The Sermon on the Mount #4
Series: UPSIDE DOWN KINGDOM
Date: 23rd January 2022
00:00:00 --> 00:00:00 Excellent. Good morning.
00:00:01 --> 00:00:03 Morning to people at home and the cameras.
00:00:04 --> 00:00:07 Well, this morning, what is it you treasure?
00:00:08 --> 00:00:10 I'm going to, I've brought in a few little treasures as a show and tell.
00:00:11 --> 00:00:14 And so here's one thing I treasure.
00:00:15 --> 00:00:20 My family, that's my wife Deb, and that's my daughter Adelaide and my son Hamish.
00:00:20 --> 00:00:22 They're both actually taller than her now.
00:00:23 --> 00:00:26 That was taken just before COVID and it's hard to find a photo.
00:00:26 --> 00:00:33 Anyway, she's in year 12 this year and he's going into year 9.
00:00:34 --> 00:00:34 So I treasure them.
00:00:35 --> 00:00:39 And I also treasure this, which I'm going to get now as part of the show and tell.
00:00:41 --> 00:00:42 I treasure this painting.
00:00:43 --> 00:00:49 This painting was given to me for Father's Day by my daughter when she was three
00:00:49 --> 00:00:51 and she painted it herself.
00:00:52 --> 00:00:54 Now, come on, gifted? What?
00:00:54 --> 00:00:58 No, no. Everyone's kids are gifted. I'm joking.
00:00:59 --> 00:01:04 She's not doing art, but she is doing D&T and drama.
00:01:05 --> 00:01:06 So it's something I treasure.
00:01:07 --> 00:01:07 Something else.
00:01:11 --> 00:01:13 I treasure these.
00:01:13 --> 00:01:20 I got a silver medal at the World Championship in St Andrews playing frisbee.
00:01:20 --> 00:01:24 And I've got a bronze medal playing frisbee.
00:01:25 --> 00:01:29 And this was the first Australian team ever to get medal overseas.
00:01:29 --> 00:01:32 So I kind of treasure them, but when you look at them, they're actually a bit cheap.
00:01:33 --> 00:01:36 And they'll rust.
00:01:36 --> 00:01:38 You know, they're not going to last.
00:01:38 --> 00:01:42 And something else here I treasure is the jersey.
00:01:43 --> 00:01:48 When you get to play for your country, like you have this little dream.
00:01:48 --> 00:01:49 And yes, it is a real sport.
00:01:50 --> 00:01:54 And, you know, you do have to be a little bit fit and know what you're doing.
00:01:54 --> 00:01:56 So it's a little fringy.
00:01:56 --> 00:01:59 But anyway, moths will eat that.
00:01:59 --> 00:02:00 It just won't last.
00:02:00 --> 00:02:05 And the thing that I really treasure is my relationship with Jesus.
00:02:06 --> 00:02:07 And that lasts forever.
00:02:07 --> 00:02:08 And I hold on to that.
00:02:10 --> 00:02:15 Today's passage in the Sermon on the Mount, as Jesus commenced his public ministry,
00:02:15 --> 00:02:19 he listed off the beautiful attitudes meant for his followers.
00:02:21 --> 00:02:25 He taught how we are to live as subjects in the long-awaited kingdom of God.
00:02:25 --> 00:02:27 And this is the best life for us.
00:02:27 --> 00:02:32 If we're to be followers of Jesus, we must listen to Jesus' words and obey them.
00:02:33 --> 00:02:34 The standard is high.
00:02:35 --> 00:02:40 And when we live this way, we are salt and we are light in the world.
00:02:41 --> 00:02:47 Even though it will make us stand out and often put us at a disadvantage to others in the world
00:02:47 --> 00:02:48 and by the standards of this world.
00:02:50 --> 00:02:53 The Sermon on the Mount challenges us to make significant changes,
00:02:53 --> 00:02:56 to live for God's upside-down kingdom.
00:02:56 --> 00:02:59 It's opposite to the way the world operates.
00:02:59 --> 00:03:05 And today I want to talk about an area that actually needs serious attention,
00:03:05 --> 00:03:06 but it's a sensitive topic.
00:03:08 --> 00:03:12 It has to be one of the least popular ones for us to talk about as Christians,
00:03:12 --> 00:03:17 especially from the pulpit, because people feel like being bent behind their back.
00:03:17 --> 00:03:23 And whether you have a little or a lot, as we head into this new year,
00:03:23 --> 00:03:26 we need to hear what God has to say about treasure.
00:03:27 --> 00:03:28 It's a touchy subject.
00:03:29 --> 00:03:33 But most of our life kind of revolves around the acquisition of stuff.
00:03:33 --> 00:03:35 Get a qualification.
00:03:36 --> 00:03:36 Get a career.
00:03:37 --> 00:03:38 Work.
00:03:38 --> 00:03:39 Mortgage.
00:03:40 --> 00:03:40 Clothing.
00:03:41 --> 00:03:41 Bills.
00:03:42 --> 00:03:43 Save.
00:03:43 --> 00:03:44 Super funds.
00:03:46 --> 00:03:48 Amass material blessings and wealth.
00:03:49 --> 00:03:52 Save for a restful, prosperous retirement,
00:03:52 --> 00:03:56 where the person with the most toys wins.
00:03:56 --> 00:03:59 This can be a real trap.
00:03:59 --> 00:04:02 In 1 Timothy 6.10, we're reminded,
00:04:02 --> 00:04:05 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.
00:04:06 --> 00:04:09 Some people eager for money have wandered from the faith
00:04:09 --> 00:04:12 and pierced themselves with many griefs.
00:04:13 --> 00:04:15 Money isn't evil.
00:04:15 --> 00:04:17 It's the effect it has on us.
00:04:18 --> 00:04:19 It's what people do with it.
00:04:20 --> 00:04:21 People lie for money.
00:04:22 --> 00:04:23 People kill for money.
00:04:23 --> 00:04:26 Families face bitter splits at the reading of a will.
00:04:26 --> 00:04:27 I've seen it happen.
00:04:28 --> 00:04:30 People betray friends for money.
00:04:31 --> 00:04:33 No one ever thinks they've got too much money.
00:04:34 --> 00:04:36 Hardly anyone thinks they have enough money.
00:04:37 --> 00:04:42 Acquiring money for security and comfort drives our life.
00:04:42 --> 00:04:45 The opportunity to earn more money can motivate people
00:04:45 --> 00:04:48 to reorder their priorities in life.
00:04:48 --> 00:04:53 A big loss of money is a huge tragedy for most people,
00:04:54 --> 00:04:55 second only to death itself.
00:04:57 --> 00:04:59 We need to ask ourselves,
00:04:59 --> 00:05:00 what is it we treasure?
00:05:02 --> 00:05:03 Jesus concluded,
00:05:04 --> 00:05:06 you cannot serve both God and money.
00:05:09 --> 00:05:13 Who or what has mastery over our hearts?
00:05:13 --> 00:05:17 We serve whichever master has control over our heart.
00:05:18 --> 00:05:23 What would the world offer you that could entice you away from Jesus?
00:05:23 --> 00:05:25 And the answer Jesus gave is money.
00:05:27 --> 00:05:29 Listen to what Jesus has to say to those who are to follow him.
00:05:29 --> 00:05:33 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
00:05:33 --> 00:05:35 where moth and rust destroy,
00:05:36 --> 00:05:38 and where thieves break in and steal.
00:05:38 --> 00:05:41 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
00:05:41 --> 00:05:43 where neither moth nor rust destroys,
00:05:44 --> 00:05:46 and where thieves do not break in and steal.
