Freedom IN Generosity - Mt 6:19-24

Appreciate those being generous to CrossRoads.

MT 6:19-24

Freedom IN Generosity

PRAY

INTRO: Last week “TO” emphasis. This week “IN” is the emphasis.

FREEDOM IN GENEROSITY AFFIRMS IDENTITY. 19-21

Matt 6:19-21 “19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

E - Wealth was presumed by fine linens; precious stones; objects of silver and gold. This was the IDENTITY of the Pharisees.

The earthly treasures were stored to protect them from moths, rust, and thieves.

R - Accumulating material treasures can affect your IDENTITY.

“In Love” - intense feelings that take over your life. NEW IDENTITY.

“In Christ” = God no longer sees our imperfections; He sees the righteousness of His Son.

2 Cor 5:17 “Anyone who is IN Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

Gal 2:20 “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

We have accepted His sacrifice as payment for our own sin;

Eph 2:13 “You have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.”

our relationship with God is restored, and our eternity secured.

A - Since our IDENTITY is IN CHRIST, we are FREE. John 8:36 “Who the Son sets you free, is free indeed.”

We have FREEDOM to go before the throne.

We have FREEDOM IN GENEROSITY.

FREEDOM IN GENEROSITY AFFIRMS INTEGRITY - 22-23

Mt 6:22-23 “22 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!”

E - Healthy Eye - you see well; Unhealthy eye - you hardly see. Spiritual Darkness. There is no INTEGRITY in Spiritual Darkness.

Integrity = the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that you refuse to change.

R - Your Spiritual Eyes are a barometer of your spiritual life. If you have unhealthy spiritual eyes…you see darkness.

This generation has become slaves to a cruel master. HIs name is GREED - selfish desire for food, money, or possessions over and above one's needs.

Naboth’s Vineyard.

A - GREED destroys INTEGRITY.

But Jesus, gave you HIS IDENTITY filled with INTEGRITY. No longer are we chained to our past degradations.

Because of HIS Generous LOVE for us, He has made us people of INTEGRITY…by Calling us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

And since we are people of INTEGRITY we must live inFREEDOM...FREEDOM IN GENEROSITY. Nothing and no-one will change the principle of giving.

FREEDOM IN GENEROSITY AFFIRMS THE INEVITABLE - 24

E - “When you get right down to it.” Bottom line truth. You can’t serve 2 masters. Master suggest an owner who demands total allegiance.

R - See, some people believe they can be loyal to the Master GREED and loyal to Christ…but you can’t.

Those people fool themselves by saying, “God, I’m gonna hold back giving for nor, BUT when I hit the lotto...” Parable of the Rich Fool.

They fool themselves by saying, “God, my little contribution won’t make a difference. Besides I need it more than the church does.” Widow’s Mite.

CLOSE: - Jesus is not saying “Don’t have nice things.” He is not saying “If you’re rich you can’t be a Christian.”

He is saying “ALL BELIEVERS should experience FREEDOM IN GENEROSITY, so work for spiritual treasure.”

What Treasures?

Character of Holiness;

Obedience to God’s command; 1 Pe 1:14 “live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires.”

souls brought into the Kingdom; IS 6:8 “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.””

Disciples nurtured in truth: Matt 28:19-20 “19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””

We will all stand before God. He won’t ask “How much did you gain…?”

He will ask “How GENEROUS were you for the Kingdom’s sake.”

You have an opportunity today to begin living in Freedom…from sin; shame;

I pray you being FREEDOM IN GENEROSITY. Give today.

“remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’