Series: How to be Rich

Date: 9/8/2024

Message: The Heart 

Scripture: Matt.6:21

Foundational Scripture:2 Cor. 8:9

[2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV] 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Intro: If we hope to be rich in this world we must be centered. It is my belief that what we love will determine what our center is. As Jesus said, what we value most will determine our center.  “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

the heart, regarded as the seat of feeling, impulse, affection, desire, the seat of intellect, the inner and mental frame, the conscience, the inner part, middle, center.

So today the questions I would like to ask are where is my Center? And, where should my Center be?

       In Matt.6:21 Jesus tells His disciples  “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  It is interesting to me that the word here translated “treasure” means “the place where you keep the things you value most in life” So Jesus is literally saying to us, whatever you find most valuable in your life is going to determine your Center. It is also interesting to me that Jesus tells us that whatever we value will determine our view of life, the way that we live, not the other way around.  

     When it comes to our everyday walking around life, what is it that drives us? Where is it that we are putting all of our time, talents, energy and yes our wealth? By the way, the word treasure here is also the Greek word for casket, is there the possibility that Jesus is telling us that when it comes to the end of our time here that whatever our center has been is what will determine how Rich our life has been? I believe so, I have shared with many people over the years that when it comes to the end of our time here, (and I have been in the room with many people who were departing), I have never heard anyone say, I should have spent more time on the job. You see while the job has importance it cannot and should not be the Center. Nor any other earthly thing, as John tells us,15 Do not love the world or anything in the world.If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[d] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (1John 2:15-17) It is my conviction that there is eternal life in Jesus Christ and that the things of this world are temporary. If I am right then our center should not be the temporary things of this world.

       Now this morning I can’t tell you what your center is, only you can answer that question, however I can provide some insight into what it should be. So let’s take the rest of our time together today exploring that:

Points: Where my heart, my center should be!

• Seeking a relationship with the Father: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matt.6:33) Jesus here gives us the absolute Center- Seek First- everything else finds its balance and purpose in this- the psalmist puts it- One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. (Ps.27:4) Do you see it? This only do I seek- if you and I are to be Centered in this crazy, divided, confused culture we must see and understand that the only place that you and I can find meaning and value in life is to live in the presence of our Father, the maker of heaven and earth. When we place our hearts here then there is purpose and peace in what we do. This is the main reason that I emphasize Rom.12:1-2 especially the part about our “spiritual service of worship” meaning that everything we do has our relationship with the Father as our focus.

We center this relationship by:

• Spending time in His Word- (Ps.119:11) I have securely placed your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.- to be in a right relationship with the Father we need to know Him and His ways (Ps.25:4) Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. The way He teaches us and shows us His paths is through His Word.

His path and His way is 

• Following Jesus- Jesus answered, (John 14:6) “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
  (John 14:23) Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. We might be able to do many things but the one thing we can’t do is have a proper relationship with the Father apart from Jesus Christ- [Mark 10:21 NIV] 21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (see also Mat 19:16-22, Luk 18:18-23)

With this comes

• Serving others- (Galatians 6:2) Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. The law of Christ is that we love one another as He has loved us. And that means we serve like He served us (Matt. 20:18) just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” What this looks like for us is described by Paul (1Thess.5:12-18) 12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. God first, others, then self.

Conclusion: If we hope to be Rich we must be centered and to be properly centered we must be in a proper relationship with God.

MIDWEEK LEADERS GUIDE

Series: How to be Rich

Date 9/8/24

Message: The Heart

Foundational Scripture:  2 Cor. 8:9

• What are things that you value here most on Earth?

•  In Matt.6:21 Jesus tells His disciples  “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”    What is it that drives you in this life?          

             That is where your heart is.  That is your center.

3. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you 

          as well. (Matt.6:33)   Jesus is telling us here that we should seek him first.  

          How can we seek him first?

          (include in answers - reading Bible, praying, serving others)

4.   (Galatians 6:2) Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of 

              Christ.  Share some things that you do to serve others?

GUÍA PARA LÍDERES DE MITAD DE SEMANA
Serie: Cómo ser rico
Fecha 9/8/24
Mensaje: El Corazón
Escritura fundamental: 2 Cor. 8:9

¿Cuáles son las cosas que más valoras aquí en la Tierra?

En Mateo 6:21, Jesús les dice a sus discípulos: "Porque donde esté vuestro tesoro, allí estará también vuestro corazón". ¿Qué es lo que te impulsa en esta vida?
Ahí es donde está tu corazón. Ese es tu centro.

3. Pero buscad primero su reino y su justicia, y todas estas cosas os serán dadas.
también. (Mat.6:33) Jesús nos está diciendo aquí que debemos buscarlo a él primero.
¿Cómo podemos buscarlo primero?
(incluir en las respuestas: leer la Biblia, orar, servir a los demás)

4. (Gálatas 6:2) Llevad las cargas unos de otros, y así cumpliréis la ley de
Cristo. ¿Compartes algunas cosas que haces para servir a los demás?