Our "heart" (what motivates us or drives us internally) will lead us to invest ourselves in either treasures on earth (that break down or get stolen) or treasures in heaven (that are eternal). Investing in the Kingdom shows that our heart loves Jesus Christ and that he is our DRIVER, our DESTINATION, and our DELIGHT.

The "Great Commission" of Jesus Christ is not complete until the regenerate person is fully integrated into the "body of Christ" - the church.

The outcome of our trials is shaped by our response to them. This passage explains how our steadfastness in faith or our slander of God lead to life or death results respectively.

In what will you boast when the brevity of life becomes the reality of death? All Christians boast in Christ alone.

Like a gifted athlete who has great ability and knowledge of the game but lacks "big-league" experience, how can we gain wisdom to make the most of our trials?

God "forges saints" through the use of trials - perfectly shaping and forming the character of Christ in us.

How does God love sinners? By seeing them as valuable, by seeking them and then rejoicing greatly when they are found.

Pastor Scott Kerens illustrates this passage using the example of a Japanese Maple growing in his back yard. Like Scott's tree, to grow well, we need to weed, water, and watch our lives - all based in the Word of God.

Is Mary's anointing of Jesus a waste, or is it a beautiful thing?

Jesus’ disciples said it was a wasteful thing, but Jesus’ defense proved it was a beautiful thing.

Jesus rebukes the Sadducees (a religious sect of the first century that did not believe in the resurrection), by proving their scriptural ignorance and by proving the immortality of the soul.