Christian Challenge Sermon Ix: True Treasure And True Pleasure Series

CHRISTIAN CHALLENGE SERMON IX: TRUE TREASURE DERIVES FROM INSIGHT INTO TRUE PLEASURE

“My pleasure” is an idiom I sometimes use in response to a “thank you” . . . sort of like a special way of saying “you’re welcome” but reserved for especially gratifying, delightful experiences that rise above the customary courtesy level of just being polite.

Actually to discover true pleasure by thinking and doing things that are spiritually uplifting is biblical and, in many instances, is an extension of who God is, and is an expression of how the Lord would have us live our lives - as long as we understand the kind of pleasure that is spiritual in nature – “good” pleasure:

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke

12:32) “And God made known to us His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:9) “For it is God who works in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

Obviously, pleasure derived from thinking and doing that which is spiritual in nature is considered good because of its association with God’s purpose and will. Therefore, attitudes and actions meant to advance His kingdom, thus fulfilling the prayer “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”, give pleasure to God - and also to us.

In other words, how we “do business” (conduct our affairs at home and everywhere else) on both the personal and relational levels is of utmost importance to God our Father because of its eternal rather than temporal significance.

That which, to you and me, brings temporary pleasure is only important to God in terms of its legality and morality, but that which brings lasting pleasure is of significance to Him in terms of eternity.

“By faith Moses, when he had grown up . . . matured . . . chose to cast his lot with the people of God rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.” (Hebrews 11:25)

With all the treasures of Egypt available to him, along with all the pleasures of sin that treasures can afford and give access to, Moses’ spiritual insight into the will of God - for his life and that of his people - prevailed over that natural tendency we all possess to obsess with the material things of life.

But, you know what? Whereas most of us tend to divide life into two broad categories - spiritual and material – our Lord never made that distinction. Instead, He often taught that one’s attitude toward the material is a mark of one’s true spirituality.

A pertinent question I have heard preachers ask is: “What would our Lord conclude from a review of your checkbook?” The real question is: Do your possessions control you, or, are you in control of your possessions now that you have been spiritually transformed?

Thus, the key verse (v. 21) in our Scripture says: “where your treasure is . . .” --- Matthew 6:19-24 . . .

True treasure derives from spiritual insight into true pleasure. Such insight cautions us about obsessions with three kinds of pleasures or possessions – those that wear out like an old suit of clothes . . . those that erode as the years go by . . . those that we lose if we do not choose wisely – for example, monetary and material investments.

True treasure cannot derive from material possessions due to the fleeting nature of such - as Burns wrote in one of his poems: “But pleasures are like poppies spread: you seize the flower; its bloom is shed. Or like the snow falls in the river - a moment of white –

then melts forever.”

Even so, did you know there are some folks who defiantly believe that you can take it with you? In Augusta, there’s a large Chinese community; when the old timers die, they insist that gold and silver coins be placed inside their red casket.

Then there’s the story told about Aunt Emma - married to a tightwad who was also a little weird. When Uncle Ollie was dying, he instructed Emma what to do with the money he had been hiding under his mattress over the years (he did not trust banks).

She was to place all his savings in the casket with him in case he needed it to get into heaven. The day came when he died, so Emma did as she was told; she got the money which totaled $26,000, deposited it into their bank account, wrote a check in that amount, made it payable to her deceased husband, and put the check in his casket. One clever woman!

Jesus basically told us that it is folly to live our lives without laying up our treasures in heaven because what we accumulate on earth is temporary.