WEBVTT 00:00:00.920 --> 00:00:11.019 Thank you guys for coming here this morning, especially for those who knew that Sean was going to be out and you still came. Thank you. I appreciate that. 00:00:11.560 --> 00:00:21.280 Now I want to tell you, last week I was at my parents' house in West Virginia and my dad had asked me ahead of time if I would preach, which is the first time he's done that. 00:00:21.280 --> 00:00:42.140 And so I actually preached this message last week for them. But as you'll find out from the message, preaching that message in a small town church in West Virginia has a different effect than preaching it in a new young church in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 00:00:42.140 --> 00:00:51.960 But there's still a lot of similarities. There's still a lot of worldly desires that both churches struggle with. 00:00:52.060 --> 00:00:57.060 There's still a lot of things in the world that pull us away from God and those things are the same. 00:00:57.240 --> 00:01:07.780 So when I was preaching to them, I told them that we would be praying for them and I asked them to pray for us because even though we're quite different, we live in worlds that look a lot different. 00:01:07.780 --> 00:01:12.340 We still struggle with the same sin and we still want to follow the same God. 00:01:12.460 --> 00:01:20.460 So we have those things in common. So I think it was encouraging to them and I pray that it's encouraging to you this morning. 00:01:21.700 --> 00:01:30.400 This morning, our passage is taken from Luke chapter 12, chapter 12, verses 13 through 34. 00:01:30.400 --> 00:01:38.100 So I'll start with verse 13. 00:02:00.400 --> 00:02:30.379 Verse 13. 00:02:30.400 --> 00:02:41.740 And he said to his disciples, 00:02:41.740 --> 00:03:11.719 Therefore, 00:03:11.740 --> 00:03:41.600 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink. 00:03:41.740 --> 00:03:42.740 Nor be worried. 00:03:42.740 --> 00:03:48.140 For all the nations of the world seek after these things and your father knows that you need them. 00:03:48.780 --> 00:03:52.420 Instead, seek his kingdom and these things will be added to you. 00:03:52.419 --> 00:04:17.079 Let's pray before we begin. 00:04:17.079 --> 00:04:23.819 Lord, we ask your help as we dig into these verses, this passage. 00:04:23.819 --> 00:04:30.000 Lord, we ask that you would help convict in the areas that need convicting and correcting. 00:04:30.759 --> 00:04:32.920 Lord, we ask that you would pull away distractions. 00:04:33.219 --> 00:04:38.000 We ask that you would just open our hearts and help us to learn. 00:04:38.139 --> 00:04:42.539 Teach us from your word how you would want us to live with what you've given to us. 00:04:42.899 --> 00:04:44.819 Lord, so that we can glorify you. 00:04:44.819 --> 00:04:48.800 So we can live the way that you desire us to live and not ourselves. 00:04:48.800 --> 00:04:51.560 And Lord, we ask these things in your precious and holy name. 00:04:51.920 --> 00:04:52.159 Amen. 00:04:52.160 --> 00:05:00.220 So this morning, the main idea for the message is this. 00:05:00.600 --> 00:05:02.220 Put your treasure in heaven. 00:05:02.439 --> 00:05:03.960 Put your trust in God. 00:05:03.960 --> 00:05:08.100 And you will have everything you need now and for eternity. 00:05:08.100 --> 00:05:16.200 The three points that we'll be talking about this morning are going to be treasure, trust, and the kingdom of God. 00:05:18.860 --> 00:05:27.300 So in this first part of this passage, you'll know that we have a dispute over inheritance. 00:05:27.520 --> 00:05:32.439 Now, I don't know how many people here have been involved with a family dispute over an inheritance. 00:05:32.780 --> 00:05:35.320 There's a lot of young people out there, so I'm guessing not many. 00:05:35.319 --> 00:05:44.000 But you can imagine that with all the emotions and with all this history and the desire to want what's fair, 00:05:44.899 --> 00:05:54.360 that going through dealing with how to disperse an inheritance after someone dies can get a little difficult. 00:05:55.219 --> 00:06:01.620 It's been known to split families up, even cause siblings to not talk to each other for many years. 00:06:01.620 --> 00:06:05.219 And that's what we have about to happen at the beginning of this passage. 00:06:05.319 --> 00:06:07.139 This man comes up to Jesus and says, 00:06:07.740 --> 00:06:12.959 I want you to intervene and tell my brother to give me what is owed me for my inheritance. 00:06:13.639 --> 00:06:18.980 Now, we don't find out whether or not what he's asking for is fair. 00:06:19.139 --> 00:06:21.180 He just wants Jesus to get it for him. 00:06:22.319 --> 00:06:28.300 And we also see that it isn't that Jesus doesn't care about what this man is getting or not getting. 00:06:28.300 --> 00:06:33.300 But Jesus doesn't want to get pulled down into the details of what's taking place. 00:06:33.939 --> 00:06:40.240 He is concerned, however, about a larger issue that's going on, and he wants to warn those around him. 00:06:40.560 --> 00:06:43.420 So he tells the man, who am I to judge you? 00:06:44.180 --> 00:06:47.620 Which is rather ironic coming from Jesus, the King of Kings. 00:06:47.980 --> 00:06:51.480 But again, he doesn't want to, at this time, he's not here to judge. 00:06:51.480 --> 00:06:53.580 He doesn't want to get involved with the details. 00:06:53.780 --> 00:06:56.259 But he wants to say an important thing. 00:06:56.680 --> 00:06:58.060 And that's what we're going to get into. 00:06:59.220 --> 00:07:04.180 Now, I will warn you that the first part of this message, the first point, is the longest of the three. 00:07:04.700 --> 00:07:05.840 It's also the heaviest. 00:07:05.839 --> 00:07:12.219 So depending on where you are in life, what your possessions look like, you may struggle a little bit more. 00:07:12.279 --> 00:07:14.699 It might be a little heavy for you. 00:07:15.459 --> 00:07:21.879 But the reason for this is because there's a seriousness and a weight that Jesus is bringing to this passage. 00:07:22.319 --> 00:07:26.919 And so he wants us to feel the dangers that can come from what he's going to warn us about. 00:07:27.719 --> 00:07:29.399 But it will lighten up. 00:07:30.019 --> 00:07:31.419 There is comfort in the end. 00:07:31.420 --> 00:07:38.100 But my prayer is that you will be corrected in those areas where Jesus wants to correct you. 00:07:39.000 --> 00:07:46.240 But you will be comforted by the promises and the blessings that we have from being children of God this morning. 00:07:46.400 --> 00:07:47.639 So that's my prayer for you. 00:07:48.060 --> 00:07:52.240 And it was my prayer for you this week as I was going over this, 00:07:52.400 --> 00:07:57.180 knowing that we live in an area that is very much about stuff. 00:07:57.180 --> 00:08:01.660 It's very much about education and degrees and money and possessions. 00:08:01.939 --> 00:08:10.939 And so it's easier for us, especially for young people who are just at the point of their lives where they're getting into this new area. 00:08:11.060 --> 00:08:14.899 Maybe you're just ending school or just getting into school or starting a new job. 00:08:15.519 --> 00:08:18.000 These are some things that you're going to have to wrestle with. 00:08:18.040 --> 00:08:20.000 And Jesus wants to warn you about them. 00:08:21.040 --> 00:08:24.259 So the first part of our passage this morning deals with treasure. 00:08:24.259 --> 00:08:26.000 Where is your treasure? 00:08:27.219 --> 00:08:30.839 And are you desiring to be rich on earth or rich toward God? 00:08:30.980 --> 00:08:32.580 Let's take a look at verse 15. 00:08:34.259 --> 00:08:40.039 And Jesus, he, Jesus, said to them, notice he turns from the man and turns to the crowd to say this. 00:08:40.100 --> 00:08:44.340 He says, take care and be on your guard against all covetousness. 00:08:44.580 --> 00:08:48.759 For one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. 00:08:48.759 --> 00:08:57.240 A person's life does not consist, that is, is not made up of the abundance of his possessions. 