WEBVTT 00:00:00.180 --> 00:00:06.299 Welcome to Ontario Community Church, where we are encouraging, equipping, and engaging lives for Christ. 00:00:06.820 --> 00:00:14.720 I'm Pastor Patrick Daly, and each week I share sermons that balance the grace and love of Jesus Christ with the truth of the Word of God. 00:00:15.380 --> 00:00:21.179 Together, we'll explore Scripture using observation, interpretation, and application. 00:00:21.839 --> 00:00:26.019 This helps us discover practical ways to live out our faith every single day. 00:00:26.539 --> 00:00:29.019 Let's dive in together into God's Word. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.559 All right, well, good morning, everyone. 00:00:33.380 --> 00:00:41.579 Today, we're going to be going over the Gospel of Luke, chapter 13, or excuse me, chapter 12, verses 13 through 21. 00:00:42.159 --> 00:00:45.460 I have titled this sermon, The Illusion of Security. 00:00:46.799 --> 00:00:54.280 And turn your Bibles there. It's going to be on page 1035 in your ESVP Bible, 00:00:54.280 --> 00:00:58.439 or you're welcome to use your Bible of choice, your mobile device, 00:00:58.439 --> 00:01:01.759 or if you have your own preference, you're welcome for that as well. 00:01:03.000 --> 00:01:11.219 And as we begin, I want us to know, as we're going into the parable of the rich fool, 00:01:11.459 --> 00:01:13.359 it's kind of to set up the scene here. 00:01:13.359 --> 00:01:18.579 1,000, excuse me, 1035. 00:01:19.959 --> 00:01:20.719 Thank you for that. 00:01:22.039 --> 00:01:24.459 As we're preparing for this message, 00:01:25.140 --> 00:01:30.500 I want you to understand that this particular parable has been, 00:01:30.620 --> 00:01:33.219 like many parables, has been misunderstood, 00:01:33.640 --> 00:01:36.180 and has even outright been weaponized. 00:01:36.180 --> 00:01:42.660 And we have to keep in mind the context as well as the connections with the Word of God. 00:01:44.020 --> 00:01:47.240 Sometimes in Scripture, we can get very confused, 00:01:47.240 --> 00:01:51.060 or we can see that it can mean one thing, 00:01:51.460 --> 00:01:55.320 but really, there's some beautiful depth to this. 00:01:55.440 --> 00:01:57.420 So I'd like for us, let's pray together. 00:01:57.660 --> 00:02:00.600 We'll go right into it, and we'll go forth from there. 00:02:00.599 --> 00:02:02.619 Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, 00:02:02.939 --> 00:02:05.339 we are grateful that we are here today 00:02:05.339 --> 00:02:09.319 as we are going into this little more difficult parable, 00:02:09.459 --> 00:02:10.819 the parable of the rich fool. 00:02:11.780 --> 00:02:15.840 We pray, Father, that you bless this time. 00:02:16.639 --> 00:02:18.419 We pray that truth is spoken here, 00:02:18.479 --> 00:02:19.939 and that lives are transformed. 00:02:20.539 --> 00:02:24.280 We pray that we may have an understanding of who you are, 00:02:24.359 --> 00:02:26.979 so that we can have that relationship with you, 00:02:26.979 --> 00:02:30.879 that we may grow in you, going from milk to solid food. 00:02:31.159 --> 00:02:33.659 And we pray that in all of this, 00:02:33.959 --> 00:02:39.060 we will be transformed so that we can do good in your holy name. 00:02:40.120 --> 00:02:42.019 Father, we recognize that all of us 00:02:42.019 --> 00:02:46.599 should be on a path and a journey to know who you are. 00:02:46.839 --> 00:02:49.000 And in that journey, in knowing you, 00:02:49.179 --> 00:02:52.120 we pray that we are on a journey in you. 00:02:52.479 --> 00:02:55.179 We pray, Father, that you will transform us, 00:02:55.180 --> 00:02:58.120 lead and guide us as you always have. 00:02:59.400 --> 00:03:02.280 And, Father, we pray that if there's any comfort 00:03:02.280 --> 00:03:04.500 or any misunderstanding, 00:03:05.680 --> 00:03:06.680 let there be clarity, 00:03:07.099 --> 00:03:09.420 let there be comfort here this morning. 00:03:09.620 --> 00:03:11.540 It is in the name of Jesus that we pray. 00:03:11.680 --> 00:03:11.939 Amen? 00:03:13.219 --> 00:03:15.200 So, setting the scene for this, 00:03:16.219 --> 00:03:19.400 we have here where Jesus is giving the, 00:03:19.659 --> 00:03:21.980 what is known as the parable of the rich fool. 00:03:21.979 --> 00:03:24.439 In order to understand this, 00:03:24.519 --> 00:03:27.139 we first want to know what exactly is going on 00:03:27.139 --> 00:03:28.739 in the surrounding texts, right? 00:03:28.780 --> 00:03:30.120 This is known as the context, 00:03:30.639 --> 00:03:32.759 where if you go to verse 8, 00:03:33.259 --> 00:03:34.799 acknowledging Christ before men, 00:03:34.859 --> 00:03:35.579 it's this idea, 00:03:36.060 --> 00:03:37.719 everyone who acknowledges Christ 00:03:37.719 --> 00:03:39.439 or acknowledges me before men, 00:03:39.519 --> 00:03:42.139 the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels, right? 00:03:42.339 --> 00:03:43.560 Anyone who denies me. 00:03:43.780 --> 00:03:46.419 This is where we have the basic understanding 00:03:46.419 --> 00:03:49.979 that we need to recognize who Jesus Christ is. 00:03:49.979 --> 00:03:51.219 That's very cut and dry. 00:03:51.299 --> 00:03:53.079 That's very easy for us to understand. 00:03:53.579 --> 00:03:54.780 And because of this, 00:03:54.919 --> 00:03:58.299 it's going on further in verse 11, 00:03:58.699 --> 00:04:00.419 when they bring you before synagogues 00:04:00.419 --> 00:04:01.699 and the rulers and authorities, 00:04:01.899 --> 00:04:03.000 do not be anxious. 