WEBVTT 251 00:29:46.425 --> 00:29:50.405 We are kicking off a brand new series that we're calling Heart Check. 252 00:29:51.145 --> 00:29:52.045 And believe it or not, 253 00:29:52.046 --> 00:29:54.965 we're actually not checking in on your cardiovascular system. Okay? 254 00:29:55.045 --> 00:29:57.365 I hope all that's going well for you. We have doctors for that. 255 00:29:57.385 --> 00:30:00.565 You should take care of yourself. But what we're really talking about is like, 256 00:30:00.625 --> 00:30:03.165 Hey, what's going on in your soul? Like, are you, 257 00:30:03.166 --> 00:30:07.925 are you living life in peace or are you bound to like stress and 258 00:30:07.955 --> 00:30:11.125 anxiety? But what we're gonna see is while we're checking in on our heart, 259 00:30:12.155 --> 00:30:15.565 there's also this common thread that comes throughout scripture and especially 260 00:30:15.566 --> 00:30:19.245 comes out in the teachings of Jesus as it relates to our heart. 261 00:30:19.585 --> 00:30:22.445 And it's about something that's very near and dear to our heart. 262 00:30:22.905 --> 00:30:25.045 And it's called money. 263 00:30:27.015 --> 00:30:29.045 Who's excited to talk about money . 264 00:30:30.165 --> 00:30:31.925 That air just gets sucked out of the room. Listen, 265 00:30:32.925 --> 00:30:35.085 IIII want you to stay with me here. I don't wanna lose you right outta the gate. 266 00:30:35.405 --> 00:30:37.565 'cause I know the liabilities that come with this, right? Like, 267 00:30:37.665 --> 00:30:41.325 I'm well aware of, uh, the cultural impression that man, 268 00:30:41.326 --> 00:30:43.285 the church just wants your wallet. Like, 269 00:30:43.465 --> 00:30:45.925 I'm so aware that there are churches that have involve, 270 00:30:46.285 --> 00:30:50.125 involve been involved with scandals. Uh, I'm keenly aware of pastors, uh, 271 00:30:50.126 --> 00:30:53.965 that have made some really boneheaded decisions as it relates to the dollar of 272 00:30:53.966 --> 00:30:56.485 the church. And in fact, I'm so aware of this, uh, 273 00:30:56.515 --> 00:31:00.525 I've actually avoided talking about it. Like I've got my own excuses, right? 274 00:31:00.526 --> 00:31:01.645 Like, I, I don't want, 275 00:31:01.805 --> 00:31:04.005 I don't want people to think that the church is all about your wallet. 276 00:31:04.365 --> 00:31:08.165 'cause we're not, um, I don't want people, uh, to, to think that, um, 277 00:31:08.425 --> 00:31:11.285 I'm coming from a position of weakness or that our church is in a position of 278 00:31:11.485 --> 00:31:13.405 weakness. And I don't wanna push anybody away. Like, 279 00:31:13.406 --> 00:31:16.885 I really think through like what happens if there's somebody that's gonna show 280 00:31:16.886 --> 00:31:20.285 up to a Hope Community Church for the first time and they've got this thought in 281 00:31:20.286 --> 00:31:22.885 the back of their head, but all the church wants is my money. 282 00:31:23.065 --> 00:31:26.045 And then they show up and on their first weekend we're talking about money, 283 00:31:27.835 --> 00:31:29.645 this is probably a good time for me to say, Hey, 284 00:31:29.646 --> 00:31:33.805 if this is your first time in Hope , so glad that you're here with us. 285 00:31:33.985 --> 00:31:36.325 But I really do believe, like if you stick through this, 286 00:31:36.326 --> 00:31:40.125 you're gonna see Jesus's words as it relates to our finances, uh, 287 00:31:40.145 --> 00:31:43.885 our financial situation, our resources, and then how that ties to our heart. 288 00:31:43.965 --> 00:31:47.125 I think it's gonna be impactful for you. But as a result of all those excuses, 289 00:31:47.515 --> 00:31:50.485 I've avoided talking about it. And I gotta tell you, as your pastor, 290 00:31:51.885 --> 00:31:54.245 I think I need to repent. And, uh, 291 00:31:54.345 --> 00:31:56.285 it might not be for the reasons that you would think, 292 00:31:56.305 --> 00:31:59.845 but we're gonna talk about, uh, money for two reasons. One, 293 00:31:59.875 --> 00:32:01.765 it's because you care about it. Uh, 294 00:32:01.825 --> 00:32:05.485 if you Google what is the primary cause of stress in America, 295 00:32:05.505 --> 00:32:09.965 you will see financial concerns consisting of how to navigate life financially, 296 00:32:10.345 --> 00:32:12.565 job security, and the economy. Uh, 297 00:32:12.585 --> 00:32:15.605 is there anyone in here who's just a little bit nervous about the state of the 298 00:32:15.606 --> 00:32:19.565 economy right now? Tough week in the Stark market. Don't trust, don't, 299 00:32:19.705 --> 00:32:22.725 do not go home and check on your portfolio tonight. Uh, 300 00:32:22.726 --> 00:32:24.405 your heart check won't turn out good. But look, 301 00:32:24.545 --> 00:32:26.765 the American Psychological Association, 302 00:32:26.915 --> 00:32:31.725 they did a survey and it found that 75% of Americans from Gen Z, 303 00:32:31.965 --> 00:32:33.245 so our youngest adult adults, 304 00:32:33.785 --> 00:32:37.325 all the way to the oldest adults around us are feeling stressed about money, 305 00:32:37.326 --> 00:32:38.025 making money, 306 00:32:38.025 --> 00:32:42.765 the top source of str of stress for Americans across all 307 00:32:43.045 --> 00:32:45.805 economic backgrounds. And so you care about it. 308 00:32:46.515 --> 00:32:49.525 Like we have anxiety and it's about money. But see, 309 00:32:49.526 --> 00:32:52.805 God doesn't want us to go through life facing stress and anxiety. 310 00:32:52.985 --> 00:32:55.685 And that actually leads us to our second reason we're talking about it. 311 00:32:56.065 --> 00:32:57.965 And it's because Jesus cares about it. 312 00:32:59.705 --> 00:33:04.125 He talks about it a lot. Most theologians would, 313 00:33:04.126 --> 00:33:08.645 would argue that 15% of Jesus's recorded words that we see throughout the 314 00:33:08.646 --> 00:33:11.125 gospels are around money, wealth, and possessions. 315 00:33:11.126 --> 00:33:13.645 And that doesn't even touch the rest of scripture, like cover to cover. 316 00:33:13.865 --> 00:33:17.365 And so if we're stressed about it, and if Jesus talks about it a lot, 317 00:33:17.645 --> 00:33:19.525 I don't want you to hear Jason's talk on money. 318 00:33:19.526 --> 00:33:22.525 Like what we're gonna do is we're gonna look at Jesus's talk on money. 319 00:33:22.705 --> 00:33:25.445 And I'll bet it's possible that it doesn't go the way that you think. 320 00:33:25.905 --> 00:33:29.965 But what I think you're gonna see is Jesus doesn't need your wallet, 321 00:33:31.505 --> 00:33:36.125 but he cares about your heart. And so if you've got your Bible, 322 00:33:36.445 --> 00:33:39.845 so we're gonna jump into Luke chapter 12. Uh, 323 00:33:40.225 --> 00:33:43.405 what's happening is Jesus is having a conversation with some of his followers. 324 00:33:43.406 --> 00:33:44.485 We're gonna start in verse 11. 325 00:33:44.895 --> 00:33:48.085 We're gonna jump into this thing in mid-conversation. So, uh, 326 00:33:48.105 --> 00:33:49.525 if you're looking in your Bibles, Luke, 327 00:33:49.526 --> 00:33:51.285 it's the third book and the New Testament. 