🎵Music🎵
Good evening everyone. Welcome to First Works Baptist Church. Let's all find our seats.
Once you find a seat, please go ahead and grab a songbook. Turn to song number 134, My Anchor Holds.
Song number 134 as our first song. Let's all stand together for this first song, If You Are Able.
Song number 134. All together nice and strong on that first verse.
🎵Though the angry surges roll on my tempest-driven soul🎵
🎵I am peaceful for I know wildly though may blow🎵
🎵I've an anchor safe and sure that can evermore endure🎵
🎵And it holds, my anchor holds, though you're wildest then, oh gale🎵
🎵On my bark so small and frail, by His grace I shall not fail🎵
🎵For my anchor holds, my anchor holds, mighty tides about me sweep🎵
🎵Perils lurk within the deep, angry clouds or shade the sky🎵
🎵And the tempest rises high, the tempest shook🎵
🎵For my anchor grips the rock and it holds, my anchor holds, though you're wildest then, oh gale🎵
🎵On my bark so small and frail, I shall not fail🎵
🎵For my anchor holds, my anchor holds, I can feel the anchor fast🎵
🎵Each sudden blast and the cable go unseen🎵
🎵Bears the heavy strain between🎵
🎵Through the storm I safely ride, till the turning of the tide🎵
🎵And it holds, my anchor holds, though you're wildest then, oh gale🎵
🎵On my bark so small and frail, by His grace I shall not fail🎵
🎵For my anchor holds, my anchor holds🎵
🎵On the last troubles almost wound the soul🎵
🎵Lulls o'er me roll, tempters seek to lure astray🎵
🎵Storms obscure the light of day🎵
🎵But in Christ I can be bold, I've an anchor that shall hold🎵
🎵And it holds, my anchor holds, though you're wildest then, oh gale🎵
🎵On my bark so small and frail, by His grace I shall not fail🎵
🎵For my anchor holds, my anchor holds🎵
Amen. Wonderful singing. Let's start our first service with a word of prayer.
Dear Lord God, Heavenly Father, we just thank you so much for giving us another day.
That we can come to your house, Lord, and sing these hymns unto you.
And we thank you for the souls that were saved this afternoon.
We just ask that you please bless the service tonight, Lord.
Please bless the singing, most of all.
Please fill past me here with your Spirit as He preaches unto us.
And give us your Spirit also in the congregation, Lord, that we may leave here changed.
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
You may be seated.
Please turn your songbooks to song number 44 as our second song.
Song number 44 will work till Jesus comes.
Song number 44, all together nice and strong on that first verse.
🎵O land of rest for thee I sigh, when will the moment come?🎵
🎵When I shall lay my armor by and dwell in peace at home🎵
🎵Will work till Jesus comes, will work till Jesus comes🎵
🎵Will work till Jesus comes and will be gathered home🎵
🎵To Jesus Christ I fled for rest, He bade me cease to roam🎵
🎵And lean for succor on His breast till He conduct me home🎵
🎵Will work till Jesus comes, will work till Jesus comes🎵
🎵Will work till Jesus comes and will be gathered home🎵
🎵I sought at once my Savior's side, shall roam🎵
🎵With Him I'll brave death's chilling tide and reach my heavenly home🎵
🎵Will work till Jesus comes, will work till Jesus comes🎵
🎵Will work till Jesus comes and will be gathered home🎵
Alright, great singing, just a few announcements before we sing our next song
which will be 120 if you want to get that ready in your songbooks
Jesus, Savior, Pilot, Me, of course our services are as
Fall or Sunday morning is at 1030, Sunday evening at 5pm
and then we have our Thursday night Bible study at 7 o'clock
you see the soul winning times and teams, the list of expecting mothers
of course we're going to be adding Ms. Chanel Gonzalez, congratulations to her and Brother Jose
and then congratulations to Brother Leon and Ms. Lorena on their baby girl
and so if you would like to provide a meal or send a gift card to them
please make sure you text my wife, she's organizing that and so get in contact with her
if you're interested in being a blessing there
you see the important reminders at the bottom
the upcoming church events, we have Ms. Tanya Leeve's baby shower on Sunday, May 28th
that will be next week after the morning service
on Monday, May 29th is the Monday soul winning meeting here at 1130 at the church building
and you can see Brother Ulysses Hernandez for more details about that
the end of school picnic is coming up on Tuesday, May 30th at 1230
and that will be at Eucalyptus Park
and then we have the ladies prayer breakfast on Saturday, June 3rd
and Ms. Chanel will be heading that up so you can see her for more details about that
please make sure you silence your phones during the preaching
so as to not be a distraction during the service
it takes them so many numbers from this past week's salvation from Monday to Thursday
salvation for Monday to Thursday, one
how about Friday and Saturday, salvation for Friday and Saturday
five for Riverside, one
anybody else?
how about this afternoon, salvation for this afternoon, one
four for Brother Morrie's team, one for Brother Glenn's team
two for Brother Marcus' team
two from last week for Brother Hikes team, just keep that in mind
anybody else?
going once, twice, thrice
okay, keep up the great work, let's go ahead and sing our next song
120 Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me
song number 120, Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me
all together on that first verse
Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me
over life's impetuous sea
unknown waves before me roll
hiding rock at treacherous shoal
chart and compass come from me
Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me
as a mother stills her child
thou canst touch the ocean wild
boisterous waves obey thy will
when thou say'st to them be still
wondrous sovereign of the sea
Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me
when at last I'm near the shore
and the fearful breakers roar
twist me and the peaceful breast
then while leaning on thy breast
may I hear thee say to me
fear not I will pilot thee
amen, wonderful singing, at this time the ushers will come forward to receive the offering
you can turn your Bibles to Matthew chapter number 6
you
good evening, we're in Matthew chapter 6 tonight
Matthew chapter 6 and the Bible reads
take heed that you do not your alms before men to be seen of them
otherwise you have no reward of your Father which is in heaven
therefore when thou doest thine alms do not sound a trumpet before thee
when thou pray'st do in the synagogues and in the streets
that they may have glory of men
verily I say unto you they have their reward
but when thou doest alms let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth
that thy alms may be in secret and thy Father which seeth in secret
himself shall reward thee openly
and when thou pray'st thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are
for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets
that they may be seen of men
verily I say unto you they have their reward
therefore pray to thy Father which is in secret
and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly
but when you pray use not vain repetitions as the heathen do
for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking
be not ye therefore like unto them
for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of
before ye ask him
after this manner therefore pray ye our Father which art in heaven
hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth
as it is in heaven
and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil
for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever amen
for if ye forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you
but if ye forgive not men their trespasses
neither will your Father forgive your trespasses
moreover when ye fast be not as the hypocrites of a sad countenance
for they disfigure their faces that they may appear unto men to fast
verily I say unto you they have their reward
but thou when thou fastest anointeth thy head
then wash thy face that thou appear not unto men to fast
but unto thy Father which is in secret and thy Father which seeth in secret
shall reward thee openly
lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth where moth and rust doth corrupt
and where thieves break through and steal
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven
where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt
and where thieves do not break through nor steal
for where your treasure is there will your heart be also
the light of the body is the eye
if therefore thine eye be single
thy whole body shall be full of light
but if thine eye be evil
thy whole body shall be full of darkness
if therefore the light that is in thee be darkness
how great is that darkness
no man can serve two masters
for either he will hate the one and love the other
or else he will hold to the one and despise the other
you cannot serve God and mammon
therefore I say unto you take no thought for your life
what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink
nor yet for your body what ye shall put on
not the life more than meat and the body than raiment
behold the fowls of the air for they sow not
neither do they reap nor gather into barns
yet your heavenly father feedeth them
are ye not much better than they
which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature
and why take ye thought for raiment
consider the lilies of the field how they grow they toil not
neither do they spin and yet I say unto you
that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these
wherefore if God so clothed the grass of the field
which today is and tomorrow is cast into the oven
shall ye not much more clothe you oh ye little faith
therefore take no thought saying what shall we eat
or what shall we drink or wherewithal shall we be clothed
for after all these things do the Gentiles seek
for your heavenly father knoweth that ye have need of all these things
but seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness
and all these things shall be added unto you
take therefore no thought for tomorrow for the morrow
shall take thought for the things of itself
sufficient unto the day is the hour
of the evil thereof.