00:05:46 --> 00:05:48 For where your treasure is,
00:05:48 --> 00:05:50 there your heart will be also.
00:05:51 --> 00:05:52 Two treasures.
00:05:53 --> 00:05:54 Treasures on earth,
00:05:55 --> 00:05:56 treasures in heaven.
00:05:56 --> 00:05:59 Don't store up the first for yourself.
00:06:00 --> 00:06:01 Store up the second.
00:06:02 --> 00:06:03 Sounds simple,
00:06:04 --> 00:06:05 but in practice,
00:06:06 --> 00:06:09 treasure on earth.
00:06:10 --> 00:06:13 We need to note what Jesus is not talking about first.
00:06:14 --> 00:06:17 Money doesn't grow on trees or fall from the sky.
00:06:17 --> 00:06:17 Please God.
00:06:18 --> 00:06:19 Oh, there we go.
00:06:19 --> 00:06:20 Sweet.
00:06:21 --> 00:06:23 No, Jesus is not talking about
00:06:23 --> 00:06:25 making sensible provision for the future.
00:06:25 --> 00:06:27 He's not talking about
00:06:27 --> 00:06:28 working hard to avoid poverty.
00:06:29 --> 00:06:31 He's not talking about
00:06:31 --> 00:06:32 enjoying with gratitude
00:06:32 --> 00:06:34 the good things that God has made.
00:06:34 --> 00:06:35 And he's not talking about
00:06:35 --> 00:06:36 providing for our dependence.
00:06:37 --> 00:06:40 I think we know what Jesus is talking about.
00:06:40 --> 00:06:41 The human desire.
00:06:43 --> 00:06:43 Give me more.
00:06:44 --> 00:06:46 The love of wealth.
00:06:47 --> 00:06:49 What has got our hearts?
00:06:50 --> 00:06:51 What do we treasure?
00:06:51 --> 00:06:53 If we treasure
00:06:53 --> 00:06:55 honour and fame,
00:06:56 --> 00:06:58 then our heart will be ambitious.
00:06:59 --> 00:07:00 Sorry, I said treasure.
00:07:00 --> 00:07:01 I was thinking of true love then,
00:07:01 --> 00:07:02 but if we treasure...
00:07:03 --> 00:07:04 That's what I started.
00:07:04 --> 00:07:05 Anyway,
00:07:05 --> 00:07:06 if we treasure pleasure,
00:07:07 --> 00:07:09 then our heart will be self-indulgent.
00:07:10 --> 00:07:11 If we treasure money,
00:07:12 --> 00:07:13 then our heart will be greedy.
00:07:14 --> 00:07:16 Whatever has our heart,
00:07:16 --> 00:07:17 we actually worship.
00:07:18 --> 00:07:19 And how do we know we worship it?
00:07:19 --> 00:07:20 We make time for it.
00:07:20 --> 00:07:22 We make sacrifices for it.
00:07:23 --> 00:07:24 Whatever's on our heart
00:07:24 --> 00:07:26 will master us.
00:07:28 --> 00:07:30 We live with the cultural delusion
00:07:30 --> 00:07:31 that wealth equals security.
00:07:33 --> 00:07:34 With wealth,
00:07:34 --> 00:07:35 we can be our own gods,
00:07:36 --> 00:07:38 independent and not rely on God.
00:07:39 --> 00:07:40 Because we're self-made,
00:07:41 --> 00:07:41 we're self-sufficient.
00:07:43 --> 00:07:44 Wealth gives us control and power
00:07:44 --> 00:07:45 over our own fate
00:07:45 --> 00:07:47 and over other people.
00:07:47 --> 00:07:49 Personal wealth
00:07:49 --> 00:07:51 and worth
00:07:51 --> 00:07:53 can build our self-esteem
00:07:53 --> 00:07:54 and value.
00:07:55 --> 00:07:56 And they can be tied together
00:07:56 --> 00:07:57 with material possessions.
00:07:58 --> 00:08:00 We can feel good about ourselves
00:08:00 --> 00:08:01 if we dress and drive
00:08:01 --> 00:08:02 and dine
00:08:02 --> 00:08:03 and decorate well.
00:08:04 --> 00:08:05 With wealth,
00:08:05 --> 00:08:07 we can indulge our every desire,
00:08:07 --> 00:08:09 whether it's the exotic vacation,
00:08:09 --> 00:08:10 the luxurious wedding,
00:08:11 --> 00:08:12 the finest dining
00:08:12 --> 00:08:14 or the most extravagant home.
00:08:14 --> 00:08:17 people abandon Jesus
00:08:17 --> 00:08:19 and choose money
00:08:19 --> 00:08:21 and earthly treasure
00:08:21 --> 00:08:23 and it's a strange choice.
00:08:25 --> 00:08:26 If we read in Timothy,
00:08:27 --> 00:08:28 we brought nothing into the world,
00:08:28 --> 00:08:31 we can take nothing out of it.
00:08:32 --> 00:08:35 The same fate awaits everyone.
00:08:36 --> 00:08:37 Treasures on earth
00:08:37 --> 00:08:38 just don't last
00:08:38 --> 00:08:40 and we don't take any of it with us.
00:08:40 --> 00:08:42 Imagine gaining the whole world
00:08:42 --> 00:08:44 yet forfeiting your soul.
00:08:45 --> 00:08:47 The person with the most toys
00:08:47 --> 00:08:49 doesn't win.
00:08:50 --> 00:08:51 In this section
00:08:51 --> 00:08:52 on the Sermon on the Mount,
00:08:52 --> 00:08:53 Jesus warns against
00:08:53 --> 00:08:54 the extremes
00:08:54 --> 00:08:55 of wealth
00:08:55 --> 00:08:56 and worry.
00:08:57 --> 00:08:58 As God cares
00:08:58 --> 00:08:59 for the flowers in the field
00:08:59 --> 00:09:01 and the birds in the air,
00:09:01 --> 00:09:02 how much more
00:09:02 --> 00:09:02 his own children?
00:09:04 --> 00:09:04 Therefore,
00:09:04 --> 00:09:05 I tell you,
00:09:05 --> 00:09:07 do not worry about your life,
00:09:08 --> 00:09:08 saying,
00:09:08 --> 00:09:09 what shall we eat
00:09:09 --> 00:09:10 or what shall we drink?
00:09:11 --> 00:09:12 What shall we wear?
00:09:12 --> 00:09:13 For the pagans
00:09:13 --> 00:09:14 run after these things
00:09:14 --> 00:09:15 and your heavenly Father
00:09:15 --> 00:09:17 knows that you need them.
00:09:17 --> 00:09:18 But,
00:09:18 --> 00:09:19 seek first
00:09:19 --> 00:09:20 God's kingdom
00:09:20 --> 00:09:22 and his righteousness
00:09:22 --> 00:09:24 and all these things
00:09:24 --> 00:09:25 will be given to you.
00:09:26 --> 00:09:28 They'll be given to you as well.
00:09:28 --> 00:09:28 Therefore,
00:09:29 --> 00:09:30 do not worry about tomorrow
00:09:30 --> 00:09:32 for tomorrow
00:09:32 --> 00:09:33 will worry about itself.
00:09:36 --> 00:09:37 Do a quick tangent here.
00:09:38 --> 00:09:39 I just thought of it.
00:09:39 --> 00:09:40 My grandmother,
00:09:40 --> 00:09:41 when she was dying
00:09:41 --> 00:09:42 of bone marrow cancer,
00:09:43 --> 00:09:44 she was a Christian
00:09:44 --> 00:09:45 and she had a little EP.
