Get It? Got It? Good!

In this message centering on the parables found in Matthew 13:44–52, Chuck Swindoll explores the immense value of the Kingdom of Heaven and the responsibility of those who discover it. He opens by establishing the theological foundation that Jesus paid the complete penalty for sin, not merely a down payment, urging listeners to trust in that finished work for their eternal security [1–3]. Swindoll then compares Jesus to the ultimate "TED Talk" presenter—someone capable of delivering impeccable material that grabs attention, is memorable, and inspires people to reimagine their lives [10–11]. Swindoll interprets three specific parables to illustrate how people enter the Kingdom. First, he describes the Hidden Treasure as a picture of those who are not looking for spiritual answers but "stumble" upon the truth of Christ. Second, he contrasts this with the Pearl of Great Price, representing those who are actively searching for meaning and, upon finding the Gospel, realize its surpassing worth. Third, he examines the Dragnet, depicting God’s sovereign sweep through humanity and the eventual, sobering separation of the righteous from the wicked [18–20, 23–26]. The message concludes with a challenge based on the final parable of the Householder. Swindoll explains that disciples who "get" the truth are not meant to hoard it in a storehouse but to bring it out to share with others. Drawing from a personal story about his seminary acceptance, he emphasizes that having a "heart" for these truths is just as vital as understanding them. The ultimate goal of gathering to hear the Word is to grasp it ("Got it?") and then share it ("Good!") [27–28, 30].

Message Key Facts:

• The "Complete" Payment: Swindoll corrects a common misconception, stating that Christ did not pay 3/4 of the debt for sin, leaving us to pay the rest through penance or sacrifice. He humorously critiques the idea of singing "Jesus paid a down payment" or "sin left a crimson stain, he washed it light pink," affirming instead that the payment was total [1–2].
• Jesus as a TED Speaker: Swindoll notes that TED stands for "Technology, Entertainment, Design." He argues Jesus would have been the perfect presenter because His messages were emotional, novel, and memorable, though He might not have been invited because He couldn't "get His Bible open" within the strict 18-minute time limit [8, 10–11].
• Stumbling vs. Searching:
  • The Hidden Treasure: Represents those who weren't looking for an answer but found Christ unexpectedly (e.g., finding a Bible or hearing a friend).
  • The Merchant: Represents those on a hunt for truth. Swindoll uses the illustration of Robert Ballard, who spent 14 years searching for the Titanic before finding it, to describe the intensity of this search [19–20].
• Paul’s "Pearl" Moment: Swindoll cites Philippians 3 to illustrate the "Pearl of Great Price." Saul of Tarsus had religious status and heritage, but once he found Christ, he counted all his previous achievements as "garbage" compared to the value of knowing Jesus [21–22].
• The Seine Net: Illustrating the "Dragnet" parable, Swindoll recalls childhood fishing trips with his grandfather on the Texas coast. They used a long net with lead sinkers to drag the bay for bait, catching everything from shrimp to baby sharks, which then had to be sorted—a vivid picture of the final judgment [23–24].
• The Reality of Hell: Addressing the parable’s mention of the "fiery furnace," Swindoll challenges skeptics. He argues that since Jesus never lied about other matters, there is no reason to believe He is lying about the reality of eternal torment, even if it makes modern listeners uncomfortable [14–15].
• The Seminary Interview: Swindoll shares a pivotal moment from 1959 when Dr. Donald Campbell interviewed him for Dallas Theological Seminary. Campbell asked if Swindoll would be fulfilled doing anything other than ministry, testing his passion rather than just his intellect [29–30].

Solitary Confinement: The sermon ends with a testimony of a prisoner in solitary confinement who had only a lightbulb and a tape player. Through listening to recorded messages, his life was transformed, proving the power of sharing the truth.

Message References:

• Matthew 13:44–52: The primary text covering the Parables of the Hidden Treasure, the Pearl of Great Price, the Dragnet, and the Householder [3–4].
• Matthew 13:1: The setting of Jesus teaching beside the lake.
• Matthew 13:42: The description of judgment: "Throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth".
• Philippians 3:5–8: Paul’s testimony of counting his former religious credentials as worthless compared to the value of gaining Christ [21–22].
• Matthew 19: Referenced regarding the Rich Young Ruler who, unlike the merchant in the parable, was unwilling to part with his possessions for the Kingdom.

Message Speaker:

Pastor Chuck Swindoll