Buried Treasure- Part #2

This is Stu Epperson from the truth. Talk podcast connecting current events, pop culture, and theology, and were so grateful for you that you've chosen The Truth Podcast Network it's about to start just a few seconds. Enjoy it and please share around all your friends. Thanks for listening and thanks for choosing the truth. Podcast network. This is the Truth Network. The following is part two of a two-part program.

Do you feel like you're on a religious treadmill. Do you feel like Christianity is just a system of rules and regulations, I can do this but I can't do that do you feel like your efforts to reach God find God and please God. If you do you feel like your faith is dead or alive today. Pastor Russ Sanders will walk us through Scripture to answer these questions join us on finding purpose, glorifying God by helping men find their purpose for living.

For more information and to connect with Russ Sanders and finding purpose could visit us online@findingpurpose.net connect with us on Facebook. Now let's listen to Russ Andrews as he teaches us how to be a Christian without being religious.

Okay, you have your Bible open up to Luke chapter 6 verses 12 through 2611 title tonight's message buried treasure when I'm alone and not in my band and I'm like crazy sleeping I just don't asking the Lord for his help. This life is difficult because you noticed it. Now I want us to dig now for the greatest treasure of all. Look at verse 17 says he went down with him. Jesus did and stood on a level place. This could've been gas this the sum of the amount sermon on the Mount on this could've been another sermon that he gave on a plane that was similar to the sum amount. Either way is pretty much the same sermon is the sermon on the Mount is a large crowd of his disciples with what was there in a great number of people from all of Judea from Jerusalem after the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon who come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases were to gotten out those troubled by evil spirits will cure and the people all try to touch them because power was coming from him and hearing them all over the bleeding woman who touched the cloak of Jesus, and she was healed instantly and he said how his escape, you touch a million is loading up thousand nuclear and the woman said I was the one you are nothing but a touch from the master looking at his disciples. He said Blessed are you who are poor really blessed. If you for yours is the kingdom of God is for you who hunger now you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who wait. Now you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate she would ask Gallucci and insult you and reject your name as evil, because this is now. If you really been an evil person that got another one God, but if they were excluding you and insulting you. Because of the name of the son of God because of Jesus this summer to rejoice about Jesus has a way man to give notices of turning worldly ideas and man-made philosophies upside down. What the world calls good.

Jesus calls evil and lots of what the world calls evil.

Jesus calls good. What the world puts forth his wisdom. Jesus calls foolish and who the world holds up as a role model Jesus detests first priggish everyone is 18 to 21 is one of the greatest chaps in the Bible that Ince prescribed in chapter 2, wisdom listen to what Paul writes to the church in Corinth for the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing that the will think you're crazy, but to us who will be in say it is the power of God and experience that power. Men what is written. This is God speaking.

I will destroy the wisdom otherwise the intelligence of the intelligent.

I will frustrate and publish earmarks. Where's the man of the world. Where's the scholar where's the floss of the sage who is God is not God made foolish the wisdom of the world sits in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him. Catch this God was pleased to the preaching foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe in one, a coaching ICC said he didn't see what Amanda got across 2000 years ago has any relevance to his life trying to question Jesus truly turn the world upside down with a radical teaching source erotic about what he says in this text. Witness 2010 as follows, especially for explicitly marked especially insulted and then he says he tell his followers not to pursue the shiny objects of the world treasures of the world the glory or why because those objects those things in the world that you can touch and see they were never satisfied. They never did that.

They they were like broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

Jeremiah 213 says my people have committed two sins.

This is God speaking to the Israelites, but the same thing applies to United States of America today. They have forsaken me country the spring of living water in a build your own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold so what are some of the broken cisterns that we in America are pursuing the pursuit of wealth, the pursuit of pleasure.

The pursuit of power.

The pursuit of popularity and yes, even the pursuit of religion. These are all empty systems that cannot and I never will bring nourishment to your soul.