00:09:46 --> 00:09:47 This is back in vinyl days
00:09:47 --> 00:09:48 and it was a country
00:09:48 --> 00:09:49 and western song,
00:09:49 --> 00:09:50 One Day at a Time,
00:09:50 --> 00:09:50 Sweet Jesus.
00:09:50 --> 00:09:52 That's all I'm asking you for.
00:09:53 --> 00:09:54 And she'd play that every day
00:09:54 --> 00:09:55 until she went home
00:09:55 --> 00:09:55 to be with Jesus.
00:09:56 --> 00:09:57 Don't worry about tomorrow.
00:09:58 --> 00:09:59 Each day has enough
00:09:59 --> 00:10:00 worries of its own.
00:10:00 --> 00:10:02 Live one day at a time,
00:10:02 --> 00:10:02 sweet Jesus.
00:10:04 --> 00:10:04 Well,
00:10:04 --> 00:10:05 later in the parable
00:10:05 --> 00:10:05 of the sower,
00:10:05 --> 00:10:07 Jesus spoke of the thorns
00:10:07 --> 00:10:09 and the worries of wealth
00:10:09 --> 00:10:10 in Matthew 13.
00:10:11 --> 00:10:12 Talks about the seed
00:10:12 --> 00:10:13 falling among the thorns,
00:10:13 --> 00:10:15 actually refers to the person
00:10:15 --> 00:10:16 who hears the word,
00:10:17 --> 00:10:19 but the worries of life
00:10:19 --> 00:10:21 and the deceitfulness of wealth
00:10:21 --> 00:10:23 choke the word,
00:10:23 --> 00:10:24 making it unfruitful.
00:10:26 --> 00:10:27 We need to weed out
00:10:27 --> 00:10:29 the thorns in our life.
00:10:29 --> 00:10:30 Don't worry
00:10:30 --> 00:10:31 and amass wealth
00:10:31 --> 00:10:32 like the pagans.
00:10:34 --> 00:10:35 Real security
00:10:35 --> 00:10:36 comes in a relationship
00:10:36 --> 00:10:37 with God.
00:10:39 --> 00:10:40 Seek first
00:10:40 --> 00:10:41 God's kingdom
00:10:41 --> 00:10:42 and all these things
00:10:42 --> 00:10:43 will be given unto you.
00:10:44 --> 00:10:45 So do not store up
00:10:45 --> 00:10:45 for yourselves
00:10:45 --> 00:10:47 treasures on earth.
00:10:48 --> 00:10:50 Jesus shifts now here
00:10:50 --> 00:10:50 from the heart
00:10:50 --> 00:10:51 to our eyes.
00:10:53 --> 00:10:53 The eye
00:10:53 --> 00:10:54 is the lamp
00:10:54 --> 00:10:55 of the body.
00:10:55 --> 00:10:56 So if your eye
00:10:56 --> 00:10:57 is healthy,
00:10:57 --> 00:10:58 your whole body
00:10:58 --> 00:10:59 will be full of light.
00:11:00 --> 00:11:01 But if your eye
00:11:01 --> 00:11:02 is bad,
00:11:02 --> 00:11:03 your whole body
00:11:03 --> 00:11:04 will be full of darkness.
00:11:05 --> 00:11:06 If then the light
00:11:06 --> 00:11:07 in you is darkness,
00:11:08 --> 00:11:09 how great
00:11:09 --> 00:11:10 is that darkness?
00:11:12 --> 00:11:13 We actually can't
00:11:13 --> 00:11:14 separate the heart
00:11:14 --> 00:11:15 and our eyes.
00:11:15 --> 00:11:17 We set our eyes
00:11:17 --> 00:11:19 on our heart's desire.
00:11:20 --> 00:11:21 The two are entwined.
00:11:22 --> 00:11:23 What is on our heart
00:11:23 --> 00:11:25 drives what we look at.
00:11:27 --> 00:11:28 What we treasure,
00:11:28 --> 00:11:29 we watch.
00:11:29 --> 00:11:30 It's what we read.
00:11:30 --> 00:11:31 It's the magazines
00:11:31 --> 00:11:32 we buy.
00:11:32 --> 00:11:34 It's the movies we watch.
00:11:34 --> 00:11:35 It's the internet searches.
00:11:36 --> 00:11:38 Whatever masters our heart
00:11:38 --> 00:11:39 masters our eyes.
00:11:40 --> 00:11:42 And what our eyes see
00:11:42 --> 00:11:43 in turn
00:11:43 --> 00:11:44 feeds our heart.
00:11:45 --> 00:11:46 It's this cycle.
00:11:47 --> 00:11:48 Are your eyes good
00:11:48 --> 00:11:50 and full of light?
00:11:51 --> 00:11:52 Or are your eyes bad
00:11:52 --> 00:11:54 and full of darkness?
00:11:54 --> 00:11:56 Jesus is saying,
00:11:56 --> 00:11:57 if our eyes are set
00:11:57 --> 00:11:58 on earthly treasures,
00:11:59 --> 00:12:00 on treasures on earth,
00:12:00 --> 00:12:01 then our eyes
00:12:01 --> 00:12:02 are in pretty bad shape.
00:12:03 --> 00:12:04 And by inference,
00:12:05 --> 00:12:06 so are our hearts.
00:12:07 --> 00:12:09 If we can't see
00:12:09 --> 00:12:10 that it's meaningless
00:12:10 --> 00:12:11 chasing treasures on earth,
00:12:12 --> 00:12:12 that it's just like
00:12:12 --> 00:12:14 a chasing after the mist,
00:12:14 --> 00:12:16 and if we can't see
00:12:16 --> 00:12:18 that it's actually wise
00:12:18 --> 00:12:19 to store up riches
00:12:19 --> 00:12:19 in heaven,
00:12:20 --> 00:12:21 then we need more
00:12:21 --> 00:12:22 than spectacles.
00:12:23 --> 00:12:24 We need to readjust
00:12:24 --> 00:12:25 our lens
00:12:25 --> 00:12:27 to that which emanates light.
00:12:28 --> 00:12:29 Open our eyes
00:12:29 --> 00:12:29 afresh
00:12:29 --> 00:12:30 to God's word,
00:12:31 --> 00:12:31 which is a lamp
00:12:31 --> 00:12:32 to our feet
00:12:32 --> 00:12:33 and a light
00:12:33 --> 00:12:34 to our path.
00:12:35 --> 00:12:36 Just on this,
00:12:36 --> 00:12:37 again,
00:12:37 --> 00:12:37 a little quick tangent
00:12:37 --> 00:12:38 that's not in the notes.
00:12:38 --> 00:12:40 Have you ever done
00:12:40 --> 00:12:41 a kaplunk?
00:12:42 --> 00:12:43 Kaplunk is,
00:12:43 --> 00:12:43 God,
00:12:44 --> 00:12:44 I don't know
00:12:44 --> 00:12:45 what's going on,
00:12:45 --> 00:12:46 just, you know,
00:12:46 --> 00:12:48 you've opened the Bible
00:12:48 --> 00:12:49 and you've pointed
00:12:49 --> 00:12:49 to a passage
00:12:49 --> 00:12:50 and hope it's spoken to you.
00:12:52 --> 00:12:52 People have done that?
00:12:52 --> 00:12:53 I'm really interested.
00:12:53 --> 00:12:54 I've seen a few notes.
00:12:55 --> 00:12:55 Righto.
00:12:55 --> 00:12:56 Well, get this.
00:12:56 --> 00:12:57 Married, no kids.
