Moth and Rust (Matthew 6.16-24, Luke 12)

Sermon by: Robert Austell; November 5, 2017 - Matthew 6:16-24; Luke 12

:: Sermon Audio (link) ::
Click link to open and play in browser; right-click to save. Sermon audio is also accessible as a free podcast in iTunes. Search for "Good Shepherd Sermons" or "Robert Austell." 



:: Testimony :: What has God been teaching you or doing in your life lately?

Mark Katibah


:: Scripture and Music ::
We Praise Thee, O God (KREMSER)
Be Thou My Vision/Open My Eyes (SLANE, arr. Austell; refrain Austell/Youngblood)
Be Ye Glad (Blanchard) - duet
All in All (Jernigan)
As the Deer (Nystrom)
 
:: Sermon Manuscript (pdf) ::
This "manuscript" represents an early draft of the sermon. Some weeks the spoken version varies more than others from the early manuscript. Nevertheless, if you'd prefer to read than to listen, this is provided  for that purpose.

Today we are in the Gospels, where Matthew and Luke talk about things like worry, priorities, reputation, and vision. In doing so, Matthew speaks of the body, in somewhat more literal terms than we’ve seen in previous weeks. In today’s text from Matthew 6, Jesus is talking about the things we treasure, whether of this world or of God’s Kingdom. He issues us a stern warning as well as a hopeful challenge. Then he goes on to speak about knowing a person’s heart through the clarity of their vision. Those are the three topics I’d like to take up with you today: Jesus’ warning, his challenge, and the clarity of our vision for Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church. And those topics should instruct and direct our individual choices of giving and financial commitment.

The Warning (v.19)

Jesus warns us in Matthew 6: Do not store up for yourselves treasures upon earth. (v.19) This warning comes in the midst of his “sermon on the mount.” In this extended teaching, he is claiming God’s teaching of old, but re-interpreting it in an internalized, heart-changing way. His teaching on “treasure” or money is no different. His bottom-line concern is, “Where is your heart?”

And so he cautions us, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures upon earth.” There are at least two reasons why disregarding his warning is fruitless. Jesus reminds us that “moth and rust destroy” such treasure. His meaning is plain: earthly treasures – things like possessions, money, cars, houses, and the rest – are subject to age and decay. Every house or monument we build will eventually fall. Nothing of this world lasts in the end. The forces of time and nature, moth and rust, will eventually win out. Beware moth and rust, because we can’t take it with us.

Jesus also says, “thieves break in and steal.” (v.20) Our earthly treasures are also up for grabs. Whether it’s literal theft or someone coming after our job or creditors re-claiming what they loaned us, we can expend a whole lot of energy defending our stuff, with no promise at the end of the day that we will be successful. And even if our literal money is safe, the evening news reminds us night after night that everything in this world is temporary and fleeting. Beware the thieves of this world that can claim it all in an instant.

Realizing the truth of Jesus’ warning should make us clamor for an answer! You’re right Jesus, but if everything we treasure here can be lost in an instant, what in the world is worth treasuring?

The Challenge (v.20)

Fortunately, Jesus doesn’t leave us wanting for the answer. He issues a clear and hopeful challenge: store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… (v.20) And these treasures are impervious to moth and rust and impossible for thieves to steal away. 1 Peter 1:3-5 describes the “living hope” of this heavenly treasure:

Blessed be the God and Father or our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

What is this living hope? What are these heavenly treasures that are imperishable, undefiled, and eternal? They are faith and life in and through Jesus Christ, expressed in this life through our stewardship of that inheritance and eternally through worship and life in the very presence of God.

This “living hope” is what we treasure at Good Shepherd. It is what I seek to proclaim to you and what we work to share with the world – Jesus Christ, crucified and resurrected that we might have forgiveness of sin by the grace and love of God. We express that living hope here – we lay up those heavenly treasures – as we worship, witness, teach, come together, grow in faith and faithfulness, and as we give back to God in thankfulness. I’d like to spend the rest of our time together today talking about these heavenly treasures we seek to lay up together.

Our Vision (v.22)

It is exactly “vision” that Jesus speaks about next in those verses in Matthew and where he uses the body to explain. Concerning vision, he says, “If your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light…” Jesus says that the “eye is the lamp of the body.” (v.22) His point, after talking about our treasure and our heart is to say that you can see a person’s motivation, you can see a person’s heart through their eyes. You can ‘read’ a person’s loves, likes, and desires by watching their eyes. Where is their eye fixed? On what do they “set their sights?” What is their vision? I believe that in talking about our church and giving to our church, it is crucial to look ourselves in the eye and say, “What is your vision for the Lord?” We must ask ourselves, individually and collectively, “Where is your heart?”

I’d like to share with you where my heart is, and where I believe the hearts of our church staff and elders are, and where I believe God would have us be as a congregation. I’d like to share with you some of the vision for where Good Shepherd is and where we are headed, by God’s grace.