328 00:33:51.585 --> 00:33:55.445 So the New Testament starts with four counts of Jesus' life. Uh, 329 00:33:55.446 --> 00:33:57.485 we refer to them as the gospels. Uh, 330 00:33:57.486 --> 00:34:01.445 they were written by guys by the name of Matthew, mark, Luke, and John. 331 00:34:01.515 --> 00:34:05.365 They got wildly creative in how they named the books, Matthew, mark, Luke, 332 00:34:05.366 --> 00:34:06.965 and John. But if you're looking for it, 333 00:34:06.966 --> 00:34:11.805 you go to the halfway point in the Bible. Luke is just after Matthew and Mark, 334 00:34:12.065 --> 00:34:13.844 and I would love for you to follow along. We're gonna, 335 00:34:13.845 --> 00:34:14.805 we're gonna talk through some things. 336 00:34:14.885 --> 00:34:17.605 I think it'd be great for you to take notes. If you don't have a Bible, 337 00:34:17.614 --> 00:34:18.925 we'll have them up on the screens. 338 00:34:18.926 --> 00:34:22.045 But there's just something powerful about following along in your own Bible and 339 00:34:22.205 --> 00:34:26.245 kind of reading word by word and realizing like this isn't some mysterious book. 340 00:34:26.245 --> 00:34:30.364 Like you really can read the Bible on your own and apply it to your life. 341 00:34:30.585 --> 00:34:33.205 If you don't have a Bible, we'd love to get you one. You can head to next steps, 342 00:34:33.485 --> 00:34:36.045 whatever campus that you're uh, sitting at right now, 343 00:34:36.046 --> 00:34:37.364 you can go to next steps afterwards. 344 00:34:37.425 --> 00:34:40.445 Ask someone for a Bible if they don't have one, my bad guys. Uh, 345 00:34:40.505 --> 00:34:43.485 but they can get you one. They also have 'em on Amazon. Uh, 346 00:34:43.685 --> 00:34:46.885 I did read that Bible Sales across America or up, uh, 347 00:34:46.905 --> 00:34:50.405 25% right now, which is actually encouraging man. 348 00:34:50.406 --> 00:34:53.925 People are engaging God's word. Yeah, we can celebrate that. That's a big deal. 349 00:34:55.315 --> 00:34:57.405 Okay? Uh, we gotta preach a sermon at some point. 350 00:34:57.406 --> 00:35:00.925 So let's jump in Luke chapter 12. And again, we're jumping in mid-conversation. 351 00:35:00.945 --> 00:35:03.005 And Jesus says this to his followers, he says, 352 00:35:03.006 --> 00:35:07.565 and when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the 353 00:35:07.566 --> 00:35:09.965 authorities, so this is like a big deal, right? 354 00:35:10.205 --> 00:35:12.245 Like he's talking about when they bring you in front of the police, 355 00:35:12.614 --> 00:35:14.485 right outta the gate, something big's going on. 356 00:35:14.864 --> 00:35:19.565 Do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say 357 00:35:20.065 --> 00:35:24.565 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say. 358 00:35:24.745 --> 00:35:27.085 So we're jumping in big conversation, but you can tell right away, 359 00:35:27.086 --> 00:35:30.125 like this is a heavy talk. He's telling them, if you follow me, 360 00:35:30.585 --> 00:35:31.565 you're gonna pay a price. 361 00:35:32.395 --> 00:35:35.725 Like just because you're associated with me and you're living out my teachings, 362 00:35:35.755 --> 00:35:38.925 like you are most likely gonna be persecuted. But he's saying in those moments, 363 00:35:39.285 --> 00:35:41.885 I don't want you to face stress. I don't want you to face anxiety. 364 00:35:42.255 --> 00:35:46.925 Don't worry about defending yourself because my spirit will tell you what to 365 00:35:46.926 --> 00:35:50.885 say. Don't back down. And for some of you right now, 366 00:35:50.886 --> 00:35:53.725 like that might be enough word for you right there just to sit in. 'cause I'm, 367 00:35:53.745 --> 00:35:55.085 I'm telling you right now, 368 00:35:55.225 --> 00:35:59.525 we live in a world and in a culture where the teachings of Jesus are not widely 369 00:35:59.725 --> 00:36:01.165 embraced. But man, 370 00:36:01.166 --> 00:36:04.125 we've gotta trust in the spirit of God to be present in our lives, 371 00:36:04.185 --> 00:36:07.364 in the moments of difficulties. He's gonna be there with us. We can't back down. 372 00:36:07.465 --> 00:36:09.965 But what he's saying is, Hey, your life is valuable. 373 00:36:10.594 --> 00:36:14.205 Make sure that you give it to something of value. He said, 374 00:36:14.285 --> 00:36:15.245 don't sell yourself short. 375 00:36:15.475 --> 00:36:18.925 He's actually talking to them about their life's mission and purpose. 376 00:36:19.155 --> 00:36:22.725 Like this is a big life conversation that we're jumping right into the middle 377 00:36:22.965 --> 00:36:27.645 to. But then in the midst of that, a man in the crowd interrupts 'em. 378 00:36:27.855 --> 00:36:31.525 Verse 13, it says, someone in the crowd said to him, teacher, 379 00:36:32.995 --> 00:36:37.455 tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me. You're like, 380 00:36:38.245 --> 00:36:42.535 what? Like, sir, this is not on the agenda for this conversation. 381 00:36:42.565 --> 00:36:45.335 Like what in the world just happened? And this is kind of like, 382 00:36:45.405 --> 00:36:47.855 like I feel like this happens in my house daily. Uh, 383 00:36:47.915 --> 00:36:50.255 my kids are the world's best, uh, 384 00:36:50.355 --> 00:36:54.335 at having the world's worst timing when it comes to conversations. Uh, um, um, 385 00:36:54.395 --> 00:36:55.695 you know what I mean? If you have kids, like, 386 00:36:55.696 --> 00:36:57.015 it doesn't matter what I'm talking about, 387 00:36:57.415 --> 00:37:01.295 I could be giving the the world's greatest, uh, dad wisdom. Uh, 388 00:37:01.355 --> 00:37:03.575 so much so that I'm thinking, man, 389 00:37:03.576 --> 00:37:05.895 these kids must think they're so lucky for me to be their dad. 390 00:37:07.555 --> 00:37:11.535 And I could be mid-sentence and I could be sharing my greatest peace of dad 391 00:37:11.635 --> 00:37:15.775 advice in the history of dad advice to a question that they actually asked. 392 00:37:15.995 --> 00:37:18.895 And then out of nowhere out here, Hey, what are we gonna do this weekend? 393 00:37:20.475 --> 00:37:23.525 And I'm like, where did I lose you? 394 00:37:24.275 --> 00:37:26.605 Like I thought you were talking to me about what you wanted to accomplish in 395 00:37:26.606 --> 00:37:29.445 life and how to set goals and what it looks like to live a life following Jesus. 396 00:37:29.825 --> 00:37:34.805 And in this situation, you've got Jesus of Nazareth, the creator of all things, 397 00:37:34.905 --> 00:37:37.765 giving a talk on their life, mission and purpose. 398 00:37:38.065 --> 00:37:40.965 And this guy's like Jerry McGuire. He's like, yeah, Jesus, 399 00:37:41.145 --> 00:37:42.485 but show me the money. 400 00:37:44.885 --> 00:37:47.895 And you talk about like missing the point, 401 00:37:49.465 --> 00:37:53.545 like this guy, he has his mind on his money and his money on his mind, 402 00:37:54.445 --> 00:37:57.705 and he's missing something that's a critical message. 