WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:24.760
 Well, good morning.

00:00:24.760 --> 00:00:54.740
 Good morning.

00:00:54.759 --> 00:01:06.179
 Because of those things, it is more important than ever for us to actually read the Bible itself and to hear what Jesus has to say to us about these things.

00:01:06.180 --> 00:01:12.640
 As you know, at Trinity here, we preach through sections of Scripture.

00:01:13.060 --> 00:01:19.100
 And one of the reasons we do it is because it brings us to these topics that we might feel uncomfortable choosing.

00:01:19.540 --> 00:01:25.080
 But when we get to them, we now allow God to speak into our lives as God's Word wants to.

00:01:25.780 --> 00:01:28.539
 And so we are doing that this morning.

00:01:28.840 --> 00:01:33.340
 Last week, we did the end of chapter 11 and the beginning of 12 of the book of Luke.

00:01:33.799 --> 00:01:37.039
 And so we are going to continue on.

00:01:37.040 --> 00:01:40.400
 On the road of discipleship with Jesus.

00:01:40.740 --> 00:01:41.900
 And this is what we're...

00:01:41.900 --> 00:01:43.300
 What does it mean to follow Him?

00:01:43.380 --> 00:01:48.640
 As Jesus is heading towards Jerusalem, heading towards His crucifixion and resurrection,

00:01:49.219 --> 00:01:55.920
 heading towards the accomplishment of the purpose for which He came, the salvation of the world.

00:01:55.920 --> 00:02:04.620
 He is teaching His disciples, spending this traveling journey, teaching them what does it mean to know Him and to follow Him.

00:02:07.079 --> 00:02:11.379
 And so we're going to talk this morning about our relationship to money and wealth.

00:02:12.560 --> 00:02:15.139
 I don't know if you watch the Super Bowl.

00:02:15.240 --> 00:02:16.620
 My guess is there will be one of these.

00:02:16.680 --> 00:02:17.319
 I don't know.

00:02:17.520 --> 00:02:19.840
 But the Super Bowl commercials are always a big thing.

00:02:20.199 --> 00:02:23.719
 And there's a commercial that's been out for a while by a company named ING.

00:02:23.719 --> 00:02:26.680
 And its tagline is, what's your number?

00:02:27.020 --> 00:02:32.539
 And you see a guy walking down the street and he's got this big six or seven digit orange number under his arm.

00:02:32.879 --> 00:02:34.259
 And then there's someone else.

00:02:34.360 --> 00:02:38.259
 A woman rides by on her bicycle and she's got her number on her back.

00:02:38.699 --> 00:02:42.360
 And there's one where there's a guy clipping his head and he's got a number.

00:02:42.479 --> 00:02:45.199
 And this is a gazillion because he has no idea what his number is.

00:02:45.199 --> 00:02:48.879
 And his neighbor comes up and says, how are you going to plan for that?

00:02:48.879 --> 00:02:57.079
 And the upshot of the commercial is that for you to plan for your retirement, ING can help you do that well.

00:02:57.579 --> 00:03:01.740
 And in order to do that, you have to know your number to have enough to retire.

00:03:02.039 --> 00:03:04.680
 And they want to help you to do that.

00:03:06.280 --> 00:03:07.379
 What's your number?

00:03:07.379 --> 00:03:18.659
 Underlying it is a question that we all need to ask ourselves, which is, what are we investing our lives, including our money, in?

00:03:19.400 --> 00:03:24.620
 What are we investing our lives, including our money, for?

00:03:26.079 --> 00:03:33.280
 ING says your goal should be a successful, comfortable, and financially secure retirement.

00:03:33.280 --> 00:03:38.539
 What does Jesus have to say about that question?

00:03:39.479 --> 00:03:41.479
 So let's look at this passage together.

00:03:41.979 --> 00:03:45.280
 And hopefully we'll get some answers to that question before we go.

00:03:45.360 --> 00:03:50.900
 So Luke chapter 12, it's page 818 in your Pew Bible if you're following along.

00:03:51.639 --> 00:03:57.580
 Luke chapter 12, starting in verse 13 and going to verse 34.

00:03:58.460 --> 00:04:03.020
 So let's read this together and then we'll pray and then we'll continue.

00:04:03.280 --> 00:04:33.259
 And he said to them,

00:04:33.279 --> 00:04:34.559
 And he told them a parable saying,

00:04:34.560 --> 00:04:38.319
 The land of a rich man produced plentifully.

00:04:38.560 --> 00:04:39.899
 And he thought to himself,

00:04:40.040 --> 00:04:41.139
 What shall I do?

00:04:41.620 --> 00:04:43.319
 For I have nowhere to store my crops.

00:04:44.040 --> 00:04:44.740
 And he said,

00:04:45.040 --> 00:04:46.720
 I will do this.

00:04:47.079 --> 00:04:50.379
 I will tear down my barns and build larger ones.

00:04:50.620 --> 00:04:54.340
 And there I will store all my grain and my goods.

00:04:54.339 --> 00:04:56.339
 And I will say to my soul,

00:04:56.339 --> 00:05:00.679
 Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years.

00:05:01.299 --> 00:05:03.719
 Relax, eat, drink, be merry.

00:05:04.839 --> 00:05:06.699
 But God said to him,

00:05:07.019 --> 00:05:13.039
 Fool, this very night your soul is required of you.

00:05:14.039 --> 00:05:17.379
 And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?

00:05:17.379 --> 00:05:26.740
 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich towards God.

00:05:27.860 --> 00:05:29.600
 And he said to his disciples,

00:05:29.600 --> 00:05:31.700
 Therefore, I tell you,

00:05:31.760 --> 00:05:34.360
 Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat,

00:05:34.400 --> 00:05:37.080
 nor about your body, what will you put on.

00:05:37.660 --> 00:05:40.840
 For life is more than food and the body is more than clothing.

00:05:41.340 --> 00:05:42.400
 Consider the ravens.

00:05:42.800 --> 00:05:44.460
 They neither sow nor reap.

00:05:44.760 --> 00:05:46.700
 They have neither storehouse nor barn.

00:05:47.080 --> 00:05:48.180
 Yet God feeds them.

00:05:48.740 --> 00:05:51.660
 Of how much more value are you than the birds?

00:05:51.660 --> 00:05:57.600
 And which of you, by being anxious, can add a single hour to his span of life?

00:05:58.400 --> 00:06:02.900
 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that,

00:06:03.480 --> 00:06:05.700
 why are you anxious about the rest?

00:06:06.560 --> 00:06:08.500
 Consider the lilies, how they grow.

00:06:08.640 --> 00:06:10.160
 They neither toil nor spin.

00:06:10.280 --> 00:06:15.580
 Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

00:06:16.780 --> 00:06:19.260
 But if God so clothes the grass,

00:06:19.259 --> 00:06:22.560
 which is alive in the field today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven,

00:06:23.000 --> 00:06:25.699
 how much more will he clothe you,

00:06:26.360 --> 00:06:27.879
 O you of little faith?

00:06:28.939 --> 00:06:32.639
 Do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink,

00:06:32.699 --> 00:06:34.120
 nor be worried.

00:06:34.639 --> 00:06:38.399
 For all the nations of the world seek after these things,

00:06:39.039 --> 00:06:41.579
 and your Father knows that you need them.

00:06:42.319 --> 00:06:43.939
 Instead, seek his kingdom,

00:06:44.500 --> 00:06:47.199
 and these things will be added to you.

00:06:47.199 --> 00:06:50.279
 Fear not, little flock,

00:06:50.779 --> 00:06:54.839
 for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

00:06:55.819 --> 00:06:58.000
 Sell your possessions and give to the needy.

00:06:58.360 --> 00:07:01.339
 Provide yourselves with money bags that do not grow old,

00:07:01.659 --> 00:07:04.819
 with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail,

00:07:05.439 --> 00:07:08.599
 where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.

00:07:09.800 --> 00:07:11.800
 For where your treasure is,

00:07:12.579 --> 00:07:14.839
 there will your heart be also.

00:07:14.839 --> 00:07:17.399
 So, let's pray.

00:07:18.979 --> 00:07:20.979
 Lord, we thank you for this word.

00:07:22.219 --> 00:07:25.659
 Lord, we thank you that you speak to us

00:07:25.659 --> 00:07:30.539
 so that we might know what it means to know you,

00:07:30.679 --> 00:07:33.959
 and we might know what it means to live in a relationship with you.

00:07:35.419 --> 00:07:39.799
 Lord, I ask this morning for your Holy Spirit to be at work in us

00:07:39.800 --> 00:07:42.040
 as we look into your word together.

00:07:42.879 --> 00:07:44.960
 Lord, may the truth of your word be plain.

00:07:45.079 --> 00:07:46.800
 Will you apply it to our lives?

00:07:47.680 --> 00:07:49.160
 Lord, will you change our hearts,

00:07:49.340 --> 00:07:51.860
 and will you move our limbs to action?

00:07:52.620 --> 00:07:55.520
 Lord, that we might be not only hearers of the word,

00:07:55.600 --> 00:07:56.519
 but doers also.

00:07:57.620 --> 00:08:01.180
 For your glory, we pray in Jesus' name.

00:08:01.900 --> 00:08:02.199
 Amen.

00:08:02.199 --> 00:08:02.340
 Amen.

00:08:02.339 --> 00:08:06.579
 So, in this passage,

00:08:06.699 --> 00:08:09.159
 Jesus gives us both warnings

00:08:09.159 --> 00:08:13.779
 about how we ought not to relate to our possessions and our money,

00:08:13.979 --> 00:08:17.139
 and then he gives us a new way to live,

00:08:17.399 --> 00:08:20.339
 a different direction to go in how we think about this.

00:08:20.719 --> 00:08:22.019
 So, that's how we're going to look at it.

00:08:22.120 --> 00:08:25.000
 The warnings are in verses 13 through 30.

00:08:25.000 --> 00:08:27.439
 The new way is in 30 to 34.

00:08:28.259 --> 00:08:30.120
 So, we're going to look at this in

00:08:30.120 --> 00:08:32.419
 and work our way through this passage together.

00:08:32.740 --> 00:08:35.320
 So, first, Jesus' warnings to us

00:08:35.320 --> 00:08:38.639
 to avoid greedy and grasping hearts.

00:08:39.980 --> 00:08:41.500
 In the setup of this story,

00:08:41.980 --> 00:08:43.519
 Jesus is publicly teaching,

00:08:43.659 --> 00:08:45.000
 and there's a voice from the crowd.

00:08:45.120 --> 00:08:45.700
 It's fascinating.

00:08:45.879 --> 00:08:48.159
 This is a completely anonymous guy who says,

00:08:48.559 --> 00:08:51.299
 Hey, Jesus, will you tell my brother

00:08:51.299 --> 00:08:53.240
 that he needs to give me my share?

00:08:53.980 --> 00:08:56.399
 And it's not even clear whether it's his share

00:08:56.399 --> 00:08:59.639
 or whether this guy is just wanting more than he actually deserves.

00:08:59.840 --> 00:09:01.360
 But whatever the request is,

00:09:01.720 --> 00:09:03.419
 this guy is looking for Jesus

00:09:03.419 --> 00:09:07.360
 to give this public intervention about it,

00:09:08.360 --> 00:09:09.639
 about money.

00:09:11.779 --> 00:09:14.579
 And, you know, it's so interesting to think

00:09:14.579 --> 00:09:19.740
 that we wouldn't ever be the kind of grasping person

00:09:19.740 --> 00:09:21.419
 who would put someone on the spot

00:09:21.419 --> 00:09:22.819
 in a public forum

00:09:22.820 --> 00:09:24.800
 to adjudicate for us

00:09:24.800 --> 00:09:26.220
 against someone else

00:09:26.220 --> 00:09:27.120
 in matters of money.

00:09:27.260 --> 00:09:28.340
 We would like to think

00:09:28.340 --> 00:09:30.379
 that we're generally generous people,

00:09:30.580 --> 00:09:32.240
 that we would actually think

00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:33.480
 that, you know,

00:09:33.520 --> 00:09:34.780
 we wouldn't put someone

00:09:34.780 --> 00:09:36.100
 in this position.

00:09:37.220 --> 00:09:38.200
 If you were here last week,

00:09:38.260 --> 00:09:40.060
 you heard Pastor Greg mention briefly

00:09:40.060 --> 00:09:41.060
 in his sermon

00:09:41.060 --> 00:09:43.240
 as the passage last week

00:09:43.240 --> 00:09:44.500
 talked on generosity.

00:09:46.060 --> 00:09:48.040
 That our culture has a problem

00:09:48.039 --> 00:09:49.719
 and that our human hearts

00:09:49.719 --> 00:09:50.899
 have a problem with thinking

00:09:50.899 --> 00:09:51.799
 that we're more generous

00:09:51.799 --> 00:09:52.919
 than we think we are.

00:09:54.019 --> 00:09:55.579
 So, as Greg reported,

00:09:55.639 --> 00:09:56.839
 I'm just going to report these again

00:09:56.839 --> 00:09:57.779
 so you can remember them.

00:09:58.019 --> 00:09:59.639
 70% of millennials say

00:09:59.639 --> 00:10:01.579
 that they're very or somewhat generous

00:10:01.579 --> 00:10:04.699
 in 2016.

00:10:05.039 --> 00:10:06.519
 But the same survey said

00:10:06.519 --> 00:10:08.199
 that 84% of them

00:10:08.199 --> 00:10:09.399
 reported giving away

00:10:09.399 --> 00:10:11.599
 $50 or less

00:10:11.599 --> 00:10:13.939
 during that same year

00:10:13.939 --> 00:10:15.779
 that they were being very generous.