1.    WORD AND WORSHIP: Worship has always been and will continue to be at the heart of Good Shepherd; indeed it is the primary purpose and calling of human beings created in God’s image. Through intentionally chosen music and drama, testimonies of what God is doing, and organizing everything around God’s Word, we gather because we believe God meets us here and speaks through His Word. That core belief continues to be the foundational value and vision of my own ministry and that of this church. It’s where our eyes and hearts are fixed. God’s Word and presence is everything.

2.    MEN’S MINISTRY: Recognizing a need to have ways for men to plug in and connect, we re-committed ourselves to men’s ministry this past year. Monthly gatherings for Wings are not just about food, but a wonderful multi-generational opportunity for sons and grandsons from elementary age up to guys in every age and stage to get together and connect. And the conversation ranges from sports to God-questions to just how spicy the wings are this time around. We had our first men’s retreat this past fall and not only enjoyed hiking, good food, great worship at a local church, but also digging deep with Roger Edwards around themes of marriage, work, and legacy. Of course, women’s ministry is also important and continues to find expression through multiple Bible studies, retreats, and gatherings; that also is part of our vision. But we are thrilled to see men responding to our vision as a church, too! Like so many of our ministries in a church this size, the men’s ministry is not only opportunity for fellowship, encouragement, and accountability, but does all that across generations as a real experience of the family of God. Church is godly community.

3.    COMMUNITY GARDEN/MINISTRY: I hope you are aware of our community garden. It is more than tilling, tending, and growing plants and vegetables, though that is wonderful in and of itself. It also represents one of our most significant outreach and neighboring ministries in recent years. Not only has it provided the opportunity to welcome neighbors onto our property, but to partner with them in work, conversation, and provision. Whether you become involved in the garden (I hope you will!) or something else like it that we have yet to discover, it represents one of the essential ministries of Christians and the Church: being a good neighbor as Jesus taught and demonstrated.

4.    UNDERSTANDING RACE AND GOD’S KINGDOM: I have shared with you that God has put issues of race on my heart and mind for some time, but the protests in Charlotte over a year ago prompted a shift in my own vision. I have shared that understanding, confronting, and dismantling racism is not just an “issue” but reflects the teaching of scripture and the values of God’s Kingdom. In the past year I have undergone training and read widely; two of our elders have undergone similar training; and almost twenty folks in the church are reading and discussing the book Waking Up White. I believe God is stirring us and will continue to stir us in the months and years to come. We will continue to have opportunities to examine race, racism, and our culture in the light of Scripture. This is part of being salt and light in the world.

5.    FOLLOWING JESUS: When I first came to Good Shepherd and talked to the search committee, we realized we shared two essential commitments in common. We believed the Church is built on God’s Word and on following and serving Jesus Christ. That has not changed and continues to be my vision and this church’s vision. The particulars in between may change as ministries are birthed, mature, and end; but God continues to speak and stir us along common themes found in Scripture and in the words and actions of Jesus, who said “Come, follow me.” So know that the vision begins and ends with God’s written and living Word. I believe that’s what God desires of us and is the measure of our faithfulness.

Where Our Heart Is

Jesus ended his words on the heart and treasure by saying, “You cannot serve God and wealth (mammon).” His words define stewardship for us. Stewardship is an all-out, heartfelt, full-commitment love of God, worship of God, and service to God. It is “seeking first the Kingdom.” Stewardship demonstrates where our heart is.

This week you will receive a letter from the church along with a pledge card – an estimate of your giving to the church in 2018. My goal today has not been to hype or to pressure you regarding your pledge. Rather, it has been to remind each of us of what Jesus said about stewardship – it is putting love of God and service to God at the top of life. That’s where the hopes and dreams of the heart lie – with God.

I believe that as a church we have been and are on the right track – the faithful track. We have worship, service, and the glory of our Lord before our eyes as our vision. We have love of neighbor before our eyes as our vision. We are willing to be and become exactly what God wants us to be. Our eye is clear and it reveals hearts set on heavenly treasure. I believe our church’s mission and vision share the very heart of God. And so, as you consider your participation in the life of our church and as you consider your giving to and through our church, I can say to you with all earnestness and conviction: You are giving to God.

This week, as you consider your own stewardship, first be challenged by the words of Jesus. Examine your heart – where does it lie? Is it with the heavenly treasure of salvation, hope in Christ, and obedience to following Christ? How will you respond?

Consider the “vision” of this church. Do we share a “heart for God” here at Good Shepherd? I believe we do! Can you give to and through this church as unto the Lord? It is my hope that as part of the family God has called together as this church that we can work together for God’s Kingdom. Each year, as you give to God through Good Shepherd, my question to the Session remains the same: How can we use what our people have given to God most faithfully to His glory?

My desire for us as a church is that we all be captivated by the living hope of God’s gracious salvation, drawn in courage and boldness by the Holy Spirit toward the heart of God for us as His precious family in this place and time. Amen.