Let's pray dear Lord God we thank you for this time we have Lord
where we could hear the preaching of your word Lord
I just pray that you bless pastor right now
and fill him with the Holy Spirit Lord as he preaches to us Lord
and that us in the congregation were edified by the preaching
so just bless this time we pray this in Jesus name Amen.
Okay tonight I'm going to preach the second half
of Matthew chapter 6 from Thursday
of course on Thursday evenings were going through the book of Matthew
and these chapters here are pretty long
and so I've been breaking them into halves here
and teaching one half on Thursdays and then the other half
the following Thursday but I'm going to conclude Matthew chapter 6 tonight
and so we're going to continue on here with the Sermon on the Mount
of course there's a lot of topics an array of different subjects
that are being covered here by Jesus on the Sermon on the Mount
and on Thursday we talked about the fact that he talks about giving alms
and making sure that you do it in secret so as to not be seen of men
referring to the motive that you have when you give alms
referring to a donation of some sort giving to someone who is in need
someone who needs food or raiment some sort of resource
that when you give to that person you're obviously giving it
because you love that individual and you want to help that person
but it doesn't mean you can't give it because you want a reward
because of the fact that God promises us a reward
he's just saying that if you want to solidify and confirm that you're going to get a reward
you've got to make sure you do it not to be seen of men
and those who do things, do the works of God, donate to others
but they publicize it, they sound a trumpet before them
they're not doing it because they want a reward in heaven
they want the recognition, the admiration and the accolades of men
they want people to see them doing those good deeds
and of course he uses the hypocrites in the synagogues
we know of course he's referring to the scribes and the Pharisees
these are individuals who have this outward appearance of being godly and pious
but inwardly they're full of dead men's bones
these are wicked individuals and they're only concerned about what people see on the outside
and so he talks about that and then he goes into the subject of prayer
and how it's important to not pray as the hypocrites do in the corners of the streets
blowing a trumpet so to speak on the corners of the streets
standing in the synagogues just trying to draw attention to themselves
so that people can have this perception of them being godly
but in reality they have a form of godliness but they deny the power thereof
they're not really godly individuals, they are holier than nows
that are only concerned with the praises of men more than the praises of God
and of course we get into the model prayer in verses 9 all the way down to verse number 13
and we explain what that is and of course a lot of that would apply to Catholics today
who don't seem to realize that a lot of what they're praying are vain repetitions
they're just repeating prayers, lines, and verses
and thinking that the quantity of how many times they pray is going to earn them God's blessing
but of course the Bible says that those are vain repetitions
it's not going to do anything for them
they're praying as the heathens do and they're not going to be heard for their much speaking
and then the last thing we covered is fasting
and he talks about in verse 16 how when you're fasting don't be of a sad countenance
now the reason he has to say that is because obviously when you fast
you're tired, you're depleted, you don't have those calories
you don't have that energy and that sugar boost and all that
and so naturally your body has a tendency to maybe even disfigure a little bit
you're just kind of like tired, you're hungry
and what Jesus is saying is you kind of have to work twice as hard to make sure you don't have that base
and he's basically saying the reason you don't want to appear as though you're fasting
is because if people see that you're fasting they're going to think
oh okay this person is fasting and therefore you lose your reward
but the reason people are supposed to fast in the first place is because they're coupling that with prayer
and that's a pretty important doctrine regarding fasting
fasting has actually been popularized as of recently
but more so because of health reasons
they do intermittent fasting, OMAD for example
and they do it so they can heal the body
and it just has a lot of health benefits coupled with that
but this is not what that's referring to
this is referring to a spiritual discipline, an accessory discipline
that is to be coupled with prayer
let's say you have a particular need in your life, a really big need
a conflict that needs to be resolved
a prayer that needs to be answered of some sort
and you're praying and you're praying and you feel like you're not really getting that answer to prayer
well one accessory that you can do to kind of boost that prayer life is fasting
so in other words you take a day, let's say tomorrow for example
instead of eating lunch you fast at lunch time
and the time that you typically take to eat food you would pray
you afflict your soul by abstaining from food and taking that time to pray
now some people take this to an extreme and they think
you gotta fast for three days or you gotta fast for six days, seven days or something
fast for a week and go without for that much in order to really make an impact
but the examples in the Bible don't really go that long actually
sometimes it's a meal, sometimes it's a day
you have an extreme example that's done by Jesus where he went 40 days and 40 nights
but he's the only one
so obviously he's bearing the sins of the world
he's about to start this ministry that's gonna last three and a half years
and so he chose to do that
but nowhere in the Bible does it tell you you have to fast
so you're not better necessarily if you fast but you're also not the worst
if you choose not to fast
it's simply an accessory discipline you use coupled with prayer
in order to kind of accentuate that request that you're making
that petition you're making before God
but it does definitely work
if there's something specific you're struggling in your life
and you just kind of need help overcoming a specific temptation
you need an answer to prayer
often fasting actually does help with that
when you couple it with prayer
and you're afflicting your soul
and by the way you know fasting in the Bible aside from being coupled with prayer
is sometimes something that people do naturally
when they're grieved when they are already
afflicted in their soul because of a trial or tribulation that they're going through
for example sometimes you go through a trial a difficult time
you're not even hungry you don't eat
you don't have an appetite
you're feeling depressed
you're feeling discouraged
and food is the last thing on your mind
now you may think to yourself is it possible to learn this power
is it possible to have
yes it is possible
it's either by trial or tribulation
you lose a loved one for example
there's individuals who lose a loved one
and nothing can really move them
they're not hungry they don't have an appetite
or they just go through such a hard trial
that trial is on the forefront of their minds
the last thing they're really thinking about is food
that's a form of fasting that we see in the Bible as well
but this in particular obviously because of the previous verses
is referring to fasting and prayer
and so he's talking about that there
and in each of these cases again
he tells you how to do it
but he also shows you how to do it by showing you how not to do it
by using the Pharisees as an example
of individuals who are holier than thou
just wanting to be seen of men
so now we're going to get into the teaching of
heavenly treasures okay
look at verse number 19
it says lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth
where moth and rust doth corrupt
and where thieves break through and steal
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven
now let me ask you
is God against you
wanting desiring covening treasures
absolutely not
you know you don't want to go too far to the other extreme
and think well God just wants me to live
this really you know this life
this ascetic lifestyle
where we just go without
and we're just kind of miserable
and we can't have nice things
and we can't desire treasures and riches
