5:3

)
ii. The meek would inherit the earth. (Mat. 5:5

)
iii. The persecuted, the “off-scouring,” were blessed. (Mat. 5:10

)

3. How contrary this was to the popular religious expectation for the kingdom. (Lk. 18:9-14

, Rom. 10:2-3

)
4. But the Son of man came to purchase hidden treasure and those “set at naught” by the world. (Lk. 19:10

)

II. THE VALUE IS HIGHLY APPRECIATED BY THE KING

1. That one stray sheep merits to Christ all he is and all he has. (Rom. 5:8

, Phil. 2:5-12

)
2. The essence of biblical atonement is personal substitution, “I should have been. crucified, but Jesus, God’s Son took my place.”
3. These individuals compositely make up the kingdom (the treasure and the pearl).
4. But it is not the composite worth of the kingdom, which sent the King to the cross.
5. It was compassion upon poor sheep without a shepherd. (Mat. 9:36

)

i. On a world ravaged by sickness because of sin. (Mat. 14:14

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ii. On a people who have no source of truth in themselves. (Mk. 6:34

)

6. The very principle of choosing the children of the kingdom is mysterious to the world. (I Cor. 1:25-31

)

III. ONE DAY THIS HIDDEN TREASURE WILL BE DISPLAYED

1. It doth not yet appear what we shall be. What is seen now? (Heb. 11:37-40

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2. But what is the future of this hidden treasure, of this unpolished pearl? (Mat. 13:43

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3. It shall then be representatives of all ages. (Rev. 5:8-11

)
4. His kingdom shall be announced by their revelation as well as His. (Rev. 19:11-16

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5. His kingdom shall be announced by the praises of this hidden treasure. (Rev. 1:5-7

)
6. Consider the ultimate magnitude of this hidden treasure, of this one pearl. (Rev. 7:9-11

)

Ill: How skeptically Pilate led the world in asking “Art thou a King?” But no one will ask here. Every knee shall bow.

Berean Baptist Church