00:10:15.779 --> 00:10:20.620
 Another way to think about it

00:10:20.620 --> 00:10:22.659
 is that America is perhaps

00:10:22.659 --> 00:10:24.919
 the wealthiest nation in the world

00:10:24.919 --> 00:10:26.740
 and yet Americans today

00:10:26.740 --> 00:10:28.360
 give away broadly

00:10:28.360 --> 00:10:29.899
 3% of our income.

00:10:30.379 --> 00:10:32.939
 Not only is that not a lot

00:10:32.939 --> 00:10:35.779
 on an absolute standard,

00:10:36.220 --> 00:10:37.620
 but it was less than

00:10:37.620 --> 00:10:38.879
 what people were giving away

00:10:38.879 --> 00:10:39.980
 during the Great Depression

00:10:39.980 --> 00:10:41.819
 when people were in serious need.

00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:45.039
 I bring these up

00:10:45.039 --> 00:10:45.819
 just to say that

00:10:45.819 --> 00:10:47.679
 in our human hearts,

00:10:48.219 --> 00:10:49.819
 it's easy for us to think

00:10:49.819 --> 00:10:51.059
 that we're going to be okay

00:10:51.059 --> 00:10:51.879
 about money

00:10:51.879 --> 00:10:53.980
 and we don't need to hear

00:10:53.980 --> 00:10:55.819
 a warning about being greedy,

00:10:56.919 --> 00:10:58.459
 but in fact,

00:10:58.559 --> 00:10:59.299
 we often do.

00:11:00.539 --> 00:11:01.120
 Pastor Orly,

00:11:01.219 --> 00:11:02.519
 it is remarkable

00:11:02.519 --> 00:11:05.159
 how many stories I hear

00:11:05.159 --> 00:11:07.299
 about how many families

00:11:07.299 --> 00:11:08.959
 squabble and fight

00:11:08.959 --> 00:11:10.620
 about inheritances

00:11:10.620 --> 00:11:12.519
 and how much money they get.

00:11:14.679 --> 00:11:16.740
 That's just an anecdotal observation.

00:11:17.519 --> 00:11:18.919
 Many of you are not there yet.

00:11:19.899 --> 00:11:20.600
 Bob's nodding.

00:11:20.659 --> 00:11:21.080
 He's a lawyer.

00:11:21.480 --> 00:11:22.200
 He gets it.

00:11:26.080 --> 00:11:27.539
 But when you get there,

00:11:27.899 --> 00:11:29.940
 you feel the pull on your heart

00:11:29.940 --> 00:11:31.120
 in ways that you never knew

00:11:31.120 --> 00:11:31.679
 would be there.

00:11:32.399 --> 00:11:33.399
 And Jesus says,

00:11:33.600 --> 00:11:34.179
 beware,

00:11:34.179 --> 00:11:36.459
 beware of the impulse

00:11:36.459 --> 00:11:37.159
 of your heart

00:11:37.159 --> 00:11:38.059
 to be greedy.

00:11:39.719 --> 00:11:41.159
 And he gives two reasons.

00:11:41.299 --> 00:11:42.159
 And the first one,

00:11:42.799 --> 00:11:44.979
 he tells us in verse 15

00:11:44.979 --> 00:11:46.279
 and then he gives us

00:11:46.279 --> 00:11:47.519
 a parable to illustrate it.

00:11:47.919 --> 00:11:49.339
 The first reason why

00:11:49.339 --> 00:11:50.539
 we ought not to be greedy

00:11:50.539 --> 00:11:52.419
 is because life is not found

00:11:52.419 --> 00:11:53.699
 in things that are temporal

00:11:53.699 --> 00:11:54.500
 and passing.

00:11:56.259 --> 00:11:57.099
 That's what he says

00:11:57.099 --> 00:11:58.120
 at the end of verse 15

00:11:58.120 --> 00:11:59.059
 and then he goes on

00:11:59.059 --> 00:12:00.079
 and tells this story,

00:12:00.159 --> 00:12:00.939
 this well-known story

00:12:00.939 --> 00:12:01.639
 about a rich man,

00:12:01.639 --> 00:12:03.120
 a rich man whose land

00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:04.159
 has produced for him

00:12:04.159 --> 00:12:05.519
 an abundant crop

00:12:05.519 --> 00:12:06.340
 and he doesn't have

00:12:06.340 --> 00:12:08.759
 the resources to,

00:12:09.039 --> 00:12:10.059
 he doesn't have

00:12:10.059 --> 00:12:11.600
 the buildings

00:12:11.600 --> 00:12:13.699
 to store all of these goods.

00:12:14.379 --> 00:12:15.439
 And if you're a businessman

00:12:15.439 --> 00:12:16.279
 sitting out there,

00:12:16.340 --> 00:12:16.919
 you might be thinking,

00:12:17.039 --> 00:12:17.919
 what's wrong with that?

00:12:18.059 --> 00:12:19.480
 His business is expanding.

00:12:19.740 --> 00:12:21.240
 He's just increasing

00:12:21.240 --> 00:12:22.720
 his operations

00:12:22.720 --> 00:12:23.919
 so that he can continue

00:12:23.919 --> 00:12:24.500
 to grow.

00:12:24.759 --> 00:12:26.279
 And at one level,

00:12:26.360 --> 00:12:27.220
 that's right.

00:12:28.159 --> 00:12:30.559
 Because in the sense that

00:12:30.559 --> 00:12:32.399
 there is no condemnation

00:12:32.399 --> 00:12:33.819
 of this man

00:12:33.819 --> 00:12:36.279
 having gotten this wealth

00:12:36.279 --> 00:12:37.619
 in an ill-gotten way.

00:12:37.779 --> 00:12:39.699
 He didn't do this deceitfully

00:12:39.699 --> 00:12:40.559
 or manipulatively.

00:12:40.779 --> 00:12:42.319
 He simply was prosperous.

00:12:44.319 --> 00:12:45.639
 But you see that

00:12:45.639 --> 00:12:47.079
 as the story goes on,

00:12:47.439 --> 00:12:48.399
 this man's heart

00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:49.199
 in relationship

00:12:49.199 --> 00:12:50.099
 to his possessions

00:12:50.099 --> 00:12:51.359
 was not right.

00:12:52.399 --> 00:12:53.039
 You see,

00:12:53.159 --> 00:12:54.139
 if you look in verses

00:12:54.139 --> 00:12:55.779
 17 through 19,

00:12:56.919 --> 00:12:58.839
 the personal pronouns,

00:12:58.840 --> 00:13:00.540
 I, me, and myself,

00:13:00.680 --> 00:13:01.180
 or self,

00:13:01.280 --> 00:13:03.100
 are used 12 times.

00:13:05.100 --> 00:13:06.440
 And at the end,

00:13:06.519 --> 00:13:08.399
 you see what his goal is.

00:13:09.360 --> 00:13:10.879
 Soul, you now have

00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:12.000
 all that you need.

00:13:12.320 --> 00:13:14.300
 Eat, drink,

00:13:14.560 --> 00:13:15.200
 and be merry,

00:13:15.440 --> 00:13:16.220
 and relax.

00:13:17.300 --> 00:13:20.060
 The underlying message

00:13:20.060 --> 00:13:21.860
 of this man's heart was,

00:13:21.980 --> 00:13:22.840
 when you have enough,

00:13:23.700 --> 00:13:25.300
 now you have security.

00:13:25.700 --> 00:13:27.080
 Now you have comfort.

00:13:27.080 --> 00:13:28.920
 Now you have satisfaction.

00:13:29.400 --> 00:13:30.660
 Now you have peace.

00:13:32.040 --> 00:13:33.660
 It was not in the having

00:13:33.660 --> 00:13:34.379
 of these things,

00:13:34.480 --> 00:13:34.940
 but in the way

00:13:34.940 --> 00:13:36.259
 that he valued them

00:13:36.259 --> 00:13:37.940
 that was his downfall,

00:13:38.060 --> 00:13:39.540
 says one commentator.

00:13:41.160 --> 00:13:43.879
 And God intervenes

00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:45.060
 at the end of the story

00:13:45.060 --> 00:13:47.100
 and says,

00:13:47.400 --> 00:13:47.720
 Fool,

00:13:49.440 --> 00:13:51.500
 tonight your life

00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:52.879
 is taken from you.

00:13:52.879 --> 00:13:56.120
 You've gathered

00:13:56.120 --> 00:13:56.820
 all this stuff

00:13:56.820 --> 00:13:57.379
 for what?

00:13:59.379 --> 00:14:00.639
 Because now you

00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:03.080
 have died.

00:14:04.659 --> 00:14:05.379
 And who's,

00:14:05.600 --> 00:14:05.980
 who will get

00:14:05.980 --> 00:14:06.580
 all this stuff?

00:14:06.679 --> 00:14:07.439
 It doesn't matter

00:14:07.439 --> 00:14:08.299
 to you, does it?

00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:09.220
 Because you don't

00:14:09.220 --> 00:14:10.059
 get any of it.

00:14:10.399 --> 00:14:11.360
 And you have said,

00:14:11.460 --> 00:14:12.439
 this is what my life

00:14:12.439 --> 00:14:12.960
 is about.

00:14:15.120 --> 00:14:16.379
 So Jesus finishes

00:14:16.379 --> 00:14:17.200
 this parable

00:14:17.200 --> 00:14:18.039
 in verse 21.

00:14:18.039 --> 00:14:19.959
 So is the one

00:14:19.959 --> 00:14:20.919
 who lays up

00:14:20.919 --> 00:14:22.279
 treasure for himself.

00:14:23.419 --> 00:14:24.099
 That is,

00:14:24.199 --> 00:14:25.459
 that one is a fool

00:14:25.459 --> 00:14:26.879
 who will recognize

00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:28.219
 that the transience

00:14:28.219 --> 00:14:29.139
 of life means

00:14:29.139 --> 00:14:30.000
 that the possessions

00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:30.799
 that they have

00:14:30.799 --> 00:14:32.639
 cannot be the substance,

00:14:33.360 --> 00:14:34.519
 the goal

00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:36.399
 of meaningful investment

00:14:36.399 --> 00:14:37.339
 in their lives.

00:14:39.179 --> 00:14:41.000
 And Jesus points ahead

00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:41.719
 to what we'll see

00:14:41.719 --> 00:14:42.159
 at the end

00:14:42.159 --> 00:14:43.399
 of this section

00:14:43.399 --> 00:14:44.360
 when he says,

00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:45.519
 and is not rich

00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:46.500
 towards God.

00:14:47.460 --> 00:14:48.299
 Jesus is tipping

00:14:48.299 --> 00:14:48.939
 his hand saying,

00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:50.139
 that's where we're going.

00:14:50.600 --> 00:14:51.240
 There's a different

00:14:51.240 --> 00:14:52.039
 kind of riches.

00:14:52.179 --> 00:14:52.659
 There's a different

00:14:52.659 --> 00:14:53.559
 kind of investment.

00:14:53.960 --> 00:14:54.559
 There's a different

00:14:54.559 --> 00:14:55.299
 kind of goal

00:14:55.299 --> 00:14:56.039
 for you.

00:15:00.840 --> 00:15:01.639
 Being rich

00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:02.379
 towards God.

00:15:05.919 --> 00:15:07.299
 Jesus then continues.

00:15:07.759 --> 00:15:08.819
 If the first one is,

00:15:09.199 --> 00:15:10.279
 you ought not to

00:15:10.279 --> 00:15:12.019
 fall prey

00:15:12.019 --> 00:15:12.679
 to greed

00:15:12.679 --> 00:15:13.120
 because

00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:14.579
 when you are greedy,

00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:15.019
 you're setting

00:15:15.019 --> 00:15:15.939
 your hearts on things

00:15:15.939 --> 00:15:16.779
 that will never be able

00:15:16.779 --> 00:15:17.659
 to do what you think

00:15:17.659 --> 00:15:18.019
 it will.

00:15:18.620 --> 00:15:19.220
 Your possessions

00:15:19.220 --> 00:15:19.840
 are passing.

00:15:19.980 --> 00:15:21.059
 Your money is fleeting.

00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:22.720
 Your life is eternal.

00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:24.299
 The second one

00:15:24.299 --> 00:15:25.539
 is he says,

00:15:25.639 --> 00:15:26.919
 don't spend your life

00:15:26.919 --> 00:15:27.899
 grasping

00:15:27.899 --> 00:15:29.500
 for material possessions.

00:15:29.960 --> 00:15:30.519
 And I'm using

00:15:30.519 --> 00:15:31.699
 grasping as a word

00:15:31.699 --> 00:15:32.939
 you see in your text.

00:15:33.199 --> 00:15:34.179
 The word is seek.

00:15:35.220 --> 00:15:35.460
 That's,

00:15:35.699 --> 00:15:36.779
 and I'm translating

00:15:36.779 --> 00:15:37.639
 that grasping

00:15:37.639 --> 00:15:38.600
 because I think

00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:39.199
 this seeking

00:15:39.199 --> 00:15:40.980
 has this all-consuming

00:15:40.980 --> 00:15:42.960
 sort of fixation,

00:15:42.960 --> 00:15:45.040
 obsessive

00:15:45.040 --> 00:15:46.379
 approach

00:15:46.379 --> 00:15:47.860
 to gaining

00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:48.860
 these things

00:15:48.860 --> 00:15:51.320
 when Jesus uses us

00:15:51.320 --> 00:15:52.019
 in this section.

