WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:13.640 All right, church. You ready for this? We practiced this last Sunday. Here we go. I say, 00:00:13.640 --> 00:00:21.559 ! And then you respond. Ready? God gives. We can do better. God gives. How do we give back? 00:00:21.559 --> 00:00:30.559 There you go. All right. I hope that can take root in our hearts as we dive back into this series 00:00:30.559 --> 00:00:37.280 called Jesus on Generosity. Listen, if we want to talk about something, we should probably see what 00:00:37.280 --> 00:00:43.500 Jesus had to say about it first. So that's what we did in our series on his parables about stories 00:00:43.500 --> 00:00:50.060 of the kingdom over the summer, and we are jumping right back into what Jesus had to teach us when we 00:00:50.060 --> 00:00:57.260 consider this idea of generosity. Now, do y'all know what I have been watching a lot of the last 00:00:57.260 --> 00:01:12.260 couple weekends? You're a really smart crowd. Yes, I have been. You know why? Because fall means football, 00:01:12.260 --> 00:01:21.980 y'all. It's what it means. Whether it's the Bearcats here locally, or maybe you're from another school 00:01:21.980 --> 00:01:28.080 district and you're cheering on your team. Maybe it's your college. I've been watching the Longhorns. 00:01:28.800 --> 00:01:34.760 Yesterday was a whole lot better than the other Saturday. If you don't know what we're talking 00:01:34.760 --> 00:01:38.260 about, don't worry about it. We're still going to win the national championship this year, all right? 00:01:38.260 --> 00:01:46.000 And then NFL happened, and you know, I expected the Cowboys to get blown out Thursday night. They 00:01:46.000 --> 00:01:51.160 actually stayed in it, had a chance to win. That was better than I expected, so standards are lower 00:01:51.160 --> 00:01:57.700 these days, all right? But football's fun, and football is almost like a religion in Texas, but 00:01:57.700 --> 00:02:02.900 look, it's not just Texas. It's all around the country. Everybody has their thing. For many, 00:02:02.900 --> 00:02:09.540 it's football or some other sports, but the truth is people commit their time and their attention, 00:02:09.980 --> 00:02:17.020 often their resources, to something that they just crave and love and they think will make them happy. 00:02:17.980 --> 00:02:24.280 And I'll tell you, in my football cheering career, I've probably been sad more than I've been happy, 00:02:24.480 --> 00:02:29.620 all right? That's just part of it, you know? And you could probably resonate with that. 00:02:29.620 --> 00:02:36.580 Truth is, football's not it. People get excited about all kinds of things. They kind of get a little 00:02:36.580 --> 00:02:43.879 obsessive about all kinds of things. Did y'all know that people camp out overnight to buy stuff 00:02:43.879 --> 00:02:53.700 when it's released? It's crazy. The new iPhone, when the iPhone 15, when the iPhone 15 launched, 00:02:53.699 --> 00:03:02.699 stores sold out of it in hours. Video games, you know, a new PlayStation comes out. In 2020, 00:03:02.879 --> 00:03:13.579 the PlayStation 5 sold out in 12 minutes. Yeah. The latest great Nike or Jordan shoes, 00:03:13.739 --> 00:03:20.719 sneakers that drop, they'll crash the websites. They'll sell out in seconds, literally seconds, 00:03:20.719 --> 00:03:26.539 and then you can resell some of those sneakers for thousands of dollars. Some of you are thinking, 00:03:26.780 --> 00:03:30.060 man, I got to get in the sneaker game. It sounds like you can flip those for a profit. 00:03:32.599 --> 00:03:37.199 Avengers, maybe you're into movies, Avengers Endgame, when that came out, 00:03:38.639 --> 00:03:43.180 people buying the tickets crashed the website in six hours, broke movie records. 00:03:43.180 --> 00:03:51.500 The truth is, we all have our thing. Now, maybe here locally, some of you may not get into some of 00:03:51.500 --> 00:03:56.379 that stuff as much. Maybe you've got your thing, but I bet you get a little bit excited the night 00:03:56.379 --> 00:04:01.240 before hunting season officially starts, whatever it might be for you. 00:04:03.620 --> 00:04:06.780 Maybe sitting out chairs the night before the Pioneer Union parade. 00:04:06.780 --> 00:04:10.819 That's always fun to go see. That's right around the corner, isn't it? 00:04:12.340 --> 00:04:19.079 The truth is, we all chase what matters to us. We will inconvenience ourselves. 00:04:20.040 --> 00:04:26.959 We will pour money, time, and effort into what we think will make us happy. 00:04:28.139 --> 00:04:34.019 Jesus has to teach us something in Matthew 6. Would you take your Bibles and turn there? 00:04:34.019 --> 00:04:37.979 Matthew 6. We're going to read from verse 19 down through 24. 00:04:38.599 --> 00:04:43.399 But as you're turning, I want to share with you Matthew 6, 21. 00:04:44.699 --> 00:04:51.519 Jesus said, wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. 00:04:53.180 --> 00:04:55.060 I thought this quote was interesting. 00:04:56.120 --> 00:04:59.419 She says, I don't know what I want, but I want it now. 00:05:01.000 --> 00:05:02.659 Anybody ever resonate with that? 00:05:02.660 --> 00:05:08.820 Maybe husband and wife are trying to decide what to eat, and wife just knows she wants something, 00:05:08.900 --> 00:05:12.020 and the first six things the husband suggests, nope, I didn't want that. 00:05:12.400 --> 00:05:15.500 I haven't figured out yet what I want, but I want it now. 00:05:17.820 --> 00:05:20.879 Part of the marriage code is cracking what she wants, cracking that code. 00:05:22.879 --> 00:05:28.440 Matthew 6, 21, Jesus said, what you want, the desires of your heart, 00:05:28.439 --> 00:05:32.360 that is where your treasure will be. 00:05:34.040 --> 00:05:35.139 And vice versa. 00:05:35.980 --> 00:05:43.040 Where your treasure is, that reveals what you want, the desires of your heart. 00:05:43.300 --> 00:05:45.420 So we're going to put ourselves to the test this morning. 00:05:45.879 --> 00:05:48.920 We're going to put ourselves to the treasure test. 00:05:48.920 --> 00:05:51.640 What is your treasure? 00:05:52.220 --> 00:05:53.340 What are you treasuring? 00:05:53.699 --> 00:05:56.439 Let's look at Matthew 6, verse 19. 00:05:56.840 --> 00:06:01.540 Jesus teaches us, don't store up for yourselves treasures on earth, 00:06:01.660 --> 00:06:05.780 where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 00:06:06.420 --> 00:06:07.960 Well, that sounds smart, doesn't it? 00:06:08.520 --> 00:06:11.780 Don't store your stuff up in a sketchy place. 00:06:11.779 --> 00:06:18.459 How many of you would take your valuables and store them in an open cardboard box in front of your house? 00:06:19.019 --> 00:06:20.879 That seems unwise, doesn't it? 00:06:21.479 --> 00:06:24.199 And Jesus is kind of telling us, hey, listen, 00:06:24.359 --> 00:06:32.000 investing your earthly treasure into the things of the earth will give you a similar return. 00:06:32.719 --> 00:06:34.819 It is foolish, it's unsafe, 00:06:35.119 --> 00:06:40.639 and it's not going to bring the treasure, the happiness that you think it will. 00:06:40.639 --> 00:06:45.979 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, 00:06:46.319 --> 00:06:50.180 where neither moth nor rust destroys, 00:06:50.439 --> 00:06:52.300 and where thieves don't break in and steal. 00:06:53.120 --> 00:06:54.360 Sounds pretty obvious. 00:06:55.360 --> 00:06:58.740 Okay, yeah, give me the one where they aren't going to steal it. 00:06:59.219 --> 00:07:03.379 Give me the place where it's not going to fall apart and turn bad. 00:07:05.459 --> 00:07:07.339 Verse 21, we read it a moment ago, 00:07:07.339 --> 00:07:11.179 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 00:07:11.919 --> 00:07:15.439 The eye is the lamp of the body. 00:07:15.759 --> 00:07:17.000 If your eye is healthy, 00:07:17.500 --> 00:07:19.779 your whole body will be full of light. 00:07:20.739 --> 00:07:22.359 He didn't just change topics. 00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:26.659 It might seem like he all of a sudden jumped into a different conversation. 00:07:27.019 --> 00:07:28.079 It's all linked together. 00:07:28.439 --> 00:07:29.279 So stick with it here. 00:07:29.279 --> 00:07:31.619 But if your eye is bad, 00:07:31.819 --> 00:07:34.719 your whole body will be full of darkness. 00:07:35.500 --> 00:07:38.339 So if the light within you is darkness, 00:07:38.959 --> 00:07:41.419 how deep is that darkness? 00:07:41.619 --> 00:07:42.939 We'll get back to that in just a minute. 00:07:43.639 --> 00:07:45.539 No one can serve two masters, 00:07:46.339 --> 00:07:48.099 since either he will hate one 00:07:48.099 --> 00:07:50.179 and love the other, 00:07:50.519 --> 00:07:53.379 or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. 00:07:53.379 --> 00:07:58.219 You cannot serve both God and money. 00:07:58.839 --> 00:07:59.719 Let's pray together. 00:08:00.300 --> 00:08:01.879 God, enlighten us from your word. 00:08:01.980 --> 00:08:05.500 Let your spirit take your words 00:08:05.500 --> 00:08:07.719 and the words of my mouth 00:08:07.719 --> 00:08:10.360 and apply them, 00:08:10.680 --> 00:08:12.480 personalize them for each one of us here. 00:08:13.740 --> 00:08:15.800 Show us what we need to take away from this morning. 00:08:15.899 --> 00:08:17.300 In Jesus' name we'll pray. 00:08:17.439 --> 00:08:17.680 Amen. 00:08:20.279 --> 00:08:21.180 Test number one. 00:08:21.180 --> 00:08:25.660 Test number one from Matthew chapter 6 and verse 19 00:08:25.660 --> 00:08:29.319 is how safe is your treasure? 00:08:29.959 --> 00:08:32.399 How safe is your treasure? 00:08:32.860 --> 00:08:35.360 So that's what we're going to be talking about today. 00:08:36.120 --> 00:08:37.639 How safe is your treasure? 00:08:38.620 --> 00:08:40.379 Earthly wealth is temporary. 00:08:41.180 --> 00:08:43.799 Heavenly treasure is eternal. 00:08:45.259 --> 00:08:47.100 Look back at what he said. 00:08:47.799 --> 00:08:48.879 What did he say? 00:08:48.879 --> 00:08:51.779 Look at verses 19 and 20. 