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I-2. ONE SPECIAL PEARL
(Establishing Good Priorities)
Youth Day 2-8-04

What's the most important thing in your life? Jesus once told a story
about the most important thing. He called it, "The Pearl of Great Price."

He said, "The Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it." (Matt. 13:45-46)

Christ praised this merchant because he knew the value of things. He knew what life was all about.

Many of us are like the old mountaineer who won a new Cadillac. He couldn't drive it, so he stored corn in it.

That's not the best use of an expensive car; but it's much worse to not make the best use of your life.

I. FIRST, TO BE SUCCESSFUL WE NEED PURPOSE.

This man knew exactly what he wanted. He had a goal. He was "seeking fine pearls."

Too many of us are aimless. We act, but we don't get anywhere. We don't focus our energies. Jake had big dreams. His problem was that he never stuck with anything past the dream stage. He had a good voice and talked about how he'd cut an album by his 21st birthday. But when he quit his band in a huff with another member, he never mentioned music anymore.

Instead, he said he would run for the city council after graduation as the "youngest-ever" representative. But that dream was ditched when he couldn't even get elected class treasurer.

Now, Jake was not some strange, abnormal person. He was a pretty average guy.

A lot of us have dreams and goals that we don't follow through on. But God has a purpose for us. Paul said, "God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Rom. 8:28).

We need purpose!

II. NEXT, TO BE SUCCESSFUL WE NEED COMMITMENT.

In Jesus' parable, the man was willing to pay the necessary price to accomplish his purpose. He "sold all he had" in order to obtain it. He was committed!

Most of us aren't bad. we're merely mediocre. We're satisfied with second best because we aren't willing to pay the price for excellence. There's a poem which says:

I bargained with life for a penny
and life would give no more.
However I begged at evening
When I counted my scanty score.

For life is a just employer,
She gives us what we ask;
But once we have set the wages,
Then we must bear the task.

I worked for a menial's hire,
Only to learn, dismayed,
That whatever I had asked of life,
Life would have gladly paid.

God says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jer. 29:13).

We need commitment!

III. THEN, TO BE SUCCESSFUL WE NEED DISCRETION.

This man recognized how special this pearl was when he found it. This is terribly important. Businessmen must be good judges of fine merchandise or else they'll go broke. This merchant could tell the real from the fake. He could tell the best from the second rate.
Many of us are deceived by outward appearances. Sometimes we are influenced by peer pressure. If a lot of people want something we think it must be of great value.

Unfortunately, what the crowd wants is a very poor test of real worth. Genuine values will last. They don't rust or rot. Jesus said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal" (Matt. 6:19-20).

This merchant wasn't deceived. When he found the special pearl, he recognized it's worth. Paul said, "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things" (Col. 3:2)

We need discretion!

IV. NEXT, TO BE SUCCESSFUL WE NEED DECISION.

When this man found the pearl he bought it. This is crucial. Just waiting, wishing and looking are unproductive if we don't follow-up with action.

Most failures occur at this point. The pearl of great price is not for those who desire it or admire it. It's for those who determine to possess it. Joshua said, "Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve . . ." (Josh. 24:15).

It's significant that Jesus didn't say, "Go ye, and make believers!" He said, "Go ye and make disciples" (Matt. 28:19).

This is very different. A disciple is one who loves what Jesus loved. A disciple is one who wants what Jesus wanted. A disciple is one who does what Jesus did! Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money" (Matt. 6:24).

We need decisiveness!

V. FINALLY, TO BE SUCCESSFUL WE NEED A SENSE OF URGENCY.

This man bought the pearl immediately. He didn't wait. Some of us really want the pearl and expect to get it some day; but we procrastinate. David said, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts . . ." (Psa. 95:7-8).

There are no sales, no mark-downs and no bargain basements. When the man heard the price, he said, "I'll take it!" There was no hesitation. He immediately disposed of all his other possessions. It didn't matter that these items represented the work of a lifetime. He realized that there is not a moment to be lost.

When he pays the price and the pearl is his, it has cost him everything! But, he has no regrets.

Are we looking for the best? Have we bought the Pearl of Great Price? Fame and riches are unimportant. A spiritual relationship, and a good character are important.

Young people, don't sell out for destructive things. Don't sell out for worthless things. Don't even sell out for ordinary things. You have but one life. Make the most of it!

Christ chose the Pearl of Great Price. His life was totally committed to God's purposes and it changed the world.

If we have purpose, commitment, discretion, decision and a sense of urgency, we, too, can change the world!
(Word Count 1048)

(Jonathan Brewer, our 13 year old Youth Day Pastor delivered this message)

YOU ARE SPECIAL.

Copper pennies are made in a money factory called a mint. Big machines stamp out millions of these coins every year. Each one is an exact copy of all the others.

Now, God isn't a machine. He doesn't create in a factory. He doesn't make copies. No two snowflakes are exactly alike. No two leaves 'are exactly alike. And, no two people are exactly alike. Each person is unique and original.

That means you are one of a kind. You are different from everyone else. You are special!

God wants you to be yourself with your own special looks, voice, and abilities! There is a Scriptures which says: "I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful" (Psalm 139:14).

A poet said:

I may be young;
I may be old,
But I am somebody
For I am God's Child.

I may be rich;
I may be poor,
But I am somebody,
For 1 am God's child.

I may be fat;
I may be thin,
But I am somebody,
For I am God's child.
I may be successful;
I may be a failure,
But I am somebody,
For I am God's child.

I may be a sinner;
I may be a saint,
But I am somebody,
For Jesus is my Savior.
I am God's child.
---Dr. Robert Schuller

We are Special!

It is important to fit in, especially in Junior High School. And popular people think you have to dress and act like them to fit in.

No you don't! That's why God made you special. And remember, you are special!

*****

These messages are from an unpublished manuscript © copyrighted 2003 by Miles and Maralene Wesner, Idabel, OK. Please use them in any way you think appropriate. The only thing we ask is that you give credit for original material in published works.

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