Untitled Sermon

"WHY SHOULD YOU PUT YOUR TREASURE IN HEAVEN"

INTRODUCTION: Where are our thought? What do we think about? Are our thoughts on earth or on heaven? Is our attention on earthly things or on God? Are we seeking the things of earth or heaven? What is our heart focusing, is it on earth or heaven?

The concern of Christ in this passage below is MONEY, POSSESSIONS, and MATERIAL things. Christ concern was that we guard against centring our lives around houses, cars, lands , stocks, that make up security and wealth in earth. The reason is simply understood that nothing on earth is secure and lasting. It is decaying, wasting and aging.

Here what Christ wants us is to centre our lives for Him and the Heaven. Everything about Christ is the true life and security. It is eternal and all permanent.

Matthew 6:19-24 Treasures in Heaven

In Matthew 6: 19-21

Matthew 6:19–21 NLT

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

Teaching Points:

A contrast about two kinds of riches (v19-21)

Materialism-Wealth: Christ gives a contrast about two kind of riches.

a. Earthly riches that men desire on earth. Christ call these earthly riches and treasure. These may consist of cloths, car, jewelry, toys, houses, pleasure, fame power or anything which holds a person life in earth.

1) Do not lay up yourseleves on material possessions. Christ says that man should not focus his life on worldly things. Do not set your eyes and heart on effortless passing pleasure.

2) Wealth is searched for, and it is searched for by many. What we always forgotten is every bit of wealth is held by someone. Therefore we figure out how to get some of it. This are insecure.

My Story: You know Church, let me give an example about me! About my addiction on gambling to become more rich. Spending hours of hours in jackpot machine, taking TOTO’s for $1000 a week. Etc etc. my life was full of earthly pleasure and materlisum seeking.

Application: Riches do exist. There is both wealth in earth and heaven. Earthly riches are insecure which can be stolen and do not last. A man must leave all to follow Christ otherwise he is not the Lord’s disciple.

There are heavenly riches that believers desire. Jesus calls these heavenly riches. Heavenly riches would be as such like a blameless life, true child of God, the forgiveness of sin, God’s wisdom and understanding the will and purpose of God in their lives.

Christ says things that the things on earthy riches that are of critical importance to believer and unbeliever.

1) Lay up for yourselves the heavenly riches. A man is foolish to seek and set his mind for perishable things.

2) Heavenly riches are secure, no ones can break through the heaven.

Application: Jesus does not stop anyone from seeking treasure, He guides the man’s search to real treasure. Heaven is worth more than all wealth of this earth.

This phrase "store for you" is a word from the Bible that comes from a word that stands for "treasure box." Jesus is saying, Don’t try to save your treasures in a “treasure box” here on earth. Jesus gave a reason: He said that the things of this world are so perishable, that “moth and rust destroy (them), and … thieves break in and steal” them. This world is NOT the place for you to invest your treasures.

CONCLUSION

The richness exists. And the locality is indicated. There is wealth on earth as much as in heaven.

Worldly things are more easily coveted than heavenly things for four reasons:

· They are visible and can be manipulated.

· Most people look for them, and other people influence us. A person is either earthly or heavenly spirit c.f (Rom 8:5-7)

· They are, at various degrees, necessary to life.

· They are present, always ahead of us, and maybe possessed right now.

A terrible thing happens at any age; we die, deteriorate, and decay. Like what happen to the famous Tom. Things are only on earth for a short time, and they are no more. So everything carries the seed of corruption.

Alter call and prayer

Have you ever thought a lot about how you can be rich in good works, willing to give you time and you wealth, ready to share? So lay a good foundation for the time to come, and take hold of everlasting life...!

If it is you!, please raised up your right hand or put your right hand at your left chest. I will pray today if there is anyone who are seeking earthly treasure, and not the Heavenly treasure, GOD is seeing your heart and will deliver you from your burden.