Luke 12:13-59

[0:00] Good morning. It's good to be with God's people. Awesome privilege of being able to share God's word.

[0:11] I am blessed and humbled to do so. Let me pray and we'll get started today. Father, we love you. We thank you. We give you praise.

[0:23] Thank you for all that has gone on before us this morning. Songs that have been offered. Prayers that have been prayed. Fellowship that has been engaged in and your presence among us.

[0:38] Pray that in all things, Lord, through the proclamation of your word, you'll be glorified today. For it's in Jesus name we pray. Amen. Amen.

[0:48] Our time together would just allow for the exposition of verses 13 through 34. But all of Jesus' words in our text really deserve our attention.

[1:05] His teaching, as we have been following him on his journey to Jerusalem, it really strikes at the heart of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

[1:22] There's several things that it really demands of us. Constant readiness and watchfulness. We see that in verses 35 through 48.

[1:34] Followers of Jesus know that there is going to be a day of accountability. Where we're going to answer for how we've conducted ourselves in Jesus' absence.

[1:48] His followers also should not be surprised that there will be conflict and division. Verses 49 through 53. Jesus causes division.

[2:01] Even in the most intimate of circles within the context of family. And some of you may have experienced that on today.

[2:12] In verses 54 through 59, Jesus has words for those who were on the fringes. Some are on the fringes then. And some are on the fringes now.

[2:25] And basically what he is saying is don't ignore the obvious. And settle matters before your day in court. Because that day in court, in fact, is going to come.

[2:37] Just as they were able to analyze and observe earthly weather patterns. We fail to analyze the different moral and spiritual climate in our day.

[2:50] And that is to our chagrin and embarrassment. And sometimes to our judgment. What a great word as we look at the landscape of the world that we live in.

[3:02] And see what's going on. We need to be discerning and wise. But even in our texts. Verses 13 through 34.

[3:15] There is a very relevant word. For those who are on a journey. With Jesus. What Jesus does in these verses.

[3:26] Is that he exposes. What I would call. The folly. Of our obsession. With our possessions. We are obsessed.

[3:39] By. Things that we have. And certain things have a way. Of having. Holding a grip on us. And distracting us. From what really could be.

[3:50] And should be. Focused. Discipleship. If there is one thing. That can distract us from that. It is. The very.

[4:01] Stuff. Of life. This topic. Touches. So many. Of us. In a personal way. And in a very.

[4:13] Deep way. Our. Preoccupation. With our. Personal. Earthly. Well-being. Means that. Thoughts. Of. Security.

[4:24] Are not very far. From us. At any. Given. Time. Of day. Huh. But. As. People of God. Children of God. In this world.

[4:34] Is this the way. That it really. Should. Be. Huh. Or there are other things. That should take. Up more. Of our time. And energy. And mental. And emotional.

[4:45] Space. If you will. Huh. Who among us. Living in our great land. Of opportunity. Has not been. Directly. Or indirectly. Persuaded. To pursue.

[4:56] What could be called. The good life. And perhaps. It was the good life. That was on the. Man. Mind of this man. That we have in our text.

[5:08] On this morning. He has no name. We see him. In verse 13. He's in the crowd. But he has. An agenda. He's been wronged.

[5:20] At least. So he thinks. He had something. Coming. But in his judgment. He had gotten. The short end of the stick. Look what the verse says.

[5:30] Someone in the crowd. Said to him. Teacher. Tell my brother. To divide. The inheritance. With me. Huh. He was hoping.

[5:41] That Jesus. Would sort of. Reverse. The decision. Or. With a judgment. From this. Authoritative. Teacher. And so. He made his appeal.

[5:51] Huh. What kind of appeal. Was this. Just think. As you think. Of the gospels. Of the many people. Who had come to Jesus. With various things. On their hearts.

[6:02] And minds. Huh. Think of the hemorrhaging. Woman. Twelve years. She had experienced. That kind of bleeding.

[6:13] In her body. She came to Jesus. To be healed. Of her plague. A dying man. I mean. A man. A man. With a dying daughter.

[6:26] Likewise. Made his appeal. To Jesus. On behalf. Of his daughter. Others. Interceded. On behalf. Of their. Tortured.

