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<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">A Treasure Hid from the World</span></div>
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<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">"The
kingdom of God within us is a treasure indeed, but a treasure hid from
the world, and from the most wise and prudent in it. He that finds this
treasure, (perhaps when he thought it far from him,) hides it deep in
his heart, and gives up all other happiness for it."<br>
<br>
John Wesley, Wesley's Notes<br>
_______________________________________<br>
<br>
Keeping It Fresh</span></div>
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In
our text, the word kainos is used. While it can mean, something recent;
in this context, it may also mean "fresh," in contrast to old and
stale, as in this Jewish story (A Treasury of Jewish Folklore: Stories,
Traditions, Legends, Humor, Wisdom and Folk Songs of the Jewish People
Edited by Nathan Ausubel Copyright, 1948, Crown Publishers, Inc., New
York).<br>
<br>
Usually the orthodox rabbis of Europe boasted
distinguished rabbinical genealogies, but Rabbi Yechiel of Ostrowce was
an exception. He was the son of a simple baker and he inherited some of
the forthright qualities of a man of the people.<br>
<br>
Once, when a
number of rabbis had gathered at some festivity, each began to boast of
his eminent rabbinical ancestors. When Rabbi Yechiel's turn came, he
replied gravely, "In my family, I'm the first eminent ancestor." </span></div>
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His
colleagues were shocked by this piece of impudence, but said nothing.
Immediately after, the rabbis began to expound Torah. Each one was asked
to hold forth on a text culled from the sayings of one of his
distinguished rabbinical ancestors.<br>
<br>
One after another the rabbis
delivered their learned dissertations. At last it came time for Rabbi
Yechiel to say something. He arose and said, "My masters, my father was a
baker. He taught me that only fresh bread was appetizing and that I
must avoid the stale. This can also apply to learning."<br>
<br>
And with that Rabbi Yechiel sat down. [p. 51]<br>
<br>
A
Treasury of Jewish Folklore: Stories, Traditions, Legends, Humor,
Wisdom and Folk Songs of the Jewish People Edited by Nathan Ausubel
Copyright, 1948, Crown Publishers, Inc., New York, quoted by Brian
Stoffregen, Exegetical Notes<br>
____________________________________</span></div>
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<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Mustard Seed: A Reward</span></div>
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The
mustard seed can get stuck under the tip of a fingernail. It is so
small that you could grasp it in your palm and not feel it. Yet, from
the smallest seed grows a shrub as large as a tree; it is not just tall
but is also wide. It was known as the poor man's fence providing shade
and protection at no cost. It kept predators out and children in. The
mustard plant was thick providing nests for birds who brightened the
yard with music and color while keeping the insect population under
control.<br>
<br>
Comfort, protection, and safety for the family. Available to the poorest of the poor, a reward far greater than the investment.<br>
<br>
Jerry Goebel, Mustard Seed<br>
________________________________<br>
<br>
The Kingdom Belongs to Those with the Guts</span></div>
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<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">As
a kid, my favorite book was Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island."
I read "Treasure Island" a dozen times. Of course, I identified with
Jim, the kid in the story. But thinking back, I really loved the adults
in "Treasure Island" because I didn't know any adults like the ones who
peopled Treasure Island, grownups who staked all, risked everything, for
nothing more than some map scrawled on a piece of paper.<br>
<br>
The
adults I knew stayed home, kept their heads down, went to work in the
morning and then they came back again in the evening. But in "Treasure
Island," they risked, they lied if needed, and they had great lives and
exciting deaths.<br>
<br>
I am haunted at what somebody said at my
graduation. "Remember one thing as you go forth from school into life:
Even if you win the rat race, remember, you're still a rat."<br>
<br>
He
was telling the truth. There is this relentless, virtually irresistible
tendency of life to transmute from adventure into tame predictability.
