Explores the true nature of fasting, the importance of seeking eternal treasures, and understanding the significance of Lent practices in our Christian journey.
Good morning, beloved family. Isn't it a beautiful day that the Lord has made? We're gathered here today, not by coincidence, but by divine appointment. Our Father, in His infinite wisdom and boundless love, has drawn us together to share in His Word and grow in our understanding of His divine purpose. Today, we are set to unravel the profound wisdom found in Matthew 6:16-21.
Let's read the Scripture together:
"Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
In this passage, Jesus teaches us about the true nature of fasting and the importance of storing up treasures in heaven. He challenges us to look beyond the temporal and fleeting pleasures of this world and instead to seek eternal treasures that will never fade away.
N.T. Wright once said, "Lent is a time for discipline, for confession, for honesty, not because God is mean or fault- finding or finger-pointing but because he wants us to know the joy of being cleaned out, ready for all the good things he now has in store." Isn't it comforting to know that our character, shaped and molded by Christ, is a treasure that will last forever?
Today, we will focus on three main points: Delighting in Dust, Discovering Jesus as Our Treasure, and Diving into Lent Practices. As we go through each point, may we be reminded of the beauty of God's truth and the richness of His love for us.
Let's pray.
Heavenly Father, we come before you with humble hearts, ready to receive your Word. Open our eyes, ears, and hearts to understand your message today. May your Holy Spirit guide us as we seek to delight in your truth, discover Jesus as our ultimate treasure, and understand the significance of Lent practices. Help us to apply these truths in our daily lives, that we may grow in our faith and love for you. We ask all these in the precious name of Jesus, amen.
Let’s get started!
In the passage we've just read, Jesus speaks about the hypocrites who fast with gloomy faces and neglected appearances. They do this to be noticed by men, to be seen and acknowledged for their piety. But Jesus tells us not to be like them. Instead, He instructs us to fast in secret, to maintain our normal appearances so that our fasting is known only to God. This is where we find the first aspect of our discussion today.
The world we live in: It's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of recognition and approval. We often find ourselves striving to be noticed, to be seen, to be acknowledged. But Jesus calls us to a different kind of life. He calls us to a life where our actions are not motivated by the desire for human recognition, but by the desire to please God. This is a life where our joy and delight come not from the approval of others, but from the approval of God.
Treasures: Jesus speaks about storing up treasures in heaven, as opposed to treasures on earth. He tells us that earthly treasures can be destroyed by moth and rust, or stolen by thieves. But heavenly treasures are eternal and indestructible.
The transient nature of earthly possessions: No matter how much we accumulate, no matter how hard we work to protect and preserve our possessions, they are ultimately vulnerable to decay and loss. But the treasures we store up in heaven, the spiritual riches we accumulate through our relationship with God, these are treasures that can never be taken away from us.
The connection between our treasures and our hearts: Jesus tells us that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. This is a profound truth that speaks to the core of our being. Our hearts, our deepest desires and affections, are inevitably drawn to what we value most. If we value earthly possessions, our hearts will be tied to the things of this world. But if we value heavenly treasures, our hearts will be drawn heavenward. This is a call to align our hearts with the things of God, to set our affections on things above, not on earthly things.
Fasting: Jesus speaks about fasting in secret, about doing our acts of devotion in a way that is not meant to be seen by others. This is a call to authenticity in our relationship with God. In a world where appearances often matter more than reality, Jesus calls us to be genuine in our devotion. He calls us to a relationship with God that is not for show, but for the sake of truly knowing and loving God. This is a relationship where our actions are not motivated by the desire to impress others, but by the desire to please God.
A common thread: Jesus is calling us to a life that is centered on God, a life where our joy and delight come from our relationship with Him. He is calling us to a life where our actions are motivated by love for God, not by the desire for human recognition. He is calling us to a life where our hearts are set on heavenly treasures, not on earthly possessions. And He is calling us to a life of authenticity in our relationship with God, a life where our devotion is genuine and not for show.
As we continue to reflect on the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:16-21, we find ourselves drawn to the image of Jesus as our treasure ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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