[6:36] Children. Sick. And afflicted. People. Had. Lined up. Outside. Of Peter's home. And Jesus. Healed them. Of their diseases. And their plagues.

[6:46] Huh. But then. You got. This guy. Huh. Huh. I mean. When you think of all these serious things. That they brought to Jesus. Here's.

[6:57] This guy. And he wants a judgment for Jesus. To give him a little more stuff. In his life. Huh. This guy.

[7:08] Motivated because his brother. Had something. That he wanted. What a contrast. With these other people. With legitimate. With legitimate. Life altering.

[7:19] Kinds of deep needs. No wonder Jesus. Uh. Response. To this guy. Doesn't surprise us. In verse 14. Man. Who made me a judge.

[7:31] Or an arbitrator. Over you. So. Why do you want to cast me. In this particular. Role. Huh. Well. Jesus did not.

[7:41] Render a specific. Judgment. In this case. But he did. Address the underlying. Issue. That was a problem.

[7:53] This man's problem. Prompted Jesus. To state the principle. That we see. In verse 15. And then he. Illustrated the principle. With the parable.

[8:04] That we see. In verses 16. Through 21. Notice first. The principle. You see it there. In verse 15. Take care. And be on guard.

[8:16] Against all covetousness. For one's life. Does not consist. In the abundance. Of his possessions. Wow. Don't you love.

[8:26] The boldness of Jesus. The boldness of Jesus. How do you think. You would feel. If you were this man. In the crowd. You go to Jesus. For a little bit of help. To help a brother out.

[8:37] And Jesus. And Jesus. Sort of turns on you. Huh. I wonder. If the questioner. He felt so small. Huh. He likely wanted. To disappear.

[8:48] As quickly. As he had appeared. On the scene. Huh. What is it. In our lives. I would ask you. That may prompt.

[8:58] Jesus. To say. Something similar. To you and me. Huh. Covetousness. Be on guard. Be on guard. Against all covetousness.

[9:09] Could it be. An unnecessary. Purchase. Or a closet. Full of clothes. Where you just want to get. One more item. Huh. A request.

[9:21] For. The purchase. Of just one. More toy. One. More. Gadget. Or maybe. Our feelings. About someone else.

[9:31] Who has something. That you. Really. Would like. To have. But you just. Can't. Work it out. Right now. But given. A little time. You will get.

[9:43] What you want. Huh. Jesus. Words. Here. Friends. They are. A warning. To guard. Against. An enemy. That knows.

[9:53] No class. Or no color. Or no age. Covetousness. Greed. If you will. Well. One desires.

[10:04] Or seeks. More. Of something. Than what is. Actually needed. It's the rain. If you will. Of self. Indulgence. One writer.

[10:14] Puts it. This way. It's the ruthless. Appetite. To have. More. And more. Of what one. Already. Already. Has. Regardless. Of the consequences. To others.

[10:26] Huh. Oh. Can't you just. See. The. The. The pointed. Teeth. The claws. Of greed. And the face.

[10:36] Of greed. It's a human problem. The bottom line. It is a heart. Problem. It's peril. Perilous. And it is.

[10:49] Deadly. Huh. Jesus warns us. About. Overestimating. The power. Of material. Things. Friend. To really. Provide. The life.

[11:01] That we really. Need. Not the life. We desire. But the life. That. You. And I need. The failure. Of certain things.

[11:12] To bring. Ultimate. Kind of satisfaction. Possessions. Do not. Have. The power. To provide. Or really. To give life. That is.

[11:22] Life. That's life. Indeed. Just don't. Have. That kind. Of power. Oh. I love. This particular. Story. Because. Jesus.

[11:33] As we see. In verses. 13. Through 21. He shows. Us one thing. And then. He gives us. A contrast. With his words. And we'll see it.

[11:44] As we work. Our way. Through it. On this morning. But notice. The parable. Jesus states. The principle. In verse 15. But then. He goes on. To give this picture.

[11:55] Through a parable. He used. Something familiar. To illustrate. What he has. Already. Spoken about. He uses. A story. About a successful.

[12:07] Businessman. And this businessman. Is Jesus. Exhibit A. If you will. Let's notice. A few things. About him. Look at the text. He told them.