You believe that's true in verses 20 through 26. Need to understand that Jesus and Jesus audience is primarily the 12 apostles, but is also still a great number disciples that gathered there listening to him and ugly that many of those are still trying to figure out if the room will follow him and do some of this stuff that he's talking about. And if I gobbling the minimum will turn away if you look at John chapter 6 it says in his DTC became so difficult that many turned away, so he looked at his disciples and said you will turn away to what Peter say he said no Lord you're the only one I think he said this, not exactly like this is because you're the only one who has eternal life.

Where can we turn to what's Jesus teaching here. What principles, what truth I think of for a report once a call the first one.

The calling with Jesus describing the heart of a man that God calls to follow Jesus second explains the cost. Jesus tells them right up front. The heavy price they will pay it any justice warning he issues a warning to those who pursue the pleasures of this world does a look at each one of these briefly and separately. So in describing the type Amanda got calls Jesus offers for Beatitudes there just blessed sayings that contain a nugget of truth. Please, please, Beatitudes, provide a picture man of the dual heart, not your heart to gotten looking for work in process kingdom is a condition man that he promises will bring eternal spiritual blessings and sometimes physical blessings but is mainly talk about spiritual blessings now wants to take a look at the Matthew version because it magic is a little bit of more detail that Luke some reason omits several Matthew five I want to show you that these Beatitudes are clearly talking about their describing a man's heart. Think about your own heart as I go through these Matthew five verse three Jesus Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven first full Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted for six Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled in inverse tenses. Blessed are those who persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. How do we know that he's described a man's heart because of the phrases he uses in spirit is a reference to a man's soul or his heart who hunger and thirst for righteousness porch to the inner desire of the heart who wants to please God and who persecuted because of righteousness describes the heart of a man exactly striving to live a godly life and is laying on the Holy Spirit help them. So what kind of man is gone looking for. He got ready a man with a humble and contrite heart a man who grieves over his own personal sin and the sins of the world. He sees all around him yet.

We should be grieving about our own sins, but also the sins of the world and look at our look at her. How far country has run from God, a man who looks at his inner sinfulness. Denver pants man he trusted Jesus for salvation and any syncs with the spirit help to obey God's words that describing therefore because of his humility before God before God and man.

And because of his disarming to live a life of obedience to Christ. This man should not expect to win the world's award for the most popular man in town was that I could hear him now if you are there right now and really make a stand for Jesus and the and you really are. You not only obnoxious on me that your living for Christ and you make no bones about it. Your family knows it and your friends know it that you I follow Jesus and how should you expect to be treated. You can expect to be excluded. To be rejected, to be insulted, perhaps to be hated and persecuted and for some to A.nothing is coming to America this what Jesus said anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me who finds his life will lose it.

That's the percentage try to find life in the world, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it unifying life lose your life again. Jesus turning worldly philosophy on his head, take up your cross die lose your life who will set up for that as well say live your best life now eat drink and be merry. Don't worry, be happy as Asada came out in 19 1986 and I should say I love the melody but the lyrics are horrible.

I want to be rich. MSO's got a great melody.

But is this lyrics or bases and I want to be rich rich rich is all about the money with the cross was symbolic of death, Jesus, take up your cross, it symbolized what is trying to get at me and she wants our total commitment to total commitment is disciples and he was warned them yet was, in fact, the 10 of them. They all died as martyrs go to didn't work Judas to join himself and John who God who is X out allow the Patmos I got news for the same is still the same call for commitment is still true today.

If you're to be a true follower of Jesus, and you gotta be all in return for the football team.

We all in return for the best melting we all in.

