All throughout the week we’ve been hearing about the value of the kingdom. The value has to be seen in our living. It must be demonstrated. The kingdom of God is more valuable than anything else. Paul is a classic example of living that life before us, in the Word of God. The kingdom of God is more valuable than anything else we can have. It is a priceless treasure that is to be desired above all else. We must be willing to give up anything that will hinder us to obtain it. Nothing is more precious than the kingdom of heaven, yet God gives it to us as a gift. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross made it possible once and for all. These are some of the things that Pastor Rod reminded us about last Sunday—about this priceless treasure in the kingdom of God.

John 3:16 (KJV – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but shall have eternal life.” His blood was shed once and for all, and that was enough. We now have an obligation, as children of God, to demonstrate that priceless treasure in our daily lives. It’s a lifestyle. We must demonstrate it. It’s a complete shift—from the ways of the world to a life lived that brings glory, honor, and praise to our God. Kingdom living is demonstrating the value of the priceless treasure we have. It must be evident in our daily lives.

Matthew 5:16 (KJV) – “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” In this portion of scripture, we see exactly where the pastor’s heart was, and the very essence of Christianity. Matthew 6:21 (KJV) – “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Philippians 3:7 tells us, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.” And Paul asked a question in this portion of scripture: “What is more?” I want to ask that question this morning: What is more to you, brothers and sisters? I’m asking myself, what is more than that priceless treasure that God has given us? As Paul mentioned, I consider everything a loss. That should be your desire this morning.

Paul’s greatest desire was to know Christ and progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him. That was His ultimate goal.

Like Paul, we should value our relationship with Christ as more important than anything else. You know, he had an encounter on the road to Damascus, and he had the wrong motive. His desire—well, even when Stephen died, he was present when Stephen was stoned—but his motive was wrong. And then he found Christ, and oh, did he turn it around! His pursuit was to know Christ personally, as well as His ways, nature, and character. That should also be our desire.

Revealed in God’s Word, true knowledge of Christ involves reading and listening to His Word, following His Spirit, walking in peace and obedience. We walk by faith and not by sight. We should walk in the Spirit, so we do not gratify the desires of the flesh, identifying with His concern and purposes. That means: nevertheless, not my will, but Thy will be done.

We must stop being hearers only. We must be doers of the Word. Faith without works is dead. This treasure must be evident. It must be seen.

As I mentioned, the first point is to know Christ personally. We must know Christ’s nature personally. He demonstrated to the disciples and to us this Christian life and how we are to live in the kingdom—kingdom living.

In Philippians 3:9, it tells us, “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.” We must be found in Christ like Paul desired. To be found in Christ—to have a union and fellowship with Christ—that produces an experience of righteousness only as a gift from God. Our righteousness is like filthy rags.

The shift we must make is to embrace Christ. That’s the shift we have to make. Without Christ, we cannot live this life the way God desires.

In 1 Corinthians 1:30, it tells us, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” It is true: in Christ, and with Christ, the believer receives wisdom, experiences righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. As long as we are joined to Christ, Christ is the source of all these blessings.

Romans 8:17 tells us, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

I wanted to know Christ and the power of His resurrection. When we become one with Christ, by trusting in Him, we experience that same power that raised Him from the dead. Galatians 2:20 tells us, [INSERT QUOTE LATER]. That same power helps us to live morally and regenerated lives.

Anyone in Christ is a new creation. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. We can live this life because, through Christ, we can do all things—just as the resurrection gives us Christ’s power to live.

For Him, He’s defeated sin and death, made death powerless over us and our sinful nature. We can know the victory of the resurrection without personally applying the crucifixion, which was once and for all. Paul pursued the prize to be like Christ, and to be all Christ wanted him to be.

As Christians, that should be our number one priority. He’s a perfect example for us as believers. Paul was shipwrecked, beaten, imprisoned, afflicted. Nothing stopped him from accomplishing God’s purpose for his life. What’s stopping us? He knew the value of the kingdom.

“To live is Christ, and to die is gain.” That’s knowing the value. That didn’t bother Paul, because he mentioned again, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.” That reminds me of what Pastor Beverly always reminds us: either way, we win. Like Paul, we must lay aside every harmful, sinful thing. Forsake anything that may distract us from hearing, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Hebrews 12:1 tells us, “lay aside every weight, and sin, we so easily beset us, and let us run with patience, the race that is set before us.”

I comprehend his life as that of an athlete—running for the goal. His commitment gave him the willingness to let go of the things that didn’t matter. So should we.

Kingdom living. Colossians 3:2, kingdom living is setting our affections on things above, not on things on the earth. We should strive daily, concentrating on the eternal, rather than the temporal.

Father, I thank You this morning for Your Word. Even as we look into Your Word, Paul’s life and the example he left before us inspires us. God, I’m trusting and believing You this morning that, as believers, our desire would be to live for You, to please You, to honor You.

Kingdom living is to love, to be loving, to be obedient, to be humble, to surrender, to be generous, to use our gifts and talents in the kingdom of God and for the kingdom of God, so that others may see, to witness, and to let them know of Your goodness, Your grace, and Your mercy.

We thank You for Your Word this morning. I pray, God, that Your Word will not return unto You void, but that hearts and lives will be touched, even as the songwriter reminds us. Oh God, You have called us, and we’re forever changed.

We’ve abandoned everything. That should be our desire. Everything we ever knew is not important. Everything You bless us with is not more important than the treasure, the priceless treasure that You have given us. I pray, God, that we will surrender to Your will, and that Your will and purpose will be accomplished in our lives—individually and in our church.

We thank You. We praise You this morning. We belong to You. In Jesus’ name and for His sake. Amen, amen. Praise God. Praise God.