Matthew 13:44

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by shag

could be the wrong interpretation. But I sure wanna get to the bottom of this mystery!

How could the "field" be the earth, if the sinners were purchasing Jesus/ salvation. In other words, why would sinners purchase the earth to get Jesus?

.

Not just earth - but specifically the Kingdom of God in the Earth.

This from my response given in post #40

"I said the the field could be the "earth - containing the Kingdom of God", or the Kingdom of God on Earth. (I am distinguishing here from the Kingdom "in heaven".)
...Why do sinners buy into the Kingdom of God? They certainly would not do so because they desire persecution, or desire to be hated of all men... They will only truely buy into the kingdom when they have discovered the treasure of Jesus Christ. It is then that they gladly forsake all other ambition in pursuit of the field containing the treasure."

Sinners must count the cost of being born again. Very often the cost is contemplated and wrestled with prior to a full surrender to God.
Forsaking all else and following Christ wherever He leads, can be a very costly thing - but it is a price many willingly pay to gain access to the Saviour and salvation He brings.

[Hoovie]

Enjoyed the sermon this morning from Matthew 13.

44 “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.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

I had heard it preached that we sell all we have to receive/buy salvation, and most recently heard it preached the not only was the treasure (Salvation) worth getting but the whole field was needed (all the bells and whistles.)

But this morning I heard it preached that we are the treasure in the field, and we are the pearl of great value. Christ literally gave his all to purchase us!
Some question what would give us such value? The answer is the purchaser - the one who was willing to pay the price.

I find it comforting to know I won't come up short. I offer nothing. Jesus paid it all!

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

...I had heard it preached that we sell all we have to receive/buy salvation, and most recently heard it preached the not only was the treasure (Salvation) worth getting but the whole field was needed (all the bells and whistles.)

But this morning I heard it preached that we are the treasure in the field, and we are the pearl of great value. Christ literally gave his all to purchase us!
Some question what would give us such value? The answer is the purchaser - the one who was willing to pay the price.

I find it comforting to know I won't come up short. I offer nothing. Jesus paid it all!

The idea that we sell all and buy the treasure or the pearl is performance based salvation.

The One who purchased the treasure in the field (the church and the whole world that it is hidden in) and the Pearl (the undivided church which was produced from the injury and pain in His side and a gem which was of value among the Gentiles) is Jesus Christ.

[Orthodoxy]

Originally Posted by Sam

The idea that we sell all and buy the treasure or the pearl is performance based salvation.

The One who purchased the treasure in the field (the church and the whole world that it is hidden in) and the Pearl (the undivided church which was produced from the injury and pain in His side and a gem which was of value among the Gentiles) is Jesus Christ.

Sam, I don't think I agree that the primary meaning of the parable is about Christ purchasing the Church. I also find it hard to understand why selling all and buying the treasure is performance-based salvation. I'm trying to understand what you're saying.

If you get a chance, look at this article (especially the last section, "One Condition for Salvation") and let me know what you think.

[Dedicated Mind]

interesting thought, never heard it before, thanks for sharing

[houston]

I thought this thread was going to be about Mormonism.

[Hoovie]

I was reminded that we had a discussion on this three years ago, so I simply merged the threads.

My hesitation to accept the church or myself as the treasure at that time was based on me not understanding the "value" we have to Christ. Value is not determined by our ability to save ourselves, but by the sum one is willing to pay for us!

This was brought out clearly to me yesterday. Christ does see us at the very highest premium. Obviously. He gave his all to purchase us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-C1q...eature=related

[Sam]

We are bankrupt. We can't buy anything. The one that paid the great price is Jesus. He gave Himself for us. He purchased or redeemed us.