[12:17] This parable. The land. Of a rich man. Produced plentifully. So he thought. To himself. What shall I do? Notice. The personal. Pronouns.

[12:29] That are. So. Prominent. In his words. What shall I do? For. I have nowhere. To store my crops. And he says. I will do this.

[12:39] I will tear down. My barns. And build larger ones. And there. I will bestow. All my grain. And my goods. Huh? And I will say.

[12:50] To my soul. So you have. Ample goods. Laid up for. Many years. Relax. Eat. Drink. Be married.

[13:00] Just take a chill pill. You got it going on. Go on about it. Huh? Huh? He's a go-getter. This is the kind of man. That any fortune 500 company.

[13:12] Would love to be in their employ. He's a man with a vision. This is a man with drive. I mean. Can't you see him right now. Coming up north.

[13:22] On Lake Shore Drive. Driving into downtown Chicago. Into the parking facility. He hits the button. He goes up on the elevator.

[13:33] And he goes up to one of those. Those. Those. Floors. Where the air. Is pretty thin up there. 50th. 60th floor. He sits down at his computer.

[13:44] Turns around in the chair. Wall Street Journal. Was right there. On his desk. Financial reports. Are before him. He sort of skims through. But really. What he really wants to look at.

[13:54] Is the bottom line. The bottom line. Looks pretty good. Huh? Board of directors. Guess they got something in store for him. A little something. Something. You know. Well. A check with a lot of zeros on it.

[14:06] Huh? Ah. He looks out over. Lake Shore Drive. At the lake. And everything is beautiful. But all of a sudden. God knows something that he doesn't know.

[14:19] Oh. He's thinking about his 401k. He's looking about his retirement plan. But God's got a little something. Something for him. This night. Your soul. Is going to be required of you.

[14:32] And then. Who's going to get. All that you have laid up in store. For yourself. Huh? The world applauds this man's vision. The God of heaven is not impressed.

[14:47] Heaven's critique. Of this man in our text. We see it right there. Don't we? But God said to him. Fool.

[14:57] Huh? That was heaven's critique. That was God's label for him. While the critique. Because this plan. Was a foolish plan. That in that it did not include.

[15:09] The proper use of earthly possessions. It did not consider. The certainty of death. Or the uncertainty. Of its timing. Neither did it include. Concern for God.

[15:20] And the things near and dear. To the very heart of God. Huh? It was a plan. That ultimately was doomed. From the very beginning.

[15:32] How foolish it is friends. For us to live. In a world that is dominated. By self. Huh? It's foolish to. Live without. Having others.

[15:43] In view. It's foolish to live. With no thought. Of the afterlife. And what then. One can be so consumed. That there's no concern.

[15:54] No concern. Or plans. For what happens. After one. Dies. Huh? So consumed with. Life. And the stuff of life.

[16:04] That there's no consideration. Of thought. After death. Verse 21. It's foolish to be consumed. By self. That ignores. God. And forgets God.

[16:15] And. And. And. And. Understanding. That it is he. God. From. Whom. All. Blessings. Flow. Ah. Reminds me of James.

[16:26] James chapter 4. To be so consumed. By the stuff of life. That the very. Source of life. Is either obscured. Or forgotten. Huh?

[16:37] Such was the case. With the man. In the parable. So much. For the pursuit. Of the good life. Huh? The problem. Of greed. Undo control. Concerned. About material things.

[16:48] Had led to a principle. About greed. And this picture. About greed. But. It was all leading. We just can't stop there. Because Jesus. Had an application.

[16:59] Particularly. For his disciples. You see that. In verse 22. He said to his disciples. Therefore. I tell you. Those of you. Who are really. On journey. With me.

[17:10] Huh? That's his words. To them. Jesus words. Are meant to guide. And to guard. And protect. His followers. From not being. Consumed.

[17:21] And unduly. Influenced. By what we see. In those verses. That we've just read. And walked through. And it speaks. To you and me. In a very.

[17:32] Very. Powerful. Way. What difference. Should Jesus words. Make in our lives. The lives. Of his followers. Huh? The previous picture.

[17:43] Was that. Of a man. Who was. Obsessed. Or consumed. By getting. And spending. And personal. Kingdom building. There was a sense.

