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Brothers & Sisters, 

As I reflected on the sermon yesterday I had another thought that came to me and wanted to expand on a bit. Read the text again, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭44‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Notice that the man doesn't dig up the treasure, attempt to hide it, and sneak it out of there. No, he recognizes that the treasure and the field go together. We looked at this from the christological perspective (Christ gave all so that He could have the people of His kingdom) but there is certainly application for us. Here I think we can also have an appropriate illustration of Christ and the Church! In order to truly have the treasure of Christ we must understand that He comes with His Church. 

Trench writes, "As the man … cannot have the treasure and leave the field, but both or neither must be his; so he who recognizes the Church … sees … that blessedness is unalterably linked to communion with it. … The treasure and the field go together; both, or neither, must be his.” In other words, you can't have Christ without his church.

May this be an encouragement to double down on our commitment to the local church following after Christ!

-Pastor Ricky