WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.600 we use money and possessions are at the heart of being a disciple of Jesus. There is a deep 00:00:07.600 --> 00:00:16.920 spiritual reality to them. Coming into relationship with Jesus changes your relationship to money 00:00:16.920 --> 00:00:24.000 and possessions. And we're doing this series at a time when we're not seeking to raise funds 00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:29.420 for anything in particular. It's just all about doing heart work. That's what it is. 00:00:29.420 --> 00:00:37.620 And so we're not looking at specific application except to go away and search your hearts and ask 00:00:37.620 --> 00:00:45.480 yourself, what is it that I truly value in life? And so we're winding up our series in Luke 12 and 00:00:45.480 --> 00:00:52.120 this parable of the rich fool. Jesus' statement, verse 15. If you've got your Bibles open, come with 00:00:52.120 --> 00:00:58.359 me on this. You can also get it out on the St. Paul's app. You'll find the sermon outline there 00:00:58.359 --> 00:01:04.959 in the Bible passage as well. Jesus' statement, verse 15, couldn't be any clearer in terms of 00:01:04.959 --> 00:01:16.120 perspective on this issue. He says, watch out. Watch out. Be on your guard against all kinds of greed. 00:01:17.900 --> 00:01:25.739 Greed is a spiritual problem. It's a chronic spiritual sickness. It's linked to money, 00:01:25.739 --> 00:01:31.159 but money doesn't cause it. And you see that because earlier in the Bible, you've got people 00:01:31.159 --> 00:01:38.919 like Abraham and Job and David who are fabulously wealthy, but do not have money sickness. 00:01:40.219 --> 00:01:47.799 It's also possible to have money sickness, but in fact have very little money. Rich people may not 00:01:47.799 --> 00:01:55.039 have it and poor people may have it. The sickness is money centrality. It's a materialism. So I've got 00:01:55.039 --> 00:02:01.219 three points that I want to look at today. And the first one is watch out for money blindness. 00:02:02.500 --> 00:02:09.740 What sets off this whole teaching on money with Jesus and money and greed is because of this 00:02:09.740 --> 00:02:14.860 interaction that Jesus has with this bloke in verse 13. It says, 00:02:14.860 --> 00:02:30.940 It's most likely that the older brother in this case has inherited the entire estate from the parents 00:02:30.940 --> 00:02:37.260 and he's not wanting to share it. It's probably not the first time that money's caused an issue 00:02:37.260 --> 00:02:44.840 when it comes to inheritance, all sorts of family feuds. And so he wants Jesus to make 00:02:44.840 --> 00:02:54.960 his older brother pay up as if Jesus is an estate's lawyer. And Jesus refuses, not because it isn't right 00:02:54.960 --> 00:03:07.180 that this issue needs to be settled fairly and through the courts if necessary, but because it isn't his mission. 00:03:08.240 --> 00:03:11.159 It's not my focus is what he's getting at. 00:03:11.159 --> 00:03:16.560 But then Jesus launches into what is a much deeper issue to deal with. 00:03:17.919 --> 00:03:25.819 He sees that there is a heart issue that needs addressing. And you see that because he closes off 00:03:25.819 --> 00:03:34.379 this section at the end about where your treasure of your heart is. This family is being torn apart by greed. 00:03:34.379 --> 00:03:41.219 His statement in verse 15 is him pinpointing the key issue that needs to be addressed. 00:03:41.859 --> 00:03:46.099 It's greed. And he issues a clear warning. He says, 00:03:46.199 --> 00:03:46.819 Watch out! 00:03:49.759 --> 00:03:50.299 It's like 00:03:50.299 --> 00:03:55.859 there's an assumption that's behind this warning. 00:03:55.860 --> 00:04:06.060 And the assumption is you can't see the danger. You can't see it. 00:04:06.060 --> 00:04:17.319 If you were about to back your car into someone else's car out here in the car park, 00:04:17.879 --> 00:04:22.600 and it's in full view, other people are walking by and you see you're just getting closer and 00:04:22.600 --> 00:04:26.920 closer and closer. At some point, hopefully, someone will call out, look out! 00:04:26.920 --> 00:04:36.980 It's because they're working on the assumption that you haven't seen the car. 00:04:39.920 --> 00:04:49.540 Money dis-eases us. It has a power to fool us. And a great deal of the power that money has over us 00:04:49.540 --> 00:05:00.180 is it blinds us to the power that it has over us. Blindness to the sickness of money is part of the sickness of money. 00:05:01.760 --> 00:05:07.439 Greed is a sin that blinds you to its presence. 00:05:11.439 --> 00:05:15.220 Nobody who is greedy thinks they are greedy. 00:05:15.220 --> 00:05:22.020 And nowhere in the New Testament do you have Jesus saying, 00:05:22.900 --> 00:05:23.500 Watch out! 00:05:24.400 --> 00:05:26.100 For all kinds of adultery. 00:05:28.360 --> 00:05:32.140 Now, it's not because adultery is any less sinful and destructive. 00:05:32.940 --> 00:05:39.840 It's because we're blind to greed in a materialism in a way that we're not blind to adultery. 00:05:41.240 --> 00:05:43.220 Greed is more deceptive. 00:05:43.220 --> 00:05:46.140 Jesus doesn't say, Watch out! 00:05:46.500 --> 00:05:48.820 You might be committing adultery and not know it. 00:05:51.300 --> 00:05:52.740 Of course you know you are. 00:05:54.400 --> 00:05:55.960 Of course you know you are. 00:05:58.840 --> 00:06:00.860 No one thinks greed is their problem. 00:06:02.360 --> 00:06:05.880 But if we take the text of the Bible seriously, 00:06:05.879 --> 00:06:12.219 then the first thing we should do this morning 00:06:12.219 --> 00:06:17.259 is work on the assumption that we are blind. 00:06:21.159 --> 00:06:24.139 Now, I'm not saying it's necessarily true for you. 00:06:24.139 --> 00:06:31.360 I'm saying that the only way to give any credence to what the Bible says 00:06:31.360 --> 00:06:34.939 is always be checking for it. 00:06:35.899 --> 00:06:38.839 Always looking over your shoulder, looking for it. 00:06:39.599 --> 00:06:42.120 Ask yourself questions about it all the time. 00:06:42.120 --> 00:06:48.100 Do you really, really, really need more? 00:06:52.280 --> 00:06:54.759 Sex might have slain its thousands, 00:06:55.319 --> 00:06:58.459 but money has slain its tens of thousands. 00:06:58.459 --> 00:07:05.439 I've been involved in Christian ministry for over 25 years now, 00:07:05.680 --> 00:07:08.859 and I cannot seriously think of anyone 00:07:08.859 --> 00:07:12.659 who has ever come to me in that time 00:07:12.659 --> 00:07:15.779 to confess they've got a problem with greed and materialism. 00:07:15.779 --> 00:07:21.379 In one of the wealthiest countries of the world, 00:07:21.639 --> 00:07:23.619 at the time of our greatest wealth, 00:07:23.739 --> 00:07:24.719 can't think of anyone 00:07:24.719 --> 00:07:28.519 who has ever come to me and talked to me about that issue. 00:07:29.279 --> 00:07:30.599 Everything else, virtually, 00:07:31.319 --> 00:07:33.399 but not that one. 00:07:38.399 --> 00:07:39.919 That's why we have to watch for it. 00:07:42.739 --> 00:07:45.299 Secondly, how do we diagnose this money sickness? 00:07:46.719 --> 00:07:50.139 What is it, this money sickness, that we're blind to? 00:07:51.679 --> 00:07:57.379 Put simply, greed is where money, possessions, wealth, 00:07:57.539 --> 00:07:59.899 is just too important to us. 00:08:00.219 --> 00:08:01.579 That's basically what it is. 00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:02.979 Too central to us. 00:08:04.719 --> 00:08:09.819 The issue is, how do we know when we've crossed the line? 00:08:10.500 --> 00:08:11.739 There must be a line somewhere. 00:08:11.819 --> 00:08:13.979 So how do we know when we've crossed that line? 00:08:13.980 --> 00:08:16.060 And it is an issue for us. 00:08:17.480 --> 00:08:20.319 Well, Jesus gives us, in this text, 00:08:20.400 --> 00:08:22.920 a number of guideposts to help us diagnose 00:08:22.920 --> 00:08:26.300 whether we have succumbed to money sickness. 