Christian Simplicity: Part 2 (Matt. 6:19-24)

Outline: Matthew 6:19-24

1. Two treasures (v.19-21)
2. Treasures visions (vv.22-23)
3. Treasure masters (v.24)

Summary: 
In Matt. 6:19-24, Jesus calls his followers to a life of single-minded devotion to God.  In order to make His point, Jesus utilizes three couplets: two treasures, two visions, two masters.  In this sermon we considered all three couplets but focused primarily on the two visions and the two masters.  Jesus wants us to see that where we put our heart dramatically effects our spiritual lives. To put it negatively, if we accumulate money and possessions in this short life, that is, if our spiritual eye is fixed on material treasures, then we will lose spiritual vision and find ourselves serving money, not God.  But, more positively, if we seek to be rich toward God in this life by piling up good works done out of pure motives, then we will enjoy clear spiritual vision and find ourselves serving God, not money.

Discussion Questions:

• Review: what are material treasures and spiritual treasures?
• How do Jesus' commands in vv.19-20 show his care and love toward us?
• What is the relationship/connection between the two treasures and the two visions?
• What does it mean that they eye is the lamp of the body in physical terms?
• What does it mean that they eye is the lamp of the body in spiritual terms? (cf. 5:29;7:3)
• Reflect on this statement: "obedience clarifies, sin clouds."
• How does having dim vision effect our relationship with God?
• How does having dim vision effect our witness in the world? (cf.Luke 11:33-36)
• What is the meaning of the term "master"? Why is it impossible to serve two masters?
• Reflect on this statement: "Duel devotion is a mirage"
• Reflect on this statement: “we will either use money to serve God or use God to serve money."
• If spiritual vision is cloudy, what does that say about our treasure and our loyalty? 
• What has personally challenged you most in the past two sermons on Christian simplicity?

Application Questions:

• Am I currently enjoying clear spiritual vision (i.e. Do i have purpose, drive, holy ambition, passion to love God and others, etc.)? If not, what might this say about what I'm treasuring and where my loyalty actually is?
• What changes is God calling me to make in order to live a life of single-minded devotion?

Prayer Points:

• Confess ways your heart has been in the wrong place leading to dim vision and disloyalty.
• Praise Jesus for living a life of perfect loyalty to the Father and for dying on a cross so that you might become a His loyal and faithful servant!
• Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to put and keep your heart in the right place, to maintain clear spiritual vision, and to lean more fully what it means to serve Christ as Master.  

DISCIPLESHIP: A CALL TO WALK AS JESUS WALKED

Discipleship is not difficult to understand, but it is challenging to live out. Discipleship is a call to follow Jesus no matter the cost (Matt. 16:24).  We may trace discipleship back some 2000 years ago when Jesus approached a handful of common men and uttered these solemn words: “Follow me.”  In but a few years these men who had “been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13) would be used of God to continue a movement that would alter the course of history and eternity.

These men were apprentices, learning their Master’s trade; they were students, absorbing their Master’s teaching; they were followers, experiencing life as their Master lived it.  Day after day, month after month, year after year they were trained in the way of their Master.  They watched him eat, sleep, travel, speak, and pray.  They saw him walk on water, heal the sick, raise the dead, calm storms, feed multitudes, mend hearts.  In him they beheld divine character in a human being—rare balances of truth and love, compassion and boldness, humility and authority.  They watched him suffer and die.  They were witnesses of his resurrection.  Then, at the end of their training, they were commissioned by Jesus to make disciples of all nations by going, baptizing, and teaching others to obey all that Jesus commanded (Matt. 28:18-20).  Jesus promised them his power and his presence in order to continually awaken confidence and comfort in them as they continued the mission their Master began.  This commission is clearly meant to be a torch  handed to each successive generation until Jesus comes again to judge the living and the dead.

We at FBC want to be a local church filled with people who take up this mission, a people who seek to walk as Jesus walked (1 Jn. 2:6), a people who seek to “follow in his steps” (1 Pet. 2:21).  In a word, we recognize that we are to be disciples making disciples.  By God’s grace we want to look more and more like the rugged and faithful Christianity we read about in the pages of our New Testaments.  May God fulfill these resolves for good by the power of his Spirit and for the glory of his Son!



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