In Matthew 6:19- 34, we find two perspectives that Jesus explains, which bring us head on with the world in which we live –
1. unswerving loyalty to kingdom values.
2. uncompromised trust in God.
This is a terrific text for us today.
Jesus is saying in verses 19-24, that the kingdom demands our utmost, unswerving loyalty…. Read v 21.
Don’t store up “too much”, more than you actually NEED!
This world is not where life is to be ultimately found.
The writer of the Ecclesiastes puts it negatively-
He pursues pleasure.
He enjoys himself, indulges himself..
He cheers his body with wine, he makes great works- builds houses and plants vineyards for himself. Gardens and parks… and all kinds of fruit trees.
He makes pools to water his forest of growing trees.
He buys female and male servants…. And so on and so on….
He gathers for himself silver and gold… singers…
And concludes- “All is vanity. Vanity of Vanities… a chasing after the wind”.
RATHER
“Lay up treasure in heaven!!!!” Jesus says.
The apostle Paul writes-
Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Col 3:1.
Jesus gives 2 more metaphors in verse 22-23.
And vv 24-25.
These drive home the need to be unswervingly loyal to the kingdom.
If we are not wholly committed to God, with singleness of purpose, with the good eye fixed on God and his purposes, then we will not be righteous/ we will not honour God/ we will not glorify his name.
And we will not be the light of the world… read 5:14 f.
This is of course, only one side of the coin.
There is another side.
IF WE ARE TO BE WHOLLY DEVOTED TO GOD, IF THIS IS WHAT JESUS SAYS, you might be thinking-
“But what about necessities?
It’s all very well to turn you back on wealth when you’re rich; And give my all the kingdom of Heaven.
I’ve got a wife and children, and I can barely provide them with food and clothing and shelter.
What are you saying to me?”
And Jesus says- Trust me!.
Read v 31-33.
Depend on your heavenly father!..
And pray!… for that is the antidote to corrupting worry.
Philippians 4:6F- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus’.
Don’t neglect to pray!.
That is the way to enjoy God’s transcendent peace and overcome my worries.
Put aside time daily to bring your requests to him. To list out, before his throne, with thoughtfulness, our sincere gratitude for the many blessing we already have.
God may test us, and stretch us out, as he does!!!
He sometimes does this, to teach us, that “man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God”.
To teach us to wait on him, to be patient… to increase our gratitude for what we have, and depend on him for what we don’t.
Jesus gives proof that he is trustworthy.
The proof is creation. Look around!!!! Open your eyes!:
Read v 25-30
Look at the birds.
How much more valuable to God are we!!!!
The lilies of the field… they grow, and blossom. Beautiful
And so yes, we can believe when he makes the promise in verse 30.
The answer is – “yes of course he will!”
In 2007, God has been very good to us.
We have had all our needs met.
Our offertory target was reached.
As we look back over the past year, you will see many signs of his blessing amongst us.
There has been challenges and difficult times.
But it is a humble testimony to a very full year of ministering the gospel.
If I can choose a couple of highlights and one memory that I think will stay with me…
Some highlights..
It would be women’s Bible study group.
It just seems to grow and grow.
Kids’ Plus.
That too has grown and grown.
A number of people becoming Christian.
I think I will remember 2007 too, as the year our dear friend (L) turned to Christ, and then went to be with Christ.
A big thank you to the wardens and parish council and all our Prayer and Bible Study leaders, Scripture teachers, youth group leaders, kid’s church and holiday club leaders.
I am also thankful to God for our music team- there are many people who have worked hard to keep lifting the quality of what we do
We must continue to seek first the kingdom of God.
If we do not do that, we cease to be God’s church.
I have put some ideas in there for 2008-9.
God willing, I would like to put new staff on in 2009. We have a great opportunity here. Parish council has agreed in principle for this.
I have been talking with Jim Crosweller (the minister at St John’s Maroubra) about a Moore College Mission for 2009.
We are also coming up to the centenary of the parish. Some say it may even be this year (yes, there is often more than one starting date for a parish)! We have put together a small team of people to begin work on this celebration.
Play group is a ministry that we need to put time into. We have contact with many non-Christian families through this ministry. Please pray for this ministry and think how you may be able to help.
In terms of improving the facilities at St Mark’s, we are making good progress. I have listed some targets in the written report before you.
Our mission motto- “Every Person Made New in Christ, Maturing in Christ, and Making Christ known”.
Let us pray to that end and labour with all our energy, through Christ who dwells in us. We need sacrificial prayer, cheerful giving, both in time, energy, talent and finance.