Treasure

Possession is another problem but relying on your possessions to get you through life is a problem and now you worried oh I'm just a worrywart I just you know you know me, I like the worry and listen when it comes to the Bible. That's not a commendable quality what you're saying is I don't trust God was not telling you to sit back relax and just wait for someone to take care of your needs. You have to work hard you have to work smart. Do those things but worry is a sin if you hear that worry is a sin, but worry says this I can trust God you just heard a portion of the upcoming message titled treasure by Dr. Avedon, Paul Shah of Clearview church in Henderson, North Carolina Clearview. Our goal is to make Christ visible in our homes and our church and our community come visit us at 3485 Oxford Rd. in Henderson. Check us out online@clearviewv.org and join us for the rest of this week's message about 10 years ago back in 2009, Terry Herbert. He was an out of job factory worker in England took his metal detector to his friends farm and he had been doing this waiting some years and this time that metal detector actually went off and was a glittering piece of metal that turned out to be a gold artifact and before he knew it that metal detector began to buzz all over the place. You might remember that the hit the news National Geographic everything and before they knew it. Archaeologist museums began to buzz old all over the place. They had found an old Anglo-Saxon treasure from 1400 years ago and altogether by 4000 some pieces of gold and silver was frowned just just a few inches below the surface was unbelievable and made headline news and now you can go see it in the museums in England.

The only thing the archaeologist and the scholars who began to examine those piece of gold they could look at the artwork and they can look have some inscriptions and accommodated but they could never find who it belonged to the how does that tie in with our message this morning.

Earthly treasures cannot be permanently owned. Whatever you have right now. Maybe it's a piece of land.

Maybe it's stuff for some antique table or China, whatever it is that you prize so much as is mine.

One day someone else is known is that want to give it to my kids and my grandkids. Maybe. Maybe it will stay on the family for a generation or two or maybe it will be gone before you even start decay earthly treasures cannot be permanently owned what you treasure today would belong to someone else tomorrow. The only treasure that you can permanently own is what you put in heaven's bank account. What you used to build the kingdom of God. That's the only treasure that you can say that's mine, and it will always stay mine this morning were back in our series on the parables of Jesus and become to the parable of the rich farmer is called treasure you have your Bibles with you, turn to Luke chapter 12 starting in verse 16 and let's once again stand for the reading of God's word. Luke 12 for 16 then he meeting Jesus spoke a parable to them, saying, the ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully and he taught within himself, saying, what shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops so he said I will do this, I will pull down my barns and build greater and there I will store all my crops and all my goods and I will say to my soul. He said I'm to have a conversation with self technically is called a soliloquy receives having this monologue with himself and the conversation goes like this all you have many goods laid up for many years.

Take your EZ drink and be merry. But before he could answer back to himself God interjects and said fool, this night, your soul will be required. If you then who will those things be rich.

You have provided whatever you're treasuring right now this is mine. This is my stuff is been passed down. I want to pass it down tonight if your soul is required.

A few doesn't belong anymore.

Verse 21, so is he who lays up treasure by the way, that were treasure for Sarris.

That's when we get our word for sorrows.

The dictionary we use it for now that contains words so also so is he who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God question this morning argued that rich farmer who trusted in his possessions. Are you that person who is was God that something, and by the way you you don't have to be wealthy to be rich you may only have $100 in your bank account or in your pocket but your holding onto them. Your trusting in advance your security so doesn't matter if you're a billionaire we just got the hundred dollars.

It's your attitude towards it.

If you're obsessed by it. If you trusting in, and that is your your security for the future.

Listen today's messages for you and are you saved is I'm good I'm good.

Here's the question if you tonight your soul is required. If you where will you go is that I'm good I'm I'm good, here's my here's my statement to Eunice, not original to me, but it's is really challenge me through the years.

Eternity is too long to be wrong where you stand and if you do not know Christ. Would you pray this way. Jesus, I don't understand everything. I may not have the understanding of even who you are, but today I know I need help I need help in whatever that help means.

I pray the simple prayer, save me and pray this way. Pray, come into my life. Forgive me of my sins and take over and then teach me what it means to be forgiven. Teach me what it means to let you take over.

Unlike the previous parables, the parable of the rich farmer is somewhat troubling at first glance, I mean think about it for a moment of virtually honest. What is this crime.

What did he do wrong and go back to verse 16 for a moment. This man, it says his ground yielded plentifully. I mean what's wrong with that.

Don't you want to be blessed anything wrong with having a bumper crop anything wrong with making a good deal. Anything wrong with getting a raise at your job, nothing again in verse 17 it says he taught within himself, saying, what shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops so he said I will do this, I will pull down my barns and build greater and there I will store all my crops in my goods anything wrong with that. Nothing is a visionary. He knows that if he doesn't do something. The crop is going to stay out in the open, the elements will destroy everything will get rotten so he is thinking ahead. He is planning for the future anything wrong with that.

Nothing is wrong with that as well was the next thing verse 19 he says I will save my soul.

He has his conversation with self soul. You have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink and be merry again.