00:15:52.180 --> 00:15:52.840
 And then he walks

00:15:52.840 --> 00:15:53.680
 through this passage

00:15:53.680 --> 00:15:54.840
 which you probably

00:15:54.840 --> 00:15:56.000
 hear all the echoes

00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:56.280
 of it.

00:15:56.379 --> 00:15:57.100
 It's very similar

00:15:57.100 --> 00:15:57.660
 to part of what

00:15:57.660 --> 00:15:58.759
 Jesus does in Matthew

00:15:58.759 --> 00:16:00.480
 in the Sermon on the Mount.

00:16:00.740 --> 00:16:01.980
 It's a little different

00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:03.700
 and so I want to let

00:16:03.700 --> 00:16:05.120
 the way that

00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:06.580
 Luke records it

00:16:06.580 --> 00:16:07.900
 to speak as it does.

00:16:08.340 --> 00:16:09.120
 He walks through

00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:10.480
 and he reveals

00:16:10.480 --> 00:16:11.860
 our heart attitudes

00:16:11.860 --> 00:16:13.419
 towards

00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:14.500
 are we those

00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:15.399
 who are grasping?

00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:15.840
 He says,

00:16:16.179 --> 00:16:16.759
 don't be those

00:16:16.759 --> 00:16:17.460
 who are grasping

00:16:17.460 --> 00:16:18.299
 but instead

00:16:18.299 --> 00:16:20.039
 recognize who God

00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:21.080
 is for you.

00:16:23.179 --> 00:16:24.279
 How does he do that?

00:16:24.379 --> 00:16:24.580
 Well,

00:16:24.779 --> 00:16:25.220
 look with me

00:16:25.220 --> 00:16:26.000
 in verse 21.

00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:27.159
 Don't be anxious

00:16:27.159 --> 00:16:28.720
 about your life,

00:16:28.799 --> 00:16:29.460
 what you will eat,

00:16:29.639 --> 00:16:30.500
 about your body,

00:16:30.659 --> 00:16:31.500
 what you will put on.

00:16:31.820 --> 00:16:32.240
 Now look,

00:16:32.440 --> 00:16:33.419
 here's what I want to say.

00:16:33.480 --> 00:16:34.480
 How many of you,

00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:36.820
 when you think

00:16:36.820 --> 00:16:37.860
 about anxiety,

00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:38.860
 think about those

00:16:38.860 --> 00:16:40.159
 particular categories.

00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:41.659
 Do I have enough food?

00:16:41.800 --> 00:16:43.360
 Do I have clothes to wear?

00:16:43.620 --> 00:16:44.220
 Some of you,

00:16:44.340 --> 00:16:44.820
 that's real.

00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:46.180
 For some of you,

00:16:46.259 --> 00:16:46.980
 that's true

00:16:46.980 --> 00:16:49.320
 and that is a concern

00:16:49.320 --> 00:16:50.500
 that you have today

00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:51.279
 that is real.

00:16:52.060 --> 00:16:53.139
 For many of us,

00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:53.759
 the anxieties

00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:54.600
 that we have

00:16:54.600 --> 00:16:57.159
 don't even touch

00:16:57.159 --> 00:16:58.419
 on these most basic

00:16:58.419 --> 00:16:59.399
 of human needs,

00:16:59.460 --> 00:16:59.840
 do they?

00:17:00.139 --> 00:17:00.899
 Our anxieties

00:17:00.899 --> 00:17:01.620
 about things

00:17:01.620 --> 00:17:02.779
 that are much less

00:17:02.779 --> 00:17:05.559
 basic to human life.

00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:07.220
 But Jesus says,

00:17:07.220 --> 00:17:08.039
 don't be anxious

00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:09.539
 even about the most

00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.920
 basic of things

00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:11.640
 in life.

00:17:13.860 --> 00:17:14.220
 Now,

00:17:14.299 --> 00:17:15.140
 he's not saying,

00:17:15.380 --> 00:17:16.819
 let's clarify this,

00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:17.579
 we need to make sure

00:17:17.579 --> 00:17:18.740
 we clear the decks

00:17:18.740 --> 00:17:19.039
 a little bit.

00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:20.220
 He's not saying,

00:17:20.620 --> 00:17:21.680
 don't be thoughtfully

00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:22.559
 responsible

00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:24.059
 before God

00:17:24.059 --> 00:17:25.220
 about these things.

00:17:25.660 --> 00:17:26.180
 There is,

00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:26.920
 throughout Scripture,

00:17:27.079 --> 00:17:28.120
 a clear picture

00:17:28.120 --> 00:17:28.900
 of stewardship

00:17:28.900 --> 00:17:29.860
 and responsibility

00:17:29.860 --> 00:17:31.920
 of working hard

00:17:31.920 --> 00:17:33.720
 and of providing

00:17:33.720 --> 00:17:34.360
 for others.

00:17:34.460 --> 00:17:35.240
 There's all sorts

00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:35.759
 of things

00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:36.420
 that are in there

00:17:36.420 --> 00:17:36.960
 that we need

00:17:36.960 --> 00:17:38.079
 to make sure

00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:39.420
 that we don't neglect

00:17:39.420 --> 00:17:40.180
 when we read

00:17:40.180 --> 00:17:41.460
 a passage like this.

00:17:41.819 --> 00:17:42.839
 But the passage here

00:17:42.839 --> 00:17:43.620
 is talking about

00:17:43.620 --> 00:17:44.180
 our heart.

00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:45.559
 Are you consumed

00:17:45.559 --> 00:17:46.599
 with fear today

00:17:46.599 --> 00:17:47.859
 that you won't have

00:17:47.859 --> 00:17:48.980
 what you think

00:17:48.980 --> 00:17:49.500
 you need?

00:17:50.819 --> 00:17:52.120
 Are you dominated

00:17:52.120 --> 00:17:53.000
 and controlled

00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:54.339
 by the uncertainty

00:17:54.339 --> 00:17:57.019
 that is

00:17:57.019 --> 00:18:00.660
 filling your life today

00:18:00.660 --> 00:18:01.940
 because of those things?

00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:04.140
 Jesus says,

00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:04.519
 look,

00:18:05.059 --> 00:18:05.900
 your life

00:18:05.900 --> 00:18:06.480
 is more

00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:07.660
 than those things.

00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:09.019
 And then he gives

00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:09.640
 an example

00:18:09.640 --> 00:18:10.340
 of the ravens.

00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:11.100
 And the ravens

00:18:11.100 --> 00:18:12.100
 were sort of like

00:18:12.100 --> 00:18:13.259
 seagulls

00:18:13.259 --> 00:18:14.640
 or like common pigeons.

00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:16.200
 They were flying rats

00:18:16.200 --> 00:18:17.120
 with wings, right?

00:18:17.500 --> 00:18:18.759
 They were the lowest

00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:19.539
 of the low.

00:18:20.180 --> 00:18:21.019
 And what Jesus

00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:21.460
 is saying,

00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:22.480
 he uses these

00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:23.420
 very common,

00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:25.080
 even detested animals

00:18:25.080 --> 00:18:25.539
 to say,

00:18:25.660 --> 00:18:26.860
 if God provides

00:18:26.860 --> 00:18:28.720
 for even them,

00:18:28.720 --> 00:18:32.180
 don't you think

00:18:32.180 --> 00:18:33.360
 he will care for you?

00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:37.000
 And then he goes on

00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:38.299
 and he's piling on

00:18:38.299 --> 00:18:39.779
 these rhetorical questions.

00:18:40.420 --> 00:18:41.819
 Can you add anything

00:18:41.819 --> 00:18:42.779
 to your life,

00:18:42.860 --> 00:18:43.700
 to your lifespan?

00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:45.279
 Can you live

00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:46.559
 just a little bit longer

00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:47.559
 by being anxious?

00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:48.680
 And of course,

00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:49.339
 that's ridiculous.

00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:50.220
 Today we know

00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:51.740
 anxiety is one of the reasons

00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:53.059
 why we live shorter lives,

00:18:53.100 --> 00:18:53.339
 right?

00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:54.819
 It causes hypertension,

00:18:55.100 --> 00:18:56.039
 it causes stress,

00:18:56.039 --> 00:18:57.119
 it drives us

00:18:57.119 --> 00:18:58.259
 in extremes

00:18:58.259 --> 00:18:58.920
 to suicide.

00:18:59.059 --> 00:19:00.639
 Anxiety is a terrible thing

00:19:00.639 --> 00:19:01.700
 in our lives

00:19:01.700 --> 00:19:02.619
 and we know that.

00:19:03.399 --> 00:19:04.799
 And Jesus is saying,

00:19:05.019 --> 00:19:05.159
 yeah,

00:19:05.339 --> 00:19:06.079
 and well,

00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:06.920
 how good is it?

00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:08.299
 How much profit

00:19:08.299 --> 00:19:09.319
 do you have

00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:10.859
 in being anxious?

00:19:13.379 --> 00:19:14.119
 He says,

00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:15.299
 if you can't even

00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:17.099
 add one little moment

00:19:17.099 --> 00:19:17.899
 to your life

00:19:17.899 --> 00:19:18.799
 by being anxious,

00:19:19.460 --> 00:19:20.399
 why do you think

00:19:20.399 --> 00:19:21.279
 it's worth being anxious

00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:22.420
 about these other things?

00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:25.500
 And then he turns

00:19:25.500 --> 00:19:26.039
 and he says,

00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:26.700
 consider,

00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:29.140
 consider the flowers

00:19:29.140 --> 00:19:29.700
 of the field,

00:19:29.799 --> 00:19:30.460
 the lilies.

00:19:31.900 --> 00:19:32.960
 They don't work,

00:19:33.839 --> 00:19:34.859
 they simply are.

00:19:36.339 --> 00:19:37.420
 They do what God

00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:38.559
 designed them to do.

00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:40.180
 They don't toil

00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:40.900
 nor spin,

00:19:41.539 --> 00:19:42.599
 they don't labor,

00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.420
 they don't create

00:19:43.420 --> 00:19:44.160
 their own clothing

00:19:44.160 --> 00:19:44.940
 and yet God

00:19:44.940 --> 00:19:46.400
 has clothed them

00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:47.319
 in a splendor

00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:49.119
 that is more majestic

00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:51.440
 than even Solomon.

00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:53.460
 I was trying to think,

00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:55.099
 is there today

00:19:55.099 --> 00:19:57.899
 an analogy

00:19:57.899 --> 00:19:59.099
 to who Solomon is?

00:19:59.159 --> 00:20:00.119
 I'm sure there probably

00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:01.319
 is in the fashion world

00:20:01.319 --> 00:20:02.439
 but I'm just too ignorant

00:20:02.439 --> 00:20:03.019
 to know it.

00:20:03.399 --> 00:20:04.559
 But someone who is,

00:20:04.699 --> 00:20:04.859
 you know,

00:20:04.959 --> 00:20:05.519
 Lady Gaga,

00:20:05.740 --> 00:20:05.939
 right,

00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:07.480
 who is displayed

00:20:07.480 --> 00:20:09.139
 in the most amazing

00:20:09.139 --> 00:20:11.379
 and without,

00:20:11.719 --> 00:20:12.459
 golly,

00:20:12.579 --> 00:20:13.639
 that was an off-the-cuff

00:20:13.639 --> 00:20:14.299
 illustration

00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:15.439
 that really went badly,

00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:15.839
 didn't it?

00:20:15.839 --> 00:20:17.500
 anyway,

00:20:17.959 --> 00:20:19.959
 the people

00:20:19.959 --> 00:20:20.419
 who have

00:20:20.419 --> 00:20:21.199
 the brightest,

00:20:21.480 --> 00:20:22.799
 the most abundant

00:20:22.799 --> 00:20:26.039
 of the glorious

00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:27.459
 clothing in the world.

00:20:31.039 --> 00:20:32.079
 God gives

00:20:32.079 --> 00:20:33.779
 to this lily

00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:34.679
 more

00:20:34.679 --> 00:20:37.379
 than the greatest

00:20:37.379 --> 00:20:38.139
 human being

00:20:38.139 --> 00:20:38.779
 has achieved

00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:40.279
 on their own.

00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:44.099
 and they're passing.

00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:45.200
 The lilies

00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:45.759
 are here today

00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:46.539
 and gone tomorrow.

00:20:47.779 --> 00:20:48.759
 You're living

00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.839
 in the image

00:20:49.839 --> 00:20:50.379
 of God.

00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:52.160
 Don't you think

00:20:52.160 --> 00:20:52.680
 God

00:20:52.680 --> 00:20:54.420
 will care

00:20:54.420 --> 00:20:55.139
 for you?

00:20:57.420 --> 00:20:58.059
 And then

00:20:58.059 --> 00:20:58.619
 as we're working

00:20:58.619 --> 00:20:59.519
 through the passage,

00:21:01.099 --> 00:21:01.960
 verse 30,

00:21:02.119 --> 00:21:02.480
 he says,

00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:03.519
 for all the nations

00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:04.220
 of the world,

00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:04.960
 and when he uses

00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:05.660
 that phrase,

00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:06.359
 he means

00:21:06.359 --> 00:21:07.539
 all the people

00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:08.599
 who don't know

00:21:08.599 --> 00:21:10.059
 the God of the universe,

00:21:10.199 --> 00:21:11.099
 the God of the Bible,

00:21:11.179 --> 00:21:12.079
 the way you do,

00:21:13.139 --> 00:21:14.519
 and all the nations

00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:15.099
 of the world

00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:16.779
 seek after these things.