00:08:27.140 --> 00:08:29.319 First guidepost is in verse 19, 00:08:30.020 --> 00:08:31.740 where the rich fool says, 00:08:31.740 --> 00:08:44.000 What he's doing in that moment 00:08:44.000 --> 00:08:46.299 is he's boasting in his wealth 00:08:46.299 --> 00:08:48.159 and his security 00:08:48.159 --> 00:08:49.899 and, if you like, his retirement. 00:08:51.279 --> 00:08:52.500 He's boasting in it. 00:08:52.560 --> 00:08:53.860 He's boasting in his possessions 00:08:53.860 --> 00:08:54.779 and what he has 00:08:54.779 --> 00:08:57.360 and feeling comfortable with his security. 00:08:57.360 --> 00:09:00.879 Maybe that's you. 00:09:02.399 --> 00:09:04.360 Another guidepost is worry. 00:09:05.560 --> 00:09:07.800 It's interesting that right after 00:09:07.800 --> 00:09:10.379 the parable of the rich fool, 00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:13.820 we have this whole section about worrying. 00:09:14.759 --> 00:09:16.800 And Jesus makes the issue clear in verse 29. 00:09:17.240 --> 00:09:20.940 Do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink. 00:09:21.700 --> 00:09:23.120 Do not worry about it. 00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:27.100 If we worry about money, 00:09:27.799 --> 00:09:28.940 worry about our livelihood 00:09:28.940 --> 00:09:30.399 and food and clothing 00:09:30.399 --> 00:09:31.460 and living standards, 00:09:31.860 --> 00:09:35.120 then we have fixated our heart 00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:36.840 on material things 00:09:36.840 --> 00:09:38.940 just like the rich fool. 00:09:40.879 --> 00:09:42.560 Now, it's possible to have money 00:09:42.560 --> 00:09:45.039 but not to have the sickness. 00:09:45.039 --> 00:09:48.759 But it's also possible to have the sickness 00:09:48.759 --> 00:09:51.000 but hardly any money. 00:09:53.959 --> 00:09:54.559 Worry. 00:09:55.839 --> 00:09:56.980 Boasting worry. 00:09:57.259 --> 00:09:59.980 Third side post is in verse 15 00:09:59.980 --> 00:10:01.299 where Jesus says, 00:10:01.519 --> 00:10:05.419 Be on your guard against all kinds of greed. 00:10:06.959 --> 00:10:08.500 Now, he's helping us see here 00:10:08.500 --> 00:10:12.779 that greed doesn't look the same 00:10:12.779 --> 00:10:14.939 for every person. 00:10:15.980 --> 00:10:16.719 Greed is different. 00:10:16.839 --> 00:10:18.620 It has different forms and varieties. 00:10:20.699 --> 00:10:23.219 For some, their greed is revealed 00:10:23.219 --> 00:10:25.179 in the spending on clothes and cars 00:10:25.179 --> 00:10:27.279 and travel and renovations and entertainment. 00:10:28.559 --> 00:10:30.519 Money itself, as we know, 00:10:30.659 --> 00:10:32.319 is just simply paper 00:10:32.319 --> 00:10:34.240 or whatever it is that they make it out of nowadays, 00:10:34.360 --> 00:10:35.259 some plasticky stuff. 00:10:35.799 --> 00:10:36.740 And metal. 00:10:38.039 --> 00:10:40.980 The value that money has for us 00:10:40.980 --> 00:10:44.700 is that we take these bits of paper and metal 00:10:44.700 --> 00:10:47.379 and we exchange it for what we truly value. 00:10:49.519 --> 00:10:50.879 That's the value we have. 00:10:51.420 --> 00:10:52.399 And when we spend 00:10:52.399 --> 00:10:54.159 and keep on spending on possessions, 00:10:54.159 --> 00:10:56.700 then we are looking to those things 00:10:56.700 --> 00:10:58.120 that we truly value 00:10:58.120 --> 00:11:01.519 to get that sense of desirability 00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:03.340 and acceptability and lovability 00:11:03.340 --> 00:11:05.259 and awe and experiences 00:11:05.259 --> 00:11:06.920 rather than looking to God 00:11:06.919 --> 00:11:07.779 and the knowledge of God 00:11:07.779 --> 00:11:08.679 and the love of God 00:11:08.679 --> 00:11:10.539 for our sense of wealth, 00:11:10.919 --> 00:11:12.299 worth and significance. 00:11:14.860 --> 00:11:16.360 And so the passage says, 00:11:16.479 --> 00:11:17.899 consider the wildflowers. 00:11:17.899 --> 00:11:21.759 God is the one who adorns them, 00:11:22.480 --> 00:11:24.039 not money. 00:11:25.360 --> 00:11:26.579 And as he adorns them 00:11:26.579 --> 00:11:28.740 with wonder and awe and beauty, 00:11:29.639 --> 00:11:33.720 so he is the source of those things for us 00:11:33.720 --> 00:11:37.039 because we are much more valuable than they. 00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:42.899 But there are those 00:11:42.899 --> 00:11:44.600 who look at people spending money 00:11:44.600 --> 00:11:46.199 on clothes and homes and cars 00:11:46.199 --> 00:11:47.259 and travel and entertainment 00:11:47.259 --> 00:11:49.580 and they just sneer at those people 00:11:49.580 --> 00:11:49.899 and go, 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:51.120 well, there's the greedy ones. 00:11:52.720 --> 00:11:53.879 They think these people 00:11:53.879 --> 00:11:54.899 are just so greedy 00:11:54.899 --> 00:11:56.259 and so materialistic. 00:11:58.019 --> 00:11:59.539 And sometimes these people 00:11:59.539 --> 00:12:00.980 are proud that they've been wearing 00:12:00.980 --> 00:12:02.179 and repairing the same pair 00:12:02.179 --> 00:12:03.580 of underpants for 10 years 00:12:03.580 --> 00:12:05.919 and they reuse their tea bags 00:12:05.919 --> 00:12:07.319 and they don't own a mobile phone 00:12:07.319 --> 00:12:08.419 and they're just so frugal. 00:12:09.860 --> 00:12:10.779 I'm not greedy. 00:12:10.939 --> 00:12:11.879 The ones who are spending money, 00:12:11.980 --> 00:12:12.799 the greedy ones, 00:12:12.960 --> 00:12:14.120 instead what they're doing 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:15.220 is putting it all away 00:12:15.220 --> 00:12:16.319 in retirement funds 00:12:16.320 --> 00:12:17.680 and savings and investments 00:12:17.680 --> 00:12:19.440 or for a rainy day. 00:12:21.040 --> 00:12:21.840 Jesus says, 00:12:21.940 --> 00:12:23.379 that's just a different kind of greed. 00:12:24.140 --> 00:12:25.320 Just a different kind. 00:12:26.680 --> 00:12:28.300 There's all kinds of greeds. 00:12:29.140 --> 00:12:30.660 If we find it very hard 00:12:30.660 --> 00:12:31.760 to give money away 00:12:31.760 --> 00:12:33.800 but very easy to save it, 00:12:34.520 --> 00:12:36.040 then our bank balance 00:12:36.040 --> 00:12:38.280 is our source of security. 00:12:38.279 --> 00:12:41.919 We are looking to our bank 00:12:41.919 --> 00:12:43.819 to give us control 00:12:43.819 --> 00:12:46.179 in a very, very chaotic 00:12:46.179 --> 00:12:47.419 and unpredictable world 00:12:47.419 --> 00:12:48.399 rather than God. 00:12:49.259 --> 00:12:50.939 The rich fool here 00:12:50.939 --> 00:12:53.059 stored up his wealth 00:12:53.059 --> 00:12:54.699 and stored it up 00:12:54.699 --> 00:12:56.860 more and more and more 00:12:56.860 --> 00:12:58.519 for the sake of his security. 00:12:58.519 --> 00:13:02.779 And the point of this story 00:13:02.779 --> 00:13:03.740 about the rich fool 00:13:03.740 --> 00:13:05.220 is it's an illusion. 00:13:07.980 --> 00:13:10.059 Money cannot give you security. 00:13:10.539 --> 00:13:12.019 It can't stop tragedy. 00:13:12.299 --> 00:13:13.960 It can't stop broken relationships. 00:13:14.139 --> 00:13:15.360 It can't stop your life 00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:17.179 and it can't even stop financial ruin. 00:13:17.699 --> 00:13:18.699 It's an illusion. 00:13:23.340 --> 00:13:25.360 Money can't give you security 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:27.720 but God can. 00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:30.320 Consider the ravens. 00:13:32.279 --> 00:13:33.440 Consider the ravens. 00:13:34.139 --> 00:13:35.240 They don't have money 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:37.000 to give them security 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:39.419 but they are well cared for 00:13:39.419 --> 00:13:40.300 and fed by God 00:13:40.300 --> 00:13:41.360 day in and day out. 00:13:44.180 --> 00:13:45.740 So greed is where we get 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:47.639 beauty and acceptance 00:13:47.639 --> 00:13:48.980 and security and identity 00:13:48.980 --> 00:13:53.279 from great clothes, 00:13:53.720 --> 00:13:55.060 houses, experiences, 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:56.480 instead of God. 00:13:56.720 --> 00:13:58.120 It's where we get control 00:13:58.120 --> 00:13:59.399 because of great investments 00:13:59.399 --> 00:14:00.519 instead of God. 00:14:01.220 --> 00:14:04.200 Just different kinds of greed. 