Jesus once explained to his disciples what the Kingdom of Heaven was (Matthew 13).

Through parables Jesus explained that the Kingdom of Heaven is LIKE A TREASURE that was found by man and that it is so good and so desired, whoever finds it exchanges everything he has for that treasure:

Matthew 13:44 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

Matthew 13:
45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

But Jesus also taught that the Kingdom of Heaven will be the moment of God's justice, the moment of separation of those who abdicated from earthly treasures and who desired and sought the greatest treasure, which is God:

Matthew 13:
41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.
42 They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

Matthew 13:
47 Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.
48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.
49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous
50 and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

In another Bible passage, Jesus said: Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Having God in your heart is a foundation and that foundation helps you overcome temptations and endure the struggles of this world, not denying Christ through his behaviors.

WHAT IS YOUR TREASURE? BECAUSE IT IS IN THIS TREASURE THAT YOUR HEART IS.

WHAT HAS BEEN MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU, God or what have you conquered or want to conquer in this world?

Don't be like the Jews at the time Jesus was crucified, for they heard the same message you hear today and ignored it, despised it and didn't want to follow it.

Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.

When Matthew 13:47-50 is fulfilled and Jesus let down the net, WILL YOU BE PUT INTO ONE OF THE BASKETS?

The Lord bless you and keep you.

Pastor Val Martins