[17:54] In which his possessions. Actually possessed him. And this is what Jesus. Was warning. Us about. Huh? We get the snapshot. Of a fool. In verses. 16 through 20.

[18:05] And Jesus. Here. He lays out a path. For the would-be wise. In verses. 22 through 34. He instructs his disciples. As it concerned.

[18:16] What it means. To be. Really living. True living. Means truly. Trusting. In God. Huh? And. The heavenly father's. Provision.

[18:27] For. Us. That's what comes. Into view. For us. In a way. That giving. And sharing. Are in a card. With the principles.

[18:38] Of God's kingdom. True living. Involves. Number one. Receiving. From God. And. Not simply. Stopping there. But sharing.

[18:49] With other people. Who are. Who are in need. Sharing in. Ways. That meets. The needs. Of those. Who are candidates. For mercy. Huh?

[19:00] Giving alms. Basically means. Sharing. Or sharing. With those. Who are. In need. Huh? What's. With the bottom. Line. In mind. The followers.

[19:10] Of Christ. Are not. To be anxious. You see. That there. It's very. Clear. I tell you. In verse 22. Do not be. Anxious. About your life.

[19:21] What you're. To eat. Now. With your body. What you will. Put on. And he goes on. To tell them. Why. They. And why. We are not. To be.

[19:31] Anxious. About these. Things. These. Bottom line. Basic. Necessities. Of life. Fuel. For the body. And the clothing. To protect.

[19:42] And keep. The body. Warm. Paul. Mentions it. In first. Timothy. Chapter six. Having. Therefore. Food. And clothing. Let us. Be there. With content. Observing.

[19:53] The work. Of God. In the natural. World. Helps us. To not. Be anxious. About. Being cared. For. By God. In life. Huh. The followers. Of Jesus.

[20:04] Need not. Be anxious. When they consider. The care. Of their heavenly father. For. The lowliest. Of creatures. You see that there. The ravens. These unclean.

[20:15] Birds. That neither. Sow. Nor reap. But guess what. They have all. That's needed. Huh. And therefore. We're. Verse 25. Are not to be anxious.

[20:25] Because. We can't add. A single. An inch. Or a ton. To our. To our. To our. Lifetime span. Huh. If you're not able. To do this. Smallest thing.

[20:35] Going from the. The least. To the greatest thing. Why are you being. Anxious about. The rest. Huh. The anxiety. Lesson. Continues.

[20:46] In verse 27. Our Lord. Is spoken about. The feeding. Now he turns his. Attention. To clothing. The example. Of the flowers. Of the field. Don't you love. Jesus. Manner of teaching.

[20:57] He takes the. Simplest things. And he brings. Marvelous lessons. Before you and me. That we can really. Grasp. The flowers. That are used. For fuel.

[21:07] Eventually. And. And. And. And. And. And. And guess what. God clothes them. In a way. That. It's. The. The glory. Of Solomon. Pales. In regard.

[21:18] In. As it relates. To the glory. Of the flower. The field. God takes care of them. And clothes them. A reality check. Is what he's doing.

[21:29] For. His disciples. And. His words. Are called. The faith. And. The king's. Provision. Huh. Even as they are. Kingdom. Associates.

[21:40] Of Jesus. On mission. With him. On mission. For him. Huh. And. They are his associates. And he cares. For them. Jesus words. Direct his associates.

[21:51] As to what they are. To not occupy. Themselves with. In verse 29. Take a look. And do not seek. What you are to eat. And what you are to drink.

[22:01] Nor be worried. For the nations of the world. Seek after these things. And there it is. Your father. Knows. What you need. Huh. Not to anxiously.

[22:12] Concern ourselves. With the things. That occupy. The passions. And the desires. Of the world. Huh. These things. Characterize.

[22:23] Those who have no relationship. With God. But you have the one. Who cares for you. Therefore. Because of this. The bases. Are covered. For you. You can.

[22:33] Focus. In a free kind of way. On his business. Interest. In the world. Advancing his kingdom. Because it's his pleasure. To give you the kingdom. Jesus shows us.

[22:44] A better way. Doesn't he? The way of wisdom. His words. Echo. Or the parallel. We see. In. Matthew chapter 6. Verse 33. Seek first. His kingdom.

