First Things First

In the 1990’s, there was a t-shirt brand named, “No Fear.” They had clever sayings on them to encourage strength and determination…mostly a message geared to encourage extreme living. Sayings like:

Second place is the first loser.

Life’s not too short it’s just that you’re dead for so long.

All men are great in their dreams, reality just narrows the competition.

The older I get the better I was. No Fear

“He who dies with the most toys, still dies. No fear.”

It is the last one that draws my attention to our text today as Jesus calls the church to Seek “first things first.”

Choosing Your Master

This is such an issue today, and has been a tremendous hurdle for many people. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is presenting the ideal picture of what a disciple ought to be. In following Jesus, He knew his disciples would run into some every day issues that could derail their loyalty to the Kingdom of God. Jesus talks to them about wealth.

I don’t want to spend a great deal of time on this one because our focus text is the next passage, but it is important to grasp the context leading into the next passage.

You see money has a way of controlling us, and ultimately leading us to do whatever it takes to get more. The problem is, you will never have enough.

There are two treasures of the heart

The accumulation of wealth was important, and still is in many circles today. To the Jew, it was seen as a sign of God’s blessing and a sign of reward for obedience. Even today, the thought in the prosperity gospel movement is that if you have the right amount of faith, God has to bless that prayer of faith, because He has to, and will increase your seed of faith 10x’s or according to the size of your faith. Gullible folks send money to these charlatans and they fly around in their private jets because of it.

The prosperity gospel preys on people who don’t fully understand how God’s grace works…They prey on the insatiable desire to have more wealth, health, and comfort in this life…that isn’t pursuing Jesus, and that pursuing yourself.

Wealth is not the final determining factor of your right standing before God. In fact, Jesus told the wealthy young man who had money and followed the law to sell all of his possessions and follow Jesus…He couldn’t do that so then Jesus said it is easier for a camel to enter through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

It isn’t that a rich man can be saved, anyone can by God’s grace…but Jesus must be one’s only pursuit in this life, not Jesus + something else.

The chasing after wealth, making it your god, is an easy thing to do because it lures you into a false sense of security.

Matthew 6:19 CSB

19 “Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.

Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth.” The word here can be read, “do not treasure up for yourselves treasure on earth.”

Why? One reason is because it is subject to the fallen world. “where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.”

Matthew 6:20 CSB

20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal.

Instead, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven...

Here Jesus is talking about “good works” from previous section of the sermon

Giving to the poor, praying, fasting...

Paul had something to say about this in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15

1 Corinthians 3:12–15 CSB

12 If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. 14 If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire.

But is this just about works? No…its never just about works with Jesus. Jesus is after your heart.

Matthew 6:21 CSB

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The heart represents the center of your personhood. The real you. The “union station” of your spiritual, emotional, and mental well being.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” It’s always about your heart.

Jeremiah 17:9-10 reminds us the heart is deceitful above all things, who can understand it? The Lord can, He is the one who examines the heart…which means He is the one that can replace our hearts of stone with a heart designed by God Himself as the Spirit of God works in us through Jesus Christ.

What you value is driven by the nature of your heart. What ever you place as highest value is the gauge of your condition. It’s the measure of your heart. So what do you value most in this life?

The challenge here is to set Jesus as the most valuable part of life…and He isn’t just a part or a piece of the puzzle to a well rounded life…He is LIFE in its totality. Everything revolves around Him.

I like what Michael Wilkins wrote about this, He said, “The righteous value must be God Himself. Rewards are important, but the greatest treasure in heaven is the Father.” (NIVAC, 294).

Once we set our heart on Jesus, it sets the trajectory for discipleship. If you’re no further in your spiritual journey today than you were the day you were “saved,” then your heart is not set on Jesus. So look at your heart and tell Jesus where your treasure is...

How do I look into my heart? What are you looking at with your eyes? What is catching your attention?

Matthew 6:22–23 CSB

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light within you is darkness, how deep is that darkness!

Verse 24 is the truth where Jesus calls you to surrender and to following Him…and Just like Joshua issued a decree to the Israelites, “Choose you this day, whom you will serve....God or the gods of Egypt…but as for me and my house we will serve the LORD,” Jesus issues this truth...

Matthew 6:24 CSB

24 “No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

There is no room for divided loyalty in following Jesus. Boy this is tough, but it true and if we take Jesus at His Word, we know that He has provided this way because the Father spoke to Him. And the Holy Spirit will help us.