00:12:58 --> 00:12:58 My wife and I
00:12:58 --> 00:12:59 go to a conference
00:12:59 --> 00:13:00 and it's a conference
00:13:00 --> 00:13:01 on international schools.
00:13:01 --> 00:13:02 We're both educators
00:13:02 --> 00:13:04 and we heard
00:13:04 --> 00:13:05 you could go to Berlin
00:13:05 --> 00:13:05 and Jakarta
00:13:05 --> 00:13:06 and Tokyo
00:13:06 --> 00:13:07 and teach in all these
00:13:07 --> 00:13:08 international schools
00:13:08 --> 00:13:09 and you got paid
00:13:09 --> 00:13:09 pretty well
00:13:09 --> 00:13:10 and looked after
00:13:10 --> 00:13:11 and even got accommodated
00:13:11 --> 00:13:12 and some schools
00:13:12 --> 00:13:13 even offered you
00:13:13 --> 00:13:15 a security home
00:13:15 --> 00:13:17 and a chauffeur-driven
00:13:17 --> 00:13:17 car to inform us.
00:13:17 --> 00:13:18 Anyway,
00:13:18 --> 00:13:18 I was like,
00:13:19 --> 00:13:19 well, this sounds good,
00:13:19 --> 00:13:20 you know,
00:13:20 --> 00:13:20 and so,
00:13:20 --> 00:13:21 should we do this, God?
00:13:21 --> 00:13:21 You know,
00:13:21 --> 00:13:22 we'll come back to Australia
00:13:22 --> 00:13:23 and we'll have a deposit
00:13:23 --> 00:13:24 for a house
00:13:24 --> 00:13:25 and we'll be all set up.
00:13:26 --> 00:13:26 Kaplunk time.
00:13:29 --> 00:13:30 James, chapter 4.
00:13:30 --> 00:13:31 Who are you?
00:13:32 --> 00:13:33 Just say you'll go
00:13:33 --> 00:13:33 to this city
00:13:33 --> 00:13:34 and that city
00:13:34 --> 00:13:35 and make money.
00:13:37 --> 00:13:38 You are but a miss.
00:13:38 --> 00:13:41 What you should be saying
00:13:41 --> 00:13:42 is what is God's will
00:13:42 --> 00:13:43 and do that.
00:13:44 --> 00:13:45 Anything else
00:13:45 --> 00:13:46 is evil.
00:13:47 --> 00:13:48 Okay, God,
00:13:48 --> 00:13:48 we're not going
00:13:48 --> 00:13:49 to international schools.
00:13:49 --> 00:13:50 Got it?
00:13:50 --> 00:13:51 Kaplunk.
00:13:52 --> 00:13:52 Very good.
00:13:55 --> 00:13:55 So,
00:13:56 --> 00:13:57 God's word is a lamp
00:13:57 --> 00:13:57 to our feet,
00:13:57 --> 00:13:58 a light to our path.
00:13:58 --> 00:14:00 Fill our eyes with light.
00:14:01 --> 00:14:02 If not treasures on earth,
00:14:03 --> 00:14:04 then what are we to live for?
00:14:05 --> 00:14:06 Jesus tells us
00:14:06 --> 00:14:07 what our motivation
00:14:07 --> 00:14:08 should be like.
00:14:09 --> 00:14:09 Jesus said,
00:14:10 --> 00:14:11 store up for yourselves
00:14:11 --> 00:14:12 treasures in heaven
00:14:12 --> 00:14:13 where moths don't eat,
00:14:14 --> 00:14:15 rust doesn't destroy
00:14:15 --> 00:14:16 and where thieves
00:14:16 --> 00:14:17 do not break in
00:14:17 --> 00:14:18 and steal.
00:14:18 --> 00:14:20 For where your treasure is,
00:14:20 --> 00:14:22 there your heart
00:14:22 --> 00:14:23 will be also.
00:14:24 --> 00:14:25 What does Jesus mean
00:14:25 --> 00:14:26 by treasure in heaven?
00:14:28 --> 00:14:29 According to Don Carson,
00:14:30 --> 00:14:31 the words treasure in heaven
00:14:31 --> 00:14:32 go back to early
00:14:32 --> 00:14:33 Jewish literature.
00:14:34 --> 00:14:35 Here it refers to
00:14:35 --> 00:14:36 whatever is good
00:14:36 --> 00:14:38 and of eternal significance
00:14:38 --> 00:14:39 that comes out
00:14:39 --> 00:14:40 of what is done
00:14:40 --> 00:14:41 on earth.
00:14:41 --> 00:14:43 Doing righteous deeds,
00:14:43 --> 00:14:44 suffering for Christ,
00:14:45 --> 00:14:46 forgiving one another,
00:14:46 --> 00:14:47 willingness to share
00:14:47 --> 00:14:48 what you have.
00:14:48 --> 00:14:49 You remember the early church
00:14:49 --> 00:14:51 people sold their houses
00:14:51 --> 00:14:51 and their land
00:14:51 --> 00:14:52 to give out.
00:14:53 --> 00:14:54 In other words,
00:14:54 --> 00:14:56 what has eternal significance
00:14:56 --> 00:14:57 is leaving out
00:14:57 --> 00:14:59 the complete package
00:14:59 --> 00:15:00 outlined in the
00:15:00 --> 00:15:01 Sermon on the Mount.
00:15:01 --> 00:15:03 Now, while we don't know
00:15:03 --> 00:15:04 what the reward in heaven
00:15:04 --> 00:15:06 is actually going to look like,
00:15:06 --> 00:15:06 we get a picture
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 of what heaven
00:15:07 --> 00:15:08 actually will look like
00:15:08 --> 00:15:10 to some degree
00:15:10 --> 00:15:11 in Revelation
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 and it's beautiful
00:15:12 --> 00:15:13 and majestic
00:15:13 --> 00:15:14 and amazing
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 but we still actually
00:15:15 --> 00:15:15 can't fathom that
00:15:15 --> 00:15:16 because we're sitting
00:15:16 --> 00:15:17 in these chairs
00:15:17 --> 00:15:18 and we're in these
00:15:18 --> 00:15:19 mortal bodies.
00:15:19 --> 00:15:20 We can't fathom it.
00:15:21 --> 00:15:22 But let's face it,
00:15:24 --> 00:15:24 none of us are really
00:15:24 --> 00:15:25 concerned about receiving
00:15:25 --> 00:15:27 some kind of material
00:15:27 --> 00:15:27 reward in heaven,
00:15:28 --> 00:15:28 surely.
00:15:28 --> 00:15:31 the best treasure
00:15:31 --> 00:15:31 in heaven,
00:15:32 --> 00:15:33 this is what I hope for,
00:15:33 --> 00:15:34 will be to see
00:15:34 --> 00:15:35 the people we know
00:15:35 --> 00:15:36 and love,
00:15:37 --> 00:15:37 the people we've
00:15:37 --> 00:15:38 come in contact with.
00:15:39 --> 00:15:40 Our friends and family
00:15:40 --> 00:15:41 are going to be a given
00:15:41 --> 00:15:43 that we want to see
00:15:43 --> 00:15:43 them there
00:15:43 --> 00:15:45 but what about
00:15:45 --> 00:15:45 the people we meet
00:15:45 --> 00:15:46 on the streets?
00:15:47 --> 00:15:48 Sometimes I'll get
00:15:48 --> 00:15:49 on public transport
00:15:49 --> 00:15:50 and I'll sit on a bus
00:15:50 --> 00:15:50 and actually face
00:15:50 --> 00:15:51 the opposite way
00:15:51 --> 00:15:51 and I just look down
00:15:51 --> 00:15:53 the barrel at all the people
00:15:53 --> 00:15:54 and I'm thinking,
00:15:54 --> 00:15:55 do you know Jesus?