00:14:07.279 --> 00:14:09.039 And the fourth guidepost 00:14:09.039 --> 00:14:09.980 is verse 30. 00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:13.019 For the pagan world 00:14:13.019 --> 00:14:15.560 runs after all such things. 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:19.000 What this means is 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:21.620 the running after them 00:14:21.620 --> 00:14:23.460 is a sense of being driven. 00:14:23.460 --> 00:14:26.639 I'm driven to get these things. 00:14:28.420 --> 00:14:30.600 It may result in overworking, 00:14:31.320 --> 00:14:32.720 driving yourself and others 00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:33.980 around you into the ground 00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:34.660 to get it. 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:38.280 Money sickness is where 00:14:38.280 --> 00:14:39.740 we resent people who've got it, 00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:41.780 worrying about not having it, 00:14:42.180 --> 00:14:43.019 running off our feet 00:14:43.019 --> 00:14:43.820 in order to get it. 00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:46.360 It's where we look to money 00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:48.400 to give us what only God 00:14:48.400 --> 00:14:49.560 can give us. 00:14:49.559 --> 00:14:54.459 And when we see these signs, 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:56.459 it's obvious, 00:14:57.179 --> 00:14:58.039 really, 00:14:58.739 --> 00:14:59.899 that a lot of us 00:14:59.899 --> 00:15:01.219 have got money sickness. 00:15:06.099 --> 00:15:08.059 If you think it's now possible 00:15:08.059 --> 00:15:10.699 that you've got at least, 00:15:11.699 --> 00:15:12.119 you know, 00:15:13.059 --> 00:15:14.299 you're not in your hospital bed, 00:15:14.299 --> 00:15:18.139 but you've got money sickness, 00:15:20.259 --> 00:15:22.859 then Jesus is suggesting 00:15:22.859 --> 00:15:25.819 that your problem 00:15:25.819 --> 00:15:27.740 and my problem 00:15:27.740 --> 00:15:28.939 is a lot more 00:15:28.939 --> 00:15:29.579 than just a 00:15:29.579 --> 00:15:32.759 not feeling great today. 00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:35.339 It's a much deeper issue 00:15:35.339 --> 00:15:35.779 than that. 00:15:37.240 --> 00:15:38.719 We are blind 00:15:38.719 --> 00:15:39.819 to how big 00:15:39.819 --> 00:15:41.279 this issue is. 00:15:41.279 --> 00:15:44.600 So how do we recover from it? 00:15:46.039 --> 00:15:48.179 I've got two ways 00:15:48.179 --> 00:15:49.120 that we recover from it. 00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:50.019 The first solution 00:15:50.019 --> 00:15:53.839 is to have a radical experience 00:15:53.839 --> 00:15:55.259 of the grace of God 00:15:55.259 --> 00:15:56.139 in the Lord Jesus. 00:15:57.159 --> 00:15:57.600 Hopefully, 00:15:57.740 --> 00:15:58.500 you've picked that up 00:15:58.500 --> 00:16:00.059 in the last number of weeks. 00:16:00.819 --> 00:16:02.259 We have constantly heard 00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:03.259 that the gospel 00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:04.100 is the solution. 00:16:04.339 --> 00:16:05.079 Jesus himself 00:16:05.079 --> 00:16:06.299 is the solution to this. 00:16:07.500 --> 00:16:08.419 And we need to, 00:16:08.459 --> 00:16:09.199 as I said last week, 00:16:09.279 --> 00:16:10.259 keep driving, 00:16:10.259 --> 00:16:11.539 driving it in 00:16:11.539 --> 00:16:12.559 again and again, 00:16:12.939 --> 00:16:13.860 driving the gospel 00:16:13.860 --> 00:16:14.819 of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:16:14.819 --> 00:16:15.720 into our hearts 00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:16.319 again and again. 00:16:16.419 --> 00:16:17.299 It's no different today. 00:16:18.799 --> 00:16:20.559 We have to keep coming back 00:16:20.559 --> 00:16:21.340 to God's grace 00:16:21.340 --> 00:16:22.139 to us in Jesus 00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:23.620 and savoring his gospel 00:16:23.620 --> 00:16:24.500 to us again 00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:25.299 and again 00:16:25.299 --> 00:16:25.939 and again 00:16:25.939 --> 00:16:26.620 and again. 00:16:28.860 --> 00:16:29.939 And can I say, 00:16:30.379 --> 00:16:30.779 sorry, 00:16:31.600 --> 00:16:32.240 translators, 00:16:33.679 --> 00:16:36.139 you may have been 00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:37.379 sitting in church 00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:38.819 for 30 years 00:16:38.820 --> 00:16:42.980 but you have not 00:16:42.980 --> 00:16:43.780 been driving 00:16:43.780 --> 00:16:44.420 the gospel 00:16:44.420 --> 00:16:45.100 of God's grace 00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:45.840 into your heart. 00:16:47.900 --> 00:16:48.720 Just gathering, 00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:49.600 doing your thing, 00:16:49.740 --> 00:16:50.560 giving 10%, 00:16:50.560 --> 00:16:51.540 just settled with that. 00:16:55.540 --> 00:16:56.700 You need to have 00:16:56.700 --> 00:16:57.900 a fresh experience 00:16:57.900 --> 00:16:58.660 of God's grace. 00:16:59.660 --> 00:17:01.180 We need to see Jesus, 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:02.620 what he's done 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:03.500 for us on the cross 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:04.240 again 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:05.640 and again 00:17:05.640 --> 00:17:07.000 and again 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:08.680 until he becomes 00:17:08.680 --> 00:17:09.420 our greatest treasure. 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:10.160 We need to preach 00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:11.060 the gospel to ourselves 00:17:11.060 --> 00:17:12.140 every single day. 00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:16.440 And God's grace to us 00:17:16.440 --> 00:17:16.920 is again here 00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:17.600 in this passage. 00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:20.120 Notice that Jesus 00:17:20.120 --> 00:17:21.600 doesn't say here, 00:17:22.800 --> 00:17:23.920 as he did 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:24.860 with the rich young ruler, 00:17:24.859 --> 00:17:27.439 that if you sell 00:17:27.439 --> 00:17:28.240 all your possessions, 00:17:28.879 --> 00:17:29.979 give them to the poor, 00:17:30.779 --> 00:17:31.539 then God will forgive 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:32.059 your sins 00:17:32.059 --> 00:17:32.419 and let you 00:17:32.419 --> 00:17:32.979 into his kingdom. 00:17:33.779 --> 00:17:34.699 He doesn't say that. 00:17:35.740 --> 00:17:36.519 What he says 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:37.599 is in verse 32, 00:17:38.359 --> 00:17:40.000 do not be afraid, 00:17:40.299 --> 00:17:40.959 little flock. 00:17:41.119 --> 00:17:41.719 I love it 00:17:41.719 --> 00:17:42.419 when he says that. 00:17:42.759 --> 00:17:43.279 Do not be afraid 00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:43.839 because he knows 00:17:43.839 --> 00:17:45.979 that he says 00:17:45.979 --> 00:17:46.679 don't trust money, 00:17:46.779 --> 00:17:47.619 trust me instead 00:17:47.619 --> 00:17:48.719 with everything in life. 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:50.519 Our first instinct 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:50.859 is 00:17:50.859 --> 00:17:53.419 fear. 00:17:53.420 --> 00:17:57.180 fear is the response. 