One day you're an angry, young thing, ready to grab the world by the
tail and twist, dying to set the woods on fire. And the next day you're
some old guy, slouched in an easy chair, complaining about how the kids
are ruining the world. One day you're a kid, excited about the prospect
of leaving home, abandoning your parents, and going to college where you
can think as you like, and they can't do anything about it. And then
the next day you're just a college student, going through the motions,
trying to accumulate enough hours to graduate.<br>
<br>
Jesus says a kingdom belongs to those with the guts to stake it all on the treasure.<br>
<br>
William H. Willimon, Go for the Gold <br>
______________________________________<br>
<br>
Mustard: The Weed</span></div>
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The
Roman naturalist, Pliny the Elder, who died in 79AD while investigating
the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, writes: Mustard grows entirely wild,
though it is improved by being transplanted: But on the other hand when
it has once been sown it is scarcely possible to get the place free of
it, as the seed when it falls germinates at once. Pliny describes in
great detail the medicinal uses of the mustard plant, but it is
important to remember that it was then, as it is now, a weed. It is
significant that Jesus chooses a seed that when easily germinated tends
to take over where it is not wanted, that can quickly get out of control
and that attracts birds into a cultivated area, where they are least
desired.<br>
<br>
William L. Dols, Looking for the Kingdom of God Too High Up and Too Far Away <br>
______________________________<br>
<br>
</span></div>
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">My Dog Saw a Rabbit</span></div>
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </span></div>
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">There
is a story from the Desert Fathers about a young monk who asked one of
the old men of the desert why it is that so many people came out to the
desert to seek God and yet most of them gave up after a short time and
returned to their lives in the city.</span></div>
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </span></div>
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The
old monk told him, "Last evening my dog saw a rabbit running for cover
among the bushes of the desert and he began to chase the rabbit, barking
loudly. Soon other dogs joined in the chase, barking and running. They
ran a great distance and alerted many other dogs. Soon the wilderness
was echoing the sounds of their pursuit but the chase went on into the
night.</span></div>
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </span></div>
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">After
a little while, many of the dogs grew tired and dropped out. A few
chased the rabbit until the night was nearly spent. By morning, only my
dog continued the hunt. "Do you understand," the old man said, "what I
have told you?"</span></div>
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </span></div>
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">"No," replied the young monk, "please tell me father."</span></div>
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </span></div>
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">"It is simple," said the desert father, "my dog saw the rabbit."</span></div>
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </span></div>
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Jesus
told a parable about a man who one day in the market place saw the
pearl of great price. The merchant understood at once the value of the
commodity before him and he sacrificed everything to obtain it.</span></div>
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </span></div>
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Brett Blair, <a __removedlink__1817724565__href="http://www.eSermons.com" target="_blank">www.eSermons.com</a>.</span></div>
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">______________________</span></div>
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </span></div>
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">A Precious Gift</span></div>
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </span></div>
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">There
is an ancient legend about the monk who found a precious stone, a
precious jewel. A short time later, the monk met a traveler, who said he
was hungry and asked the monk if he would share some of his provisions.
When the monk opened his bag, the traveler saw the precious stone and,
on an impulse, asked the monk if he could have it. Amazingly, the monk
gave the traveler the stone. <br>
<br>
The traveler departed quickly
overjoyed with his new possession. However, a few days later, he came
back, searching for the monk. He returned the stone to the monk and made
a request...</span></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="COLOR: black">The conclusion to this list and for many additional illustrations and sermons for Proper 12 can be accessed at <a shape="rect" target="_blank" __removedlink__1817724565__href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=aelnpceab&et=1106641582398&s=45429&e=0016_IJFg7HkcKLl5hmua25HS5s_yPykWvS7mUK7tq_1C9jhQJtD08RRAJ4iCekXncEl422WesMPL5-WdkY_CjzeN4rBLb50KzzTjDsVPPPMwXrY-4e4eDvmw==">www.Sermons.com</a>.</span><span> <font size="4"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"><br>
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