A Greater Kingdom: Living for More than Earthly Treasures and Needs
Matthew 6:19-34
Commissioning Sunday, Missions Offering
A couple weeks ago we talked about how following Christ will cost us everything we have. Jesus, as it were, said, “If I’m not you’re number 1 priority, if you’re not willing to go on a suicide mission with me, if you’re not willing to declare bankruptcy for me, then you’re not worthy to be my follower. I must be your greatest treasure.” Following Jesus cannot be a casual, convenient, let’s-see-how-it-goes kind of thing.
Last week P. Dwight shared about how we want to be about God’s mission of advancing the Gospel. Like the early church, we need to scatter and spread the Gospel.
On a practical level, you’ve heard about how we’re launching our Chapter 2 campaign and how we, both individually and corporately, want to advance God’s Kingdom. There are going to be costs, sacrifices for this vision.
I also want to mention that in June, we want to spend 3 weeks journeying together as a congregation through some daily devotions as we focus on our relationship with Christ in regard to our possessions, priorities, mission and faith. It is critical that in the midst of all the changes and ministry we foresee, that we’re united and spiritually focused.
For the next few weeks in May, we want to explore how so often we live for the little kingdom of ourselves instead of the big Kingdom of God. Today’s sermon and the next few weeks draw significantly from Paul Tripp’s, A Quest For More [picture].
Especially for us who are going on various mission trips, especially for those of us who are graduating and/or moving, we need to be very clear that we live for Christ’s kingdom and not our own.
We were made for big things. We were made to be part of something grand, to make some real difference in the world, to believe that there’s more to our lives than just surviving or being comfortable. Maybe there’s some cause we believe in, some team we’re a part of, some war we’re fighting. Some of us may want to protect the environment or cure cancer or help orphans or go on missions, or we may want to see the Eagles win the Superbowl or see our schools/companies/church “succeed.” Whatever shape it takes, we want to belong to something big, far bigger than ourselves.
Let me go further and say that God made us for something bigger than ourselves. We weren’t made to live some small and insignificant life. We were made to be part of something transcendent. In fact, God made us to be part of His cosmic and eternal Kingdom, to share in His glory, to be a team player in His great plan to rescue the world.
The problem is that we’re selfish, and we shrink our hearts and our worlds to a kingdom of one: ourselves. We think about, care about, and basically live for ourselves. And that’s a problem. There’s a battle between our sinful nature (selfishness, small kingdom) and the design and call of God to live in and for the Big Kingdom.
In our passage today, Jesus describes small and big kingdom of living. What does small kingdom living look like? What is it focused on? Small Kingdom Living
1. Earth-bound treasures (vs. 19-24)
We all value something, we all pursue some kind of treasure, we’re all treasure-hunters.
The question is, what treasure are we living for? Maybe it’s money and what money can buy, or maybe its people’s applause or an impressive career or a happy marriage or to be as comfortable as I can be.
We may not have explicitly decided on our treasure. We probably didn’t say, “I’m going to live for my job, I’m going to live for what my children think of me,” but in reality, that’s what happens.
So let’s stop and think about it. What treasure are you pursuing? What makes a good day a good day? What makes you happy?
In my student years, I treasured grades. I wanted academic success and glory. That’s what I pursued, that’s what made me happy.
As a pastor, I want admiration and applause. I want people to see me as a good preacher and a good pastor (gifted, godly). That’s what I pursued, that’s what made me happy.
We all pursue some treasure, and wisdom is found in pursuing the better treasures.
The size of your treasure is proportional to the size of your kingdom. Jesus urges us to pursue the big treasures of heaven not the temporary treasures of earth.
2. Anxiety-bound need (vs. 25-34)
Jesus says we should not reduce our live to making sure we have all our needs met. We feel we “need” a good job, financial security, good health, diet and exercise, safety for us and our loved ones. We spend our lives try to met these “needs.”
“Your life is more important than that” (v. 25). We were not meant to live for survival; this would make our lives too small. There’s something “dehumanizing” about living this way.
This is also anxious-ridden. Jesus is speaking against worry. But if we focus on guaranteeing our needs are met, we’ll always be anxious. We can’t control things to make sure that we’re always safe. We can’t control the weather, the economy, the flu virus.
Just over a week ago, Caleb fell off his scooter, knocked his tooth in and got 5 stitches on his lip. As much as we try to keep them safe, we can’t control everything. There’s no way to guarantee he won’t get hurt, perhaps even more severely.
