God or Mammon: You Decide!

God or Mammon – You Decide!

2001060

Subject: sermon on the mount; service

Introduction:

A. Last wk: discussed what meant by laying treasures up on earth.

1. Learned by what meant by laying up treasures in heaven.

a) Spiritual things at center of life.

b) These must b/c the things we are most interested in.

c) Live life w/hope of going home to heaven – something better; something permanent.

2. Realize that we = nothing more than pilgrims/strangers in a foreign land.

B. We need a stiff warning today concerning the possession of too great of an affection for things.

1. Covetousness is subtle. It is just the kind of spiritual cancer which seems to live easily with a great display of piety. It does not have about it the open ugliness of gross immorality, yet this “respectable worldliness,” through its subtlety, becomes even more dangerous. (Paul Earnhart)

2. The affection for things can be cured if we will follow Christ’s admonition.

C. Toward the conclusion of last wk’s lesson: we discussed need of Christians to accept Christ’s admonition. Why?

1. All things decay on this earth.

a) most beautiful flower will wilt and die.

b) Strong healthy body weakens over time.

c) Most magnificent structures crumble over time.

2. Earth filled w/corruption

3. Thy why we must lay treasures in heaven.

4. In our time together, we’ll look at some points on worldliness; then look at the need to serve God – wholeheartedly.

I. Earthly Treasure has an awful grip.

A. World can get a grip on ones entire being.

1. Effects our heart. Heart must be centered upon biblical/spiritual things.

a) involves our feelings; affections; love; and sensibility.

b) Not careful: find ourselves clinging to worldly things; coveting after them; to the neglect of our spiritual responsibilities.

B. Effects our mind. How do you “see” things? “look at things?”

1. Jesus – 6:22-23.

a) compares the function of the eye for the body w/the influence of one’s life controlling perspective on the heart. What is your perspective on life?

b) The symbolism here should cause us to consider how we look at things.

2. Good eye (sound; healthy) fills body w/light.

3. bad eye (unsound/defective) leaves body in darkness.

a) sour spiritual vision can be clouded by an unhealthy preoccupation w/things.

b) Materialism can be a cataract of the mind.

4. We may rightly conclude: the one who lays up treasures on earth has an evil eye; but he who lays up treasure in heaven has a clear vision and the whole body is full of light.

5. H. Leo Boles: wealth and riches cannot bring earthly or spiritual happiness; wealth and earthly honors and fleshly gratifications are short lived, deceptive, and despoil us of true wisdom and a true goodness. They serve to distract our attention from a higher good and more lasting blessings and leave us to perish forever; this plunges us into total and eternal darkness!

C. Our service can be affected by the world.

1. what we do = result of what we think. Result of where our heart is.

2. can take over us subtly.

II. One cannot vacillate between two masters…

A. Vacillate: to waver indecisively between once course of action or opinion and another; to hesitate.

A. One cannot split the difference between God & the world!

1. 6:24 – illustration of a man trying to serve 2 masters.

a) “serve” here – to be a slave to.

b) “master” here – Lord

2. Words together suggest total ownership & control. A man could not be a slave to two owners who both demand total service.

B. God demands total service on our part! No halfway; halfhearted; lazy service!

1. Mt. 12:30 – love Lord w/all heart/soul/mind…

2. Mt. 19:21 – sell all you have & follow me…

3. Mt. 10:37 – love Him more than family; loved ones…

4. Jesus demands ALL that we have! NOTHING on earth more precious than giving all – if necessary. Mt. 16:26!

C. So many wind up being like Assyrians in 2 Kings 17:24-41

1. 17:25 – Assyrians captured Samaria – ruled in the cities. B/c they did not fear the Lord- He sent lions which killed some of them.

2. 17:26-28 – brought priest into the land –to teach people the way of the Lord – how to fear Him.

3. 17:33 – but…not only did they fear the Lord- they continued to serve their own gods – just as before. See also 17:40-41.

4. This is like so many today – who offer lip service to God – but serve other gods at the same time.

a) job; career; recreation; family; etc., etc., etc.

b) could this be why Jesus said what He did in 7:21-23?

D. Again, God expects TOTAL commitment. It = an either/or situation – see 6:24 – love one/hate the other…

III. The problem with Mammon.

A. “mammon” as found in 6:24 – from Aramaic wd for wealth.

1. by using it here – Jesus concerned w/love of money as a rival for true commitment to God.

2. no such thing as a little covetousness.

a) we must see the danger w/any fascination w/the wealth of this world.

b) Love of things has no rival & will soon push God away from our lives.

c) Ultimately – one finds no peace or satisfaction – no lasting happiness.

B. God desires to have us exclusively for Himself – for our benefit.

1. money will consume us – God will fill us.

2. men who have been made for God will know no peace apart from Him.

3. God has always demanded total loyalty:

a) Ex. 20:3-4; Deut. 6:4-5

b) This fact should not surprise us.

C. Mammon will no longer hold itself over us when we realize:

1. God – giver of every good and perfect gift – Js. 1:17

2. God gives all things richly to us to enjoy – 1 Tim. 6:17

3. We = mere stewards of His property!

Conclusion:

A. If we succeed in having treasure in heaven – it will be because we have put our whole heart into the matter.

1. no room for indecision or lukewarmness in our attitude toward God & His kingdom.

2. we must choose heaven & choose it unreservedly.