We go to a basketball game. You know what is Caroline Duco, carillon and state are some of your two major competitors are you cheering as loud as you can for you telling you for that without Jesus, that's what it is to be committed with your heart you Dietrich Bonhoeffer's classic red if you study his life. Did you Bonhoeffer read his book, the cost of discipleship. He gave his life in Germany is willing to preach the truth and plotted to kill Hitler and he was a minister he got sent to concentration camp where he was hung just a few days before the war ended, he wrote what Christ calls a man he bids him come in.the Massey man and I've asked myself this what is Garcia look in your heart. Remember the Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at what your heart is all that the heart man is all about you. So I told this before were not bodies with a soul with souls with a body is the soul that will live forever. You have a she take over so and Jesus only wanted to take care of it now for the warning. Verses 24 through 26, 102. Usual rich you've already received your comfort. What do you hope will fit now for you will go hungry. Well do you laugh now, for you will mourn and we what you catch this one when everyone speaks well of you that is how their fathers treated the false prophets spoke well about them. These three verses, Jesus is describing the vast majority of people. We've all been there, relentlessly pursuing the pleasures and shiny objects of the world.

So what is Jesus gives such a strong warning other two reasons. First, Jesus Morse and he knows more so than anyone else, that this world hold nothing, nothing, man. They can truly satisfy not well not health, not education, not religion and not pleasure negligent exercise, but that the exercise just helps you feel good for that day and you get to the next day I get out exercise. But I will keep on so why were these things not satisfied, they can they can deliver what they promise true joy, true peace and everlasting Jesus member told the woman to well if you drink this war. It will never satisfy you. Always be thirsty. But if you drink Olivia what I offer you will never thirst again who's a living will or Jesus is all you have to do to see this principle is true that Rich is doubly blessed. She is observe the lifestyle of the rich and famous dissident money opulence and pleasure are never enough in their labs are usually a trail of tears, divorces and heartaches second Timothy chapter 3 verses one through five hours man a very sad commentary on our world today, but mark this. This is Paul writing to Timothy he said, but mark this bill be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful trial unholy lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God have any form of godliness was that the Falls Church have a form of godliness but denying its power. He and have nothing to do with him.

It is actually nothing wrong with working hard and successful in having well as long as it does not become your God as long as you hold it loosely as long as you're a generous giver. As long as you listen as long as you're working for the glory of God enough of your own glory. You give him the glory your successful but mostly can't handle money or success for most men, even Christians, money, listen, money is more of a curse than a blessing it is to be a weight around you dragging you down spiritually wise that because as alluring when you have it is difficult to other you're about losing it whereby get more of it to get enough of it and success to become intoxicating. You see is difficult to really rely on God when you can look in the pipe and see what your source of security might be getting out of this wealth more often than not, as I see it is a drag on me and spiritually, Christian men, let me just say this just to set the record straight is possible to be wealthy and still keep your heart and mind of Christ other plenty of godly businessmen who give tens of thousands of hundreds of thousands, even millions to the church anonymously into the ministries they support a jockey for blessing them why I believe is a hold onto a loosely Lord is yours you bring in what you won't to get what you want. I got a friend of mine who turn will talk about giving and stuff and he was sure we did a few years back at the beginning of the business year.

He's got a very successful business picked up his wife said let's give everything we make all the income that you to God's arrest got a sense of humor is the best you would have had a history of company, but the artist pledge this if you want to see God. Spiritual blessings in your life, man, you can't give God no matter how little or how much you have be a generous giver just like the woman in the Bible who gave her two pennies, but it was all she had stated all human who are struggling financially. Don't envy the wealthy do you know why were they all die, they leave it all behind somebody else to worry about Psalm 49 verses 16 through 19. Give some real wisdom on this idea that you don't envy the rich do not. The overall demand was rich and the splendor of his house increases. We would take nothing with him when he dies his splendor will not go down with him to leave it behind. Though while he lives he can himself blessed and then praise you when you prosper xenotropic conference when you got a money since he will join the generation of his father's who would never see the light of life is the second reason Jesus gives a strong warning about the riches of the world is is a report. Jesus is the destiny of this world better than anyone else and he knows the destiny of all those men and women who reject God's grace and mercy weapons world one day pass why the world as we know it for this world is present form. According to first Corinthians 7 says is passing away. Second Peter 310 through 13 says, but the day of the Lord will come like a thief.