00:08:58.819 --> 00:09:07.659 Now, it can also, as you read this, it also means that not just for those who have an abundance of possessions, 00:09:07.799 --> 00:09:10.819 but those who have possessions, whether a lot or a little. 00:09:10.820 --> 00:09:17.340 So the important point here is that this is not a parable for rich people only. 00:09:17.920 --> 00:09:23.460 It's a parable about a rich man, but it's a parable for the rich and the poor and anyone in between. 00:09:23.460 --> 00:09:36.900 Jesus wants us to know that our life is not defined by, cannot be preserved or protected by our stuff, our possessions, our wealth. 00:09:37.139 --> 00:09:42.280 They don't define us, they can't save us, whether physically or spiritually. 00:09:42.540 --> 00:09:44.820 That control belongs to God alone. 00:09:44.820 --> 00:09:56.020 Just as a point to that, in case anyone wrestles with that, how many people here decided what country they would be born in, 00:09:56.300 --> 00:09:58.200 whether America or someone else? 00:09:58.500 --> 00:10:00.820 Raise your hand if that was a decision you made yourself. 00:10:02.480 --> 00:10:03.420 No one was. 00:10:03.860 --> 00:10:10.660 How about, for those Christians here this morning, how many of you chose your salvation without any help from God? 00:10:12.120 --> 00:10:13.540 Again, none of us. 00:10:13.539 --> 00:10:23.639 That means that God controlled both our physical and our spiritual places of birth, where they were going to start out. 00:10:23.679 --> 00:10:25.539 We didn't have any control over that. 00:10:27.819 --> 00:10:30.000 We know who's in control, and that's God. 00:10:30.759 --> 00:10:34.519 And that's why Jesus says that one's life doesn't consist in our things. 00:10:35.419 --> 00:10:38.799 He tells us, just before this in verse 15, 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:42.039 take care and be on your guard against covetousness. 00:10:42.039 --> 00:10:49.939 Now, the ESV, if that's the Bible you're looking at, to me, take care sounds a little soft in its translation. 00:10:50.099 --> 00:10:50.819 We get the idea. 00:10:51.279 --> 00:10:51.779 Take care. 00:10:51.899 --> 00:10:53.319 Don't fall in that hole. 00:10:53.719 --> 00:10:55.379 It's kind of a nice way to say it. 00:10:56.019 --> 00:11:03.339 But don't let those words take you away from the severity of what's being warned about. 00:11:03.539 --> 00:11:04.819 Other translations say, 00:11:04.820 --> 00:11:08.200 Beware and watch out for greed. 00:11:09.200 --> 00:11:09.680 Why? 00:11:09.840 --> 00:11:12.140 Because covetousness and greed is real. 00:11:12.440 --> 00:11:14.000 It's real, and it's a sin. 00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:20.860 1 Timothy 6, 9. 00:11:20.860 --> 00:11:31.279 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 00:11:31.539 --> 00:11:32.679 That sounds serious. 00:11:32.820 --> 00:11:33.379 It is serious. 00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:36.740 It's serious enough that it's one of the Ten Commandments, as you know. 00:11:36.740 --> 00:11:38.700 So, Exodus 20, 17. 00:11:39.820 --> 00:11:41.340 You shall not covet your neighbor's house. 00:11:41.799 --> 00:11:49.680 You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's. 00:11:50.519 --> 00:11:52.740 Now, we know this, and we know what covetousness means. 00:11:52.840 --> 00:11:58.120 But sometimes I think the age in this verse can kind of lighten what's being said. 00:11:58.879 --> 00:11:59.180 Okay? 00:11:59.179 --> 00:12:05.399 Because I don't know anyone who has a donkey anymore, and if they did, I wouldn't covet it. 00:12:05.639 --> 00:12:11.339 So, change those words for something that is more fitting for you in the life that you lead. 00:12:13.219 --> 00:12:18.259 You shall not covet your neighbor's house, your neighbor's car, or anything that they own. 00:12:18.819 --> 00:12:21.899 You can change the pronoun so that it relates to you. 00:12:22.399 --> 00:12:27.419 Men don't covet someone else's woman, and ladies don't covet someone else's man. 00:12:29.179 --> 00:12:37.139 Okay, but we're not going to stop there, because it's not just anything that they have, as in physical things, 00:12:37.159 --> 00:12:40.839 but it's anything that they have, as far as what God has given to them. 00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:47.659 So, with that can come popularity, job status, intellect, their retirement, their health. 00:12:48.379 --> 00:12:51.199 These are all things that we can look at and say, I wish I had that. 00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:53.779 Why can't that be in my life, God? 00:12:53.779 --> 00:13:00.120 God, if he wanted it for you, if he thought it was best for you, he would have given it to you. 00:13:02.860 --> 00:13:07.860 Now, in saying that if he wanted it for you, he would give it to you, 00:13:08.279 --> 00:13:12.579 I also want to say that there are things that are in our life that are brought about, 00:13:12.659 --> 00:13:16.299 not because God gave it to you, but because you chose to go out and get it. 00:13:16.299 --> 00:13:25.559 So, sometimes, living in this United States where debt is so easy to get into, 00:13:25.839 --> 00:13:30.240 we can get things that we want, even though God didn't want us to have those. 00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:35.599 So, we get them, but with it becomes a hardship God didn't intend for us to have. 00:13:36.759 --> 00:13:38.299 He lets us make decisions. 00:13:39.159 --> 00:13:43.679 We have that freedom, but with bad decisions come bad results. 00:13:43.679 --> 00:13:52.699 We also know that we can make other bad decisions, not just about stuff that will affect our life. 00:13:53.439 --> 00:14:03.059 I'm thinking of sometimes we want to pursue or date someone who is not wise for us as Christians to pursue, 00:14:03.219 --> 00:14:08.599 and yet we want to do it anyway, and with that comes hardships and trials, 00:14:09.259 --> 00:14:13.159 because we decided to make a decision that we knew wasn't wise. 00:14:14.539 --> 00:14:15.479 Those happen. 00:14:16.199 --> 00:14:20.179 That's not what I'm talking about when I say God gives you things in your life. 00:14:20.299 --> 00:14:24.239 He does give you those things, but some of the bad ones we choose for ourselves. 00:14:26.559 --> 00:14:28.359 Why is covetousness a sin? 00:14:29.019 --> 00:14:32.219 Why does the Bible give such a strong warning against it? 00:14:32.979 --> 00:14:40.099 The reason is because with covetousness and greed comes the desire for something else. 00:14:40.100 --> 00:14:45.980 It's a, I'm not happy with what God has given me, so I need that. 00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:50.139 Or, I almost have what I need in Christ, but... 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:53.000 And then you fill in the blank with something else. 00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:58.620 God is no longer all that we need. 00:14:58.740 --> 00:15:00.019 We look at that other thing. 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:02.860 I wish I had that thing, or I wish I was like them. 00:15:03.080 --> 00:15:05.700 I wish my life was easier by doing this. 00:15:06.519 --> 00:15:10.240 And so that starts to grow, and we become discontented. 00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:17.340 And that discontentment causes us to lose our joy and our happiness in Christ. 00:15:19.580 --> 00:15:23.480 Besides pulling away from God, it also pulls us away from other people. 00:15:23.980 --> 00:15:28.480 It's difficult to be thoughtful and loving toward other people 00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:32.159 if we're more busy about thinking what we want to get for ourselves. 00:15:32.159 --> 00:15:35.959 So it pulls us away from God, and it pulls us away from other people. 00:15:36.299 --> 00:15:40.959 Let's take a look at the parable that Jesus gives about this warning on covetousness. 00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:43.839 It says in verse 16, 00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:47.699 The land of a rich man produced plentifully. 