Welcome to another edition of the Weekend Sermon. I hope that everyone has had a good week. I thank the Lord for the opportunity to post this message.
We have been looking into what I call the way of Jesus for the past few weeks. The early Christians were known as followers of the Way. They followed the path or the way that Jesus laid out for them. The Bible says that we are to look to Jesus because He is the author and perfecter of our faith. We are to keep our eyes on Him and not look to the left nor to the right. We are to follow His commandments and teachings. We can truly say that Jesus is our Lord when we are acting how He acted while He was ministering on this earth.
In today's message, I want us to focus on the fact that the way of Jesus is the way that focuses on the eternal and not upon the temporal. As I've said many times in sermons on this blog, Jesus' core teachings on living in this world are found in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-20 that we are not to lay up treasures on earth where moth and rust corrupts and where thieves can break in and steal. Instead, we are to lay up treasures in Heaven where moth and rust does not corrupt and where thieves cannot break in and steal. We cannot serve two masters. We cannot serve both God and money. In other words, we can't follow the Lord Jesus and His values while we also try to follow the values of this world's system and its love for money and possessions.
In II Corinthians 4:18, Paul puts the teachings of Jesus in a little different wording. He says that we don't want to keep our eyes fixed on the things that are seen because what is seen is temporary and will pass away. On the contrary, we should keep our eyes on what is eternal, because that will never pass away. Paul also tells us that everyone will one day stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. Our works will be tried as by fire. Some will have a life that is represented by wood, hay and stubble. When the fire of judgment is applied, these works will be burned up. A life lived accumulating the temporal will be a life that has ultimately nothing to show for it. If we live a life with eternity's values in view, our works we be compared to gold, silver and precious stones. When the fire of judgment is applied, these will remain.
So, what does it mean to lay up treasure in heaven and have works that remain? What does it mean to lay up treasures on earth? Let's take the second question first. So many people in this world's system busy themselves with the accumulation of wealth and possessions. They spend all of their lives trying to gain more money, houses, cars, boats and things. According to the way of Jesus, that is a wasted life. These things are all seen. They are temporary. They will pass away. A person can't take any of these possessions or things with them into eternity.
Those who will follow the way of Jesus spend their lives and their time, talent and resources in advancing the kingdom of Heaven and trying to make this world a better place in the name of Jesus. When we tell others about the love of Jesus and help to lead them to salvation, that is something that will last for all eternity. When we reach out in love to others so that they might have a better life and in turn be able to love Jesus and help others, that is a life lived with eternity's values in view. When we love God and love our neighbor and when we do unto others as we would have done unto us, we are living with eternity's values in view. We are following Jesus and living the type of life that He lived in the world.
As one who will follow Jesus, don't spend your life in the pursuit of wealth. I know that it takes a certain amount of money to get buy in this world. But if you have enough, give to others so that they can have enough. Try to give to those who are attempting to take the message of the love of Jesus around the world. Getting more and more stuff won't make you happy, and it isn't the way of Jesus. Let us all spend our time in helping others and doing the work of Jesus in the world. That is what will make us happy and joyful in this life and in the life to come. Certainly, none of us want to stand before Jesus with nothing of value to show for our lives. No one wants to be ashamed at His coming. We should all want to hear Jesus say to us, well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord. Amen.
Prayer Requests
I would ask for you prayers as I am having several health problems. I am also trying to sell my house and need prayers so that I can get things accomplished in the right way. Thank you.
Please continue to pray for peace in Ukraine. Let us also pray for peace in Syria, Libya, Yemen, Chad, Somalia, Congo and Sudan.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those living in the nations of Thailand and Guinea-Bissau. Pray that many will come to know of the love of Jesus.
Next week, I will finish our way of Jesus sermon series. I will post the verses on Monday, and I will have a post midweek. May God bless you all.
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