Ladies Sunday School Class: TREASURE

Introduction: On September 24, 2009 the world's largest diamond was excavated at the Cullinan Diamond Mine in Pretoria, South Africa. This mine is only a few hours from our ministry in Durban, South AFrica. The diamon is 507.6-carat rough cut diamond and is about the size of a medium chicken egg. In April 2010 this diamond sold for $35.3 million, which makes it the mose valuable diamond ever. After doing some research I found out that it may take miners anywhere from 3- 15 years to safely remove these diamonds from the mine. Can you imagine going to work everyday to try to mine the same things for 3-15 years? God's Word is full of treasures. How much time do I take to "mine" in God's Word? The following are some Scripture passages & thoughts that I was able to share with a ladies Sunday School class yesterday.

1) What does the Bible tell us about our treasure?
~ Matt.12:35 "A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth
forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure
bringeth forth evil things."
a. What is my treasure?
b. Where & what do I spend the most time?
~ Lk.12:21 "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich
toward God."
* I am foolish if I do not lay up treasures for God.
~ Matt.6:19-21 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth
and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth
nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor
steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
a. I should not have earthly treasures.
b. God commands us to lay up treasure in Heaven.
c. Remember your heart reveals your true treasure.
* Examine your heart today.

2) What should my treasure be?
~ Matt.13:44 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a
field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy
thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that
field."
My treasure should be> THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
a. Am I willing to "Sell out" for God?
b. The most important treasure is knowing Christ as Savior.
With Christ as my Savior, I have a home in Heaven!
~ Is.33:6 "And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and
strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure."
My treasure should be> THE FEAR OF THE LORD
a. Do I fear the Lord?
b. If I fear the Lord I have a precious thing, since it is called a
treasure.
c. If I fear the Lord, I will obey Him, and that glorifies God.
~ Gen.15:1 "After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a
vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding
great reward." ("great reward"= treasure)
My treasure should be> GOD ALONE!
* God says not to fear because He is our treasure!
~ Prov.8:21 "That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I
will fill their treasures."
*God promises to fill the treasures of those who love Him.

3)God's Word is a hid treasure. Prov.2:1-5
"1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to
understanding;
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for
understanding;
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of
God."

*God wants our whole being to be involved in searching the hidden treasure of His
Word- 1. incline thine ear (vs2)
2. apply thine heart (vs2)
3. lift up thy voice (vs3)

Think about how much you search for things around the house when they go
missing. I search high & low and in some places 4 or 5 times. The things that I
look for are not anything in comparison to the treasure of God's Word.
Ask yourself: - How much time do I spend digging in God's Word?
- What have I learned lately in my own personal Bible reading?
The Bible contains: truth, teaching, instruction, help for every need, comfort,
guidance, strength, wisdom for every decision,...

Like the diamond we talked about at the beginning of this study, God's Word is the most valuable thing we can have, if we use it.
(His Word is sharp, like a diamond, it cuts even the toughest surface. Are
we training to use this waepon on our enemy? God wants us to be prepared
to fight the spiritual battles. How often do you practice with your
Sword? Think about this: How good is a soldier if he does not know how to
use his weapon?)

My prayer should be - Ps.119:18 "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."

Apply yourself:
1. Do a study on Psalm 119 about God's Word.
Write down the words used for the Bible.(law, word, precept,...)
Write down the words describing the Bible. (light, law, hammer,...)
Think about how God's Word can be used in your life inreguard to what you have
learned.
2. Make the digging into this Treasure a daily practice.
Follow a daily Bible reading schedule.
Have a study or devotional book that helps you to not just read God's Word, but
to write down what you have learned and how you will apply it.