00:15:47.939 --> 00:15:51.079 So the man was rich, and his land was plentiful. 00:15:51.439 --> 00:15:53.699 So he had a double blessing going on there. 00:15:54.439 --> 00:15:57.860 In verse 17, the rich man thinks about it and says to himself, 00:15:58.600 --> 00:16:00.179 Where shall I store all my wealth? 00:16:00.179 --> 00:16:01.859 And he says in verse 18, 00:16:01.939 --> 00:16:05.359 I know, I'll tear down the barns that I have, and I'll build bigger ones. 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:07.500 That's where I can put all my stuff. 00:16:08.299 --> 00:16:12.059 Then in verse 19, he congratulates himself like he's done such a good job. 00:16:12.899 --> 00:16:13.239 He says, 00:16:13.319 --> 00:16:14.439 So you rock. 00:16:14.959 --> 00:16:17.919 You have enough food saved up for many years. 00:16:18.039 --> 00:16:20.479 Now take it easy, kick back, and relax. 00:16:22.159 --> 00:16:27.939 His ultimate treasure was to be able to take it easy and retire and live a life of ease. 00:16:27.939 --> 00:16:30.159 His riches made that possible. 00:16:30.179 --> 00:16:32.359 Sounds nice. 00:16:32.459 --> 00:16:33.120 It sounds easy. 00:16:33.799 --> 00:16:36.479 Sounds like a nice retirement and a lot of fun. 00:16:36.739 --> 00:16:39.339 Sounds like the typical American retirement dream. 00:16:40.279 --> 00:16:44.000 But that's not what God wants out of our lives. 00:16:46.079 --> 00:16:53.919 Because the trust, because our heart is on our things and not on God. 00:16:53.919 --> 00:16:58.919 Then we get to verse 20, and we find out what his end really looks like. 00:16:58.979 --> 00:16:59.740 God says to him, 00:16:59.799 --> 00:17:06.680 Fool, this night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be? 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:17.140 In the Old Testament, when the word fool was used, it meant someone who either acts without God or without wisdom about potential destruction. 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:18.580 That's a fool. 00:17:19.840 --> 00:17:24.779 Let me first say, there's nothing wrong with being a farmer who is prosperous. 00:17:24.779 --> 00:17:33.700 There's nothing wrong with anyone in any occupation, assuming that it's lawful, being prosperous and doing well. 00:17:33.899 --> 00:17:37.579 Those are signs of God's favor and blessing on that person. 00:17:38.180 --> 00:17:38.960 Those aren't wrong. 00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:41.519 So what did the man here in this parable do wrong? 00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:44.400 He was rich and had good land, in verse 16. 00:17:45.360 --> 00:17:46.900 But did he thank God for it? 00:17:47.640 --> 00:17:49.240 No, there's no mention of God. 00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:56.240 Verse 17, did he ask God what he should do when he continued to get more things? 00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:56.880 No. 00:17:57.319 --> 00:18:00.420 He made his own plans to gain and store up more riches. 00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:05.400 And with all those increasing riches, did he still acknowledge God at all? 00:18:05.400 --> 00:18:08.539 Did he even think to help anyone other than himself? 00:18:08.960 --> 00:18:09.900 He did not. 00:18:10.880 --> 00:18:18.340 The man's problem was that he lived a selfish and godless life, storing up things only for himself and not for God. 00:18:18.720 --> 00:18:27.420 All his security and trust was in his things, in his money and his possessions, as if anything of it was in his control. 00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:30.059 So what happened? 00:18:31.100 --> 00:18:32.579 God calls him a fool. 00:18:33.539 --> 00:18:37.259 Actually, if you look into it a little bit, he actually calls him a damned fool. 00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:41.079 He says, tonight you're going to lose your soul. 00:18:41.660 --> 00:18:45.160 In other words, you're going to die and all your riches are going to be someone else's. 00:18:47.299 --> 00:18:52.620 If you're not a Christian this morning, I would urge you to seek God today. 00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:55.140 Come and see me after the service. 00:18:55.140 --> 00:18:57.840 Come speak with a number of people here. 00:18:59.520 --> 00:19:00.920 John 3.16 says, 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:04.259 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son. 00:19:04.560 --> 00:19:04.880 Why? 00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:09.320 That whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 00:19:10.020 --> 00:19:17.540 Like this man, when we reach the end of our lives, and most likely it'll be at a time where we're not expecting it. 00:19:17.539 --> 00:19:23.859 We don't want God to say to us, you're a damn fool. 00:19:25.680 --> 00:19:28.659 You're damned because I never knew you as my child. 00:19:29.879 --> 00:19:33.220 And you're a fool because all your life was for yourself. 00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:41.759 Now, if you're a Christian this morning, when you die, God's not going to say that you're damned, 00:19:41.860 --> 00:19:43.940 but he can look at you and say, you're a fool. 00:19:44.360 --> 00:19:48.980 All that I gave you, all that you were blessed with, all these people in need, 00:19:49.539 --> 00:19:52.960 all these opportunities to serve me, and you lived for yourself. 00:19:52.960 --> 00:20:00.100 So, how do we avoid being the fool? 00:20:01.600 --> 00:20:03.480 Verse 21, Jesus says, 00:20:03.600 --> 00:20:08.420 The fool is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God. 00:20:08.600 --> 00:20:17.420 So, if we want to avoid being a fool, then we lay up treasure in heaven and we're rich toward God. 00:20:18.100 --> 00:20:19.039 Okay, what does that mean? 00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:21.400 What does it mean to be rich toward God? 00:20:22.960 --> 00:20:25.460 It's when our riches are not aimed at ourselves. 00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:29.240 It's when our riches are aimed towards God's work. 00:20:29.600 --> 00:20:33.819 Our time, our money, our resources are used for what God wants to do. 00:20:34.140 --> 00:20:36.200 It's caring for and loving for other people. 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:45.259 It's taking the earthly riches that we have and showing the world that they're not valuable to us. 00:20:45.340 --> 00:20:47.779 They're valuable for God and his kingdom work. 00:20:48.259 --> 00:20:50.120 We don't need the things of this world. 00:20:50.119 --> 00:20:57.979 Do you make much of your talents and earthly things, or do you make much of God and store up treasure in heaven? 00:20:59.079 --> 00:21:00.819 Are you generous with time and money? 00:21:01.299 --> 00:21:02.659 Do you help people in need? 00:21:02.739 --> 00:21:05.839 Do you care about the church, its people, the spread of the gospel? 00:21:07.659 --> 00:21:11.500 Now, I know that we all are different in different ways. 00:21:11.500 --> 00:21:13.579 We have different skills. 00:21:13.900 --> 00:21:15.599 We live out different schedules. 00:21:16.299 --> 00:21:19.579 We have different jobs and responsibilities. 00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:25.279 So how we store up heavenly treasure is going to look different person to person. 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:30.259 So some people might say, well, what does that look like for me to store up treasure in heaven? 00:21:30.940 --> 00:21:34.420 For the details of that, you're going to have to take that with God. 00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:36.839 That's a God question between you and God. 00:21:37.359 --> 00:21:42.200 God, of the things that you give me, how am I using them for your work? 00:21:42.839 --> 00:21:46.279 Am I selfish in any way with the things that I have? 00:21:46.279 --> 00:21:49.059 What am I being a fool about? 