Secret Serving Part 1

One reason for us to Jesus phone number for good deeds can be seen motivations and why we do what we do is a key focus of Christ's teaching in Matthew chapter 6. Here we experience radical surgery as our motives are dissected. Today we go to the clinic, Christ's diagnosis from the church in Chicago. This is running to win certain clear teaching sauce make it across the finish line. Estimates are your teaching us about sharing secrets with God today. You're putting our focus on serving yesterday.

We often times forget that God sees us in the secret place in the way he sees us and what he sees is most important.

You know it's interesting just yesterday and my devotions I was reading the Gospel of John and I came across that verse were the Bible says that the Pharisees were more concerned about the glory that they received from man than the glory that they receive from God. I believe very deeply that we ought to have secrets in the Christian life secrets with God. I used to have that even when I was very young running outside looking at the stars at night and communicating with God secrets with God.

Let's have many you know the ministry of running to win could not continue work not for those who supported us regularly and that you'll notice that we talk about enduring making it across the finish line. Would you consider becoming an endurance partner that somebody who stands with us regularly with their prayers and their gifts you want to learn more you go to RTW offer.com that's RTW offer.com. Click on the endurance partner button or if you prefer, call us at 1-888-218-9337 and now let's go to the pulpit of Moody church and learn more about sharing secrets with God's light again today with the question, do you love God you love God, by the way, how many of you would say yes to that question that I see your hands. Please write. I hope that that's true of all of us that we love God because God loves us and Jesus in the sixth chapter of the book of Matthew which is the passage that I invite you to turn to in Matthew chapter 6.

We have been talking about sharing secrets with God sharing secrets with God noticing these messages we talked about secret giving when you give your all your homes in secret and the father who sees you will reward you.

We've spoken about secret praying when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut the door. Then you pray and your father who sees in secret he will you last time we spoke about secret fasting when you fast, don't tell people about it to wash your face look good go about your normal duties that it may not appear on to men that you are fasting because your father sees it with stress during this series, the need to develop those kinds of secrets things that you do for God. Why in secret course that doesn't mean that you should just do it in secret.

But the reason for the secrecy is to help us with that purifying our motives. As you and I know how powerfully easy it is to do things because other people see us and we like to look good is just part of who we are. God says wanted to do some things just for me just for me. The other thing about secrecy.

Of course, is that it helps keep us on track. It helps to remind us of the fact that there is some things that are very important and that is who we are on the inside because remember what a man or woman is before God, and that is who he or she is and nothing more.

That's all there is, as a man thinks in his heart so he is, and it's the revelation of the heart to God back in the Old Testament is as I've gone from one end of the country to another. Looking for someone whose heart is perfect towards me. I'm looking for a good part a good heart.

Well today were going to not do heart check America, but we are going to do some searching of our hearts, and were going to go into God's clinic and were going to see how our hearts are sock cartoon this past week of a man. He was on his knees praying in the caption as I remember it said something like this in keeping with the freedom of information act. Please show me what you have on me in your file letter. We like to do in keeping with the freedom of information act will God show us the goods that you've got on us. Let's do a little bit of the heart analysis.

Let's look at what's going on and let's check where we are and where loyalties lie right you ready for the tests, test number one is a test of our affections attest of our affections. You'll notice that the text says now when we're in verse 19 of chapter 6.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth were mop and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be so.

In ancient times there were three different forms of wealth. There is first of all close. They were very important because close even today in poor countries have a great deal of them importance attached to them reading the Old Testament, you frequently come across phrases like this I in making a deal with somebody it says any gave them two changes of arraignment, we may look at that and say what, why, why, that we don't exchange suits today are coats or close when we make business deals but in those days they were a rarity and I have a good coat was to have something that was valuable. We notice that when we were in Belarus how people hang onto their close because they can't afford new clothes.

Jesus said don't put to your treasure someplace where moths can get to them. I remember were growing up on the farm there in southern Saskatchewan Canada way is to often have people who live next to us who used to use an awful lot of mothballs. I don't know if you had neighbors like that are not, but we could tell them if the wind was right at a distance of about 20 yards was a reason now those days they didn't have mothballs and the moths would go in and they would ruin the close on the close had very beautiful linings in the moths would go in and destroy them. There's a second kind of wealth and that was corn Barnes of corn and Jesus says here, the rust destroys. Actually, the Greek word is that which eats away and it could be rust. There is also rust on grain. By the way, but very probably Jesus has in mind of the mice and the rats. The rodents that go in and that they take these beautiful barns that might be built filled with corn and grain and and they eat and they destroy and they disfigure and they make dirty that what you intended to eat. Then there was 1/3 form of wealth and that was the silver or gold or precious metal, and people would take that they didn't have banks in those days, and they would dig a hole in the tent or wherever it is that they lived in their home and and they would dig a hole there and that was the safe in those days and when they were gone. Someone would break through the house that baked clay that was used to build houses and they would dig in and they did the treasure and you come back and it would be gone.