I asked the same question. What is wrong with what he said. Nothing wrong with that because that is a reward of a well-planned life.

How many of you would love to have things laid up so you can retire. Many of you have retired you have invested well you have used your money wisely. And now you're able to do things and go places and know that if something happens tomorrow. You have enough saved up to take care of your needs. So nothing is wrong with what has happened so far it seems like this rich farmer rather than being a villain is actually a model that's all we should be blessed. Planning ahead saving up for the retirement's a good thing. But then there is a reason why Jesus gave this parable because he is the villain to understand the reason we have to back up and look at the whole context in which Jesus gave this parable, we have to backup three versus two Luke chapter 12 in verse 13 I want you to hear this again. Verse 13 says, then one from the crowd said to him, teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me like even mind if you been in the series with me for the past couple weeks that Jesus is in a travel motive is known as the travel narrative in the gospel of Luke in Luke chapter 951 it says that when Jesus knew that the time had come for him to be ascended that he said his face toward Jerusalem, he knew it was not just about being born in a manger. It was just not enough to be at the perfect son of God it was not enough just to come and heal the sick and feed the hungry, and preach the gospel he came for one purpose, which is what to give his life for us to die on the cross for the sins of every human being.

When Jesus knew the time had come. He said his face toward Jerusalem. In fact, it was a fulfillment of a prophecy.

Isaiah talks about it in Isaiah 50 verse seven he says. Therefore, I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed.

Ezekiel talks about a two in Ezekiel 39 like adamant stone adamant means he is determined he is resolute. There is no turning back like adamant stone harder than flint.

I have made your four head. Do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks dull. They are a rebellious house when Jesus knew within himself maybe to the Holy Spirit. It is time he did not dillydally.

He did not hesitate. It was time his feet picked up speed. His eyes locked towards Jerusalem. His mind was consumed with what is coming. He has come as the perfect Lamb of God, to give his life for us. There is no turning back.

He has to do this he has to drink the bitter cup that we were meant to drink, and as he's making his way. He hears this voice teacher. Can you please tell my brother to share. He says in verse 14 man who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you. My translation is dude do you really think I came for that purpose. He said to them this very important because this is the reason why he gave the parable he said what, take heed and beware of is on the screen covetousness.

Listen to what Jesus would say he said, take heed and beware of covetousness for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.

You think this is the context in which Jesus gave the parable of the rich farmer is not wrong to be blessed is not wrong to be successful is not wrong to plan ahead is not wrong to save up for retirement. What's wrong is consciousness, the desire to acquire more then Jesus gave this parable, the rich man as a conversation with himself and he says I will say to my soul soul. You have many goods laid up for many years take and your EZ drink and be merry. He didn't even get a chance to answer because God steps in. He calls and what was the word full by the way, did you know that word for fool in the Greek is off wrong. Is it wise that important because that's the same word used in the Old Testament of the Old Testament was written in Hebrew, but then later it was translated into Greek, which is known as the Septuagint. In Psalm 14 verse one the same exact Greek word is found off wrong. Would you like to know where it's found here is the fool has said in his heart. What there is no God is the word that is addressed to the atheist, the one who says there is no God. The problem with this rich farmer. He was a practicing atheist. He was living his life just for self, just like some of you here this morning.

You believe in the chart are low-pressure chocolate, which is the word I love the church. I love the worship of all of the programs. All those things are wonderful you you you are a churchgoing person you are a moral person but you are a practicing atheist, so would God say to him, go back to that verse again is that fool, this night, your soul will be required. A few then hose will those things be that you have provided.

If your soul is required of me right this minute if you have a heart attack and die or going through a traffic light someone hits you all that you have when he was no longer yours.

It's over.

Is mine was not someone else is going to be pulling it apart using the Bible is such a powerful book. It speaks to us today.

In 2019 as it did 2000 years ago, or 4000 years ago. Verse 21 it says so is he who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.

The problem again was not with his success or planning ahead or retirement of the problem was that this rich farmer was only living for self.

He had no regard for God. Neither Jesus would have ended here, we would say as well go live for stuff right distally for stuff live for God, but he doesn't end there because he goes on in verse 22.here it gets close it it it begins to speak to us. Listen to what Jesus says he turned to his disciples and said, therefore I say to you, do not worry what, do not worry about your life what you will eat nor about the body, what you will put on.

Jesus was not telling his disciples don't plan your life's what he was saying is don't be overcome by worry. The word is Mary McDowell which really means paralyzing anxiety possessions are not the problem but relying on your possessions to get you through life is a problem and now you're worried oh I'm just a worrywart I just you know you know me, I like to worry. Listen when it comes to the Bible. That's not a commendable quality what you're saying is I don't trust God was not telling you to sit back relax and just wait for someone to take care of your needs. You have to work hard you have to work smart. Do those things but worry is a sin if you hear that worry is a sin, but worry says this I can trust God anything about it this way if you were to say pastor is a great pastor is a wonderful leader is wonderful manager whatever is only one probably can trust him would you do with that.