00:04:03.639 --> 00:04:05.840 That's a big thing to keep in mind, right? 00:04:05.879 --> 00:04:06.939 Do not be worried. 00:04:07.039 --> 00:04:09.459 Do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself 00:04:09.459 --> 00:04:10.699 or what you should say, 00:04:10.780 --> 00:04:12.639 for the Holy Spirit will teach you 00:04:12.639 --> 00:04:14.339 in that very hour what you ought to say. 00:04:14.340 --> 00:04:16.620 If you look after this parable, 00:04:16.800 --> 00:04:19.120 you'll see then Christ is saying, 00:04:19.639 --> 00:04:20.620 do not what? 00:04:20.759 --> 00:04:23.399 Do not be anxious or do not worry, right? 00:04:23.860 --> 00:04:24.699 In verse 22, 00:04:24.819 --> 00:04:25.800 therefore I tell you, 00:04:25.860 --> 00:04:27.459 do not be anxious about your life. 00:04:27.500 --> 00:04:29.160 Many of you have heard this one before, right? 00:04:29.639 --> 00:04:30.939 Don't worry about your life. 00:04:31.040 --> 00:04:32.199 Don't worry about what you'll eat. 00:04:32.420 --> 00:04:33.519 Don't worry about your body. 00:04:33.639 --> 00:04:35.199 Don't worry about the clothes you put on. 00:04:35.300 --> 00:04:36.959 Some of us, we may identify, 00:04:37.280 --> 00:04:39.040 you're driving in the car and you're like, 00:04:39.079 --> 00:04:40.560 what in the world am I going to eat, right? 00:04:40.560 --> 00:04:41.459 Or what am I going to wear? 00:04:41.459 --> 00:04:44.279 Where scripture tells us that we shouldn't worry about things. 00:04:44.379 --> 00:04:46.979 Life is more than food and the body more than clothing. 00:04:48.159 --> 00:04:51.859 And in this, there's one verse that will actually help us 00:04:51.859 --> 00:04:54.620 with our understanding of the parable of the rich fool. 00:04:55.079 --> 00:04:56.120 Consider the ravens. 00:04:56.579 --> 00:04:58.019 They neither sow nor reap. 00:04:58.439 --> 00:05:00.740 They have neither storehouse nor barn, 00:05:00.899 --> 00:05:02.139 and yet God feeds them. 00:05:02.399 --> 00:05:04.539 How much more value are you than the birds? 00:05:04.599 --> 00:05:07.419 That actually helps us with understanding this parable. 00:05:07.759 --> 00:05:09.079 So what is going on in here? 00:05:09.079 --> 00:05:13.000 We see in here, it says, verse 13, 00:05:14.000 --> 00:05:16.819 someone in the crowd said to him, 00:05:17.500 --> 00:05:21.740 teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me. 00:05:22.219 --> 00:05:28.819 But he said to him, man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you? 00:05:29.439 --> 00:05:34.079 He said to them, take care and be on your guard against all covetousness. 00:05:34.079 --> 00:05:38.639 For one's life does not consist of the abundance of his possessions. 00:05:38.859 --> 00:05:43.099 We need to understand first and foremost what is happening here. 00:05:43.259 --> 00:05:47.039 If we don't understand this, we'll misunderstand the parable. 00:05:47.699 --> 00:05:53.360 So you have a dispute that's going on between brothers. 00:05:53.360 --> 00:05:58.480 Tell my brother, I got the inheritance, or my brother got the inheritance, 00:05:58.480 --> 00:06:00.480 but I didn't get the inheritance. 00:06:00.920 --> 00:06:04.100 So if you can imagine for a moment, a younger brother saying, 00:06:04.280 --> 00:06:09.740 it's not fair that he got more than me, that he got the inheritance and I didn't. 00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:12.100 Does that not sound familiar? 00:06:12.100 --> 00:06:21.400 When we think of, for example, we just went over the previous parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee, 00:06:21.700 --> 00:06:26.700 but we can also think about the parable of the prodigal son. 00:06:27.320 --> 00:06:31.280 When the other brother was thinking, well, that's not fair. 00:06:31.400 --> 00:06:36.220 So you see kind of this pattern that helps us understand this one. 00:06:36.220 --> 00:06:41.120 And it could be, you know, we don't know how much money it was. 00:06:41.340 --> 00:06:43.580 We don't know what the scope of it. 00:06:43.620 --> 00:06:46.520 We just know it's an inheritance here, right? 00:06:46.700 --> 00:06:48.300 Divide the inheritance with me. 00:06:50.080 --> 00:06:52.320 That is a matter of the heart. 00:06:53.580 --> 00:06:55.860 We can go on, right? 00:06:55.960 --> 00:07:02.660 Jesus is talking about acknowledging him, trusting him, not being anxious. 00:07:02.660 --> 00:07:10.740 So this man is worried or caught up in coveting, jealousy, as it were, 00:07:11.640 --> 00:07:15.560 thinking that what he did not receive is not fair. 00:07:16.260 --> 00:07:20.040 And so it then goes in to the parable. 00:07:20.460 --> 00:07:21.420 Verse 16. 00:07:21.860 --> 00:07:24.040 He told them a parable saying, 00:07:24.879 --> 00:07:27.900 the land of a rich man produced plentifully. 00:07:28.520 --> 00:07:31.500 And he thought to himself, what shall I do? 00:07:31.500 --> 00:07:34.379 For I have nowhere to store my crops. 00:07:34.860 --> 00:07:36.360 And he said, I will do this. 00:07:36.439 --> 00:07:38.980 I will tear down my barns and build larger ones. 00:07:39.180 --> 00:07:42.680 And there I will store all my grain and my goods. 00:07:43.060 --> 00:07:45.879 And I will say to my soul, this is actually very important here. 00:07:46.939 --> 00:07:52.639 I will say to my soul, soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years. 00:07:53.480 --> 00:07:53.939 Relax. 