00:21:50.359 --> 00:21:54.799 If I give you a list of those things, it's not going to be helpful. 00:21:54.940 --> 00:21:58.899 You're just going to go by the list and not by the heart. 00:22:02.619 --> 00:22:03.980 So where is your treasure? 00:22:05.099 --> 00:22:06.619 And what is your heart settling? 00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:08.899 That's our first section this morning. 00:22:08.900 --> 00:22:11.820 The first section deals with our trust. 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:17.860 Verse 22 in this section. 00:22:18.820 --> 00:22:21.040 After the parable, Jesus says to his disciples, 00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:27.720 Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will put on. 00:22:28.320 --> 00:22:29.080 Verse 23. 00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:33.259 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 00:22:34.860 --> 00:22:38.180 Jesus tells us not to be anxious or worry about food or clothing. 00:22:38.900 --> 00:22:43.840 And then he gives us a connection back to verse 15. 00:22:44.460 --> 00:22:46.440 Look at the second half of verse 15. 00:22:46.620 --> 00:22:47.019 It says, 00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:51.140 One's life does not consist in the abundance of his possession. 00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:53.920 Your life is not in your stuff. 00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:56.580 It is about bigger things than food or clothing. 00:22:58.120 --> 00:23:02.060 And Jesus says not to be anxious or worry about those things. 00:23:02.060 --> 00:23:07.140 Those things that we can get consumed about and think that our life is in, 00:23:07.140 --> 00:23:10.200 And Jesus wants us not to be worried about those things. 00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:16.800 In verse 24, Jesus gives us an example from nature of why we shouldn't worry. 00:23:17.600 --> 00:23:18.000 He says, 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:31.160 Now, I'm a science and nature guy. 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:34.900 So, as I come across this verse, 00:23:36.320 --> 00:23:37.220 I couldn't help but wonder, 00:23:37.340 --> 00:23:43.580 Why did Jesus, for this story, choose to say or use ravens as an example? 00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:46.960 If we look back in verse 6 of this chapter, 00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:48.880 We see that Jesus says, 00:23:49.040 --> 00:23:51.660 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies, 00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:53.900 And not one of them is forgotten by God? 00:23:53.900 --> 00:23:57.340 He could have used sparrows again, right? 00:23:57.420 --> 00:23:58.240 But he didn't. 00:23:59.259 --> 00:24:01.580 Did he just change it up for something different? 00:24:02.700 --> 00:24:04.180 Or, and this was my thought, 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:08.120 Did Jesus, the Son of God, creator of all animals, 00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:13.360 Have a reason for putting ravens in this section or not? 00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:16.060 Now, obviously, we could read past it, 00:24:16.160 --> 00:24:17.820 And there's nothing there for us, 00:24:17.840 --> 00:24:19.080 And we still get the point. 00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:21.740 But I couldn't help but not dig in a little bit, 00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:25.000 So luckily, you get to go with me on our little excursion 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:28.559 As to why Jesus says ravens here and not something else. 00:24:29.679 --> 00:24:31.980 If you don't know what a raven is, 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:33.359 It's similar to a crow. 00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:34.579 It's a large blackbird. 00:24:34.679 --> 00:24:36.159 It's a little bit larger than a crow. 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:39.740 And they're pretty common over all areas of the world. 00:24:41.659 --> 00:24:43.519 They're a predatory bird 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:47.419 That, in addition to that, 00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:50.720 Across many people and cultures, 00:24:50.860 --> 00:24:51.720 Even in the movies, 00:24:52.360 --> 00:24:54.500 They have association with death. 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:56.480 When you think of a raven. 00:24:57.019 --> 00:25:00.740 Which makes sense because ravens seek after death. 00:25:00.840 --> 00:25:01.640 They're carnivores. 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:02.640 They eat meat. 00:25:03.800 --> 00:25:07.660 So their diet comes from eating the remains of other animals. 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:09.320 They're greedy. 00:25:09.560 --> 00:25:10.120 They're restless. 00:25:10.680 --> 00:25:13.279 They're also highly intelligent birds. 00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:16.180 So what happens is, 00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:18.240 When a large hunting animal, 00:25:18.339 --> 00:25:21.019 Like a lion or a wolf, 00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:22.139 Kills its prey, 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:24.899 A raven has this uncanny ability 00:25:24.899 --> 00:25:26.700 To know about it very fast, 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:29.259 And he moves in to steal some of the food. 00:25:30.160 --> 00:25:30.879 Now a lion, 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:31.559 As you know, 00:25:31.599 --> 00:25:32.879 A lion has to act quickly 00:25:32.879 --> 00:25:34.039 When he's getting his food, 00:25:34.119 --> 00:25:34.920 Because shortly, 00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:36.539 The hyenas are going to come, 00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:38.240 And he's going to have to share it with them. 00:25:38.940 --> 00:25:40.720 So the raven takes advantage of this, 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:42.839 And moves in fast to get what he wants. 00:25:44.059 --> 00:25:45.279 It's also been known, 00:25:45.680 --> 00:25:49.940 That ravens will fly up behind a hawk, 00:25:50.120 --> 00:25:51.900 And pull their tail feather out, 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:52.680 While they're flying, 00:25:52.839 --> 00:25:55.220 So that they'll drop the food that are in their talons. 00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:58.620 So they take advantage of the opportunity. 00:25:58.920 --> 00:25:59.680 They're greedy. 00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:01.440 They're restless. 00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:03.960 They're slick and sly. 00:26:04.599 --> 00:26:06.319 Okay, so what about ravens in the Bible? 00:26:06.319 --> 00:26:09.240 If we look back to the Mosaic Law, 00:26:09.899 --> 00:26:11.439 Jews were allowed to eat birds, 00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:13.399 That were considered clean. 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:15.700 That is anything that fed on grains. 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:18.659 So doves and sparrows fell into that category. 00:26:19.700 --> 00:26:21.899 However, birds that ate other flesh, 00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:24.279 And other blood from other animals, 00:26:24.419 --> 00:26:25.500 Were considered unclean. 00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:26.259 That makes sense. 00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:28.759 This category includes hawks, 00:26:29.319 --> 00:26:29.919 And vultures, 00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:31.460 And of course ravens. 