Kingdom Priorities: Living Beyond Earthly Possessions
Summary
The sermon, part of the series "All to Him," begins with the pastor expressing gratitude for God's miraculous work and emphasizing the importance of discipleship. The pastor then addresses the concept of retirement, arguing that it is unbiblical and that we were created to work as a form of worship. He encourages retired individuals to use this stage of life to make a greater Kingdom impact, warning against the temptation to simply coast and enjoy life.
The pastor then discusses the idea of material possessions and the pursuit of wealth, referencing a parable told by Jesus about a rich man who hoarded his wealth. He emphasizes that while it is not wrong to have possessions or money, it is wrong to hoard them and believe that they will bring true satisfaction to one's soul. The pastor then focuses on the story in Luke 12 where Jesus is teaching a crowd of people and a man interrupts him with a family dispute over inheritance. Jesus responds by cautioning against covetousness and emphasizes that life does not consist of the abundance of possessions.
The pastor then emphasizes the importance of seeking the kingdom of God both individually and corporately, highlighting the Great Commission. He emphasizes that as the people of God, their focus should not be on building earthly kingdoms, but on expanding the kingdom of God. The pastor then addresses the issue of claiming to believe in God while living as if God doesn't exist, emphasizing that this not only has significant implications for the individual's emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being, but also for the people in the world who need to hear the good news of the Gospel.
The pastor concludes by emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the kingdom of God over earthly possessions. He encourages the congregation to sell their possessions and give to the needy, investing their money in spreading the gospel to those who desperately need it. The pastor highlights the connection between one's heart and their treasure, stating that where one's treasure is, their heart will be also. He concludes by stating that no one can serve both God and money, and the only way to keep God in His rightful place is by storing up treasure in the right place, aligning their hearts with the kingdom of God.
Key Takeaways:
- Retirement is not a biblical concept. We were created to work as a form of worship. Retired individuals should use this stage of life to make a greater Kingdom impact, not simply coast and enjoy life. ([12:45])
- While it is not wrong to have possessions or money, it is wrong to hoard them and believe that they will bring true satisfaction to one's soul. True satisfaction comes from nurturing our souls and seeking a relationship with God. ([22:30])
- As the people of God, our focus should not be on building earthly kingdoms, but on expanding the kingdom of God. When we seek first the kingdom of God, all the things we worry about will be added to us by God. ([34:15])
- Claiming to believe in God while living as if God doesn't exist has significant implications for our emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being, and for the people in the world who need to hear the good news of the Gospel. ([45:50])
- Prioritizing the kingdom of God over earthly possessions is crucial. Where our treasure is, our heart will be also. No one can serve both God and money, and the only way to keep God in His rightful place is by storing up treasure in the right place, aligning our hearts with the kingdom of God. ([56:20])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 12:15: "Then he said to them, 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.'"
2. Luke 12:22-24: "Then Jesus said to his disciples: 'Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!'"
3. Luke 12:32-34: "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Observation Questions:
1. What are the different types of greed that Jesus warns against in Luke 12:15?
2. In Luke 12:22-24, what does Jesus say about worry and how does he use the example of the ravens?
3. What instructions does Jesus give in Luke 12:32-34 and what is the promise associated with these instructions?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the warning against greed in Luke 12:15 relate to our understanding of possessions and wealth?
2. What does Jesus' teaching about the ravens in Luke 12:22-24 suggest about our dependence on God versus our dependence on material possessions?
3. How does the instruction to sell possessions and give to the poor in Luke 12:32-34 challenge our conventional understanding of security and treasure?
Application Questions:
1. Can you identify a time when you were tempted to hoard possessions or money? How can you guard against this type of greed in the future?
2. What is one practical step you can take this week to worry less about material needs and trust more in God's provision?
3. Can you think of a specific possession that you can sell or give away this week to help someone in need?
4. How can you invest your time and resources this week in expanding the kingdom of God rather than building earthly kingdoms?
5. What is one way you can demonstrate your belief in God through your actions this week, rather than just claiming to believe?
Devotional
Day 1: The Purpose of Retirement in God's Kingdom
Retirement is not a concept found in the Bible. We were created to work as a form of worship. Even in retirement, we are called to continue working for the Kingdom of God, using this stage of life to make a greater impact, rather than simply coasting and enjoying life. [12:45]
Psalm 92:14 - "They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green."