[22:56] And his righteousness. And then all of these things. Will be added to you. What a word. Rather than being. Overly preoccupied. And that's what it means. To be anxious. With matters.

[23:07] Of simple survival. Give focus. Intention. Be intentional. About seeking his kingdom. And prioritizing. Heaven's interest. That's Jesus words to us.

[23:17] I'm sobered. By these particular words. I'm sobered. When I think about. The ordering of my life.

[23:28] In our lives. And what it means. For you and me. As Jesus. Disciples. In this world. On mission with him. What are the implications. For you and me. God provides.

[23:40] For us. Therefore. For. The implication is. Get about. The business of God. He provides. For you. Therefore.

[23:51] Be on mission. With him. In a way. That he can. Flow through you. In order to get. His work done. The antidote. For. Your.

[24:01] And my greed. And covetousness. Is generosity. In order that God. Might work. In and through us. And that. Whatever it is. That he gives us. Does not stop.

[24:12] Simply. With you and me. Huh. He's instructed. And exhorted. And given his followers. Of the ages. Something. To process. And notice in verse 32.

[24:22] The. The. The reassurance. That he gives. To you and me. Fear not. And look at this word here. Little flock. Huh. That speaks about.

[24:34] The fatherly. Care of God. And of course. It may cause us. To think about. Psalm 23. Where God says. The Lord. David says. The Lord is my shepherd.

[24:44] And therefore. I. Shall. Not want. Little flock. Those who belong to him. Those who are cared for. Protected by. And provided for.

[24:56] By. Him. Huh. It's his kingdom. It's. It's his pleasure. To give you. The kingdom. And all that pertains. To it.

[25:06] Again. As we're talking about. God's reign. Being manifested. In you. And through you. To the world. And all that he needs. To advance. His work. In the world.

[25:16] He provides. For. His work. In the world. In and through. The likes. Of you and me. Don't be anxious. Don't be filled. With care. Why?

[25:27] Because you've got. A shepherd. You've got. A shepherd. That cares. For you. Who cares. And gives. And provides. Therefore. You shall not. Want. Want. What?

[25:37] Anything. That is needed. To advance. This kingdom. Now he's already established. Our prayer priorities. In in Luke chapter 11. Has he not? Our prayer. First of all.

[25:48] Concerns his person. And his program. Our father. Who art in heaven. Hallowed be your name. But it also concerns. Our provision. And our protection.

[25:59] Give us this day. Our daily bread. And on and on. Huh? We. Shall. Not. Want. Huh? As his kingdom.

[26:10] Associates. In this world. Anything. That God needs. To advance. His kingdom. In and through us. He. Will. Provide. Huh? His agenda. In this world.

[26:21] Is advanced. In and through. The likes of you. And me. Huh? His provision. Is promised. Huh? Therefore. His associates. Can obey. His directive. That we see.

[26:32] In verse 33. Huh? Have a garage sale. Sell your possessions. Huh? You say. Well. Pastor J. Is he talking literally?

[26:43] Huh? There were some people. That obeyed. This command. Turn over with me. To Acts chapter 4. Acts chapter 4.

[26:54] And I. And I see. And notice. That what Jesus commands. In the gospels. The disciples. And apostles.

[27:05] Put it in play. In Acts. And in other places. And particularly this. No. I'm not saying. Go and.

[27:15] Get a garage sale. Have a garage sale. But. Notice the principle. How it was in play. In the life. Of the early church. And I think.

[27:27] Friends. That there is. A measure. Of instruction. Even for you. And me today. Look what it says. Beginning in. Acts chapter 4. Verse 34. There was not.

[27:37] A needy person. Among them. For as many. As were. Owners. Of lands. Or houses. What did they do?

[27:48] Sold them. And brought the proceeds. Of what was sold. And laid it. At the apostles feet. And it was distributed. To each. As any.

[27:59] Had need. Oh. And then he gives a specific. He gives a name. And a face. To a person. Thus Joseph. Who was also called. By the possibles. Barnabas.

[28:09] Which means. Son of encouragement. A Levite. A native. Of Cyprus. Sold a field. That belonged to him. And brought the money. And laid it.

[28:21] At the. Apostles feet. So. Rather. Than. And notice the contrast. Of what we've got.