00:26:31.460 --> 00:26:36.620 So we see that there's something unclean about a raven. 00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:39.720 There's something greedy about a raven. 00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:41.579 What else do we see? 00:26:42.120 --> 00:26:45.680 I notice something interesting from the story of Noah. 00:26:46.940 --> 00:26:48.700 If we look back at, 00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:49.779 I don't have it here. 00:26:50.140 --> 00:26:52.519 If we look back at Genesis 8, 6 and 7, 00:26:52.600 --> 00:26:53.079 It says, 00:26:53.079 --> 00:26:55.159 At the end of 40 days, 00:26:55.259 --> 00:26:56.839 Noah opened the window of the ark, 00:26:57.119 --> 00:26:58.439 That he had made, 00:26:58.519 --> 00:26:59.679 And sent forth a what? 00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:00.399 A raven. 00:27:00.839 --> 00:27:02.000 Why did he send forth a raven? 00:27:02.359 --> 00:27:03.500 It went to and fro, 00:27:03.579 --> 00:27:05.599 Until the waters were dried up upon the earth. 00:27:06.939 --> 00:27:08.460 The thing to notice is, 00:27:08.519 --> 00:27:09.960 He sent out a raven first, 00:27:10.039 --> 00:27:11.099 Because the raven, 00:27:12.099 --> 00:27:14.399 Is going to ravishly, 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:15.059 Very, 00:27:15.599 --> 00:27:17.740 With all of its being, 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:20.599 Find something to eat. 00:27:20.599 --> 00:27:24.859 He's not as soft and loving as a dove. 00:27:25.319 --> 00:27:26.259 He's going to go after it. 00:27:26.279 --> 00:27:27.480 The other thing to note is, 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:30.599 The raven wasn't allowed back into the ark, 00:27:30.659 --> 00:27:32.179 When Noah let it out. 00:27:32.279 --> 00:27:33.599 Because it was unclean, 00:27:34.059 --> 00:27:35.059 If it came back, 00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:36.819 It would have to stay on the top of the ark, 00:27:36.859 --> 00:27:38.059 And not be allowed in. 00:27:38.500 --> 00:27:38.799 Which, 00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:40.659 As we read from this same story, 00:27:40.980 --> 00:27:42.359 The dove was allowed back in, 00:27:42.399 --> 00:27:43.419 But the raven was not. 00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:45.019 So the raven was used to see, 00:27:45.139 --> 00:27:47.099 When there was land available, 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:49.119 And what was available out there. 00:27:49.119 --> 00:27:52.019 So we come back to, 00:27:52.359 --> 00:27:54.399 Why Jesus chose a raven, 00:27:54.639 --> 00:27:55.479 In this example. 00:27:56.979 --> 00:27:57.739 I think it's interesting, 00:27:57.879 --> 00:27:59.879 That following his warning, 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:02.699 And the parable about greed, 00:28:03.459 --> 00:28:05.000 He chose to use a bird, 00:28:05.559 --> 00:28:06.819 That's very greedy. 00:28:07.179 --> 00:28:08.439 It's all about himself. 00:28:09.959 --> 00:28:12.639 Very cunning in his craftiness, 00:28:12.799 --> 00:28:14.419 And greedy people are like that. 00:28:14.420 --> 00:28:17.000 Going after something you want, 00:28:17.380 --> 00:28:19.600 Causes those same tendencies, 00:28:19.820 --> 00:28:20.380 And reactions. 00:28:22.060 --> 00:28:22.660 In the verses, 00:28:22.840 --> 00:28:23.500 Jesus finally, 00:28:24.800 --> 00:28:26.960 Where Jesus actually uses the raven, 00:28:27.220 --> 00:28:28.420 After this parable, 00:28:28.920 --> 00:28:30.000 Is when he's talking about, 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:31.600 How God takes care of us. 00:28:31.820 --> 00:28:32.700 So here, 00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:35.259 Even the birds that are unclean, 00:28:35.340 --> 00:28:36.300 And unfit, 00:28:36.360 --> 00:28:37.660 For human consumption, 00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:39.740 God takes care of. 00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:42.099 These greedy, 00:28:42.299 --> 00:28:42.680 Selfish, 00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:43.980 Unattractive birds, 00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:46.759 Yet they're part of God's creation, 00:28:46.920 --> 00:28:47.880 He loves them enough, 00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:48.900 To feed them. 00:28:49.539 --> 00:28:50.259 And then he says, 00:28:50.900 --> 00:28:52.380 Of how much more value, 00:28:52.380 --> 00:28:54.140 Are you than birds? 00:28:54.660 --> 00:28:56.240 And speaking of these ravens. 00:28:57.339 --> 00:28:58.720 So I think there's a lot, 00:28:58.819 --> 00:29:01.279 In why Jesus chose those birds, 00:29:01.339 --> 00:29:03.539 So that we would be more comforted, 00:29:03.819 --> 00:29:04.740 By not worrying, 00:29:05.380 --> 00:29:06.279 About what he says, 00:29:06.299 --> 00:29:07.079 He's going to provide. 00:29:07.079 --> 00:29:11.019 In verses 25 and 26, 00:29:11.559 --> 00:29:13.159 Jesus gives us another example, 00:29:13.419 --> 00:29:14.599 For why we shouldn't be anxious. 00:29:15.899 --> 00:29:16.699 This time, 00:29:16.899 --> 00:29:18.859 He uses something in our own life, 00:29:19.199 --> 00:29:20.740 Something that we can't control. 00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:21.919 He says, 00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:23.240 And which of you, 00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:24.179 By being anxious, 00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:25.559 Can add a single hour, 00:29:25.799 --> 00:29:27.019 To his span of life? 00:29:27.779 --> 00:29:28.240 If then, 00:29:28.299 --> 00:29:29.139 If you can't do, 00:29:29.460 --> 00:29:30.720 As small a thing as this, 00:29:31.179 --> 00:29:32.879 Why are you anxious about the rest? 00:29:34.379 --> 00:29:35.299 It's interesting, 00:29:35.299 --> 00:29:36.699 That the average lifespan, 00:29:37.079 --> 00:29:40.019 Of a person living in the U.S., 00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:42.960 692,500 hours. 00:29:45.619 --> 00:29:47.240 And by worrying, 00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:49.539 You can't add one, 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:50.779 To that number. 00:29:53.019 --> 00:29:54.839 Now we can try to live healthier, 00:29:55.439 --> 00:29:58.019 And make us get more of those, 00:29:58.139 --> 00:29:58.259 Sure, 00:29:58.339 --> 00:29:59.659 But that's not guaranteed to us. 00:29:59.679 --> 00:30:01.720 Who controls the hours that we live, 00:30:02.039 --> 00:30:03.039 Is God alone. 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:06.720 He says, 00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:07.480 So why, 00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:08.980 If you can't add one, 00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:11.000 To that very large number, 00:30:11.579 --> 00:30:13.879 Why do you worry about everything else? 00:30:15.339 --> 00:30:17.319 In verses 27 and 28, 00:30:17.799 --> 00:30:19.259 Jesus gives us some more examples, 00:30:19.480 --> 00:30:20.039 From a creation. 00:30:20.039 --> 00:30:20.859 First he says, 00:30:20.859 --> 00:30:21.700 Look at the lilies, 00:30:22.099 --> 00:30:23.039 See how they grow. 00:30:23.920 --> 00:30:24.859 They don't do anything. 00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:25.420 I couldn't help, 00:30:25.440 --> 00:30:27.039 But think we have a small garden, 00:30:27.259 --> 00:30:29.019 On our patio behind our house, 00:30:29.059 --> 00:30:30.639 And we planted some wildflowers, 00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:33.460 And we put them in the ground, 00:30:33.599 --> 00:30:35.619 And we give them water when it's dry, 00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.319 And they grow. 00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:37.680 They don't do anything. 