Aligning Our Values: Treasures in Heaven vs. Earth
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Highlands Church Online. Today, we explored Matthew 6:19-24, where Jesus challenges us to examine what we truly value. Over the past few weeks, many of us have been tested in our patience and our values, realizing how much we treasure our freedom, peace, and social interactions. Jesus, in this passage, asks us to reconsider what we treasure and where we place our value.
Jesus warns against treasuring earthly possessions, which are temporary and can be destroyed or stolen. Instead, He encourages us to store up treasures in heaven, which are eternal and secure. Earthly treasures can be anything from money and possessions to social status and achievements. These things are not inherently bad, but they should not be our ultimate focus. Jesus emphasizes that our perspective determines our priorities. If we have an eternal perspective, our lives here will reflect that, influencing our actions and decisions.
We also discussed the focus of our eyes. What we look at and desire can fill us with either light or darkness. Materialism often promises happiness, purpose, and power, but it ultimately leaves us unfulfilled. Solomon, the richest man in ancient history, described this pursuit as "vanity" and "striving after the wind." Jesus calls us to focus on heavenly things, which bring true fulfillment and light into our lives.
Finally, Jesus speaks about the devotion of our lives. We cannot serve two masters; we must choose between God and materialism. Our hearts, eyes, and devotion should be aligned with God's kingdom, not the fleeting pleasures of this world. To apply this teaching, we need to repent and refocus. Repentance involves confessing our misplaced values and turning back to Jesus. Refocusing means fixing our eyes on Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith, and living a life that reflects our eternal hope.
### Key Takeaways
1. Treasuring Earthly vs. Heavenly Possessions: Earthly treasures are temporary and can be destroyed or stolen, while heavenly treasures are eternal and secure. Jesus calls us to shift our focus from accumulating material wealth to investing in eternal rewards, such as our relationship with God and acts of kindness and service. This shift in perspective changes how we live our daily lives. [02:28]
2. Perspective Determines Priorities: Our perspective on life influences our priorities. If we view life with an eternal perspective, we will prioritize actions that have lasting significance. This means valuing relationships, spiritual growth, and service over material possessions and temporary pleasures. [05:01]
3. The Focus of Our Eyes: What we focus on can fill us with either light or darkness. Materialism often promises fulfillment but leaves us empty. By focusing on heavenly things, we allow God's light to fill our lives, bringing true joy and purpose. This requires us to be mindful of what we consume and desire. [16:24]
4. Devotion to One Master: We cannot serve both God and materialism. Our hearts, eyes, and devotion should be aligned with God's kingdom. This means making conscious choices to prioritize our relationship with God over the pursuit of material wealth and social status. [23:52]
5. Repentance and Refocusing: To align our lives with God's kingdom, we need to repent and refocus. Repentance involves confessing our misplaced values and turning back to Jesus. Refocusing means fixing our eyes on Christ and living a life that reflects our eternal hope. This ongoing process helps us stay grounded in our faith and purpose. [25:17]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:27] - Testing Our Values
[02:28] - Treasures on Earth vs. Heaven
[03:45] - The Nature of Money and Possessions
[05:01] - Perspective Determines Priorities
[06:34] - Family Activity: Valued Possessions
[11:00] - Children's Favorite Things
[12:17] - Treasuring Heavenly Treasures
[13:38] - How to Lay Up Heavenly Treasures
[15:01] - Instructions for the Rich
[16:24] - The Focus of Our Eyes
[17:44] - The Deception of Materialism
[19:05] - Solomon's Wisdom on Materialism
[20:21] - Reflecting on Our Focus
[23:52] - Devotion of Our Life
[25:17] - Repentance and Refocusing
[26:26] - Closing Prayer and Encouragement
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Matthew 6:19-24
- 1 Timothy 6:17-19
- Ecclesiastes 1:14
### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus say about storing up treasures on earth versus treasures in heaven in Matthew 6:19-21? [02:28]
2. According to 1 Timothy 6:17-19, what instructions are given to those who are rich in this present age?
3. How does Solomon describe the pursuit of material things in Ecclesiastes 1:14? [19:05]
4. What does Jesus mean when He says, "The eye is the lamp of the body" in Matthew 6:22-23? [16:24]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus warn against treasuring earthly possessions, and what are the consequences of doing so? [02:28]
2. How does having an eternal perspective influence our daily actions and decisions according to the sermon? [05:01]
3. What are some examples of "heavenly treasures" mentioned in the sermon, and how can we lay them up? [12:17]
4. How does materialism deceive us, and why does it ultimately leave us unfulfilled according to the sermon? [17:44]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: What are some earthly treasures you find yourself valuing too much? How can you start shifting your focus to heavenly treasures? [02:28]
2. Think about your daily priorities: How can you incorporate an eternal perspective into your daily routine and decision-making? [05:01]
3. Consider the things you consume and desire: What specific steps can you take to ensure that what you focus on fills you with light rather than darkness? [16:24]
4. Evaluate your devotion: Are there areas in your life where you are serving materialism instead of God? How can you realign your heart, eyes, and devotion with God's kingdom? [23:52]
5. Repentance and refocusing: Is there a specific value or priority you need to repent of and turn back to Jesus? What practical steps can you take to refocus on Christ this week? [25:17]
6. Identify a person or group you can serve: How can you invest in acts of kindness and service this week to store up treasures in heaven? [12:17]
7. Reflect on your motivations: What drives you and motivates you in your daily life? How can you ensure that your motivations are aligned with your faith and eternal hope? [16:24]
Devotional
Day 1: Treasuring Eternal Rewards Over Earthly Possessions
Earthly treasures are temporary and can be destroyed or stolen, while heavenly treasures are eternal and secure. Jesus calls us to shift our focus from accumulating material wealth to investing in eternal rewards, such as our relationship with God and acts of kindness and service. This shift in perspective changes how we live our daily lives. Earthly treasures can be anything from money and possessions to social status and achievements. These things are not inherently bad, but they should not be our ultimate focus. Jesus emphasizes that our perspective determines our priorities. If we have an eternal perspective, our lives here will reflect that, influencing our actions and decisions. [02:28]
Matthew 6:19-20 (ESV): "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal."