00:07:55.000 --> 00:07:58.180 How many of you have heard that famous saying, eat, drink, and be merry? 00:07:58.639 --> 00:08:00.060 You've heard that before, right? 00:08:00.920 --> 00:08:01.939 Ecclesiastes right there. 00:08:02.819 --> 00:08:04.079 Eat, drink, and be merry. 00:08:04.680 --> 00:08:07.180 But God said to him, fool. 00:08:07.839 --> 00:08:10.280 I don't want to be called a fool, and I hope none of you either. 00:08:10.519 --> 00:08:14.819 When you read that, let's not be called a fool in the eyes of God. 00:08:15.379 --> 00:08:19.300 God said to him, fool, this night your soul is required of you. 00:08:19.800 --> 00:08:22.720 And the things that you have prepared, whose will they be? 00:08:22.720 --> 00:08:25.220 Christ is saying here. 00:08:25.480 --> 00:08:31.860 So is the one that lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God. 00:08:32.940 --> 00:08:40.840 And so what we have here, if we read that as a standalone and not understanding why Jesus is telling this parable, 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:45.060 it almost seems like it's an attack on money. 00:08:45.059 --> 00:08:49.639 Now, I want to make this very clear when we're talking about this. 00:08:50.500 --> 00:08:54.099 How many of you have heard the root of all evil is money? 00:08:55.239 --> 00:08:56.659 And that's a misquote. 00:08:57.159 --> 00:08:57.379 Amen? 00:08:57.379 --> 00:09:00.379 It is the love of money. 00:09:01.019 --> 00:09:06.019 And we have to understand that money is a tool. 00:09:06.360 --> 00:09:08.960 Much like we have technology. 00:09:09.480 --> 00:09:15.439 Much like we have information or degrees and education or even the clothes that we have. 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:19.340 The things that God has given to us, we are to steward. 00:09:19.340 --> 00:09:24.240 And when we talk about stewardship, we think of the three T's. 00:09:24.320 --> 00:09:26.259 I've mentioned this before and I'll mention it again. 00:09:26.700 --> 00:09:29.540 Your time, your talent, and your treasure. 00:09:30.100 --> 00:09:31.660 And how you steward that. 00:09:32.360 --> 00:09:35.200 Well, everybody has different gifts and abilities. 00:09:35.820 --> 00:09:38.680 And what you do with that is critical. 00:09:39.540 --> 00:09:44.420 And so when you read this, can you see how easy it is for someone to say, 00:09:44.519 --> 00:09:48.000 well, look, money is evil, done deal. 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:56.000 But without understanding why this is set up where you have this dispute between the two brothers, 00:09:56.740 --> 00:09:59.159 you miss the mark, as it were. 00:09:59.539 --> 00:10:02.080 You miss the actual point of the parable. 00:10:02.460 --> 00:10:08.240 That it had to do with someone who received less and demanded more. 00:10:08.360 --> 00:10:11.820 That to the point where it was making him anxious, 00:10:12.360 --> 00:10:15.659 we can even go as far as to say that it was consuming him. 00:10:15.659 --> 00:10:24.559 And when we think for a moment, we think of, there's a couple years ago, 00:10:24.659 --> 00:10:26.120 I was listening to an audio book. 00:10:26.259 --> 00:10:28.299 I love audio books. 00:10:28.339 --> 00:10:31.559 If you don't know that, that's one of my go-tos to pass time. 00:10:32.719 --> 00:10:38.299 And it was a book and it was a guy giving lectures in like the 40s or 50s. 00:10:38.299 --> 00:10:39.399 It was very good. 00:10:40.399 --> 00:10:42.479 But I remember this one thing that he said, 00:10:42.579 --> 00:10:49.139 and it really helped with understanding this idea of obsession or what we would think of as an idol. 00:10:50.719 --> 00:10:53.240 It had to do, he gave many examples of, 00:10:54.339 --> 00:10:58.899 are you drinking the bottle or is the bottle drinking you? 00:10:58.899 --> 00:11:03.639 Are you smoking the cigarette or is the cigarette smoking you? 00:11:04.360 --> 00:11:06.340 And in the same way, we can think of money. 00:11:06.980 --> 00:11:09.579 Are you using money or is money using you? 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:14.000 It's not to say that these things are bad necessarily. 00:11:14.519 --> 00:11:19.879 It's do they become your God or do they get to the point where it is using you? 00:11:19.879 --> 00:11:26.700 And that's something that actually helps us with our understanding of someone who is desiring more 00:11:26.700 --> 00:11:29.539 and has this sense of greed, this sense of, 00:11:29.840 --> 00:11:33.820 it's not fair that my brother received the inheritance. 00:11:34.100 --> 00:11:38.439 I want that inheritance and it's going to consume my mind, so to speak. 00:11:39.460 --> 00:11:41.220 It's not a request for wisdom. 00:11:42.360 --> 00:11:44.659 It's a demand for fairness. 00:11:44.659 --> 00:11:53.100 And so, just as we've talked about with the Pharisee and the tax collector who thought he was better, 00:11:53.579 --> 00:12:00.919 so too do we see a very similar idea and concept of a brother who feels that it's not fair 00:12:00.919 --> 00:12:03.120 that he received the inheritance. 00:12:03.740 --> 00:12:08.240 Having to do, listen to me, the matter of the heart. 00:12:08.679 --> 00:12:09.899 Does that make sense, church? 00:12:10.600 --> 00:12:11.419 Do we understand? 00:12:11.419 --> 00:12:15.679 It had to do with it consuming him. 00:12:16.139 --> 00:12:17.139 Greed, right? 00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:19.159 Coveting something. 