Cork Free Presbyterian Church, 10 Briarscourt
(Annex) Shanakiel, Cork, Ireland
Pastor: Colin Maxwell. Email: colin.maxwell@fpcmission.org
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THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. (Matthew 13:45-46) |
| THE REALITY OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN: God is real - Jesus Christ is real - the free salvation from sin which He purchased for sinners on the Cross of shame is as real as this card which you hold in your hand. | Only the fool says in his heart, "There is no God" or, allowing that there is a God, yet limits his thoughts to this earth and to this life. A man may deny the existence of eternal realities and dismiss them from his mind and thoughts but he cannot dismiss them from reality. it is the contention of this writer that it is better to face reality now while we are still in the day of grace and gospel opportunity than to be faced with them when the door of gospel mercy is firmly shut. Thankfully this is not all doom and gloom because our Lord Jesus, as said here, really did die for sinners on the Cross and purchase salvation for guilty sinners, as will be explained further in the next section. |
| THE RICHES OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN: It's benefits i.e. pardon for sin and peace with God are comparable to the worth of the most expensive pearl. Good news indeed for spiritually bankrupt sinners! | Your soul is the most precious thing which you possess. To gain the whole world and yet to lose your soul is to make a great loss beyond any human description. "What shall a man give it exchange for his soul?" (Mark 9:36-37) Even though God is the offended One, yet He comes to the rescue with nothing less than a full salvation package - salvation to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25) - and all to keep our souls out of hell. How can calculate the value of such a thing? It cost God the blood of His own dear Son to secure your salvation and mine. What can it not purchase? You can be pardoned today and forgiven and justified from all things and all according to the "riches of His grace" (Ephesians 1:7) |
| THE REQUIREMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN: It's riches cannot be bought for money or earned by your good works, but let nothing stand in your way from seeking God's salvation for your soul. | This is the meaning of this parable. On one hand, salvation is free. Christ has paid the price in full. Grace cannot demand a price, but must give freely. This is inherent in its very definition. Once it demands money or work, then it ceases to be grace. But on the other hand, there is often a price to be paid for accepting grace i.e. a sinful world will often oppose that man who earnestly seeks God as his Saviour. Don't let anything stand between you and this matter of your soul. Salvation is too precious a commodity to miss because you fear the scorn of family, friends or neighbours etc., |
| In this very graphic parable, we can but imagine the excitement of this dealer as he discovers the worth of his find! You have a soul that needs to be saved. We have all sinned and stand in great danger. Here is the your chance to be saved for all eternity. Flee for refuge to Jesus Christ who ALONE can save you. |
This is sound advice. These words bring you to the greatest decision of your life: "What shall I do with Jesus who is called the Christ?" (Matthew 27:22)
Remember, what you do with Jesus in time will seal what He does with you for eternity. Do the wise thing: Receive Him as your Lord and Saviour: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12) |