[28:33] See the guy. Huh. You remember that guy. That we saw earlier. And you remember. The story about him. I mean. He was. Holding on. To what he had.

[28:45] It was no flow through. Everything. Stopped. With him. And God. Called him. Fool. Huh. Notice what we have here. Huh. This is the picture.

[28:55] Of a kingdom associate. How he. Rolls. How he. Handles business. If you will. Huh. Huh. He is simply. One through. He sees. The resources.

[29:06] That have been given to him. Not as ultimately. Belonging to himself. But he is a steward. Of what is God. Is giving him. And they are flowing. Out from him. To those.

[29:17] Who. Have. Need. Huh. Sell your possessions. Give. To the needy. In other words. Render. Acts of mercy. That's what almsgiving is.

[29:29] Provide for yourselves. And what he's saying. In doing this. You provide for yourselves. With money bags. That. Do. Not. Grow old.

[29:39] And a treasure in the heavens. That does not fail. Where no thief. Or. Approaches. And no moth destroys. Here's the idea. God. Provides for you.

[29:52] What you need. Therefore. You don't have to be obsessed. With your possessions. To the point. That you hold on to them. And not let them go.

[30:03] And they grip you. And they bind you. And ruin. Your relationship. With other people. It hinders your relationship. With God. And if you're not careful.

[30:13] You won't even like the person. That you become. Because greed. And being so possession possessed. Will ruin you. To the point. That you won't like yourself. Sort of like the person.

[30:26] Who gets up. Takes a shower. And forgets to put on his deodorant. Around about noon. He finds that nobody. Is coming around his desk. And all of a sudden.

[30:38] He gets a whiff of himself. And he doesn't like himself. That's what greed. Would do to you. It will ruin you. Relationally. And if you're not careful.

[30:50] You won't even. Like the monster. That you become. Yourself. Provide money bags.

[31:01] Of an eternal sort. How many times a day. Do you. Go online. And check your accounts.

[31:11] How many times a day. Do you. Take a little. Inventory. About. What. Is around you.

[31:22] Or what's in your closet. Or what's. In your garage. Or what's in your home. How many times. Do these. Do the dollar signs.

[31:33] And the cha-chings. Of life. Come to your head. And your heart. During a given day. Is that what occupies. Our hearts.

[31:43] And minds. Oh. And right now. As they say. There's an app for it. You don't have to go. Very far. But let me ask you.

[31:56] What's in your heavenly. Account. When was the last time. That you made. A deposit. There. You see. Because.

[32:07] When a deposit. Is made. In the heavenly account. It is safely. Kept. There. Treasures. Deposited. In heaven. That is.

[32:18] Those things. With eternal. Value. Those are the things. That have. Shelf value. Beyond. This particular. Life. And guess what. They're out of reach. Of rust.

[32:30] They're out of reach. Of those. Moths. Can't reach. Them. There. There's no. Thief. That has gone. Over the boundaries.

[32:40] There. Because they're safely. Kept. It's heaven. On your mind. There's a direct. Heart connection. With the things. That we treasure.

[32:52] Heaven should. Be on our minds. Because. Guess what. Our savior. Is there. Our citizenship. Is in heaven.

[33:02] From whence. We await. A savior. Who one of these days. He will come. And he will change. This. Vile. Body. This. This. This. This. This earthly. Body.

[33:13] To a body. Like. And to his. Glorious body. How is he going to do it? By the working. Whereby he is able. To subdue all things. And to himself. Huh? Our savior.

[33:24] Is there. But not only. Our savior. Is there. Hopefully. You have made. Some deposits. That are there. On our minds. Because we've made. Some heavenly investments. Treasures in heaven.

[33:36] A very interesting term. And in Jesus day. His carry. His hearers. Would understand. And know. What he meant. Basically. These were deeds.

[33:46] Of kindness. That were done. On earth. Things. Done. On earth. That. Had. Eternal. Value. Huh? And in the ancient. Jewish mind.

[33:57] The deeds. Of kindness. Which a man. Did on earth. Became. His treasure. In heaven. Stories told. Of the earthly church. Always. Lovingly. And cared.

[34:08] Caring for the poor. And the sick. And the distressed. And the helpless. And for those. For whom. No one else. Care. And in the days. Of Roman persecution.