00:12:20.699 --> 00:12:24.579 And so, when we've gone in here, comparison, right? 00:12:24.899 --> 00:12:31.039 Just as scripture is saying, life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. 00:12:31.039 --> 00:12:33.919 It's not to say that money is bad. 00:12:33.979 --> 00:12:35.459 It's when it becomes your God. 00:12:35.539 --> 00:12:38.219 That's the big thing I want you to understand in this. 00:12:38.220 --> 00:12:42.500 Just as we've heard, you don't have to raise your hand. 00:12:42.580 --> 00:12:47.379 I know I've heard growing up many years of my life that money is the root of all evil. 00:12:47.660 --> 00:12:48.899 It is the love of money. 00:12:49.120 --> 00:12:50.460 It is the obsession of that. 00:12:50.620 --> 00:12:51.620 Much like other things. 00:12:51.700 --> 00:12:52.940 It doesn't have to be money. 00:12:53.040 --> 00:12:55.740 It can be other things that consumes us. 00:12:55.740 --> 00:13:08.560 And so, the rich man, his land was producing abundantly, but yet his concern was building more barns and not stewarding what he had. 00:13:09.259 --> 00:13:10.620 Does that make sense? 00:13:11.539 --> 00:13:18.539 Okay, when it's talking about, I'm going to tear all of this down and build it up again, it had to do with storage and not stewardship. 00:13:18.539 --> 00:13:29.919 And his mistakes was that when he's saying his soul, you have ample goods, he's believing that possessions will satisfy the soul. 00:13:30.259 --> 00:13:37.139 And this is a mistake that people make in scripture, but also a mistake that people make in the real world that we live in. 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:44.259 Where people are so focused on the material being their God and not Christ being their God. 00:13:44.799 --> 00:13:46.039 That's the big thing. 00:13:46.039 --> 00:13:50.459 And so, it was the false security and worldly wealth. 00:13:51.259 --> 00:13:58.899 He was believing, once I save enough, once I have enough barns and enough things, I will finally have peace. 00:13:59.019 --> 00:14:04.719 But what happened was God was saying, at this time, your soul is required of you. 00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:06.419 Your time's up. 00:14:07.500 --> 00:14:10.079 And it's still a harsh parable nonetheless. 00:14:10.080 --> 00:14:18.940 And so, he planned, this man planned for everything except eternity for his soul. 00:14:20.240 --> 00:14:29.160 And so, we have to think for us that the man who's saying, I want my inheritance is not focusing on the eternal. 00:14:29.560 --> 00:14:32.200 He's focusing on the here and now. 00:14:32.200 --> 00:14:35.520 And that's what we have to look at. 00:14:35.720 --> 00:14:37.200 It's kind of a... 00:14:38.620 --> 00:14:41.700 There are many things that we own that will fade away. 00:14:41.820 --> 00:14:48.440 We must remember as Christians, or if you're not a Christian, is to seek the things that are higher. 00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:51.120 Seek a relationship with the Lord. 00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:59.299 And know that by believing in Jesus Christ, your soul is secure. 00:14:59.960 --> 00:15:03.240 Much like how we talked about the parable of the net, remember? 00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:06.720 The net catching up all the fish and the fish being distributed. 00:15:07.139 --> 00:15:09.740 Some being cast out and some being stored away. 00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:15.659 We can think of our own souls that when we believe in Christ, we're going to be saved. 00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:17.799 We're going to be secure. 00:15:18.060 --> 00:15:20.580 We're going to be stored up as it were. 00:15:20.580 --> 00:15:28.600 And so, in this, yes, obsessed with bigger barns, trusting in possessions, not God, and assuming he had time. 00:15:28.900 --> 00:15:35.460 That's why it's so important for us in this life to make a decision for Christ. 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:39.620 That's why we have to believe in the Lord and be saved. 00:15:39.720 --> 00:15:46.220 And the wonderful thing about it, in knowing Christ, there's nothing for us to fear. 00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:49.140 There's nothing for us to worry about. 00:15:50.580 --> 00:15:51.840 That's a beautiful thing. 00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:55.700 So, the inheritance dispute, comparison, and covetousness, right? 00:15:55.800 --> 00:16:02.040 It's the, it's not fair in being distracted in the things of this earth rather than the things that are above. 00:16:02.039 --> 00:16:05.120 And so, what can we learn from this then? 00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:10.620 Is that covetousness distracts from what matters. 00:16:11.199 --> 00:16:14.519 When you get so consumed in the things of this earth. 00:16:14.679 --> 00:16:20.019 If you're a younger person, if you think, well, maybe if you're older, I guess it can apply. 00:16:20.740 --> 00:16:29.779 Seeking, becoming a TikTok influencer or an Instagram, getting the blue checkmark is something that people pursue, right? 00:16:29.779 --> 00:16:34.720 And for us, we can even think of people who are seeking fame and fortune. 00:16:34.959 --> 00:16:37.259 And that is everything that they are. 00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:40.659 They're not thinking about eternity. 