403 00:37:57.725 --> 00:37:59.505 And so we've gotta ask ourselves this question, 404 00:38:00.565 --> 00:38:04.905 is it possible to be standing in one of the most critical moments of your life 405 00:38:05.605 --> 00:38:09.364 and completely miss the point? Yes, it is. 406 00:38:11.025 --> 00:38:15.885 Is it possible to show up at church every single weekend and completely 407 00:38:16.205 --> 00:38:18.445 miss the point? Yes, it is. 408 00:38:20.585 --> 00:38:22.285 And so when you look at what's going on here, 409 00:38:22.305 --> 00:38:25.805 we can assume here that this man's father, he's died, he's passed away, 410 00:38:25.806 --> 00:38:29.805 and it was a custom back in this day that the firstborn receives the 411 00:38:29.806 --> 00:38:31.445 inheritance. And so this guy's possibly, 412 00:38:31.446 --> 00:38:35.965 he's most likely the second born and he sees Jesus as a means to an end, right? 413 00:38:35.985 --> 00:38:40.885 In his mind, that end is money. But this is how Jesus responds to him. 414 00:38:40.886 --> 00:38:43.405 In verse 14, he says, but he said to him, man, 415 00:38:44.385 --> 00:38:47.125 who made me a judge or an arbiter over you? 416 00:38:48.645 --> 00:38:50.344 So Jesus is saying to this guy, uh, 417 00:38:50.605 --> 00:38:55.505 who made me that decides what someone else should do or give to you. 418 00:38:56.635 --> 00:38:59.475 I mean, you can say it differently. He says, was it you? He said, did, 419 00:39:00.435 --> 00:39:02.635 did you make me so you can tell me what to do? 420 00:39:04.175 --> 00:39:08.795 Or did I create you so that I can share with you your life's mission and 421 00:39:08.796 --> 00:39:13.195 purpose? And we gotta recognize, 422 00:39:13.196 --> 00:39:15.594 like when we're unclear on the purpose of life, 423 00:39:16.455 --> 00:39:18.795 we can actually place the wrong expectations on God. 424 00:39:21.085 --> 00:39:23.705 And so Jesus asked him this question, but um, , 425 00:39:24.245 --> 00:39:27.105 he doesn't wait for him to answer. And uh, verse 15 it says, 426 00:39:27.106 --> 00:39:29.025 and so he said to them, so he turns back out to the crowd. 427 00:39:29.026 --> 00:39:31.745 This one guy's talking to him. And then he says to the crowd, 428 00:39:32.505 --> 00:39:37.225 take care and be on your guard against all covetousness for 429 00:39:37.275 --> 00:39:40.864 one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. 430 00:39:42.364 --> 00:39:46.785 So Jesus turns to the crowd and he is like, Hey guys, don't be greedy. 431 00:39:48.255 --> 00:39:49.088 Don't covet. 432 00:39:50.465 --> 00:39:53.885 And so this guy immediately becomes an object lesson for whoever's there, right? 433 00:39:53.985 --> 00:39:57.325 So just be mindful of that. If you yell something out and I'm up here on stage, 434 00:39:57.326 --> 00:39:59.965 you could become an object lesson for everybody in the room. But he says, 435 00:40:00.015 --> 00:40:02.645 don't be covetous. Like if you don't know what covetousness is, 436 00:40:02.675 --> 00:40:05.525 it's an excessive or insatiable desire for something, 437 00:40:05.895 --> 00:40:07.885 especially wealth or possessions, 438 00:40:08.455 --> 00:40:13.445 often with a negative connotation implying greed or envy. 439 00:40:14.085 --> 00:40:17.485 Uh, and the greed, the literal translation is to desire more. 440 00:40:19.125 --> 00:40:22.545 How much more? Just a little bit more, 441 00:40:23.815 --> 00:40:27.625 just a little bit more. And can we be honest with ourselves for a minute? 442 00:40:28.415 --> 00:40:32.915 Like the majority of our times in our lives, no matter what we have, 443 00:40:34.025 --> 00:40:38.045 what we really want, it's just a little bit more. 444 00:40:40.925 --> 00:40:44.205 And what's interesting is Jesus doesn't say, 445 00:40:45.005 --> 00:40:49.505 be careful not to chase after stuff. That's not what he says. He says, 446 00:40:49.665 --> 00:40:52.145 take care and be on guard. 447 00:40:52.765 --> 00:40:57.745 In the Greek that translates like, like a military term to stand, watch, 448 00:40:58.135 --> 00:41:00.025 like to be on alert. 449 00:41:00.364 --> 00:41:03.665 And because what he's saying is greed and covetousness, um, 450 00:41:04.045 --> 00:41:07.305 the desire to want more, you don't have to worry about it. Like, yes, 451 00:41:07.306 --> 00:41:11.715 don't go after it, but it's coming after you. Like, 452 00:41:11.716 --> 00:41:14.355 you have to be on guard. You have to stay on on alert. My daughter, 453 00:41:14.614 --> 00:41:18.355 she is a sweet young lady, um, she looks so pretty and innocent, 454 00:41:19.575 --> 00:41:20.635 but she's a wrestler. 455 00:41:21.415 --> 00:41:26.195 And so if you walk out on the wrestling mat with her and stand on the line and 456 00:41:26.196 --> 00:41:29.715 the referee blows the whistle, um, if you're not on guard, 457 00:41:31.005 --> 00:41:35.725 she's gonna beat you up. Like you have to be ready. She is coming for you. 458 00:41:35.726 --> 00:41:39.525 And what Jesus is saying, like, get ready, greed and covetousness, 459 00:41:39.635 --> 00:41:42.045 like it is coming for you whether you like it or not. 460 00:41:42.265 --> 00:41:44.325 And you can go through life and pretend like it's not, 461 00:41:44.425 --> 00:41:49.325 but it's coming after you see covetousness and all the anxiety that comes with 462 00:41:49.326 --> 00:41:52.285 it. It's not something that we pursue, that we set out to pursue. 463 00:41:52.344 --> 00:41:55.005 No one wakes up in the morning and says, you know, wanna be, I wanna be greedy. 464 00:41:55.844 --> 00:41:58.765 I wanna be like Ebony or Scrooge. Like that's what I wanna be. 465 00:41:58.864 --> 00:42:01.005 But it's something that pursues us in life. 466 00:42:01.006 --> 00:42:04.285 And so what Jesus does is he tells them a parable. 467 00:42:04.286 --> 00:42:08.085 Jesus tells a lot of parables throughout the gospels, a parable. Um, it, 468 00:42:08.086 --> 00:42:10.364 it means like to come alongside. Uh, 469 00:42:10.445 --> 00:42:12.285 and so it's a story to help you make a point. 470 00:42:12.286 --> 00:42:13.445 And so I'm trying to make this point. 471 00:42:13.445 --> 00:42:16.405 So I tell you the story to come alongside of the point that I'm making. 472 00:42:16.585 --> 00:42:19.525 If you get the story, you get the point. So it says in verse 16, 473 00:42:20.505 --> 00:42:23.005 and he told him a parable, listen to this, 474 00:42:23.265 --> 00:42:28.045 the land of a rich man produced plentifully. And he thought to himself, 475 00:42:28.805 --> 00:42:31.605 what shall I do for I have nowhere to store my crops. 476 00:42:32.344 --> 00:42:35.605 So this guy has a good problem, actually two of them. One, he's rich. 477 00:42:35.785 --> 00:42:39.765 That's great. Uh, two, he had a good year. Uh, 478 00:42:39.785 --> 00:42:42.125 that's a problem we'd all love to have, right? Uh, 479 00:42:42.126 --> 00:42:44.525 you get to verse 18 and he says, I will do this. 480 00:42:44.605 --> 00:42:47.645 I will tear down my barns and I'll build larger ones, 481 00:42:47.646 --> 00:42:51.885 and there I will store all of my grain and goods. That sounds responsible, 482 00:42:51.886 --> 00:42:55.085 right? Nothing wrong with saving. Uh, the Bible actually says, uh, 483 00:42:55.145 --> 00:42:58.525 in Proverbs that righteous is a man who leaves an inheritance, uh, 484 00:42:58.545 --> 00:43:00.965 for his grandchildren. Like, sounds like he's, he's thinking smart, 485 00:43:01.105 --> 00:43:05.285 but look at what money can do to our perspective, right? It's not the saving. 