ADVENT: SURPASSING JOY

The kingdom of God is like hidden treasure. When discovered, it results in surpassing

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.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field.

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls.

46 When he found one priceless pearl, he went and sold everything he had and bought it. —Matthew 13:44–46 (CSB)

TWO SIMPLE TRUTHS:

Each parable is different but two things are shared in common.

  1. Both men

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    hidden treasure.
    (The first was accidental. The second was deliberate)

  2. Both men

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    everything they have to obtain it.
    (The first man was poor. The second man was wealthy.)

Both parables teach two truths about the Kingdom of God.

  1. The Kingdom of God is a

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    .
    Another word for this treasure is Sehnsucht or
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    .

  2. The Treasure of the Kingdom is

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    .
    You’ll never find the treasure without the eyes to
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    .
    (Matthew 13:11, 13, 16, 34-35; 1 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 4:4)

ON LOOKING & LEAVING:

If the treasure of the kingdom is hidden, how do we obtain it?

  1. Reveal Answer
    for treasure where it can be found.
    The signposts of joy trace back to the face of
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    .
    (Romans 14:17; 1 Corinthians 4:20; 2 Corinthians 4:6)

  2. Reveal Answer
    behind whatever it takes.

    “God is most glorified in us when we’re most satisfied in Him.” —John Piper

although I have reasons for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more:

5 circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee;

6 regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless.

7 But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ.

8 More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ —Philippians 3:4–8 (CSB)

Only joy in the Lord

Reveal Answer
misplaced love for the world.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. How does the discovery of the kingdom of heaven, as illustrated in the parables, contrast with our usual expectations of finding spiritual truth?
  2. How do these parables reflect the ‘already but not yet’ nature of the kingdom of heaven?
  3. Discuss how the concept of the kingdom of heaven as a rule/realm differs from the traditional notion of a physical location.
  4. Both parables involve a cost (selling everything). What does this say about the value of the kingdom of heaven, and what does it mean for us practically?
  5. How do the parables depict joy in the kingdom? How does this relate with the joys we experience in our daily life?
  6. In what ways does the concept of God’s Kingdom as ‘hidden treasure’ change our perspective on faith and the pursuit of spiritual truth?
  7. Discuss the different ways the two men in the parables found the treasure. How does this reflect the diverse paths people take in coming to faith? What about their other differences? How do they inform our understanding of God’s Kingdom?
  8. How do our personal ‘idols’ conflict with the joy found in Christ? How can we identify and address these in our lives?
  9. Discuss the concept of ‘dying to self’ and ‘total surrender’ as illustrated in the parables. How can we practically apply this in our daily lives?
  10. How can we live out the values of the kingdom in a world that often values the opposite?