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:43.199 They're not thinking about the things that matters. 00:16:43.339 --> 00:16:47.699 And so, what matters, church, is that we have that faith in Jesus Christ. 00:16:47.700 --> 00:16:51.580 Knowing that there is nothing for us to fear. 00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:57.800 And it's putting money and material possessions in its rightful place that they are tools. 00:16:58.480 --> 00:17:01.160 They are not evil in themselves. 00:17:01.680 --> 00:17:03.980 It is when they become our God. 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:07.240 The love of money, right? 00:17:07.340 --> 00:17:09.860 So, it could be the love of fame, right? 00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:12.299 The love of things that are not of God. 00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:16.379 The second thing is we have less control than we think. 00:17:16.500 --> 00:17:18.440 This is the hard truth. 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:22.299 We don't know what tomorrow will hold. 00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:31.379 And that's, well, the rich fool thought he had years, but really, I mean, when we're reading the text here, it's saying, 00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:36.279 this night your soul is required of you. 00:17:36.960 --> 00:17:39.319 Implicating that he only had a few hours. 00:17:39.319 --> 00:17:42.319 I mean, if it was the evening, maybe a couple hours. 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:47.500 If it was the day or the morning, he still has less than a day. 00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:50.099 Maybe 12 hours, give or take. 00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:58.960 And the truth is, we cannot control the future, but we can receive the invitation that God gives for us. 00:17:59.859 --> 00:18:01.259 Planning for eternity. 00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:09.879 And the cool thing is, remember, we are saved by grace through faith so that no one can boast. 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:12.819 And that calls for us to do good in the name of Christ. 00:18:13.619 --> 00:18:15.460 Ministering to our brothers and sisters. 00:18:15.900 --> 00:18:17.720 Being an ambassador for Christ. 00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:19.519 Sharing in the gospel message. 00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:23.319 Or even in just the everyday, the work that you do. 00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:25.759 Doing in excellence for the glory of God. 00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:28.799 Storing up treasures in heaven. 00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:32.559 See how things just get connected like that. 00:18:34.440 --> 00:18:39.099 And so, real security comes from trusting in God. 00:18:39.659 --> 00:18:42.899 True security is being rich towards God. 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:44.919 Having that faith in the Lord. 00:18:45.919 --> 00:18:48.119 Using wealth for God's purposes. 00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:50.440 And living for eternity. 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:54.160 And so, it's a matter of the heart. 00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:59.080 And it's a matter of what the Lord is putting on your heart. 00:18:59.380 --> 00:19:00.680 Leading and guiding you. 00:19:02.400 --> 00:19:07.380 And so, in this, we have then the application here. 00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:10.000 How can I live this out? 00:19:10.660 --> 00:19:12.820 It's important for us, number one. 00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:15.840 You'll hear a lot of people say, we've got to know the context. 00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:21.480 We also have to know the connections on how this is like other parables. 00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:24.119 Or other verses in scripture. 00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:27.740 Other stories that we see within scripture. 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:32.240 That helps us understand the grand scheme of things. 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:34.359 The narrative, right? 00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:36.199 The entire biblical account. 00:19:37.579 --> 00:19:39.279 And so, we look at, we observe. 00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:42.019 We look at the lessons we can learn internally. 00:19:42.019 --> 00:19:45.599 And then we also think of, what can we do about this? 00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:53.879 Now, you may think, well, Pastor, where in the parable does it say to live like the ravens? 00:19:55.579 --> 00:19:58.480 If you go further into that. 00:20:00.599 --> 00:20:02.279 If you still have your Bible open. 00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:04.259 Right after the parable. 00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:06.400 When Christ is saying. 00:20:09.660 --> 00:20:11.500 Therefore, well, verse 22. 