00:08:52.179 --> 00:08:53.159 Y'all talk back to me. 00:08:53.240 --> 00:08:55.139 What did he say could happen 00:08:55.139 --> 00:08:57.600 to your earthly treasure? 00:08:59.080 --> 00:09:00.139 Could get stolen. 00:09:00.259 --> 00:09:00.700 What else? 00:09:02.259 --> 00:09:07.340 Rust and moths could destroy it, right? 00:09:07.799 --> 00:09:11.100 So, this is a real danger. 00:09:11.639 --> 00:09:13.500 How many of you have had something stolen before? 00:09:13.500 --> 00:09:17.559 How many of you had something rusted or start to decay? 00:09:18.559 --> 00:09:23.200 How many of you had pests or moths or some other kind of pest 00:09:23.200 --> 00:09:25.480 get in and destroy something you held valuable? 00:09:25.700 --> 00:09:25.860 Yeah. 00:09:26.179 --> 00:09:28.019 So we can resonate with this, right? 00:09:28.600 --> 00:09:30.720 We can understand what Jesus is talking about. 00:09:30.899 --> 00:09:34.639 So, when he says these things could happen 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:36.440 to the things you value on this earth, 00:09:36.600 --> 00:09:37.500 we understand it. 00:09:37.519 --> 00:09:38.340 Well, they did too. 00:09:38.860 --> 00:09:43.000 They lived in an era where they had less safeguards available to them 00:09:43.000 --> 00:09:44.780 than we have today in 2025. 00:09:45.600 --> 00:09:47.840 And so I'm sure it was even more common or more frequent 00:09:47.840 --> 00:09:50.540 for things to happen to what they held dear. 00:09:50.980 --> 00:09:52.540 That's why we're going back a little ways, 00:09:52.620 --> 00:09:54.740 but that's why it's said for... 00:09:54.740 --> 00:09:59.240 Many people would go and bury their valuables in the ground, 00:09:59.480 --> 00:10:00.820 especially when they were going out of town. 00:10:01.039 --> 00:10:03.240 Their house was really left unprotected, 00:10:03.580 --> 00:10:04.919 and so they would go and find a hole 00:10:04.919 --> 00:10:06.899 where they only knew the location of 00:10:06.899 --> 00:10:08.480 and bury their valuables in the ground. 00:10:08.759 --> 00:10:10.860 So, they understand what Jesus is saying, 00:10:10.960 --> 00:10:13.680 that there is nothing sure on this earth. 00:10:13.740 --> 00:10:15.460 You think you have a certain amount of money. 00:10:15.779 --> 00:10:17.539 You think you have a certain amount of possessions, 00:10:17.860 --> 00:10:22.580 but in reality, it's all unsafe. 00:10:23.180 --> 00:10:24.539 It's all insecure. 00:10:24.740 --> 00:10:28.779 And people will invest so much of their money 00:10:28.779 --> 00:10:35.000 into security, security systems, insurance, etc. 00:10:35.320 --> 00:10:39.740 But in reality, none of it is all that safe. 00:10:40.539 --> 00:10:42.399 So Jesus is saying, listen, 00:10:43.320 --> 00:10:47.060 recognize that nothing you have 00:10:47.060 --> 00:10:50.259 is completely safe on this earth. 00:10:50.259 --> 00:10:54.819 And at some point, it will all go away. 00:10:55.139 --> 00:10:59.299 So it might go away in your lifetime, 00:10:59.779 --> 00:11:02.480 or it might go away after you're dead. 00:11:02.700 --> 00:11:05.419 But at some point, it's all going to go away. 00:11:06.419 --> 00:11:08.120 John chapter 9 and verse 39. 00:11:08.120 --> 00:11:14.279 John chapter 9 and verse 39. 00:11:14.440 --> 00:11:15.580 Sorry, I didn't tell you to turn there, 00:11:15.639 --> 00:11:18.179 but if you can, flip over a few books 00:11:18.179 --> 00:11:19.419 to John chapter 39. 00:11:20.820 --> 00:11:22.220 Chapter 9, verse 39. 00:11:22.379 --> 00:11:23.200 Jesus told him, 00:11:23.379 --> 00:11:24.480 I entered this world 00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:27.940 to render judgment. 00:11:31.519 --> 00:11:32.940 Sorry, y'all, I skipped ahead. 00:11:33.440 --> 00:11:34.120 We're going to get there. 00:11:34.360 --> 00:11:36.600 Hold a finger in John chapter 9 00:11:36.600 --> 00:11:38.340 and go to Luke 12. 00:11:39.139 --> 00:11:40.680 So hold a finger in John 9. 00:11:40.759 --> 00:11:41.460 We're going to get there. 00:11:41.879 --> 00:11:43.399 But look at Luke 12. 00:11:43.980 --> 00:11:45.639 Luke chapter 12 and verse 33. 00:11:45.639 --> 00:11:46.779 We're trying to hit 00:11:46.779 --> 00:11:48.179 all these different teachings 00:11:48.179 --> 00:11:50.580 that Jesus had to say on this topic. 00:11:50.919 --> 00:11:53.100 So in Luke 12, he says, verse 33, 00:11:53.559 --> 00:11:54.679 sell your possessions 00:11:54.679 --> 00:11:56.740 and give to those in need. 00:11:57.460 --> 00:11:58.860 Can we stop there for a second? 00:12:01.100 --> 00:12:02.539 What if I came to your house 00:12:02.539 --> 00:12:04.279 and said, sell everything you own 00:12:04.279 --> 00:12:05.199 and give it to the people 00:12:05.199 --> 00:12:06.220 who need things? 00:12:07.059 --> 00:12:08.240 That'd be tough, right? 00:12:08.980 --> 00:12:09.679 Excuse me? 00:12:10.139 --> 00:12:11.620 You can't tell me what to do 00:12:11.620 --> 00:12:12.340 with my possessions. 00:12:12.919 --> 00:12:14.019 That's right, but that's kind of 00:12:14.019 --> 00:12:15.100 what Jesus did here. 00:12:15.639 --> 00:12:16.819 He said, sell your possessions 00:12:16.819 --> 00:12:18.399 and give to those in need. 00:12:18.740 --> 00:12:20.580 This will store up treasure 00:12:20.580 --> 00:12:21.899 for you in heaven. 00:12:23.159 --> 00:12:24.639 And the purses of heaven 00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:26.059 will never get old 00:12:26.059 --> 00:12:27.159 or develop holes. 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:30.740 Your treasure will be safe. 00:12:31.559 --> 00:12:33.139 No thief can steal it. 00:12:33.620 --> 00:12:35.460 No moth can destroy it. 00:12:36.379 --> 00:12:37.500 It's kind of referencing back 00:12:37.500 --> 00:12:38.960 to what he taught 00:12:38.960 --> 00:12:41.840 back in Matthew chapter 6. 00:12:42.700 --> 00:12:45.080 Wherever your treasure is, 00:12:45.080 --> 00:12:46.860 the desires of your heart 00:12:46.860 --> 00:12:48.360 will also be. 00:12:48.840 --> 00:12:50.020 I love how the different 00:12:50.020 --> 00:12:50.940 gospel records 00:12:50.940 --> 00:12:52.960 give slightly different tweaks 00:12:52.960 --> 00:12:54.900 or slightly different perspectives 00:12:54.900 --> 00:12:56.639 on the same moments 00:12:56.639 --> 00:12:57.700 of Jesus' teaching. 00:12:58.440 --> 00:12:59.420 So I like to compare 00:12:59.420 --> 00:13:00.400 what Luke had to say 00:13:00.400 --> 00:13:01.840 with what Matthew had to say. 00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:04.220 Of course, Luke was not 00:13:04.220 --> 00:13:06.060 one of those disciples early on. 00:13:06.139 --> 00:13:07.879 He spoke into it afterwards 00:13:07.879 --> 00:13:08.879 based on accounts 00:13:08.879 --> 00:13:09.680 that he was told. 00:13:09.679 --> 00:13:11.359 And so this is fascinating 00:13:11.359 --> 00:13:14.319 to see this different angle on it. 00:13:14.959 --> 00:13:15.839 Sell your possessions, 00:13:16.099 --> 00:13:17.120 give to those in need. 00:13:17.439 --> 00:13:18.459 The purses of heaven 00:13:18.459 --> 00:13:19.959 never get old 00:13:19.959 --> 00:13:21.099 or develop holes. 00:13:22.199 --> 00:13:25.099 God never runs out of resources. 00:13:26.179 --> 00:13:27.219 We will. 00:13:27.699 --> 00:13:28.339 We can. 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:31.739 So examine your daily investments, 00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:33.079 your time, 00:13:33.679 --> 00:13:34.379 your energy, 00:13:34.859 --> 00:13:35.620 your money. 00:13:35.620 --> 00:13:38.580 It's a good place to start. 00:13:39.460 --> 00:13:40.639 Where are you storing 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:41.379 your treasure 00:13:41.379 --> 00:13:42.600 right now? 00:13:45.200 --> 00:13:46.480 There's a principle here. 00:13:47.740 --> 00:13:49.080 You can't lose 00:13:49.080 --> 00:13:50.700 what you give 00:13:50.700 --> 00:13:52.060 to God. 00:13:53.120 --> 00:13:54.560 You can't lose 00:13:54.560 --> 00:13:56.080 what you give 00:13:56.080 --> 00:13:57.159 to God. 00:13:57.600 --> 00:13:58.399 Like that's what Jesus 00:13:58.399 --> 00:13:59.320 is trying to teach us. 00:14:00.220 --> 00:14:00.800 So parents, 00:14:02.460 --> 00:14:03.740 some of us have a hard time 00:14:03.740 --> 00:14:04.160 not being 00:14:04.160 --> 00:14:05.700 helicopter parents 00:14:05.700 --> 00:14:07.280 and constantly just 00:14:07.280 --> 00:14:08.800 holding on to our kids 00:14:08.800 --> 00:14:09.300 and we don't want 00:14:09.300 --> 00:14:09.860 to let them go. 00:14:10.340 --> 00:14:11.800 Give them to God. 00:14:12.520 --> 00:14:13.560 You can't lose 00:14:13.560 --> 00:14:14.560 what you give 00:14:14.560 --> 00:14:15.020 to God. 00:14:15.920 --> 00:14:16.440 There might be 00:14:16.440 --> 00:14:16.920 a burden 00:14:16.920 --> 00:14:18.360 on your heart 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:19.120 that you just 00:14:19.120 --> 00:14:20.420 can't set free. 00:14:20.960 --> 00:14:22.000 You have to keep 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:23.500 trying to fix it 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:24.300 and you're beating 00:14:24.300 --> 00:14:25.380 your head against the wall 00:14:25.380 --> 00:14:26.400 out of frustration 00:14:26.400 --> 00:14:27.400 just trying to 00:14:27.400 --> 00:14:28.280 figure out 00:14:28.280 --> 00:14:28.900 how to solve 00:14:28.899 --> 00:14:29.699 this problem 00:14:29.699 --> 00:14:32.340 this burden 00:14:32.340 --> 00:14:33.000 you're carrying 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:35.100 and I can promise you 00:14:35.100 --> 00:14:36.240 if you give it 00:14:36.240 --> 00:14:36.819 to God 00:14:36.819 --> 00:14:39.139 you won't lose 00:14:39.139 --> 00:14:39.699 that battle. 