Serious Joy

"Judge Not, that you be not judged." This is probably the most well known statement Jesus made. What is he commanding us to do? Are Christians never to make judgements on behavior and teaching, or is there more to it than that?

In this message, we look at the commandment to not be anxious and how that is rooted in our treasuring and trusting Christ.

We are missing the first 5 or 6 minutes of Audio and Video, that was just a recap of some of the concepts in the previous message in this series, Trash and Treasure.

Below is the sermon manuscript for the couple of minutes that where missing in the video so you will know where the audio and video pick up.

Manuscript:

Read Matthew 6:19-34

"The last time I spoke to you, we looked at this same text…specifically the first few verses…verses 19-24.

In those verses, Jesus is making the point that only heavenly things are worth being truly treasured.

If you truly treasure something, then it is precious to you.

If you treasure something, and you don’t have it, you want to get it, and you work towards acquiring it. It’s your goal.

If you already have it, then you want to keep it. You want to protect it; you want to gaze upon it and admire it.

BECAUSE…treasure, by definition, is TREASURED!

And Jesus is making the argument that all earthly treasure is subject to corruption and theft.

Why would you treasure something you are just going to lose? Why prize something that will just rot and decay?

Why not instead treasure something that cannot rot, and cannot be stolen…something permanent, eternal? … something worth treasuring!

So, this is basically the foundation for the apostle Paul to be able to say in Philippians 3, “I count it all as loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.”

Paul treasured HEAVENLY things and not earthly things. He sought FIRST, the kingdom of God."

We all leave impressions in this life. What kind of mark will you make?

Jesus said that where our treasure is, our heart is also. How do we keep our treasure and our hearts in the right place?

Jesus clearly teaches us that we are to be motivated in doing righteousness by the reward we receive. So, then what is that reward? It is the unshakable joy of satisfaction in Christ.

Jesus offers a way of escape from temptation. "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

Our prayer must be connected to a sincere, humble willingness to obey God.

Ryan Ballard ministers the word of God from Ephesians and Revelation with a warning to complacent churches and Christians. Do not forget your first love.

The Lord's Prayer offers us a framework for our own conversations with God.

Prayer is mostly asking, and God delights when we ask Him.