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:14.059 Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life. 00:20:14.140 --> 00:20:14.880 What you will eat. 00:20:15.079 --> 00:20:15.700 Your body. 00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:16.579 Or what you put on. 00:20:17.099 --> 00:20:17.880 Isn't that interesting? 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:21.660 That he's speaking to the very thing this person was saying. 00:20:21.819 --> 00:20:24.119 Of eating, drinking, and being merry. 00:20:25.380 --> 00:20:26.819 Life is more than food. 00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:28.920 And the body more than clothing. 00:20:29.619 --> 00:20:30.799 It's that next verse. 00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:33.180 Consider the ravens. 00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:35.339 They neither sow nor reap. 00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:39.960 They have neither storehouse nor barn. 00:20:40.099 --> 00:20:41.460 And yet God feeds them. 00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:43.380 It goes on then. 00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:49.539 How much more valuable or how much more value are you than the birds? 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:54.160 Knowing that God takes care of the animals. 00:20:54.940 --> 00:20:57.700 Sometimes I think animals are smarter than us. 00:20:57.700 --> 00:21:01.319 When you think of the birds that are flying in the air. 00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:03.120 And they know exactly where to go. 00:21:03.120 --> 00:21:06.819 And dude, sometimes we don't even know where we're going. 00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:08.900 Or why we're going somewhere. 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:12.080 But yet internally they know exactly when to go. 00:21:12.220 --> 00:21:12.920 Where to go. 00:21:13.019 --> 00:21:13.779 How fast. 00:21:13.840 --> 00:21:15.559 They're going with all their friends traveling. 00:21:16.360 --> 00:21:17.200 Come on. 00:21:17.299 --> 00:21:20.640 That's really, really interesting in that. 00:21:20.640 --> 00:21:24.880 And so I put on here to live like the ravens. 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:27.100 Trusting in God's provision. 00:21:27.100 --> 00:21:31.160 It is the trusting in God's plan for your life. 00:21:31.420 --> 00:21:37.360 Again, that God extends the invitation for you to receive salvation through faith. 00:21:37.359 --> 00:21:41.500 Knowing the fact that God knew you before you were born. 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:47.059 Knowing that God has a plan and offers something that is of greater value. 00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:48.779 Just like we've been talking. 00:21:48.919 --> 00:21:53.179 Do you see how parables are kind of all helping us understand? 00:21:53.700 --> 00:21:59.759 Seeking God rather as the highest treasure or the pearl of great value. 00:22:00.980 --> 00:22:04.779 It helps us strengthen our faith here. 00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:08.919 Trusting in the Lord and knowing in that verse. 00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:11.460 God's taking care of a bird. 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:17.019 But God's going to take care of you because you're more valuable in the eyes of God. 00:22:17.059 --> 00:22:17.259 Amen. 00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:19.240 That's powerful. 00:22:20.299 --> 00:22:24.639 We, I mean, how many verses do we see where it says, consider the ant? 00:22:25.079 --> 00:22:26.200 I love that verse, right? 00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:28.940 Consider the ant, you lazy person. 00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:32.339 It says right in scripture, God has a funny sense of humor. 00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:35.240 But it's for us to learn and to apply. 00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:39.759 So live your life like the ravens, trusting in God's provision. 00:22:41.099 --> 00:22:42.519 Live with trust. 00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:48.279 And by knowing Jesus Christ again, there is nothing for us to fear. 00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:51.339 There's nothing for us to be anxious about. 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:57.500 We live our lives every single day knowing that God's going to take care of us. 00:22:57.500 --> 00:23:04.220 And so, don't worry about the things of the world. 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:06.799 Consider the things of God. 00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:12.900 The second thing then is walk your own path with God and not people. 00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:15.500 That's not to say you can't walk with people and God. 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:22.500 But it's saying that you are walking, be on a journey to know who Jesus Christ is. 00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:28.000 You hear many people in culture today that say you need to be on a spiritual journey. 00:23:28.079 --> 00:23:31.799 How many of you know someone that says, I'm spiritual, but I'm not religious? 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:34.359 You don't have to raise your hand. 00:23:34.359 --> 00:23:37.139 But do we know people like that? 00:23:37.939 --> 00:23:40.699 People that are searching for truth. 