00:14:40.600 --> 00:14:41.299 God will help 00:14:41.299 --> 00:14:41.699 you win. 00:14:42.600 --> 00:14:43.720 You can't lose 00:14:43.720 --> 00:14:44.819 what you give 00:14:44.819 --> 00:14:45.720 to God. 00:14:46.819 --> 00:14:47.799 So if a tornado 00:14:47.799 --> 00:14:48.159 hit 00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:49.699 if a thief 00:14:49.699 --> 00:14:50.279 broke in 00:14:50.279 --> 00:14:52.139 the stock market 00:14:52.139 --> 00:14:52.699 crashed 00:14:52.699 --> 00:14:55.399 everything we have 00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:56.939 materially speaking 00:14:56.939 --> 00:14:57.620 on this earth 00:14:57.620 --> 00:14:58.819 could be gone. 00:14:58.899 --> 00:15:01.439 but treasures 00:15:01.439 --> 00:15:02.059 invested 00:15:02.059 --> 00:15:03.199 in God 00:15:03.199 --> 00:15:03.799 and his kingdom 00:15:03.799 --> 00:15:05.759 prayer 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:07.299 generosity 00:15:07.299 --> 00:15:09.019 acts 00:15:09.019 --> 00:15:09.939 of Christ 00:15:09.939 --> 00:15:10.659 like love 00:15:10.659 --> 00:15:12.480 those are safe 00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:13.120 forever 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:14.500 and the results 00:15:14.500 --> 00:15:14.879 of that 00:15:14.879 --> 00:15:15.879 are safe 00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:16.740 forever 00:15:16.740 --> 00:15:18.319 so you can't lose 00:15:18.319 --> 00:15:19.159 what you give 00:15:19.159 --> 00:15:19.559 to God. 00:15:19.699 --> 00:15:20.480 Test number two 00:15:20.480 --> 00:15:22.480 test number two 00:15:22.480 --> 00:15:24.240 is what you see 00:15:24.240 --> 00:15:25.500 is what you get. 00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:28.500 How do we know 00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:29.379 what our treasure 00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:29.720 is? 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:30.419 How do we know 00:15:30.419 --> 00:15:30.980 if we're being 00:15:30.980 --> 00:15:31.539 generous? 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:33.560 Listen to this 00:15:33.560 --> 00:15:33.899 principle 00:15:33.899 --> 00:15:34.620 what you see 00:15:34.620 --> 00:15:35.680 is what you get. 00:15:35.680 --> 00:15:36.620 John chapter nine 00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:36.960 again 00:15:36.960 --> 00:15:39.159 told you to turn 00:15:39.159 --> 00:15:39.639 there I told you 00:15:39.639 --> 00:15:40.080 we'd get there 00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:40.860 John chapter nine 00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:41.480 verse 39 00:15:41.480 --> 00:15:42.580 Jesus told him 00:15:42.580 --> 00:15:43.539 I entered this 00:15:43.539 --> 00:15:44.580 world to render 00:15:44.580 --> 00:15:45.299 judgment 00:15:45.299 --> 00:15:46.180 to give sight 00:15:46.180 --> 00:15:46.779 to the blind 00:15:46.779 --> 00:15:48.000 and to show 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:49.200 those who think 00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:49.919 they see 00:15:49.919 --> 00:15:50.899 that they 00:15:50.899 --> 00:15:52.139 are blind. 00:15:52.139 --> 00:15:53.799 some Pharisees 00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:54.340 who were standing 00:15:54.340 --> 00:15:55.620 by near him 00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:56.159 told him 00:15:56.159 --> 00:15:56.539 and said 00:15:56.539 --> 00:15:57.299 asked him 00:15:57.299 --> 00:15:57.939 say are you 00:15:57.939 --> 00:15:58.620 saying we're 00:15:58.620 --> 00:15:59.080 blind? 00:15:59.220 --> 00:16:00.019 If you were 00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:00.759 blind Jesus 00:16:00.759 --> 00:16:01.480 replied you 00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:01.960 wouldn't be 00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:03.059 guilty but you 00:16:03.059 --> 00:16:03.960 remain guilty 00:16:03.960 --> 00:16:04.600 because you 00:16:04.600 --> 00:16:05.600 claim you 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:06.240 can see. 00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:06.899 Did you hear 00:16:06.899 --> 00:16:07.340 what they just 00:16:07.340 --> 00:16:07.600 said? 00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:09.500 Jesus has said 00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:10.580 I didn't come 00:16:10.580 --> 00:16:13.080 to give sight 00:16:13.080 --> 00:16:13.740 to those who 00:16:13.740 --> 00:16:14.399 think they can 00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:15.419 see I gave 00:16:15.419 --> 00:16:18.460 sight to those 00:16:18.460 --> 00:16:19.360 who are blind 00:16:19.360 --> 00:16:21.139 I'm here to 00:16:21.139 --> 00:16:22.000 show those 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:22.500 who think 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:22.860 they can 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:23.299 see that 00:16:23.299 --> 00:16:23.460 they're 00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:23.899 actually 00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:24.500 blind. 00:16:25.299 --> 00:16:25.600 In the 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:26.220 Pharisees it 00:16:26.220 --> 00:16:27.220 was no secret 00:16:27.220 --> 00:16:27.799 that he was 00:16:27.799 --> 00:16:28.340 talking about 00:16:28.340 --> 00:16:28.700 them. 00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:30.440 So they said 00:16:30.440 --> 00:16:31.100 you're saying 00:16:31.100 --> 00:16:31.840 we're blind? 00:16:32.179 --> 00:16:33.179 How dare you? 00:16:33.740 --> 00:16:34.320 You're saying 00:16:34.320 --> 00:16:35.220 we're spiritually 00:16:35.220 --> 00:16:35.679 blind? 00:16:35.879 --> 00:16:36.580 We don't have 00:16:36.580 --> 00:16:37.779 spiritual understanding 00:16:37.779 --> 00:16:38.600 when we read the 00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:38.879 scriptures? 00:16:39.419 --> 00:16:39.980 Are you kidding 00:16:39.980 --> 00:16:40.240 me? 00:16:40.360 --> 00:16:40.779 This is our 00:16:40.779 --> 00:16:41.440 life's work. 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:43.039 From early on 00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:43.980 training up through 00:16:43.980 --> 00:16:44.700 rabbi school 00:16:44.700 --> 00:16:45.279 we've been 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:46.379 dedicating our 00:16:46.379 --> 00:16:47.059 lives to this 00:16:47.059 --> 00:16:47.720 we know what 00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:48.200 we're talking 00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:48.539 about. 00:16:49.740 --> 00:16:50.379 It's kind of 00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:51.000 the unwritten 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:53.159 words that 00:16:53.159 --> 00:16:53.639 they're trying 00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:54.100 to communicate 00:16:54.100 --> 00:16:54.639 to Jesus. 00:16:55.440 --> 00:16:56.059 He said if 00:16:56.059 --> 00:16:56.679 you were blind 00:16:56.679 --> 00:16:57.179 you wouldn't 00:16:57.179 --> 00:16:57.860 be guilty 00:16:57.860 --> 00:16:59.899 but you remain 00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:00.940 guilty because 00:17:00.940 --> 00:17:02.259 you claim you 00:17:02.259 --> 00:17:02.759 can see. 00:17:03.179 --> 00:17:03.700 Back in 00:17:03.700 --> 00:17:04.319 Matthew chapter 00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:05.420 6 our text 00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:06.420 I told you we'd 00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:07.039 get back to it 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:07.740 verse 22 00:17:07.740 --> 00:17:08.900 the eye is the 00:17:08.900 --> 00:17:09.420 lamp of the 00:17:09.420 --> 00:17:09.720 body. 00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:11.119 If your eye is 00:17:11.119 --> 00:17:12.440 healthy you'll 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:13.259 be able to see. 00:17:13.619 --> 00:17:14.339 Your whole body 00:17:14.339 --> 00:17:14.980 will be full of 00:17:14.980 --> 00:17:15.220 light. 00:17:15.460 --> 00:17:16.039 But if your eye 00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:17.779 is bad you'll 00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:18.380 be blind. 00:17:18.380 --> 00:17:19.740 Your whole body 00:17:19.740 --> 00:17:20.500 will be full 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:21.380 of darkness. 00:17:21.820 --> 00:17:22.640 So if the 00:17:22.640 --> 00:17:24.660 light that you 00:17:24.660 --> 00:17:26.220 think is inside 00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:28.340 you is actually 00:17:28.340 --> 00:17:30.760 darkness how deep 00:17:30.760 --> 00:17:31.920 is that darkness? 00:17:33.020 --> 00:17:34.020 It's the same 00:17:34.020 --> 00:17:35.240 principle that he's 00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:35.820 teaching the 00:17:35.820 --> 00:17:36.620 Pharisees here. 00:17:37.240 --> 00:17:38.600 It's not just that 00:17:38.600 --> 00:17:39.300 you're spiritually 00:17:39.300 --> 00:17:40.500 blind and you know 00:17:40.500 --> 00:17:41.040 you're blind. 00:17:41.340 --> 00:17:42.380 You think you can 00:17:42.380 --> 00:17:42.700 see. 00:17:43.340 --> 00:17:44.440 You have light. 00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:44.480 light. 