There are many investments that one can make (stocks, real estate, collectibles, cryptocurrency, etc.). All of these have to do with financial growth and security in this life. Yet there are certain investments we are to make that are spiritual in nature, and these are most important. In this series, we are going to discuss some of these investments we are to make. In this third lesson, we are going to talk about what Jesus described as the pearl of great value.
What Is the Pearl?
- Jesus said the pearl is the “kingdom of heaven” – common theme in His parables; this kingdom is “not of this world” (John 18:36); spiritual in nature; headquarters in heaven
- It is seen in the world today in the form of the church (Matthew 16:18-19)
- It is the body of all those who have been saved (Colossians 1:13)
The Importance of “Seeking”
- The New Testament emphasizes the importance of seeking (Matthew 7:7; Hebrews 11:6; Acts 17:27) – we cannot sit back and wait for God to reveal something to us; He has given us all we need (2 Peter 1:3; cf. 1 Corinthians 2:10-16)
- We need to be diligent in our search (2 Timothy 2:15)
How to Know We Have Found It
- It is vitally important we know what we’re looking for – it is foolish to sell everything for a fake; we need to know how to identify the Lord’s kingdom and how to identify a local church as His
- The kingdom is the body of those who have been saved; who are they? – those who believe (John 8:24), repent (Luke 13:3, 5), confess (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (Mark 16:16); God then adds them to the church (Acts 2:41, 47)
- Those in the kingdom will assemble with others in local churches; how can we identify them? – name (Romans 16:16); organization (Philippians 1:1; Ephesians 4:11); work (1 Thessalonians 1:8; Ephesians 4:12, 16; 1 Corinthians 16:1; 1 Timothy 5:16); worship (1 Corinthians 14:15, 26; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:20-34; 16:1-2)
- We seek the kingdom by doing what is necessary to gain entrance into it – obey the gospel
- Then, we meet with others to encourage one another and serve God together (Hebrews 10:24-25)
The Value of the Kingdom
- The man in Jesus’ parable sold everything – the kingdom is worth more than we have or could hope to have
- It was purchased with the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28)
- Paul was willing to suffer for it (2 Timothy 2:10)
- We need to be willing to give up the churches of men and anything else that might hinder us from entering
Conclusion
- We can find the Lord’s kingdom today and be part of His church – but we must seek for it
- We can find it by looking at how it is described in the New Testament – reject every counterfeit
