Where’s Your Treasure?

Matthew Allen

 

FILING INFORMATION:

2001059

Subject: Sermon on the Mount; priorities; worldliness

Preached Originally: 10/29/01 – Rapid City, SD

 

Introduction:

A.     When studying sermon on the mount – divisions/sections in sermon can be easily seen.

1.     Begins in 5:3-12 – involves description of the disciple – the beatitudes.

a)     describes our demeanor.  Our outlook on and relationship with others.

2.     5:13-16 – deals w/the disciple & the world.

a)     example; influence, etc.

3.     5:17-48 – the disciple & the law were discussed.

a)     Our righteousness must surpass the righteousness of the Pharisees

b)    Theirs was a religion of works.  We must realize the spirit of Christ’s teaching.

4.     6:1-18 – we are not to do our righteousness to be seen of men.

a)     almsgiving; prayer; fasting.

5.     6:19-34 – priorities in this life discussed.

a)     6:19-24 – must not love the world.  Our desires must center around spiritual things.

b)    6:25-34 – must learn NOT to be anxious a/b life & obtaining life’s necessities.

B.      1 Jhn. 2:15-17 – Christians told not to love the world.  What is meant by “the world?”

1.     Not the physical universe.  Rather, this concerns a mentality – a way of looking at life.  Dealt w/by Jesus & apostles throughout NT.

a)     Gal. 6:14 – to be crucified with the world.

b)    Js. 4:4 – friendship w/the world = enmity w/God.

c)     Christian to be  concerned primarily w/spiritual things – getting home to heaven

2.     Obviously, we all live in the world.  We cope w/various things.

a)     can’t spend life living in church building or hiding in closet.  Can’t be sheltered.

b)    But as we go out – face daily temptations – find ourselves getting down….

c)     Must remain strong.  Fall down?  Get up!  Eph. 6:10-13.

d)    YOU can do it!  There IS hope!

 

I.  What Jesus’ statements do not mean in 6:19-20:

A.    He was not ONLY referring to money – should avoid this line of thinking.

a)     He does not say: Lay not up money…

b)    Treasures mean more than money.

2.      Money not wrong in & of itself.  Nor is having wealth.  Go out – acquire it.  Be successful!

B.    But…what matters – one’s attitude toward money.

1.      really, it involves one’s entire attitude toward life.

a)     are our ambitions; interests; hopes; etc. confined only to this life?

b)    Those w/o financial resources need this warning just as the rich!

2.      All of us have treasures!

a)     money; spouse; kids; home; position; work; status in life; etc.

b)    we can lay up treasures on earth by:

1)    living to amass wealth.

2)    Living only to acquire more things.

3)    Putting our primary interests on anything besides God!

 

II.  We Must lay up treasures in heaven.  How?

A.   By b/c a Christian.

1.     Rom. 8:16-17 – this makes us joint heirs w/Christ.

2.     Eph. 1:3 – we b/c recipients of every spiritual blessing.

B.    By using what we have for the Lord’s service.  God blessed each one of us w/material blessings.

1.     1 Tim. 6:17-19; Mt. 25:31-46 – look for opportunities to help others!

2.     Mk. 10:24 – must not learn to trust in riches.

C.    Must learn to develop a right view of life.  Realize we nothing more than pilgrims here.  principle taught in Heb. 11.

1.     11:10 – Abraham…looking for the city which has foundations whose architect & builder is God.

2.     11:16 – they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one….He has prepared a city for them.

3.     11:26 – Moses: considered the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt – for he was looking for the reward.

4.     11:27 – Moses: endured…as seeing Him who is unseen.

D.   We are children going home to our Father.

1.     We must see ourselves as stewards of another’s possessions – money; intellect; health.

2.     a worldly person things he owns such things.

3.     Christian:  I can’t take this with me – how can I best use them for God’s glory?

E.    Tell yourself everyday that in this life you have passed another milestone – never to go back – never to come again.  Look at each day as a day’s march nearer to heaven.

F.    What is really at the center of your life?  What are you really most interested in?  What do you want most?  What do you cling to most tightly?

 

III.  We Must Accept the Lord’s Admonition.

A.   6:19 – earth filled w/decay & death. 

B.    Earthly things never satisfy.

1.     We tend to tire of them.

a)       lose interest – b/g to think of things differently.

2.     we know that in & of itself – things of world do not bring happiness.

3.     all worldly things inevitably perish.

a)       flower begins to die as soon as it blooms.

b)       Everything passes away.

1)    most beautiful face ages w/time.

2)    Strongest/healthy body weakens.

3)    Brightest mind/genius fades.

4.     2 Pet. 1:4 – this is why Peter says what he does here – corruption in the world by lust.

C.    6:19 – thieves break in & steal.  Break in our homes, etc.  Also experience:

1.     Illness; loss of job; depression; war; death; all rob us of personal peace.

D.   6:20 – in heaven there is no decay, etc.  Wonderful to think of! 

1.     1 Pet. 1:4; 2 Cor. 4:187 – things not seen are eternal.

 

Conclusion:

A.   We must possess confidence in the heavenly treasure that awaits us.

1.     Rom. 8:38-39.

2.     this = our hope.  This = our motivation to get through life.

3.     w/o this – this life = empty; unrewarding; depressing.

B.    Do you posses the hope of obtaining something better?  A heavenly treasure?

1.     if not Christian – then you have no hope.  All to look forward to = disillusion; discontent; death.

2.     Non Christian separated from God – Isa. 59:1-2

3.     Alone – to deal w/sin/guilt/remorse.

4.     You don’t have to do that.  Give yourself to Christ through obedience to the gospel.

C.    Already a Christian?  Where = your priorities?

D.   I N V I T A T I O N