00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:39.599 They don't have to work. 00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:41.399 They just grow, 00:30:41.400 --> 00:30:42.900 Because that's what God made them to do. 00:30:43.320 --> 00:30:44.440 And yet they're beautiful. 00:30:47.360 --> 00:30:48.100 Jesus says, 00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:48.759 They don't work. 00:30:48.860 --> 00:30:49.640 They don't do anything. 00:30:49.880 --> 00:30:51.120 And yet they are more beautiful, 00:30:51.280 --> 00:30:52.360 Than Solomon was, 00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:53.780 In all of his glory. 00:30:54.820 --> 00:30:55.500 Verse 28, 00:30:56.660 --> 00:31:00.780 But as God so clothes the grass, 00:31:00.820 --> 00:31:02.259 Which is alive in the field today, 00:31:02.340 --> 00:31:04.019 And tomorrow is thrown in the oven, 00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:05.920 How much more will he clothe you, 00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:06.740 With little faith? 00:31:07.440 --> 00:31:08.320 Now it helps here, 00:31:08.340 --> 00:31:09.720 To have a little bit of context, 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:11.319 Because you first read that, 00:31:11.380 --> 00:31:11.559 And go, 00:31:11.640 --> 00:31:13.339 Why is the grass in the field? 00:31:13.779 --> 00:31:15.900 And then why is it thrown into the oven, 00:31:16.019 --> 00:31:16.700 The next day? 00:31:17.140 --> 00:31:18.059 So it's helpful to know, 00:31:18.120 --> 00:31:19.660 That in Palestine, 00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:21.740 At this time, 00:31:22.140 --> 00:31:23.279 Wood was very scarce. 00:31:23.680 --> 00:31:24.720 So it was often, 00:31:25.279 --> 00:31:27.400 The case that dry grass, 00:31:27.860 --> 00:31:29.460 Or grass was cut down, 00:31:29.620 --> 00:31:30.059 Dried, 00:31:30.059 --> 00:31:31.960 And then burned for fuel. 00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:33.559 So it makes more sense, 00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:35.019 To hear that grass, 00:31:35.900 --> 00:31:37.339 As quick as it light, 00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:38.960 Its life comes and goes, 00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:41.440 God still cares about it. 00:31:43.319 --> 00:31:44.759 So the point Jesus is making, 00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:46.920 Is that God takes care of lilies, 00:31:46.920 --> 00:31:47.579 And grass. 00:31:47.819 --> 00:31:48.819 And if he's going to do that, 00:31:48.880 --> 00:31:50.819 How much more is he going to take care of you? 00:31:53.079 --> 00:31:54.160 So what is the point, 00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:56.380 Where are we going with all this? 00:31:57.460 --> 00:31:58.299 We're getting there. 00:31:58.339 --> 00:31:58.980 Verse 29, 00:31:59.500 --> 00:32:00.980 And seek not what you should eat, 00:32:01.019 --> 00:32:01.960 Or what you should drink, 00:32:02.059 --> 00:32:04.059 Neither be of doubtful mind. 00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:06.319 Jesus isn't saying, 00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:07.839 That you should go without eating, 00:32:08.039 --> 00:32:09.679 You should go without food, 00:32:09.779 --> 00:32:10.299 Or water. 00:32:10.980 --> 00:32:11.599 He's not saying, 00:32:11.720 --> 00:32:12.460 That you shouldn't work, 00:32:12.519 --> 00:32:13.720 And provide for yourself. 00:32:14.359 --> 00:32:15.379 But he is saying, 00:32:15.440 --> 00:32:16.200 Not to worry, 00:32:16.359 --> 00:32:18.240 Not to continually seek after, 00:32:18.440 --> 00:32:19.700 What you're going to eat, 00:32:20.099 --> 00:32:21.099 What you're going to wear, 00:32:21.220 --> 00:32:22.259 What are you going to do? 00:32:24.839 --> 00:32:26.279 What if I don't have enough, 00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:27.139 For my needs? 00:32:27.319 --> 00:32:27.859 God says, 00:32:27.919 --> 00:32:28.899 Don't worry about it. 00:32:28.900 --> 00:32:31.380 Why does he say that? 00:32:31.500 --> 00:32:32.540 It seems like something, 00:32:32.700 --> 00:32:33.840 We should worry about, 00:32:34.000 --> 00:32:34.860 At times. 00:32:35.640 --> 00:32:36.940 He tells us in verse 30, 00:32:37.040 --> 00:32:38.900 Because all the nations of the world, 00:32:39.420 --> 00:32:40.780 Seek after these things. 00:32:41.920 --> 00:32:43.400 And your father knows, 00:32:43.500 --> 00:32:44.620 That you need them. 00:32:46.620 --> 00:32:48.300 You're loved more than birds, 00:32:48.420 --> 00:32:49.280 More than flowers, 00:32:49.460 --> 00:32:50.580 More than grass. 00:32:51.720 --> 00:32:53.360 And he sees your need, 00:32:53.420 --> 00:32:54.700 And he's going to take care of you. 00:32:56.280 --> 00:32:58.300 Don't seek after the things of this world. 00:32:58.299 --> 00:32:59.379 Verse 31, 00:32:59.619 --> 00:32:59.919 Instead, 00:33:00.419 --> 00:33:01.240 Seek his kingdom, 00:33:01.480 --> 00:33:02.500 And these things, 00:33:02.740 --> 00:33:04.079 Speaking of the food, 00:33:04.200 --> 00:33:05.759 And everything else that we worry about, 00:33:06.460 --> 00:33:08.319 The thing that everyone else worries about, 00:33:08.759 --> 00:33:10.000 Those will be added to you. 00:33:10.899 --> 00:33:12.899 Seek the kingdom first. 00:33:14.119 --> 00:33:15.639 Don't worry about things, 00:33:15.639 --> 00:33:16.799 That you can't control. 00:33:18.680 --> 00:33:20.460 Is worrying about something, 00:33:20.539 --> 00:33:21.519 God has promised you, 00:33:21.619 --> 00:33:23.159 Something that you struggle with? 00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:25.240 And if so, 00:33:25.379 --> 00:33:26.740 I would urge you, 00:33:26.819 --> 00:33:27.559 I would encourage you, 00:33:27.559 --> 00:33:29.339 To spend time with God, 00:33:29.740 --> 00:33:30.879 And helping him, 00:33:31.740 --> 00:33:32.419 Helping you, 00:33:32.500 --> 00:33:33.579 Put your trust in him. 00:33:35.139 --> 00:33:36.779 He's promised to take care of you, 00:33:36.839 --> 00:33:38.720 So if you worry about that, 00:33:39.720 --> 00:33:41.740 Then are you putting your trust in God? 00:33:41.740 --> 00:33:48.559 Our third point, 00:33:48.559 --> 00:33:51.299 In this message today, 00:33:51.539 --> 00:33:51.980 Is, 00:33:51.980 --> 00:33:54.559 About the kingdom of God. 00:33:55.779 --> 00:33:57.599 We looked at where our treasure should be, 00:33:58.140 --> 00:34:00.019 We looked at where our trust should, 00:34:00.120 --> 00:34:01.319 What our trust should be in, 00:34:01.400 --> 00:34:02.920 Now we're going to look at the kingdom of God. 00:34:04.019 --> 00:34:06.420 So take a look at verse 32 with me, 00:34:06.559 --> 00:34:08.639 And I want you to hear some comforting words, 00:34:08.639 --> 00:34:09.859 That we get from Jesus, 00:34:09.859 --> 00:34:11.239 At the end of this passage. 00:34:12.039 --> 00:34:12.940 Verse 32, 00:34:13.539 --> 00:34:14.099 He says, 00:34:14.159 --> 00:34:14.619 Fear not, 00:34:14.739 --> 00:34:16.139 Little flock. 00:34:17.019 --> 00:34:18.819 So I want you to grab a hold of the picture, 00:34:18.819 --> 00:34:20.219 That he's starting to draw here, 00:34:20.279 --> 00:34:20.460 Right? 00:34:20.559 --> 00:34:21.619 Sheep are, 00:34:21.619 --> 00:34:23.359 Helpless, 00:34:24.019 --> 00:34:25.819 Animals, 00:34:26.059 --> 00:34:26.920 In and of themselves, 00:34:27.019 --> 00:34:28.460 That don't normally know, 00:34:28.639 --> 00:34:29.819 What's going on. 00:34:29.960 --> 00:34:31.099 They're kind of clueless, 00:34:31.179 --> 00:34:31.679 That's just, 00:34:32.179 --> 00:34:33.279 What sheep are like. 00:34:33.280 --> 00:34:36.760 So Jesus says, 00:34:37.240 --> 00:34:39.260 Fear not, 00:34:39.680 --> 00:34:41.140 Don't worry about that. 00:34:41.640 --> 00:34:43.380 He also calls us sheep, 00:34:43.440 --> 00:34:44.900 So we have this connection, 00:34:44.900 --> 00:34:46.380 To him being our shepherd. 