STUDIES FROM BRETHREN IN CHRIST

10/8/2006 ~ Seek ~ Purchase ~ Keep the Treasure

... the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, ... ~ Matthew 13:44-46 About those being part of the Kingdom: SEEK, BUY, KEEP ... always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. ~ 1st Thessalonians 5:15 ... zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. ~ 1st Corinthians 14:12 Often we have to seek to find something. Kingdom = Great Treasure We must not just be satisfied but continue to seek. Does truth stop?     God continues ... ... eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; ... ~ Romans 2:7 We should be seeking to do good for others ... ~ and the edification of brethren. ... and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? ~ John 5:44 Can man find glory by glorifying himself or by that which gave him life? ~ Glory, Honor, Immortality ↑ . ... that they may have glory from men. ~ Matthew 6:1-6 Do you seek the glory of man or God? "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." ~ Matthew 6:33 Seek with tremendous devotion ... Above all ... seek. SEEK, BUY, KEEP Grasp or buy what is available. Pay the price, do whatever it takes. It will involve commitment and sacrifice. It is all meant for the salvation of each and every soul. The truth does not change. ... esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; ... ~ Hebrews 11:24-26 Moses gave up materialism because it was worth it; life from God. "... it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell." ~ Matthew 5:29-30 ~ Whatever it takes ~            ┌─> The rich man could not free his mind to become rich.    "... sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." ~ Matthew 19:20-21 Materialism is an anchor away from the Kingdom of God and true peace. ... everyone who has left houses or brothers or ... for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life." ~ Matthew 19:27-29 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him. ~ Luke 5:11 So he left all, rose up, and followed Him. ~ Luke 5:28 └─> Matthew left all behind.                                    How much do we value Christ? More than all we "OWN" ? ... "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." ~ Luke 9:57-62 Once you start collecting the truth, there is no turning back. ... I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; ... ~ Revelation 3:17-18 ~ We need to be still purchasing the truth. ... "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field." ... ~ Matthew 13:36-43                └─> The end judgment parable of the Tares. "... for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." ~ Matthew 13:44  ↑  ↑  ↑  ↑  ↑  ↑  ↑  ↑  ↑  ↑  ↑  ↑  ↑  ↑ →   Kingdom as Great Treasure parables   ←  ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓  ↓ "... pearl of great price, went out and sold all that he had and bought it." ~ Matthew 13:45-46                The end judgment parable of the dragnet. <─┐ ... The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, ... ~ Matthew 13:47-50 The truth encapsulates itself. If you do not find great value in God's word you will be in danger of being on the outside of that inner sanctuary treasure trove which all will desire when we see Him for who He is. I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure. ~ Psalm 119:162 Will you be thankful or scorned when the end indubitably comes? SEEK, BUY, KEEP Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble. ~ Proverbs 15:16 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. ~ Proverbs 4:23 Blessed are those who keep justice, And he who does righteousness at all times! ~ Psalm 106:3 ... Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane ... ~ 1st Timothy 6:20 There are those that will try to take us from what we have, Guard it. The truth never changes but man tries to alter it to suit himself. ... take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, ... ~ Acts 20:28-29 ┌─> Don’t sell back what you have.     "... beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." ~ Luke 12:15 "... If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him." ~ Luke 17:1-3 Are material things more important than love of heart for another? Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life. ~ Proverbs 4:13 ... Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. ... ~ Hebrews 12:16-17 Greed is the death of peace. Giving is the pleasure of love. ... Judas ... "What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?" ... thirty pieces of silver. ... ~ Matthew 26:14-16 Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding. ~ Proverbs 23:23 For following truth, we have been granted Christ’s love ... and entrance into His Kingdom. How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. ~ Proverbs 16:16 Are you continually seeking to do good and pursuing righteousness? Would you deny truth or resign humbly welcoming love from life? ~ Do you hold simple love or rip open complex confusion? Arrogance is the death of peace. God says, "Here I AM, find Me, I call." SEEK, BUY, KEEP Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life. ~ Proverbs 4:13