486 00:43:06.495 --> 00:43:09.844 Verse 19. And he says, and I will say to my soul, soul, 487 00:43:11.025 --> 00:43:15.285 you have ample goods laid up for many years. Relax, 488 00:43:15.985 --> 00:43:18.445 eat, drink, and be merry. 489 00:43:20.325 --> 00:43:25.105 So what this guy's really saying is, now that I have money, I'm secure. 490 00:43:27.145 --> 00:43:28.585 And you remember what we said earlier, it, 491 00:43:29.135 --> 00:43:34.065 it's possible to be in a critical moment in life and completely miss the point. 492 00:43:36.635 --> 00:43:40.614 And the story here, it takes a radical turn. Like thi this guy, uh, 493 00:43:41.355 --> 00:43:45.094 he went from having a really great year. Uh, well, I'll just read it. 494 00:43:45.095 --> 00:43:47.415 I'll let you see. Verse 20, it says, but God said to him, 495 00:43:49.695 --> 00:43:54.655 you fool this night, your soul, the soul that he just spoke to, he said, soul, 496 00:43:54.656 --> 00:43:57.415 you're good. Lay up, eat, drink, be married this night. 497 00:43:57.445 --> 00:44:00.895 Your soul is required of you and the things you have prepared, 498 00:44:01.415 --> 00:44:02.295 whose will they be? 499 00:44:03.645 --> 00:44:07.785 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich towards God. 500 00:44:09.245 --> 00:44:12.945 So this guy went from having a great year and being a great financial situation 501 00:44:13.205 --> 00:44:17.985 to being called foolish by God and losing his life. And I just want to tell you, 502 00:44:17.986 --> 00:44:22.785 like none of us want to get to this place in life where we stand before God 503 00:44:22.805 --> 00:44:26.645 one day. And he says, well, that was dumb. 504 00:44:28.635 --> 00:44:32.285 What was dumb? I don't know like how you spent your life. 505 00:44:35.895 --> 00:44:38.495 And if we're not careful, like we, 506 00:44:39.075 --> 00:44:43.695 we can go through life missing the point and be giving our time, our talent, 507 00:44:43.755 --> 00:44:44.588 our treasures, 508 00:44:45.535 --> 00:44:48.055 the things that ultimately are not the purpose that we were created for. 509 00:44:48.195 --> 00:44:51.535 And so I want you to understand the object of his foolishness was not his money. 510 00:44:51.605 --> 00:44:54.575 Nothing wrong with money. God's gifted you with the ability to make money, 511 00:44:54.765 --> 00:44:56.335 make money, make lots of it. 512 00:44:57.465 --> 00:44:59.565 It wasn't that he tore down his barns for bigger barns. 513 00:44:59.665 --> 00:45:03.725 The foolishness was that he had misplaced where the security of his soul rested. 514 00:45:06.114 --> 00:45:06.947 He said, soul, 515 00:45:07.355 --> 00:45:11.215 entire being you are safe and secure because you have money. 516 00:45:12.485 --> 00:45:15.525 And God said, you missed the point. He said, 517 00:45:15.526 --> 00:45:18.925 you were a fool because you thought your soul and your life was secure and 518 00:45:18.926 --> 00:45:22.125 money. And tonight your soul is required of you. 519 00:45:22.225 --> 00:45:24.685 And if God can require something, um, 520 00:45:26.535 --> 00:45:28.185 that means it was his to begin with. 521 00:45:30.325 --> 00:45:33.945 And I can't require something from any of you if it's actually not rightfully 522 00:45:33.946 --> 00:45:35.105 mine. So God says, you fool, 523 00:45:35.125 --> 00:45:38.505 you thought your soul and even the stuff in your life was yours. 524 00:45:38.506 --> 00:45:40.705 And it's not all of that was mine to begin with. 525 00:45:40.706 --> 00:45:43.665 The only reason that you have this stuff is because I've given it to you. 526 00:45:44.735 --> 00:45:47.795 And so we've gotta recognize in our life, our peace and our security in life. 527 00:45:47.815 --> 00:45:49.995 It doesn't come from the stuff that we've been given. 528 00:45:51.535 --> 00:45:56.364 It comes from the one who gives it. I'm gonna say that again. 529 00:45:56.365 --> 00:45:58.405 Like our peace and security in life. It, 530 00:45:58.406 --> 00:46:01.844 it does not come from the gifts that we have in life. Our 401k, 531 00:46:02.145 --> 00:46:04.445 our checking account, the roof over our head. 532 00:46:05.775 --> 00:46:09.315 That's not where our security comes from. Our security, our peace, 533 00:46:10.375 --> 00:46:12.114 it comes from the one who gives those gifts. 534 00:46:14.594 --> 00:46:18.555 I think it's important to note that when we started, uh, 535 00:46:18.614 --> 00:46:22.635 we saw a guy who didn't have any money and his heart was in the wrong place. 536 00:46:22.975 --> 00:46:26.755 And so what Jesus does is then he tells a story about a guy who's got a lot of 537 00:46:26.756 --> 00:46:29.875 money and his heart's in the wrong place. And so our view of money, 538 00:46:29.905 --> 00:46:33.555 like it can get us off course whether we have little or whether we have much, 539 00:46:33.556 --> 00:46:36.755 right? We have to be on guard. It is coming for you. 540 00:46:36.775 --> 00:46:38.155 So it's a problem for all of us. 541 00:46:38.415 --> 00:46:40.755 So what we've gotta ask ourselves is how do we fight against it? 542 00:46:41.185 --> 00:46:43.875 Like how do we fight against this thing that's coming after us? 543 00:46:43.876 --> 00:46:46.315 What does it mean to be on guard? And I love this next part. 544 00:46:46.455 --> 00:46:50.355 And Jesus is so kind. He's so gentle. You know, Jesus, 545 00:46:50.495 --> 00:46:53.114 he doesn't need your wallet. He cares about your heart, 546 00:46:53.215 --> 00:46:55.555 but he doesn't turn to the crowd like he just told the story. 547 00:46:55.556 --> 00:46:58.155 And that's what God said to this guy. He doesn't turn to the crowd and say, 548 00:46:58.156 --> 00:47:00.515 so listen up fools. I know you're all being foolish. 549 00:47:02.265 --> 00:47:06.235 Like he doesn't guilt them. He turns to them with such a pastoral way. 550 00:47:06.375 --> 00:47:08.275 And so if you find your place in this story, anyway, 551 00:47:08.276 --> 00:47:11.195 I just want you to hear these words of Jesus. He says to his disciples, 552 00:47:11.265 --> 00:47:15.685 therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, 553 00:47:17.065 --> 00:47:20.355 what you will eat, what you will drink, nor about your body. 554 00:47:20.785 --> 00:47:23.635 What you'll put on for life is more than food. 555 00:47:24.055 --> 00:47:27.765 And the body is more than clothing. It says, 556 00:47:27.766 --> 00:47:30.165 don't let your pursuit of more become your heart's desire. 557 00:47:30.166 --> 00:47:33.645 Like it leads to anxiety, it leads to distortion of purpose. 558 00:47:33.745 --> 00:47:37.285 It leads to seeking security and something that ultimately can never provide it. 559 00:47:37.395 --> 00:47:39.565 Like these things that we chase after in our lives, 560 00:47:39.795 --> 00:47:41.885 they are not going to bring us satisfaction. 