That's what is coming back. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire in the earth and everything in it will be late and they are since everything men will be destroyed in this way will kind of men ought we to be will to live holy and godly lives as we look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That they will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are in Christ. Looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth to be the home of righteousness. But she did yesterday 11 four. The longer I live the more Ross's world is a satisfying to hear a few takeaways in closing, if this world is your greatest treasure say this, but unity. Above all men Jesus and what good will it be for granted it again so world get looser. So what can a man give in exchange for so is priceless. You cannot put a price on so also is the only part of us and of this world man that will last forever. Our souls are destined. According to Scripture one or two places heaven, we cannot give anything or paid amount of money to person what happened.

So what's the solution is our greatest treasure.

Jesus he's 20 paid the price for us. He's the one. The veil was open up, it gives us access to the heavenly father. He went before us. All we got was following him and he's is an invitation men to the whole world, but he stucco force his way into any man's heart. God gave them to the world as a gift, but we must receive this gift this treasure and there's only one way.

John 112. His decision to all who believed him, she would to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to what become children of God is a work of God, man really is true. Men following Jesus is costly but is one of my heroes. The late Darlene Rose said says said 40.the compensations for outweigh the cost for the compensations. Look at verses 22 and 23 almost done. Blessed are you, man. Women hate she will exclude you and insult you and reject your name because of the Son of Man, rejoicing that day and leap for joy.

This was Chris great reward in heaven.

I could do own and on and on about the blessings that come to the man who truly father followed Jesus just to name a few. Spiritual guidance to take you by the hand and lick his life and gadgetry all the decision you have to make got you guys work you and peace and joy that Blessed assurance that you know your name is written the Lamb's book of life. I think you should gift of eternal life so that you when you die, the cruise just falls asleep and steps in a paradise where you will enjoy rewards in blessings, the likes of which you've never seen forever and ever.

CS Lewis wisely said that this about pursuing the pleasures of this world, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but to wait. We are halfhearted creatures about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered to us like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pass in Islam cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday. See because we are far too easily pleased. Jesus is the greatest treasure that possess and that's all because he possessed me a good reserve. Do you know him as your great treasure you would come the realization that all the stuff they were pursuing never brings real happiness go to vacation some island is a good time. No degrees out. Then you go back to everyone that much fun. I just recommend as if you never place your trust in Jesus that you do so is a look at this world right now noticing such chaos overlooking 1/3 world war we deal with pestilences, natural disasters, earthquakes, farmers but Otay.

This, in the midst of all this dark world. God is at work. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it. Jesus the light of the world that is light shine in your heart man you experience joy to the world is nothing about strong heavy father, thank you for this day. Thank you for your word like you Lord for the great treasure that you are to have everybody maturing in Lord help us to keep his treasure to myself. Have to go out and be when the sheriff is treasure with others in our place to protect us from this virus that you will keep us safe and secure that you will protect our families or that you bring up this first one in lower pray for our country that our country would repent and turn back to you present your key, have mercy on the world and prevented from going to war but we know Lord that wars and rumors of wars will continue to the end we had a one-day Lord you coming back to Principe's King of Kings and Lord of lords in your brain forever, because they would love your life comes being a Christian is not about being religious about having a dynamic alive relationship with Jesus Christ you been listening to finding purpose with pastor Russ Sanders glorifying God by helping men and their purpose for living. You can discover more about finding your purpose in life by checking out the resources@writingpurpose.net will connect to finding purpose on Facebook pastor Russ would also like to extend a special invitation for you to join him in over 300 other local men to study God's word together every Tuesday night at 7 PM in downtown Raleigh. Find out more finding purpose.net. This is the Truth Network