ULTIMATELY THERE IS ONE CHOICE, THE LORD OR SATAN. LOVING GOD IS NOT AN EMOTIONAL DECISION NOR DOES IT INVOLVE ONLY THE EMOTIONS, BUT RATHER THE TOTALITY OF OUR BEING. WE ARE CALLED TO LOVE THE LORD WITH ALL OF OUR HEART, SOUL, MIND, AND STRENGTH. EVERYTHING.

So in this 40 Days of Prayer, if you find yourself distracted, and the eyes of your heart are focused on something, someone other than Jesus Christ…confess and repent today. “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful…and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”

Choosing Your Provider

Materialism is a sin that will wreck your life and your heart, and there is another found in worry. Jesus knew if the focus of your heart was on earthly materialism, then you’d also have an issue with worry. Whether one is rich or poor, anxiety is your apart of your life if your heart isn’t focused on Jesus. Three times he tells us, “do not worry...” You think it’s important?

Business men worry about the stock market, home builders worry about the housing market, teachers worry about their classrooms, moms and dads stress over their children. Now, I don’t believe that Jesus is giving us a directive here to say, “Go on with a detached attitude from the world, or a “who cares” attitude.” There is a positive worry that can drive us…like worrying over your child’s salvation. Paul was concerned for the church in 2 Corinthians.

We must also be concerned about the status of our hearts and our temptation to sin. Ps 38 & 51.

But what Jesus directs us away from is the kind of worry that is the result from a lack of trust in God.

“Worry is practical atheism.” - Robert Mounce

This has everything to do with personal renewal, church health and renewal in 2021.

Matthew 6:25 CSB

25 “Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing?

When you look at His examples, Jesus presents us with the Kent Hughes termed, “the world’s trinity of cares.” What we eat, drink, and wear. We could certainly add to the list…just watch the Super Bowl next Sunday and you’ll create a fine list:

What we drive, wear, drink, eat, where we bank…all kinds of ads that inform us of what we are missing in life, and must have if we want to be elite.

Jesus though is really getting at the heart of the problem because the heart is the problem.

This word for worry, merimnao, can have a meaning appropriate concern. But Jesus is using it as an expression of intense anxiety about issues of life.

Paul uses this meaning in Phil 4:6, “don’t be anxious about anything...”

So we can say that “worry” is wrong/sinful when it is misdirected, or indicates a lack of trust in God. Jesus is addressing the lack of trust in God.

Do you remember some of the stories of the Hebrew people when Moses led them out of Egypt.

Do you know what their number one complaint was? Why did you bring us out here to die in this wilderness? We have no food, no water, no nothing…take us back to Egypt to slavery where at least we had our basic needs met…who cares if we were in bondage under a tyrant.

That translates into, “We don’t trust you Moses…and we definitely don’t trust God.”

Now here was the LORD set to lead His people forward into a land flowing with milk and honey, promising to give them every square inch they stepped on, promising to wipe out their enemies before them…and all they can think about is food, water, shelter, and what they see around them forgetting all that God had done for them up to that point...

We are not necessarily in a wilderness, but we are walking through this life, and in Christ, God is moving His church forward to a promised land that is not of this world…yet so often times, church, we get distracted by that which is not holy, not righteous, and certainly NOT GOD. Jesus gives some practical examples of how God cares deeply for His people:

Jesus talks about Life and Food

Matthew 6:26–27 CSB

26 Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? 27 Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying?

Jesus talks about Life and Food

He gives the example of the birds of the sky…love their songs out here…God takes care of them Jesus says, aren’t you worth more than they?

Birds expend their energy in doing what is nature to them…building nests etc…yet it is God who feeds them.

So when the disciples are responsible to live out what Jesus commands and the way of life set in place by God, God is faithful to carry out His end of the command. Again, worry is connected to a lack of trust in God. So here is our issue…Jesus is saying…I’m calling you to faith, I’m calling you to obedience, I’m calling you to love God above everything else, I’m calling you to preach the Gospel, I’m calling you to make disciples to the ends of the earth…I’m calling you to be fishers of men…you must trust God will do His part. You know when that promise is answered on God’s part? I believe Pentecost when the Holy Spirit arrived.

Listen, in creation, human-beings are the crown jewel of God’s creation. It isn’t the animal kingdom, it isn’t the plant life…it’s Adam & Eve. Your needs will be met by God. The MOST IMPORTANT NEED MET BY GOD IS YOUR NEED OF FORGIVENESS AND MERCY THROUGH JESUS CHRIST’S DEATH ON THE CROSS AND NEW LIFE FOUND IN HIS RESURRECTION.

Worrying like this, a lack of trust in God…Jesus asks, if you worry…can you add any time to your life? NOPE. Another way to translate this is can you add a single inch to your height?

