Faith Of A Mustard Seed – David Nasser

Overview:

Tonight we are focusing on two parables that illustrate the immeasurable value of becoming a kingdom citizen! So many Christians find themselves in one of these scenarios; one who is actively searching/seeking for something more in their life and discover intimacy with the Heavenly Farther who gave everything in order for that to be the case. And one who is pursuing something else and stumbles upon the unimaginable treasure that is a personal relationship with Jesus. Each participant in these parables end up in the same place…joyfully willing to give UP EVERYTHING to have Christ.

Verses:

Mathew 13:44-45 – 44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Mathew 19 / Rich young ruler

Phil 3:8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

Quotes:

“Jesus is not talking about giving up everything, and then groaning over it. We are simply talking about the natural functioning of a value system. Which do you value more? Gold or God’s commands? All your choices proceed naturally out of your value system. The response from Heaven will reflect God’s value system. This is why the one who prefers the world over God will lose both. The one who prefers God to the world will gain both. Why is America losing all its dollars? Because we worship dollars—you cannot serve both God and Mammon. (Douglas Wilson)

“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” (Jim Elliot)

“Someone sold you Jesus as the way to get the treasure and not the treasure Himself!”

“Running indicates two things; urgency and worth”.

“We are not looking for Jesus to be the ultimate treasure, rather a dispenser of “greater treasure” found within the world.”

Questions:

1. To whom or what are you running?

2. What are you willing to “lose” for the sake of Christ?

3. What are you making “god” in your life? Are you making “things” (people, possessions, prominence, prosperity, etc.) “god” in your life? Or Are you making God, the GOD of your life”

4. What mirror are you looking in in order to see the proper reflection of who you actually are or what you actually look like?