00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:48.119 And yet, in Christianity, we know, even Pontius Pilate, when he said, what is truth? 00:23:48.959 --> 00:23:53.439 It seems very, we can think of a lot of people who ask that question nowadays. 00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:55.859 They are seeking for something. 00:23:55.859 --> 00:24:02.519 And it's always been a prayer of mine and it should be a prayer of ours that we pray that those who are seeking truth, 00:24:02.639 --> 00:24:07.000 they will find the way, the truth, and the life in Christ. 00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:11.759 Because it is Christ that says, here is the truth. 00:24:12.339 --> 00:24:13.279 This is the way. 00:24:13.439 --> 00:24:14.599 This is the life. 00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:21.240 And so, walk on your own path to God and walk on your path with God. 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:29.120 It's also to say, just as we've talked about with the last parable, with the Pharisee and the tax collector, 00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:32.140 remember, they both went into the temple. 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:34.160 They both went in to pray. 00:24:35.640 --> 00:24:38.460 Don't compare yourself with another person. 00:24:39.299 --> 00:24:41.660 That's what I mean with point number two. 00:24:42.380 --> 00:24:49.299 Be on a journey to be in the presence of the Lord and to grow in understanding of who he is 00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:51.940 and let God mold you and transform you. 00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:57.220 But certainly, let's not get in this habit of comparing ourselves. 00:24:59.079 --> 00:25:04.940 It's very interesting that we see and we can conclude this from many times in Scripture. 00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:12.119 Why in the world would God say for us not to worry when I have obligations and I have things that I need to do? 00:25:12.119 --> 00:25:16.939 But yet, God says in his word to not be anxious about. 00:25:17.159 --> 00:25:18.019 And I love this. 00:25:20.239 --> 00:25:21.759 Don't worry about what you will eat. 00:25:22.879 --> 00:25:23.539 Come on. 00:25:24.059 --> 00:25:25.719 We've all worried about what we're going to eat. 00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:28.819 I'm hungry, especially my kids, right? 00:25:29.239 --> 00:25:30.000 I'm hungry. 00:25:30.119 --> 00:25:30.979 What are we going to have? 00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:32.739 It happens. 00:25:32.979 --> 00:25:33.939 We all have had that. 00:25:34.639 --> 00:25:35.899 We've all had those moments. 00:25:35.900 --> 00:25:42.340 And what I challenge for you, find a blessing. 00:25:43.100 --> 00:25:47.759 Think of a blessing or consider a blessing that God has given to you today. 00:25:48.780 --> 00:25:52.820 If you can't think of one, well, just think of the fact that you're here today 00:25:52.820 --> 00:25:57.000 and you're living and breathing another day here on the earth. 00:25:57.600 --> 00:25:59.080 You can at least do that. 00:25:59.079 --> 00:26:06.439 And then number three, finally, build for eternity, not just for now. 00:26:07.379 --> 00:26:11.759 Just as it says in Matthew of laying up treasures in heaven, 00:26:12.899 --> 00:26:16.460 it's the reminder of what we build on earth fades away. 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:18.259 We think of buildings. 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:20.879 I'm not criticizing any buildings in this area. 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:23.319 I'm not criticizing buildings when we go around. 00:26:23.619 --> 00:26:25.359 But we know that things fade away. 00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:31.219 We know that original documents begin to fade and you try to keep it, preserve it, right? 00:26:31.459 --> 00:26:36.319 We know that archaeological finds are just, you just go down the street, 00:26:36.419 --> 00:26:39.259 you look at some buildings, they may need some repair here, right? 00:26:39.679 --> 00:26:46.679 You see these things and it's just a reminder that the things that are of this earth will fade away. 00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:51.099 But in knowing Christ, it is knowing that which is eternal. 00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:57.859 And that's why we need to seek God and his righteousness, his kingdom, believing in Christ, 00:26:57.959 --> 00:27:00.799 because God will reign forever. 00:27:01.599 --> 00:27:05.859 Just as scripture says, everlasting to everlasting. 00:27:07.059 --> 00:27:10.799 Or that the Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:13.839 We place our trust in God. 00:27:13.919 --> 00:27:15.799 We're being invited to the banquet. 00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:20.339 We're being invited to this great feast, as it were. 00:27:22.359 --> 00:27:22.879 Forever. 00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:24.799 To be with him. 00:27:26.379 --> 00:27:32.240 And so, the challenge for you is to consider your time, your talent, and your treasure. 00:27:32.379 --> 00:27:33.960 How are you stewarding things? 