“Stuff Never Does Enough”

Pastor Kris Freeman

Revolution Church

Things We Love: Week 3

February 25, 2018

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-34 (NLT)

19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Jesus is teaching about possessions during the SERMON ON THE MOUNT

How do we use a word for LOVE that describes our feeling for our possessions?

Why do our material possessions matter to us? Let’s look at both the good and the bad.

The good:

– It is sentimental – sometimes STUFF has a STORY

– It is memorial – reminds us of what/who we used to have

– It is identifiable – speaks of our personality

Bill collects musical instruments. Kris collects helmets, bats and balls. Dave collects Star Wars. Brad collects lawnmower parts (and builds rad creations, too!). Joe collects grill tools and bacon. Nikki makes cupcakes. Christina collects children (ok maybe that’s not a possession, but that’s why we love her! Lots of them!) Jerry collects classic cars. Noah collects basketball cards. E collects Yankees gear. TC collects butterflies. And all of those things are identifiable traits of their JOURNEY.

24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.

The bad:

– It is expensive – material possessions can be a budget crisis

– It is obsessive – time and energy can get away from us

– It is an excuse – we waste valuable time, resources, money and life

– It is idealistic and an idol – don’t WORSHIP your stuff!

We are called to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. And Jesus reminds us that to love God, we must PURSUE him.

33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

The word used in Matthew 6:24 is the same word for love we have been studying – agapao.

Jesus is giving us three primary reminders about our love for God and how to measure our principles in regards to material possessions.

1. You can’t take your stuff WITH you.

The first treasure of Heaven is salvation – THIS you can take with you.

The second treasure of Heaven is residence – God has prepared the place for you

The third treasure of Heaven is possession – God will provide everything you need!

2. You can’t count on your stuff when LIFE comes at you fast.

Stuff may can pay for medical care, but it cannot cure sickness.

Stuff may provide comfort, but it cannot heal a broken heart.

Stuff may be security, but it is perishable.

Stuff may be plenty, but it is temporary.

3. You can’t truly love and serve God if your HEART is committed to other things.

You might need better priorities.

You might need to give things away – and BLESS someone!

You might need to change your schedule and habits.

You might need to examine your budget.

You might need to PRAY about anything that is standing in between you and God!

Don’t let your selfishness hold back your agapeo.

Use your stuff for God’s glory, who has promised to give everything you need!

#ThingsWeLove #RevWhiteHouse