00:17:58.700 --> 00:17:59.240 He says, 00:17:59.320 --> 00:17:59.940 do not be afraid, 00:18:00.060 --> 00:18:00.460 little flock, 00:18:00.560 --> 00:18:01.480 for your father 00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:03.820 has been pleased 00:18:03.820 --> 00:18:04.920 to give you the kingdom. 00:18:06.779 --> 00:18:07.580 Sell your possessions 00:18:07.580 --> 00:18:09.220 and give to the poor, 00:18:09.320 --> 00:18:10.039 provide purses 00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:10.720 for yourselves 00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:11.860 that will not wear out, 00:18:12.100 --> 00:18:12.920 a treasure in heaven 00:18:12.920 --> 00:18:14.120 that will never fail, 00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:15.480 where no thief 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:16.360 comes near 00:18:16.360 --> 00:18:17.200 and no moth 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:17.860 destroys. 00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:20.320 The order 00:18:20.320 --> 00:18:22.680 is crucial. 00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:24.700 The little flock 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:25.920 have been given 00:18:25.920 --> 00:18:26.820 the kingdom 00:18:26.820 --> 00:18:27.840 apart from 00:18:27.840 --> 00:18:28.700 any effort 00:18:28.700 --> 00:18:29.740 on their behalf. 00:18:31.320 --> 00:18:32.600 When we see 00:18:32.600 --> 00:18:34.560 that we start, 00:18:34.660 --> 00:18:35.500 when we see that, 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:37.019 when we see 00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:38.100 that we have it first, 00:18:38.360 --> 00:18:39.320 we start to become 00:18:39.320 --> 00:18:40.240 free to give 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:41.320 in radical ways. 00:18:41.820 --> 00:18:42.380 And Jesus says 00:18:42.380 --> 00:18:42.940 a similar thing 00:18:42.940 --> 00:18:43.580 in verse 21. 00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:45.320 This is how 00:18:45.320 --> 00:18:46.059 it will be 00:18:46.059 --> 00:18:47.000 with whoever 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:48.340 stores up things 00:18:48.340 --> 00:18:48.960 for themselves 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:50.080 but is not 00:18:50.080 --> 00:18:51.580 rich towards God. 00:18:52.340 --> 00:18:53.559 Rich toward God 00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:55.220 means 00:18:55.220 --> 00:18:57.180 counting God 00:18:57.180 --> 00:18:58.519 of greater worth 00:18:58.519 --> 00:18:59.220 than anything 00:18:59.220 --> 00:19:00.000 in this world. 00:19:01.640 --> 00:19:02.600 Rich toward God 00:19:02.600 --> 00:19:03.340 means using 00:19:03.340 --> 00:19:04.259 earthly riches 00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:05.500 to show 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:07.120 him, 00:19:07.320 --> 00:19:07.900 the world, 00:19:08.059 --> 00:19:09.200 our own hearts, 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:10.600 how much 00:19:10.599 --> 00:19:12.099 we value God. 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:14.059 And this is what 00:19:14.059 --> 00:19:15.240 the prosperous farmer 00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:16.159 failed to do. 00:19:16.939 --> 00:19:18.139 And the result is 00:19:18.139 --> 00:19:19.459 God calls him 00:19:19.459 --> 00:19:20.319 a fool 00:19:20.319 --> 00:19:22.159 and he lost 00:19:22.159 --> 00:19:22.919 his soul. 00:19:24.059 --> 00:19:24.779 A fool. 00:19:26.519 --> 00:19:27.299 Jesus considers 00:19:27.299 --> 00:19:28.139 money hazardous. 00:19:29.199 --> 00:19:30.339 It lures us 00:19:30.339 --> 00:19:31.119 out of love 00:19:31.119 --> 00:19:31.599 for God. 00:19:31.679 --> 00:19:32.579 It lures us 00:19:32.579 --> 00:19:33.279 away from 00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:34.319 treasuring Jesus 00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:35.459 above everything else. 00:19:35.460 --> 00:19:38.660 The issue here 00:19:38.660 --> 00:19:39.400 isn't that this 00:19:39.400 --> 00:19:39.980 man, 00:19:40.100 --> 00:19:41.000 this rich fool's 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:41.960 land was 00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:42.620 prosperous. 00:19:43.900 --> 00:19:45.120 It's just 00:19:45.120 --> 00:19:46.200 that God 00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:47.480 ceased to be 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.180 his supreme 00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:48.620 treasure. 00:19:50.860 --> 00:19:51.920 Anyone who 00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:52.600 stores up 00:19:52.600 --> 00:19:53.240 things 00:19:53.240 --> 00:19:54.759 rather than 00:19:54.759 --> 00:19:55.640 giving it away, 00:19:57.019 --> 00:19:59.240 they do it 00:19:59.240 --> 00:19:59.720 because they're 00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:00.079 not rich 00:20:00.079 --> 00:20:00.799 towards God. 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:03.019 It's a lack 00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:03.579 of inner 00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:04.299 wealth. 00:20:05.460 --> 00:20:06.380 If you 00:20:06.380 --> 00:20:06.819 worry about 00:20:06.819 --> 00:20:07.160 money, 00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:09.079 you're resentful 00:20:09.079 --> 00:20:09.759 towards those 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:10.059 who have 00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:10.400 money, 00:20:10.920 --> 00:20:12.160 running after 00:20:12.160 --> 00:20:12.579 money, 00:20:13.819 --> 00:20:14.460 hoarding it. 00:20:15.640 --> 00:20:16.660 It's simply 00:20:16.660 --> 00:20:17.380 because Jesus 00:20:17.380 --> 00:20:17.840 says you're 00:20:17.840 --> 00:20:18.620 not rich 00:20:18.620 --> 00:20:19.720 towards God. 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:21.980 There is a 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.380 lack of 00:20:22.380 --> 00:20:23.160 inner wealth. 00:20:25.340 --> 00:20:26.519 What I mean 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.140 by this is 00:20:27.140 --> 00:20:28.019 basically what 00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:29.220 1 Peter 2 00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:30.340 verse 9 00:20:30.340 --> 00:20:31.000 says, 00:20:31.720 --> 00:20:32.720 but you 00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:33.700 are a 00:20:33.700 --> 00:20:34.660 chosen people 00:20:34.660 --> 00:20:36.200 a royal 00:20:36.200 --> 00:20:36.940 priesthood, 00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:38.200 a holy 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:38.800 nation, 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:40.420 God's 00:20:40.420 --> 00:20:41.560 special 00:20:41.560 --> 00:20:42.860 possession, 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:44.740 which literally 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:45.759 means in the 00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:46.560 original language, 00:20:46.700 --> 00:20:47.820 you are God's 00:20:47.820 --> 00:20:48.620 treasure. 00:20:52.360 --> 00:20:53.640 What do you get 00:20:53.640 --> 00:20:54.420 the person who 00:20:54.420 --> 00:20:55.200 has everything? 00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:55.340 everything? 00:20:57.740 --> 00:20:59.240 What sort of 00:20:59.240 --> 00:21:00.340 gift would 00:21:00.340 --> 00:21:01.140 cause the 00:21:01.140 --> 00:21:02.519 person with 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:03.660 billions and 00:21:03.660 --> 00:21:04.539 billions of 00:21:04.539 --> 00:21:05.120 dollars to 00:21:05.120 --> 00:21:05.360 go, 00:21:05.580 --> 00:21:07.279 wow? 00:21:14.539 --> 00:21:15.360 Well, 00:21:15.400 --> 00:21:15.880 that's God's 00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:16.279 question. 