00:15:56 --> 00:15:56 Are you ready?
00:15:57 --> 00:15:58 I'd love to see you
00:15:58 --> 00:15:59 all there one day.
00:15:59 --> 00:15:59 I don't know you
00:15:59 --> 00:16:01 but I'd love to see you there.
00:16:02 --> 00:16:04 And it's the image bearers
00:16:04 --> 00:16:06 of God
00:16:06 --> 00:16:07 that Jesus died for.
00:16:08 --> 00:16:10 Not a car
00:16:10 --> 00:16:12 or an Australian
00:16:12 --> 00:16:13 frisbee jersey
00:16:13 --> 00:16:15 or a rusty medal.
00:16:15 --> 00:16:18 What has eternal significance?
00:16:19 --> 00:16:21 Doing God's will
00:16:21 --> 00:16:22 on earth
00:16:22 --> 00:16:23 as it is in heaven
00:16:23 --> 00:16:25 and sharing the gospel
00:16:25 --> 00:16:26 with our whole lives.
00:16:27 --> 00:16:28 I don't think it's
00:16:28 --> 00:16:29 too much of a stretch
00:16:29 --> 00:16:30 but I honestly believe
00:16:30 --> 00:16:31 that the treasure
00:16:31 --> 00:16:32 we store up in heaven
00:16:32 --> 00:16:34 is the people
00:16:34 --> 00:16:36 we personally point to Jesus.
00:16:38 --> 00:16:39 Normally if you give
00:16:39 --> 00:16:40 earthly treasure away
00:16:40 --> 00:16:40 it's gone.
00:16:42 --> 00:16:43 The gospel is better
00:16:43 --> 00:16:44 than a Tim Tam pack
00:16:44 --> 00:16:45 that never runs out.
00:16:45 --> 00:16:48 In his great mercy
00:16:48 --> 00:16:49 he has given us
00:16:49 --> 00:16:49 new birth
00:16:49 --> 00:16:50 into a living hope
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 through the resurrection
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 of Jesus Christ
00:16:52 --> 00:16:52 from the dead
00:16:52 --> 00:16:54 and into an inheritance
00:16:54 --> 00:16:55 that can never perish
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 spoil or fade
00:16:56 --> 00:16:58 kept in heaven
00:16:58 --> 00:16:59 for you.
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 The gospel
00:17:02 --> 00:17:03 is the treasure
00:17:03 --> 00:17:04 that keeps on giving.
00:17:05 --> 00:17:06 When we share the gospel
00:17:06 --> 00:17:08 we still have it
00:17:08 --> 00:17:10 but so does someone else.
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 It's God's treasure
00:17:12 --> 00:17:13 that never perishes
00:17:13 --> 00:17:14 never spoils
00:17:14 --> 00:17:15 never fades.
00:17:16 --> 00:17:17 As we share the gospel
00:17:17 --> 00:17:19 and give generously
00:17:19 --> 00:17:19 to support ministry
00:17:19 --> 00:17:20 of the gospel
00:17:20 --> 00:17:21 both here
00:17:21 --> 00:17:23 and with overseas mission
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 we are using riches
00:17:24 --> 00:17:25 on earth
00:17:25 --> 00:17:26 to build treasure
00:17:26 --> 00:17:26 in heaven.
00:17:28 --> 00:17:29 In this life
00:17:29 --> 00:17:30 we won't always see it
00:17:30 --> 00:17:32 but what joy
00:17:32 --> 00:17:33 there will be
00:17:33 --> 00:17:34 what treasure
00:17:34 --> 00:17:34 in heaven
00:17:34 --> 00:17:36 when we are united
00:17:36 --> 00:17:37 with those
00:17:37 --> 00:17:37 who have come
00:17:37 --> 00:17:38 to know Jesus
00:17:38 --> 00:17:39 either because
00:17:39 --> 00:17:40 of our direct connection
00:17:40 --> 00:17:41 in sharing our lives
00:17:41 --> 00:17:42 and the gospel
00:17:42 --> 00:17:42 with them
00:17:42 --> 00:17:44 or indirectly
00:17:44 --> 00:17:45 through our partnering
00:17:45 --> 00:17:46 financially
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 and mission
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 both locally
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 and globally.
00:17:50 --> 00:17:51 Jesus concludes
00:17:51 --> 00:17:53 no one can serve
00:17:53 --> 00:17:53 two masters
00:17:53 --> 00:17:55 either they will
00:17:55 --> 00:17:57 hate the one
00:17:57 --> 00:17:58 and love the other
00:17:58 --> 00:17:59 or they will be devoted
00:17:59 --> 00:18:00 to one
00:18:00 --> 00:18:01 and despise the other.
00:18:01 --> 00:18:03 You cannot serve
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 both God
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 and money.
00:18:05 --> 00:18:09 Why can't we have it all?
00:18:09 --> 00:18:10 Why can't we have both?
00:18:11 --> 00:18:13 A couple of observations here.
00:18:13 --> 00:18:15 In this western age
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 of individualism
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 selfishness
00:18:17 --> 00:18:18 instant gratification
00:18:18 --> 00:18:20 people today
00:18:20 --> 00:18:20 find it hard
00:18:20 --> 00:18:21 to miss out
00:18:21 --> 00:18:21 on anything
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 that money can buy
00:18:22 --> 00:18:24 if they have the means.
00:18:25 --> 00:18:26 Needing the right
00:18:26 --> 00:18:27 brand of clothes
00:18:27 --> 00:18:28 cars
00:18:28 --> 00:18:29 mobile phones
00:18:29 --> 00:18:31 gaming consoles
00:18:31 --> 00:18:32 spectacular holidays
00:18:32 --> 00:18:34 not many of us
00:18:34 --> 00:18:34 are willing
00:18:34 --> 00:18:35 to go without
00:18:35 --> 00:18:36 or prepared
00:18:36 --> 00:18:37 to make costly
00:18:37 --> 00:18:37 sacrifices
00:18:37 --> 00:18:39 in laying down
00:18:39 --> 00:18:39 our lives
00:18:39 --> 00:18:40 for Jesus.
00:18:41 --> 00:18:42 Worldliness
00:18:42 --> 00:18:43 can so easily
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 entangle
00:18:44 --> 00:18:44 like the thorns
00:18:44 --> 00:18:46 the Christian life.
00:18:47 --> 00:18:48 Nothing but the best
00:18:48 --> 00:18:49 will do for me.
00:18:50 --> 00:18:50 I've earned it.
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 I deserve it.
00:18:53 --> 00:18:54 We place limits
00:18:54 --> 00:18:55 on trusting Jesus.
00:18:55 --> 00:18:56 I'm not prepared
00:18:56 --> 00:18:57 to step out
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 in faith
00:18:58 --> 00:18:59 and trust God
00:18:59 --> 00:19:00 and let him
00:19:00 --> 00:19:00 take me
00:19:00 --> 00:19:01 where he'll take me.
00:19:02 --> 00:19:02 I'm scared
00:19:02 --> 00:19:03 that my pay package
00:19:03 --> 00:19:04 will drop
00:19:04 --> 00:19:05 that my standard
00:19:05 --> 00:19:05 of living
00:19:05 --> 00:19:07 will lower.
00:19:09 --> 00:19:10 Not many people
00:19:10 --> 00:19:11 are prepared
00:19:11 --> 00:19:12 to downscale
00:19:12 --> 00:19:13 for the sake
00:19:13 --> 00:19:13 of the gospel
00:19:13 --> 00:19:14 buy a cheaper
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 brand
00:19:15 --> 00:19:17 or generously
00:19:17 --> 00:19:18 support mission.