00:17:45.840 --> 00:17:47.580 And I pray that 00:17:47.580 --> 00:17:48.200 none of us in 00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:50.059 this room are in 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:52.340 that boat where 00:17:52.340 --> 00:17:53.400 we think we've got 00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:54.000 it all figured 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:54.340 out. 00:17:55.420 --> 00:17:56.539 We think we've 00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:57.519 got Jesus figured 00:17:57.519 --> 00:17:57.799 out. 00:17:57.900 --> 00:17:58.480 We've got him in 00:17:58.480 --> 00:17:59.080 our nice little 00:17:59.080 --> 00:17:59.500 box. 00:18:00.360 --> 00:18:01.480 We think that we 00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:02.380 have spiritual 00:18:02.380 --> 00:18:04.900 sight and Jesus 00:18:04.900 --> 00:18:07.240 is way over there. 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:09.440 And he's telling 00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:10.940 us you are blind. 00:18:11.380 --> 00:18:12.340 You don't have the 00:18:12.340 --> 00:18:13.240 sight you think you 00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:13.660 have. 00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:18.440 Once you realize 00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:20.680 you're blind then 00:18:20.680 --> 00:18:21.420 he can help you. 00:18:22.320 --> 00:18:23.420 Then he can save 00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:23.640 you. 00:18:24.380 --> 00:18:25.200 Then he can give 00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:26.080 you sight. 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:27.920 So spiritual 00:18:27.920 --> 00:18:28.880 blindness happens 00:18:28.880 --> 00:18:30.660 when you think 00:18:30.660 --> 00:18:31.160 you're seeing 00:18:31.160 --> 00:18:32.680 clearly but you're 00:18:32.680 --> 00:18:33.860 actually walking 00:18:33.860 --> 00:18:34.820 in darkness. 00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:37.519 Like those 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:39.220 Pharisees you and 00:18:39.220 --> 00:18:41.860 I are able fully 00:18:41.860 --> 00:18:43.740 able to wander in 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:44.480 religion. 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:47.440 Wander in church 00:18:47.440 --> 00:18:47.900 attendance. 00:18:49.380 --> 00:18:50.380 Wander in acting 00:18:50.380 --> 00:18:51.059 like a nice 00:18:51.059 --> 00:18:51.559 person. 00:18:52.180 --> 00:18:53.339 But inside our 00:18:53.339 --> 00:18:54.440 hearts are far 00:18:54.440 --> 00:18:55.579 away from Jesus. 00:18:57.059 --> 00:18:58.079 There's a principle 00:18:58.079 --> 00:19:00.059 here that I want to 00:19:00.059 --> 00:19:00.700 share with you. 00:19:02.620 --> 00:19:03.880 It's called bounded 00:19:03.880 --> 00:19:05.319 set versus centered 00:19:05.319 --> 00:19:05.799 set. 00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:07.799 Now stick with me 00:19:07.799 --> 00:19:08.019 here. 00:19:08.640 --> 00:19:09.500 It's getting a little 00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:10.500 analytical, a little 00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:11.640 out there but stick 00:19:11.640 --> 00:19:12.000 with me. 00:19:14.579 --> 00:19:15.640 This bounded 00:19:15.640 --> 00:19:18.420 set means I 00:19:18.420 --> 00:19:20.539 will base 00:19:20.539 --> 00:19:21.640 my religion 00:19:21.640 --> 00:19:23.759 on who is 00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:25.079 inside my 00:19:25.079 --> 00:19:25.740 lines. 00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:27.599 I will create 00:19:27.599 --> 00:19:29.140 lines and I 00:19:29.140 --> 00:19:30.019 will say this is 00:19:30.019 --> 00:19:30.880 what it takes to 00:19:30.880 --> 00:19:31.700 be a part of my 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:32.140 religion. 00:19:33.099 --> 00:19:34.099 You've got to think 00:19:34.099 --> 00:19:34.799 like I do. 00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:35.599 You've got to look 00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:36.220 like I do. 00:19:36.319 --> 00:19:36.980 You've got to act 00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:37.660 like I do. 00:19:37.660 --> 00:19:39.080 and I'm going to 00:19:39.080 --> 00:19:40.540 determine what the 00:19:40.540 --> 00:19:41.240 lines are. 00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:42.920 Then there's a 00:19:42.920 --> 00:19:44.140 different type of 00:19:44.140 --> 00:19:44.640 religion. 00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:46.440 It's the centered 00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:47.180 set thinking. 00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:49.180 And it doesn't 00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:50.180 judge people based 00:19:50.180 --> 00:19:50.860 on whether they're 00:19:50.860 --> 00:19:51.820 inside or outside 00:19:51.820 --> 00:19:52.500 the lines. 00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:54.160 It judges people 00:19:54.160 --> 00:19:54.740 whether they're 00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:56.040 moving toward 00:19:56.040 --> 00:19:57.620 Jesus or away 00:19:57.620 --> 00:19:58.460 from Jesus. 00:19:59.640 --> 00:20:00.740 So there's two 00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:01.420 different kinds of 00:20:01.420 --> 00:20:01.700 thinking. 00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:04.100 The Pharisees were 00:20:04.100 --> 00:20:05.800 absolutely bounded 00:20:05.800 --> 00:20:06.460 set. 00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:08.299 they set the 00:20:08.299 --> 00:20:08.799 lines. 00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:10.140 Some of it they 00:20:10.140 --> 00:20:10.740 took from Old 00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:11.500 Testament teaching 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.720 and then they 00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:13.440 took that and 00:20:13.440 --> 00:20:14.259 they ran with it. 00:20:14.799 --> 00:20:15.539 And they set 00:20:15.539 --> 00:20:16.279 their own lines. 00:20:16.400 --> 00:20:16.860 They created 00:20:16.860 --> 00:20:17.579 their own 00:20:17.579 --> 00:20:19.059 boundaries. 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:22.460 And they said 00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:23.240 you're either in 00:20:23.240 --> 00:20:24.000 or you're out 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:24.940 depending on how 00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:26.360 well you live 00:20:26.360 --> 00:20:27.539 inside our 00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:28.039 boundaries. 00:20:29.620 --> 00:20:30.720 Jesus came to 00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:31.440 them and said 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:32.259 no. 00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:33.720 You've got it 00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:34.120 all wrong. 00:20:34.119 --> 00:20:36.099 that's never 00:20:36.099 --> 00:20:36.719 what it's been 00:20:36.719 --> 00:20:36.959 about. 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:38.399 It's always 00:20:38.399 --> 00:20:39.559 been about God. 00:20:39.959 --> 00:20:40.719 It's always been 00:20:40.719 --> 00:20:41.119 about your 00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:41.919 relationship with 00:20:41.919 --> 00:20:42.119 him. 00:20:42.379 --> 00:20:43.119 It's always been 00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:43.599 about whether 00:20:43.599 --> 00:20:44.479 your heart is 00:20:44.479 --> 00:20:45.339 toward him or 00:20:45.339 --> 00:20:46.119 away from him. 00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:47.439 So you can 00:20:47.439 --> 00:20:48.979 live inside the 00:20:48.979 --> 00:20:49.779 boundaries on the 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:50.359 bounded set 00:20:50.359 --> 00:20:50.759 religion. 00:20:51.199 --> 00:20:51.919 You can be 00:20:51.919 --> 00:20:52.959 inside the fence. 00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:53.799 You can make 00:20:53.799 --> 00:20:54.739 your life look 00:20:54.739 --> 00:20:55.959 like those around 00:20:55.959 --> 00:20:56.439 you. 00:20:56.439 --> 00:20:57.719 But your heart 00:20:57.719 --> 00:20:59.039 is never moving 00:20:59.039 --> 00:21:00.000 toward Jesus. 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:02.220 and Jesus 00:21:02.220 --> 00:21:03.319 says that's 00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:03.700 not my 00:21:03.700 --> 00:21:04.059 religion. 00:21:04.759 --> 00:21:05.579 That's not 00:21:05.579 --> 00:21:06.140 what I came 00:21:06.140 --> 00:21:06.660 to this earth 00:21:06.660 --> 00:21:07.099 to bring. 00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:08.660 And so many 00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:09.380 people and so 00:21:09.380 --> 00:21:09.980 many churches 00:21:09.980 --> 00:21:10.980 will name 00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:12.220 Jesus' name 00:21:12.220 --> 00:21:13.759 but they're 00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:14.460 living in 00:21:14.460 --> 00:21:15.299 bounded set 00:21:15.299 --> 00:21:16.119 religion not 00:21:16.119 --> 00:21:16.880 centered set 00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:17.259 religion. 00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:19.619 And they're 00:21:19.619 --> 00:21:20.180 actually doing 00:21:20.180 --> 00:21:21.779 more harm to 00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:22.259 the true 00:21:22.259 --> 00:21:22.900 religion of 00:21:22.900 --> 00:21:24.240 Jesus than 00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:24.599 good. 00:21:26.140 --> 00:21:27.119 So I don't 00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:28.880 judge you and 00:21:28.880 --> 00:21:29.480 you shouldn't 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:31.980 judge me based 00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:32.540 on if we're 00:21:32.540 --> 00:21:33.260 inside or 00:21:33.260 --> 00:21:34.880 outside whatever 00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:35.960 these lines are 00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:37.140 because everybody's 00:21:37.140 --> 00:21:37.660 lines are in 00:21:37.660 --> 00:21:38.240 different places. 