The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a

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April 29, 2018 Buying Into the Kingdom

Tyler Michel

“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 13:44-46 (NIV)  Buying into the Kingdom means being its value.  Buying into the Kingdom costs at the same time. 

of

and

costs you nothing.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16–17 (NIV) 

costs you everything.

Sermon in a Sentence: You can’t buy into the Kingdom and not change.

Luke 14:28-33 (NIV)  Come as you are but  A bought-in

. leads to bought-in

.

ANSWER KEY: convinced, nothing, everything, invitation, discipleship, don’t stay there, heart, behavior

Doing Life Together Discussion - A Launching Point for Your Small Group Theme: Buying into God’s Kingdom Warm Up: Have you ever bought something you were really excited about, but didn’t work out the way you expected? Sermon Response: Tyler shared on Sunday about how Jesus has called us to buy into his kingdom. We can’t completely buy into the Kingdom and not change. When we run after the Kingdom, we experience change in our thinking, our lifestyle, and what we value as we surrender everything we have to him. Share your thoughts about this. Read Together: Matthew 13:44-46 Discuss: What connects with you in this passage? Do you have any initial questions about the verses?       

How is the kingdom of heaven like a treasure hidden in a field? What was the primary motivator for this man to sell all he had? Why is that important? What are some things God has called you to surrender to him in the past? What did it feel like when you gave up those things? Looking at the passage about the pearl, how is the Kingdom of God the best thing to pursue? What drew you to follow Jesus? Was there a ‘search process’ involved? We all have life responsibilities – job, kids, houses, bills, etc. How do you think we are supposed to live ‘all-in’ for the kingdom in light of having these responsibilities? How can you best use what God has given you to spread his kingdom – his reign and rule - here on earth?

Read Together: Luke 14:25-33    

  

How does this reading challenge you? What are your biggest questions about it? Jesus uses the word ‘hate’ to describe how we view relationships with family and our own life in light of being his disciple. What do you think he’s getting at? What does it mean to ‘bear our own cross’? How do you see this played out in everyday life? On Sunday we talked about how being a disciple costs nothing and everything at the same time. What do you think is meant by that in light of this passage? (In terms of the Kingdom of God costing nothing, continue on to Luke 15) How do we count the cost of following Jesus in our own lives? What has being a disciple cost you? What do we receive when we pursue the Kingdom of God?

Prayer time: How can we best support each other this week in prayer?