I mean, with one statement he completely took the legs out from under me. God is a holy God. God is a loving God. God is a powerful guy just can trust him. And then Jesus appeals to nature.

At this point to make his make his case is us consider the ravens by the ravens are not were known as unclean birds. He's a look at these worthless unclean birds, for they neither sow nor reap which have neither storehouse nor bar right and God feeds them of how much more value are you damn the birds look at the unclean birds.

God takes care of them. He will take care of you. Worry is not commendable.

He doesn't stop there.

Listen to the next line of which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature and can you get taller by thinking about it that be great wanted some of you right now you can doesn't stop there. Listen to verse 26. If you then are not able to do the least. Why are you so anxious for the rest, anxiety, verse 27. Consider the lilies how they grow all the way, did you notice how Jesus uses nature to make his case about not worrying. You know when it comes to relaxation and rest.

Would you like to know the best way to reduce stress is nature get outside for a while.

It has an amazing way of bringing your body down to zero. So what happens here, Jesus says, consider the lilies how they grow, they neither toil nor spin, and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these and then it says if then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown in the oven.

How much more will he clothe you stay with me the last 90 you of little how in the world is that connected to possessions. Listen, the problem is faith. You have a faith issue and by the way this applies not just about possessions is a part of our life. It applies in every area of your life. Verse 29 Jesus says and do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind.

This is in the Bible for all these things the nations of the world seek after and your father know is that you need these things, God your father knows but seek what seek the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you.

And then verse 32. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your father's good pleasure to give you. What's the word, the kingdom, so this is put something on the board since thereby. Loves my drawings. So here you go.

This is your life ends here and that's death, and you are busy putting it into this hard. This is your pot of gold. Everything is here going into this hot why because I'm saving it up. I don't know what's gonna happen tomorrow.

I don't know how life will turn out on putting it away. I'm saving and I don't believe we have enough. We need more. What are we supposed to do, put it somewhere where moth and rust cannot destroy motives do not break in and cannot break-in and steel, which means what put it in your heavenly bank account. How do you put money into this account while Jesus actually tells us look at the very next verse which is verse 33 already with this okay can you read with me, sell what you have and give alms provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old age treasure in the heavens that does not fail where North he approaches nor moth destroys. Sell all and give alms doesn't mean that you have to take everything you have and so I will sell the house will sell everything and give it away.

What it does mean is, you begin to help others who are in need to get that if y'all found that to be a revelation this morning that building treasure in heaven is not, but I need to read the Bible more. I need to pray more. I need to witness more.

All those things are great and you should do that. The building treasure is about meeting the needs of those who are less fortunate. You know we did this time.

The neighbor project. I hope you got there's always that critical self-proclaimed critic, worry, or whatever.

Who cares what you think required. Honestly, I care more about Jesus, things right. I mean blended when did the Trinity make you God presented inform us that challenge is so beautiful because we give away $25,000. Two weekends ago.

Unbelievable are I never imagined in my in our life and our ministry. Our leaders would be talked about in the $25,000 would be given away in one weekend and everybody got across with the gospel rounded but then every family unit got across with $100 bill honey shall have read the testimonies in the Facebook page and all seen the test. We are also seeing the testimony carts coming in it in its unbelievable people are actually stopping and helping others in the last neither was there was a couple here young couple and he was that the guy was with his dad. You know, farmers are going somewhere and then saw a guy the side of the road. Stuckey comes around and share the gospel with them gives him that that cross with hundred dollar bill in its unbelievable what God is doing. People are looking for. It is not easy by the right you have to go find those people the Holy Spirit does not let you rest until you find that person and you are able to give them many times are same. Many times are not sometimes are not saved. It is not just here's $100 bill. There's a cross there is a gospel around it. Repent, believe, and follow it.

What were really doing real awake this morning were helping you puts things in the account from which you can draw forever doing you a favor so you can have something to draw from, because where you are putting all your stuff. Guess what is not to be yours. The moment you die. Listen to this last line verse 34 stayed with me for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. So here's the thing folks if your heart is here. If your treasure is here. This is where your heart is somebodies to wake up this morning if everything you have done in this life is for here. This is where your heart is, which means what you are not saved on maybe. Maybe I need to get another Jesus to come and help you out. I would put that verse back on again where your treasure is, there your heart will be who said that who said that Jesus did, so if everything you have done is only for this life. This is where your heart is your are going on to the other side. But what if you are making an investment on this side. That's where your hardest to honor their people here this morning who feel convicted, he said you know what I haven't done enough to help others in need. I haven't done it has great conviction is what gets you on the right path, saying it save just need to start doing things you'll need another message. Another Bible study what you need to do is say Jesus if this is true, why do I rationalize how I need to hang onto my money. I need to learn to give and help people in need. Thank you so much for joining us for this message too often focused on amassing earthly wealth and we forget to store treasures up in heaven need to be making deposits in your heavenly bank account that we can benefit from eternity.

Take a look at your life where's your treasure stored and if you not making deposits in your heavenly bank account. If you never opened one in the first place. For more information visit us online@clearviewb.org for this sermon notes check out Dr. Shah's blog that I would not shock.com