Matthew 6:19-24
September 29, 2024Matthew 6:19-24
The Right Side up Life / Matthew 6:19–24
Intro
› So the thing that you have to discern is
› What or who are your tour guides?
› And are they reliable?
Define what you love
Matthew 6:19 ESV
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,
Matthew 6:20 ESV
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Matthew 13:44 ESV
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Philippians 3:4–9 ESV
though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—
You are already organized for what you love
Matthew 6:21–23 ESV
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
If we find our treasures in lesser ends we will only see in partial, in darkness. Treasures in heaven are the better ultimate end.
You are what you love in a very practical way.
If Love happens through how we spend time and what we spend our money on, we want to make sure that we’re practicing the things that matter.That’s why we invite you into Service Here this morning. That’s why we invite you to serve in the church. To enact what it is you love if in fact you love God. That’s why we talk about giving as discipleship as formation as following Christ. Because whatever it does you love your account will follow. So giving us a practice that allows us to state what we love.
Organize what you love
Matthew 6:24 ESV
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
“You have to wager. It is not up to you, you are already committed.”
When we invest in the kingdom. When we give of ourselves, storing up for things that cannot rust we are communicating we have a reliable guide. Someone who is worthwhile and can lead us. The living God does not promise castles and return taverns.
1 Peter 1:3–5 ESV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Discussion Questions:
1. **What do you treasure most in your life right now, and how does that guide your daily decisions?**
– Reflect on where your time, money, and energy are spent and how they reveal your priorities.
2. **How reliable are the ‘tour guides’ you are currently following in life—whether they be personal ambitions, relationships, or material possessions?**
– Consider if these guides are leading you toward true fulfillment or just temporary satisfaction.
3. **In what areas of your life do you feel challenged to give up lesser treasures in exchange for storing up treasures in heaven?**
– Identify habits, desires, or possessions that may be pulling you away from eternal values.
4. **How do you practically demonstrate your love for God through actions, time, and resources?**
– Think about how you actively invest in your relationship with God and His Kingdom.
5. **What specific steps can you take to ensure that your treasures align with God’s eternal purposes rather than earthly, fleeting values?**
– Focus on tangible ways to reorganize your life around loving God and His Kingdom.