Reflection: If you are retired or nearing retirement, how can you use this stage of life to make a greater impact for God's Kingdom?
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Day 2: The True Value of Possessions
While it is not wrong to have possessions or money, it is wrong to hoard them and believe that they will bring true satisfaction to one's soul. True satisfaction comes from nurturing our souls and seeking a relationship with God. [22:30]
Ecclesiastes 5:10 - "Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless."
Reflection: What material possessions or wealth are you holding onto that might be hindering your relationship with God?
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Day 3: Building God's Kingdom, Not Earthly Ones
As the people of God, our focus should not be on building earthly kingdoms, but on expanding the kingdom of God. When we seek first the kingdom of God, all the things we worry about will be added to us by God. [34:15]
Haggai 1:5-6 - "Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: 'Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.'"
Reflection: What are some ways you can shift your focus from building your own earthly kingdom to expanding God's Kingdom?
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Day 4: Living as if God Exists
Claiming to believe in God while living as if God doesn't exist has significant implications for our emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being, and for the people in the world who need to hear the good news of the Gospel. [45:50]
James 1:22 - "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you living as if God doesn't exist? How can you align your actions with your belief in God?
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Day 5: Prioritizing God's Kingdom Over Earthly Possessions
Prioritizing the kingdom of God over earthly possessions is crucial. Where our treasure is, our heart will be also. No one can serve both God and money, and the only way to keep God in His rightful place is by storing up treasure in the right place, aligning our hearts with the kingdom of God. [56:20]
Matthew 6:24 - "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to prioritize the kingdom of God over your earthly possessions?
Quotes
1. "Do you know that retirement is an unbiblical idea that as human beings we were created to work and work is actually a form of worship... it is not acceptable for you to retire from Mission... you and I are here in God's world for a purpose we're here to do work the work of knowing him and making him known and none of us ever get to retire from that work we do that until life on this Earth is through." #!!10:29!!#
2. "No man, don't retire from God's mission in this later part of your life... you can use this part of your life and make a greater Kingdom impact than you could possibly imagine if you will just take what God has given you and direct it in the right way." #!!11:34!!#
3. "It's not wrong to have stuff but it is wrong to hoard stuff... it's wrong for you to hoard money and stuff all while believing that somehow it will satisfy you on a soul level... temporary things cannot satisfy Earthly treasure cannot satisfy the deepest parts of who you are which is what this man misses." #!!09:24!!#
4. "To seek the kingdom means that we seek the rule and the reign of God individually...that you would release control of your life complete control to him...this is about you loving God with heart, soul, mind, and strength, loving your neighbor as..." #!!27:42!!#
5. "We don't seek to build our Earthly kingdoms, we seek to expand the kingdom of God...when we seek first the kingdom of God, God here's my whole life...all of the things that we're so worried about, God gives those things to us." #!!28:45!!#
6. "Whatever you spend your money on, that's what you'll love the most. So if you spend a lot of money on your house, you're going to love your house. If you spend a lot of money on your wardrobe, you're going to love your wardrobe. If you spend a lot of money on God's church and his kingdom and the advancement and spread of the Gospel, you will love his church and you will love his kingdom and you will love the gospel." #!!34:03!!#
7. "Jesus is after your heart. What Jesus is after is your heart, he's not after your money. But to have your heart, he needs your money because your heart is tethered to your money." #!!34:37!!#
8. "Where is your treasure? Maybe the better question to ask where's your heart... are you putting your hope in temporary things that cannot last and cannot satisfy or are you investing in things that truly matter to God... here's my heart God I want you to have it stir up my affections so where's your treasure." #!!39:36!!#
9. "Our worry says the same thing to the world about God when we say we believe in God but then we don't trust God in the way that we're talking about today...what our worry says to the world about God is that he's not good and that he's a father who doesn't care and that he's not in control of all things and that he doesn't know our needs." #!!26:29!!#
10. "If God would do that for us if he would give up the life of his son to meet our greatest need which is our spiritual need, well can't we trust him to meet all of our lesser needs?" #!!24:28!!#
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