561 00:47:41.886 --> 00:47:46.725 And I would argue that our pursuit of more is driving this anxiety ridden 562 00:47:46.726 --> 00:47:48.085 world that many of us are facing, 563 00:47:48.305 --> 00:47:52.005 and it's actually robbing us of the peace and of the security and the purpose 564 00:47:52.265 --> 00:47:55.755 and the rest. Like can you just, 565 00:47:56.015 --> 00:47:59.035 the impact of just saying the word rest, like it's so foreign, 566 00:48:00.875 --> 00:48:02.094 but it's robbing us of, 567 00:48:02.095 --> 00:48:05.695 of experiencing the rest that God truly wants us to experience in this life. 568 00:48:08.255 --> 00:48:11.575 And you say, well, Jason, how do you know we'll actually enjoy life? 569 00:48:13.105 --> 00:48:15.844 How do we know that our needs will be met? And again, 570 00:48:15.925 --> 00:48:19.085 I don't wanna give you Jason's message. I I want you to listen to Jesus's words. 571 00:48:20.145 --> 00:48:24.285 He says this in verse 24. He says, consider the ravens, 572 00:48:24.895 --> 00:48:29.565 which by the way, probably world's ugliest bird, okay? Like, 573 00:48:29.635 --> 00:48:34.325 like completely like the worst. So he's a, he goes to the ugliest bird, he says, 574 00:48:34.605 --> 00:48:38.245 consider the ravens. They neither sow nor reap. 575 00:48:38.795 --> 00:48:40.965 They have neither store houses nor barns. 576 00:48:40.966 --> 00:48:43.045 They don't tear down barns of bill bigger barns. 577 00:48:43.145 --> 00:48:47.565 Yet God feeds them of how much more value are you than the birds? 578 00:48:48.495 --> 00:48:49.328 Verse 25. 579 00:48:49.505 --> 00:48:53.485 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour of span to his life? 580 00:48:55.105 --> 00:48:58.545 Like you can't add any time to your life by worrying, by being anxious. In fact, 581 00:48:58.546 --> 00:48:59.425 medically speaking, 582 00:48:59.905 --> 00:49:03.145 anxiety actually has the ability to shorten your life because it's gonna 583 00:49:03.385 --> 00:49:06.745 decrease the strength of your heart. And then you get to verse 26 and he says, 584 00:49:06.805 --> 00:49:09.825 and you're not able to do such a small thing as that. 585 00:49:09.965 --> 00:49:13.705 Why are you anxious about the rest? He says, 586 00:49:13.706 --> 00:49:15.305 you don't have the ability to save your life. 587 00:49:15.485 --> 00:49:18.505 You don't have the ability to sustain your life. I'm the one who can do that. 588 00:49:18.685 --> 00:49:22.545 And Jesus says, this is actually easy work for me. In Jesus' eyes, he is like, 589 00:49:22.645 --> 00:49:26.265 you can't even do such a small thing to sustain your life. That's small for me, 590 00:49:26.765 --> 00:49:29.145 but you can't do it. Why are you worried about the other stuff? 591 00:49:31.025 --> 00:49:35.105 It goes on verse 27, consider the lilies how they grow. 592 00:49:36.265 --> 00:49:39.105 They neither toil nor spin yet I tell you, even Solomon, 593 00:49:39.106 --> 00:49:42.025 Solomon was a king in the Old Testament and the richest men to ever live. 594 00:49:42.165 --> 00:49:47.065 He said, even Solomon in all of his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 595 00:49:47.364 --> 00:49:49.065 But if God so closed the grass, 596 00:49:49.066 --> 00:49:52.305 which is alive in the field today and tomorrow was thrown in the oven, 597 00:49:52.335 --> 00:49:54.265 it's gonna be forgot about. You're never gonna think about it again. 598 00:49:54.266 --> 00:49:58.344 You're so much more valuable. How much more will he clothe you, 599 00:49:59.695 --> 00:50:03.605 owe you of little faith? Jesus says, 600 00:50:04.185 --> 00:50:08.364 God closed the fields like people marvel over creation. 601 00:50:08.785 --> 00:50:09.505 He says, 602 00:50:09.505 --> 00:50:13.685 God does that like creation doesn't toil over itself to make itself beautiful 603 00:50:13.835 --> 00:50:17.925 like we should have faith that God loves us all the more we should rest in him 604 00:50:18.035 --> 00:50:21.605 like church family. We've gotta recognize like we have enough 605 00:50:25.485 --> 00:50:30.165 to truly find peace in the area of our finances is to really have faith 606 00:50:30.785 --> 00:50:32.165 in the God that provides for us. 607 00:50:34.355 --> 00:50:37.935 And when we've really gotta do business, like where do we put our faith? 608 00:50:38.665 --> 00:50:41.535 Where do we put our hope? Verse 29. 609 00:50:43.815 --> 00:50:47.395 And do not seek what you're to eat and what you're to drink nor be worried 610 00:50:48.735 --> 00:50:52.195 for all the nations of the world seek after these things and your father knows 611 00:50:52.196 --> 00:50:55.435 that you need them. He says, don't worry about, don't stress about, 612 00:50:55.965 --> 00:50:59.835 don't be insecure about what you may not have. He says, you know who does that? 613 00:51:00.175 --> 00:51:01.275 You know who worries like that? 614 00:51:03.135 --> 00:51:06.855 Everyone like the world. He says, don't be like that. 615 00:51:06.856 --> 00:51:10.535 Proverbs 1412 says this. And I really believe in today's day and age, 616 00:51:10.536 --> 00:51:13.094 like we should all have this verse on our refrigerator, 617 00:51:13.245 --> 00:51:16.135 like on our rear view mirror. Proverbs 1412. It says, 618 00:51:16.185 --> 00:51:18.535 there is a way that seems right to a man, 619 00:51:19.715 --> 00:51:21.695 but its end is the way to death. 620 00:51:23.855 --> 00:51:25.675 But hope God takes care of his kids. 621 00:51:28.155 --> 00:51:31.895 And I have this conviction that we as the family of God, 622 00:51:31.955 --> 00:51:36.855 we need to be awakened to the fact that God created us to know 623 00:51:36.915 --> 00:51:41.655 and experience a life of peace and security and belonging 624 00:51:41.835 --> 00:51:45.295 and purpose. And if he's the God of all creation, 625 00:51:45.296 --> 00:51:47.975 and that's what he created us for. Like how do we lose sight of that? 626 00:51:49.745 --> 00:51:52.525 But the world gets distracted. And you know where it all started? 627 00:51:54.425 --> 00:51:55.715 Genesis chapter three, 628 00:51:57.255 --> 00:52:01.145 like the devil shows up on the scene and he led Eve to believe that God was 629 00:52:01.146 --> 00:52:03.905 holding out on her. He told her a lie. And he said, but, but, 630 00:52:04.105 --> 00:52:05.905 but believing in him by obeying God, 631 00:52:06.125 --> 00:52:09.705 you're not experiencing everything in life that you could. And she bought it, 632 00:52:09.775 --> 00:52:14.665 hook, line, and sinker. Adam didn't protect her. And ever since then, 633 00:52:14.666 --> 00:52:17.305 we've been chasing the wrong things the wrong way. 634 00:52:19.005 --> 00:52:19.945 And it leads to death. 635 00:52:21.665 --> 00:52:25.385 It leads to our heart being riddled by stress and anxiety. 636 00:52:29.165 --> 00:52:33.385 And so hopefully you're tracking along with this and maybe you're at this place 637 00:52:33.386 --> 00:52:36.864 where you say, but Jason, how can we trust that God will provide? 638 00:52:37.965 --> 00:52:38.798 How do we know? 639 00:52:41.325 --> 00:52:44.185 And I would tell you it's because God has already given us his best in Jesus. 640 00:52:46.315 --> 00:52:49.955 Like God has already given us his best in spite of us rebelling against God in 641 00:52:49.956 --> 00:52:53.075 spite of our shortcomings, in our own lives, and pursuing the ways of the world. 