02/19 - It’s Not What You Got (on earth)

It’s Not What You Got (on earth)

 Matthew 6:19-34

           

Trouble in Paradise?

  > Trouble seems to emerge...

    * In our relationships, in our sense of security, stability

    * When our well-ordered lives (paradises) are thrown into chaos

    * And we long for Jesus to say, "Peace, be STILL!"

  > A Case Study in Worry...

    * When your car blows a radiator...

    * And everyone is so helpful!

    * And it could have caused a BAD accident!

    * And you KNOW God was taking care of you!

    * ...And then the bill...

  v* ...And then they say, "It got real hot; hope it's OK"...

 

Between Order and Chaos

  > ...And then Jesus says not to worry!

    * He lists basic human needs, and seems to define worry as dreading/dwelling on the possibility of things falling apart.

    * But what about when they really are falling apart?

  > We LIKE orderly lives

    * dependability, security, stability, predictability, fulfilled expectations

    * When things all apart, we feel justifiably threatened, like the disciples on the boat in the storm

  > Jesus says...

    * From Jesus' examples He is confronting the fear of things falling apart

    * His prescription is our seeking the Kingdom of God first

    * So do we pray hard, and stop paying our insurance bills?

 

First things first

  > Understanding "treasures"

    * "treasures" = those things of ultimate importance in your life, which direct  your core desires, and keep your focus (your "mind's eye") on them

    * worry tends to focus our minds those things which keep life stable, like wealth, and turn them into treasures

    * (health as well, but a lot of health is wealth-based, just ask the fast-food industry)

    * Of course modern culture would have us define our worth by our wealth

> Seek Ye First the Kingdom...

    * MORE THAN JUST BEING PIOUS

    * The Kingdom is...

    * Loving God, loving others, being part of a Christian community, etc...

    * Loving God - when bad things happen your first reaction may be to as God WHY?  Then the relationship you've developed with Him kicks in...

    * Loving Others - A person who has been kind and Christ-like in their loving actions to others will reap what they sow...