R.A. Torrey explores the profound truths of the Kingdom of Heaven through three parables: the Hid Treasure, the Merchant Seeking Goodly Pearls, and the Net Cast Into the Sea. He emphasizes that the Kingdom is of immense value, requiring total surrender to gain the treasures found in Christ. The parables illustrate that while some find the Kingdom unexpectedly, others diligently seek it, and both require a willingness to give up everything for the ultimate treasure. Torrey highlights the importance of recognizing the worth of Christ and the necessity of sharing this treasure with others. Ultimately, the sermon calls believers to reflect on their understanding and sharing of the Kingdom's riches.

DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS 1. Finding Without Seeking, v. 44 To what is the kingdom likened in v. 44? What point in regard to the kingdom did our Lord wish to bring out by this comparison? Was hidden treasure often found in the country in which He spoke these words? How did the man come to find the treasure? What truth does that teach? What does the field represent in the parable of the tares (v. 38)? Doesn’t the fact that the field means the world in one parable necessitate our interpreting it as the world in another parable? (Compare v. 44 with v. 52, where the “treasure” manifestly does not mean the same if we accept the interpretation of v. 44 that makes the field the world; and Matt. 25:14 with Luke 15:13, in both of which “far country” is mentioned in opposite senses.) Is what a man gives up when he “gains Christ” much in comparison with what he gets? What must a man be willing to give up? (Luke 14:33.) Suppose this man had refused to sell his all, what would he have lost? Suppose we refuse to part with our all, what will we lose? Will that pay? (Mark 8:36.) Is it likely that this man after he got this treasure talked very much of the “sacrifices” he had to make in order to acquire it? Will any one who has really found and appreciates the treasure there is in Christ talk very much of the sacrifices he made to gain it? How do you reconcile this parable with such passages as Eph. 2:8; Ro. 6:23? Are there any other passages in the Bible in which the word “buy” is used to express our acquiring the treasures of grace? (Is. 55:1; Rev. 3:18; Prov. 23:23; Matt. 25:9, 10.) Who sought a treasure in this world and to gain it gave up all He had? (2 Cor. 8:9; Heb. 12:2.) NOTE…There are two interpretations of this parable, the comparative force of which may best be seen by the following arrangement: Parable First interpretation Second interpretation 1. Treasure. Israel, Ex. 19:5. (Some say the church.) The treasures in Christ, i. e., heavenly treasure, Matt. 6:19, 21; treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Col. 3:3; Prov. 2:4; 16:16; 2 Cor. 4:6, 7; eternal life, 1 John 5:11, 12. 2. The field. The world, v. 38. Christ, Col. 2:3. 3. Hid. Original insignificance of Israel (in Abraham’s loins visible to God but not to the world). Hid in Christ, Col. 2:3. See also 2 Cor. 4:3, 4, 6. 4. A man. Jesus, v. 37. It was God who found Israel. Any one who stumbles upon the treasures in Christ, for instance Nathanael, John 1:46, 49; the woman, John 4:7. 5. Hath found. God’s discovery of Israel in Abraham (should be Jacob, if the interpretation is to be accurate). Was God’s discovery of Israel accidental and surprising as in parable (Ro. 10:20)? The discovery of the treasures hid in Christ, John 4:28–30. 6. He hideth. Jesus scatters Israel among the nations, and so hides. The precaution exercised by the one who has just found the treasure not to lose it, 2 John 8; Rev. 3:11; 2:25. 7. The joy thereof. Joy over Israel. Joy in the heavenly treasure found in Christ, Acts 8:8; 16:34; John 1:41; Phil. 3:8. 8. Goeth and selleth all that he hath. Christ’s sacrifice of all, 2 Cor. 8:9; Phil. 2:6, etc. Sacrifice of all to gain Christ, Phil. 3:8, R. V.; Matt. 19:21, 27, 29; Luke 14:33; Heb. 10:34. 9. Buyeth the field. Redeems the world to gain Israel. A common Biblical expression for acquiring the treasures of grace and in this parable with especial reference to the cost, “all that he hath,” Luke 14:28, 33; Matt. 19:21, 27, 29; Phil. 3:5, 8. The first interpretation is based upon the use of the word “treasure” as applied to Israel in Ex. 19:5 and parallel passages, but the Hebrew word segullah used there is not the equivalent of the Greek word thesauros used in our parable but of the word peripoiesis, by which it is translated in 1 Peter 2:9—a quotation from the O. T. passages regarding Israel. It does not mean “treasure” but “possession” (see R. V.). The Greek word thesauros is used 18 times in the N. T., 12 times of the treasures that come through Christ, 4 times of the treasures of the heart, the remaining 2 times in the ordinary sense of material treasures. It is never used of Israel. 2. Seeking and Finding, vv. 45, 46 To what is the judgment of heaven likened in vv. 45, 46? What is represented by the pearls sought? (Job 28:12, 13, 15, 18; c. 7:6.) What by the one pearl found? (John 14:6.) What kind of a pearl is it? How did the man come to find it? How does this case differ from that of the preceding parable? Did the man in v. 44 buy the field for itself or for what was in it? For what did the man buy the pearl? Do men ever seek to gain Christ for what they get in Him? (Matt. 19:27; Phil. 3:8.) Do men ever value Christ for what He is Himself? What did this man seeking goodly pearls need to be on his guard against? Any lesson in that? Did the man do wisely when he sold all his other pearls to gain this one pearl? Do we do wisely when we part with all other pearls to gain the “one pearl of great price"? Was it any hardship for the man to give up the inferior pearls? Will it be hard for us when we appreciate what a priceless pearl Christ is? What if he had clung to the pearls he had? When the man was seeking did he expect to find one pearl or many? Why did he rest content with one? Why are Christians content with one pearl? What are the points of difference between this parable and the preceding one? 3. Gathering of Every Kind, vv. 47–50 To what is the kingdom compared in v. 47? In what respect is it like the net cast into the sea? What is the sea into which it is cast? What is done when the net is full? When will the net be full? Who are represented by the bad fish? (v. 38.) Who by the good fish? What is done with the bad fish? With the good fish? What thought is represented by their being gathered into vessels? When does the separation take place (v. 49)? Who will do the separating? What is represented by the furnace of fire? (See questions on Lesson 39.) What thought is set forth in their weeping? In their gnashing of teeth? 4. Giving Forth the Treasure Found, vv. 51, 52 What question did our Lord put as He brought to a close the seven parables? Why was He anxious they should understand (v. 19)? Is He equally anxious that we should understand His teaching? How can we? (1 John 5:20; Jas. 1:5; 1 Cor. 2:14.) What did the disciples answer? Was that true? Were they quick to understand? (Matt. 16:11; Mark 7:18; 9:31, 32; 8:15.) Do we always understand when we think we do? How does our Lord say that one who is truly “instructed unto the kingdom” will show it? If we are not imparting this treasure to others is it probable that we have it ourselves? CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHINGS 1. Our Lord (1). What He is: The One in whom are treasures of priceless value, 44; the one pearl of great price, 46. (2). How He is found: The treasure in Him is hidden from the eye, is stumbled upon by those who know not of it and seek not for it, 44; He is found as the one pearl by those diligently seeking goodly pearls, 45, 46. (3). How He is gained: To gain Christ all else must be surrendered; the treasure there is in Him and the priceless pearl He Himself is are incomparable, more precious than all earthly good, 44–46. 2. The Kingdom of Heaven A net that gathers all kinds, 47; will be filled with good and bad, 48; there will be a separation at the end of the age, 49.