no he wants us to have treasures and riches
but the right type of treasures and riches
not necessarily the monetary type treasures and riches
we're talking about those that last forever
the eternal treasures and riches
and he specifically says you know
make the right type of investment
too many Christians are making an investment in the temporal
and not enough in the eternal
which is why he says
if you're laying up treasure
by the way they're actually not supposed to do that
they're actually not supposed to do that
they're not supposed to do that
when they pass by this particular area here
they have to wait until they reach all the way at the end
but ever since we moved
not ever since we moved here
but as of the last couple of months
they'll do that during a service
just letting everyone know that right there
busters
let it be anathema
I'm just kidding
he's saying look hey
don't make so many investments in this world
because of the fact that eventually the moth and the rust
is going to get to it
you know eventually someone's going to steal your vehicle
they're going to break into your house
your expensive clothing is going to be eaten up by moths
you know if you've ever experienced
how many of you have ever experienced moths eating clothes
you know you go to a suit
you know there's a particular suit
maybe you haven't worn quite some time
because you're too chunky to put it on
and then you lose some weight
and you go there you're like I'm finally going to wear this suit
and there's like this huge hole in it
it's like the moth already got to it
okay
and so he's saying look
it's not wise to make temporal investments
because of the fact that these things are corrupt
they're susceptible
they're susceptible to thieves
they're susceptible to the elements of this world
they're susceptible to rust
it's going to be done away with
so it's not the wisest investment to make
okay
you know laying up treasures in your bank account
acquiring possessions on end
having all types of clothing
and houses
this isn't the best investment for Christians to make
because eventually all of that stuff is going to go away
okay
so he says rather lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven
where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt
and where thieves do not break through nor steal
now I became acquainted with this verse very well
when my van kept getting stolen
I remember one time we had a sowing marathon
and it was like the Saturday before Easter
and man it was such a great marathon
a lot of people got saved
and the next Sunday you know
we're getting ready for church
my family and I
and we go on I'm just like where did I park that car
the vehicle because I called it the vehicle
I'm like where did I park the vehicle
and so I'm like I go down the street
I'm like this is not where I parked it
and I go all the way down the other street
I'm like that's where is this
I call my wife I'm like where'd you put the car
because you know it's her fault of course you know
anytime you know I just have to blame the wife
you know
and she's like you put it in the front
like we parked it right here in the front
dang it someone stole our car
so someone came and they stole the van
and we ended up making it to church
I don't remember how we made it to church
but they stole the van
and we found it like a couple days later
and they had taken all the DVDs that we used for sowing
all the Bibles
and you know like a pair of shades that I had
or something like that I don't remember exactly what it was
but they stole like my jacket
I mean it was a van that wasn't really like
like why would they steal it you know
the van kind of sucked
I'm surprised they didn't fix it
put it that way you know
and I'm just like man you know
so we got it back
and then later on we got it stolen again
by the sodomites or whatever
and I remember thinking to myself you know what
this is why I don't really like vehicles
and this is why I'm not that attached to vehicles
because moth and rust
doth corrupt thieves break through and steal
you know there comes a point
where you become so attached to a particular possession
that when it's taken from you
you know you have a really bad day
but if you're not really attached to the things of this world
people can take it and it doesn't ruin your day
because you know you know what
this is going to disappear one time or another
someone's going to take it
it's going to break down
it's going to go away
that's the way it works
and in fact previous to owning that van
I used to have an Acura
and I'll be honest with you
I used to call it my car
so even when I got married
it was just like well I'll take my car
you know that's my car
and I'd take care of it you know
and the van I wouldn't really take care of
it's just like if it's dirty it's dirty
you know what I mean it's just
it has a purpose but this is my car
but then my car ended up breaking down
and then it's just like
well we got to get a van now you know
because we're having our families growing
and then thereafter every
every car that we got thereafter
is just known as the vehicle
it's no longer my van
or my car it's just
I'm placing distance between
between me and that possession okay
kind of showing you that there's like a lack of love
for that particular that thing over there
called the van or the car
but you know what that's how we should be with everything right
with our possessions
it should be something that we use as a tool
to help us get the job done
whether that's taking care of our family
going to work going to church
and not be so attached to the things of this world
that if something were to happen to you
you just lose your mind okay
it's getting kind of quiet in here amen
you know hey we need to make sure
it doesn't matter how nice of a vehicle you have
how expensive it is
hey how would you react if that thing was gone tomorrow
you know could you just depart from it
and say you know what
Moth and Russ doth corrupt
good thing I didn't lay out for myself treasures here upon the earth
because eventually it was going to go away
or is it where you just lose your mind
my baby he was just like
that would be a problem right
and he says in verse 21
for where your treasure is listen to this
there will your heart be also
now what does that mean
whatever you invest in is whatever you're going to love
that's what you're going to love
so the more you invest in something your treasures
your monetary gain your resources
you're going to love that particular thing
and this is applicable to just
to anything not just possessions
hey if you have if you've lacked
if you're losing a love for the bible
invest time into the bible
and you'll have a heart for the bible
if you are losing love for souls
go sowing and guess what your heart will follow right
if you don't like our church
then go somewhere else I'm just kidding
or or or okay
if you don't like our church invest in our church
and then your heart will follow
okay you'll end up loving the church
if you have a lack of love for biblical preaching
listen to biblical preaching invest in biblical preaching
and you will love it okay
and obviously those are secondary principles
and the main principle is this is that
invest in heavenly things seeking first the kingdom of God
and then your affection shall be set on things above
okay that's what he's referring to here
and so it's important to get heavenly treasures
hold your place here go to 1 Timothy chapter 6 if you would
1 Timothy chapter 6
I'm going to read to you from 1 Peter chapter 1 verse number 3
says blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
which according to his abundant mercy
hath begotten us into a lively hope
by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
to an inheritance incorruptible undefiled
and that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for you
God's trying to get across to us
that the things that we invest in when it comes to the eternal
it's settled they're going to be there
they will not be corrupted they're not going to be stolen
it actually has substance okay
so it's not worth investing in the possessions of this world
use the things of this world as not abusing it
use it to get the job done
but don't become so overly attached to the things of this world
that it kind of blinds your mind
it causes you to have this inordinate affection
towards those things okay
he says in 1 Timothy chapter 6
in verse 17 it says charge them that are rich in this world
that they be not high minded
now who is he addressing?