B. Have you chosen heaven? If you are a Christian you have.

1. Mt. 6:33 – seek first the kingdom of God.

2. Are you a Christian? If not, why not?

C. I N V I T A T I O N



God or Mammon – You Decide! 2001060 Subject: sermon on the mount; service Introduction: A. Last wk: discussed what meant by laying treasures up on earth. 1. Learned by what meant by laying up treasures in heaven. a) Spiritual things at center of life. b) These must b/c the things we are most interested in. c) Live life w/hope of going home to heaven – something better; something permanent. 2. Realize that we = nothing more than pilgrims/strangers in a foreign land. B. We need a stiff warning today concerning the possession of too great of an affection for things. 1. Covetousness is subtle. It is just the kind of spiritual cancer which seems to live easily with a great display of piety. It does not have about it the open ugliness of gross immorality, yet this “respectable worldliness,” through its subtlety, becomes even more dangerous. (Paul Earnhart) 2. The affection for things can be cured if we will follow Christ’s admonition. C. Toward the conclusion of last wk’s lesson: we discussed need of Christians to accept Christ’s admonition. Why? 1. All things decay on this earth. a) most beautiful flower will wilt and die. b) Strong healthy body weakens over time. c) Most magnificent structures crumble over time. 2. Earth filled w/corruption 3. Thy why we must lay treasures in heaven. 4. In our time together, we’ll look at some points on worldliness; then look at the need to serve God – wholeheartedly. I. Earthly Treasure has an awful grip. A. World can get a grip on ones entire being. 1. Effects our heart. Heart must be centered upon biblical/spiritual things. a) involves our feelings; affections; love; and sensibility. b) Not careful: find ourselves clinging to worldly things; coveting after them; to the neglect of our spiritual responsibilities. B. Effects our mind. How do you “see” things? “look at things?” 1. Jesus – 6:22-23. a) compares the function of the eye for the body w/the influence of one’s life controlling perspective on the heart. What is your perspective on life? b) The symbolism here should cause us to consider how we look at things. 2. Good eye (sound; healthy) fills body w/light. 3. bad eye (unsound/defective) leaves body in darkness. a) sour spiritual vision can be clouded by an unhealthy preoccupation w/things. b) Materialism can be a cataract of the mind. 4. We may rightly conclude: the one who lays up treasures on earth has an evil eye; but he who lays up treasure in heaven has a clear vision and the whole body is full of light. 5. H. Leo Boles: wealth and riches cannot bring earthly or spiritual happiness; wealth and earthly honors and fleshly gratifications are short lived, deceptive, and despoil us of true wisdom and a true goodness. They serve to distract our attention from a higher good and more lasting blessings and leave us to perish forever; this plunges us into total and eternal darkness! C. Our service can be affected by the world. 1. what we do = result of what we think. Result of where our heart is. 2. can take over us subtly. II. One cannot vacillate between two masters… A. Vacillate: to waver indecisively between once course of action or opinion and another; to hesitate. A. One cannot split the difference between God & the world! 1. 6:24 – illustration of a man trying to serve 2 masters. a) “serve” here – to be a slave to. b) “master” here – Lord 2. Words together suggest total ownership & control. A man could not be a slave to two owners who both demand total service. B. God demands total service on our part! No halfway; halfhearted; lazy service! 1. Mt. 12:30 – love Lord w/all heart/soul/mind… 2. Mt. 19:21 – sell all you have & follow me… 3. Mt. 10:37 – love Him more than family; loved ones… 4. Jesus demands ALL that we have! NOTHING on earth more precious than giving all – if necessary. Mt. 16:26! C. So many wind up being like Assyrians in 2 Kings 17:24-41 1. 17:25 – Assyrians captured Samaria – ruled in the cities. B/c they did not fear the Lord- He sent lions which killed some of them. 2. 17:26-28 – brought priest into the land –to teach people the way of the Lord – how to fear Him. 3. 17:33 – but…not only did they fear the Lord- they continued to serve their own gods – just as before. See also 17:40-41. 4. This is like so many today – who offer lip service to God – but serve other gods at the same time. a) job; career; recreation; family; etc., etc., etc. b) could this be why Jesus said what He did in 7:21-23? D. Again, God expects TOTAL commitment. It = an either/or situation – see 6:24 – love one/hate the other… III. The problem with Mammon. A. “mammon” as found in 6:24 – from Aramaic wd for wealth. 1. by using it here – Jesus concerned w/love of money as a rival for true commitment to God. 2. no such thing as a little covetousness. a) we must see the danger w/any fascination w/the wealth of this world. b) Love of things has no rival & will soon push God away from our lives. c) Ultimately – one finds no peace or satisfaction – no lasting happiness. B. God desires to have us exclusively for Himself – for our benefit. 1. money will consume us – God will fill us. 2. men who have been made for God will know no peace apart from Him. 3. God has always demanded total loyalty: a) Ex. 20:3-4; Deut. 6:4-5 b) This fact should not surprise us. C. Mammon will no longer hold itself over us when we realize: 1. God – giver of every good and perfect gift – Js. 1:17 2. God gives all things richly to us to enjoy – 1 Tim. 6:17 3. We = mere stewards of His property! Conclusion: A. If we succeed in having treasure in heaven – it will be because we have put our whole heart into the matter. 1. no room for indecision or lukewarmness in our attitude toward God & His kingdom. 2. we must choose heaven & choose it unreservedly. B. Have you chosen heaven? If you are a Christian you have. 1. Mt. 6:33 – seek first the kingdom of God. 2. Are you a Christian? If not, why not? C. I N V I T A T I O N