Matthew 13:43-45 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which a man found and hid; and for the joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who when he found one pearl of great price went and sold all he had and bought it.
What would you give up for Jesus our great treasure? Would you give up hate, anger, jealousy, worry, striving for more?
There is a story that goes kind of like this: The sun and the wind were talking and the wind said I bet I can get that mans coat off before you. The wind blew and whipped up fiercely but the man only tightened his grip on his coat. So the wind died down and the sun came out. Then the sun kissed the man with his warmth and light. Very soon the man removed his coat to the sun.
Let us seek first the kingdom of heaven.
John 1:4-5 In Him was life and the life was the light of men, and the light shines in the darkness, and darkness did not comprehend it.
John 1:16 and of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.
John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Hum big picture think garden of Eden)
Luke 2:49 and He said to them, why did you seek Me? Did you not know I must be about My fathers business?
John 14:12-14 Most assuredly I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do, because I go to My Father and whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name I will do it.
John 14:15 If you love Me keep My commandments.
Matthew 22:36-40 Teacher which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first great commandment and the second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
James 2:14 what does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them depart in peace, be warm and filled, but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body what does it profit?
Matthew 5:43-45 You have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy, but I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes the sun rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the just and the unjust.
Matthew 13:24 another parable He put forth to them saying: the kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went away.
Matthew 13:29 He said to them the enemy has done this, the servants said to him, do you want us then to go and gather up the tares? But he said, no least while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers first gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them but gather the wheat into my barn.
Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Lord I thank You for Your word this morning. You alone are our Mighty Counselor. You have sent us to love our neighbor and our enemy. Lord our true enemy is the devil and all his lies that he sends out to cause chaos. Lord You are the Author of Peace and of Love. In Jesus name help us to reach out to the lost who can find all they are longing for in You. Lord give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart filled with your love. Put a hedge around Your people to help us shine bright for Your glory that the world may see You in us and come to repentance. To turn to You for true life.
Blessed be the Lord our God who is great and greatly to be praised.
I raise a hallelujah in the presence of my enemy!!!