he's addressing rich people right
so that means if he's referring to believers
that means there's some believers who actually got money
if he's talking about rich people
and this shows us here that God is not against rich Christians
because some people just come from money
they come from a home that has money
they're good with their money
maybe they're business people that just make a lot of money
they would be considered wealthy people
and God is trying to get across here
that it's important that the rich of this world
the Christians who are rich in this world
that they don't become high minded
what does that mean? proud, arrogant
oh I have all this money in the bank
I have all these possessions
I have a home
I have all the things that I need
I'm such a great person because of everything that I have
don't be high minded
because those things can be taken away from you in an instant
and it says nor trust in uncertain riches
now I think this is something that a lot of Christians
can struggle with
is that when there's an abundance of resources available
they can have a tendency or a temptation
to place their trust in those riches
it's just like well there's enough money in the bank we'll be okay
there's a lot of money and we'll be fine
but you know what?
regardless if there's money in the bank or not
we need to place our faith in God
because of the fact that
money can just disappear like that
and if it disappears like that
your faith is just still being the Lord
your faith is just still being God
it's really easy to say I have faith in God
when there's a lot of money in the bank
the bills are paid, everything's going well
check engine lights not on
everything's going fine and dandy
Jesus is saying we got faith in God
but what about when you've just been stripped of all those things
can you really say the same thing?
don't trust in uncertain riches
why are riches uncertain?
because it can be stolen, it can be wasted, it can be taken
it says nor trust in uncertain riches
but in the living God who giveth us richly all things to enjoy
it says here regarding charging the rich in this world
that they do good
that they be rich in good works
so don't become so single minded
or should we say focused on the uncertain riches
that you're not doing good works
you see you should be wealthy in your good works
be generous and abundant in your works for God
that they be rich in good works
ready to distribute
ready to communicate, what does that mean?
don't be stingy
don't be a miser
be a generous person
if God has blessed you with abundance of resources
depart from it by giving it to others
and by the way psychologically it actually does you good
just from a secular standpoint
when people just give away their money
it feels good
it makes them really happy to give and all that
and obviously that's a psychological standpoint
but from a spiritual standpoint
not only does it feel good
but we never truly give away our money though
because when we give away a resource
we end up getting it back
we never actually lose any resources
no matter how much we spend
or how much we lose if we invest it in the right things
we never truly lose it
because it's actually an investment in the eternal
it actually doubles and triples
and triples in worth
because if you're doing good
if you're wealthy in good works
you're rich in good works
you're investing in the work of God
you're investing in soul winning
you're investing by being a blessing
to other brothers and sisters in Christ
you're investing in your church
according to the Bible
it's like you're saving money
and I don't mean saving like saving it in the bank
I mean like you're sending your money to heaven
that's what you're doing
you have like a bank account in heaven
and you're just racking up all the wealth in heaven
so he says be ready to distribute
willing to communicate
verse 19
laying up in store for themselves
a good foundation against the time to come
that they may lay hold on eternal life
who's they?
the money, resources, riches
so if you're rich in this world
and you want to stay rich
in the eternal
you better give the money away
you better invest in the eternal
and not just kind of
save it up for a rainy day
tear down barns and build up greater
you know what I mean
just kind of
well we're just going to save this for a rainy day
we're not really saving for anything
we're just kind of racking up wealth
you better do something with it
because of the fact that
if you die tomorrow
whose wealth is that going to belong to tomorrow?
better to actually depart from that wealth
invest in something spiritual
you say well give me something to invest in
mission strips
soul winning
your church
people who are in need in the church
there's all types of things you can give to
don't give it to the derelicts on the street by the way
because you're not going to get anything from that
you say well doesn't the bible say give to the poor?
yeah it does but they're not poor
I mean I just saw the other day
there's this guy in downtown LA
who has this really elaborate tent set up
he has a huge screen in there
playing movies
and he has like the most up to date technology
and you know he has like a generator with him
that he goes and he charges
somewhere you know locally or something
and he brings it
and you can literally see the screen from his tent
like outside of his tent it's just like
he's watching like a movie or something
I mean you go in there and
it's like every kid's dream you know what I mean
like just like the tent in the backyard
with like everything you need
he's like living it up
well I don't even know why I brought that up
what was the point of that?
