[1] [2]

Title: Treasures in Heaven ~ Text: Matthew 6:19-21, Sunday 02-04-2007

Introduction

Last Sunday morning on this very screen you saw these words of exhortation: “Go after God’s treasure.”

Colossians 3:2 was a key verse: “Set your affections on things above not on things on the earth.”

Why is it so important to go after God’s treasure, why must I set my affections on things above? Is this truly necessary, or just a suggestion?

2 Corinthians 5:10 helps answer the question: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”

“Surprised millionaire” story

Jesus had something to say about “treasure” as well

Read Matthew 6:19-21

Transition:

Jesus gives two commands here, one negative (do not) and one positive. Do not store up treasures on earth; do store up for yourselves treasures in heaven!

What does a life look like that is storing up treasures in heaven?
“Store up” or “Lay up” means to accumulate, heap up, and store up for the future.
So let me rephrase the question: What does a life look like that is accumulating, heaping up treasure for an eternal future?

THREE WITNESSES

1. Jesus, in Matthew 6:19, gives us insight into three witnesses that want to testify against us before the Lord.
2. “Where moth and rust corrupt and where the thieves break through and steal.”
3. Moth, rust and thieves; the three witnesses.
4. MOTHS: lay their eggs in things we store, they represent resources that are not being used. We just store them up for; well we are not even sure.
5. RUST: rust appears on things we neglect. When we do not take proper care of the resources we have, they become “rusty.”
6. THIEVES: thieves are stirred up by extravagance. When we live above our “needs” or have possessions that were just too expensive they attract thieves.
7. These three witnesses can only affect treasure that is stored up here on earth.
8. See, the key to understanding what Jesus is saying here is to keep V. 21 fresh in your mind: “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.”
9. What do you treasure? Moths, rust & thieves have no power if what they are after you and I do not treasure.
10. What you are storing can God have it? The extravagant things…can God have them?
11. Martin Luther said, “I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands that I still possess.”

SEE YOURSELF AS A SOWER FOR GOD’S KINGDOM

1. 2 Corinthians 9:6 – “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
2. See God challenges us to see ourselves as “sowers” and encourages us to sow generously so we can reap a great heavenly harvest!
3. When we see ourselves as sowers then we become content with food, clothing and basic needs. Because we are really excited about sowing (investing) our time, energy and resources into a growing harvest for the Lord.
4. “If we focus on our needs, we will always be needy, but if we focusing on sowing, we will always have what is sufficient for our needs.”
5. One man got hold of this perspective and he breaks his resources down into two categories: “Bread money” (his needs) “seed money” (for sowing into the Kingdom of God).
6. Have you purposed to be sower? Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven!
7. In order to truly do this you have to establish your true identity. Many people believe that they will gain identity through positions, possessions or pleasures.
8. But true identity must be founded on our relationship with Jesus Christ.
9. The inner conflict will be too great if you put identity in possession and try to become a Kingdom sower.
10. Storing up treasure in heaven is not about having nothing here on earth. But in the process of surrendering your life to Jesus Christ you abandon the goals of this world and set your treasure on Him.

PICTURE ETERNAL TREASURES

1. It is easy to picture treasure on earth (lots of money, valuable possessions, and a big house.
2. Our minds need to picture things before our hearts can attach affection to them.
3. Jesus gives us insight when trying to picture eternal treasure when He said, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.”
4. So we want to picture righteous fruit that will remain (be established for eternity)
5. Let me suggest 4 types of righteous fruit from Scripture that have eternal value:
6. Children (fruit of the womb) “the fruit of the womb is his reward.” Ps.127
7. Godly Character (fruit of the Spirit) “fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness and truth.” Eph.5:9
8. Generous Contributions (fruit that abound to our account) “desire fruit that may abound to your account” Phil. 4:17
9. Converts whom we disciple (fruit of our rejoicing) “I planned many times to come to you in order that I might have a harvest among you.” Rom 1:13.
10. But this is only the beginning: God promises eternal crowns for faithfulness as well:
11. Crown of righteousness for those who look forward to His appearing 2 Tim.
12. Crown of glory for those who disciple others 1 Peter
13. Crown of life for those who endure temptations Rev. 2

CLOSE

1. While God keeps records, and the end of all things is near, we would be wise to ask ourselves some questions:
2. Do we view children as blessings or burdens?
3. Is the fruit of the Spirit clearly evident in our lives?
4. How many disciples have we made?
5. How much of our resources are invested in the Lord’s work?
6. This whole area “store up treasure in heaven” I admit has overwhelmed me in my life at times (many times)
7. But I would like to share you with this morning as we close some of my eternal investments:
8. Light for the Lost Councilman (10yrs. $15 a month = $1,800.00) above tithes, even faith promise giving. Sowing into the Kingdom
9. My Marriage: 3 yrs. my wife and I pray 2 minutes a day together. 365 days a year, for 3 yrs = 2190 minutes or 36.5 hours of prayer together. Sowing into the Kingdom
10. Words from Dad: for past 3 yrs. I take 5 minutes a week and write one devotions for my children. A word I believe God has given me to share to them. I have over 40 pages, of a book that is just for my children. Sowing into the Kingdom.

Last Thought

Your greatest asset is time, value it more than anything.

Everybody has time; it’s what we do with it. Will what your spending your time on now count 10 years from now, secondly will it count for eternity?

END:

Pastor Mark’s 3rd point last week was “Consider Your Great Future.”

Bow your heads with me and let’s take a minute to do just that.