2006-01-15 Communion Dedication – Baldwin Christian Church

Matthew 6:19-21 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.

There are two kinds of treasure: The treasure that’s in danger of disappearing, and the treasure that’s everlasting.

Ecclesiastes 5:10-12 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.  When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding [of them] with their eyes?  The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

The source of all your emotions and motivations (good and bad) is your heart.  We get mad when see that our new cars get their first scratch in the paint.  We become fearful when we learn that our neighbor’s house has been broken into and cleaned out.  We worry when we find out there might not be enough money to retire, or put the kids through college.  In this chapter, Jesus has been trying to get our attention, to lift our hearts above this earth, toward the treasures of heaven, toward pursuing the approval of God rather than the approval of men.

Galatians 6:7-8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

The best way to damage the source of all your motivation and emotion (your heart) is to pursue earthly treasures; they cause worry and stress, they cause fear, anger and jealousy.  The best way to protect your heart from damage is to keep it in a safe place, with your treasure in heaven.

So what is this heavenly treasure?  Is it a golden patio behind my heavenly mansion?  Is it the swimming pool that’s lined with pearls?  Is it the jewel-encrusted furnishings inside my mansion?

Our heavenly treasure is Jesus, and above Him there is nothing.  Our heavenly treasure is each other.

Store up treasure in heaven by forgiving each other, by waiting for each other, by letting each other go first, and by praying for each other.  Do things in secret, that you may have the approval of the Father rather than the praises of men.  Bring others to the Father by allowing Him to dwell in you.  Sow to the Spirit today, and reap a healthy heart today.