oh yeah they're not poor
that guy's living better than I am
he's not but I'm saying like he has all this technology
or whatever so the guy's not poor
okay he's a derelict he's lazy
and people who give to them
they're not considering the cause of the poor
what they're actually doing is becoming enablers
they're enabling that individual
because those people make a lot of money
on the side of the freeway
one of the things that frustrates me
and pisses me off the most
is when I get off the freeway
and I see two people on the off-ramp
okay one of them is an able-bodied male
begging for money with a sign
and the second one is a Mexican lady selling flowers
and I want to go to the guy and be like
you ought to be like ashamed of yourself
I'm like this lady is like actually working
she's putting in the work to sell the flowers
or whatever whether you agree with it or not
I don't care but I mean she's putting in some work
she's trying to sell make an honest living so to speak
and this dude is just holding up a sign
able-bodied with some stupid writing on there
some people just put entire paragraphs on there
he's like well the time you took to write that paragraph
you could have written a resume
to get an actual job
so you know that's not an investment
at that point you are throwing away money
you're enabling individuals
and God's not going to repay you for that
so don't give these derelicts your two dollars and five dollars
and that's your good deed for the day
no that actually puts you at a deficit
spiritually speaking okay
when the Bible talks about investing or laying up treasures in heaven
there's biblical parameters to that okay
you know the Bible talks about doing good to all men
but especially those of the household of faith
and when it talks about communicating
it's referring to giving of your resources
to other people who are in need
you know I'm thankful for a church
that when ladies in our church give birth
you know the church kind of gets together
and blesses that family with meals
before like at my old church
they actually used to like bring meals
but we live in a different age now
so it's just like here's a gift card
you know what I mean
or here's you know here's a gift card to whatever
I mean I'm thankful and by the way
thank you to all of you who gave to my wife and I
during this last week
because you know we my wife had the baby
and I've been suffering of course to pray for me
you know I've been trying to recover
and so I'm still working on it
but hey that's a blessing
and you know what
other people have also done that throughout the years
where someone has a baby
and they're a blessing to them
they give to them
they send them money
they send them a gift card
I mean you're laying up for yourselves treasures in heaven
so you give away a hundred bucks
that's like a thousand dollars worth of treasures there
I mean we don't know
because here's the thing folks
you're like oh that's an exaggeration
I don't think it is because of the fact that folks
are not rich
and he says lay up in store for themselves
a good foundation against the time to come
that they may lay hold on eternal life
that's for the rich people
if that's a commandment for the rich people
how much more for those of us who are not rich
I mean you're not rich this side of eternity
but you know I want to be rich up there though
so that's going to require my investment
in the eternal here in the temporal
in order for me to receive that
the Bible says in Colossians chapter 3
and verse number 1
if you then be risen with Christ
your affections on things above
not on things on the earth
now don't misunderstand what I'm saying
we're not saying it's bad to have possessions
you can't have nice things or something
you know can't have nice vehicles
you can't have a nice house
you can't have nice things
that's not what the Bible is teaching
okay what the Bible is teaching is
where are your affections
it's not bad to have possessions
it's only bad when possessions have you
you know it's not bad to make a lot of money
you know what is bad though
missing church on a Sunday to make money
that's bad
because at that point you're not setting
your affections on things above
you're setting your affections on mammon
and mammon is ruling your life
mammon is your master at that point
okay it's when you make decisions
based off of mammon
and not off of biblical principles
that's what's bad my friends
so we need to make sure that we recognize
that our treasure spiritually
spiritual treasure has this link
that goes all the way up to
from your heart
and it's connected all the way to your wallet
that's how it works
so wherever you put that resource
that time energy and resource
that's where your heart's gonna go as well
okay so it's a great principle to learn
if you're losing heart for anything
a relationship, your spouse
your kids, your hobbies or whatever
the work of God
invest in it
and then the desire, the love
will come back after that
set your affections on things above
go back to Matthew chapter 6
let me read to you from Hebrews 11
talking about Moses
it says that he esteemed the reproach
of Christ's greater riches
than the treasures in Egypt
for he had to respect them
to the recompense of the reward
because here's the thing
in Christianity there's like two groups
extreme groups
one group is just like
have riches and wealth
and health and all these things
as you're just completely compromising
God's word right
to like a sinful extent
where they just have this
inordinate affection towards wealth
but then you have other Christians
it's just like having anything nice is bad
it's just like you just can't enjoy
anything in life
you can't
I mean it's like an ascetic type
of a mentality
does anybody know what I'm referring to
there's Christians out there that are like that
it's like you can't go to the gym
you can't you know
eat
good food or something
because it's just sinful to do that
it's just wrong
he's given us all things richly to enjoy
okay
and the main thought that Jesus
is trying to get across here
is the fact that
we need to make sure that our
attention our affection
is on the eternal not on the temporal
because Jesus is new rich people
in the Gospels he knew rich people
who honored him and had the right
type of mentality
and he actually blessed him for that
so let's continue on here verse 22 says
the light of the body is the eye
if therefore thine eye be single
thy whole body shall be full of light
but if thine eye be evil
thy whole body shall be full of darkness
if therefore the light that is in thee
be darkness
how great is that darkness
now what is that referring to
hold your place there go to Proverbs chapter 28
we're gonna go back to 1 Timothy chapter 6
as well I should have told you to keep
hold your place there
but it'll help you to have some practice
going through the Bible here
go to Proverbs chapter 28
so hold your place in Matthew 6
go to Proverbs 28 and then also have
a pen or a paper in 1 Timothy chapter 6
or you can just listen
I find it funny when I tell people
to turn to pages and they'll just stare
at me the whole time
I'm like go here they're just like
go there
stop looking at me
or is this like alright let's read it
and they're just like
go there
stop looking at me
or is this like alright let's read it
and they're just like
talking about some of you in here right now
so what does it mean to have an evil eye
or a single eye
look at Proverbs 28 verse 21
everyone look down now okay
Brother Huyck look down Brother Huyck
it says in verse 21
to have respect of persons is not good
for for a piece of bread that man
will transgress
he that hasteth to be rich
hath an evil eye
considered not that poverty
is not good
but poverty shall come upon him
so what does it mean to have an evil eye
it's referring to having a covetous eye
so if the Bible is saying that
if a person has a single eye
it's referring to the fact that
that person is focused on one thing
the eternal and therefore
whatever that person behold
that person obviously has a biblical world view
the way he views things okay
his whole body is full of light
it's full of truth
it's going in the right direction
however if he has a covetous eye
then his whole body is going to be full of darkness
now why is that?
well go to 1 Timothy chapter 6
1 Timothy chapter 6
we're going to see why right now
so again Jesus is saying here
that the light of the body is the eye
if therefore thine eye be single
focused thy whole body shall be full of light
this is why the Bible says
to you know aside from
setting your affections on things above
it talks about having our minds on Christ right
I can't think of a particular verse
right now in Isaiah
that says
oh man someone help me out here
what's the verse I'm thinking about
for he is our peace no
anybody know?
