Living For Eternity
Treasure in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-24,33)
Jesus talked often about treasure and money because He knew that we are a forgetful people. When we focus on treasure/money, we forget about God! The treasures we collect here on earth will only become moth-eaten, rust destroyed, or stolen by thieves. But, the treasures that we collect for heaven will never be subject to moths or rust or thieves. Jesus says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (v21) If Jesus has given us a new heart (learned above), then we want to be focusing on eternal, heavenly treasures! Heavenly treasures are those that God gives us in heaven for obeying Him while we live here on earth. He is storing them for us. In heaven there is nothing to destroy that treasure - it will last forever! Jesus also said, “No one can serve two masters…” (v24) We can not be devoted to both God and money. Now, Jesus isn’t saying that money is bad. But we don’t need money in heaven! God owns everything! He will provide for our daily needs. We, however, have a bigger need: the need to be sure to live with Jesus for all eternity. God gave us the free gift of His Son, Jesus, so that we could have our biggest need cared for. By accepting Jesus as our Savior, we are collecting our greatest heavenly treasure! Seek first His kingdom and righteousness, and all earthly things will be provided.
Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:31-46)
When Jesus taught by parables, such as these, He was telling a story about what the kingdom of heaven is like. Did you know that Jesus was fulfilling a prophecy of old by speaking in parables? That’s what verse 35 tells us, “I will open my mouth in parables; I will declare things kept in secret from the foundation of the world.” Jesus told two parables about hidden treasures to explain how precious or valuable God’s kingdom really is. A man found something mysterious one day in a field. Upon a closer look, he discovered it was a hidden treasure! He reburied the treasure and must have assumed that the field had an owner. The man sold all his own possessions so that he could buy the field (with the hidden treasure) from its owner. And the treasure became his! Another man was a merchant (a trader or buyer) in search of fine pearls. One day he found a pearl that was so valuable the Bible says it was “priceless.” This man went and sold everything he had so that he could buy the precious pearl. These parables are all about the “hidden treasure” of Jesus! He wants us to know that nothing in this world is more valuable them Him. We need to be willing to give up everything of this world to follow Him into eternity.
Confess and Believe (Romans 10:9-13)
The writer of Romans, the Apostle Paul, was writing to tell his reader that they must confess and believe, then, they will be saved. It doesn’t matter a person’s hair color or skin color or neighborhood/house they live in or car they drive/ride in. Paul was telling his reader that Jesus came to save all mankind and all that is required to be saved is to confess and believe. Did you know that this message is true for us too? God’s Word is the same today as it was when Paul first wrote it. God is saying that when we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and when we believe with all of our heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, then we will be saved! We are saved from our sin by fully trusting in Jesus and the work He completed on the cross. In no way can we be good enough or work our way to heaven. So remember, only Jesus did the work and offers us the free gift of salvation. Our responsibility is to accept His gift by doing these two things: confess out loud (with our mouth) that Jesus is Lord, and believe with all our heart that God raised Jesus from the dead. Be assured, when you do this, you will be saved (salvation)! “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (v13) It’s that easy. And then, the Holy Spirit is given to us (lives within us) and He helps us talk to others about Jesus so that they, too, can accept the free gift, be saved, and be given a new heart. But, think about Jesus for just a moment: do you think going to the cross was easy for Him? He gave up a glorious place in heaven, was beat up by the people He came to save, and He died a pretty terrible death on the cross. None of that could have been easy. Thank goodness that the story of Jesus doesn’t end with Him dying. For a great thing happened just three days later. God raised Him from the dead! Hallelujah! Jesus was victorious over sin and death. And, He offers us that same victory. My friend, all you are required to do is confess and believe.
Our kids need to know that their greatest treasure isn’t buried in the backyard or the farm field. Their greatest treasure is Jesus! And, He isn’t a hidden treasure. He is fully revealed in the Word of God and waiting for your child to receive Him. Our kids must believe in this Great Treasure and know that He is preparing a room for them in eternity if they will only accept Him as their Lord and Savior.