00:21:16.879 --> 00:21:17.099
 That is,

00:21:17.159 --> 00:21:17.839
 they grasp

00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:18.599
 and strive

00:21:18.599 --> 00:21:19.500
 and are consumed

00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:20.279
 by getting

00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:21.879
 these things.

00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:25.240
 And your heavenly

00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:26.099
 Father knows

00:21:26.099 --> 00:21:26.959
 that you need them.

00:21:32.019 --> 00:21:32.939
 And this is where

00:21:32.939 --> 00:21:33.599
 he turns

00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:34.980
 and he points

00:21:34.980 --> 00:21:35.799
 you to God.

00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:37.079
 He points us

00:21:37.079 --> 00:21:37.719
 to God.

00:21:38.599 --> 00:21:39.719
 He says,

00:21:39.799 --> 00:21:40.519
 don't you know

00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:41.759
 the God

00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:42.740
 who made the universe

00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:43.980
 is a heavenly Father

00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:44.699
 who knows

00:21:44.699 --> 00:21:45.639
 what you need.

00:21:46.179 --> 00:21:47.099
 Every parent

00:21:47.099 --> 00:21:48.519
 thinks about this.

00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:50.399
 How do I provide

00:21:50.399 --> 00:21:51.359
 for my kids

00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:51.879
 the things

00:21:51.879 --> 00:21:52.519
 that they need?

00:21:52.839 --> 00:21:53.799
 Every parent

00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:55.199
 cares about that.

00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:55.939
 Whether they're able

00:21:55.939 --> 00:21:56.859
 to do what they want

00:21:56.859 --> 00:21:57.379
 to do or not,

00:21:57.699 --> 00:21:58.339
 every parent

00:21:58.339 --> 00:21:59.419
 knows this.

00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:00.719
 Jesus says,

00:22:00.799 --> 00:22:02.000
 you have a heavenly Father

00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:03.799
 and he knows

00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:04.679
 what you need.

00:22:04.680 --> 00:22:08.160
 He cares about you

00:22:08.160 --> 00:22:09.779
 more than the natural world.

00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:13.320
 Jesus says,

00:22:13.420 --> 00:22:14.360
 an anxious heart

00:22:14.360 --> 00:22:16.180
 is consumed

00:22:16.180 --> 00:22:17.100
 by worry,

00:22:17.880 --> 00:22:21.220
 not consumed

00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:22.019
 by trusting

00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:23.420
 God.

00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:25.420
 Now,

00:22:25.779 --> 00:22:26.360
 just stop

00:22:26.360 --> 00:22:26.860
 and think.

00:22:26.859 --> 00:22:28.979
 how do we know

00:22:28.979 --> 00:22:29.699
 if we are anxious?

00:22:32.379 --> 00:22:33.219
 How do we know

00:22:33.219 --> 00:22:34.199
 if we are worried?

00:22:34.859 --> 00:22:35.959
 Maybe it's not that hard.

00:22:36.299 --> 00:22:37.500
 Maybe you're already thinking

00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:38.500
 and the wheels are spinning.

00:22:39.539 --> 00:22:40.799
 But what if you lost

00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:41.619
 X tomorrow?

00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:43.740
 I saw last week

00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:44.639
 there was this fire

00:22:44.639 --> 00:22:45.959
 in the Newark

00:22:45.959 --> 00:22:47.219
 airport terminal.

00:22:47.579 --> 00:22:48.379
 17 cars

00:22:48.379 --> 00:22:49.059
 just burned

00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:49.759
 to ashes.

00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:51.000
 Can you imagine

00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:51.919
 coming back from a trip?

00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:53.380
 I was walking through this.

00:22:53.560 --> 00:22:54.720
 Coming back from a trip,

00:22:55.080 --> 00:22:55.360
 you know,

00:22:55.440 --> 00:22:56.240
 I've got a plan.

00:22:56.340 --> 00:22:56.880
 I've probably got

00:22:56.880 --> 00:22:57.800
 a pretty tight schedule.

00:22:57.960 --> 00:22:58.620
 I know where I'm going.

00:22:58.700 --> 00:22:59.279
 You come back.

00:22:59.360 --> 00:23:01.700
 You go to the parking lot

00:23:01.700 --> 00:23:03.140
 and there is your car,

00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:05.720
 a hunk of molten metal

00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:06.320
 and plastic.

00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:10.360
 Don't be anxious,

00:23:11.120 --> 00:23:11.860
 Jesus says.

00:23:15.120 --> 00:23:17.120
 What if you saw a need

00:23:17.120 --> 00:23:18.100
 that you could

00:23:18.100 --> 00:23:19.620
 actually meet?

00:23:19.619 --> 00:23:22.739
 You could loan your van

00:23:22.739 --> 00:23:23.539
 to the youth group

00:23:23.539 --> 00:23:26.679
 for a trip to Monadnock

00:23:26.679 --> 00:23:27.519
 later this year.

00:23:29.339 --> 00:23:30.479
 You have an old,

00:23:30.899 --> 00:23:34.739
 you have a piece of furniture

00:23:34.739 --> 00:23:36.179
 that you could give

00:23:36.179 --> 00:23:36.619
 to someone

00:23:36.619 --> 00:23:38.059
 who doesn't have a bed.

00:23:40.959 --> 00:23:41.919
 Would you do it?

00:23:44.059 --> 00:23:44.899
 Would you do it

00:23:44.899 --> 00:23:46.079
 if it was your bed

00:23:46.079 --> 00:23:47.059
 and you had to pull out

00:23:47.059 --> 00:23:48.059
 the old rusty one

00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:49.259
 from the closet

00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:50.220
 and put that back

00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:50.859
 in your bedroom?

00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:54.240
 The fact is

00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:55.500
 that we have,

00:23:55.859 --> 00:23:56.900
 we live in a culture

00:23:56.900 --> 00:23:58.579
 that has become

00:23:58.579 --> 00:23:59.559
 very comfortable

00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:00.839
 with a lot

00:24:00.839 --> 00:24:02.279
 of material possessions.

00:24:04.940 --> 00:24:07.420
 Our standard of living

00:24:07.420 --> 00:24:07.940
 is high

00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:09.140
 and our cost of living

00:24:09.140 --> 00:24:09.619
 is high

00:24:09.619 --> 00:24:10.079
 and yet

00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:11.700
 in the eyes of the world

00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:12.660
 we are wealthy.

00:24:12.660 --> 00:24:16.800
 and God wants

00:24:16.800 --> 00:24:17.680
 our hearts

00:24:17.680 --> 00:24:19.420
 to not be consumed

00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:20.640
 with accumulating,

00:24:21.080 --> 00:24:21.460
 gathering,

00:24:22.060 --> 00:24:24.000
 and collecting

00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:24.920
 and keeping

00:24:24.920 --> 00:24:26.460
 these things.

00:24:28.540 --> 00:24:29.740
 He wants us

00:24:29.740 --> 00:24:30.519
 to be people

00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:32.040
 who are glad givers

00:24:32.040 --> 00:24:34.660
 not tight-fisted

00:24:34.660 --> 00:24:36.779
 graspers.

00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:42.339
 Here's another diagnostic.

00:24:44.379 --> 00:24:44.980
 What do you spend

00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:45.819
 your time doing?

00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:47.279
 What do you spend

00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:47.740
 your things,

00:24:48.119 --> 00:24:48.639
 what do you spend

00:24:48.639 --> 00:24:49.980
 your time praying about?

00:24:51.019 --> 00:24:52.200
 What do you talk about

00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:53.139
 with your friends?

00:24:55.819 --> 00:24:57.420
 Do you see anxiety

00:24:57.420 --> 00:24:59.220
 filling those spaces

00:24:59.220 --> 00:25:00.899
 in your life?

00:25:01.420 --> 00:25:03.279
 Anxiety about material things.

00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:07.819
 Jesus says

00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:09.420
 this is a heart

00:25:09.420 --> 00:25:11.139
 orientation

00:25:11.139 --> 00:25:12.019
 towards our

00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:13.079
 physical belongings

00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:17.000
 that is not good.

00:25:19.119 --> 00:25:20.139
 We are putting

00:25:20.139 --> 00:25:20.720
 our hope

00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:21.240
 in something

00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:22.319
 that cannot deliver

00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:23.359
 to give us life.

00:25:23.700 --> 00:25:24.399
 We are finding

00:25:24.399 --> 00:25:25.859
 our present lives

00:25:25.859 --> 00:25:26.579
 consumed

00:25:26.579 --> 00:25:27.359
 with anxiety

00:25:27.359 --> 00:25:27.920
 and worry

00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:28.920
 about having

00:25:28.920 --> 00:25:29.720
 or not having

00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:30.480
 these things.

00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:35.119
 And I know that

00:25:35.119 --> 00:25:37.079
 for some of us here

00:25:37.079 --> 00:25:38.700
 in this room,

00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:39.619
 we've had a lot

00:25:39.619 --> 00:25:40.619
 for a long time

00:25:40.619 --> 00:25:42.160
 and it's easy

00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:43.319
 for us to get comfortable.

00:25:44.099 --> 00:25:44.740
 I know that

00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:45.579
 for some of you,

00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:47.420
 you've actually lived

00:25:47.420 --> 00:25:48.500
 in a lot of need

00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:49.980
 and you've faced times

00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:50.960
 where you don't know

00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:52.019
 where the next meal

00:25:52.019 --> 00:25:52.740
 comes from

00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:53.980
 or where the roof

00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:54.920
 is over your head

00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:56.379
 or what clothes

00:25:56.379 --> 00:25:57.440
 you will have to wear.

00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:01.240
 But as I read

00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:01.920
 through this,

00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:03.880
 we can have

00:26:03.880 --> 00:26:05.380
 grasping anxious hearts

00:26:05.380 --> 00:26:06.200
 whether we have

00:26:06.200 --> 00:26:06.620
 a lot

00:26:06.620 --> 00:26:07.259
 or a little.

00:26:11.620 --> 00:26:12.800
 And God instead

00:26:12.800 --> 00:26:13.539
 points us

00:26:13.539 --> 00:26:14.640
 to something else.

00:26:15.340 --> 00:26:16.279
 He points us

00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:17.900
 as disciples,

00:26:18.100 --> 00:26:19.220
 as followers of Him

00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:20.720
 to a new way

00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:21.360
 in the end

00:26:21.360 --> 00:26:22.019
 of this passage.

00:26:22.140 --> 00:26:22.600
 And He's already

00:26:22.600 --> 00:26:23.900
 pointed towards it twice,

00:26:24.360 --> 00:26:25.660
 being rich towards God

00:26:25.660 --> 00:26:26.120
 and knowing

00:26:26.120 --> 00:26:27.060
 a heavenly Father

00:26:27.060 --> 00:26:28.060
 who knows what we need.

00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:28.840
 But starting

00:26:28.840 --> 00:26:29.779
 in verse 30,

00:26:29.779 --> 00:26:33.139
 we see Him turn.

00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:34.240
 Verse 31 actually

00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:35.039
 is where we see

00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:36.639
 Him really turn the corner.

00:26:37.099 --> 00:26:37.480
 He says,

00:26:37.639 --> 00:26:38.599
 there is a new way

00:26:38.599 --> 00:26:40.339
 for followers of Jesus

00:26:40.339 --> 00:26:41.039
 to live.

00:26:41.420 --> 00:26:41.779
 He says,

00:26:41.899 --> 00:26:42.319
 instead,

00:26:43.480 --> 00:26:44.579
 seek His kingdom,

00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:45.839
 that is God's kingdom,

00:26:46.119 --> 00:26:47.980
 and all these things

00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:49.240
 will be added to you.

00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:54.180
 What does it mean

00:26:54.180 --> 00:26:55.359
 to seek God's kingdom?

00:26:55.480 --> 00:26:55.759
 Remember,

00:26:55.900 --> 00:26:56.720
 I told you earlier,

00:26:56.920 --> 00:26:58.700
 seeking in this passage

00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.960
 is being used for the,

00:27:00.220 --> 00:27:00.920
 what are the things

00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:02.359
 that dominate your attention?

00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:03.099
 What are the things

00:27:03.099 --> 00:27:04.599
 that drive you?

00:27:04.660 --> 00:27:05.319
 What are the things

00:27:05.319 --> 00:27:07.559
 that absorb you?

00:27:07.819 --> 00:27:09.019
 What are your obsessions?

00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:11.480
 He says,

00:27:11.579 --> 00:27:13.259
 I want you to be obsessed

00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:14.720
 with the kingdom of God.

00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:17.160
 What does that mean?

00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:19.480
 The kingdom of God

00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:20.579
 is the extent

00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:23.480
 of God's effective rule

00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:25.440
 and reign in this world.

00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:26.700
 Right?

00:27:27.100 --> 00:27:29.059
 God is the sovereign

00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:30.019
 over all things,

00:27:30.120 --> 00:27:30.880
 but His kingdom,

00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:31.839
 when Jesus came,

00:27:31.900 --> 00:27:32.160
 He said,

00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:33.079
 the kingdom of God

00:27:33.079 --> 00:27:33.640
 is near.