00:21:39.620 --> 00:21:40.880 We should judge 00:21:40.880 --> 00:21:41.500 one another 00:21:41.500 --> 00:21:43.840 whether our 00:21:43.840 --> 00:21:44.780 hearts are moving 00:21:44.780 --> 00:21:46.340 toward Jesus or 00:21:46.340 --> 00:21:47.240 away from Jesus. 00:21:47.560 --> 00:21:48.480 How do you know 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:48.760 that? 00:21:49.300 --> 00:21:50.320 The fruit of our 00:21:50.320 --> 00:21:51.040 life will show 00:21:51.040 --> 00:21:51.260 it. 00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:55.400 Who was Jesus? 00:21:56.320 --> 00:21:57.160 That's who we 00:21:57.160 --> 00:21:57.760 should be like. 00:21:58.880 --> 00:21:59.660 We should have 00:21:59.660 --> 00:22:00.460 his true heart 00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:00.880 for people. 00:22:01.340 --> 00:22:01.980 We should have 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:02.400 his real 00:22:02.400 --> 00:22:02.920 compassion. 00:22:03.620 --> 00:22:04.180 We should have 00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:04.820 his grace, 00:22:05.340 --> 00:22:06.020 his mercy, 00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:06.680 his kindness. 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:11.140 That should be 00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:11.920 what our lives 00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:13.980 should be showing 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:14.260 out. 00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:17.720 Not this bounded 00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:19.360 set but centered 00:22:19.360 --> 00:22:20.700 on Christ. 00:22:21.840 --> 00:22:22.020 So 00:22:22.020 --> 00:22:24.980 Jesus said 00:22:24.980 --> 00:22:26.740 it's like you're 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:28.460 spiritually blind. 00:22:28.859 --> 00:22:29.640 It's like you're 00:22:29.640 --> 00:22:31.099 spiritually asleep. 00:22:33.599 --> 00:22:34.880 Imagine sleepwalking 00:22:34.880 --> 00:22:35.440 through your house 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:35.799 at night. 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:39.620 In your dream 00:22:39.620 --> 00:22:41.000 you're walking 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.700 through a field, 00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:43.220 you're running 00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:43.900 down a football 00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:44.180 field, 00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:45.000 whatever it is, 00:22:45.059 --> 00:22:45.500 I don't know, 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:46.299 wherever you are 00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:48.940 and you feel like 00:22:48.940 --> 00:22:49.579 you're navigating 00:22:49.579 --> 00:22:50.160 safely. 00:22:50.599 --> 00:22:51.500 The truth is 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:53.059 you're bumping 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:53.539 into walls, 00:22:53.660 --> 00:22:54.079 tripping over 00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:54.579 furniture. 00:22:54.579 --> 00:22:55.980 Hopefully you're 00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:56.379 not walking 00:22:56.379 --> 00:22:56.919 outside your 00:22:56.919 --> 00:22:57.399 house and into 00:22:57.399 --> 00:22:57.819 the street, 00:22:57.899 --> 00:22:58.119 right? 00:22:58.799 --> 00:22:59.439 Anybody have a 00:22:59.439 --> 00:23:00.179 sleepwalking problem? 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:00.599 You don't have 00:23:00.599 --> 00:23:01.000 to raise your 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:01.159 hand, 00:23:01.220 --> 00:23:01.579 that's alright. 00:23:04.859 --> 00:23:05.679 But that's what 00:23:05.679 --> 00:23:06.699 life looks like 00:23:06.699 --> 00:23:08.740 when you think 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:09.399 you're spiritually 00:23:09.399 --> 00:23:10.879 awake and in 00:23:10.879 --> 00:23:11.519 reality you've been 00:23:11.519 --> 00:23:12.359 asleep for a long 00:23:12.359 --> 00:23:12.619 time. 00:23:14.139 --> 00:23:14.919 And you keep 00:23:14.919 --> 00:23:15.599 bumping into 00:23:15.599 --> 00:23:16.759 things and you 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.299 keep tripping 00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:18.980 over things and 00:23:18.980 --> 00:23:19.859 God puts things 00:23:19.859 --> 00:23:20.919 in your path to 00:23:20.919 --> 00:23:22.139 wake you up but 00:23:22.139 --> 00:23:22.919 you don't want to 00:23:22.920 --> 00:23:23.800 wake up because 00:23:23.800 --> 00:23:25.480 you're just fine 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:26.560 where you are, 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:27.700 you think you 00:23:27.700 --> 00:23:28.180 can see. 00:23:29.580 --> 00:23:30.680 So my question 00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:31.740 is are you really 00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:33.500 following Jesus or 00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:34.500 are you spiritually 00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:35.940 sleepwalking? 00:23:37.060 --> 00:23:37.980 Maybe the Holy 00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:39.320 Spirit today through 00:23:39.320 --> 00:23:40.600 His Word can 00:23:40.600 --> 00:23:42.500 wake you up. 00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:44.580 Now it's not fun to 00:23:44.580 --> 00:23:45.259 wake up when you're 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:46.600 sleepwalking and it 00:23:46.600 --> 00:23:47.240 can be a little 00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:48.980 dangerous but God's 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:49.600 got you, alright? 00:23:50.600 --> 00:23:51.700 And we've got you 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.660 and we're here to 00:23:52.660 --> 00:23:53.080 help you. 00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:55.120 If you're spiritually 00:23:55.120 --> 00:23:57.019 sleepwalking, wake 00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:58.700 up now and we'll 00:23:58.700 --> 00:24:00.080 help you as a 00:24:00.080 --> 00:24:01.819 church together be 00:24:01.819 --> 00:24:03.319 more centered on 00:24:03.319 --> 00:24:03.880 Jesus. 00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:06.140 See the blindness 00:24:06.140 --> 00:24:07.819 and let God 00:24:07.819 --> 00:24:08.980 restore sight. 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:10.420 Are you following 00:24:10.420 --> 00:24:11.720 Jesus or spiritually 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:12.779 sleepwalking? 00:24:12.860 --> 00:24:13.580 Test number three 00:24:13.580 --> 00:24:14.080 and we're almost 00:24:14.080 --> 00:24:14.319 done. 00:24:16.380 --> 00:24:18.600 One master, one 00:24:18.600 --> 00:24:18.980 treasure. 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:21.240 One master, one 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:21.559 treasure. 00:24:21.680 --> 00:24:22.240 Back in Matthew 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:23.839 chapter six, our 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:24.960 text, no one can 00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:26.160 serve two masters. 00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:27.960 He's either going to 00:24:27.960 --> 00:24:28.740 hate one and love 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:29.980 the other or he'll 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:30.880 be devoted to one 00:24:30.880 --> 00:24:31.559 and despise the 00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:31.759 other. 00:24:32.400 --> 00:24:33.660 You cannot serve 00:24:33.660 --> 00:24:35.380 both God and 00:24:35.380 --> 00:24:35.900 money. 00:24:36.200 --> 00:24:36.880 There's a truth 00:24:36.880 --> 00:24:37.140 here. 00:24:37.940 --> 00:24:39.019 Who you serve 00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:40.220 tells you what 00:24:40.220 --> 00:24:41.180 you'll chase. 00:24:41.880 --> 00:24:42.960 Who you serve 00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:44.220 tells you what 00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:44.880 you'll chase. 00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:45.299 Why? 00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:46.480 Because they 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:47.660 dictate everything 00:24:47.660 --> 00:24:48.759 in your life. 00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:51.140 your master tells 00:24:51.140 --> 00:24:52.180 you what to be 00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:52.900 interested in. 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:54.740 Your master tells 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.940 you what's valuable, 00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:57.039 what's important. 00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:59.700 Your master sets the 00:24:59.700 --> 00:25:01.140 rules that you then 00:25:01.140 --> 00:25:01.920 have to follow. 00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:04.160 You say, well, I've 00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:04.900 got no master. 