Introduction
Pirates ship, Walking the plank, Map, Treasure.
When I was younger I had a treasure hunt I found lots of different types of keys, special keys. Boys and girls you will not believe my luck! When I was younger I found this key. You could say that I was a real-life treasure hunter!
I am not sure what this old ornate key unlocks, but the possibilities are endless! It may unlock a treasure chest filled with jewels, diamonds or rubies! On the other hand, perhaps it unlocks the huge doors of a king’s treasure vault, where he kept his gold! Maybe this old key did not have such a noble purpose; maybe the key unlocked the jail cells of the king’s dungeon.
I may never know what this key unlocks, but it sure is exciting considering the possibilities, would you agree? How do you suppose I should treat this key? Should I treat it carelessly? Drop it in the mud or throw it around? Should I melt it down to make a paperweight out of it? No, of course not, I should take care of the key because it is valuable to me!
I have another treasure with me here today. I received this treasure from God, Himself! This treasure is far more valuable than gold, rubies or diamonds. The treasure God gave me is the word of God, the Bible. The Bible is full of wisdom and gives us instructions on many things, it’s our map. The most important of which is how we can get to Heaven. There is no greater treasure on earth!
Now knowing that the God almighty gave us the Bible and knowing that it is the most valuable treasure we can have here on earth, how do you suppose we should treat our Bibles? Should we toss our Bibles about like some common book?
Should we rip the pages or draw cartoons in it, no, of course not! Our Bibles are very valuable to us and we should treat them with respect. We should not stop there; we should use this wonderful treasure God gave us, each day, to help us grow into the people God wants us to become.
Today we will learn that the material things we own or want to own can easily distract us from obtaining that which will benefit us eternally. This isn’t to say that having money or owning things are evil, but we do need to make sure that we give God and His plans first place in our lives.
“Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” “Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honour your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbour as yourself.'” “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:16-23
In today’s story the rich young man thought that he had it all together, he vainly thought that he was perfect. He probably had a big house, lots of horses, lots of money, slaves. Jesus wasn’t fooled by the young man’s answers.
Jesus knows that all men sin and that we all need to ask for forgiveness. The rich young man went away sad because he couldn’t give up his possessions or change the way in which he was living to follow Jesus.
“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.” Matthew 13:44
This man knew how valuable God’s word was and he wouldn’t let anything, even all his valuables stop him from keeping it.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Captain Jack Sparrow, a savvy pirate, and Will Turner, a resourceful blacksmith, search for Elizabeth Swann. Elizabeth, the daughter of the governor and the love of Will’s life, has been kidnapped by the feared Captain Barbossa. Little do they know, but the fierce and clever Barbossa has been cursed. He, along with his large crew, are under an ancient curse, doomed for eternity to neither live nor die. That is unless a blood sacrifice is made.
And so Will Turner, with rogue pirate Jack Sparrow must battle a band of the world’s most treacherous pirates, led by the cursed Captain Barbossa, in order to save Elizabeth, as well as recover the lost treasure that Jack seeks. Against improbable odds, they race towards a thrilling, climactic confrontation on the mysterious Isla de Muerta. Clashing their swords in fierce mortal combat, Will and Jack attempt to recapture The Black Pearl ship, save the British navy and relinquish a fortune in forbidden treasure thereby lifting the curse of the Pirates of the Caribbean.
Now Jesus said that we too are all doomed unless we believe in Him and do what He asks us to do. Jesus said to his disciples, after the rich young man left feeling sorry for himself, “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Cartoon, camel going through the eye of a needle.
There are many things in this world that will compete for our time and our hearts. Boy/girlfriend, get married, work, friends, parties, Television, computers, play station,
We have to be careful not to allow them to take the place of God. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:32-34
Thieves come in and moths destroy. From time to time we should take a good hard look at ourselves and determine what it is we treasure the most.
If we find that we aren’t treasuring God, we should ask God to forgive us and then ask Him to help us get back on the right track.
