Hi all,
Here's a brief summary of last Saturday's power sermon by
Ps. Edmund Chan. Do get the cd and please give it a good listen. There's just so much packed in it.
The main focus was on Matthew 13:44-46
(parable of the treasure and pearl); he gave a brief overview of Matthew 13 and all the 8 parables and how they are all interlink.
Parable 1 (Parable of the soil, 13:3-8) parallels Parable 8 (Parable of the storeroom of new and old treasures, 13:52)# Principle of these parables: principle of receptivity; receptivity to the Word, receptivity to the Kingdom. Also speaks on receptivity to things of old and new.
Parable 2 (Parable of the weeds, 13:24-30) parallels Parable 7 (Parable of the fishing net, 13:47-50)# Principle of these parables: principle of separation; there will be separation at the appointed time, separation between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness.
Parable 3 (Parable of the mustard seed, 13:31-32) parallels Parable 4 (Parable of the yeast, 13:33)# Principle of these parables: principle of the hope of the Kingdom.
Parable 4 (Parable of the treasure, 13:44) parallels Parable 5 (Parable of the pearl, 13:45)# Principle of these parables: principle of the pricelessness of the Kingdom.
Matthew 13:44-46 has 3 components:
1
. The Pricelessness of the Kingdom2. Joyous Abandonment for the Kingdom3. An act of exchanging for something greaterEven as I'm reading Matthew 13 again, I'm reminded of the statements and questions Ps. Edmund posted:Questions to ask:1. Have you found your pearl of great price?2. Is your heart on fire for God?3. Are your eyes set on the unseen?4. Are you set on eternal things as oppose to temporal things?
This world is not our home, we're just passing through.This world is not a playground, it's a battleground... a battleground for souls.
The pearl of great price - the gospel of the kingdom..
I'm truly encouraged and challenged by this verse.Many times we get burned or stressed out as we forget why we do what we do.Many times we play "church" and go through and do all the "church" things like some kind of social club or community body, that we lose the meaning of being a Christian.Let us not make it into some religious activity, let us live out the life of a true and effective Christian.
Let us rekindle, reignite, relight, refire that flame within us and set our hearts on fire for God and His work.Let us be on fire to win souls for His Kingdom and His glory.
By
Sir Nick!