00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:35.100
 What He was saying was,

00:27:35.259 --> 00:27:36.579
 God is about to do

00:27:36.579 --> 00:27:37.559
 a new thing

00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:39.620
 to impress His will

00:27:39.620 --> 00:27:41.220
 and to begin to build

00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:42.000
 a kingdom

00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:43.700
 where what God values

00:27:43.700 --> 00:27:44.920
 and what God says

00:27:44.920 --> 00:27:45.940
 is right and wrong

00:27:45.940 --> 00:27:46.819
 and good and bad

00:27:46.819 --> 00:27:47.539
 happen

00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:48.880
 and that God's kingdom

00:27:48.880 --> 00:27:49.580
 is presented

00:27:49.580 --> 00:27:50.299
 as a picture

00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:51.360
 of a place

00:27:51.360 --> 00:27:52.279
 of flourishing

00:27:52.279 --> 00:27:53.240
 and a place

00:27:53.240 --> 00:27:54.000
 of joy

00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:54.620
 and a place

00:27:54.620 --> 00:27:55.420
 of abundance

00:27:55.420 --> 00:27:56.380
 and a place

00:27:56.380 --> 00:27:57.100
 of provision.

00:27:58.799 --> 00:28:00.380
 A place where God

00:28:00.380 --> 00:28:01.319
 is in the center

00:28:01.319 --> 00:28:03.279
 of the world again.

00:28:06.539 --> 00:28:07.660
 And Jesus says,

00:28:07.940 --> 00:28:08.819
 this is worth

00:28:08.819 --> 00:28:10.680
 our hearts

00:28:10.680 --> 00:28:12.059
 being consumed by.

00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:13.380
 The nations seek

00:28:13.380 --> 00:28:14.020
 after these things,

00:28:14.100 --> 00:28:14.860
 but you have something

00:28:14.860 --> 00:28:16.000
 better to seek for.

00:28:16.460 --> 00:28:17.740
 God and His kingdom.

00:28:18.600 --> 00:28:19.500
 This is what you can

00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:20.320
 set your heart on.

00:28:20.560 --> 00:28:21.300
 This is what you can

00:28:21.300 --> 00:28:22.640
 invest your life on.

00:28:23.400 --> 00:28:23.940
 And you're going to

00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:24.800
 invest your life

00:28:24.800 --> 00:28:25.220
 in something

00:28:25.220 --> 00:28:26.520
 that will not fade

00:28:26.520 --> 00:28:27.160
 and therefore

00:28:27.160 --> 00:28:28.320
 is not disappointing.

00:28:29.080 --> 00:28:29.800
 When He says

00:28:29.800 --> 00:28:30.960
 in verse 34

00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:33.280
 or verse 33,

00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:34.600
 provide for yourself

00:28:34.600 --> 00:28:35.300
 money bags

00:28:35.300 --> 00:28:36.420
 that don't grow old

00:28:36.420 --> 00:28:37.660
 and with a treasure

00:28:37.660 --> 00:28:38.120
 in heaven

00:28:38.120 --> 00:28:39.060
 that does not fail

00:28:39.060 --> 00:28:39.960
 where no thief

00:28:39.960 --> 00:28:40.480
 approaches

00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:41.840
 and no moth destroys.

00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:43.039
 He's saying

00:28:43.039 --> 00:28:43.959
 all of your physical

00:28:43.959 --> 00:28:44.480
 belongings

00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:45.220
 and all of your

00:28:45.220 --> 00:28:45.720
 possessions

00:28:45.720 --> 00:28:47.159
 will pass away.

00:28:47.559 --> 00:28:48.619
 But when you invest

00:28:48.619 --> 00:28:49.779
 in God's kingdom,

00:28:50.159 --> 00:28:50.879
 you're investing

00:28:50.879 --> 00:28:51.399
 in things

00:28:51.399 --> 00:28:52.099
 that will last

00:28:52.099 --> 00:28:52.699
 forever.

00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:58.639
 How do we do this?

00:28:58.640 --> 00:29:02.340
 What does it look like

00:29:02.340 --> 00:29:04.940
 to seek God's kingdom?

00:29:05.780 --> 00:29:06.120
 Well,

00:29:06.280 --> 00:29:08.240
 that's a very broad question,

00:29:08.520 --> 00:29:10.100
 but Jesus has very specific

00:29:10.100 --> 00:29:11.800
 applications here.

00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:13.460
 Verse 33,

00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:15.880
 sell your possessions

00:29:15.880 --> 00:29:17.259
 and give to the poor.

00:29:18.520 --> 00:29:18.860
 Okay.

00:29:19.240 --> 00:29:20.300
 Now next week,

00:29:20.420 --> 00:29:21.420
 I expect you all

00:29:21.420 --> 00:29:21.980
 to come in

00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:23.820
 having one pair of clothing,

00:29:24.360 --> 00:29:25.120
 one car,

00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:26.420
 one house,

00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:27.860
 and nothing else

00:29:27.860 --> 00:29:29.300
 because that's,

00:29:29.539 --> 00:29:29.900
 no,

00:29:30.019 --> 00:29:31.259
 I don't actually think

00:29:31.259 --> 00:29:32.660
 that's what Jesus is saying.

00:29:32.880 --> 00:29:33.779
 As often,

00:29:34.120 --> 00:29:35.080
 Jesus says things

00:29:35.080 --> 00:29:36.700
 in very black and white nature

00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:37.660
 in order for us

00:29:37.660 --> 00:29:39.080
 to feel the impact

00:29:39.080 --> 00:29:40.759
 of what he is saying.

00:29:41.400 --> 00:29:43.120
 The reason why I say that

00:29:43.120 --> 00:29:43.940
 is not just because

00:29:43.940 --> 00:29:45.019
 I don't want to feel

00:29:45.019 --> 00:29:46.900
 the sting of this command,

00:29:47.480 --> 00:29:49.100
 but the reason is because

00:29:49.100 --> 00:29:50.039
 you see it,

00:29:50.060 --> 00:29:51.140
 even in this passage,

00:29:51.500 --> 00:29:53.039
 the man with his barns

00:29:53.039 --> 00:29:54.620
 was not criticized

00:29:54.619 --> 00:29:56.159
 for being a wealthy man.

00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:57.759
 He's being criticized

00:29:57.759 --> 00:29:59.479
 for making his life

00:29:59.479 --> 00:30:01.019
 be in his wealth.

00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:03.159
 Okay.

00:30:03.739 --> 00:30:05.079
 And we also see it

00:30:05.079 --> 00:30:06.039
 throughout Scripture.

00:30:07.059 --> 00:30:07.259
 Right.

00:30:07.459 --> 00:30:08.079
 If you look,

00:30:08.339 --> 00:30:08.539
 you know,

00:30:08.619 --> 00:30:10.579
 this is the book of Luke,

00:30:10.639 --> 00:30:11.979
 the gospel according to Luke.

00:30:12.079 --> 00:30:12.919
 Luke then went on

00:30:12.919 --> 00:30:13.699
 and wrote a sequel

00:30:13.699 --> 00:30:15.479
 about how the early church

00:30:15.479 --> 00:30:17.519
 lived out these things.

00:30:17.579 --> 00:30:18.539
 And part of what you see

00:30:18.539 --> 00:30:19.339
 in the early church

00:30:19.339 --> 00:30:21.079
 is people actually owned things.

00:30:21.079 --> 00:30:22.319
 They had homes

00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:25.480
 that hosted churches.

00:30:25.960 --> 00:30:26.960
 They had belongings

00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:28.059
 that they could give.

00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:29.259
 Ananias and Sapphira

00:30:29.259 --> 00:30:30.319
 were not condemned

00:30:30.319 --> 00:30:31.659
 for having land

00:30:31.659 --> 00:30:32.960
 that they hadn't sold yet.

00:30:33.139 --> 00:30:33.839
 They were condemned

00:30:33.839 --> 00:30:34.879
 for lying about

00:30:34.879 --> 00:30:35.919
 how they did it.

00:30:37.619 --> 00:30:38.039
 And so,

00:30:38.419 --> 00:30:38.899
 this is,

00:30:39.799 --> 00:30:40.960
 well,

00:30:42.199 --> 00:30:42.879
 it's not,

00:30:43.399 --> 00:30:45.119
 the ideal of God's kingdom

00:30:45.119 --> 00:30:46.220
 isn't communism

00:30:46.220 --> 00:30:47.099
 and everything

00:30:47.099 --> 00:30:48.519
 being owned communally,

00:30:48.519 --> 00:30:50.400
 but what it is

00:30:50.400 --> 00:30:51.480
 is generosity

00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:53.099
 and a freedom

00:30:53.099 --> 00:30:54.420
 and a sense of stewardship

00:30:54.420 --> 00:30:55.660
 that all that we have

00:30:55.660 --> 00:30:56.819
 has come from God

00:30:56.819 --> 00:30:58.460
 and God has given to us

00:30:58.460 --> 00:30:59.619
 not for simply

00:30:59.619 --> 00:31:00.740
 our own sake

00:31:00.740 --> 00:31:01.960
 but for the sake

00:31:01.960 --> 00:31:03.660
 that we may bless others

00:31:03.660 --> 00:31:05.299
 in the name of Christ

00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:06.579
 and build his kingdom

00:31:06.579 --> 00:31:07.660
 by the way

00:31:07.660 --> 00:31:08.759
 that we do that.

00:31:12.839 --> 00:31:13.940
 This is what God

00:31:13.940 --> 00:31:15.200
 wants us to think about.

00:31:15.879 --> 00:31:17.299
 He wants us to think about

00:31:17.299 --> 00:31:18.619
 all the things

00:31:18.619 --> 00:31:19.220
 that I have.

00:31:19.319 --> 00:31:20.319
 Am I thinking about

00:31:20.319 --> 00:31:21.299
 how can I bless

00:31:21.299 --> 00:31:22.379
 others with them

00:31:22.379 --> 00:31:24.339
 or am I simply thinking about

00:31:24.339 --> 00:31:25.839
 how can I be more comfortable,

00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:27.319
 more secure,

00:31:27.839 --> 00:31:28.659
 more important,

00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:30.200
 find more meaning

00:31:30.200 --> 00:31:31.000
 in the things

00:31:31.000 --> 00:31:31.799
 that I have?

00:31:35.519 --> 00:31:37.299
 To invest in God's kingdom

00:31:37.299 --> 00:31:39.000
 in the age of the church

00:31:39.000 --> 00:31:39.859
 is to invest

00:31:39.859 --> 00:31:41.960
 in the gospel ministry

00:31:41.960 --> 00:31:43.299
 of word and deed

00:31:43.299 --> 00:31:46.299
 to proclaim Jesus Christ

00:31:46.299 --> 00:31:48.399
 and to then live out

00:31:48.399 --> 00:31:49.139
 the ethics

00:31:49.139 --> 00:31:49.980
 that Jesus Christ

00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:51.079
 commands us to

00:31:51.079 --> 00:31:52.539
 in the world

00:31:52.539 --> 00:31:54.319
 as we await

00:31:54.319 --> 00:31:55.500
 Jesus coming back.

00:31:56.960 --> 00:31:58.039
 This is what God's

00:31:58.039 --> 00:31:58.700
 called us to.

00:32:00.759 --> 00:32:01.680
 So I want to get

00:32:01.680 --> 00:32:02.359
 really practical

00:32:02.359 --> 00:32:03.259
 for a few minutes.

00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:05.039
 I want you to think about

00:32:05.039 --> 00:32:06.159
 how you can invest

00:32:06.159 --> 00:32:09.220
 some of the places

00:32:09.220 --> 00:32:09.839
 where,

00:32:10.599 --> 00:32:11.399
 because you might be

00:32:11.399 --> 00:32:12.119
 sitting there thinking,

00:32:12.119 --> 00:32:13.139
 I don't know

00:32:13.139 --> 00:32:13.819
 how to do that.

00:32:13.879 --> 00:32:14.259
 I don't know

00:32:14.259 --> 00:32:14.799
 where to go.

00:32:16.259 --> 00:32:17.439
 I get lots of stuff

00:32:17.439 --> 00:32:17.939
 in the mail.

00:32:18.339 --> 00:32:19.279
 I don't know how much

00:32:19.279 --> 00:32:20.599
 of that is kingdom oriented.

00:32:20.739 --> 00:32:21.500
 What do I do?

00:32:22.359 --> 00:32:23.500
 I want to give you

00:32:23.500 --> 00:32:25.699
 some places

00:32:25.699 --> 00:32:27.039
 for you to consider

00:32:27.039 --> 00:32:28.639
 where you could

00:32:28.639 --> 00:32:29.959
 ask the Lord,

00:32:30.079 --> 00:32:30.239
 Lord,

00:32:30.359 --> 00:32:31.139
 do you want me

00:32:31.139 --> 00:32:32.299
 to become more generous?

00:32:33.039 --> 00:32:33.719
 Do you want me

00:32:33.719 --> 00:32:34.659
 to give more

00:32:34.659 --> 00:32:35.799
 in these areas?

00:32:38.959 --> 00:32:40.619
 Before I get into

00:32:40.619 --> 00:32:41.479
 some of the details,

00:32:41.480 --> 00:32:42.319
 I want to say this.

00:32:42.680 --> 00:32:43.940
 The giving that Jesus

00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:45.059
 calls us to here

00:32:45.059 --> 00:32:46.059
 is not merely

00:32:46.059 --> 00:32:47.079
 financial giving.

00:32:48.440 --> 00:32:49.640
 I gave some examples

00:32:49.640 --> 00:32:50.180
 earlier.

00:32:50.640 --> 00:32:51.380
 Your homes,

00:32:51.519 --> 00:32:52.259
 your cars,

00:32:52.839 --> 00:32:53.740
 your time,

00:32:54.000 --> 00:32:54.880
 your hospitality.

00:32:55.380 --> 00:32:56.160
 There are lots of

00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:57.039
 other ways

00:32:57.039 --> 00:32:58.019
 that you can invest

00:32:58.019 --> 00:32:59.380
 your possessions

00:32:59.380 --> 00:33:00.500
 of your life

00:33:00.500 --> 00:33:01.319
 and your time

00:33:01.319 --> 00:33:02.059
 in the kingdom.