00:34:47.040 --> 00:34:48.500 He won't call us sheep, 00:34:48.519 --> 00:34:50.040 If he's not taking care of us, 00:34:50.220 --> 00:34:51.780 And being the shepherd of our life, 00:34:51.820 --> 00:34:53.400 Which we know to be true. 00:34:56.140 --> 00:34:58.160 As we look on to the next, 00:34:58.360 --> 00:34:59.940 To the next section, 00:35:00.060 --> 00:35:00.760 We'll see that, 00:35:01.240 --> 00:35:01.600 It says, 00:35:01.599 --> 00:35:03.199 For it is your father's good pleasure, 00:35:03.199 --> 00:35:04.380 To give you the kingdom. 00:35:04.699 --> 00:35:05.219 He says, 00:35:05.279 --> 00:35:05.900 Your father, 00:35:06.659 --> 00:35:07.719 Which means that, 00:35:08.219 --> 00:35:09.500 You are a son, 00:35:09.579 --> 00:35:10.199 Or a daughter, 00:35:10.199 --> 00:35:11.360 If you're his child. 00:35:12.579 --> 00:35:13.500 And it is his pleasure, 00:35:13.500 --> 00:35:14.400 To give you the kingdom. 00:35:14.679 --> 00:35:16.259 In order to give you the kingdom, 00:35:16.519 --> 00:35:17.440 That implies, 00:35:17.639 --> 00:35:18.739 That he is the king. 00:35:20.039 --> 00:35:21.339 And what happens, 00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:23.900 If your father is the king, 00:35:24.900 --> 00:35:26.779 Is that you are heir, 00:35:26.940 --> 00:35:27.699 To his kingdom. 00:35:29.339 --> 00:35:31.519 So in this short verse, 00:35:31.599 --> 00:35:33.679 We see that, 00:35:33.679 --> 00:35:35.360 God is our shepherd. 00:35:35.860 --> 00:35:36.619 He's also, 00:35:36.619 --> 00:35:38.460 Our father, 00:35:38.759 --> 00:35:39.739 And our king, 00:35:39.860 --> 00:35:41.159 Who wants to give us, 00:35:41.659 --> 00:35:42.279 His kingdom. 00:35:48.279 --> 00:35:49.779 Philippians 4.19 says, 00:35:49.900 --> 00:35:51.000 And God will supply, 00:35:51.799 --> 00:35:52.759 Every need of yours, 00:35:52.920 --> 00:35:53.940 According to his riches, 00:35:54.480 --> 00:35:55.339 In glory, 00:35:55.819 --> 00:35:56.779 In Christ Jesus. 00:35:56.779 --> 00:35:57.199 That's, 00:35:57.199 --> 00:35:59.360 Way more than we could ever, 00:35:59.500 --> 00:36:01.019 Supply in and of ourselves. 00:36:01.019 --> 00:36:01.980 God will take care, 00:36:02.000 --> 00:36:02.539 Of our needs. 00:36:03.840 --> 00:36:04.659 What he wants, 00:36:04.699 --> 00:36:06.019 Is for us to live different, 00:36:06.019 --> 00:36:06.800 Than the world. 00:36:07.239 --> 00:36:07.759 If you remember, 00:36:07.880 --> 00:36:08.400 The Israelites, 00:36:08.900 --> 00:36:09.880 In the Old Testament, 00:36:10.880 --> 00:36:11.820 God chose them, 00:36:11.880 --> 00:36:12.500 As his people, 00:36:12.619 --> 00:36:13.280 And he wanted them, 00:36:13.360 --> 00:36:14.320 To live differently, 00:36:14.440 --> 00:36:15.500 Than everyone else. 00:36:16.099 --> 00:36:16.820 He wanted them, 00:36:16.900 --> 00:36:17.940 To love him, 00:36:18.039 --> 00:36:19.500 And follow him only. 00:36:20.259 --> 00:36:21.539 Even in the wilderness, 00:36:22.059 --> 00:36:22.940 Where they didn't have, 00:36:23.179 --> 00:36:23.599 Any water, 00:36:23.719 --> 00:36:24.360 Any food, 00:36:24.780 --> 00:36:26.259 God wanted them, 00:36:26.579 --> 00:36:27.559 To trust him. 00:36:27.559 --> 00:36:29.239 And he took care of them, 00:36:29.340 --> 00:36:30.099 They struggled, 00:36:30.579 --> 00:36:31.380 Their struggle was, 00:36:31.519 --> 00:36:32.539 That they didn't completely, 00:36:32.539 --> 00:36:34.279 Trust and put their faith, 00:36:34.360 --> 00:36:34.920 In God. 00:36:36.099 --> 00:36:37.000 But God just, 00:36:37.000 --> 00:36:38.579 Wanted them to trust him, 00:36:38.719 --> 00:36:39.460 And he would provide, 00:36:39.579 --> 00:36:39.920 For them. 00:36:40.559 --> 00:36:41.320 If you're a child, 00:36:41.360 --> 00:36:42.199 Of God this morning, 00:36:42.239 --> 00:36:42.920 That's what he wants, 00:36:43.099 --> 00:36:43.759 For you. 00:36:43.960 --> 00:36:44.739 He wants you, 00:36:44.739 --> 00:36:45.380 To be able, 00:36:45.380 --> 00:36:46.500 To live the life, 00:36:46.500 --> 00:36:47.940 That he has for you, 00:36:48.039 --> 00:36:49.039 And not worry, 00:36:49.039 --> 00:36:49.679 About the things, 00:36:49.679 --> 00:36:50.860 He's going to take care of. 00:36:50.860 --> 00:36:53.860 If he calls you, 00:36:53.900 --> 00:36:54.559 To something, 00:36:54.840 --> 00:36:56.620 He's going to provide you, 00:36:57.260 --> 00:36:58.120 All that you need, 00:36:58.180 --> 00:36:58.880 To do it. 00:37:01.519 --> 00:37:03.019 Verse 33 says, 00:37:03.420 --> 00:37:04.360 Sell your possessions, 00:37:04.539 --> 00:37:05.559 And give to the needy. 00:37:06.039 --> 00:37:07.079 And by doing so, 00:37:07.160 --> 00:37:08.120 Will provide yourselves, 00:37:08.180 --> 00:37:09.099 With money bags, 00:37:09.579 --> 00:37:12.160 That don't grow old, 00:37:12.579 --> 00:37:13.740 With a treasure in heavens, 00:37:13.780 --> 00:37:14.680 That do not fail, 00:37:15.019 --> 00:37:16.340 Where no thief approaches, 00:37:16.340 --> 00:37:17.920 And no moth destroys. 00:37:20.860 --> 00:37:22.740 Why does Jesus tell us, 00:37:22.800 --> 00:37:24.160 To give to those in need, 00:37:24.320 --> 00:37:25.680 And to store up treasure, 00:37:25.840 --> 00:37:26.240 In heaven? 00:37:27.480 --> 00:37:28.320 Verse 34, 00:37:28.500 --> 00:37:29.480 Gives us that answer. 00:37:30.039 --> 00:37:31.780 Because where your treasure is, 00:37:32.320 --> 00:37:33.840 There will your heart, 00:37:33.960 --> 00:37:34.559 Be also. 00:37:35.820 --> 00:37:36.760 All through scripture, 00:37:36.980 --> 00:37:38.280 A person's heart, 00:37:38.400 --> 00:37:39.200 Is the center, 00:37:39.519 --> 00:37:40.539 Of their being. 00:37:41.340 --> 00:37:42.440 The heart is where, 00:37:42.599 --> 00:37:44.019 Our deepest desires are. 00:37:44.420 --> 00:37:45.140 Our emotions, 00:37:45.140 --> 00:37:46.099 Come from there. 00:37:46.599 --> 00:37:47.160 So it's safe, 00:37:47.220 --> 00:37:48.079 That the focus, 00:37:48.079 --> 00:37:49.400 Of a person's heart, 00:37:49.400 --> 00:37:50.860 Is the reference, 00:37:50.960 --> 00:37:51.760 You want the most. 00:37:53.900 --> 00:37:55.220 If you're saved, 00:37:55.519 --> 00:37:56.500 That focus, 00:37:57.320 --> 00:37:59.039 The focus of your heart, 00:37:59.360 --> 00:38:00.619 Should not be, 00:38:00.840 --> 00:38:02.559 What the world's heart is. 00:38:03.420 --> 00:38:04.599 It should be on God. 00:38:05.880 --> 00:38:07.079 Verse Corinthians 5, 00:38:07.180 --> 00:38:08.079 17 says, 00:38:08.280 --> 00:38:09.599 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, 00:38:09.660 --> 00:38:10.740 He's a new creation. 00:38:11.260 --> 00:38:12.599 The old has passed away, 00:38:12.700 --> 00:38:14.000 Behold the new has come. 00:38:15.079 --> 00:38:16.500 It doesn't make any sense, 00:38:16.500 --> 00:38:17.740 If we're going to say as Christians, 00:38:17.739 --> 00:38:21.379 God I love you, 00:38:21.979 --> 00:38:23.239 And I believe in Jesus, 00:38:23.379 --> 00:38:24.039 He went to the cross, 00:38:24.099 --> 00:38:24.799 And died for me, 00:38:24.839 --> 00:38:25.719 And took away my sins, 00:38:25.719 --> 00:38:27.079 So I can have a relationship, 00:38:27.079 --> 00:38:27.819 With God, 00:38:27.919 --> 00:38:29.379 So I don't have to go to hell, 00:38:29.419 --> 00:38:30.139 I can go to heaven, 00:38:30.599 --> 00:38:32.959 But I still want to live, 00:38:33.039 --> 00:38:34.099 However I want to live. 00:38:36.659 --> 00:38:37.859 You can't have both. 00:38:39.619 --> 00:38:40.839 It's not the heart, 00:38:40.839 --> 00:38:41.959 Of a true Christian, 00:38:41.959 --> 00:38:43.459 If it's set on the things, 00:38:43.459 --> 00:38:44.039 Of the world, 00:38:44.039 --> 00:38:45.259 And the things that we want. 00:38:45.260 --> 00:38:49.240 In Luke chapter 18, 00:38:49.340 --> 00:38:50.500 A little further ahead, 00:38:51.140 --> 00:38:52.060 You can read a story, 00:38:52.060 --> 00:38:53.900 About a rich young ruler, 00:38:53.900 --> 00:38:55.060 That approached Jesus, 00:38:55.200 --> 00:38:55.920 And asked, 00:38:56.100 --> 00:38:56.940 What he needed to do, 00:38:56.980 --> 00:38:57.540 To be saved. 00:38:57.580 --> 00:38:58.460 And I'm sure a lot of you, 00:38:58.500 --> 00:38:59.660 Are familiar with this passage. 