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:18.319 What do you 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:18.860 give him 00:21:18.860 --> 00:21:20.160 who's got 00:21:20.160 --> 00:21:20.620 everything? 00:21:20.619 --> 00:21:22.719 literally, 00:21:23.359 --> 00:21:24.259 absolutely, 00:21:24.659 --> 00:21:25.939 everything is 00:21:25.939 --> 00:21:26.259 his. 00:21:26.379 --> 00:21:26.819 What do you 00:21:26.819 --> 00:21:27.259 give him? 00:21:31.659 --> 00:21:32.419 Peter is 00:21:32.419 --> 00:21:33.039 saying here 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:33.479 that with 00:21:33.479 --> 00:21:34.439 everything he 00:21:34.439 --> 00:21:35.419 possesses, 00:21:36.099 --> 00:21:37.299 his people, 00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:39.699 his disciples, 00:21:39.919 --> 00:21:40.399 the ones who 00:21:40.399 --> 00:21:41.019 trusted the 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:41.479 Lord Jesus 00:21:41.479 --> 00:21:42.019 Christ, 00:21:42.459 --> 00:21:43.359 are his 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:44.199 greatest 00:21:44.199 --> 00:21:44.959 treasure. 00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:46.539 That's what 00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:46.959 it's saying. 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:48.340 God 00:21:48.340 --> 00:21:49.259 treasures 00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:49.980 us. 00:21:51.380 --> 00:21:52.380 That is a 00:21:52.380 --> 00:21:53.259 life-transforming 00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:53.840 truth. 00:21:54.120 --> 00:21:54.579 It's a 00:21:54.579 --> 00:21:55.460 life-transforming 00:21:55.460 --> 00:21:56.519 truth that's 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.900 confirmed in 00:21:57.900 --> 00:21:58.720 2 Corinthians 00:21:58.720 --> 00:22:00.640 chapter 8 00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:01.220 verses 7 00:22:01.220 --> 00:22:01.779 and 9. 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:03.759 See that you 00:22:03.759 --> 00:22:04.880 excel in the 00:22:04.880 --> 00:22:05.700 grace of giving, 00:22:06.140 --> 00:22:06.880 for you know 00:22:06.880 --> 00:22:07.579 the grace of 00:22:07.579 --> 00:22:08.220 our Lord Jesus 00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:08.940 Christ, that 00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:09.640 though he was 00:22:09.640 --> 00:22:10.660 rich, yet for 00:22:10.660 --> 00:22:11.440 your sake he 00:22:11.440 --> 00:22:12.259 became poor, 00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:13.340 so that you 00:22:13.340 --> 00:22:13.779 through his 00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:14.500 poverty might 00:22:14.500 --> 00:22:15.319 become rich. 00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:19.039 Paul doesn't 00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:19.759 say that if 00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:20.220 you give your 00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:20.960 wealth away to 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:22.120 God, God 00:22:22.120 --> 00:22:22.900 will give you 00:22:22.900 --> 00:22:25.460 eternal wealth. 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:29.400 He says that 00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:30.200 you will never 00:22:30.200 --> 00:22:31.240 be free, 00:22:31.720 --> 00:22:33.759 never be free 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:34.799 of eternal 00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:35.340 treasure, 00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:37.019 sorry, of 00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:37.940 earthly treasure 00:22:37.940 --> 00:22:39.319 until we see 00:22:39.319 --> 00:22:40.019 that God has 00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:41.319 given us eternal 00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:42.220 treasure as a 00:22:42.220 --> 00:22:42.799 free gift. 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:45.579 His eternal 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:46.220 treasure is 00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:46.759 Jesus. 00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:47.759 And when he 00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:48.160 came to 00:22:48.160 --> 00:22:49.440 earth, Jesus 00:22:49.440 --> 00:22:50.700 quite literally 00:22:50.700 --> 00:22:51.200 lived in 00:22:51.200 --> 00:22:51.559 poverty. 00:22:52.960 --> 00:22:53.759 He said he 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:54.360 didn't even have 00:22:54.360 --> 00:22:55.059 a place to 00:22:55.059 --> 00:22:56.140 lay his head 00:22:56.140 --> 00:22:57.019 as a grown 00:22:57.019 --> 00:22:57.380 man. 00:22:58.779 --> 00:22:59.420 And this is 00:22:59.420 --> 00:23:00.799 just a small 00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:01.860 glimpse, just a 00:23:01.860 --> 00:23:02.740 small glimpse of 00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:04.860 the much, much, 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:05.620 much deeper 00:23:05.620 --> 00:23:06.620 poverty that he 00:23:06.620 --> 00:23:07.259 endured on the 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:08.100 cross for us. 00:23:09.600 --> 00:23:10.680 He did 00:23:10.680 --> 00:23:12.759 exactly what he 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:13.920 is asking us 00:23:13.920 --> 00:23:15.500 to do here 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:16.460 at the end 00:23:16.460 --> 00:23:17.319 of Luke 12. 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:19.440 He's already 00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:20.299 gone before us 00:23:20.299 --> 00:23:20.799 and done it. 00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:21.440 He's fulfilled 00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:22.079 it for us. 00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:23.099 He is the 00:23:23.099 --> 00:23:23.759 richest one. 00:23:24.619 --> 00:23:25.339 He lost 00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:26.160 everything for 00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:26.599 the poorest 00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:27.140 ones. 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:29.000 He did it to 00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:29.599 pay for our 00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:30.119 sins on the 00:23:30.119 --> 00:23:30.519 cross. 00:23:30.980 --> 00:23:31.299 And the 00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:31.900 inner wealth 00:23:31.900 --> 00:23:33.380 comes to 00:23:33.380 --> 00:23:35.140 us when we 00:23:35.140 --> 00:23:36.160 know that we 00:23:36.160 --> 00:23:36.759 have been 00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:37.500 treasured 00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:38.059 treasured 00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:40.980 by the 00:23:40.980 --> 00:23:41.259 treasure 00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:41.640 worthy. 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:48.980 He was 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:49.440 willing to 00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:50.059 give up and 00:23:50.059 --> 00:23:50.880 pay anything 00:23:50.880 --> 00:23:51.519 to treasure 00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:51.980 us. 