00:33:03.920 --> 00:33:04.960
 But I'm going to talk

00:33:04.960 --> 00:33:06.360
 specifically about money

00:33:06.360 --> 00:33:06.819
 today

00:33:06.819 --> 00:33:08.359
 and how you can

00:33:08.359 --> 00:33:09.379
 invest finances.

00:33:11.379 --> 00:33:12.240
 First thing I'm going

00:33:12.240 --> 00:33:12.700
 to say,

00:33:13.559 --> 00:33:14.559
 and this is with

00:33:14.559 --> 00:33:15.599
 a great disclaimer,

00:33:15.839 --> 00:33:17.159
 is you can give

00:33:17.159 --> 00:33:18.179
 to your local church.

00:33:18.839 --> 00:33:19.220
 Now,

00:33:19.299 --> 00:33:20.619
 having said that,

00:33:21.200 --> 00:33:21.599
 look,

00:33:21.939 --> 00:33:22.919
 the kingdom of God

00:33:22.919 --> 00:33:23.740
 is larger than

00:33:23.740 --> 00:33:24.859
 any local church

00:33:24.859 --> 00:33:26.559
 and I hope

00:33:26.559 --> 00:33:27.000
 that you

00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:27.419
 who have been

00:33:27.419 --> 00:33:27.919
 coming here

00:33:27.919 --> 00:33:28.419
 for a while

00:33:28.419 --> 00:33:29.519
 know that our heart

00:33:29.519 --> 00:33:30.480
 is not simply

00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:31.599
 to build a bigger

00:33:31.599 --> 00:33:33.019
 barn here

00:33:33.019 --> 00:33:34.279
 so that we can have

00:33:34.279 --> 00:33:35.319
 more stuff here

00:33:35.319 --> 00:33:36.420
 for our own comfort

00:33:36.420 --> 00:33:37.200
 and welfare.

00:33:37.759 --> 00:33:38.079
 Right?

00:33:38.440 --> 00:33:39.519
 I hope that

00:33:39.519 --> 00:33:40.779
 you would remember

00:33:40.779 --> 00:33:42.059
 how often we pray

00:33:42.059 --> 00:33:42.899
 for the flourishing

00:33:42.899 --> 00:33:43.680
 of other churches

00:33:43.680 --> 00:33:44.319
 in the city.

00:33:44.579 --> 00:33:45.220
 How we pray

00:33:45.220 --> 00:33:46.359
 for the gospel ministry

00:33:46.359 --> 00:33:47.299
 here and around

00:33:47.299 --> 00:33:47.859
 the world.

00:33:48.539 --> 00:33:49.639
 If you're new here,

00:33:49.720 --> 00:33:50.460
 I hope you'll stick

00:33:50.460 --> 00:33:51.339
 around long enough

00:33:51.339 --> 00:33:52.759
 to hopefully find

00:33:52.759 --> 00:33:53.359
 that this is true

00:33:53.359 --> 00:33:53.940
 and if it's not,

00:33:54.039 --> 00:33:54.899
 please come tell me

00:33:54.899 --> 00:33:56.180
 so we can fix that

00:33:56.180 --> 00:33:57.139
 because that would be

00:33:57.139 --> 00:33:58.660
 terrible if that were true.

00:33:59.960 --> 00:34:01.160
 But the church,

00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:03.119
 globally and locally,

00:34:03.119 --> 00:34:05.359
 is God's central means

00:34:05.359 --> 00:34:06.379
 of building His kingdom

00:34:06.379 --> 00:34:08.719
 and giving to the church

00:34:08.719 --> 00:34:09.839
 is a good thing.

00:34:13.859 --> 00:34:15.500
 And we are on the brink

00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:16.380
 as a church

00:34:16.380 --> 00:34:19.819
 of investing a lot

00:34:19.819 --> 00:34:20.759
 of money

00:34:20.759 --> 00:34:22.980
 in expanding

00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:24.460
 our base of operations

00:34:24.460 --> 00:34:25.739
 here on this little

00:34:25.739 --> 00:34:26.639
 postage stamp

00:34:26.639 --> 00:34:28.400
 with a building campaign.

00:34:29.279 --> 00:34:30.319
 You guys know,

00:34:30.559 --> 00:34:31.639
 if you haven't heard it

00:34:31.639 --> 00:34:32.319
 in three weeks,

00:34:32.320 --> 00:34:33.420
 we will have a launch,

00:34:33.519 --> 00:34:34.000
 you will hear

00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:35.220
 all sorts of details,

00:34:35.720 --> 00:34:36.920
 plan to be here

00:34:36.920 --> 00:34:37.920
 on the 24th

00:34:37.920 --> 00:34:40.900
 to be able to hear

00:34:40.900 --> 00:34:42.000
 about all the details

00:34:42.000 --> 00:34:43.180
 of what that looks like.

00:34:43.559 --> 00:34:44.340
 But our heart

00:34:44.340 --> 00:34:45.160
 is not to build

00:34:45.160 --> 00:34:45.840
 a bigger barn

00:34:45.840 --> 00:34:46.920
 so that people will think

00:34:46.920 --> 00:34:48.140
 we're an impressive church.

00:34:48.460 --> 00:34:49.559
 Our heart is to build

00:34:49.559 --> 00:34:50.600
 a base of a church

00:34:50.600 --> 00:34:51.800
 so that we can continue

00:34:51.800 --> 00:34:53.840
 and expand the ministries

00:34:53.840 --> 00:34:55.440
 that we are doing already

00:34:55.440 --> 00:34:56.920
 of gospel preaching,

00:34:57.059 --> 00:34:58.019
 of gospel ministry

00:34:58.019 --> 00:34:59.800
 to the city.

00:34:59.800 --> 00:35:04.120
 So if you want to think

00:35:04.120 --> 00:35:05.280
 about giving to our church

00:35:05.280 --> 00:35:06.940
 the building campaign,

00:35:07.120 --> 00:35:08.820
 consider how you might

00:35:08.820 --> 00:35:09.580
 be able to be

00:35:09.580 --> 00:35:11.140
 sacrificially a part of that.

00:35:11.620 --> 00:35:12.440
 But consider some

00:35:12.440 --> 00:35:13.320
 other options too.

00:35:13.440 --> 00:35:14.660
 Consider the DBF fund

00:35:14.660 --> 00:35:15.420
 that Nick mentioned

00:35:15.420 --> 00:35:16.500
 earlier in our service.

00:35:17.700 --> 00:35:19.360
 Consider the campus ministers

00:35:19.360 --> 00:35:20.240
 in our midst

00:35:20.240 --> 00:35:21.500
 who raise support

00:35:21.500 --> 00:35:22.480
 for their salary

00:35:22.480 --> 00:35:24.240
 and who raise money

00:35:24.240 --> 00:35:25.660
 for their operation costs.

00:35:26.060 --> 00:35:27.120
 Consider the poverty

00:35:27.119 --> 00:35:28.019
 of the gospel

00:35:28.019 --> 00:35:29.900
 on university campuses

00:35:29.900 --> 00:35:31.059
 and how few voices

00:35:31.059 --> 00:35:31.940
 there are there

00:35:31.940 --> 00:35:33.659
 and invest in those.

00:35:34.099 --> 00:35:35.079
 Consider investing

00:35:35.079 --> 00:35:36.139
 in Bridges of Hope,

00:35:36.420 --> 00:35:37.619
 the coalition of churches

00:35:37.619 --> 00:35:38.519
 that we're a part of

00:35:38.519 --> 00:35:39.380
 that's seeking to,

00:35:39.519 --> 00:35:40.259
 in Christ's name,

00:35:40.579 --> 00:35:41.799
 do good to the city,

00:35:41.900 --> 00:35:43.440
 that runs a mentoring program

00:35:43.440 --> 00:35:45.139
 and is seeking to launch

00:35:45.139 --> 00:35:46.779
 a prison re-entry program

00:35:46.779 --> 00:35:48.199
 in other ways.

00:35:49.739 --> 00:35:50.920
 Consider something like

00:35:50.920 --> 00:35:52.059
 the 180 Center.

00:35:52.159 --> 00:35:52.679
 If you don't know

00:35:52.679 --> 00:35:53.500
 the 180 Center,

00:35:53.599 --> 00:35:54.779
 it's over on Grand Avenue.

00:35:54.900 --> 00:35:56.199
 They do a great work

00:35:56.199 --> 00:35:57.460
 doing addiction,

00:35:57.879 --> 00:35:58.319
 treatment,

00:35:58.579 --> 00:35:59.159
 recovery,

00:35:59.779 --> 00:36:00.579
 job training.

00:36:01.299 --> 00:36:02.480
 They run a lot

00:36:02.480 --> 00:36:03.439
 of different things.

00:36:04.239 --> 00:36:04.919
 If you're looking

00:36:04.919 --> 00:36:05.579
 for a place

00:36:05.579 --> 00:36:06.960
 in the city to give to

00:36:06.960 --> 00:36:08.759
 that's doing great ministry

00:36:08.759 --> 00:36:09.539
 in Christ's name,

00:36:09.639 --> 00:36:10.460
 consider them.

00:36:13.119 --> 00:36:14.159
 Not only consider

00:36:14.159 --> 00:36:15.059
 the needs of the city,

00:36:15.179 --> 00:36:16.079
 consider the needs

00:36:16.079 --> 00:36:16.779
 of the world.

00:36:18.299 --> 00:36:19.759
 If you haven't been here

00:36:19.759 --> 00:36:20.299
 on a Sunday

00:36:20.299 --> 00:36:21.279
 when Hanum Asad

00:36:21.279 --> 00:36:22.159
 has come and talked

00:36:22.159 --> 00:36:23.119
 about his ministry

00:36:23.119 --> 00:36:24.739
 called Christian Mission

00:36:24.739 --> 00:36:25.399
 to Gaza,

00:36:25.400 --> 00:36:29.079
 and the ministry

00:36:29.079 --> 00:36:30.180
 that he is having

00:36:30.180 --> 00:36:32.880
 to Palestinian Christians

00:36:32.880 --> 00:36:34.480
 and the ministry

00:36:34.480 --> 00:36:35.099
 of the gospel

00:36:35.099 --> 00:36:36.780
 to Gaza,

00:36:37.119 --> 00:36:38.180
 which you can imagine

00:36:38.180 --> 00:36:39.840
 is an incredibly fraught

00:36:39.840 --> 00:36:42.099
 and very difficult ministry.

00:36:43.420 --> 00:36:44.700
 Not only is he doing

00:36:44.700 --> 00:36:45.539
 ministry there

00:36:45.539 --> 00:36:46.440
 where there are lots

00:36:46.440 --> 00:36:46.880
 of needs

00:36:46.880 --> 00:36:47.780
 because the Christians

00:36:47.780 --> 00:36:49.360
 get it from both sides

00:36:49.360 --> 00:36:51.360
 in that political conflict,

00:36:51.360 --> 00:36:53.700
 but then his base

00:36:53.700 --> 00:36:54.400
 of operations,

00:36:54.640 --> 00:36:55.440
 which is in Jordan,

00:36:56.000 --> 00:36:57.579
 has been ministering

00:36:57.579 --> 00:36:58.380
 to refugees

00:36:58.380 --> 00:36:59.240
 from Syria

00:36:59.240 --> 00:37:00.079
 and from Iraq

00:37:00.079 --> 00:37:02.059
 for quite a while now.

00:37:03.260 --> 00:37:04.820
 There are great opportunities

00:37:04.820 --> 00:37:06.480
 to think about giving

00:37:06.480 --> 00:37:10.380
 to his ministry

00:37:10.380 --> 00:37:11.400
 and to the things

00:37:11.400 --> 00:37:12.440
 that they're doing there.

00:37:12.440 --> 00:37:15.539
 And if for whatever reason

00:37:15.539 --> 00:37:17.159
 Hana and his ministry

00:37:17.159 --> 00:37:17.860
 isn't something

00:37:17.860 --> 00:37:18.900
 that you want to give to,

00:37:19.400 --> 00:37:20.720
 there are great organizations.

00:37:20.980 --> 00:37:22.659
 World Vision does wonderful

00:37:22.659 --> 00:37:24.320
 world relief,

00:37:24.460 --> 00:37:26.220
 particularly in light

00:37:26.220 --> 00:37:28.119
 of natural and human disasters.

00:37:29.119 --> 00:37:30.320
 Compassion International.

00:37:30.760 --> 00:37:31.679
 If you're a family,

00:37:31.840 --> 00:37:33.420
 if you want to engage

00:37:33.420 --> 00:37:34.920
 in an ongoing process

00:37:34.920 --> 00:37:38.400
 of investing in a child

00:37:38.400 --> 00:37:39.480
 somewhere in the world

00:37:39.480 --> 00:37:41.579
 where they will be ministered to

00:37:41.579 --> 00:37:42.980
 by a church

00:37:42.980 --> 00:37:44.400
 and where they will be supported

00:37:44.400 --> 00:37:46.099
 so they can get food

00:37:46.099 --> 00:37:46.639
 and clothing

00:37:46.639 --> 00:37:47.360
 and grow up

00:37:47.360 --> 00:37:48.599
 and get an education,

00:37:49.260 --> 00:37:51.019
 wonderful opportunities.

00:37:55.240 --> 00:37:56.280
 Personal ministry.

00:37:57.199 --> 00:38:01.179
 What about your everyday life?