00:25:05.099 --> 00:25:06.039 I'm my own master. 00:25:06.420 --> 00:25:07.099 You're deceiving 00:25:07.099 --> 00:25:07.500 yourself. 00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:10.079 You are mastered by 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:10.640 something. 00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:13.000 Even if it's your 00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:15.100 own pride, you're 00:25:15.100 --> 00:25:15.840 mastered by 00:25:15.840 --> 00:25:16.280 something. 00:25:17.380 --> 00:25:18.300 If it's your desire 00:25:18.300 --> 00:25:20.380 for money, if it's 00:25:20.380 --> 00:25:21.120 your desire for 00:25:21.120 --> 00:25:22.940 popularity, if it's 00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:23.740 your desire for 00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:24.840 importance or power 00:25:24.840 --> 00:25:27.480 or control, if it's 00:25:27.480 --> 00:25:28.480 your desire for 00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:29.880 safety, comfort, 00:25:30.880 --> 00:25:33.220 stability, whatever 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:34.380 it is, you are 00:25:34.380 --> 00:25:36.340 mastered by something 00:25:36.340 --> 00:25:38.020 and that determines 00:25:38.020 --> 00:25:39.620 what you'll go after. 00:25:39.619 --> 00:25:41.479 what you'll pursue, 00:25:41.959 --> 00:25:43.099 what you'll chase. 00:25:44.239 --> 00:25:44.959 And so you've 00:25:44.959 --> 00:25:45.879 probably spent your 00:25:45.879 --> 00:25:47.679 life chasing 00:25:47.679 --> 00:25:49.139 whatever your 00:25:49.139 --> 00:25:50.379 master told you 00:25:50.379 --> 00:25:51.019 to chase. 00:25:54.399 --> 00:25:56.679 Jesus wants to 00:25:56.679 --> 00:25:57.339 be your master. 00:25:58.319 --> 00:25:59.059 And he's going to 00:25:59.059 --> 00:25:59.779 tell you to chase 00:25:59.779 --> 00:26:00.139 something. 00:26:00.939 --> 00:26:01.599 He's going to tell 00:26:01.599 --> 00:26:02.319 you to chase him. 00:26:03.459 --> 00:26:04.299 He's going to tell 00:26:04.299 --> 00:26:05.619 you to spend time in 00:26:05.619 --> 00:26:07.279 the gospels, reading 00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:08.659 about who he was, 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:10.420 what he did, how 00:26:10.420 --> 00:26:11.860 he did it, why he 00:26:11.860 --> 00:26:13.720 did it, and chase 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:15.500 after becoming like 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:16.140 him. 00:26:17.860 --> 00:26:20.279 The difference in 00:26:20.279 --> 00:26:21.120 Christ being our 00:26:21.120 --> 00:26:22.680 master and anything 00:26:22.680 --> 00:26:24.140 else being our 00:26:24.140 --> 00:26:26.440 master is he will 00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:27.740 always lead us to 00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:28.600 greener pastures. 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:30.840 He will always lead 00:26:30.840 --> 00:26:31.900 us to still waters. 00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:33.380 The path through 00:26:33.380 --> 00:26:35.180 that might be the 00:26:35.180 --> 00:26:36.000 valley of the shadow 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:36.519 of death. 00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:37.839 It might be hard 00:26:37.839 --> 00:26:38.799 and rocky mountains, 00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:40.559 but we will always 00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:42.000 arrive at a place 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:42.819 where we look back 00:26:42.819 --> 00:26:44.240 and say, God worked 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:45.480 all that together 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:46.139 for good. 00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:47.240 He told me to 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:48.220 chase after this. 00:26:48.460 --> 00:26:49.420 I wasn't even sure 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:50.279 if I really wanted 00:26:50.279 --> 00:26:50.460 it. 00:26:50.639 --> 00:26:51.500 I wasn't sure if it 00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:52.259 would bring me what 00:26:52.259 --> 00:26:52.839 I thought it would 00:26:52.839 --> 00:26:53.259 bring me. 00:26:53.359 --> 00:26:54.900 But I followed my 00:26:54.900 --> 00:26:56.500 shepherd, my good 00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:56.920 shepherd. 00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:58.079 I followed my 00:26:58.079 --> 00:26:58.519 master. 00:26:58.980 --> 00:27:00.099 I chased after it. 00:27:00.220 --> 00:27:01.200 And look what he's 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:02.599 done in my life. 00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:04.119 Anybody testify to 00:27:04.119 --> 00:27:04.279 that? 00:27:04.599 --> 00:27:05.379 Look what God has 00:27:05.379 --> 00:27:06.659 done in my life. 00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:06.979 Amen. 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:10.579 So, what is God 00:27:10.579 --> 00:27:11.479 telling us to chase? 00:27:12.119 --> 00:27:12.799 What is he telling 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:14.319 us to pursue and 00:27:14.319 --> 00:27:15.459 focus our lives on? 00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:17.139 Deuteronomy 10 00:27:17.139 --> 00:27:17.979 gives it to us 00:27:17.979 --> 00:27:18.500 plainly. 00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:19.479 What does the 00:27:19.479 --> 00:27:20.239 Lord your God 00:27:20.239 --> 00:27:21.279 ask of you but 00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:23.439 to fear him, to 00:27:23.439 --> 00:27:24.379 live in obedience 00:27:24.379 --> 00:27:26.379 to him, to love 00:27:26.379 --> 00:27:28.399 him, to serve him 00:27:28.399 --> 00:27:30.159 with all our hearts, 00:27:30.379 --> 00:27:31.379 with all our souls, 00:27:31.380 --> 00:27:33.100 and to obey his 00:27:33.100 --> 00:27:34.580 commands and decrees 00:27:34.580 --> 00:27:35.900 that he's giving us 00:27:35.900 --> 00:27:37.720 today for our own 00:27:37.720 --> 00:27:38.440 good? 00:27:39.180 --> 00:27:40.820 It's for our own 00:27:40.820 --> 00:27:41.680 good. 00:27:41.800 --> 00:27:42.860 He works all things 00:27:42.860 --> 00:27:44.240 together for our 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:45.740 good. 00:27:45.920 --> 00:27:46.780 Yes, man, y'all are 00:27:46.780 --> 00:27:47.120 right there. 00:27:47.160 --> 00:27:47.580 I love it. 00:27:49.360 --> 00:27:49.800 So, 00:27:50.880 --> 00:27:54.500 our master determines 00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:55.260 our treasure. 00:27:56.620 --> 00:27:57.760 Who or what we 00:27:57.760 --> 00:28:00.620 serve dictates what 00:28:00.619 --> 00:28:02.000 we'll chase, what 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:03.339 we'll value, where 00:28:03.339 --> 00:28:05.339 our hearts go. 00:28:06.639 --> 00:28:07.500 Does money matter? 00:28:09.359 --> 00:28:10.299 Does money matter? 00:28:11.659 --> 00:28:12.719 It does. 00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:13.799 Money matters. 00:28:15.379 --> 00:28:16.319 Should money 00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:16.799 master? 00:28:17.799 --> 00:28:18.179 No. 00:28:19.179 --> 00:28:20.179 Money cannot 00:28:20.179 --> 00:28:20.679 master. 00:28:21.539 --> 00:28:22.699 It's a cruel 00:28:22.699 --> 00:28:23.179 master. 00:28:23.879 --> 00:28:24.739 It can be a 00:28:24.739 --> 00:28:26.839 useful tool, but 00:28:26.839 --> 00:28:27.739 it is a cruel, 00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:29.479 unfair master. 00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:32.900 promises everything, 00:28:33.420 --> 00:28:34.880 but it steals what's 00:28:34.880 --> 00:28:35.660 truly important. 00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:38.599 That's why people say 00:28:38.599 --> 00:28:39.279 follow the money. 00:28:39.900 --> 00:28:40.319 You ever heard of 00:28:40.319 --> 00:28:40.519 that? 00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:42.220 Follow the money, man. 00:28:42.339 --> 00:28:42.579 Why? 00:28:42.900 --> 00:28:44.200 Because so many people 00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:45.920 are mastered by 00:28:45.920 --> 00:28:46.200 money. 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:48.259 And so they'll 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:48.960 compromise their 00:28:48.960 --> 00:28:49.319 ethics. 00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:51.299 They'll do things that 00:28:51.299 --> 00:28:52.059 they would never have 00:28:52.059 --> 00:28:53.700 otherwise done because 00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:55.440 their master told them 00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:56.579 what to pursue. 00:28:56.860 --> 00:28:58.120 Their master told them 00:28:58.119 --> 00:28:58.899 what to chase. 00:28:59.219 --> 00:29:00.299 You've got to get 00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:01.079 this promotion. 00:29:01.939 --> 00:29:03.039 You've got to keep 00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:04.439 this out of the 00:29:04.439 --> 00:29:04.839 press. 00:29:05.119 --> 00:29:06.000 You've got to keep 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:06.839 this private. 00:29:07.239 --> 00:29:08.319 You can't let this 00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:08.819 get out. 00:29:10.099 --> 00:29:11.479 You've got to go get 00:29:11.479 --> 00:29:12.000 this. 00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:13.319 And so they'll 00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:14.919 pursue it at all 00:29:14.919 --> 00:29:16.239 costs because they're 00:29:16.239 --> 00:29:18.439 mastered by it. 00:29:18.440 --> 00:29:18.580 things. 