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:56.779 Every single 00:23:56.779 --> 00:23:57.220 one of us 00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:57.700 sitting in this 00:23:57.700 --> 00:23:58.559 room right now 00:23:58.559 --> 00:23:59.480 as everyone 00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:00.079 who's outside 00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:00.720 this room 00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:02.200 has something 00:24:02.200 --> 00:24:02.660 that they 00:24:02.660 --> 00:24:03.420 treasure at the 00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:03.940 center of their 00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:04.400 heart. 00:24:05.099 --> 00:24:05.779 Every single 00:24:05.779 --> 00:24:06.339 one of us 00:24:06.339 --> 00:24:07.460 there is 00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:07.980 something that 00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:08.519 we treasure 00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:08.879 that we 00:24:08.879 --> 00:24:09.539 look to 00:24:09.539 --> 00:24:10.279 consistently 00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:11.059 for our 00:24:11.059 --> 00:24:11.579 security, 00:24:11.779 --> 00:24:12.039 for our 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:12.579 approval, 00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:13.259 for our 00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:14.019 significance. 00:24:15.099 --> 00:24:16.059 The way you 00:24:16.059 --> 00:24:16.559 know it's 00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:16.879 there and 00:24:16.879 --> 00:24:17.319 what it is 00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:17.899 specifically 00:24:17.899 --> 00:24:19.319 is when 00:24:19.319 --> 00:24:19.759 someone 00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:20.720 challenges it 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:21.299 in your 00:24:21.299 --> 00:24:21.759 heart, 00:24:22.139 --> 00:24:22.799 it will 00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:23.359 result in 00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:23.680 anger. 00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:28.559 You'll 00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:28.799 want to 00:24:28.799 --> 00:24:29.399 defend your 00:24:29.399 --> 00:24:29.720 treasure. 00:24:31.799 --> 00:24:32.579 Every single 00:24:32.579 --> 00:24:33.019 one of us 00:24:33.019 --> 00:24:33.460 has those 00:24:33.460 --> 00:24:34.460 treasures that 00:24:34.460 --> 00:24:35.420 will demand 00:24:35.420 --> 00:24:36.160 us. 00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:36.880 We will 00:24:36.880 --> 00:24:37.500 surrender 00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:38.480 for it. 00:24:38.820 --> 00:24:39.039 This 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:39.400 treasure 00:24:39.400 --> 00:24:40.340 drives us 00:24:40.340 --> 00:24:40.779 to run 00:24:40.779 --> 00:24:41.360 after it 00:24:41.360 --> 00:24:41.940 consistently. 00:24:42.400 --> 00:24:42.720 In fact, 00:24:42.779 --> 00:24:43.120 we will 00:24:43.120 --> 00:24:43.840 die in 00:24:43.840 --> 00:24:44.200 order. 00:24:44.759 --> 00:24:45.000 In fact, 00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:45.279 that's what 00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:45.640 it calls 00:24:45.640 --> 00:24:45.880 us to 00:24:45.880 --> 00:24:46.000 do. 00:24:46.100 --> 00:24:47.140 It runs 00:24:47.140 --> 00:24:47.420 us into 00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:47.920 the ground 00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:49.920 and requires 00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:50.600 of us to 00:24:50.600 --> 00:24:51.460 die for 00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:51.700 it. 00:24:55.539 --> 00:24:56.060 And Jesus 00:24:56.060 --> 00:24:56.560 is the only 00:24:56.560 --> 00:24:57.120 treasure who 00:24:57.120 --> 00:24:57.620 dies to 00:24:57.620 --> 00:24:58.420 purchase us. 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:00.240 The treasures 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:00.620 of our 00:25:00.620 --> 00:25:01.720 heart drive 00:25:01.720 --> 00:25:03.400 us to 00:25:03.400 --> 00:25:04.700 surrender and 00:25:04.700 --> 00:25:05.380 sacrifice 00:25:05.380 --> 00:25:06.240 absolutely 00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:07.760 everything in 00:25:07.760 --> 00:25:08.240 order to 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:09.000 achieve it. 00:25:09.300 --> 00:25:09.560 And yet 00:25:09.560 --> 00:25:10.140 Jesus is the 00:25:10.140 --> 00:25:10.700 only one who 00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:12.320 dies so 00:25:12.320 --> 00:25:12.580 that we 00:25:12.580 --> 00:25:12.900 might be 00:25:12.900 --> 00:25:13.400 his treasure. 00:25:20.280 --> 00:25:21.020 See that 00:25:21.020 --> 00:25:21.360 he has 00:25:21.360 --> 00:25:21.820 treasured 00:25:21.820 --> 00:25:22.100 you. 00:25:23.100 --> 00:25:24.020 See how 00:25:24.020 --> 00:25:24.480 he has 00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:24.940 treasured 00:25:24.940 --> 00:25:25.240 you. 00:25:26.020 --> 00:25:26.520 And then 00:25:26.520 --> 00:25:26.900 you'll be 00:25:26.900 --> 00:25:27.480 free from 00:25:27.480 --> 00:25:27.740 money, 00:25:27.880 --> 00:25:28.200 blindness, 00:25:28.360 --> 00:25:28.780 and sickness. 00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:30.840 You need a 00:25:30.840 --> 00:25:31.720 radical experience 00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:32.140 of God's 00:25:32.140 --> 00:25:32.460 grace. 00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:32.559 grace. 00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:36.220 You also, 00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:37.440 there's one 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:37.779 more thing 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:38.120 to add 00:25:38.120 --> 00:25:38.440 here. 00:25:40.680 --> 00:25:41.640 It's also 00:25:41.640 --> 00:25:43.579 crucial to 00:25:43.579 --> 00:25:44.960 be a 00:25:44.960 --> 00:25:46.960 member of 00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:47.799 a radically 00:25:47.799 --> 00:25:49.640 grace-changed 00:25:49.640 --> 00:25:50.319 community. 00:25:52.600 --> 00:25:53.340 See this 00:25:53.340 --> 00:25:53.880 back in 00:25:53.880 --> 00:25:54.480 verse 32. 00:25:54.620 --> 00:25:54.880 Have a look 00:25:54.880 --> 00:25:55.220 at this. 00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:56.220 Do not 00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:56.960 be afraid, 00:25:57.140 --> 00:25:57.259 little 00:25:57.259 --> 00:25:57.819 flock, 00:25:58.440 --> 00:25:58.900 for your 00:25:58.900 --> 00:25:59.660 father has 00:25:59.660 --> 00:26:00.400 been pleased 00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:00.960 to give 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:01.640 you the 00:26:01.640 --> 00:26:02.000 kingdom. 00:26:03.319 --> 00:26:03.839 This is 00:26:03.839 --> 00:26:05.400 in a 00:26:05.400 --> 00:26:05.880 moment of 00:26:05.880 --> 00:26:06.319 fear and 00:26:06.319 --> 00:26:06.860 worry which 00:26:06.860 --> 00:26:07.539 strikes it 00:26:07.539 --> 00:26:07.920 whenever we 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:08.600 think about 00:26:08.600 --> 00:26:09.100 money and 00:26:09.100 --> 00:26:09.640 stuff and 00:26:09.640 --> 00:26:10.339 handing over 00:26:10.339 --> 00:26:10.680 to God 00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:11.039 instead. 00:26:11.400 --> 00:26:11.880 This verse 00:26:11.880 --> 00:26:12.559 is such a 00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:13.259 tender verse. 