Sermon by Jack Nazary - Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Elkin, NC - 1983
The popular and common interpretation of this parable - Christianity is likened to one who earnestly desired and diligently sough salvation. Ultimately his efforts were rewarded by his finding Christ, the pearl of great price. Upon finding him the sinner sold all that he had, that is forsook all that the flesh held dear, abandoned his worldly companions, surrendered his will, dedicated his life to God and in that way secured his salvation. This interpretation is generally preached, taught in Sunday school periodicals and in Sunday school classes.
3 objections to the common interpretation:
1. Not a single sinner has ever taken the initiative in seeking his salvation as this interpretation claims. He ought to. He is commanded to "Let the wicked forsake his way!" Seek the Lord while He may be found." - But in his fallen state he never has and he never will.
A. First Sinner - Adam
B. Abraham
C. Luke 19:16 - "The Son of Man is come to seek"
D. Can't deny there was a time I sought the Lord, but what caused me to seek - The Shepherd. Romans 3:33 - "There is none that seeketh after God."
2. After seeking and finding the pearl of great price, we are told that he went and sold all he had and bought it. But - the sinner has nothing to sell.
Isaiah 64:6 - Righteousness is as filthy rags.
Romans 3:12 - No goodness - "There is none that doeth good."
Ephesians 2:8 - Faith is a gift of God.
Isaiah 55:1 - Salvation is without money and without price.
3. Sells all and buys pearl (Christ) is awful. He is not for sale! That is blasphemy! Titus 3:5 - "Not by works of righteousness which we done." Romans 3:23 - "Gift of God is eternal life."
I. The correct interpretation! Read text! Merchant man - Christ - as in other parables in Matthew 13 Notice the things concerning the man.
1. He desired the goodly pearl. His heart was set on it! Pearl - the church in its entirety. that passes our understanding, that He wanted sinners like us - seemed good in God's sight. Notice - Psalm 45:11 - "so shall the king greatly desire thy beauty." John 14: - "place for you - shall be also." Revelations 3:20 - "Behold, I stand at the door." Ephesians 5:25 - "husbands, love your wives..."
2. He regarded this pearl as being of great price. That staggers commentators. Isaiah 55: "My thoughts are not your thoughts." The redeemed world never thought it, if God's word had not said so. Proverbs 8:31 - His mind, his heart, his affection was fixed on us.
3. Merchant Man "sold all that he had." "He who was rich, for your sake became poor."
4. The Merchant man sought the pearl. "Seeking" Acts 15:14; Ephesians 2:17
5. The Merchant Man "bought the pearl" I Peter 1:18-19
II. The Pearl Itself
1. Its unity - Galatians 3:28 - unity cannot be broken without destroying it. A diamond cut, it is two. I have 2 diamonds. A lump of gold - divide it in two. I have 2 lumps of gold. But when I divide a pearl, I destroy it.
2. A pearl is the product of a living creature, result of suffering - a type of the church.
3. An object that is formed slowly and gradually.
4. The lowly origin of that which is a type of the church. Ephesians 2:21; Ephesians 4:16; Colossians 3:3
5. In God's eyes the church is an object of value and beauty. II Thessalonians 1:10 - Type; Ephesians 5:27 - Type - presented to Himself. An object of admiration to all who behold it.
6. An imitation of the honorable and exalted future that the church is yet to enjoy. Colossians 3:4 - Type; Ephesians 2:7
Closing: To the Lost! To the Saved! I Corinthians 6:20
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