no one knows the Bible here man
thou shall keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on thee
for he trusteth in thee
so I knew it was going to come
I just had to like I had to go through
all the sex in my mind
you know the Bible talks about
just having your mind on Jesus Christ
it means you're focused on the Lord
okay and you're trusting in him
and you know what it takes a lot of work
for a Christian to do that
because we live in this world
we're surrounded by possessions
we're surrounded by greed and avarice
and covetous individuals
you know especially with social media
you have all these advertisements coming at you
and people who have all these possessions
you know it takes a lot of discipline
to keep your mind on Jesus Christ
to keep your mind on the eternal
and just kind of sift through all that garbage
and that nonsense and recognize
I got to make sure I stay focused on the Lord
right look at 1 Timothy chapter 6
and verse number 3 it says
if any man teach otherwise
and consent not to wholesome words
even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ
and the doctrine which is according to godliness
he is proud knowing nothing
but doting about questions
and strives of words where have cometh
to their surmisings
perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds
and destitute of the truth
listen to this supposing that gain is godliness
from such withdraw thyself
so what does this tell you
it tells us that if you get a preacher
that gets up and preaches a health
and wealth gospel
this is a person who's telling you
that gain is godliness
you know the TD Jakes
and all these prosperity preachers
that talk about having money
and that you know that's
a true sign of God's blessing
don't allow that spirit of poverty
to come upon you
it's like blessed are the important spirit bro
what are you talking about
and it says here if someone preaches
a message that gain is godliness
from such withdraw thyself
how do we apply that in 2023
you turn them off
you leave a comment this guy's a false prophet
this guy's wicked
enter and exit out of there
withdraw yourself from such people
who are teaching these things
of the truth
gain is not godliness
verse 6 says but godliness with contentment
is great gain
so he said if you really want to make gains
in the Christian life
you need to have these two virtues
one being godliness
in other words seeking after righteousness
and then this wonderful virtue
called contentment
what is contentment
it's being satisfied in whatever state you're in
if you have abundance
praise God
if you have lack praise God
if you have
if all the bills are paid
praise God
if you're suffering need praise God
I'm just content wherever I'm at
as long as the Lord just keeps providing for me
whether it's a lot or a little
I'm happy no matter where I'm at
I'm gonna keep serving God
I'll be in church no matter what
I'm gonna keep reading my Bible no matter what
why because godliness with contentment is great gain
so that means you can still lay up treasures in heaven
with a minimal amount of resources in this world
because godliness with contentment is great gain
he says for we brought nothing into this world
and it is certain that we can carry nothing out
try to explain that to the pharaohs
right
I mean the pharaohs think that they could take
they thought that they could take all their treasures with them
King Tutankhamen
buried with millions and millions and millions of dollars
worth of gold and all these treasures
3,000 years ago
and then when they buried it when they dug it up
it was still there
you know they thought oh when he dies
when the pharaohs die
you know we got to bury him with them
so that he can take it with them to hell
or wherever they thought he was going
he's down there and he says
where's all my stuff
it's in a museum
it's traveling the world so everyone could just look at
your stuff
you don't take anybody with you
you brought nothing into this world Tutankhamen
you didn't carry anything out either
he says in verse 8
and having food and raiment
let us there with be content now how many would agree
that we have more than food and raiment
right like we have way more than food and raiment
even as a church
like meeting here
we have more than just chairs
it's like it's so cold in here
you're lucky we got AC
this sermon is so long
yeah you're welcome for getting these cushioned chairs
to make you feel so comfortable
the light is like you know
I mean we have so much here
we're not meeting in a hut
with dirt floors
I mean what is it like in the Philippines brother Will
is it like that
hard chairs outside
hard chairs and outside
you know these are soft chairs
meeting inside
so look if all we need is food and raiment to be content
wouldn't we be able to admit that
we have way more than that
therefore we should be definitely content
we should have contentment and abundance
but you know what happens is when you have abundance
it creates a complaining spirit
it creates
discontentment actually sometimes
if a person who you give abundance to
is an undisciplined person
and they have an evil eye and not a single eye
it can create discontentment
and a lack of appreciation
a lack of gratitude
and so he says
having food and raiment therewith be content
so again talking about that evil eye
look what it says in verse 9
but they that will be rich
fall into temptation and a snare
and into many foolish and hurtful lusts
which drown men in destruction and perdition
this is what Matthew 6 is talking about
when it says how dark is that
the body is just full of darkness
why because if you have an evil eye
it's just going to destroy your life
beware of covetousness my friends
beware of avarice
beware of being greedy
beware of having an inordinate affection towards resources
why because when you fall into that temptation
you're going to drown
and not just in covetousness
it's almost like a gateway drug
because it says
into many foolish and hurtful lusts
drowning men in destruction and perdition
you just get involved in all types of things
and you know what
lust when it comes to for example
like sexual lust
can be easily assessed
you can see that someone or you yourself is struggling with that
idolatry you can see that
drunkenness pretty easy to see
it's covetousness is sometimes the most sneakiest one
you don't really see that
you're struggling with covetousness
because it just kind of sneakily gets in there
and you know you're not involved in
adultery or fornication
you're not a drunkard
you're not smoking pot
you're not railing
you're not an idolater
oh but hold on a second are you covetous though
which according to the Bible covetousness
is just another form of what
idolatry according to Colossians chapter 3
because that means you're idolizing money
and so he says verse 10
for the love of money
is the root of all evil
which while some coveted after
they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through
with many sorrows
folks guard yourself from covetousness
do not develop a love for money
don't make major decisions in your life based off of money
never make major decisions in your life
based off of money
it's the worst decision you can make
you say well how am I supposed to make decisions then
well look what it says in verse 11
but thou o man of God flee these things
and follow after righteousness
godliness
faith love patience meekness
that's what you should be doing there
and you know what
when you follow after these things
God essentially situates you in a place
where then he'll provide the things that you need
that's what it says in Matthew 6
seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness
and these things shall be added unto you
now it's hard for Christians to do that
because they live
we live in this world
and so it's just like well I only see the physical
yeah that means it takes a little bit of discipline
and being a spirit filled Christian
to actually put in the effort to
follow after righteousness
in spite of the fact that you're struggling
follow after godliness faith love patience and meekness
in spite of the fact that you're struggling financially
in whatever area of life
but God promises my friends
listen to me God promises
that he will provide for you
if you put these things first
and by the way that's not the only thing he wants you to do
because look what it says in verse 12
fight the good fight of faith
lay hold on eternal life
where unto thou are also called
and has professed a good profession before many witnesses
he wants you to be active in your Christian life
right