00:19:19 --> 00:19:20 When Jesus
00:19:20 --> 00:19:21 says no one
00:19:21 --> 00:19:21 can serve
00:19:21 --> 00:19:22 two masters
00:19:22 --> 00:19:23 it's an image
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 of slavery.
00:19:25 --> 00:19:25 Slaves
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 were owned
00:19:26 --> 00:19:27 by a master.
00:19:28 --> 00:19:29 They were required
00:19:29 --> 00:19:30 to obey
00:19:30 --> 00:19:31 and serve
00:19:31 --> 00:19:31 their master
00:19:31 --> 00:19:32 full time.
00:19:32 --> 00:19:33 There was no room
00:19:33 --> 00:19:34 in their lives
00:19:34 --> 00:19:34 to serve
00:19:34 --> 00:19:35 another master.
00:19:36 --> 00:19:37 Two treasures.
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 Treasure on earth
00:19:39 --> 00:19:40 or treasure in heaven.
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 We'll hate one
00:19:43 --> 00:19:44 and we'll love
00:19:44 --> 00:19:44 the other
00:19:44 --> 00:19:46 or we'll be devoted
00:19:46 --> 00:19:46 to one
00:19:46 --> 00:19:47 and despise
00:19:47 --> 00:19:48 the other
00:19:48 --> 00:19:49 but we can't
00:19:49 --> 00:19:50 serve both
00:19:50 --> 00:19:51 God and money.
00:19:51 --> 00:19:54 who
00:19:54 --> 00:19:55 or what
00:19:55 --> 00:19:56 has mastery
00:19:56 --> 00:19:56 of your heart?
00:19:58 --> 00:19:58 Have you been
00:19:58 --> 00:19:59 enslaved
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 by earthly
00:20:00 --> 00:20:00 treasures
00:20:00 --> 00:20:02 because it's
00:20:02 --> 00:20:02 idolatry?
00:20:04 --> 00:20:05 Whatever you do
00:20:05 --> 00:20:06 and this is a popular
00:20:06 --> 00:20:06 thing
00:20:06 --> 00:20:07 just follow your heart
00:20:07 --> 00:20:08 listen to your heart
00:20:08 --> 00:20:08 don't listen
00:20:08 --> 00:20:09 to your heart.
00:20:10 --> 00:20:11 Jeremiah 17
00:20:11 --> 00:20:12 9
00:20:12 --> 00:20:13 reminds us
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 the heart
00:20:14 --> 00:20:15 is deceitful
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 above all things
00:20:16 --> 00:20:18 but praise God
00:20:18 --> 00:20:19 in Ezekiel
00:20:19 --> 00:20:20 we're reminded
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 that God wants
00:20:21 --> 00:20:21 to give us
00:20:21 --> 00:20:22 a new heart
00:20:22 --> 00:20:23 and put a new
00:20:23 --> 00:20:24 spirit
00:20:24 --> 00:20:24 to remove
00:20:24 --> 00:20:25 our heart
00:20:25 --> 00:20:26 of stone
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 and give us
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 a heart
00:20:28 --> 00:20:28 of flesh.
00:20:29 --> 00:20:30 We all need
00:20:30 --> 00:20:31 to hear these
00:20:31 --> 00:20:31 words
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 and to take
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 them seriously.
00:20:35 --> 00:20:35 The heart
00:20:35 --> 00:20:36 of our living
00:20:36 --> 00:20:37 is to be
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 for the kingdom
00:20:38 --> 00:20:38 of God.
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 What then
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 are we to do
00:20:42 --> 00:20:42 with earthly
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 treasure?
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 The first thing
00:20:45 --> 00:20:45 we need to acknowledge
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 that we are rich.
00:20:47 --> 00:20:48 Did you know
00:20:48 --> 00:20:49 that if you earn
00:20:49 --> 00:20:50 $90 a day
00:20:50 --> 00:20:52 you're in the top
00:20:52 --> 00:20:53 1%
00:20:53 --> 00:20:55 of the richest
00:20:55 --> 00:20:55 people in the world?
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 You don't have
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 to be Elon Musk
00:20:58 --> 00:21:00 Bill Gates
00:21:00 --> 00:21:00 or any of these people
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 $90 a day
00:21:01 --> 00:21:02 will put you
00:21:02 --> 00:21:03 in the top 1%
00:21:03 --> 00:21:04 of people in the world.
00:21:04 --> 00:21:06 As we are blessed
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 we need to be
00:21:07 --> 00:21:08 a blessing to others.
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 Jesus said
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 to whom much is given
00:21:11 --> 00:21:13 much will be required.
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 And we need
00:21:15 --> 00:21:15 to acknowledge
00:21:15 --> 00:21:17 that this is actually
00:21:17 --> 00:21:17 all just a loan
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 from God.
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 In Psalm 24
00:21:19 --> 00:21:20 verse 1
00:21:20 --> 00:21:20 we read
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 the earth
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 is the Lord's
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 and everything
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 in it
00:21:24 --> 00:21:25 the world
00:21:25 --> 00:21:26 and all
00:21:26 --> 00:21:27 who live in it.
00:21:27 --> 00:21:28 In other words
00:21:28 --> 00:21:29 everything we have
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 is just on loan
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 from God.
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 If it wasn't
00:21:32 --> 00:21:34 we'd take it with us
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 when we die.
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 So what do we do
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 with earthly treasure
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 God has given us
00:21:39 --> 00:21:39 on loan?
00:21:39 --> 00:21:40 We get a really
00:21:40 --> 00:21:41 clear indicator
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 in Timothy.
00:21:43 --> 00:21:43 Command those
00:21:43 --> 00:21:44 who are rich
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 in this present world
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 not to be arrogant
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 nor to put their hope
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 in wealth
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 which is so uncertain
00:21:49 --> 00:21:50 but to put their hope
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 in God
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 who richly provides us
00:21:52 --> 00:21:53 with everything
00:21:53 --> 00:21:54 for our enjoyment.
00:21:55 --> 00:21:55 Command them
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 to do good
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 to be rich
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 in good deeds
00:21:58 --> 00:21:59 and to be generous
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 and willing to share.
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 In this way
00:22:01 --> 00:22:02 they will lay up
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 treasure for themselves
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 as a firm foundation
00:22:04 --> 00:22:05 for the coming age
00:22:05 --> 00:22:06 so that they may
00:22:06 --> 00:22:07 take hold
00:22:07 --> 00:22:08 of the life
00:22:08 --> 00:22:10 that is truly life.
00:22:10 --> 00:22:12 be rich
00:22:12 --> 00:22:12 in good deeds
00:22:12 --> 00:22:13 be generous
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 and willing
00:22:14 --> 00:22:15 to share.
00:22:16 --> 00:22:16 For those
00:22:16 --> 00:22:17 in the family
00:22:17 --> 00:22:17 of God
00:22:17 --> 00:22:19 our inheritance
00:22:19 --> 00:22:20 is in heaven.
00:22:21 --> 00:22:21 This treasure
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 is secure
00:22:22 --> 00:22:23 and it lasts
00:22:23 --> 00:22:24 forever.