If we’re focused on jobs and financial security, health, safety, diet and exercise, etc., we’ll miss the meaning and purpose of life. There is more to life than this. We’ll miss what God intended our lives to be about.
What are your “treasures”? What are you “needs”? These are the things that rule our hearts and shape our lives. This affects the way I respond to my situation, the priorities and I pursue. This determines what makes me happy and what makes me sad.
If these are “earth-bound treasures” and “anxiety-bound needs,”
You’ll never be satisfied. You’ll never have enough. You’ll never be in guaranteed safety. You’ll always want more, you’ll always be anxious.
You live a small life. You’re living for the kingdom of self. This is a small, self-centered, self-serving kingdom.
Here’s a scary thought: we can be in ministry and still be mainly living for the small kingdom of me. We can be leading small groups, going on summer missions, preaching sermons, and still make it about my image/reputation, my success, my accomplishments.
Jesus then takes a dramatic turn in vs. 33, “But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Big Kingdom Living, living for the Kingdom of God
1. Instead of “anxious-ridden needs” we have a great and loving Provider
Living for God’s Kingdom starts with the freedom and security that we don’t have to worry about our needs. We have a great God who clothes the lilies and feeds the birds.
We aren’t just told, “don’t worry.” We have a Great Provider, so we don’t have to worry.
Elijah recently said he needs money. Why? So he can buy food and clothes. And I said, but your Daddy and Mommy will provide all that for you. You don’t have to worry about it.
The rebuke in this passage is “O you of little faith”! The Kingdom of God is a life of faith, of trust, of having such a good Heavenly Father, that you don’t worry about your needs.
2. Instead of “earth-bound treasures” we have a Heavenly Treasure
We’ve been using “treasure” as what we value, be it an impressive career, a happy marriage or lots of money. Where do we think we will find happiness?
2 weeks ago we looked at the man who sold all he had to buy a field because in that field was a hidden treasure. Another man sold all he had to buy a great pearl.
Living in God’s Kingdom is finding a Treasure, the Greatest Treasure. It means we see the glory, the beauty, the worth of Christ. He is our treasure.
Some may think our treasures in heaven is like a great mutual fund. Instead of modest yields on the NYSE, we can get exponential returns at the Jesus Christ Stock Exchange. Our real treasure is still money, but we have a different investment strategy.
No, living in the Kingdom of God is loving Jesus, enjoying Jesus, wanting to praise Jesus. Jesus is our treasure.
The difference between a Christian and a nonChristian is that one person has seen the beauty, glory, and worth of Christ. He has found a Treasure. The other hasn’t.
What does it look like when we don’t have to worry about our needs? Of course we need to live responsibly, but we don’t worry about our money, our health, our safety. Kingdom living is a life of faith. What if you were given a strong and powerful Protector and Provider, so that you knew, no matter what, things would be okay? What if you really believed you would have enough, your needs would be provided. Now we can live for something greater.
What does it look to find the ultimate treasure?
Have you seen people go crazy about golf or computer games or a pretty girl or a newborn baby (or grandbaby)? What if you found something, someone who was so precious, so beautiful, so glorious that you’d be happy to lay down all your possessions, all your relationships, even your own life. There’s a reason to get up every morning. Now we live with passion and purpose.
What if that Jesus said, I’ll take care of all your needs, don’t worry about money, safety, health. I’ll give you gifts, talents, abilities, resources, and opportunities so you could delight in Me and help others to delight in Me.
We (Renewal) want to help you see Christ, delight in Christ, savor Christ, trust Christ.
We (Renewal) want to work together so that others can also see Christ, delight in Christ, savor Christ, trust Christ.
In my younger years, I remember this kind of heart. I was in seminary, and long to story short, God provided for my seminary tuition. I felt God saying to me, I’m calling you to pastor and preach. Go and tell people about me. And I’ll take care of you. I’ll provide for you. Don’t worry about your tuition. Don’t worry about your needs. You just stay close and faithful to me, and go and help others see Me.
I’d like to give you a homework assignment.
Memorize and meditate on Mt 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
“all these things will be added to you as well”
What needs would you stop worrying about if you knew God would take care of it?
“seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness”
What would it look like to make Jesus your treasure, to spend all your time, money, energy to worship and enjoy Him and to help others to worship and enjoy Him.
What would this verse look like in your life this week?
For those of you who are going on summer missions and who are graduating/moving, we “send” you (no one leaves Renewal, you are sent).
You are called to not live for the small kingdom of me, but to be freed from your worries and to find your treasure. And to use all your gifts, talents, resources and abilities to worship and enjoy God and to help others to worship and enjoy God.