Here's Christ pointing out the problem with those kinds of treasures are is not wrong Treasure, but it's the wrong place for them because number one.

It is very temporary, very temporary.

It's here and it's gone tomorrow.

It disappears people steal it and it gives you a false sense of security. You are not as rich as you think you are because somebody can take your wealth away and if somebody does not take it away from you most assuredly you will be taken away from it. Therefore Jesus said, make a better investment.

Jesus put your treasures in heaven, where moth and rust does not corrupt, and where thieves cannot break through and steal, do something good with it to take it out of the high risk that you have when you have it in this world are to understand what this means, let's suppose that all American money that you and I knew that the American dollar was someday instantly going to be totally devalued and canceled, and the only money that survives is the British pound, but suppose that that were the case and and today yet though. You can get a good rate of exchange. When would you take your money and you translated into British pounds and keep only as much American money as you need to live from day to day because you don't want too much of this stuff because it is going to be canceled. Absolute that's what Jesus is saying you don't ever Jesus talks about money.

We begin to get somewhat skittish and a little bit on edge because because the topic is it touches us in a place where we don't like to be touched, but actually Jesus is doing us a favor racing hey look, Good investment, but just invest them in the right places to put them into heaven, where you don't have this erosion of values and when you have your heart there your treasure and your heart are going to be the same place they're going to be in heaven disable how do we do that we do it by giving money. Yes, of course, by giving money, but that's only one way is by giving time. It's by giving energy is going to Cabrini Green and holding a Bible study. It is, it is ministering to Angel tree end and becoming a prayer partner. I mean there are so many different ways that we can begin to lay up treasures in heaven and I remember reading a story about a couple who had a worldwide tour that they were on everyplace that they went they bought some gifts and they couldn't keep them with them, but they sent them back home and they were anxious to get home then to see all of the gifts that had accumulated during those months that they were gone. Treasure begins to get home because that's where you send it on ahead in the very same way we think about heaven then and the more we have been heaven, the better off we are. And then we begin to think heavenly.

I frequently am asked probably maybe not every week, but very frequently when were out with friends.

People say are you a grandfather yet and I always have to pause a little bit and I say this very gently and nicely but I say yes yes we are grandparents, but our little Sarah is in heaven. You know, when you say that you begin to realize that that the more you have in heaven. The more you look forward to seeing the people whom you loved here on earth, or even as in our case someone whom we didn't get to know your your affections begin to be heaven word because that's where your treasure is, and Jesus is saying to those kinds of things that have heavenly value have lots of treasure and when the time comes for you to go. It will be easy to go because your treasure is already there.

Like the young woman and said as her dad was dying of cancer that in the weeks before he died he spent more time in heaven than he did on earth.

Jesus is saying that good investments now I know that he does not say expressly here do it in secret. But of course this is a further exposition on what he talked about when he said in the giving of alms.

He said do it in secret that your father will reward you openly. It only makes sense because our money is going to be canceled, so put it into something that will survive the crisis.

So here's a question for you.

The first test the first test of our hearts. Today is the test of our affections test of our affections doing really love God, or do we love the things of this world, whatever they may be, is a relationship more important to us than the will of God. Is it possible for us to say yes I want this relationship even though God says no because I want what I want when I want it and that is idolatry and that is not the way you lay up treasures in heaven and you really in your heart.

Do not love you, so that the first let me ask on a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate your affections and 827605 and 9210.

Your love for God.

Let's let's go on to a second test second test of this has to do with our attitude. Jesus is still speaking here in the sixth chapter of Matthew, and he says in verse 22.

The eye is the lamp of the body.

If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. It then the light which is within you is darkness, how great is that darkness in order to understand that you have to realize that I let's talk about buildings. First of all if you have a building and all of the walls and the doors were closed. The only possibility of light is through the window and whether or not much light comes through. Whether the room is flooded with light or not really depends on the window. It depends on the size of course, but also on the glass is that glass that has been painted.

Sometimes you see painted glass and in the light that comes through. It is is NJ the love that at least the room looks very very dingy or you can have a clear glass. You can have a clear window and the light just screams through and the whole room with light and Jesus said that in the very same way and this is really an analogy.

Jesus is saying that your body is really the light of the body is the eye. If you are I is single. If your eye is clear is the translation says here your whole body is going to be flooded with light.

But if I is is a bad guy. That's what it talks about its is then your body your soul. All of this can be flooded with darkness. If you can flood something with dark now what is it that what is Christ mean by a good eye. He says the lie is the lamp of the body.

If your eyes are good, your body will be filled with light. You noted good ideas really the Greek text means it is a generous I he still talking about money you still talking about investments he's talking about people who have an eye toward toward generosity who can who can rejoice with others, and who can generously give of their time and their money in their faithfulness in their efforts and they do so with gladness because freely they have received freely. They give God loves that kind of spontaneity. That's why he loves a cheerful giver.

It's it's someone who gives because he loves to give out now that's a good eye for good. I the Bible says in the book of Romans 11 love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil cleaved to that which is good at good eye is someone who has a ring of truth and honesty and openness and transparency.