active in your Christian life
fighting the good fight of faith
and stuff
what
I got bills to pay
well yeah but God wants you to still be a Christian though
so it's funny you know when it comes to like paying bills
it's just like being a Christian just goes out the window
it's just like oh yeah
I can't be in church on Sunday I got to work I got bills to pay
who's paying the bills you or God
because it sounds to me
well God is yeah but it sounds to me like you're
yeah but I don't want to be worse than an infidel
I need to provide for my family
so therefore I'm gonna work on Sundays
and not even be in church
it's like dude you're like an infidel
because infidels don't go to church
how about that
and you're placing the responsibility
of making ends meet on yourself
and not on God
again it's easy to say we're depending on God
when all the bills are being paid
right
it's like yeah we have faith in God
but then when the going gets tough
I need to make sure I make ends meet
and provide and all these things
no the dynamics have not changed
God's promises are still the same
this is what he wants us to do
have a single eye
don't have an evil eye
do some heart checks tonight amen
Ecclesiastes chapter 5
go ahead and turn there
because it's a really good passage
I was just going to read it
but I think we all should read it
together
Ecclesiastes chapter number 5
let me see who's looking at me right now
Marcus is alright, Brother Chevy alright
Miss Ashley alright
and Marari alright and Jason
but you guys just already got there huh
that's what it is alright
very good alright
Ecclesiastes 5 verse 10
look what it says
he that loveth silver
shall not be satisfied with silver
how can that be
I thought that satiates the desire
okay no
nor he that loveth abundance with increase
this also has vanity
so you know when you
love money
you just want to make more money
one more dollar
just one more pay raise
one more promotion
and then you'll be set nope
because once you get that pay raise
you're just like I need more
this isn't enough
because now I want bigger toys
I want more possessions
I want you know all these things
that you know are out there
but hold on a second
if you're content though
every pay raise is just like wow
that's great
and by the way if you
if you just live below your means
you know and you stay content
then you can really make some
some monetary gain
because of the fact that
you know you're not going beyond your means
you're not just spending a whole bunch of money
on things or something
but the point here is that
you're not going to be satisfied with the pay raise
you're not going to be satisfied with abundance
if that's what you're setting your affections on
he says verse 11
when goods increase
they are increased that eat them
he's like the more possessions you have
the more predators for those possessions that come
and what good is there
to the owners thereof
saving the beholding of them with their eyes
it's like the guy who owns a yacht
and he parks it in front of his house
once in a while to make sure no one's vandalizing it or whatever
what good is that vehicle you got
if you're constantly watching and making sure no one messes with it
verse 12 the sleep of a laboring man is sweet
whether he eat little or much
you want good sleep
work hard
or become sleep deprived because of babies
and then when you take a nap you'll get some really good sleep
he says the sleep of a laboring man is sweet
whether he eat little or much
but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep
those who get the least amount of sleep
are those who are rich because they're constantly worried
what's going to happen to the riches
what's going to happen to the abundance
but you know what if you don't care about money
you realize what role it plays in your life
you don't lose any sleep over it
it's like well I mean
first of all it's not my money it's God's money anyways
it doesn't belong to me it belongs to the Lord
he's the one who gave it to me
he gave it to me from the Lord here to invest in the eternal things
and so if it's all taken away I'm not going to lose any sleep over it
you know if I get
if they take all the money all the resources
they drain my bank accounts
I go bankrupt
so be it I don't care
it wasn't my money anyways
and you know what I've already invested a lot of it in the eternal
but you know a lot of Christians have a hard time with that mentality
because they're very much attached to the resources of this world
and so recognize that resources and money
need to have a particular role in your life that's not the main role
Proverbs 30 verse 7 you don't have to turn there
go back to Matthew chapter 6
it says two things have I required of thee
deny me them not before I die
remove far from me vanity and lies
give me neither poverty nor riches
feed me with food convenient for me
lest I be full and deny thee and say who is the Lord
or lest I be poor and steal and take the name of my God in vain
so you say I don't want to be rich
I don't want to be poor I just want to have just enough to feed me and my family
to just live a normal life
and so very good principles here
regarding laying up treasure
and then this passage right here from verse 25 and on
is a fantastic portion of scripture
to help us as Christians when we're worried
give heed to this look what it says in verse 25
therefore I say unto you take no thought for your life
what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink
nor yet for your body what ye shall put on
is not the life more than meat and the body than raiment
now in times past you know 10 years ago we'd read that
like amen you know
but after like all the inflation 2020
all these things you know a lot of people start taking thought for their life
what am I going to do?
how am I going to feed my kids?
what am I going to eat?
what are we going to wear?
we're going to have to live in a tent
like that dude down in downtown
that's probably why he did that
well hold on a second
isn't your life more than food and like clothes?
aren't you like an eternal soul?
don't you have like God as your heavenly father?
isn't there like a greater purpose for you to just eating and drinking
and putting on raiment?
of course
so why even take a thought for it?
behold the fowls of the air
fowls is referring to birds
for they sow not and neither do they reap nor to gather into barns
yet your heavenly father feedeth them
he's saying look
look at the dirty little sparrows out here
dirty little birds
something's feeding them
I mean they're getting food somewhere because we have dominion over this
I don't know about the rest of these states out there
but here in California we've got dominion over California
because you see all these buildings and stuff
we don't have like wild animals running around here like crocodiles and alligators and stuff
and snakes all over the place
we actually got dominion over California my friends okay
you know every once in a while a little sparrow will fly by or something you know
he makes it
like what's the wildest animal that we have like here?
yeah like I've never seen a coyote
it was probably just a really dirty dog
yeah squirrels
I mean the wildest thing I saw here was a bat
and it swooped down and almost took my evangelist away
almost picked them up and flew them away
but even they didn't last long
gone
the wildest animals that I've seen is like
I mean can you even consider a squirrel like a wild animal?
they're like rats aren't they?
just more elaborate rats I guess
you know you have squirrels you have coyotes
you have
skunks
possums
I mean these are the ones that barely made it through the dominion
you know what I mean?
raccoons
we'll let those guys stay because those guys
they're in the sewers and stuff
but I think raccoons are kind of cool actually
what else?
yeah we said possums
yeah you got rabbits
but you know what I don't really see these things very often
because this is where we live
we have dominion
but you know what they're living somehow
something's feeding them
God's allowing them to be fed
and not only that but they're producing
they're making babies so their babies have to eat
and it's not like they're Christians or something like that
we're not PETA over here
you know what I mean?
it's just like God is providing some sort of sustenance for these animals to live or something
okay then how much more will he provide for us
who actually have meaning
those animals have zero meaning
purpose in life
that's why they're constantly being run over
by the way please don't run over a skunk
let him be
you say why not?
