Be Different Regarding Treasures, Worry & Judging

SERMON OUTLINE:

• (a). Be different regarding Treasure (6:19-24)

• (b). Be different regarding Worry (6:25-34)

• (c). Be different regarding Judgement (vs 1-6)

SERMON BODY:

Ill:

• A mother became hysterical with panic because her little boy had swallowed a £1 coin.

• She turned to her husband and screamed for him to call a doctor.

• The husband picked up the phone, but instead of calling the doctor,

• He decided to call the local Church and ask for (insert your Church treasurer’s name).

• The wife was upset and said,

• “We don’t need the (Church treasurer’s name) we need some medical help!”

• To which the husband replied,

• “Hey, (Church treasurer’s name) is the Church treasurer and he can get money out of anyone!”

In this first section this morning (verses 19-24):

• Jesus dealt with money matters and he deals with it because… money matters!

• For some people, though, it matters too much.

• That’s why again and again Jesus dealt with money matters… because money matters!

Quote: Compassion Website:

• “More than half a billion (one in four) of the world's children live on less than $1 a day”

• At current exchange rate that is 63p a day.

• So please don’t tell me this morning that you are not well off;

• On a world scale you are loaded!

• But notice that Jesus starts this block of teaching with a warning against treasure;

• He deliberately broadens the topic from money to treasure.

• That is because while everyone does not have a lot of cash,

• Everyone with no exceptions! All of us have things that we treasure!

• i.e. Our treasure may be a home, a car, a computer, our clothes,

• i.e. Our treasure may be a position that we hold or seek after.

• We all have some treasure that we value very much indeed.

• While Jesus is not saying that it is wrong to have treasures,

• He is telling us that our focus should be on laying up treasures in heaven, not on earth.

Ill:

• An American tourist while on holiday;

• Ended up in the home of the 19th century Polish rabbi, Hofetz Chaim:

• The tourist was astonished to see that the rabbi’s home was very simple & almost bare;

• All he had was a few books, a table and a bench.

• The tourist asked him: “Rabbi, where is your furniture?”

• “Where is yours?” replied the rabbi.

• “Mine?” asked the puzzled American. “But I’m a visitor here. I’m only passing through.”

• “So am I,” said Hofetz Chaim.

• While Jesus is not saying that it is wrong to have treasures,

• He is telling us that our focus should be on laying up treasures in heaven, not on earth.

(A). Be different regarding Treasure (6:19-24):

• I want to say again that there is nothing wrong with treasures or with money;

• If God has blessed you with both then be thankful and grateful.

• The warning in these verses is the danger of a wrong attitude;

• Towards our treasurers and our money.

• The point Jesus is making is:

• It is not wrong to possess things BUT it is always wrong for things to possess us!

Ill:

• If you go to the top of a mountain and look around;

• You will see before you a breath taking view – stunning scenery etc.

• But if you take two 10 pence pieces and put them in front of your eyes;

• All that beauty is lost and all you can see is two small silver coins!

• Application: A misplaced attitude to possessions and money;

• So easily robs us of much beauty and of the valuable things in life!

Notice: what Jesus says regarding treasurers and money!

(a). Guard the heart (verse 19-21).

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also

These verses remind us that two things happen to the things we own.

• FIRST: they decay, they deplete, they diminish.

• This was especially true in the ancient world;

• i.e. Where a person’s wealth was reflected in the clothes the type wore.

• Jesus said, these clothes were always in danger of moths or vermin destroying them;

• In other words they have a limited life-span!

• SECOND: our possessions can disappear;

• i.e. They can be stolen or mislaid and therefore lost.

• So Jesus says it is best to invest in heavenly things rather than earthly things;