00:29:20.380 --> 00:29:21.600 But when Jesus is your 00:29:21.600 --> 00:29:23.840 master, you follow his 00:29:23.840 --> 00:29:24.860 way, not your wallet. 00:29:25.860 --> 00:29:26.860 When Jesus is your 00:29:26.860 --> 00:29:28.059 master, your treasure 00:29:28.059 --> 00:29:29.700 aligns with his 00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:30.940 kingdom priorities. 00:29:31.340 --> 00:29:31.880 You want to know what 00:29:31.880 --> 00:29:32.860 his kingdom priorities 00:29:32.860 --> 00:29:33.180 are? 00:29:33.340 --> 00:29:34.320 Go back and listen to 00:29:34.320 --> 00:29:35.460 the series on stories of 00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:35.820 the kingdom. 00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:37.000 He was very clear. 00:29:37.180 --> 00:29:37.700 You don't even have to 00:29:37.700 --> 00:29:38.380 listen to the series. 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.180 Just open up the 00:29:39.180 --> 00:29:40.059 gospels and read the 00:29:40.059 --> 00:29:41.279 parables where Jesus 00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:43.640 told us all about the 00:29:43.640 --> 00:29:44.279 kingdom of God. 00:29:44.360 --> 00:29:45.400 What is important in 00:29:45.400 --> 00:29:46.140 the kingdom of God? 00:29:46.140 --> 00:29:47.300 It's opposite of what's 00:29:47.300 --> 00:29:49.040 important in our little 00:29:49.040 --> 00:29:49.540 kingdom. 00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:53.360 So, Joshua 24 15 issues 00:29:53.360 --> 00:29:54.160 us a challenge. 00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:56.600 Choose today whom you 00:29:56.600 --> 00:29:57.340 will serve. 00:29:58.340 --> 00:30:00.320 Choose today whom you 00:30:00.320 --> 00:30:00.920 will serve. 00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:02.740 The wonderful truth is 00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:04.300 you can choose a new 00:30:04.300 --> 00:30:04.720 master. 00:30:06.280 --> 00:30:07.040 Why? 00:30:07.520 --> 00:30:09.840 Because Jesus died on 00:30:09.840 --> 00:30:10.560 the cross. 00:30:11.320 --> 00:30:12.560 That's why you can 00:30:12.560 --> 00:30:13.500 choose a new master. 00:30:13.920 --> 00:30:15.140 Before that, you were a 00:30:15.140 --> 00:30:16.040 slave to sin. 00:30:17.140 --> 00:30:18.400 Humanity was in 00:30:18.400 --> 00:30:19.020 slavery. 00:30:19.640 --> 00:30:21.060 We had no way out. 00:30:21.560 --> 00:30:22.960 But then Jesus broke 00:30:22.960 --> 00:30:24.180 the chains of sin. 00:30:24.360 --> 00:30:25.540 When he died on the 00:30:25.540 --> 00:30:26.780 cross laying himself 00:30:26.780 --> 00:30:28.240 down as the punishment 00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:29.520 for our sin and he 00:30:29.520 --> 00:30:30.320 didn't stay dead 00:30:30.320 --> 00:30:31.259 otherwise he just would 00:30:31.259 --> 00:30:31.980 have been a man like 00:30:31.980 --> 00:30:32.380 you and me. 00:30:33.120 --> 00:30:34.400 But he rose from the 00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:35.320 dead proving he's 00:30:35.320 --> 00:30:36.340 different, he's 00:30:36.340 --> 00:30:37.600 supernatural, he's 00:30:37.600 --> 00:30:39.120 powerful, he's divine, 00:30:39.220 --> 00:30:40.259 he's everything he said 00:30:40.259 --> 00:30:40.720 he was. 00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:42.759 He really is God. 00:30:42.759 --> 00:30:46.079 So he broke those 00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:48.000 chains and he said 00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:50.379 you can stay a master 00:30:50.379 --> 00:30:51.960 to everything else 00:30:51.960 --> 00:30:54.940 or you can choose me 00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:56.220 as your master. 00:30:57.019 --> 00:30:59.500 I'm offering a different 00:30:59.500 --> 00:30:59.819 way. 00:31:00.379 --> 00:31:01.660 I'm offering a different 00:31:01.660 --> 00:31:02.160 path. 00:31:02.940 --> 00:31:04.259 I'm offering a different 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:04.720 life. 00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:04.779 wealth. 00:31:05.980 --> 00:31:06.980 So what have we 00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:07.299 learned? 00:31:08.500 --> 00:31:10.440 Heavenly wealth is 00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:10.839 eternal. 00:31:11.940 --> 00:31:13.600 Earthly wealth is not. 00:31:13.819 --> 00:31:14.640 It's very temporary. 00:31:16.339 --> 00:31:17.700 Open your eyes to what 00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:19.240 God is doing. 00:31:19.859 --> 00:31:21.339 You might think you're 00:31:21.339 --> 00:31:23.279 spiritually seeing 00:31:23.279 --> 00:31:23.779 everything. 00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:24.640 You've got it all 00:31:24.640 --> 00:31:25.259 figured out. 00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:27.839 God wants to show you 00:31:27.839 --> 00:31:29.339 you've been sleepwalking. 00:31:30.220 --> 00:31:31.480 Maybe you're still 00:31:31.480 --> 00:31:32.400 spiritually blind. 00:31:32.940 --> 00:31:34.059 You're still a slave to 00:31:34.059 --> 00:31:35.539 sin and Jesus wants to 00:31:35.539 --> 00:31:36.460 open your eyes for the 00:31:36.460 --> 00:31:36.980 first time. 00:31:37.380 --> 00:31:39.099 Or maybe you're a child 00:31:39.099 --> 00:31:40.579 of God but you've been 00:31:40.579 --> 00:31:41.519 sleepwalking through this 00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:42.799 life completely blind to 00:31:42.799 --> 00:31:44.380 what God's doing around 00:31:44.380 --> 00:31:45.940 you and he wants to open 00:31:45.940 --> 00:31:47.559 up your eyes and say you 00:31:47.559 --> 00:31:48.519 come over here and walk 00:31:48.519 --> 00:31:49.099 with me now. 00:31:49.799 --> 00:31:50.720 You'll be tripping over 00:31:50.720 --> 00:31:51.279 less stuff. 00:31:52.380 --> 00:31:53.099 And then number three 00:31:53.099 --> 00:31:54.799 money matters but it 00:31:54.799 --> 00:31:55.599 cannot master. 00:31:56.299 --> 00:31:57.180 It cannot master. 00:31:57.620 --> 00:31:58.440 So what do we do this 00:31:58.440 --> 00:31:58.680 week? 00:31:59.420 --> 00:32:00.259 Maybe you need to give 00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:01.079 your life to Jesus for 00:32:01.079 --> 00:32:01.680 the first time. 00:32:02.539 --> 00:32:03.380 Say I don't want to be a 00:32:03.380 --> 00:32:04.240 slave to sin anymore. 00:32:04.420 --> 00:32:05.460 I want to choose my own 00:32:05.460 --> 00:32:06.640 master and I want it to 00:32:06.640 --> 00:32:07.099 be Jesus. 00:32:07.980 --> 00:32:09.000 Because I trust him. 00:32:09.079 --> 00:32:09.839 He's different than 00:32:09.839 --> 00:32:10.460 everybody else. 00:32:10.519 --> 00:32:11.400 He's different than I am. 00:32:11.640 --> 00:32:12.339 He's different than all 00:32:12.339 --> 00:32:12.660 of you. 00:32:13.019 --> 00:32:14.240 He's the only one that I 00:32:14.240 --> 00:32:15.339 can really get behind and 00:32:15.339 --> 00:32:16.359 say yeah that's what my 00:32:16.359 --> 00:32:17.480 life needs to look like 00:32:17.480 --> 00:32:18.940 is who Jesus was. 00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:20.279 And still is today. 00:32:21.180 --> 00:32:21.960 So what do we do? 00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:23.740 Give something away. 00:32:27.099 --> 00:32:28.440 Stop holding on so 00:32:28.440 --> 00:32:29.559 tightly to the things of 00:32:29.559 --> 00:32:31.319 this earth where rust and 00:32:31.319 --> 00:32:32.759 moth and thieves can get to 00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:32.940 it. 00:32:32.940 --> 00:32:34.759 hold it loosely. 00:32:35.960 --> 00:32:36.620 Eyes up. 00:32:36.980 --> 00:32:37.580 Hands open. 00:32:38.220 --> 00:32:39.019 Hold it loosely. 00:32:40.259 --> 00:32:41.360 Give something away. 00:32:41.440 --> 00:32:42.620 And then pause to pray. 00:32:43.519 --> 00:32:44.400 Pause to pray. 00:32:46.220 --> 00:32:46.660 Stop. 00:32:47.120 --> 00:32:47.720 Eyes up. 00:32:48.880 --> 00:32:50.259 That first part was hands 00:32:50.259 --> 00:32:50.559 open. 00:32:50.660 --> 00:32:51.759 This part is eyes up. 00:32:52.340 --> 00:32:54.039 Looking unto Jesus. 00:32:55.100 --> 00:32:56.480 He's the one who started all 00:32:56.480 --> 00:32:56.779 this. 00:32:57.460 --> 00:32:59.019 And then you ask God where to 00:32:59.019 --> 00:33:00.160 look right now. 00:33:00.259 --> 00:33:01.160 Say God I don't want to be 00:33:01.160 --> 00:33:02.580 sleepwalking through my day. 00:33:02.840 --> 00:33:03.440 I don't want to be 00:33:03.440 --> 00:33:04.900 spiritually blind or asleep. 00:33:05.360 --> 00:33:07.259 Wake me up and open my eyes 00:33:07.259 --> 00:33:08.700 to see what you see. 00:33:09.040 --> 00:33:10.140 Maybe you're sending someone 00:33:10.140 --> 00:33:12.040 across my path that I can be 00:33:12.040 --> 00:33:12.740 generous to. 00:33:13.900 --> 00:33:15.060 Maybe you're showing me 00:33:15.060 --> 00:33:16.440 something about myself that I 00:33:16.440 --> 00:33:17.200 need to see. 00:33:17.900 --> 00:33:19.779 So pause wherever you are in 00:33:19.779 --> 00:33:21.519 your day to pray. 00:33:21.700 --> 00:33:22.920 Before you go to bed at night 00:33:22.920 --> 00:33:23.800 when you wake up in the 00:33:23.800 --> 00:33:24.019 morning. 00:33:24.360 --> 00:33:25.540 Throughout your day when 00:33:25.539 --> 00:33:27.139 life is just piling on. 00:33:27.420 --> 00:33:29.519 It's always okay to stop. 00:33:30.079 --> 00:33:31.799 It's always okay to take a 00:33:31.799 --> 00:33:32.119 breath. 00:33:32.700 --> 00:33:34.119 It's always okay to pause. 