Sermon on the Mount: Live For What Will Last

Introduction

Reading: Matthew 6:19-34

Today people are seeking something, for many what they treasure most is money so they seek it with all their heart, for others, it is a higher position at their jobs, for others it is positions of power, a bigger house, a nicer car, the latest phone, nicer shoes and clothes.

While these things aren’t bad, there is nothing wrong in having a nicer car, or new shoes, or seeking to be promoted at work. But the mistake we can make, is to make them our heart’s utmost treasure. Just as Jesus says, ..For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matt 6:21.

For the heart will always gravitate to what it treasures the most.

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matt 6:21"

Two Kingdoms
Jesus is contrasting two kingdoms, or domains of rule, He is talking about two masters that seek to have rule over our hearts, Two kingdoms, a kingdom of physical matter and the kingdom of God.Notice in this discourse, Jesus is contrasting two kingdoms, or domains of rule, He is talking about two masters that seek to have rule over our hearts, Two kingdoms, a kingdom of physical matter and the kingdom of God.

What you constantly meditate on or focus on is where your desires and begin to flow.

Heavenly Treasure
Understanding what Jesus means by laying up treasure in Heaven and on Earth needs to be understood before we begin. Its actually easy to figure out how to lay up treasures in Heaven as Jesus had mentioned it so much in the sermon on the mount.
The Lord Jesus made it clear which works are of eternal value or gain recognition in heaven, Examples: Matt 5:11, Matt 6:1,5-6,17.

Earthly Treasure
Jesus mentioned a good example of Earthly treasures; for example on the sermon on the mount, He talked about the character of the Pharisees and what they valued most, to be seen of men, when they fast, when they give and when they pray. The Lord said, they already have their reward. i.e. People having high/lofty opinions of them.

The Eye
Now for earthly rewards, everything invariably in one way or the other boils down to money. Matt 6:22-23

The Physical Eye Illustration
If we take literally, we can gain some insight into what the Lord Jesus is saying.
Now lets consider the physical eye is the light/lamp(or what lightens the whole) of the body, the physical eye is the organ of sight, a lamp sheds light so that we can see our surroundings, the eye allows you to perceive physical reality(i.e. this is how a chair looks like, this is how a microphone, or a red bag looks, or a car). So then if your eye can see clearly, your whole body will benefit from it.The eye guides the whole body in its movement and daily activities, the body is illuminated by its light, it acts or performs actions by its light.

The Spiritual Eye
We can apply the physical eye illustration to what Jesus truly means as well.

If your mindset is corrupted with focusing on money or material things(remember its two kingdoms), it affects your whole being. It affects your character, bringing in Greed, worry and all manner of darkness. Many scholars even correctly believed during the Jewish times that a good eye meant Generosity and a bad eye greed.
1 Timothy 6:10, John 12:40, Isa 6:9-10

Your mindset shapes your perspective on life, either in the pursuit of money and everything it can offer leading to greed and a sad end of loss. Psalms 49:16-17.

Your mindset or the condition of your heart is who you are. What you think about the most reflects who you are

Proverbs 27:19, Proverbs 27:3

Seek First the Kingdom and His Righteousness**

Through focusing our thoughts on the things of God, we seek and establish the kingdom of God in our hearts.
Matthew 6:33, Psalms 1:1-3, Joshua 1:8, Psalms 119:98-100

Conclusion

The Lord Jesus wants to re-orient our focus or heart to live for what will last.

Only one life, twill soon be passed. Only what’s done for Christ will last. - Anonymous

So Live For What Will Last.