00:22:25 --> 00:22:26 There's a story
00:22:26 --> 00:22:27 of a rich
00:22:27 --> 00:22:29 diamond merchant
00:22:29 --> 00:22:30 who was looking
00:22:30 --> 00:22:30 for a particular
00:22:30 --> 00:22:31 diamond for his
00:22:31 --> 00:22:32 collection
00:22:32 --> 00:22:32 and there was
00:22:32 --> 00:22:33 a New York
00:22:33 --> 00:22:33 jeweller
00:22:33 --> 00:22:35 who traded
00:22:35 --> 00:22:35 in diamonds
00:22:35 --> 00:22:36 who knew of this
00:22:36 --> 00:22:37 and he discovered
00:22:37 --> 00:22:38 in his collection
00:22:38 --> 00:22:39 a diamond
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 that this Dutch
00:22:40 --> 00:22:42 diamond collector
00:22:42 --> 00:22:43 would like
00:22:43 --> 00:22:44 and he flew over
00:22:44 --> 00:22:44 and he said
00:22:44 --> 00:22:45 come on over
00:22:45 --> 00:22:46 and he got his
00:22:46 --> 00:22:47 associate
00:22:47 --> 00:22:48 his best salesman
00:22:48 --> 00:22:49 who knew everything
00:22:49 --> 00:22:50 about diamonds
00:22:50 --> 00:22:51 to talk about
00:22:51 --> 00:22:52 this diamond
00:22:52 --> 00:22:53 and at the end
00:22:53 --> 00:22:54 of him discussing
00:22:54 --> 00:22:54 all the technical
00:22:54 --> 00:22:56 details of the diamond
00:22:56 --> 00:22:57 the guy decided
00:22:57 --> 00:22:58 he wouldn't buy it.
00:22:58 --> 00:22:59 He wasn't interested
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 after all
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 and then the owner
00:23:01 --> 00:23:01 of the shop said
00:23:01 --> 00:23:01 hang on a minute
00:23:01 --> 00:23:03 can I just take that diamond
00:23:03 --> 00:23:04 and give it one more crack
00:23:04 --> 00:23:07 and then he explained
00:23:07 --> 00:23:09 all this about the diamond
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 and the gentleman
00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 decided to buy it
00:23:11 --> 00:23:13 and then he said
00:23:13 --> 00:23:14 sir I wonder why
00:23:14 --> 00:23:15 you're able to sell me
00:23:15 --> 00:23:16 this stone
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 when your salesman
00:23:17 --> 00:23:17 could not
00:23:17 --> 00:23:19 and the owner replied
00:23:19 --> 00:23:21 that salesman
00:23:21 --> 00:23:22 is the best
00:23:22 --> 00:23:22 in the business
00:23:22 --> 00:23:24 he knows more
00:23:24 --> 00:23:24 about diamonds
00:23:24 --> 00:23:25 than anyone
00:23:25 --> 00:23:26 including myself
00:23:26 --> 00:23:28 and I pay him
00:23:28 --> 00:23:28 large salary
00:23:28 --> 00:23:29 for his knowledge
00:23:29 --> 00:23:30 and expertise
00:23:30 --> 00:23:31 but I would gladly
00:23:31 --> 00:23:33 pay him twice
00:23:33 --> 00:23:33 as much
00:23:33 --> 00:23:34 if I could put
00:23:34 --> 00:23:34 into him
00:23:34 --> 00:23:35 something
00:23:35 --> 00:23:36 I have
00:23:36 --> 00:23:38 which he lacks
00:23:38 --> 00:23:39 you see
00:23:39 --> 00:23:40 he knows diamonds
00:23:40 --> 00:23:42 but I love them
00:23:42 --> 00:23:45 what we love
00:23:45 --> 00:23:46 what we treasure
00:23:46 --> 00:23:48 what we're passionate about
00:23:48 --> 00:23:49 passionate about
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 we talk about
00:23:50 --> 00:23:52 if you like skiing
00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 I'll know you like skiing
00:23:53 --> 00:23:54 because you'll start
00:23:54 --> 00:23:55 talking about it
00:23:55 --> 00:23:56 or some kind of sport
00:23:56 --> 00:23:57 or music
00:23:57 --> 00:23:59 or your family
00:23:59 --> 00:24:00 Jesus said
00:24:00 --> 00:24:02 out of the overflow
00:24:02 --> 00:24:03 of the heart
00:24:03 --> 00:24:04 the mouth speaks
00:24:04 --> 00:24:06 what's on our heart
00:24:06 --> 00:24:07 we speak about
00:24:07 --> 00:24:09 it just comes out
00:24:09 --> 00:24:10 it's one thing
00:24:10 --> 00:24:12 to know about Jesus
00:24:12 --> 00:24:13 it's another
00:24:13 --> 00:24:14 to love Jesus
00:24:14 --> 00:24:16 and if you love Jesus
00:24:16 --> 00:24:17 and treasure knowing him
00:24:17 --> 00:24:18 you can't stop
00:24:18 --> 00:24:19 talking about him
00:24:19 --> 00:24:22 we're jars of clay
00:24:22 --> 00:24:24 and like jars of clay
00:24:24 --> 00:24:25 we're fallible
00:24:25 --> 00:24:26 we're broken
00:24:26 --> 00:24:28 we're fragile
00:24:28 --> 00:24:30 yet we have this
00:24:30 --> 00:24:31 glorious treasure within
00:24:31 --> 00:24:33 that will not perish
00:24:33 --> 00:24:34 and will not fade
00:24:34 --> 00:24:37 when we truly love Jesus
00:24:37 --> 00:24:38 and truly love our family
00:24:38 --> 00:24:39 and friends
00:24:39 --> 00:24:39 and really care about
00:24:39 --> 00:24:40 other people
00:24:40 --> 00:24:41 we don't want them
00:24:41 --> 00:24:42 to miss out on heaven
00:24:42 --> 00:24:46 the diamond salesman
00:24:46 --> 00:24:48 loved earthly treasure
00:24:48 --> 00:24:49 and loved talking about
00:24:49 --> 00:24:50 that treasure
00:24:50 --> 00:24:52 but that doesn't last
00:24:52 --> 00:24:53 if we love Jesus
00:24:53 --> 00:24:55 we have a different
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 perspective on life
00:24:56 --> 00:24:58 looking forward to a place
00:24:58 --> 00:24:59 where moth and rust
00:24:59 --> 00:25:00 do not destroy
00:25:00 --> 00:25:02 and where thieves
00:25:02 --> 00:25:03 cannot break in and steal
00:25:03 --> 00:25:05 and as a result
00:25:05 --> 00:25:06 we focus
00:25:06 --> 00:25:07 I hope on things
00:25:07 --> 00:25:08 that have eternal significance
00:25:08 --> 00:25:11 if we love Jesus
00:25:11 --> 00:25:13 we love sharing the gospel
00:25:13 --> 00:25:14 godly treasure
00:25:14 --> 00:25:16 and use our worldly treasure
00:25:16 --> 00:25:17 God has given us
00:25:17 --> 00:25:18 on loan
00:25:18 --> 00:25:20 to support ministry
00:25:20 --> 00:25:23 of the good news of Jesus
00:25:23 --> 00:25:24 both here
00:25:24 --> 00:25:25 locally
00:25:25 --> 00:25:26 nationally
00:25:26 --> 00:25:27 and globally
00:25:27 --> 00:25:30 Oscar Schindler
00:25:30 --> 00:25:30 and his wife
00:25:30 --> 00:25:32 saved over 1200 Jews