642 00:52:53.375 --> 00:52:57.755 God loves us so much that he sent his son to this earth to teach us how to live, 643 00:52:57.975 --> 00:53:00.555 to die, the death that we deserve to die on a cross. 644 00:53:00.735 --> 00:53:04.315 He rose him from the grave overcoming sin and death so that we could experience 645 00:53:04.316 --> 00:53:06.114 the true life that we were created for. 646 00:53:06.115 --> 00:53:07.995 Like that is the good news of the gospel. 647 00:53:08.265 --> 00:53:11.715 Like if you're a part of the family of God, you've believed in this good news, 648 00:53:12.295 --> 00:53:16.755 why in the world would he go through all that and give his first and give His 649 00:53:16.756 --> 00:53:20.475 only and give his best, and then they'll stop providing for us now, 650 00:53:24.075 --> 00:53:29.005 like, do you know how easy it is for God to provide for us in our areas of 651 00:53:29.006 --> 00:53:31.605 need? I mean, think about that. 652 00:53:32.955 --> 00:53:37.445 He's the creator of the universe. Church, 653 00:53:37.446 --> 00:53:40.725 we need to allow our hearts to rest. We need to be at peace. 654 00:53:41.965 --> 00:53:44.844 I would say don't hustle and don't strive and don't get anxious, 655 00:53:44.845 --> 00:53:48.245 and don't try to provide the security for your soul. 656 00:53:48.305 --> 00:53:51.685 And do not try to save your own soul what you can't do anyway. 657 00:53:51.686 --> 00:53:55.205 And I'm not saying don't work hard, right? God created us to work. He said, 658 00:53:55.305 --> 00:53:56.135 subdue the earth, 659 00:53:56.135 --> 00:53:58.685 Bible tells us we should put our hands to the plow to sit in front of us, 660 00:53:58.745 --> 00:54:00.245 be faithful to the work that God's called us to. 661 00:54:00.385 --> 00:54:02.364 But that's not where our security comes from. 662 00:54:02.505 --> 00:54:05.485 That's not where our hope comes from. That's the work that God's called us into, 663 00:54:05.665 --> 00:54:08.485 but it's God who provides us with our security. 664 00:54:11.185 --> 00:54:14.285 So in verse 31, he says, instead, instead of doing all these things, 665 00:54:14.286 --> 00:54:16.795 here's what you do, seek his kingdom. 666 00:54:18.215 --> 00:54:22.235 And all of these things will be added to you. He says, 667 00:54:22.236 --> 00:54:25.315 seek first and I'll add through the gospel. Seek first through the gospel. 668 00:54:25.905 --> 00:54:29.555 Seek the kingdom the way of life that Jesus is calling us into. 669 00:54:29.614 --> 00:54:31.555 And your security and your belonging and your purpose, 670 00:54:31.895 --> 00:54:35.075 that's gonna be added to you because Jesus cares about your heart. 671 00:54:37.364 --> 00:54:40.445 And I love this next part. Again, it's so pastoral. I mean, 672 00:54:40.446 --> 00:54:45.445 this is just what Jesus does. Verse 32, he says, 673 00:54:45.555 --> 00:54:47.325 fear not little flock. 674 00:54:49.075 --> 00:54:53.355 He's talking to us in terms of being sheep. Fear, 675 00:54:53.375 --> 00:54:57.985 not little flock for it's your father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 676 00:55:00.625 --> 00:55:05.005 And I'm just gonna read that again, fear, not little flop. 677 00:55:07.725 --> 00:55:08.558 I. 678 00:55:08.844 --> 00:55:13.165 I was gonna share this story at the end, but I I wanna share it now. Um, I, uh, 679 00:55:13.344 --> 00:55:16.125 so we've known for about three months we were gonna do this series, okay? 680 00:55:16.126 --> 00:55:17.405 It was originally gonna be, if you've been around, 681 00:55:17.545 --> 00:55:21.245 it was gonna be immediately after the Nehemiah series. But through that series, 682 00:55:21.305 --> 00:55:25.205 we kept seeing Nehemiah stopping and going to the Lord in prayer and showing his 683 00:55:25.206 --> 00:55:28.445 dependency on God that I just felt this conviction. We gotta push that back, 684 00:55:28.685 --> 00:55:29.325 man. We as a church, 685 00:55:29.325 --> 00:55:32.125 I believe God's calling us into this season of dependency and prayer on God. 686 00:55:32.126 --> 00:55:34.364 So we spent three weeks in that 21 days of prayer. 687 00:55:34.625 --> 00:55:38.045 And so all of this got bumped back to this week. 688 00:55:39.065 --> 00:55:41.685 So I've been in this text like, I'm ready for this week. 689 00:55:41.785 --> 00:55:45.844 I'm ready for next week. Uh, and wouldn't you know it, 690 00:55:46.505 --> 00:55:48.485 all of this talk and time studying, like, 691 00:55:48.486 --> 00:55:51.245 what does it mean to find our security in God? Um, 692 00:55:51.525 --> 00:55:55.885 I get a text message from my wife on Tuesday and, uh, says, Hey, 693 00:55:55.886 --> 00:55:59.445 can you gimme a call? I give her a call and it sounds like she's crying. 694 00:55:59.585 --> 00:56:04.165 And she says, I don't know what just happened. I just got let go of work. 695 00:56:06.285 --> 00:56:10.165 Um, just had a great annual performance review. Um, 696 00:56:11.265 --> 00:56:12.925 she said, uh, my boss sent me a, 697 00:56:13.125 --> 00:56:16.485 a message saying that I need to jump on into a meeting. Sent me a link. 698 00:56:16.525 --> 00:56:17.246 I jump onto the meeting. 699 00:56:17.246 --> 00:56:19.525 There's a woman on the other side of the computer I've never seen before. 700 00:56:19.844 --> 00:56:23.125 Apparently she's from hr. Uh, unless it was a great big prank, 701 00:56:23.280 --> 00:56:27.205 which I don't think it was. Uh, and, and tells her, listen, 702 00:56:27.305 --> 00:56:31.205 I'm sorry that we're meeting under these terms, but due to financial challenges, 703 00:56:31.685 --> 00:56:36.085 um, we're cutting across multiple departments, uh, due to your seniority. 704 00:56:36.485 --> 00:56:39.085 I've been here only a couple years. Um, your position's being eliminated. 705 00:56:39.155 --> 00:56:40.325 When we hang up this call, 706 00:56:40.344 --> 00:56:43.885 you will no longer be able to log in into any of your stuff. Uh, that's it. 707 00:56:43.985 --> 00:56:48.005 No questions answered, no severance. You're done. And, um, 708 00:56:49.085 --> 00:56:53.395 I gotta tell you like, well, the timing of this is pretty unique. 709 00:56:54.695 --> 00:56:57.715 And so when I say I need to read this again, like I want you, 710 00:56:57.716 --> 00:57:02.635 this is not like a pastor up here just telling you what the Bible 711 00:57:02.665 --> 00:57:05.955 says. Like this is a guy who's who, who's wrestling through this stuff. 712 00:57:06.295 --> 00:57:10.795 And Jesus's words to us is fear, not little flock, fear not Jason. 713 00:57:11.465 --> 00:57:16.115 Fear not Diana. Fear not little, little flock for it. 714 00:57:16.275 --> 00:57:19.435 Is your father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom? 715 00:57:19.815 --> 00:57:21.155 He refers to us as sheep. 716 00:57:21.775 --> 00:57:25.395 You know what sheep can do to provide for themselves Nothing. 717 00:57:26.115 --> 00:57:28.955 they can't do anything. They, they, they don't have claws. 718 00:57:28.956 --> 00:57:31.035 They have dull teeth. They can't run fast. 719 00:57:31.225 --> 00:57:34.875 They could probably be taken out by a domestic house cat on a bad day. I mean, 720 00:57:34.876 --> 00:57:39.395 it's not a good picture, okay? Uh, but Jesus says, don't worry, 721 00:57:40.425 --> 00:57:45.325 God takes care of his kids. In fact, it's actually his good pleasure. Listen, 722 00:57:45.825 --> 00:57:50.165 my kids, my children do not worry if mom and dad is gonna put food on the table. 