POETIC
ILLUSTRATIONS

           A

     PEARL

OF GREAT P
                     R
                        I
                         C
                           E

A BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATION
IN POETIC FORM

A PEARL OF GREAT PRICE

There once was a world that only knew night.
Its people were hostile against any light.
Yet, it would dare and greatly entice,
anyone wanting a pearl of great price.

Thus came a merchant with lantern in hand,
boldly traversing throughout that dark-land.
He was determined and never thought twice,
regarding his search for a pearl of great price.

Each place that he went exposing the night,
people were quickly rejecting the light.
For hand covered eyes was all that he saw,
whenever the light upon them would fall.

Many, complaining the light hurt their eyes,
would let it be known through hostile out cry.
Shaking their fist for the merchant to see,
they warned persecution would come upon He.

But none of their threats would make Him think twice,
regarding His search for a pearl of great price.

Then finally one day - a pleasant surprise:
one stood among them with half open eyes.
And when they had opened wide to the light,
a pearl was no longer confined to the night.

And so now the world that only knows night,
has twice as much chance of seeing the light.
For now there's two merchants who never think twice,
Regarding their search for a pearl of great price.

 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man,
seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of
great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it."
    MATTHEW 13:45-46.

If you died today, are you 100% sure you would
go to Heaven? ... The Bible says you can be!
* "These things have I written...that ye may
   know that ye have eternal life" I John 5:13.

A. You must understand where you stand with God.
1. God loves you and wants you in Heaven forever with Him.
* "God so loved the world" John 3:16.
2. However, your sins separate you and God.
* "your iniquities have separated between you and your
   God," Isaiah 59:2.
3. That includes everyone.
* "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
   Romans 3:23.
* Jesus died on the cross 2000 years ago to pay for sins.

B. You must understand that Heaven cannot be earned.
1. Not by doing enough good things.
* "Not by works of righteousness which we have done,
   but according to his mercy he saved us..." Titus 3:5.
2. Not by being baptized, joining a church, or obeying the
   Ten Commandments.
* "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that
   not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works,
   lest any man should boast."   Ephesians 2:8-9
* The price for your sins must be paid, but to bypass the
   death of Christ and try to earn your own way to Heaven
   is an insult to God.

C. You must be willing to change your direction.
1. Sin will take you to Hell.
* "the wages of sin is death;" Romans 6:23.
2. Pride and self righteousness will cause you to miss Heaven.
* Prov. 6:16-19; Rom. 10:2-3; Luke 13:2-5; Matt. 5:20; Rom. 3:28
--
"(16)These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: (17)A proud look...."   (Proverbs 6:16-19)
"(3)For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."   (Romans 10:2-3)
"(2)And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?   (3)I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.   (4)Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?   (5)I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."   (Luke 13:2-5)
"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."   (Romans 3:28)

3. Faith in yourself, your baptism, or your church will
   cause you to miss Heaven.
* Rom. 3:24-25; John 1:12-13; Mark 7:6-13; John 3:3
--
"(24)Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (25)Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;" (Romans 3:24-25).
"(12)But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (13)Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."   (John 1:12-13)
"(6)He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.   (7)Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.   (8)For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.   (9)And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.   (10)For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: (11)But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.   (12)And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; (13)Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye."   (Mark 7:6-13)
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."   (John 3:3)

4. You must be willing to repent.
* "Repent ye therefore, and be converted," Acts 3:19.
* "The Lord is...not willing that any should perish, but
   that all should come to repentance."   II Pet. 3:9
* Repentance means to change your mind or attitude about sin.

D. You must believe in Jesus Christ with your heart.
1. A head knowledge about religion never got anyone to Heaven.
* "the devils also believe, and tremble."   James 2:19
2. Contrary to popular opinion, according to the Bible, most
   people will not go to Heaven when they die.
* "narrow is the way...few there be that find it."
   Matthew 7:13-14,21-23
3. You must receive Jesus Christ by faith as your personal
   Saviour.
* "being justified by faith" Romans 5:1.
* Eternal life was paid for with the shed blood of Christ.
   Accept it as a free gift.
* "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be
   saved."   Romans 10:13

* If you have any further questions, please call the
   church office at 232-5500.

Fargo Baptist Church

3303 23rd Avenue SouthWest
Fargo, North Dakota 58103

Speaking the truth in love
Ephesians 4:15

(aaa) 232-5500

Schedule of Services

Sunday School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:30 a.m.
Sunday Morning Worship . . . . 10:30 a.m.
Sunday Evening Service . . . . . . . 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday Bible Study . . . . . . . 7:00 p.m.

[Christian Helps Ministry (USA)] [Christian Home Bible Course]