00:27:34.879 --> 00:27:39.619 And certainly, I hope that nobody here is really idolizing money or anything. 00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:43.359 Or idolizing fame, notoriety, any of these things. 00:27:43.359 --> 00:27:46.359 Keep things in its proper place. 00:27:46.479 --> 00:27:49.219 It's not, again, it's not to say these things are bad. 00:27:49.319 --> 00:27:50.679 It's when you make it your God. 00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:54.139 That is what we know from scripture. 00:27:54.359 --> 00:28:00.019 So, consider your time, your talent, and your treasure, and how you are stewarding it. 00:28:01.199 --> 00:28:04.319 And it's always good to do an inventory of these things. 00:28:04.319 --> 00:28:11.839 And so, let us not be called a fool in the eyes of God. 00:28:12.799 --> 00:28:18.960 I certainly would never, and I don't want for any of you here, to be called a fool in the eyes of God. 00:28:18.960 --> 00:28:27.660 But at the end, certainly, let this be a call for you to live for eternity. 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:33.720 Living your life knowing that you know who Jesus Christ is. 00:28:33.799 --> 00:28:35.480 That he's got a plan for you. 00:28:36.519 --> 00:28:41.559 And that there's nothing for you to fear or to worry about. 00:28:41.559 --> 00:28:46.119 That you're going to steward everything that God has given to you. 00:28:47.599 --> 00:28:55.399 And so, for some of you, this might be an eye-opener to consider what it is you're living for. 00:28:56.399 --> 00:29:02.679 And I hope that you, just as that film says, what is it, Indiana Jones, you choose wisely. 00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:06.440 Some of you know exactly what quote I'm talking about, right? 00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:09.899 What is it, he's searching for the cup of Christ. 00:29:09.900 --> 00:29:15.640 It's Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. 00:29:15.780 --> 00:29:18.300 That's right, okay, it's on the tip of my tongue, right? 00:29:18.680 --> 00:29:20.180 You guys remember that one? 00:29:20.720 --> 00:29:23.340 Where the guy's sitting there and he's like, he chose poorly. 00:29:23.560 --> 00:29:27.120 And you're like, yeah, he chose the most beautiful chalice, right? 00:29:27.680 --> 00:29:31.880 The idea was focusing on drinking from the cup that was humble. 00:29:32.580 --> 00:29:37.620 Just like how we should search for and choose wisely Christ. 00:29:37.619 --> 00:29:40.619 And not the cup with all the jewels and stuff. 00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:54.500 And so, with that, I just pray that in this, you may recognize that God invites you to know him, to grow in him, and to do good in his name. 00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:55.319 Let's pray together. 00:29:55.319 --> 00:30:02.839 Father, we thank you for this time, this opportunity for us to go over this very difficult parable. 00:30:03.379 --> 00:30:12.279 We realize that sometimes there can be misunderstandings of your word, and we pray that that's not so. 00:30:12.399 --> 00:30:15.879 We pray that we will understand your word and what you call for us. 00:30:15.880 --> 00:30:17.500 We pray for transformation. 00:30:17.940 --> 00:30:22.480 Father, I pray if there's anyone that doesn't know you, they may come to respond. 00:30:22.880 --> 00:30:27.640 Your invitation to believe in your son, Jesus Christ, and be saved. 00:30:28.600 --> 00:30:34.920 We know the truth, and the truth exists in you and in your son. 00:30:35.420 --> 00:30:37.680 Being the way, the truth, and the life. 00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:46.740 And I pray, Father, that we may recognize the difference between idolizing material things compared to worshiping you. 00:30:47.560 --> 00:30:56.180 That we may know the difference that money, fame, notoriety, whatever it is, the thing, education, knowledge, the things of this earth, 00:30:56.680 --> 00:31:01.340 certainly are temporary, but they're also gifts from you. 00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:08.299 And may we steward everything that we have, following your will and your way. 00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:15.279 And Lord, may we be like those ravens, trusting in your provision, trusting in your promises, 00:31:15.839 --> 00:31:21.679 and knowing that there is nothing for us to worry about, nothing to be anxious about. 00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:27.980 Rather, there is confidence and hope and restoration and renewal in our lives. 00:31:27.980 --> 00:31:37.220 And we pray as we close today that we may fully understand the scope of this parable, the scope of your word, 00:31:37.559 --> 00:31:43.519 but most importantly, the scope of your salvation in Christ. 00:31:43.839 --> 00:31:47.559 It is in the name of Jesus Christ that we pray and we all say together, amen. 00:31:48.059 --> 00:31:48.620 Amen. 00:31:50.380 --> 00:31:54.220 Thank you for listening for this week's message from Ontario Community Church. 00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:59.000 I pray that you are encouraged and strengthened in your walk with Christ. 00:31:59.559 --> 00:32:04.339 For more sermons and resources, visit OntarioCommunityChurch.org. 00:32:04.799 --> 00:32:09.360 May God bless you as you live out his grace and truth every single day.