Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
Encourages Christians to prioritize spiritual growth over material wealth, maintain moral vision, and engage in meaningful meditation for a Christ-centered life.
Welcome, beloved family of God, to this blessed gathering where we seek to be nourished by the Word of God. It's always a joy to see each one of you, eager and ready to receive the divine wisdom that God has prepared for us. We are here, not by chance but by divine appointment, not as strangers but as brothers and sisters in Christ, united by His love and grace.
Our focus today is from the book of Matthew, chapter 6, verses 19 to 22. These verses are a part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus, the greatest teacher who ever lived, is imparting wisdom to His followers. Let's take a moment to read these verses:
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light."
These verses serve as a reminder to us about the importance of maintaining a moral vision, mastering materialistic mindsets, and manifesting meaningful meditation.
As we reflect on the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 6, we are reminded of the importance of our spiritual vision. Our spiritual vision is what guides us in our daily lives, helping us to discern right from wrong, to make decisions that align with God's will, and to live a life that is pleasing to Him. It's about seeing the world through the lens of faith, not being swayed by the world's standards but standing firm in our beliefs and values.
Not something that we develop overnight: It requires a continuous effort on our part, a commitment to growing in our relationship with God, and a willingness to be guided by His Word. It's about constantly seeking God's wisdom and guidance, and allowing His Word to shape our thoughts, attitudes, and actions.
Understanding the importance of our focus: What we focus on greatly influences our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. If we focus on worldly things, our thoughts, attitudes, and actions will be worldly. But if we focus on God and His Word, our thoughts, attitudes, and actions will be godly. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:21 that "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Our treasure is what we value most, what we spend our time, energy, and resources on. If our treasure is God and His kingdom, our heart will be with Him, and our focus will be on things that are pleasing to Him.
Guarding our hearts: Proverbs 4:23 tells us to "guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." Our heart is the seat of our emotions, desires, and will. It's where our thoughts, attitudes, and actions originate. If our heart is filled with worldly desires, our thoughts, attitudes, and actions will be worldly. But if our heart is filled with godly desires, our thoughts, attitudes, and actions will be godly. We guard our heart by being careful about what we allow into our minds and hearts, by filling our minds and hearts with God's Word, and by seeking to live a life that is pleasing to Him.
Living a life of obedience to God: Obedience is not just about following rules, it's about living a life that is pleasing to God. It's about making decisions that align with His will, and doing what is right in His eyes. Obedience is a demonstration of our love for God and our commitment to Him. Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love me, keep my commands." Our obedience to God is a reflection of our love for Him and our desire to please Him.
Cultivating a spirit of humility: Humility is not about thinking less of ourselves, it's about thinking of ourselves less. It's about recognizing our need for God, acknowledging our dependence on Him, and giving Him the glory for all that we are and all that we have. Humility is a key to maintaining our spiritual vision because it keeps us grounded in the reality of who we are in relation to God. It reminds us that we are not the center of the universe, but God is. It helps us to see things from God's perspective, not our own.
As we turn our attention to the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:19-20, we find a compelling call to master materialistic mindsets ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
Sermon Central
