The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. —Matthew 13:44-465
LOOKING AT MY LIFE (ACTIONS, WORDS, THOUGHTS, SCHEDULE, ROUTINES), WHAT DO I REALLY VALUE?
The kingdom of heaven is not about escaping this world but about transforming this world. —Rachel Held Evans
FOLLOWING JESUS IS A JOURNEY OF LETTING GO OF WHAT DOES NOT MATTER IN ORDER TO TAKE HOLD OF WHAT DOES MATTER.
The heart of the Christian spiritual journey is God’s determined will to transmit to us the maximum of divine light, life, love and happiness that we can possibly receive. It is there for us to receive. God loves us more than we will ever comprehend. Let go and open to God’s unconditional love… To live in the presence of God on a continuous basis can become a kind of fourth dimension to our three-dimensional world, forming an invisible but real background to everything that we do or that happens in our lives. —Thomas Keating
Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day. —Henri Nouwen
TO SAY “YES” TO THE BEST THINGS, WE HAVE TO BE WILLING TO SAY “NO” TO SOME GOOD THINGS.
4 STEPS TO CENTER YOUR LIFE SPIRITUALLY
SPEND TIME IN DAILY REFLECTION
Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change. —Brene Brown
GET INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Church isn’t a building or a meeting: it’s a people.” —Sarah Bessey
SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE
There is a pervasive form of contemporary violence… [and that is] activism and overwork. The rush and pressure of modern life are a form, perhaps the most common form, of its innate violence. To allow oneself to be carried away by a multitude of conflicting concerns, to surrender to too many demands, to commit oneself to too many projects, to want to help everyone in everything is to succumb to violence. The frenzy of our activism neutralizes our work for peace. It destroys our own inner capacity for peace. It destroys the fruitfulness of our own work, because it kills the root of inner wisdom which makes work fruitful. —Thomas Merton
FOCUS DAILY ON ACTS OF KINDNESS
It is not enough to say we are Christians. We must live the faith, not only with our words but also with our actions. Acts of kindness, small or great, are the pract ical ways in which we demonstrate the love of God in our lives and in the lives of others. —Carlo Carretto
We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus. —Shane Claiborne
DISCIPLESHIP WILL COST. ARE YOU WILLING?
PRAYER AND REFLECTION
Here are four questions to consider after hearing this sermon:
WHAT TREASURES IN YOUR LIFE ARE YOU HOLDING ONTO THAT MAY BE PREVENTING YOUR FROM FULLY EMBRACING THE KINGDOM OF GOD? Reflect on the priorities, material possessions, or relationships that occupy your time and thoughts. How might they be influencing your spiritual journey, and are they helping or hindering your pursuit of God’s kingdom?
HOW DOES YOUR LIFE REFLECT WHAT YOU TRULY VALUE? Take a moment to evaluate how your actions, decisions, and schedule align with your deepest beliefs and values. Are there areas where you might need to realign your focus to prioritize what truly matters according to God’s kingdom?
IN WHAT WAYS MIGHT YOU BE TRYING TO FIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD INTO THE LIFE YOU HAVE BUILT, RATHER THAN ALLOWINGN YOUR LIFE TO BE RESTRUCTURED AROUND THE KINGDOM OF GOD? Consider the choices you make and whether they are more about maintaining your current lifestyle or embracing the transformative call of Jesus to seek His kingdom first.
WHAT IS ONE SPECIFIC STEP YOU CAN TAKE THIS WEEK TO LET GO OF SOMETHING THAT DOES NOT ULTIMATELY MATTER AND MAKE ROOM FOR WHAT TRULY DOES? Identify a practical action—whether it’s decluttering, simplifying your schedule, or reaching out in kindness—that can help you focus on the eternal value of God’s kingdom in your daily life.
DECISION: Will you open your heart to Jesus today?
If you’re ready to embrace the true treasure that Jesus offers—peace, joy, and purpose beyond anything this world can give—then I invite you to open your heart to Him right now. Take a moment to let go of anything that’s holding you back and pray this simple prayer to accept Jesus into your life.
Lord Jesus, I have discovered the treasure of Your kingdom, and I want to give You my whole life. I let go of what does not matter to embrace the joy, peace, and purpose You offer. Forgive me, guide me, and help me to follow You with all my heart. Amen.