Sermon Tone Analysis

Matthew 6:19-24

INTRODUCTION :

I. WHAT IS TOP PRIORITY IN YOUR LIFE? (Matthew 6:19-21).

A- A Focus on earthly things yields only temporary satisfaction (Matthew 6:19).

1- Jesus issued a stern warning about making this material world our focus.

a- The things of this world are pursued by many

b- The things of this world do not satisfy.

(Eccl.1:2-4;

4:4).

3- The things of this world will someday pass away.

(2 Pet.

3:10-11).

B- Focusing on eternal things yields permanent joys (Matthew 6:20).

1- Joy that is here and now (Jn.10:10b).

2- Joy that is everlasting (Matt.

25:21 ).

C- What you treasure reveals where your heart is (Matthew 6:21).

1- You will pursue what you value the Most (Matt.

12:35).

II- WHAT ARE YOU USING TO LIGHT YOUR PATHWAY? (Matthew 6:22-23).

A- Using artificial light will leave you in darkness (Matthew 6:23).

1- Satan only deals in counterfeits.

2- Just when you think the way of the world lights the way, the lights go out.

* Childish prank: turning the light out on someone.

a- No light for families.

b- No light for eternal life

(Matthew 7:13)

* Where is Happiness?

The Story of 8 rich men

In 1923, a very important meeting I was held at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago.

Attending this meeting were eight of the world’s most successful financiers.

Those present were:

the president of the largest independent steel company;

the president of the largest utility company;

the president of the largest gas company;

The president of the New York Stock Exchange;

a member of the President’s cabinet;

The greatest “bear” in Wall Street;

The head of the world’s greatest monopoly; and

President of the Bank for International Settlements.

Certainly we must admit that here were gathered a group of the world’s most successful men.

At least, men who most successful men.

At least, men who had found the secret of “making money.”

Twenty-five years later let’s see where these se men are:

The president of the largest independent steel company — Charles Schwab — died a bankrupt and lived on borrowed money for five years before his death.

The president of the greatest utility company — Samuel Insull — died a fugitive from justice and penniless in a foreign land.

The president of the largest gas company — Howard Hopson — is now dead.

The president of the New York Stock Exchange – Richard Whitney — was recently released from Sing Sing Penitentiary.

The member of the President’s cabinet — Albert Fall, was pardoned from prison so he could die at home.

The greatest “bear” in Wall Street Jesse Livermore — died a suicide.

The head of the greatest monopoly — Ivan Kreuger — died a suicide.

The president of the Bank for International Settlements — Leon Fraser — died a suicide.

All of these men learned well the art of making money, but not one of them learned how to live.

- Louis R. Lurie, in Journal of Living

B- Using the true light makes your pathway clear.

( Matthew 6:22).

1- Jesus is the only true light (JN.

1:7-12).

2- He will light your way now, and in eternity (Rev.21:23-25).

III- WHAT ARE YOU REALLY COMMITTED TO? (Matthew 6:24).

A- It is impossible to keep one foot in the world, and follow Christ (Matthew 6:24a).

1- The two pathways do not run parallel.

a- They lead to different destinations.

B- It is impossible to love Christ, and the world.

(Matthew 6:24b).

1- It is impossible to have two first loves (Rev.2:1-7).

Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah.

C- You must make a choice: Christ or the world.

(Matt.

12:30).

Like traveling down an interstate highway.

When you come to a fork, you have to choose.

Both don’t go to the same destination.

CONCLUSION :

In Death There is Equality

Alexander the Great, we are told, being upon his deathbed, commanded that, when he was carried forth to the grave, his hands should not be wrapped, as was usual, in the cerecloths, but should be left outside the bier, so that all men might see them, and might see that they were empty; that there was nothing in them; that he, born to one empire, and the conqueror of another; the possessor while he lived, of two worlds, of the East, and of the West, and of the treasures of both, yet now when he was dead could retain not even the smallest portion of these treasures; that in this matter the poorest beggar and he were at length upon equal terms.”

If we live for this world, we shall go I out of it empty-handed, but if we live for the next world we shall depart full-handed, “rich in faith” and soon to enter upon an eternal inheritance.

—The United Evangelical