723 00:57:51.185 --> 00:57:53.285 And that's because I work hard to be a godly father. 724 00:57:53.286 --> 00:57:56.365 But how much more so is our heavenly Father? 725 00:57:56.465 --> 00:57:58.365 How much more so does he love us? 726 00:57:58.505 --> 00:58:01.405 And how much does he have control over what's provided for us? 727 00:58:04.225 --> 00:58:07.365 Now, we're gonna jump into verse 33. Don't put it up yet. Uh, 728 00:58:07.585 --> 00:58:09.045 but I want to tell you, this is where, 729 00:58:09.075 --> 00:58:11.205 this is where this causes some people to start to struggle, right? 730 00:58:11.206 --> 00:58:14.685 Everything sounds good. Like, hey, Jesus doesn't need your wallet. Now, 731 00:58:14.765 --> 00:58:15.605 there's something to that. 732 00:58:15.606 --> 00:58:18.685 Like God does want you to understand everything that you have in life is given 733 00:58:18.705 --> 00:58:22.245 to him, you by him, and you should be giving Porsche back. And, uh, 734 00:58:22.246 --> 00:58:25.045 the Bible says you can't serve two masters, God and money. There's all that. 735 00:58:25.046 --> 00:58:27.405 What I'm saying is Jesus doesn't need your wallet. 736 00:58:28.695 --> 00:58:30.835 We all love the sound of that. Jesus cares about your heart. 737 00:58:30.855 --> 00:58:33.715 We love the sound of that, um, Jesus. Uh, and, 738 00:58:33.716 --> 00:58:36.315 and God should be the place where we find our hope and peace, right? 739 00:58:36.335 --> 00:58:39.595 I'm jelling with that. But then you get to verse 33. And remember, Jesus said, 740 00:58:39.596 --> 00:58:42.835 following me is gonna cost you something. You get to verse 33, it says, 741 00:58:42.895 --> 00:58:46.115 here's what you do. Sell your possessions and give to the needy. 742 00:58:49.105 --> 00:58:52.435 Provide yourselves with money bags that do not grow old with treasure in the 743 00:58:52.436 --> 00:58:56.635 heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 744 00:58:57.715 --> 00:59:00.395 Remember the truth, Jesus, Jesus doesn't, isn't after our wallets, 745 00:59:00.455 --> 00:59:01.555 but he cares about our heart. 746 00:59:02.535 --> 00:59:06.275 And Jesus knows that you were created in the image of a generous God. 747 00:59:06.295 --> 00:59:10.075 And the only way that we will experience the purpose that we were created for 748 00:59:10.135 --> 00:59:10.895 listen, 749 00:59:10.895 --> 00:59:15.675 is to rebel against the way of the world and live a radically 750 00:59:16.115 --> 00:59:19.555 generous lifestyle because it's coming for you. 751 00:59:20.195 --> 00:59:23.925 Like Jesus doesn't need your money. He feeds the ravens, 752 00:59:24.545 --> 00:59:26.845 he closed the field, but, but, 753 00:59:27.205 --> 00:59:31.045 but greed and anxiety is coming for us. And Jesus says, 754 00:59:31.265 --> 00:59:35.125 we need to live into the purpose and into the mission that we were created for, 755 00:59:35.255 --> 00:59:38.885 which is really where this whole conversation started before this guy 756 00:59:39.085 --> 00:59:42.885 interrupted. And so Jesus, the creator of the universe, if this is true, 757 00:59:43.365 --> 00:59:47.045 I need you to tell me why I need to give and to be generous. 758 00:59:47.265 --> 00:59:49.685 How does all this fit together? This is the why. 759 00:59:49.955 --> 00:59:52.325 This whole thing culminates with verse 34. 760 00:59:52.326 --> 00:59:54.805 This is why we're calling the series Heart Check. But Jesus says, 761 00:59:54.825 --> 00:59:59.365 for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 762 01:00:01.545 --> 01:00:04.605 And this is different than what Jesus said in just six chapters earlier. 763 01:00:04.835 --> 01:00:08.485 Luke chapter six, verse 45, where he says, out of the overflow of your heart, 764 01:00:08.785 --> 01:00:12.965 the mouth speaks Like, if your heart is happy, happy words. 765 01:00:13.385 --> 01:00:16.565 If your heart is angry, angry words, your words follow your heart. 766 01:00:16.785 --> 01:00:19.965 But what leads your heart, your treasure, 767 01:00:22.035 --> 01:00:24.805 your money leads your heart. And I'm telling you, I've, 768 01:00:24.806 --> 01:00:28.685 I've been a pastor for over 20 years. Um, I've sat down with many people. 769 01:00:29.005 --> 01:00:30.965 I've come into my office, we've talked on the phone. I'm going to their house, 770 01:00:31.105 --> 01:00:33.845 and I've sat down with people and they've said, listen, I just don't get it. 771 01:00:33.995 --> 01:00:37.845 Like I'm going to church. I'm serving, I'm in a small group. 772 01:00:38.185 --> 01:00:39.965 I'm trying to serve my community, but my heart, 773 01:00:40.085 --> 01:00:42.485 I just don't have this peace in my life. 774 01:00:45.065 --> 01:00:48.325 And, and so I asked him, I said, well, can I be direct with you? 775 01:00:48.326 --> 01:00:52.845 Can I ask you some hard questions? Sure, sure. Um, and it's two questions. 776 01:00:53.785 --> 01:00:57.045 Are you engaging with God? And reading through scripture, 777 01:00:57.046 --> 01:00:59.565 reading and through prayer. And then I say, 778 01:01:00.685 --> 01:01:04.425 are you being generous with the resources and giving back to the God who 779 01:01:04.625 --> 01:01:07.865 provided everything for you in your life? And that's the one I usually get, 780 01:01:07.866 --> 01:01:08.985 like that deer in the headlights love. 781 01:01:12.005 --> 01:01:14.465 And the reason I ask that question is because like, 782 01:01:14.885 --> 01:01:19.425 if we believe that Jesus predicted his death and resurrection, 783 01:01:20.065 --> 01:01:22.945 went on a cross, went on the tomb, called his own shot, 784 01:01:22.946 --> 01:01:25.825 and rose from the grave, like, we need to pay attention to what he says. 785 01:01:25.965 --> 01:01:28.425 And Jesus says, where your treasure is there, your heart will be also. 786 01:01:28.565 --> 01:01:32.105 But if we're gonna go through life and throwing all of our resources at things 787 01:01:32.255 --> 01:01:36.585 that ultimately at the end of the day cannot and will not bring us the peace and 788 01:01:36.586 --> 01:01:39.305 the security and the purpose that we're looking for in our lives, 789 01:01:39.645 --> 01:01:42.145 we can't be surprised when we don't have that peace in our lives. 790 01:01:42.365 --> 01:01:45.145 And so we have to decide, like, do we want our treasure? 791 01:01:46.565 --> 01:01:50.785 And do we want our heart to go to the things that ultimately can't bring us 792 01:01:50.786 --> 01:01:51.619 peace and security? 793 01:01:51.985 --> 01:01:54.865 Or do we want our treasure and our heart to go to the things that have eternal 794 01:01:54.925 --> 01:01:57.305 impact on the world around us, 795 01:01:57.306 --> 01:02:01.825 and allow you to experience the peace that Jesus came to make available to us? 796 01:02:03.965 --> 01:02:08.065 The way to stand guard against greed and anxiety in the area of our finances 797 01:02:09.505 --> 01:02:13.925 is to rebel against the world with a life of radical generosity. 