Jesus talks about Clothing

Matthew 6:28–30 CSB

28 And why do you worry about clothes? Observe how the wildflowers of the field grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these. 30 If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won’t he do much more for you—you of little faith?

Jesus talks about Clothing

Jesus uses the example of Solomon. God’s provision for the wild flowers causes them to be more beautiful…if you’ll just look.

The grass of the field would be bound up tight and used to make fire as a natural source for fuel. The grass is transient in nature…if God cares for something so transient in nature…won’t He care that much more for you?

The Counsel of Christ says, “You’re the King’s children, do not be anxious.”

If you find yourself in this category this morning, “one who’s faith is small and weak,” take courage and do not let your heart be troubled.

Jesus has a corrective for you that will change your life.

He says again, “Don’t fall into this trap set by the evil one, worrying about what you will eat, drink, or wear. The Gentiles (anyone who is not a Jew at this point, broader is to view this as anyone not in Christ) chase after all these things.

Matthew 6:31–32 CSB

31 So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

The Gentiles, aka the pagan, aka those outside of Christ…they chase these things…all this…its where their heart is, it is their gods…all this stuff that will not last, and cannot fulfill you…they are chasing that looking for fulfillment and meaning in life…but even Solomon reminds us at the end of his life…it’s all a chasing after the wind…you’ll not catch it…these little gods your chasing after do not have the power nor the will to do what you need. It’s all empty Solomon said. You think the wisest man to ever live might know what he’s talking about in Ecclesiastes? I think so...

“Those with faith, who trust in God’s provision will not worry and will REJECT the pursuits and values of unbelievers.” (NIVAC, 298-99)

Leon Morris said this about this mindset, “This attitude removes people from preoccupation with their own worldly success; it discourages the wealthy and the comfortable from concentrating on their own success and the poor and uncomfortable from concentrating on their own misery.” - Morris

First Things First

The idolatry of materialism, leads to the worship of worry.

People chase after

Security - we want to know we are taken care of. What seems to bring the greatest amount of security is material security.

Personal worth, esteem, and value - We want to feel good about ourselves and we want people to like us.

Power - Wealth and material success brings a belief that we can have whatever we want…and when someone says no…we might just hurt them to get what we want.

Independence - wealth and material success means I be my own god and not rely on anyone else.

Pleasure - I want to live my life how I want to live my life…Bon Jovi - “It’s my life...” He just wants to live while he is alive…he’s looking for pleasure.

Jesus says tomorrow will have its own trouble (6:34) each day has enough of its own…You’ll never solve tomorrow’s trouble because you never live tomorrow, its always today. Worrying won’t enable you to escape evil, it will not destroy tomorrow’s trouble…but it will take your heart off center from God.

The anxious heart receives all kinds of trouble and blows in this life. It will lead you to fear everything and anything…Jesus gives you counsel that is absolutely life-changing church, and we as a church must remember this that we have to keep first things first.

He says…

Matthew 6:33 CSB

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

This means that we are to be in a continual quest for God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness. When we pursue God and His kingdom, then we are not worried about these other issues in life. Why? Because the pursuit of God requires full on commitment and we TRUST that God, the Good Shepherd, will take care of His sheep. In fact, Jesus promises right here…all these things will be provided for you.

Warren Wiersbe is quoted as saying, “It is often said that we are continually being crucified between two thieves - the regrets of yesterday and the worries about tomorrow.”

The birds, the flowers, the grass…if God cares for the lesser, won’t He care for the greater? Yes He will.

We keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who is the source and perfecter of our faith. Hebrews 12:2

Listen to Paul’s testimony in Philippians 4:6-9

Philippians 4:6–9 CSB

6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. 9 Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:10–20 CSB

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship. 15 And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Paul was in prison, beaten, chained and persecuted for the sake of the Gospel…and yet he can say this? How…His eyes were fixed on Christ. He sought the Kingdom of God and through Christ, Paul was given righteousness, a new life, he found what was true, honorable, lovely, pure, he found moral excellence and everything praise worthy, and he thought on these as he sought the kingdom of God, but let me ask you this in closing…did Paul find Christ? There on the road Christ found Paul.

You see, Paul was checking the boxes of what he thought was right…following the rules, living a “holy” life, as a religious leader of Israel, he thought he was seeking God first and he was on his way to arrest these Christians…but Jesus found Paul, changed his heart by grace & mercy and set Paul on the journey of pursuing Christ....Seeking first the Kingdom of God found in Christ Jesus.

Friend, Christ will change your life. First things First.