00:38:01.800 --> 00:38:03.000
 Are you thinking about

00:38:03.000 --> 00:38:04.240
 how you can be generous

00:38:04.240 --> 00:38:06.219
 in your everyday life?

00:38:07.380 --> 00:38:08.920
 Now, if you're considering,

00:38:08.920 --> 00:38:10.579
 if you work in downtown New Haven

00:38:10.579 --> 00:38:11.460
 and you are exposed

00:38:11.460 --> 00:38:12.019
 to homelessness,

00:38:12.200 --> 00:38:13.380
 I think I mentioned this before.

00:38:13.519 --> 00:38:14.099
 Greg has written

00:38:14.099 --> 00:38:15.420
 a really great pamphlet

00:38:15.420 --> 00:38:17.639
 that's on the back table

00:38:17.639 --> 00:38:19.860
 that gives some really great wisdom

00:38:19.860 --> 00:38:21.000
 about how to actually

00:38:21.000 --> 00:38:22.220
 be most helpful.

00:38:22.920 --> 00:38:23.980
 Homelessness in America

00:38:23.980 --> 00:38:24.920
 and panhandling,

00:38:25.760 --> 00:38:27.300
 it's a complicated issue.

00:38:28.240 --> 00:38:29.760
 What God wants for you

00:38:29.760 --> 00:38:31.019
 is to have a generous heart.

00:38:31.780 --> 00:38:32.460
 And then we also want

00:38:32.460 --> 00:38:33.400
 to give you some instruction

00:38:33.400 --> 00:38:35.240
 on how you might do that best

00:38:35.240 --> 00:38:36.659
 to be truly helpful.

00:38:36.659 --> 00:38:39.719
 So pick up that flyer

00:38:39.719 --> 00:38:41.739
 as you cultivate that heart.

00:38:43.199 --> 00:38:44.279
 If you aren't on it,

00:38:44.379 --> 00:38:46.059
 consider being a part

00:38:46.059 --> 00:38:47.920
 of the have need email list

00:38:47.920 --> 00:38:48.899
 that Michelle has.

00:38:49.099 --> 00:38:50.299
 When people in our church

00:38:50.299 --> 00:38:51.000
 have needs

00:38:51.000 --> 00:38:52.219
 and there are things like,

00:38:52.399 --> 00:38:53.059
 I need a bed,

00:38:53.480 --> 00:38:55.099
 I'm moving in a new house,

00:38:55.159 --> 00:38:55.819
 I have nothing.

00:38:56.559 --> 00:38:57.819
 These are the kinds of things

00:38:57.819 --> 00:38:59.119
 that go out on that list.

00:39:00.619 --> 00:39:02.079
 Consider being on that list

00:39:02.079 --> 00:39:03.179
 so you know the needs

00:39:03.179 --> 00:39:05.500
 so that you can respond to them.

00:39:05.500 --> 00:39:08.480
 Here's a very practical thing.

00:39:08.960 --> 00:39:10.340
 If you don't know

00:39:10.340 --> 00:39:11.760
 how to budget your money

00:39:11.760 --> 00:39:13.059
 in order to be able

00:39:13.059 --> 00:39:14.920
 to take some of your money

00:39:14.920 --> 00:39:15.880
 and give it away

00:39:15.880 --> 00:39:16.960
 because you never know

00:39:16.960 --> 00:39:17.739
 how much you have

00:39:17.739 --> 00:39:18.639
 and how much you spend

00:39:18.639 --> 00:39:19.599
 and how much you need,

00:39:20.699 --> 00:39:21.840
 well maybe that would be

00:39:21.840 --> 00:39:22.639
 a first step.

00:39:24.059 --> 00:39:25.239
 We as a church leadership

00:39:25.239 --> 00:39:26.519
 would love to help you.

00:39:26.539 --> 00:39:27.860
 At our last congregational meeting,

00:39:28.019 --> 00:39:28.960
 someone stood up and said,

00:39:29.099 --> 00:39:29.800
 I would be willing

00:39:29.800 --> 00:39:31.699
 to help you take steps

00:39:31.699 --> 00:39:34.619
 in learning how to get a handle

00:39:34.619 --> 00:39:35.440
 on your finances

00:39:35.440 --> 00:39:36.960
 so that you can be generous,

00:39:37.199 --> 00:39:38.440
 so that you can give,

00:39:38.960 --> 00:39:40.880
 so that you can be not consumed

00:39:40.880 --> 00:39:42.000
 by these things.

00:39:44.400 --> 00:39:45.799
 So if you are in that need,

00:39:45.920 --> 00:39:47.179
 please let us know.

00:39:47.339 --> 00:39:48.359
 Write it in a prayer card.

00:39:48.500 --> 00:39:49.659
 Please talk to the staff

00:39:49.659 --> 00:39:50.219
 or the elders.

00:39:50.559 --> 00:39:52.099
 We would love to direct you

00:39:52.099 --> 00:39:53.159
 in that.

00:39:53.159 --> 00:39:59.399
 I actually heard a story

00:39:59.399 --> 00:40:01.460
 of a family in our church

00:40:01.460 --> 00:40:04.000
 that is purposefully eating

00:40:04.000 --> 00:40:07.099
 an extremely inexpensive meal

00:40:07.099 --> 00:40:07.980
 once a week

00:40:07.980 --> 00:40:10.079
 rather than the normal meal

00:40:10.079 --> 00:40:10.659
 that they eat.

00:40:10.920 --> 00:40:11.799
 They eat something

00:40:11.799 --> 00:40:13.480
 that will cost like less than $2.

00:40:13.960 --> 00:40:14.940
 So they can take

00:40:14.940 --> 00:40:16.000
 what they would normally budget

00:40:16.000 --> 00:40:16.579
 for that,

00:40:17.339 --> 00:40:18.579
 take the rest of the money,

00:40:19.059 --> 00:40:19.879
 and give it

00:40:19.879 --> 00:40:21.920
 in a particular way.

00:40:21.920 --> 00:40:23.659
 If you are a family,

00:40:23.780 --> 00:40:24.860
 maybe you would want to consider

00:40:24.860 --> 00:40:25.940
 something like that.

00:40:26.820 --> 00:40:28.119
 That money could be set aside

00:40:28.119 --> 00:40:29.340
 for a compassion child.

00:40:29.460 --> 00:40:30.340
 It could be set aside

00:40:30.340 --> 00:40:32.079
 for the mentoring program

00:40:32.079 --> 00:40:33.240
 at Bridges of Hope.

00:40:33.320 --> 00:40:34.119
 You could do all sorts

00:40:34.119 --> 00:40:34.880
 of things with it.

00:40:36.079 --> 00:40:36.920
 These are the ways

00:40:36.920 --> 00:40:37.579
 that we work

00:40:37.579 --> 00:40:39.820
 into our everyday lives,

00:40:40.039 --> 00:40:41.380
 patterns of generosity,

00:40:41.780 --> 00:40:43.599
 patterns of sacrificial living,

00:40:44.360 --> 00:40:46.099
 patterns of thinking

00:40:46.099 --> 00:40:46.960
 what we have

00:40:46.960 --> 00:40:48.480
 is not simply for ourselves,

00:40:48.599 --> 00:40:49.980
 but it is to bless others.

00:40:49.980 --> 00:40:53.719
 Jesus finishes this passage

00:40:53.719 --> 00:40:54.719
 with a diagnostic

00:40:54.719 --> 00:40:56.460
 that is always striking

00:40:56.460 --> 00:40:57.780
 when we read it properly.

00:40:58.579 --> 00:40:59.280
 Verse 34,

00:40:59.500 --> 00:41:00.639
 for where your treasure is,

00:41:00.719 --> 00:41:02.240
 there will your heart be also.

00:41:04.079 --> 00:41:05.539
 Humanly, we always want

00:41:05.539 --> 00:41:06.340
 to read this as,

00:41:06.420 --> 00:41:07.619
 well, where your heart is,

00:41:07.719 --> 00:41:09.240
 there will be your treasure also.

00:41:09.519 --> 00:41:10.740
 The things that you love,

00:41:10.840 --> 00:41:11.539
 those are the things

00:41:11.539 --> 00:41:12.240
 you give to.

00:41:12.740 --> 00:41:14.820
 But Jesus is not saying that.

00:41:14.820 --> 00:41:17.080
 Jesus is actually saying,

00:41:17.480 --> 00:41:20.160
 use this as a final diagnostic.

00:41:20.680 --> 00:41:22.760
 Where do you spend your stuff?

00:41:23.100 --> 00:41:25.160
 Your money, your time,

00:41:25.720 --> 00:41:27.660
 your resources, your possessions.

00:41:28.160 --> 00:41:29.840
 Where do you spend those things?

00:41:30.200 --> 00:41:32.180
 Those are the things you value.

00:41:33.620 --> 00:41:34.980
 And allow that to be

00:41:34.980 --> 00:41:36.800
 a diagnostic tool for you

00:41:36.800 --> 00:41:38.320
 to see whether your heart

00:41:38.320 --> 00:41:40.280
 is right towards God.

00:41:40.280 --> 00:41:42.140
 whether you are actually

00:41:42.140 --> 00:41:44.300
 seeking God's kingdom

00:41:44.300 --> 00:41:45.680
 and sacrificially

00:41:45.680 --> 00:41:47.680
 and generously giving

00:41:47.680 --> 00:41:52.760
 for the work of God's gospel

00:41:52.760 --> 00:41:53.800
 and God's church

00:41:53.800 --> 00:41:55.400
 and the expansion of His kingdom.

00:41:56.060 --> 00:41:57.900
 Or whether you are

00:41:57.900 --> 00:42:00.180
 consumed by anxiety

00:42:00.180 --> 00:42:03.740
 and find yourself

00:42:03.740 --> 00:42:05.040
 with a grasping heart.

00:42:05.040 --> 00:42:05.100
 Amen.

00:42:05.100 --> 00:42:05.540
 Amen.

00:42:10.280 --> 00:42:12.100
 The reason why we can do this

00:42:12.100 --> 00:42:14.620
 is in verse 32.

00:42:14.980 --> 00:42:17.200
 It's the very core of this

00:42:17.200 --> 00:42:18.760
 and we could spend lots more time

00:42:18.760 --> 00:42:19.740
 but I just want to say,

00:42:20.480 --> 00:42:21.800
 why can we do this?

00:42:22.340 --> 00:42:23.100
 Because friends,

00:42:23.200 --> 00:42:24.340
 you have a heavenly Father

00:42:24.340 --> 00:42:25.960
 in the heavens

00:42:25.960 --> 00:42:28.019
 who knows your need.

00:42:28.420 --> 00:42:29.580
 Verse 32 says that

00:42:29.580 --> 00:42:31.120
 it's not just His duty

00:42:31.120 --> 00:42:33.400
 but it is His delight

00:42:33.400 --> 00:42:35.680
 to give you His kingdom.

00:42:36.019 --> 00:42:37.080
 When you are seeking

00:42:37.080 --> 00:42:37.940
 after something,

00:42:38.040 --> 00:42:38.960
 you're not seeking it

00:42:38.960 --> 00:42:40.320
 hoping you might get it.

00:42:40.380 --> 00:42:41.500
 You are seeking after it

00:42:41.500 --> 00:42:42.860
 when the God of the universe

00:42:42.860 --> 00:42:43.860
 is saying to you,

00:42:44.199 --> 00:42:45.920
 yes, it is my pleasure

00:42:45.920 --> 00:42:47.099
 and my joy

00:42:47.099 --> 00:42:49.280
 to give this thing to you.

00:42:49.400 --> 00:42:50.960
 As you set your heart on it,

00:42:51.000 --> 00:42:52.340
 I will meet you in that

00:42:52.340 --> 00:42:54.059
 and I will give it to you.

00:42:56.519 --> 00:42:57.220
 And friends,

00:42:57.340 --> 00:42:58.320
 we know this

00:42:58.320 --> 00:42:59.639
 because of the gospel.

00:43:01.500 --> 00:43:02.559
 We know this

00:43:02.559 --> 00:43:04.240
 because when we were still

00:43:04.240 --> 00:43:05.740
 enemies of God,

00:43:05.960 --> 00:43:07.619
 when we were still dead

00:43:07.619 --> 00:43:09.299
 in our sins and trespasses,

00:43:10.000 --> 00:43:11.500
 God loved us

00:43:11.500 --> 00:43:13.019
 and He sent us His Son.

00:43:13.719 --> 00:43:15.319
 This is the loving heart

00:43:15.319 --> 00:43:16.480
 of our Heavenly Father

00:43:16.480 --> 00:43:19.019
 who at great cost,

00:43:19.119 --> 00:43:21.139
 at infinite cost to Himself,

00:43:21.679 --> 00:43:23.519
 sacrificed up Jesus.

00:43:24.299 --> 00:43:26.779
 Jesus willingly goes to the cross

00:43:26.779 --> 00:43:29.900
 in love so that we might know Him.

00:43:29.900 --> 00:43:33.780
 if you are ever afraid

00:43:33.780 --> 00:43:35.380
 that God doesn't know your need,

00:43:35.500 --> 00:43:36.800
 if you are ever afraid

00:43:36.800 --> 00:43:39.139
 that God isn't willing to help you,

00:43:39.360 --> 00:43:40.740
 if you are ever afraid

00:43:40.740 --> 00:43:42.860
 that God is unable

00:43:42.860 --> 00:43:46.059
 to solve your situation

00:43:46.059 --> 00:43:47.599
 or to take care of you,

00:43:47.900 --> 00:43:50.059
 look at the cross of Jesus Christ

00:43:50.059 --> 00:43:51.320
 and be reminded

00:43:51.320 --> 00:43:54.180
 that God has done that for you.