[34:18] When the Romans. Broke into a. When the. When the persecution. Broke out. There was this. Roman prefect. Demanded. One of. Of one of the deacons. Of the church. Show me your treasures.

[34:30] At once. And the deacon. He pointed. To the widows. And the orphans. Who were being fed. And the sick. Who were being. Nursed.

[34:40] And the poor. Whose needs. Were being supplied. Then he said. Take these. Are the treasures. Of the church. These are the treasures. These are the true treasures. Here. Huh? Huh? Ah.

[34:51] Friends. Jesus. Words. Warn us here. And notice what we do. We go all the way. Notice what. Verse 21. So is everyone. Who lays up treasures.

[35:02] For himself. And is not rich. Toward God. Huh? And look. As we end here. In these verses. Speaks about treasures.

[35:12] In heaven. For where your treasure is. There will your heart be also. Jesus. Words. In this text. Friends. It warns. Those of us.

[35:24] Who are obsessed. With our possessions. One of the ways. Of not being obsessed. With our possessions. Is to give. To those in need. Huh? One of the ways. We do that. At our church.

[35:34] And this will happen. On next week. Is giving to our deacon. Fun. Because it is through. That means. That we're able. To help. Those among us. Who have particular needs.

[35:46] At given times. Huh? And I would trust. That. As our families. See and observe. Income coming in. That they also would observe.

[35:58] Income. Going out. To those who. Have needs. Huh? Generosity. Is the antidote. To greed. And covetousness. Make sure. That all that comes in.

[36:10] Doesn't remain with us. And that it is also. We are giving. So. Next week. We'll have the opportunity. To. This kind of giving.

[36:21] In addition to our regular offering. The life of mercy. Oh. Did you know that that's one of our values. Here. At this church. That we value. The fact that we have received mercy.

[36:32] From God. In intangible ways. God uses us. To extend mercy. To others. That was the foundation. For the. The organization. Hope for Chicago.

[36:43] Huh? And we'd appreciate your prayers. For that ministry now. Because we want to continue. To. That particular ministry. Want our people. To see. What it's about. And be on that.

[36:53] In our community. Are there projects of mercy. That you and your family. Might engage in. Or give to. Does your family. Observe. Hard earned monies.

[37:04] Being shared. Deposits. Being made. In the coffers of heaven. Huh? If you. Are ultimately. Satisfied.

[37:16] With things. And stuff. That money can buy. Friends. Something is wrong. It is that is. If that is your ultimate satisfaction. If that is why you live.

[37:28] Something is out of place. In your life. Huh? You may have this. This world's best. Yes. But that is not to be equated. With heaven's best.

[37:42] Jesus tells the story. You need to turn to it. But I want to read it for you. And I'm about to end. With this. Where is your treasure? Or who. Is your treasure?

[37:53] Treasure. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure. Hidden in a field. Which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy.

[38:06] He goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. Who on finding one pearl of great price.

[38:19] Went and sold all that he had and bought it. Huh? The treasure. The ultimate treasure is none other than Jesus Christ himself.

[38:31] And. Having him. Is having the best of all treasures. Huh? And.

[38:42] This is where prioritizing begins. It's knowing and understanding him. And seeing him. As the person of ultimate worth. We find our satisfaction in him.

[38:56] We're going to sing about it in a little bit. Has your soul craved for him? And. I would trust that that kind of craving.

[39:08] That kind of desire. In your heart. And in your soul. Would be greater than any craving. Any desire. And would in fact trump.

[39:19] All earthly kind of desires. And when that is in place. The other things that our text speaks about. As far as trusting in God's provision.

[39:31] Resting in his provision. Not being obsessed with our. Our possessions. To the end. That we can. Help advance God's kingdom in this world. Through what it is that he entrusts.

[39:43] To us. Shall we pray? Father we love you. On this morning. And pray oh God. That you would help us. As we seek you. Because we know that you provide for your own.

[39:55] So that. We may not obsess. About getting. Our earthly possessions. Thank you for your provision. Of all things in Christ.

[40:06] And his working in and through us. In order to advance. His kingdom. In this world. We bless you. We honor you. And give you the praise. Amen and amen.

[40:17] Amen.