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…There are many kinds of __warnings__ in our life. Our homes have
smoke detectors, our cars have all sorts of lights that are designed to warn
us that something is wrong. Our police and fireman have sirens and
lights warning us to get out of their way.
…Jesus now changes His topic without notice. He turns from the
temptation to be hypocrites to warnings about personal __failures__
that most often deprive a believer of spiritual victories.
…The first warning involves strong words calling us to live wisely in a world
that is __passing__, He tell us that we should not confine our
ambition, our __interests__, nor our hopes to this life, for it is all
passing away.
THREE
ESSENTIALS HELPING US TO LIVE FOR CHRIST IN A WORLD THAT IS PASSING AWAY.
For someday,
__everything__ you have will be taken from you, or you will be taken
from it. It is a wise man who considers his __condition__ and
lives in light of it!
I. Treasure:
Make Sure Your Treasure Is In The
__Right__
Bank. (vv19-21)
A. Jesus
warns us to be careful where we store-up our treasure.
1.
“Treasure”
means
__wealth__.
(thesaurus) It is that which we
__prize__
most dearly.
…What do you day-dream about? It is that which __occupies__ your
mind.
2.
Jesus tells
that there are
__only__
two possible places for our treasure:
…You can either make deposits in the Bank of __Earth__…or,
…You can put your treasure in the Bank
of Heaven. No other choices!
3.
Earth is no
place to put your treasure, all earthly treasure is
__subject__
to destruction.
B. You
can deposit your treasure in heaven by wisely, lovingly and willingly using
your possessions for God’s purposes. Surrender the
__ownership__
of all to the Lord, then use them for Him.
…In this, it is not some much what a man has, but what he __thinks__
about what he has…
C.
Jesus tells us that
there is a direct
__connection__
between your treasure and your heart. (v21)
1.
The way you use
your wealth, is the strongest indicator of where your
__heart__
is.
…If you spend your time, money, and __abilities__ on your own business
and neglect God, then your heart is in your business and not fixed on the
Lord.
2.
Remember
everything we possess here belongs to a
__passing__
world.
II.
Vision: Make
Sure That You
__Think__
About Life In the Right Way. (vv22-23)
A. Jesus
speaks of “the eye” and this refers to our
__hearts__.
The heart is the deepest part of our being. It is the window of the
soul. This is the way you “see” life and
__think__
about it.
1.
When our eyes
are healthy and clear, the light of understanding fills us.
2.
When our eyes
are diseased, they are clouded (cataracts) and
__darkness__
abounds, resulting in confusion. The results, one
__cannot__
see afar off. Thinking is perverted.
B.
The spiritual eye sees
the world and life the way it
__really__
is.
1.
All is seen
from
__God’s__
perspective, as we think Biblically. (single-minded devotion)
2.
Sin, blinds the
heart, and men
__lose__
the little bit of light they are born with. (Rom 1:21)
C. The
reality of life: we are pilgrims, living under God’s eye and
__moving__
in the direction of heaven.
…”Everyday I am pitching my tent a day’s march __closer__
to home!”
III.
Master: Make Sure
You Don’t Serve The Wrong Master. (v 24)
…For God made us for __Himself__.
A. Jesus
tells us that it is impossible to serve two masters. It is not just
__hard__,
it is impossible!
…You can either serve God and use money for things __eternal__, or you
will serve money and use God. You see, money and God are two
__opposite__ spheres. You cannot do both.
B.
The Bible does not
condemn the possession of wealth, but it does warn against the
__love__ of it. (1
Tim 6:9-11, 17-18) Our possessions are
__never__ to possess us. (1 Cor
7:29-31) “not engrossed”
C. We
are to live now in the passing world with a single-minded
__devotion__
and allegiance to the King.
D. If
you choose not to live for the Lord, you will have
__nothing__ at the end. Use your position, use your possessions
to serve the Lord. If you do, you will have a wealthy __entrance__
into heaven, because you will have sent your treasure on __ahead__ of
you! It is forever.
LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:
1. Put
the Lord first in your life and all material things will naturally follow in
their place.
2.
Treasure used for God's glory is invested in the bank of Heaven and will last
forever.
3. The
way you use your wealth tells the truth where your heart really is.
4. Keep a
loose hand upon the things that you have. Don't hold on too tight.
5. I urge
you that if you never trusted Christ as your Savior, you are lost. Cast
yourself on the Lord Jesus Christ and receive Him as your Savior.
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