798 01:02:18.165 --> 01:02:20.045 And I wanna wrap up with this. When you give money, 799 01:02:20.635 --> 01:02:24.125 what you're doing is you're saying no to the world. You're saying, no, 800 01:02:24.305 --> 01:02:26.085 I'm not gonna buy into the system that, 801 01:02:26.086 --> 01:02:28.685 that I have the ability to create my own security in my life. 802 01:02:28.965 --> 01:02:30.445 I trust in God to take care of me, 803 01:02:30.545 --> 01:02:33.325 and I'm gonna give money for his glory and his purposes. But I want, 804 01:02:33.326 --> 01:02:36.525 I wanna say this differently. Like if, and this is like a, this is, 805 01:02:36.675 --> 01:02:38.965 this is an exhortation . If, 806 01:02:39.145 --> 01:02:41.605 if we show up on Sundays or on Thursday night, 807 01:02:41.965 --> 01:02:45.325 whenever you're hearing this and we sing loudly and we study the Bible, 808 01:02:45.625 --> 01:02:47.925 but we're not intentional about being generous, 809 01:02:48.265 --> 01:02:50.685 we need to know that two things are gonna happen. One, 810 01:02:50.735 --> 01:02:52.525 we're not gonna find peace and purpose in our lives. 811 01:02:53.295 --> 01:02:58.285 We're just not because we're giving of our treasure into things that are 812 01:02:58.286 --> 01:03:01.885 never going to create that security and that hope and that peace and that 813 01:03:01.886 --> 01:03:03.805 purpose force in our lives. And secondly, 814 01:03:04.285 --> 01:03:08.555 a watching world doesn't believe our faith. They just don't. 815 01:03:08.556 --> 01:03:09.755 The world knows what has our heart 816 01:03:11.015 --> 01:03:12.555 And the world needs to see something different. 817 01:03:12.755 --> 01:03:15.435 And it drives me crazy as a pastor, 818 01:03:15.575 --> 01:03:17.875 as a follower of Jesus to look out around the world, 819 01:03:17.895 --> 01:03:21.355 to look in our community and see all these needs that we, we would love to meet. 820 01:03:21.375 --> 01:03:23.355 We see these needs around the world that we can't meet. 821 01:03:23.356 --> 01:03:26.155 And I'm talking about not just hope like the big C church, collective church. 822 01:03:26.375 --> 01:03:28.795 We don't have the resources to be able to meet those needs. 823 01:03:28.935 --> 01:03:31.875 And a lot of times it's because there's some of us that are followers of Jesus. 824 01:03:32.175 --> 01:03:34.475 And maybe it's because we haven't learned it yet. Maybe we don't know how. 825 01:03:34.476 --> 01:03:35.875 Maybe we're in a tough financial situation, 826 01:03:36.055 --> 01:03:39.675 but we have not grabbed onto and embraced this truth where our treasure is 827 01:03:40.005 --> 01:03:42.035 there, our heart will be, and we haven't bought into it. 828 01:03:42.036 --> 01:03:45.075 Like that is where our peace and our purpose is going to exist. 829 01:03:50.735 --> 01:03:55.475 Jesus doesn't need your wallet, but he cares about your heart. 830 01:03:56.135 --> 01:04:00.235 And he knows how you were created, and he knows the character of God, 831 01:04:00.236 --> 01:04:02.035 of which you were created in that image. 832 01:04:03.215 --> 01:04:06.755 And my prayer is that we would take Jesus' word to heart, 833 01:04:06.756 --> 01:04:09.955 that we would be a church that isn't just known for getting together on the 834 01:04:09.956 --> 01:04:13.475 weekends and having a great time of worship and having some solid Bible 835 01:04:13.795 --> 01:04:14.015 teaching, 836 01:04:14.015 --> 01:04:18.595 but we would be a people who are truly free from the anxieties of this world and 837 01:04:18.596 --> 01:04:19.595 live with this big, 838 01:04:20.065 --> 01:04:24.195 bold faith in our God that allows us to model for others and call others into 839 01:04:24.196 --> 01:04:25.755 the gospel in a way like we've never seen. 840 01:04:28.015 --> 01:04:29.995 But Jesus says it requires a check. 841 01:04:32.255 --> 01:04:35.155 And so this week was all about the heart and, and my, 842 01:04:35.215 --> 01:04:38.275 and I'm trusting and believing that there's many of us across all of our 843 01:04:38.475 --> 01:04:41.555 campuses, um, that are hearing this. They're like, okay, that makes sense. 844 01:04:42.265 --> 01:04:42.915 That makes sense. 845 01:04:42.915 --> 01:04:45.395 I know I haven't been believing this about my life and I wanna make some 846 01:04:45.396 --> 01:04:48.955 changes, but I have no idea how. And that's okay. 847 01:04:49.035 --> 01:04:51.595 Like we've got classes around here at Hope, we have financial coaches, 848 01:04:51.705 --> 01:04:53.035 we'd be happy to help. Um, 849 01:04:53.335 --> 01:04:56.795 but next week what we're gonna do is we're gonna get really practical at what 850 01:04:56.796 --> 01:05:00.715 this has looked like for God's people for thousands and thousands of years, 851 01:05:00.775 --> 01:05:04.475 and then look at how we can take practical steps as a church family to move in 852 01:05:04.476 --> 01:05:06.835 this direction together. And so I'm gonna challenge you, uh, 853 01:05:06.935 --> 01:05:11.595 if this is your church home, you need to be here This week. 854 01:05:11.596 --> 01:05:13.275 What I want you to reflect on, on this truth, 855 01:05:14.075 --> 01:05:18.725 I want you to reflect on this truth. Our security, our hope and our purpose, 856 01:05:19.425 --> 01:05:23.725 and our peace is not in the gifts that we've been given in our lives, 857 01:05:24.185 --> 01:05:28.565 but that security and that peace, it comes from the giver of those gifts. 858 01:05:29.385 --> 01:05:31.485 And that's our God. Father, I thank you, uh, 859 01:05:31.486 --> 01:05:35.365 just for a time and we can look at your word, uh, where we can see, uh, 860 01:05:35.366 --> 01:05:38.365 the truth, where we can see a pitfall where Jesus, you, um, 861 01:05:39.405 --> 01:05:43.885 in your grace and mercy called us on into being on guard against something that 862 01:05:43.945 --> 01:05:47.205 can capture our heart and lead us to living a life 863 01:05:49.035 --> 01:05:52.725 that is without and is away from the purpose that we were actually created to 864 01:05:52.726 --> 01:05:53.559 live for. 865 01:05:55.065 --> 01:05:59.245 And so my prayer this week that we as as Hope Community Church is this church 866 01:05:59.246 --> 01:06:04.005 family, that your spirit would just do a work in our hearts. Lord, 867 01:06:04.006 --> 01:06:06.885 help us to know what you want us to see. Help us to see what you want us to see. 868 01:06:06.886 --> 01:06:08.885 Help us to know what you want us to know, and that more importantly, 869 01:06:08.886 --> 01:06:12.525 help us to move in the areas and that you would have us move. And Lord, 870 01:06:12.705 --> 01:06:15.445 we ask this ultimately for us being the church, 871 01:06:15.685 --> 01:06:17.925 being the followers of Christ that you would call us to be for us, 872 01:06:18.285 --> 01:06:19.845 being the church that you would call us to be. 873 01:06:20.025 --> 01:06:23.565 And ultimately for the sake of your name and your glory, Lord, 874 01:06:23.566 --> 01:06:28.005 we pray all these things and the mighty name of Jesus, and everyone said, amen. 875 01:06:28.965 --> 01:06:29.798 Love you.