What about the bad. I the bad I is stinginess. It is stinginess and if your eye is stingy if that glass using the analogy is is glass that has been what shall we say, smeared if it is glass that is colored and therefore the light is disabused. Then Jesus Christ said your whole body. The real you is filled with skill, with darkness. Of course there are other things sell. Also, other than stinginess but but to since stinginess is the primary meaning. Have you ever lived with someone who is really really miserly and stingy.

Have you lived with someone like that some of you, perhaps married somebody like that and so you know right well that you had to live with them in their something about they begrudge the success of everyone else. There always thinking about their own needs, whether or not they have deep needs are not whether or not their situation is as bad as they make it out to be. The point is there always, always be grudging generosity. It's it's a darkness in their whole eye is filled with darkness and so is their souls. There are other ways also that we can be filled with darkness and that is if our eye is filled with prejudice and jealousy and anger, and moral impurity and and all of these things the window of the soul is therefore cut off from the light. And Jesus said to make sure that your rub your your heart is right and your eye is right. Remember, if it's symbolic. I mean, it's not. I'm either blind people and then there they'd never seen the light and yet their souls are pure and open and filled with light. But Jesus is saying that your eye the way in which you view things determines actually the amount of light in your body. My wife and I have been to Mount Blanc which is really on the border of the Switzerland and France. As I recall, one of the tallest mountains in the in all of Europe I remember correctly, and it's gorgeous beautiful hill and you can ski there for miles and miles and miles probably no trees.

As I remember on so you can probably even make it all the way down. But there's a friend of mine who says that he's been there many times and there's a house, a beautiful house. One of those nice mountain homes facing Mount Blanc with all although whole array of windows, but the shutters are always closed. Now if you like mountains and if you like beauty and wonder why do they keep these shutters closed John. That's the way some lines are, this is Pastor Luther. Let me ask you a question. Does that represent your life in the presence of God's truth in the presence of Jesus Christ. Your shutters are closed, perhaps because of hard heartedness you've experienced prayers that have gone on answered you gone through very difficult. It's very easy for us to close our lives to God. Would you open your life to God today and for those of you who are ministered to by the continuing ministry of running to win. Would you consider becoming an endurance partner standing with us regularly with your prayers and your gifts. Here's what you do you go to RTW offer.com that's RTW offer.com. Click on the endurance partner button and there you'll receive all the information that you need to become an endurance partner helping us make it all the way to the finish line or if you prefer you can call us at 1-888-218-9337. Let me give you that phone number again 1-888-218-9337 take a moment and pray to the Lord and ask him whether or not you should become an endurance partner.

It's time again for another chance for you to ask Pastor Luther question you may have about the Bible or the Christian life Dr. lutes or have a question today from Andrew who lives in Illinois are 29-year-old daughter is now Christian. But when she was 18 she rebelled and left home. She now has an eight-year-old son, whom we adopted at age 2 1/2. She's divorced and is an ex-cocaine user where helping her financially so she can finish nursing school. She's trying to get her life together and we feel that if we don't help show give up. We're struggling financially and using some of our ties to pay for her expenses. Are we interfering with God by using some of our ties to pay for her living expenses. It does bother me that we don't bring all the tithes in the storehouse. After all, she is past the age of accountability. My flesh wants to cut her off from the family, but the Holy Spirit won't let me. After all, I sin, and God is long-suffering with me. Will Andrew I want you to know that you should be under no great obligation or guilt because you are taking some money that you would normally give to the church to help. Your poor daughter, you know, in the New Testament we do not have the same laws that were laid down in the Old Testament, and I believe that all Christians should give at least 10% may be a little bit more, but there are times when perhaps we can't and you're in a situation right now or you have to make that very very tough decision and there's something about your question that really does touch my heart because you want to do what is right. The only caution that I would say is be sure that you are not simply an enabler with your daughter. She's come through a very difficult period of life. She has some addictions that apparently she is getting over so make sure that any investment that you make in her life is one that is going to be productive and from your letter. It appears as if you're doing just that. So you sit down with your wife in the presence of God and decide how you are going to allocate your money, but from my heart to yours.

Today I put no guilt upon you because once you and God have it figured out.

He will lead you all the way. Thank you Dr. lutes or I'm sure that Andrew is appreciative of your answer if you'd like to hear your question answered. Go to RTW offer.com and click on ask Pastor lutes or or call us at 1-888-218-9337 that's 1-888-218-9337.

You can write to us running to win 1635 N. LaSalle Boulevard Chicago, IL 60614 the word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword. That's especially true for the words of Jesus who knows us through and through. In this series were hearing his words on our motivations, our job is to let in the light scatter the darkness in our lives. Next time I'm going to win. Learning to run lights race ablaze with light running to win is all about helping you understand God's roadmap for your race of life. Thanks for listening today for Dr. Erwin Linzer this is Dave Ellis running to win is sponsored by the Moody Church