Sermon Guide: Matthew 13:51–52, “Sharing the Treasure of Christ”
Date Preached: February 2, 2025
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Key Passages
Matthew 13:51–52
“Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”
2 Corinthians 4:1–7
Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
Sermon Overview
The treasure of Christ is the only treasure that grows and sweetens as we share it. When we tell people the good news of Jesus, we’re enriched, not diminished!
But evangelism can be daunting. It is my prayer that from Matthew 13 and 2 Corinthians 4 the Lord will grant us all courage to joyfully share Christ with those in our lives, so that we might see many neighbors adopted into the family of God!
Sermon Structure
1. You’re a Scribe
“Trained” (discipled, apprenticed)
“Scribe”
2. You’re Rich
“Master of a house”
Reservoirs and Rivers
Your treasury
Throwing treasure
3. God is God
Evangelism = “Good-News-ing”
Objection 1: explaining why we believe
Objection 2: forcing beliefs
Objection 3: rejection
We share Christ / God opens blind eyes (2 Cor 4:1–7)
Definitions & Resources
Parables
Short stories that were often expressed with imagery and metaphor taken from everyday life. Jesus often taught in parables, requiring his hearers to carefully interpret and discern the point. Parables are able to pierce the heart in remarkable ways.
For an example of a heart-piercing parable, read 2 Samuel 12:1–14
Kingdom of Heaven
Everything and everyone which has been brought joyfully under God’s rule and reign, instead of their own. The King of the kingdom of heaven is Jesus, and the kingdom is not just one place; it is anywhere his people are. The kingdom was inaugurated when Jesus began his earthly ministry, and will be fully realized when he returns.
Disciple
A term for a kind of student or learner. Similar to the modern idea of a trade apprentice. Disciples literally and figuratively followed their Teachers, growing to be more like them as they learned and practiced. As disciples of Jesus, he is our Teacher, and it is him we follow.
Evangelism
From the Greek term euangel, which means “good message” or “good news.” Evangelism is simply declaring the good news of Jesus Christ, that he has made a way for broken people like us to be forgiven and brought into a right relationship with our Creator.
Recommended Resources on Evangelism
Honest Evangelism, by Rico Tice
Questioning Evangelism, by Randy Newman
Questions for Discussion & Reflection
1. How did you become a disciple of Jesus? (remember, 2 Corinthians 4 teaches us that all conversions are a creation-level miracle!)
2. If someone shared the gospel with you, how did that conversation go? What was it that grabbed your attention?
3. Were there any Bible passages that were instrumental in your conversion?
4. What are the inner objections or fears that threaten to keep you from sharing Christ with the people in your sphere (i.e. your neighbors)?
5. How does 2 Corinthians 4:1–7 give us courage for evangelism?