00:43:54.179 --> 00:43:59.379
 And if God did not spare His Son

00:43:59.379 --> 00:44:01.039
 but gave Him up for us all,

00:44:01.719 --> 00:44:04.019
 how much more will He give you

00:44:04.019 --> 00:44:04.819
 all things?

00:44:05.679 --> 00:44:07.179
 As the Apostle Paul says

00:44:07.179 --> 00:44:09.139
 in Romans chapter 8.

00:44:11.559 --> 00:44:12.799
 He loves you

00:44:12.799 --> 00:44:16.000
 and He will take care of you.

00:44:16.000 --> 00:44:20.059
 and He calls you

00:44:20.059 --> 00:44:22.199
 and me as followers of Him

00:44:22.199 --> 00:44:24.340
 to have a generous

00:44:24.340 --> 00:44:25.820
 and sacrificial heart

00:44:25.820 --> 00:44:28.059
 because He is a generous

00:44:28.059 --> 00:44:30.039
 and sacrificial God.

00:44:30.579 --> 00:44:31.519
 Let's pray.

00:44:35.639 --> 00:44:37.619
 Lord, thank You for this word.

00:44:39.219 --> 00:44:40.659
 Lord, I pray that it would

00:44:40.659 --> 00:44:45.860
 not simply blow through

00:44:45.860 --> 00:44:46.760
 our lives

00:44:46.760 --> 00:44:49.160
 in these few minutes.

00:44:50.059 --> 00:44:51.460
 But Lord, I pray that this word

00:44:51.460 --> 00:44:52.880
 would reside in our hearts.

00:44:53.840 --> 00:44:55.940
 Lord, that You would allow it

00:44:55.940 --> 00:44:57.720
 to shape us and mold us.

00:44:58.900 --> 00:45:00.079
 Lord, help us to see

00:45:00.079 --> 00:45:01.120
 when we are afraid

00:45:01.120 --> 00:45:02.579
 that You won't care for us.

00:45:03.160 --> 00:45:04.180
 Help us to see

00:45:04.180 --> 00:45:05.820
 when we become grasping

00:45:05.820 --> 00:45:08.220
 or when we set our hearts

00:45:08.220 --> 00:45:09.360
 on the things

00:45:09.360 --> 00:45:10.440
 that are passing away.

00:45:11.599 --> 00:45:13.800
 Lord, help us to see Your kingdom.

00:45:13.800 --> 00:45:17.980
 Remind us of the way

00:45:17.980 --> 00:45:19.039
 that You have met us

00:45:19.039 --> 00:45:20.060
 most importantly

00:45:20.060 --> 00:45:22.140
 by the sending of Your Son.

00:45:24.980 --> 00:45:25.940
 And Lord, we pray

00:45:25.940 --> 00:45:27.180
 that You would change our hearts

00:45:27.180 --> 00:45:29.500
 and that You would change

00:45:29.500 --> 00:45:30.200
 our relationship

00:45:30.200 --> 00:45:30.980
 to our money

00:45:30.980 --> 00:45:31.740
 and our things.

00:45:33.019 --> 00:45:34.480
 Lord, that we might be

00:45:34.480 --> 00:45:37.000
 truly followers of You

00:45:37.000 --> 00:45:38.660
 and that You might use us,

00:45:38.860 --> 00:45:40.340
 Lord, to build Your kingdom here.

00:45:40.340 --> 00:45:42.880
 Lord, we pray this

00:45:42.880 --> 00:45:43.620
 in Jesus' name.

00:45:44.360 --> 00:45:44.760
 Amen.

00:45:46.900 --> 00:45:49.019
 Well, friends, as we close,

00:45:49.360 --> 00:45:51.620
 it's a fitting ending

00:45:51.620 --> 00:45:52.559
 for us to come

00:45:52.559 --> 00:45:53.600
 to the Lord's table

00:45:53.600 --> 00:45:56.840
 because what we do

00:45:56.840 --> 00:45:58.559
 when we take the bread

00:45:58.559 --> 00:45:59.880
 and drink the cup

00:45:59.880 --> 00:46:00.860
 is we are reminded

00:46:00.860 --> 00:46:02.920
 of God and His character.

00:46:03.539 --> 00:46:04.539
 God who has acted

00:46:04.539 --> 00:46:06.980
 in such a way in history

00:46:06.980 --> 00:46:09.099
 so that He might save us.

00:46:10.599 --> 00:46:11.699
 And so,

00:46:11.820 --> 00:46:13.619
 this is what we commemorate.

00:46:13.740 --> 00:46:15.219
 This is what we celebrate.

00:46:16.219 --> 00:46:17.619
 As we come to this,

00:46:17.760 --> 00:46:18.639
 we are reminded

00:46:18.639 --> 00:46:20.579
 both of the weightiness

00:46:20.579 --> 00:46:21.460
 of our sin,

00:46:21.740 --> 00:46:22.920
 that it took the death

00:46:22.920 --> 00:46:24.480
 of God's very own Son

00:46:24.480 --> 00:46:25.960
 to be our redemption

00:46:25.960 --> 00:46:27.260
 and to be our Savior,

00:46:27.260 --> 00:46:29.120
 but it is also

00:46:29.120 --> 00:46:30.560
 a place of joy

00:46:30.560 --> 00:46:32.280
 where we see

00:46:32.280 --> 00:46:33.160
 how much God

00:46:33.160 --> 00:46:34.080
 has set His love

00:46:34.080 --> 00:46:35.200
 on us

00:46:35.200 --> 00:46:38.280
 and what He has done

00:46:38.280 --> 00:46:39.420
 for us in Christ.

00:46:40.720 --> 00:46:41.620
 And in light of

00:46:41.620 --> 00:46:42.740
 what we've talked about

00:46:42.740 --> 00:46:43.360
 this morning,

00:46:43.660 --> 00:46:44.780
 I hope and pray

00:46:44.780 --> 00:46:45.420
 that you will

00:46:45.420 --> 00:46:47.020
 not only take this in

00:46:47.020 --> 00:46:47.780
 as a reminder

00:46:47.780 --> 00:46:49.000
 of salvation

00:46:49.000 --> 00:46:49.980
 for those who put

00:46:49.980 --> 00:46:50.920
 their faith in Christ

00:46:50.920 --> 00:46:53.300
 and of the joy of that,

00:46:53.420 --> 00:46:53.980
 but also

00:46:53.980 --> 00:46:55.600
 that you would allow it

00:46:55.599 --> 00:46:56.440
 to sink in

00:46:56.440 --> 00:46:57.960
 and reflect a little

00:46:57.960 --> 00:46:59.000
 on what we've talked about,

00:46:59.019 --> 00:46:59.719
 about the state

00:46:59.719 --> 00:47:00.360
 of your heart

00:47:00.360 --> 00:47:02.179
 and are you responding

00:47:02.179 --> 00:47:02.960
 to the gospel,

00:47:03.279 --> 00:47:04.059
 being generous

00:47:04.059 --> 00:47:05.400
 and sacrificial people

00:47:05.400 --> 00:47:07.059
 towards others.

00:47:07.880 --> 00:47:08.380
 So,

00:47:08.440 --> 00:47:09.579
 I'd like to ask you

00:47:09.579 --> 00:47:11.480
 to reflect on that.

00:47:12.500 --> 00:47:13.339
 As always,

00:47:13.460 --> 00:47:14.199
 we invite all

00:47:14.199 --> 00:47:14.739
 who have placed

00:47:14.739 --> 00:47:15.460
 their faith

00:47:15.460 --> 00:47:16.619
 and trust

00:47:16.619 --> 00:47:17.480
 in Jesus Christ

00:47:17.480 --> 00:47:18.440
 as their Lord and Savior

00:47:18.440 --> 00:47:19.500
 to partake with us

00:47:19.500 --> 00:47:19.960
 in this.

00:47:20.299 --> 00:47:21.099
 But if you're here

00:47:21.099 --> 00:47:21.719
 and you're visiting

00:47:21.719 --> 00:47:22.639
 or you're checking out

00:47:22.639 --> 00:47:23.079
 Christianity

00:47:23.079 --> 00:47:24.360
 or this is something new,

00:47:24.360 --> 00:47:25.740
 my hope and prayer

00:47:25.740 --> 00:47:26.740
 is that you would,

00:47:27.380 --> 00:47:28.380
 rather than taking

00:47:28.380 --> 00:47:29.059
 these elements,

00:47:29.220 --> 00:47:29.980
 which is meant to be

00:47:29.980 --> 00:47:31.079
 an expression of faith,

00:47:31.880 --> 00:47:32.720
 you can look at the,

00:47:32.880 --> 00:47:33.720
 there are a couple prayers

00:47:33.720 --> 00:47:34.440
 in the bulletin

00:47:34.440 --> 00:47:35.680
 you could consider praying,

00:47:36.019 --> 00:47:36.800
 but think about

00:47:36.800 --> 00:47:37.720
 what it is that God,

00:47:38.099 --> 00:47:40.360
 what these elements represent

00:47:40.360 --> 00:47:42.660
 and reflect on God's love

00:47:42.660 --> 00:47:43.820
 that He has shown for you

00:47:43.820 --> 00:47:44.740
 and the invitation

00:47:44.740 --> 00:47:45.519
 that this is

00:47:45.519 --> 00:47:46.599
 for you to come

00:47:46.599 --> 00:47:47.900
 and put your faith

00:47:47.900 --> 00:47:48.920
 and trust in Him

00:47:48.920 --> 00:47:50.240
 as you do it.

00:47:52.240 --> 00:47:53.340
 Those who are serving

00:47:53.340 --> 00:47:54.460
 want to come forward

00:47:54.460 --> 00:47:57.019
 and that would be great.

00:47:57.360 --> 00:47:59.380
 As we will pass this out,

00:47:59.500 --> 00:48:00.200
 what we'll do

00:48:00.200 --> 00:48:00.900
 is we'll pass out

00:48:00.900 --> 00:48:02.059
 the crackers

00:48:02.059 --> 00:48:03.079
 and you can hold on to it

00:48:03.079 --> 00:48:03.980
 and then we'll eat it together

00:48:03.980 --> 00:48:04.920
 and then we'll pass out

00:48:04.920 --> 00:48:05.360
 the cups

00:48:05.360 --> 00:48:07.460
 and do the same.

00:48:09.300 --> 00:48:09.860
 Don't you guys

00:48:09.860 --> 00:48:10.539
 want to come over here?

00:48:13.500 --> 00:48:14.680
 The Apostle Paul,

00:48:15.120 --> 00:48:17.660
 as he wrote about this,

00:48:18.120 --> 00:48:19.039
 wrote this,

00:48:19.039 --> 00:48:20.279
 for I received from the Lord

00:48:20.279 --> 00:48:21.400
 what I delivered to you

00:48:21.400 --> 00:48:22.719
 that the Lord Jesus

00:48:22.719 --> 00:48:23.300
 on the night

00:48:23.300 --> 00:48:24.059
 when He was betrayed

00:48:24.059 --> 00:48:24.860
 took bread

00:48:24.860 --> 00:48:26.500
 and when He had given thanks

00:48:26.500 --> 00:48:27.099
 He broke it

00:48:27.099 --> 00:48:27.440
 and said,

00:48:27.639 --> 00:48:28.340
 this is my body

00:48:28.340 --> 00:48:29.219
 which is for you.

00:48:29.779 --> 00:48:31.259
 Do this in remembrance of me.

00:48:31.820 --> 00:48:32.880
 In the same way also

00:48:32.880 --> 00:48:33.639
 He took the cup

00:48:33.639 --> 00:48:34.239
 after supper

00:48:34.239 --> 00:48:34.539
 saying,

00:48:34.719 --> 00:48:36.059
 this cup is a new covenant

00:48:36.059 --> 00:48:36.920
 in my blood.

00:48:37.500 --> 00:48:38.659
 Do this as often

00:48:38.659 --> 00:48:39.539
 as you drink of it

00:48:39.539 --> 00:48:41.219
 in remembrance of me.

00:48:41.860 --> 00:48:42.519
 For as often

00:48:42.519 --> 00:48:43.360
 as you eat this bread

00:48:43.360 --> 00:48:44.179
 and drink this cup

00:48:44.179 --> 00:48:45.800
 you proclaim the Lord's death

00:48:45.800 --> 00:48:47.480
 until He comes.

00:48:47.480 --> 00:48:49.159
 and that's what we're doing

00:48:49.159 --> 00:48:49.960
 this morning.

00:48:50.679 --> 00:48:51.059
 Suzanne,

00:48:51.159 --> 00:48:52.000
 can I ask you to

00:48:52.000 --> 00:48:53.619
 pray for the bread please?

00:49:00.920 --> 00:49:01.659
 Dear God,

00:49:01.760 --> 00:49:02.619
 thank you for

00:49:02.619 --> 00:49:03.719
 the sacrifice

00:49:03.719 --> 00:49:05.639
 of your son Jesus.

00:49:06.280 --> 00:49:07.480
 Thank you for

00:49:07.480 --> 00:49:09.559
 dying on the cross

00:49:09.559 --> 00:49:10.360
 for our sins.

00:49:11.280 --> 00:49:12.519
 And let us take this time

00:49:12.519 --> 00:49:13.119
 to

00:49:13.119 --> 00:49:15.860
 remember

00:49:15.860 --> 00:49:17.480
 the blood that was shed

00:49:17.480 --> 00:49:18.000
 for us.

00:49:18.000 --> 00:49:45.840
 Thank you for