they're like kamikazes
you run it over and it's just like
they get the last laugh
because then it smells for like miles on end
you know what I'm talking about
and then you run over and your car smells it's just terrible
and so something's feeding them
folks if these little animals are being fed and taken care of
how much more are we going to be taken care of
who actually God cares for
died for
resurrected for
loves us more than these other creations
we are the greatest of God's creation
God's going to provide for us
and he says there are you not much better than they
I mean this is God speaking to people here by the way
Jesus is saying this
don't you think you're
I know what PETA believes out there
that we're on the same plane as an animal or whatever
but we're better than the dogs
we're better than the cats too
bunch of cat people over here
I'm like on an island by myself over here
because I've been infected by
osmosis thank you
we're better than the animals
verse 27 which of you by taking thaw
here's a good one
can add one cuban into his stature
can't change your height
what is he trying to emphasize here
your lack of power to change the circumstances around you
verse 28 why take you thaw for raiment
consider the lilies of the field
how they grow they toil not
neither do they spin
yet I say unto you that even Solomon in all his glory
was not arrayed like one of these
there's some beautiful flowers out there
they're just gorgeous flowers
beautiful flowers just beautifully arrayed
these things aren't even living things per se
they don't have a soul
they're just beautifully arrayed
don't you think God can clothe you as well
I mean it's not like God necessarily cares for the plants
I mean he's going to burn a lot of it in the end times
you know
but he's trying to get across here that
if you were to observe the beauty of a flower
and it's not like it did anything to deserve that
what about you who is a creation of God
a Christian, a believer, a son of God
obviously he's going to clothe you
he's going to clothe you with raiment
he's going to clothe your family
he's going to make it happen
verse 30 says wherefore have God so clothed the grass of the field
which today is and tomorrow is cast into the oven
shall he not much more clothe you
O ye of little faith
therefore take no thought saying what shall we eat
or what shall we drink or wherewithal shall we be clothed
now here's like the kicker here
because you know how people will be like
yeah but we got to prepare though
you know we got to make sure we take care of this stuff
I know that's what the Bible says
but you know but God wants us to prepare
oh really because it says in verse 32 for after all these things do the Gentiles seek
that's like the same mentality that the Gentiles have
where the Gentiles are just unbelievers
so don't couple yourself with unbelievers
who have that same mentality as you
or should I say that you have the same mentality as them
for your heavenly father knoweth that ye have need of all these things
yeah but we need to make sure we provide
don't you think God knows what you need before you ask him
don't you think he knows how many calories you require in order to live
to make gains
how much protein you need and fats and carbs
don't you know that he knows what your children need
what you need the clothing he knows it all
he's omniscient
verse 32
but seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness
and all these things shall be added unto you
it's a pretty simple equation
pretty simple formula if you think about it
he says look I'll provide all these things for you
all I require for you to do
is seek after righteousness
go to church
live a godly life
fulfill your godly roles
win souls to Christ
serve the Lord
and I'll give you all these things
but then Christians are like
no we gotta make sure we
I gotta pull out my bootstraps
and make sure I get this thing done
wrong that's the wrong formula
yeah but you just don't know what's going to happen tomorrow though
what about tomorrow
yeah I will say that that kind of sucks sometimes
verse 34 says take therefore no thought for tomorrow
for tomorrow shall take thought for the things of itself
he says let tomorrow worry about itself
now this last phrase
you know it just kind of shows you
how real Jesus is
now I don't mean real like was he fake or real
I'm talking about like how genuine he was
when he was preaching here
because he says here sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof
what does that mean
well you know for us who like to prepare ahead of time
days in advance weeks in advance months in advance years in advance
sometimes there's going to come a point where you can't do that
and you have to be content and satisfied with that which is sufficient for today
why because that's the evil thereof
you know what's evil sometimes is that we only have enough for today
you know sometimes it's evil is that you only know that you're going to make it today
but you know what it's okay because of the fact that we have the previous verses
that told us that God's going to provide for us
and doesn't matter how bad your circumstances get
how bad you have it
how much you're in debt
or how much you know whatever something costs
doesn't matter how the economy gets
doesn't matter about the inflation
it doesn't matter what president is here
doesn't matter if they kill off a bunch of cows
and where's the meat going to come from
they're going to make us all vegan
doesn't matter what happens in this world my friends
God is still able to provide for you no matter what
and you know if all the animals of the world died tomorrow
we would probably still have some form of meat tomorrow
the day after
it'll probably happen
circumstances
there's certain circumstances in life where it just seems it's hopeless for tomorrow
and you know why it seems it's hopeless
why does it seem like it's hopeless
because of the fact we are perceiving it through our own understanding
and our own understanding is limited
and it's at that point we have to recognize well sufficient unto the day
is just the evil thereof
so let me just survive today
and then when tomorrow comes I'll survive tomorrow
and the day after I'll survive that day
and just keep doing that
because when we only have sufficient unto the day
that increases our faith and causes us to pray more
Lord provide for me, Lord help me
and that kind of requires for you to seek the kingdom of God
you know because when you're struggling
and you're like man maybe I need to really get serious about the things of God actually
because I need God's favor
I need God's favor on my life
I need to make sure that He's favored me, that He's blessed me
and that we are serving Him
and He kind of uses His needs to kind of motivate us to do that
and then He begins to provide and so on and so forth
so what's the main thrust of the sermon of the passage
Jesus Christ is basically saying earn rewards
don't become so overly attached to resources of this world
that you just become
don't become so rich in this world that in the eternity become a pauper
you're just a poor individual in heaven
a lot of Christians are going to be like that
because they're so focused on all the toys
and the resources of this world
and traveling and having all these things
and not investing anything into the kingdom of God
that once they go to heaven
they're going to be broke
they shall be saved
yet so as by fire
they're not going to have any
it's just going to be a broke joke
they're going to be asking you to pay for their meal in heaven
spot me bro
can you spot me
you know because they don't have anything
however let's say you have an abundance here
well you know what
you can become even more rich
if you do it right
you could be more rich in heaven if you do it right down here
invest
well I'm not rich ok then make yourself rich in heaven
by investing in the eternal
focusing on that which is righteous
and laying up treasure in heaven where moth and rust
they don't corrupt
it's all about what is our perception of the resources of this life
we need to have the right mindset
and be eternally minded
let's pray Father we thank you so much for your word
help us as your people to continue to trust in you
in times of want
and I pray Lord that you continue to bless our church Lord
continue to provide for our needs
may you show yourself strong on our behalf
especially in times when we have lack
or the resources aren't there
may it motivate us to pray more
to read the Bible
to win more souls to Christ
to serve you Lord
and I pray that you just show yourself strong Lord
and increase our faith in you
and help us to make good eternal investments
we love you we thank you pray these things in Jesus name Amen
Please turn your song books to song number 148
song number 148 Jesus only Jesus as our last song
song number 148 all together nice and strong on that first verse
I walk the path of pleasure
I toil for earthly treasure
but peace beyond all measure
I found in only Jesus
my sins are all forgiven
the chains of sin are riven
and all my heart is given
to Jesus only Jesus
my boasted goodness failed me
for sin that ailed me
God's Spirit then prevailed me
to leave my sins on Jesus
my sins are all forgiven
the chains of sin are riven
and all my heart is given
to Jesus only Jesus
God's Word I long resisted
His Spirit called insisted
repenting I enlisted
with Jesus only Jesus
my sins are all forgiven
the chains of sin are riven
and all my heart is given
to Jesus only Jesus
on the last oh Christ for love unceasing
for blessings are increasing
for all my fears releasing
I praise and love my Jesus
my sins are all forgiven
the chains of sin are riven
and all my heart is given
to Jesus only Jesus
Amen. Wonderful singing. You are dismissed.
.