Plain, Simple, Powerful — First Jesus

I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who He is; then Jesus and what He did — Jesus crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2 (MSG)

The Kingdom of God is not a matter of negotiation; it is a matter of recognition. Once you see it, you don’t haggle over the price. — Dallas Willard

Living Legacy — a legacy isn't just what you leave behind. It's what you live right now.

Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give.’ Acts 3:6 (NIV)

‘I will open My mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.’ Matthew 13:35 (NIV)

Jesus’ parables are not pretty stories with morals attached. They are like depth charges dropped into the imagination, designed to explode old worldviews and create new ones. — N.T. Wright

The Currency of Joy

When You Find the Real Thing, Nothing Else Compares.

What if Jesus hid a single Greek phrase in a 35-word parable, buried in plain sight, that, when discovered, has the power to transform the drudgery of religious sacrifice into the joy of surrendered worship?

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. Matthew 13:44 (NIV)

The heart of the Kingdom: apo tēs charas autou — “from his joy.”

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 (NIV)

The Field

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. Matthew 13:44 (NIV)

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ. Philippians 3:8 (NLT)

The Discovery

I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure. Psalm 119:162 (NLT)

1.         Where Is Wisdom Found?

There is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore. Mortals put an end to the darkness; they search out the farthest recesses for ore in the blackest darkness. Job 28:1–3 (NIV)

But where can wisdom be found? Job 28:12 (NIV)

It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed out in silver. It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or lapis lazuli. Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can it be had for jewels of gold. Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies. The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it; it cannot be bought with pure gold. Job 28:15–19 (NIV)

Job is not making a list. Job is making a case.

Where then does wisdom come from? …God understands the way to it, and He alone knows where it dwells. Job 28:20, 23 (NIV)

2.         How Is Wisdom Discovered?

My son, if you accept my words and treasure my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then… Proverbs 2:1–4 (NIV)

Blessed (happy, joyful) are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding. Proverbs 3:13 (NIV)

3.         What Does Wisdom Cost?

‘Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour on what does not satisfy? Isaiah 55:1–2 (NIV) 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Mt 5:6 (NIV)

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12 (NIV)

The Hidden Treasure

Truly, You are a God who hides Himself… the Saviour. Isaiah 45:15 (ESV)

1.         The Treasure in Christ

That they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2–3 (NIV)

2.         The Treasure in You

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

We had to celebrate and be glad (overjoyed). Luke 15:32 (NIV)

The Joy-Driven Exchange

…then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Matthew 13:44 (NIV)

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV)

For the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame. Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Ps 51:12 (NLT)