If you have not been able to hear each of the sermons in our summer sermon series on Disciple-making: Seek, Serve, and Send, you can follow this link to find the Sunday(s) you have missed and catch up: https://chbchurch.org/resources/sermons/sermon-list/.
Each week this year, my CHBC article has been on one of those words: seek/search, serve, or send. It is my hope that discipleship becomes a part of our culture as a church. We are always alert to those who do not know Christ, we are actively serving one another as a means of representing to the world that we are disciples of Christ, and we see ourselves (and therefore every believer) as a sent people with a mission. You can find all those articles at this link: https://chbchurch.org/resources/articles/.
Just over a week ago I went to the Wednesday night Bible Fair in the CHBC Gym. This was the capstone of our summer Children’s Ministry program led by Mr. Tom. The children had spent the summer learning about different Bible characters or Bible stories. Their work and activities were on display for us, the church family, to get to come and see. One of the children’s story boards was about the parables of the hidden treasure and the parable of the costly pearl. In each of these parables a treasure or a pearl is found that has such value for the person who finds it that they sell everything else to possess the treasure.
In the parable of the costly pearl, it says this, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, 46 and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:45-46). I asked the child standing at this story board what she liked about these parables. She said she liked the fact that in both of these stories the person was willing to give up everything for the value of finding the Kingdom of God. Wow! The simple faith of children is so clear and so plain. I am thankful for the learning and discipleship taking place in our children at CHBC!
This is a great reminder to all of us. Our seeking is not just about seeking the lost. In discipleship the first of our pursuits is the Kingdom of God. There is nothing more valuable than seeking that pearl of great value. As we seek the Kingdom of God, we will be drawn into all that it means to be a follower of Christ, which will include a concern for the lost, personal witness, growth as a believer, serving others, giving through the church, ministry to the body… discipleship. So, be a seeker, in the Biblical sense of that word. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33).
By His Grace and For His Glory,
Pastor Mark