00:39:00.320 --> 00:39:00.960 Jesus tells him, 00:39:01.000 --> 00:39:01.420 You know what, 00:39:01.440 --> 00:39:02.080 You need to follow, 00:39:02.160 --> 00:39:02.860 The ten commandments. 00:39:03.780 --> 00:39:04.040 He says, 00:39:04.120 --> 00:39:04.360 Cake, 00:39:04.420 --> 00:39:04.980 I've done that, 00:39:05.020 --> 00:39:05.820 Since I've been young. 00:39:06.340 --> 00:39:07.240 I got that one. 00:39:07.580 --> 00:39:08.700 Now you and I both know, 00:39:08.700 --> 00:39:09.640 That salvation, 00:39:10.100 --> 00:39:11.760 Doesn't come from following, 00:39:11.760 --> 00:39:13.000 A list of rules. 00:39:13.000 --> 00:39:14.940 It's a heart change. 00:39:16.900 --> 00:39:18.340 It's setting our hearts, 00:39:18.340 --> 00:39:19.340 On God, 00:39:19.420 --> 00:39:20.400 And not on ourselves. 00:39:21.039 --> 00:39:22.260 Jesus knows this, 00:39:22.920 --> 00:39:24.480 When the man approached him, 00:39:24.559 --> 00:39:24.920 So he, 00:39:25.079 --> 00:39:27.480 He leaned in a little bit harder, 00:39:28.420 --> 00:39:29.239 And says, 00:39:29.539 --> 00:39:30.539 There is one thing, 00:39:30.599 --> 00:39:31.599 I see that you lack. 00:39:32.199 --> 00:39:32.880 And you can imagine, 00:39:32.980 --> 00:39:34.079 The man is anticipating, 00:39:34.639 --> 00:39:36.360 What Jesus is about to say. 00:39:36.440 --> 00:39:37.900 He's like one step away, 00:39:37.900 --> 00:39:39.219 From eternal life. 00:39:39.639 --> 00:39:40.960 Only God doesn't tell him, 00:39:41.000 --> 00:39:41.539 What he thinks, 00:39:41.559 --> 00:39:42.619 That he's going to say. 00:39:43.480 --> 00:39:43.839 He says, 00:39:43.900 --> 00:39:44.679 So all that you have, 00:39:44.739 --> 00:39:45.940 And distribute to the poor, 00:39:46.940 --> 00:39:48.119 And you will have treasure in heaven, 00:39:48.259 --> 00:39:49.299 And come and follow me. 00:39:50.119 --> 00:39:51.699 It's not what he wanted to hear. 00:39:52.079 --> 00:39:52.639 The Bible says, 00:39:52.719 --> 00:39:53.940 That he was very sorrowful, 00:39:53.960 --> 00:39:55.319 Because he was very rich. 00:39:56.460 --> 00:39:57.980 Because he was sad, 00:39:58.079 --> 00:39:59.679 Because he loved his riches, 00:39:59.960 --> 00:40:01.000 More than God. 00:40:01.039 --> 00:40:02.299 Because his heart was set, 00:40:02.339 --> 00:40:03.460 On the things of earth, 00:40:03.799 --> 00:40:04.719 So much so, 00:40:04.779 --> 00:40:05.839 He couldn't let them go. 00:40:07.119 --> 00:40:07.719 So again, 00:40:07.779 --> 00:40:08.500 Some people might ask, 00:40:08.599 --> 00:40:08.679 Well, 00:40:08.880 --> 00:40:11.400 How much do I have to give away? 00:40:11.400 --> 00:40:14.559 And again, 00:40:14.780 --> 00:40:16.760 It's the wrong question, 00:40:16.940 --> 00:40:18.160 Because it's going to give you, 00:40:18.220 --> 00:40:19.860 A list of amounts, 00:40:19.960 --> 00:40:20.820 Or times, 00:40:21.079 --> 00:40:22.119 To give to God, 00:40:22.320 --> 00:40:23.559 And it's not about that, 00:40:23.599 --> 00:40:24.519 It's about your heart. 00:40:24.740 --> 00:40:26.039 Where your heart is, 00:40:26.840 --> 00:40:27.760 You could be, 00:40:27.900 --> 00:40:30.000 Giving God money and time, 00:40:30.119 --> 00:40:31.099 Only because you know, 00:40:31.180 --> 00:40:32.420 That's the right thing to do, 00:40:32.480 --> 00:40:33.180 All the while, 00:40:33.579 --> 00:40:34.840 Your heart is after, 00:40:34.840 --> 00:40:36.119 Things of the world. 00:40:36.119 --> 00:40:39.500 It's not about how small, 00:40:39.500 --> 00:40:41.339 Or how big your house is, 00:40:41.460 --> 00:40:43.199 It's not about how much you get paid, 00:40:43.920 --> 00:40:46.119 It's not about how much you save, 00:40:46.420 --> 00:40:48.099 What your retirement's going to look like, 00:40:48.759 --> 00:40:50.599 It's not about a degree, 00:40:50.819 --> 00:40:52.719 Or how many degrees that you earn, 00:40:53.199 --> 00:40:54.920 The research that you do, 00:40:55.619 --> 00:40:57.440 The kids that you have, 00:40:57.900 --> 00:40:59.239 The sports that you play, 00:40:59.239 --> 00:41:03.059 The instruments that you're talented with, 00:41:03.619 --> 00:41:06.559 Not how healthy you are, 00:41:06.679 --> 00:41:07.939 There's nothing wrong, 00:41:08.000 --> 00:41:09.259 With any of those things, 00:41:09.379 --> 00:41:11.539 Those are all God given talents, 00:41:11.639 --> 00:41:13.159 And blessings that we have, 00:41:14.159 --> 00:41:17.959 But we're not to live, 00:41:18.079 --> 00:41:19.039 For those things, 00:41:19.119 --> 00:41:20.199 We're to live for Christ, 00:41:20.199 --> 00:41:23.739 We live in such a way, 00:41:23.739 --> 00:41:26.039 That the world sees what we have, 00:41:26.359 --> 00:41:26.739 And says, 00:41:26.819 --> 00:41:27.919 They have a lot of stuff, 00:41:28.179 --> 00:41:29.879 But they don't care about their stuff, 00:41:30.539 --> 00:41:32.659 Their eyes are focused on God, 00:41:32.719 --> 00:41:33.259 And heaven, 00:41:33.539 --> 00:41:34.539 This is weird, 00:41:35.439 --> 00:41:38.119 That's what God wants, 00:41:38.919 --> 00:41:41.939 So what are you doing, 00:41:42.039 --> 00:41:43.460 To store up treasure in heaven, 00:41:44.219 --> 00:41:46.379 You weren't saved, 00:41:46.419 --> 00:41:47.460 If you're a Christian this morning, 00:41:47.559 --> 00:41:48.480 You weren't saved, 00:41:48.579 --> 00:41:49.879 So that you could continue, 00:41:49.880 --> 00:41:52.059 To live like everyone else, 00:41:53.059 --> 00:41:54.240 Enjoy food, 00:41:54.340 --> 00:41:55.800 But don't live for it, 00:41:56.300 --> 00:41:57.900 Enjoy the things you have, 00:41:57.960 --> 00:41:59.320 But don't live for them, 00:42:00.099 --> 00:42:01.599 Because when we live, 00:42:01.660 --> 00:42:03.019 For getting more stuff, 00:42:03.079 --> 00:42:04.440 Then we aren't living for God, 00:42:04.559 --> 00:42:05.780 When we worry about, 00:42:06.000 --> 00:42:07.400 All the things we need to have, 00:42:07.840 --> 00:42:09.559 Then we're not trusting in God, 00:42:10.280 --> 00:42:12.460 So again, 00:42:12.660 --> 00:42:14.559 This is the question, 00:42:14.780 --> 00:42:15.559 Or the statement, 00:42:15.720 --> 00:42:16.880 That I want to leave for you, 00:42:16.940 --> 00:42:17.519 And you can, 00:42:18.240 --> 00:42:19.860 Work it over as a question, 00:42:19.880 --> 00:42:20.720 To yourself, 00:42:20.720 --> 00:42:22.599 Put your treasure in heaven, 00:42:22.599 --> 00:42:24.099 And your trust in God, 00:42:24.099 --> 00:42:26.599 And you will have everything you need now, 00:42:26.760 --> 00:42:27.380 For now, 00:42:27.480 --> 00:42:28.240 And for eternity, 00:42:28.240 --> 00:42:29.460 So as we close, 00:42:29.500 --> 00:42:30.500 We're going to take a few minutes, 00:42:31.059 --> 00:42:32.160 Just think about, 00:42:32.160 --> 00:42:33.220 The questions, 00:42:33.220 --> 00:42:34.380 In that sentence, 00:42:34.519 --> 00:42:36.160 Where is your treasure, 00:42:36.340 --> 00:42:36.860 Are you putting it, 00:42:36.860 --> 00:42:38.180 On earth, 00:42:38.179 --> 00:42:39.899 Are you putting it, 00:42:39.899 --> 00:42:40.460 Are you putting it in heaven, 00:42:40.799 --> 00:42:42.440 Where is your trust, 00:42:42.519 --> 00:42:44.219 Are you trusting in God, 00:42:44.399 --> 00:42:45.519 For what you need, 00:42:45.599 --> 00:42:46.779 Are you trusting in God, 00:42:46.779 --> 00:42:49.539 For that next step in your life, 00:42:49.579 --> 00:42:51.559 Even though you may not see what it is, 00:42:51.940 --> 00:42:53.379 Are you trying to do it yourself, 00:42:53.380 --> 00:42:56.140 God says, 00:42:56.220 --> 00:42:56.680 Trust me, 00:42:56.720 --> 00:42:57.460 I know who you are, 00:42:57.780 --> 00:42:59.260 I love you way more, 00:42:59.380 --> 00:43:00.160 Than my animals, 00:43:01.160 --> 00:43:03.760 So trust me, 00:43:03.840 --> 00:43:04.720 My child, 00:43:06.220 --> 00:43:07.800 Think about those things, 00:43:07.880 --> 00:43:08.599 For a few minutes, 00:43:09.220 --> 00:43:10.519 And then we'll have a time of prayer, 00:43:10.519 --> 00:43:40.500 And then we'll have a time of prayer,