00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:16.579 God knows 00:26:16.579 --> 00:26:17.079 that we are 00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:18.100 scared to 00:26:18.100 --> 00:26:18.720 trust him. 00:26:19.640 --> 00:26:20.339 We're scared 00:26:20.339 --> 00:26:21.019 to live like 00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:21.519 this, too 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:22.460 scared to 00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:23.299 step out and 00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:23.940 trust him and 00:26:23.940 --> 00:26:24.360 to give our 00:26:24.359 --> 00:26:25.019 money away. 00:26:25.919 --> 00:26:26.939 He calls us 00:26:26.939 --> 00:26:27.779 not to be 00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:29.199 afraid and 00:26:29.199 --> 00:26:29.899 to remember 00:26:29.899 --> 00:26:31.519 that we get 00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:32.419 to call God 00:26:32.419 --> 00:26:33.459 our father and 00:26:33.459 --> 00:26:34.039 we are his 00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:34.759 little flock. 00:26:36.339 --> 00:26:37.059 But notice 00:26:37.059 --> 00:26:38.219 that this 00:26:38.219 --> 00:26:39.379 promise here, 00:26:40.659 --> 00:26:42.479 this promise 00:26:42.479 --> 00:26:43.899 to give the 00:26:43.899 --> 00:26:45.740 kingdom is a 00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:47.019 plural promise. 00:26:47.719 --> 00:26:48.299 Little 00:26:48.299 --> 00:26:49.299 flock. 00:26:52.659 --> 00:26:53.559 For those of 00:26:53.559 --> 00:26:53.839 us who are 00:26:53.839 --> 00:26:54.199 Westerners, 00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:54.640 Christians think 00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:55.340 so much as 00:26:55.340 --> 00:26:55.900 individuals, 00:26:57.140 --> 00:26:57.779 that's not 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:58.340 what's happening 00:26:58.340 --> 00:26:58.740 here. 00:26:59.120 --> 00:26:59.460 There's a 00:26:59.460 --> 00:26:59.940 place in 00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:00.440 Mark chapter 00:27:00.440 --> 00:27:01.460 10 where 00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:02.340 Jesus spells 00:27:02.340 --> 00:27:03.000 it out just 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:03.620 a little bit 00:27:03.620 --> 00:27:04.240 more detail 00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:04.840 for us what 00:27:04.840 --> 00:27:05.360 he's referring 00:27:05.360 --> 00:27:05.900 to here. 00:27:07.059 --> 00:27:07.819 The rich 00:27:07.819 --> 00:27:08.460 young ruler 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:10.019 walks away 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:10.860 too afraid to 00:27:10.860 --> 00:27:11.480 trust Jesus 00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:11.920 with his 00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:12.279 wealth. 00:27:12.840 --> 00:27:13.420 And at that 00:27:13.420 --> 00:27:13.759 point, 00:27:14.160 --> 00:27:14.759 his disciple 00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:15.519 Peter pipes 00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:16.620 up and he 00:27:16.620 --> 00:27:16.799 says, 00:27:16.860 --> 00:27:17.220 we've left 00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:17.799 everything to 00:27:17.799 --> 00:27:18.380 follow you. 00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:18.960 And then 00:27:18.960 --> 00:27:19.779 Jesus says, 00:27:19.779 --> 00:27:21.079 no one 00:27:21.079 --> 00:27:21.720 who has 00:27:21.720 --> 00:27:22.420 left home 00:27:22.420 --> 00:27:23.180 or brothers 00:27:23.180 --> 00:27:23.639 or sisters 00:27:23.639 --> 00:27:24.119 or mother 00:27:24.119 --> 00:27:24.579 or father 00:27:24.579 --> 00:27:25.000 or children 00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:25.619 or fields 00:27:25.619 --> 00:27:26.379 for me 00:27:26.379 --> 00:27:27.759 and the 00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:28.220 gospel 00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:29.759 will fail 00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:30.440 to receive 00:27:30.440 --> 00:27:31.019 a hundred 00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:31.579 times as 00:27:31.579 --> 00:27:31.960 much in 00:27:31.960 --> 00:27:32.440 his present 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:32.920 age. 00:27:32.920 --> 00:27:33.759 homes, 00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:34.259 brothers, 00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:34.820 sisters, 00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:35.320 mothers, 00:27:35.580 --> 00:27:36.080 children and 00:27:36.080 --> 00:27:37.320 fields along 00:27:37.320 --> 00:27:38.380 with persecutions 00:27:38.380 --> 00:27:39.259 and in the 00:27:39.259 --> 00:27:40.140 age to 00:27:40.140 --> 00:27:40.920 come eternal 00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:41.400 life. 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:43.560 What's 00:27:43.560 --> 00:27:43.980 getting at 00:27:43.980 --> 00:27:44.200 there, 00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:44.500 what's 00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:45.180 referring to 00:27:45.180 --> 00:27:45.680 here in 00:27:45.680 --> 00:27:46.480 God providing 00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:46.880 for our 00:27:46.880 --> 00:27:47.840 needs is 00:27:47.840 --> 00:27:48.920 that in 00:27:48.920 --> 00:27:49.279 the Christian 00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:50.180 community you 00:27:50.180 --> 00:27:50.779 get a new 00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:51.279 family, 00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:51.860 you get new 00:27:51.860 --> 00:27:52.400 relationships, 00:27:52.539 --> 00:27:53.080 you get eternal 00:27:53.080 --> 00:27:53.800 relationships. 00:27:56.660 --> 00:27:57.720 We will 00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:58.600 love each 00:27:58.600 --> 00:27:59.680 other forever. 00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:01.779 Forever. 00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:03.600 If you're 00:28:03.600 --> 00:28:04.000 struggling to 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:04.259 love me 00:28:04.259 --> 00:28:04.580 now, 00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:05.320 you won't 00:28:05.320 --> 00:28:05.840 in heaven. 00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:07.440 Isn't that 00:28:07.440 --> 00:28:08.039 good news 00:28:08.039 --> 00:28:10.000 for me? 00:28:13.740 --> 00:28:14.480 But there's 00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:15.220 also a 00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:15.960 tendency I 00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:16.460 think to 00:28:16.460 --> 00:28:17.360 forget the 00:28:17.360 --> 00:28:18.680 bit in 00:28:18.680 --> 00:28:19.480 this passage 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:20.480 in Mark 00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:21.000 10 about 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:21.500 the fields 00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:21.759 and the 00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:22.220 homes. 00:28:23.300 --> 00:28:23.880 Try to 00:28:23.880 --> 00:28:24.440 explain that 00:28:24.440 --> 00:28:24.840 away a 00:28:24.840 --> 00:28:25.279 little bit. 00:28:26.180 --> 00:28:26.539 But in 00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:27.279 Mark 10 00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:27.940 and Luke 00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:28.640 12, 00:28:29.539 --> 00:28:30.580 along with 00:28:30.580 --> 00:28:30.940 the new 00:28:30.940 --> 00:28:31.680 community of 00:28:31.680 --> 00:28:32.340 relationships, 00:28:32.920 --> 00:28:33.600 comes 00:28:33.600 --> 00:28:34.120 homes and 00:28:34.120 --> 00:28:34.440 fields. 