Larry Siegle · Matthew 13:44-46
Link to sermon video: The Discovery of the Treasure – L Siegle
THE SEARCH FOR B.I (BIBLICAL INTELLIGENCE)
“The DISCOVERY of the Treasure”
(Matthew 13:44-46)
Series: The SEARCH for B.I. (Biblical Intelligence)
Thesis: The EASY way is not always the BEST way.
INTRODUCTION
1. We are beginning a series of messages that explores the DEPTH of our desire to KNOW God.
Christ.
2. The title of the series is THE SEARCH FOR B.I. (BIBLICAL INTELLIGENCE)
3. The title of our message today is: “The DISCOVERY of the Treasure”
THE PROBLEM STATED
1. All of us have heard the expression, “work SMARTER not HARDER” which are first created by Allen F. Morganstern, way back in the 1930’s.
a. Morganstern was an industrial engineer whose mission it was to “simplify how workers were doing their jobs.”
b. People were working in “dreadful jobs in steel mills, in the fields, on manual assembly lines” having only Sundays off.
c. Most people understand the relationship between diligence and persistence in order to achieve a certain level of success and satisfaction from their work.
d. In my youth I spent hours during the summertime working out in the hay fields all day long, stacking the bales and throwing them up into the barn and receiving $20.00 at the end of the day, tired, worn out, covered with itchy
hay and glad to take a shower and to cool off. But I never slept better nor did I complain about the level of difficulty.
1) Today even the mental and emotional stress from doing paperwork in the office, taking to clients, trying to make sales and to reach the “goals” of the company is just as exhausting as stacking that hay in the wagon.
2. Today we hear so very much about the changes that are so quickly coming through the use of Artificial Intelligence, how certain jobs and workplace functions will soon disappear because of it.
SERMON A.I.
1. I discovered a “link” online to a site called Sermon A.I. and so I wanted to experiment with it to see what it could do.
a. I entered the “subject” under consideration.
b. The text of Scripture that would be the basis of the sermon.
c. I pushed the “enter” key on my computer.
d. Ten seconds later (I timed it), out popped a perfect 3 point sermon outline, complete with each point, passages in support of each point, and a conclusion at the end. Ten Seconds.
2. I have always appreciated the convenience that came with the invention of the “microwave” (easy to cook, and instantaneously heat up food ready to be served).
a. In our kitchen we always have a “crockpot” which is a slow cooker, allowing the food to simmer, the meat to become tender and tasty…but it takes time.
b. I am not a microwave preacher, I like to spend some time in prayer, reading and considering the text, doing actual study as in a “slow cooker” to allow the message to saturate the very innermost parts of my being before I stand
and share them with the congregation.
3. This experiment got me to thinking about every believer and whether or not we are developing a sense of B.I.—Biblical Intelligence in our daily lives.
a. If you have a Bible question, it is easy to Google the question and read a host of instant answers provided by a variety of writers.
b. God, instead, wants us to meditate of His Word and allow that Word to rise from deep within us (Deut. 6:6; 30:14; Josh 1:8).
c. God wants His Word to become our delight that takes root in our hearts and is manifested in our lives (Psa. 1:1-3).
THE CONTRAST BETWEEN THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED.
1. The psalmist tells us that meditation (the Hebrew word is Hagah that literally means, “to speak in an undertone, to whisper out loud” we translate it as “meditate” the idea of contemplation of something mentally or silently but the
Hebrew is more expressive than that).
a. True contemplation takes place even when we go to be (Psa. 63:6; 77:12; 143:5).
b. The word “delight” carries with it an understanding of value of how precious something is to us.
c. Devotion to God and to His Word is the very foundation of what it means to achieve success (Josh.1:7; III John 2)—not material wealth but rather the end result of planting the “seed” of God’s Word in our hearts and minds.
d. The external ornaments of what appears in our lives lacks the substance of creating satisfaction and contentment in the essence of our lives.
2. The psalmists in contrast the “blessed” one with the “ungodly” one as to the quality that results in life—as that of the emptiness of the “chaff” or “seed husk of corn” that lacks value and blown away in the wind.
a. The “ungodly” one lacks the foundation and strength to stand before God in His moment of judgment nor has a place of residence among the “righteous”—it is the mixture of ‘oil and water’ (it does not work).
b. God knows the path of the “righteous” and He guides their steps (Psa. 37:23; 40:2) but the end for the “wicked” is to “perish” to be “cut off” (Psa. 37:20; John 3:16).
DISCOVERING THE “TREASURE”
1. Jesus often taught His followers by describing what the “kingdom of the heavens” is like with the use of ‘stories’ (illustrations) or parables.
a. In Greek the word “parabole” is a compound word, “para” (beside) and “bole” (to toss) for the sake of comparison.
b. The “man” goes into a “field” and discovers a “treasure”—something of great value.
1) Some see this expression of Jesus coming into the world and discovering those who are precious in His sight and does what was needed to claim this “treasure” for Himself.
2) Others see this as someone who “discovers” the value of the provision of the “gospel” and realizes that it is the single most precious thing to possess in his or her life.
a) What a joy it is when believers realize the wonderful nature of what God has done and clings to it with all of our hearts.
b) Biblical Intelligence means having an appreciation for what God has given to us through the gospel (Isa. 64:4; I Cor. 2:9)—we cannot begin to imagine the extent of God’s love and mercy shown to those who
obey the gospel—God has revealed them to believers in the Word.
c. The “pearl of great price” is seen in the precious value of the gospel and just how precious possession of it really is (Matt. 4:4; 5:6).
BIBLICAL INTELLIGENCE REQUIRES TIME AND DILIGENCE
1. All of us have much to learn and the wisdom that is needed in order to apply the principles to our lives—grow into maturity.
a. When God created everything (Gen. 1:2) before order there was chaos—same thing with our own pursuit of knowledge and truth—one step at a time to reach the goal of what God wants to do in our hearts and lives (II Tim. 2:15; I Tim. 2:4)—God’s desire is for us to come to that knowledge (intimate relationship).
b. Destruction and chaos remains in our lives without that intimate knowledge (Hos. 4:6)
CONCLUSION
1. The Bible is 66 books that reveals to us the very heart of God and over the course of time, we will benefit more and more as we allow that Word to penetrate our hearts and lives—to change and transform us.
2. Where are each of us today with regard to the search for Biblical Intelligence?
a. Do we know how to find the answers to questions related to salvation and our stance with God?
b. Can we describe what it means to live the Christian life…from the Scriptures?
c. Are we able to help others know what is taking place when we gather together for worship each week?
3. If we find ourselves saying, “well, I think…” or “my opinion is…” we are missing the mark…Nothing we say or do is rooted in what we think or feel or guess.
4. Let each one of us pray this week and look for moments we can devote to having a hunger and thirst for what is written in the Scriptures.
5. In this way, God has equipped us for His service in the kingdom (II Tim. 3:14-17).
Outline (Word document): The_B.I_series.docx