00:33:35.119 --> 00:33:37.420 Look at Jesus and pray. 00:33:38.159 --> 00:33:40.279 And then finally serve in one 00:33:40.279 --> 00:33:40.799 small way. 00:33:43.200 --> 00:33:44.700 Maybe you're already serving in 00:33:44.700 --> 00:33:45.139 the church. 00:33:46.680 --> 00:33:47.980 Maybe there's a way to serve 00:33:47.980 --> 00:33:49.000 somebody in the community. 00:33:50.240 --> 00:33:51.460 Maybe you're not serving in the 00:33:51.460 --> 00:33:51.779 church. 00:33:52.259 --> 00:33:53.480 Or maybe God wants you to take 00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:54.339 another small step. 00:33:55.819 --> 00:33:57.380 I'm not saying you've got to go 00:33:57.380 --> 00:33:59.039 from zero to hero overnight. 00:33:59.880 --> 00:34:01.360 But I'm saying you do have to 00:34:01.360 --> 00:34:02.420 take a small step. 00:34:02.819 --> 00:34:03.019 Why? 00:34:03.339 --> 00:34:05.259 Because Jesus is always going to 00:34:05.259 --> 00:34:06.819 be leading you forward. 00:34:07.579 --> 00:34:08.940 He's going to be moving you 00:34:08.940 --> 00:34:10.659 along toward those greener 00:34:10.659 --> 00:34:11.219 pastures. 00:34:11.639 --> 00:34:13.320 Toward those still waters like we 00:34:13.320 --> 00:34:14.579 read about in Psalm 23. 00:34:15.179 --> 00:34:16.599 Sometimes that path is going to 00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:18.559 be rocky and difficult and 00:34:18.559 --> 00:34:19.079 dangerous. 00:34:19.280 --> 00:34:21.380 But keep taking small steps. 00:34:21.840 --> 00:34:23.260 So what's a small step? 00:34:23.260 --> 00:34:24.840 You can take today. 00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:26.860 Maybe God wants to make you a 00:34:26.860 --> 00:34:28.960 more generous person today. 00:34:29.800 --> 00:34:31.540 What does God want to do with 00:34:31.540 --> 00:34:32.840 you today? 00:34:34.640 --> 00:34:36.680 Phil Wickham sings a song. 00:34:36.760 --> 00:34:38.380 He's a Christian songwriter and 00:34:38.380 --> 00:34:39.180 singer and he says, 00:34:39.960 --> 00:34:42.080 Jesus is the treasure. 00:34:42.920 --> 00:34:44.080 He is the answer. 00:34:44.720 --> 00:34:46.980 I choose the Jesus way. 00:34:46.980 --> 00:34:49.980 I love that line. 00:34:50.579 --> 00:34:52.420 He is the treasure. 00:34:53.940 --> 00:34:55.619 Too often through this life, 00:34:55.880 --> 00:34:59.960 we're looking for the reward 00:34:59.960 --> 00:35:01.420 to meet the effort. 00:35:02.960 --> 00:35:04.599 We're saying this Christian thing, 00:35:04.699 --> 00:35:05.639 what do I get out of it? 00:35:06.639 --> 00:35:07.659 This church thing, 00:35:07.740 --> 00:35:08.740 what do I get out of it? 00:35:09.719 --> 00:35:11.219 And if that's your thought, 00:35:11.979 --> 00:35:13.139 even if you wouldn't necessarily 00:35:13.139 --> 00:35:13.939 put it to words, 00:35:14.379 --> 00:35:15.579 you wouldn't necessarily voice it 00:35:15.579 --> 00:35:15.979 that way, 00:35:16.059 --> 00:35:17.059 but you know deep down, 00:35:17.599 --> 00:35:18.019 you're thinking, 00:35:18.179 --> 00:35:19.319 what can I really get out of it? 00:35:20.159 --> 00:35:21.279 Then I don't think you've 00:35:21.279 --> 00:35:22.039 encountered Jesus. 00:35:23.619 --> 00:35:24.699 Because if you've really 00:35:24.699 --> 00:35:25.899 experienced Jesus, 00:35:26.639 --> 00:35:27.519 look at him in the Bible, 00:35:27.619 --> 00:35:28.359 look at who he is. 00:35:29.519 --> 00:35:31.219 It'll be pretty obvious to you, 00:35:32.500 --> 00:35:33.359 he's the treasure. 00:35:33.360 --> 00:35:35.539 He's the reward. 00:35:36.960 --> 00:35:38.940 And if you need more than him, 00:35:39.800 --> 00:35:43.000 you're out of luck. 00:35:43.660 --> 00:35:45.079 Because there's nothing on this earth 00:35:45.079 --> 00:35:46.440 that will satisfy like he will. 00:35:48.640 --> 00:35:50.320 You can throw it all into family. 00:35:51.420 --> 00:35:53.160 Because family never disappoints anybody, right? 00:35:54.760 --> 00:35:56.519 You can throw it all into wealth. 00:35:57.320 --> 00:35:58.700 Because that's always stable 00:35:58.700 --> 00:36:00.640 and never goes up or down, right? 00:36:00.639 --> 00:36:04.480 You can throw it all into anything else 00:36:04.480 --> 00:36:05.960 that people are pursuing. 00:36:07.099 --> 00:36:08.420 But I'm telling you, 00:36:09.119 --> 00:36:10.639 Jesus is the treasure 00:36:10.639 --> 00:36:11.859 that doesn't rust, 00:36:12.179 --> 00:36:13.319 that they can't take away. 00:36:14.000 --> 00:36:15.179 No one can touch it. 00:36:17.819 --> 00:36:19.239 So our takeaway today 00:36:19.239 --> 00:36:21.259 is what you treasure 00:36:21.259 --> 00:36:23.719 tells your eyes where to look, 00:36:24.500 --> 00:36:25.859 your hands what to do, 00:36:25.860 --> 00:36:28.700 and when Jesus is your treasure, 00:36:29.380 --> 00:36:31.260 it's hands open, eyes up. 00:36:32.420 --> 00:36:33.340 God gives. 00:36:34.760 --> 00:36:35.720 Let's try it again. 00:36:35.860 --> 00:36:36.500 God gives. 00:36:37.460 --> 00:36:38.760 How do we give back? 00:36:40.700 --> 00:36:41.220 Amen. 00:36:41.420 --> 00:36:41.840 Let's pray. 00:36:42.260 --> 00:36:43.880 God, I pray that right now 00:36:43.880 --> 00:36:45.599 you would teach us 00:36:45.599 --> 00:36:46.840 to give freely, 00:36:47.420 --> 00:36:48.720 to pause, to pray, 00:36:48.840 --> 00:36:50.180 to serve your church, 00:36:50.280 --> 00:36:50.860 this church, 00:36:51.460 --> 00:36:53.740 in some small way. 00:36:53.880 --> 00:36:55.140 Hands open, eyes up. 00:36:55.139 --> 00:36:56.920 Jesus is my treasure today, 00:36:57.119 --> 00:36:57.759 every day. 00:36:57.859 --> 00:36:59.019 I pray that you would 00:36:59.019 --> 00:37:00.000 remind us of that. 00:37:00.119 --> 00:37:01.779 Jesus is our treasure. 00:37:02.239 --> 00:37:03.739 You are our treasure. 00:37:05.500 --> 00:37:07.019 You are the answer. 00:37:08.359 --> 00:37:10.420 Let us choose the Jesus way. 00:37:10.539 --> 00:37:11.559 You were so generous. 00:37:11.940 --> 00:37:13.699 You held nothing back from us. 00:37:14.839 --> 00:37:15.659 As we study 00:37:15.659 --> 00:37:17.839 what you have to teach 00:37:17.839 --> 00:37:19.839 about being generous, 00:37:20.599 --> 00:37:21.699 not just writing checks 00:37:21.699 --> 00:37:23.019 like we talked about last week, 00:37:23.019 --> 00:37:25.699 but truly being a generous person 00:37:25.699 --> 00:37:26.460 like you were, 00:37:27.840 --> 00:37:29.679 teach us this treasure principle. 00:37:30.639 --> 00:37:32.759 Help us pass this treasure test 00:37:32.759 --> 00:37:35.759 that says you are my treasure. 00:37:37.480 --> 00:37:39.519 Everything else is a means to an end. 00:37:41.000 --> 00:37:43.099 Everything else can be useful 00:37:43.099 --> 00:37:44.420 or unuseful tools 00:37:44.420 --> 00:37:49.260 in our journey toward our Savior. 00:37:50.880 --> 00:37:52.360 Teach us how to be like you, God. 00:37:53.680 --> 00:37:54.820 Church, with our heads bowed 00:37:54.820 --> 00:37:55.599 and our eyes closed, 00:37:55.680 --> 00:37:56.159 I'm going to give you 00:37:56.159 --> 00:37:57.180 just a moment to pray. 00:38:01.820 --> 00:38:02.780 There's someone in the room 00:38:02.780 --> 00:38:03.380 that says, 00:38:03.639 --> 00:38:05.760 you talked a little bit ago 00:38:05.760 --> 00:38:06.940 about Jesus' sacrifice 00:38:06.940 --> 00:38:07.760 for our sin. 00:38:07.760 --> 00:38:11.340 I need Him to save me today. 00:38:11.440 --> 00:38:13.020 I need to turn from my sin 00:38:13.020 --> 00:38:13.700 and turn to Jesus 00:38:13.700 --> 00:38:14.520 for the first time. 00:38:15.000 --> 00:38:16.280 Would you slip your hand up right now 00:38:16.280 --> 00:38:16.980 and I'll pray for you. 00:38:18.860 --> 00:38:19.400 Thank you. 00:38:20.860 --> 00:38:22.160 Let me ask another question. 00:38:23.340 --> 00:38:24.320 How many of you would say, 00:38:24.440 --> 00:38:25.040 I need prayer 00:38:25.040 --> 00:38:27.740 about this idea of the treasure? 00:38:30.020 --> 00:38:31.120 Maybe I've been treasuring 00:38:31.120 --> 00:38:31.900 the wrong thing. 00:38:32.000 --> 00:38:32.880 Maybe I've been pursuing 00:38:32.880 --> 00:38:33.600 the wrong thing. 00:38:34.060 --> 00:38:34.580 Maybe I've been 00:38:34.580 --> 00:38:35.840 spiritually sleepwalking. 00:38:35.840 --> 00:38:38.500 Maybe God's put something 00:38:38.500 --> 00:38:39.260 on my heart. 00:38:40.000 --> 00:38:40.900 Maybe there's a way 00:38:40.900 --> 00:38:42.620 that I can start serving 00:38:42.620 --> 00:38:44.940 because I treasure Jesus. 00:38:45.200 --> 00:38:46.360 Now, that's my goal. 00:38:46.460 --> 00:38:48.100 I want to treasure Jesus. 00:38:49.360 --> 00:38:50.340 There's something in there 00:38:50.340 --> 00:38:50.820 that you say, 00:38:50.880 --> 00:38:51.460 I'd love for you 00:38:51.460 --> 00:38:52.420 to pray for me as well. 00:38:52.480 --> 00:38:53.460 Would you slip your hand up 00:38:53.460 --> 00:38:53.940 right now 00:38:53.940 --> 00:38:54.640 and I'll pray for you. 00:38:55.019 --> 00:38:55.440 Thank you. 00:38:55.840 --> 00:38:56.280 Thank you. 00:38:56.740 --> 00:38:57.140 Thank you. 00:38:57.640 --> 00:38:58.120 Thank you. 00:38:58.160 --> 00:38:59.079 God, you see the hands 00:38:59.079 --> 00:38:59.760 all around the room, 00:38:59.820 --> 00:39:00.600 but most importantly, 00:39:01.079 --> 00:39:02.500 you know what's going on 00:39:02.500 --> 00:39:03.440 in their hearts and minds. 00:39:04.800 --> 00:39:05.820 You know what's going on 00:39:05.820 --> 00:39:06.660 in my heart and mind? 00:39:08.580 --> 00:39:09.500 I pray that you would 00:39:09.500 --> 00:39:10.340 keep teaching me 00:39:10.340 --> 00:39:12.019 and them 00:39:12.019 --> 00:39:13.500 how to treasure you, God. 00:39:14.519 --> 00:39:15.400 Wake us up 00:39:15.400 --> 00:39:16.559 from our spiritual sleep. 00:39:19.320 --> 00:39:20.960 Remind us what's truly valuable, 00:39:21.820 --> 00:39:24.400 what truly gives heavenly return 00:39:24.400 --> 00:39:25.960 on our investment. 00:39:27.000 --> 00:39:28.559 And it's in Jesus' name we pray. 00:39:29.640 --> 00:39:29.940 Amen.