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.320 And we 00:28:36.320 --> 00:28:37.240 must not 00:28:37.240 --> 00:28:38.759 read these 00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:40.340 terms any 00:28:40.340 --> 00:28:41.779 differently than 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:42.900 we read the 00:28:42.900 --> 00:28:43.460 brothers, the 00:28:43.460 --> 00:28:43.960 sisters, the 00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:44.500 mothers and the 00:28:44.500 --> 00:28:45.060 children in this 00:28:45.060 --> 00:28:45.360 passage. 00:28:45.440 --> 00:28:46.000 You can't read 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:46.500 any differently. 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:47.940 That would be a 00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:48.880 major error in 00:28:48.880 --> 00:28:49.120 biblical 00:28:49.120 --> 00:28:49.840 interpretation. 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:53.300 Jesus' view 00:28:53.300 --> 00:28:54.680 is that in the 00:28:54.680 --> 00:28:55.539 new community of 00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:56.080 grace, 00:28:57.200 --> 00:28:58.600 we not only 00:28:58.600 --> 00:28:59.779 share and 00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:00.580 engage with 00:29:00.579 --> 00:29:01.379 one another's 00:29:01.379 --> 00:29:02.059 families, 00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:03.399 but we 00:29:03.399 --> 00:29:04.539 also share 00:29:04.539 --> 00:29:05.179 and engage 00:29:05.179 --> 00:29:05.480 in one 00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:05.819 another's 00:29:05.819 --> 00:29:06.220 homes and 00:29:06.220 --> 00:29:06.639 possessions. 00:29:08.179 --> 00:29:08.899 You see 00:29:08.899 --> 00:29:09.399 this in the 00:29:09.399 --> 00:29:09.919 book of Acts 00:29:09.919 --> 00:29:10.359 in the early 00:29:10.359 --> 00:29:10.819 church. 00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:13.259 And the 00:29:13.259 --> 00:29:13.579 reason 00:29:13.579 --> 00:29:14.740 Christians in 00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:15.539 Mark 10 00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:16.579 and Luke 00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:17.519 12 are 00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:18.339 free to 00:29:18.339 --> 00:29:19.960 give away 00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:21.539 money when 00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:22.199 needs are 00:29:22.199 --> 00:29:23.379 evident is 00:29:23.379 --> 00:29:24.460 because it 00:29:24.460 --> 00:29:24.879 is an 00:29:24.879 --> 00:29:25.899 assumption in 00:29:25.900 --> 00:29:26.640 those passages 00:29:26.640 --> 00:29:27.600 that they're 00:29:27.600 --> 00:29:28.440 part of a 00:29:28.440 --> 00:29:29.080 community 00:29:29.080 --> 00:29:31.840 that will 00:29:31.840 --> 00:29:32.460 do for 00:29:32.460 --> 00:29:32.920 them as 00:29:32.920 --> 00:29:33.300 they do 00:29:33.300 --> 00:29:33.940 for others. 00:29:35.180 --> 00:29:35.920 That's the 00:29:35.920 --> 00:29:36.860 assumption in 00:29:36.860 --> 00:29:37.500 those passages. 00:29:37.740 --> 00:29:38.180 That's the 00:29:38.180 --> 00:29:38.860 assumption of 00:29:38.860 --> 00:29:39.120 the new 00:29:39.120 --> 00:29:39.620 community. 00:29:41.040 --> 00:29:41.980 We need 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:42.759 to be a 00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:43.280 community 00:29:43.280 --> 00:29:44.440 that is 00:29:44.440 --> 00:29:45.940 so humbled 00:29:45.940 --> 00:29:46.980 our pride 00:29:46.980 --> 00:29:48.380 that we are 00:29:48.380 --> 00:29:48.960 willing to 00:29:48.960 --> 00:29:49.440 let people 00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:49.960 know when 00:29:49.960 --> 00:29:50.500 we've got a 00:29:50.500 --> 00:29:50.840 need. 00:29:52.580 --> 00:29:53.320 And we 00:29:53.320 --> 00:29:53.920 need to be a 00:29:53.920 --> 00:29:54.700 community where 00:29:54.700 --> 00:29:55.360 the grace of 00:29:55.360 --> 00:29:56.380 God has so 00:29:56.380 --> 00:29:57.960 transformed us 00:29:57.960 --> 00:29:59.279 that our 00:29:59.279 --> 00:30:00.299 money sickness 00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:01.860 is disappearing. 00:30:03.480 --> 00:30:04.319 A community 00:30:04.319 --> 00:30:05.019 that gives, 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.759 shares, 00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:06.600 receives. 00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:08.140 We have a 00:30:08.140 --> 00:30:08.660 long way to 00:30:08.660 --> 00:30:09.580 go before we 00:30:09.580 --> 00:30:11.120 really become 00:30:11.120 --> 00:30:11.940 this kind of 00:30:11.940 --> 00:30:12.660 grace-filled 00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:13.460 little flock. 00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:17.240 But the 00:30:17.240 --> 00:30:18.019 point here 00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:19.039 for us 00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:20.600 today is 00:30:20.600 --> 00:30:21.340 get a 00:30:21.340 --> 00:30:22.980 vision for 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:23.980 using your 00:30:23.980 --> 00:30:24.480 wealth. 00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:25.299 with 00:30:25.299 --> 00:30:26.279 eternity in 00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:26.720 mind. 00:30:28.720 --> 00:30:29.740 To be a 00:30:29.740 --> 00:30:30.519 community of 00:30:30.519 --> 00:30:32.720 love and 00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:34.580 sharing in 00:30:34.580 --> 00:30:35.460 such a way 00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:36.900 that we 00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:38.140 reveal that 00:30:38.140 --> 00:30:39.259 Jesus truly 00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:40.120 is our 00:30:40.120 --> 00:30:40.500 greatest 00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:40.920 treasure. 00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:45.720 And the 00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:46.319 solution to 00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:48.759 that is 00:30:48.759 --> 00:30:49.460 keep looking 00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:50.000 to Jesus, 00:30:50.160 --> 00:30:50.620 our great 00:30:50.620 --> 00:30:50.880 treasure. 00:30:50.880 --> 00:30:52.040 love and 00:30:52.040 --> 00:30:52.740 love and 00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:54.700 love and 00:30:54.700 --> 00:30:54.960 love. 00:30:54.960 --> 00:30:55.060 The heavenly 00:30:55.060 --> 00:30:57.420 vision is 00:30:57.420 --> 00:30:58.780 a hymn that 00:30:58.780 --> 00:30:59.180 was written 00:30:59.180 --> 00:31:01.200 in 1922 by 00:31:01.200 --> 00:31:01.960 Helen Lamelle. 00:31:03.080 --> 00:31:03.860 It's more 00:31:03.860 --> 00:31:05.140 widely known by 00:31:05.140 --> 00:31:06.040 the first line 00:31:06.040 --> 00:31:06.980 of its chorus 00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:17.099 and it sums up the thrust of this whole series on wealth in purpose, wealth with purpose. 00:31:18.339 --> 00:31:23.500 Wealth, possessions, money and riches with eternity in mind. 00:31:25.440 --> 00:31:28.019 Turn your eyes upon Jesus. 00:31:28.980 --> 00:31:31.099 Look full in his wonderful face 00:31:31.099 --> 00:31:38.579 and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace. 00:31:41.339 --> 00:31:44.179 One of the things we get to do this morning 00:31:44.179 --> 00:31:47.699 to remind ourselves of God's grace to us in the Lord Jesus 00:31:47.699 --> 00:31:50.779 is to share in the Lord's Supper together. 00:31:51.099 --> 00:31:55.139 I think it's a great way to focus again that Jesus is our greatest treasure. 00:31:56.139 --> 00:31:57.699 We have these two elements. 00:31:58.039 --> 00:31:59.439 Let's see if I can navigate this. 00:31:59.440 --> 00:32:01.440 We have these two elements.