Reflection: What is one earthly possession or achievement that you have been prioritizing over your relationship with God? How can you begin to shift your focus towards investing in eternal rewards today?
Day 2: Perspective Determines Priorities
Our perspective on life influences our priorities. If we view life with an eternal perspective, we will prioritize actions that have lasting significance. This means valuing relationships, spiritual growth, and service over material possessions and temporary pleasures. When we have an eternal perspective, our daily choices and actions will reflect our commitment to God's kingdom. This perspective helps us to see beyond the immediate and temporary, allowing us to invest in what truly matters. [05:01]
Colossians 3:2-3 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
Reflection: Think about your daily routine. What is one change you can make to prioritize relationships, spiritual growth, or service over material possessions and temporary pleasures?
Day 3: The Focus of Our Eyes
What we focus on can fill us with either light or darkness. Materialism often promises fulfillment but leaves us empty. By focusing on heavenly things, we allow God's light to fill our lives, bringing true joy and purpose. This requires us to be mindful of what we consume and desire. Our eyes are the windows to our soul, and what we choose to focus on can either bring us closer to God or lead us away from Him. [16:24]
Matthew 6:22-23 (ESV): "The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!"
Reflection: What are you currently focusing on that may be leading you away from God? How can you redirect your focus towards heavenly things that bring true joy and purpose?
Day 4: Devotion to One Master
We cannot serve both God and materialism. Our hearts, eyes, and devotion should be aligned with God's kingdom. This means making conscious choices to prioritize our relationship with God over the pursuit of material wealth and social status. Serving two masters leads to divided loyalties and a lack of true fulfillment. By choosing to serve God wholeheartedly, we align our lives with His purposes and experience the peace and joy that comes from living in His will. [23:52]
Matthew 6:24 (ESV): "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."
Reflection: In what ways have you been trying to serve both God and materialism? What steps can you take today to fully devote yourself to God and His kingdom?
Day 5: Repentance and Refocusing
To align our lives with God's kingdom, we need to repent and refocus. Repentance involves confessing our misplaced values and turning back to Jesus. Refocusing means fixing our eyes on Christ and living a life that reflects our eternal hope. This ongoing process helps us stay grounded in our faith and purpose. Repentance is not just a one-time event but a continual turning back to God whenever we stray. Refocusing requires intentionality and a commitment to keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. [25:17]
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to repent and refocus on Jesus? How can you take a practical step today to fix your eyes on Christ and live out your eternal hope?
Quotes
### Quotes for outreach
1. "Perspective determines priorities. So if we see things with an earthly perspective, thinking that this is all that there is, and this is all that's important, then we will live like right now is all that matters. But if we live our life with an eternal perspective, looking forward to the things that come, then we will see that the life we live here actually influences the life that we live later." [05:01] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "There's a way that we can live our life right now, which stores up treasure in heaven that will never go bad. It won't get taken away by thieves. It won't rust. It won't get eaten by moths. We get to have those things forever." [15:01] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Materialism promises me things like happiness, but we know that's just not the case. Materialism promises me things like purpose. Materialism promises me things like power. It just doesn't work like that. I'm constantly chasing after the next thing as long as I'm placing materialism as my focus in this life." [17:44] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Where is your focus? Are you going to continue focusing on the things of this world or will you fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who's seated in heaven right now." [25:17] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We are living in a strange time, but it's a unique opportunity that God has given us to shine the light of Christ to the world around us. Church, may we treasure Jesus over everything. May we fix our eyes on Jesus instead of the things of this world, and may we devote ourselves to the service of God himself." [26:26] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for members
1. "Your heart is revealed by the things that you treasure. If you treasure things in this world, then your heart is stuck in this world. But if you treasure things that are in heaven, the Bible says your heart also is fixed on heaven." [15:01] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The eye is the lamp of the body. This is like that old saying, the eye is the window. Our soul, the things we put before our eyes, make their way in to what's inside. They influence who we are." [16:24] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light. If you're looking to the right things, your body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If your eye is looking at the right things, your life will be full of light. If your eyes are looking, however, at the wrong things, then we will be stuck living, in darkness." [16:24] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The problem with materialism is that materialism makes promises. It just can't be fulfilled. It just can't keep. Materialism promises me things like happiness, but we know that's just not the case. Materialism promises me things like purpose. Materialism promises me things like power. It just doesn't work like that. I'm constantly chasing after the next thing as long as I'm placing materialism as my focus in this life." [17:44] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Repent means to turn around and do a 180. So maybe you've been following this God of materialism. Repentance would look like this. You turn around and you go back to Jesus and you begin, following Jesus. Another thing we can do as a way of application this morning is to refocus. It's to refocus. Instead of fixating on the things of this world, we fix our attention on Christ." [25:17] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?