00:25:32 --> 00:25:33 from near certain death
00:25:33 --> 00:25:34 at the hands of the Nazis
00:25:34 --> 00:25:37 in the Steven Spielberg film
00:25:37 --> 00:25:39 Schindler's List
00:25:39 --> 00:25:41 it records how Oscar
00:25:41 --> 00:25:43 used his worldly wealth
00:25:43 --> 00:25:44 to rescue Jews
00:25:44 --> 00:25:46 at the conclusion
00:25:46 --> 00:25:47 of World War II
00:25:47 --> 00:25:48 Schindler was given
00:25:48 --> 00:25:49 a gold ring
00:25:49 --> 00:25:50 this is true
00:25:50 --> 00:25:51 it's not just a movie depiction
00:25:51 --> 00:25:53 and on the ring
00:25:53 --> 00:25:55 the gold ring
00:25:55 --> 00:25:56 from the survivors
00:25:56 --> 00:25:56 and the gold
00:25:56 --> 00:25:57 was actually extracted
00:25:57 --> 00:25:58 from the tooth
00:25:58 --> 00:26:00 the bridge in a prisoner's mouth
00:26:00 --> 00:26:02 and they got the ring
00:26:02 --> 00:26:03 and they inscribed it
00:26:03 --> 00:26:03 with something
00:26:03 --> 00:26:04 from the Talmud
00:26:04 --> 00:26:05 and this is what it read
00:26:05 --> 00:26:09 he who saves a single life
00:26:09 --> 00:26:11 saves the entire world
00:26:11 --> 00:26:14 the film marks
00:26:14 --> 00:26:16 this moment powerfully
00:26:16 --> 00:26:19 on receiving the gift
00:26:19 --> 00:26:21 Schindler breaks down
00:26:21 --> 00:26:23 and he removes his watch
00:26:23 --> 00:26:25 and he removes a gold pin
00:26:25 --> 00:26:27 and he says
00:26:27 --> 00:26:28 this could have been one more
00:26:28 --> 00:26:30 this could have been five more
00:26:30 --> 00:26:33 he could have used his earthly treasure
00:26:33 --> 00:26:34 to save more
00:26:34 --> 00:26:36 one day
00:26:36 --> 00:26:38 we will see Jesus
00:26:38 --> 00:26:41 could be sooner than we realise
00:26:41 --> 00:26:43 and we'll look around
00:26:43 --> 00:26:44 all the people
00:26:44 --> 00:26:45 that we shared the gospel with
00:26:45 --> 00:26:47 or we supported
00:26:47 --> 00:26:49 in ministry
00:26:49 --> 00:26:50 and ministry of the gospel
00:26:50 --> 00:26:53 will we wish we'd done more
00:26:53 --> 00:26:59 those who point others to Jesus
00:26:59 --> 00:27:01 the one who saves life
00:27:01 --> 00:27:03 store up treasure in heaven
00:27:03 --> 00:27:06 when the Christian community
00:27:06 --> 00:27:08 is salt and light in the world
00:27:08 --> 00:27:10 generosity is a sign
00:27:10 --> 00:27:10 that this world
00:27:10 --> 00:27:11 has not taken hold
00:27:11 --> 00:27:13 and that we've weeded out
00:27:13 --> 00:27:14 the thorns of wealth
00:27:14 --> 00:27:16 accumulation and worry
00:27:16 --> 00:27:18 from the garden of our lives
00:27:18 --> 00:27:21 there will be an observable difference
00:27:21 --> 00:27:22 as we live by using
00:27:22 --> 00:27:23 treasure on earth
00:27:23 --> 00:27:24 God has given us
00:27:24 --> 00:27:26 not to invest in property shares
00:27:26 --> 00:27:28 or our portfolios
00:27:28 --> 00:27:30 but rather investing
00:27:30 --> 00:27:31 in sharing in the gospel
00:27:31 --> 00:27:33 I pray this happens
00:27:33 --> 00:27:36 as we listen to the teaching
00:27:36 --> 00:27:36 of Jesus
00:27:36 --> 00:27:38 and respond
00:27:38 --> 00:27:39 by living for God's
00:27:39 --> 00:27:41 upside down kingdom
00:27:41 --> 00:27:43 seeking to build treasure on earth
00:27:43 --> 00:27:44 treasure in heaven
00:27:44 --> 00:27:45 not on earth
00:27:45 --> 00:27:47 so as we head into 2022
00:27:47 --> 00:27:50 it's a great opportunity
00:27:50 --> 00:27:51 to reassess our motivations
00:27:51 --> 00:27:54 where our hearts lie
00:27:54 --> 00:27:56 and what it is we really treasure
00:27:56 --> 00:28:00 it's a chance to examine our finances
00:28:00 --> 00:28:02 rework the budget
00:28:02 --> 00:28:04 prioritise giving
00:28:04 --> 00:28:06 we cannot serve two masters
00:28:06 --> 00:28:09 we either live for treasure on earth
00:28:09 --> 00:28:11 or live for treasure in heaven
00:28:11 --> 00:28:13 which treasure
00:28:13 --> 00:28:15 will we live for today
00:28:15 --> 00:28:17 it's a choice
00:28:17 --> 00:28:19 we have to make constantly
00:28:19 --> 00:28:22 stir up for yourselves
00:28:22 --> 00:28:23 treasure in heaven
00:28:23 --> 00:28:24 where moths don't eat
00:28:24 --> 00:28:25 rust doesn't destroy
00:28:25 --> 00:28:26 and where thieves
00:28:26 --> 00:28:27 do not break into steel
00:28:27 --> 00:28:29 for where your treasure is
00:28:29 --> 00:28:31 there your heart will be
00:28:31 --> 00:28:32 also
00:28:32 --> 00:28:33 let's pray
00:28:33 --> 00:28:35 heavenly father
00:28:35 --> 00:28:35 lord
00:28:35 --> 00:28:37 weed out our hearts
00:28:37 --> 00:28:37 lord
00:28:37 --> 00:28:38 take from us anything
00:28:38 --> 00:28:39 that's
00:28:39 --> 00:28:41 taking us away from you
00:28:41 --> 00:28:43 whatever we've
00:28:43 --> 00:28:45 it's encapsulated us
00:28:45 --> 00:28:45 in this world
00:28:45 --> 00:28:46 you've made a good world
00:28:46 --> 00:28:47 it's an amazing world
00:28:47 --> 00:28:48 lord
00:28:48 --> 00:28:48 that
00:28:48 --> 00:28:49 it's broken
00:28:49 --> 00:28:50 and it's fallen
00:28:50 --> 00:28:51 and we need Jesus
00:28:51 --> 00:28:52 lord
00:28:52 --> 00:28:52 let this world
00:28:52 --> 00:28:54 not distract us
00:28:54 --> 00:28:55 let us live in this world
00:28:55 --> 00:28:56 but not of the world
00:28:56 --> 00:28:59 let us fix our eyes on Jesus
00:28:59 --> 00:29:00 the author and perfecter
00:29:00 --> 00:29:00 of our faith
00:29:00 --> 00:29:01 and lord
00:29:01 --> 00:29:03 motivated by love for you
00:29:03 --> 00:29:04 and love for others
00:29:04 --> 00:29:05 can we just share this
00:29:05 --> 00:29:06 treasure
00:29:06 --> 00:29:07 this gospel treasure
00:29:07 --> 00:29:07 with all we come
00:29:07 --> 00:29:08 in contact with
00:29:08 --> 00:29:09 with all we see
00:29:09 --> 00:29:11 and may they know
00:29:11 --> 00:29:12 the love of Jesus
00:29:12 --> 00:29:13 and the hope we have
00:29:13 --> 00:29:16 the new creation
00:29:16 --> 00:29:16 lord
00:29:16 --> 00:29:17 we hope for that
00:29:17 --> 00:29:19 in Jesus name
00:29:19 --> 00:29:19 amen