Worship

What, or who do you treasure in your life? For our culture today, our treasure is clearly what we buy. The average person in the Western world is exposed to an astonishing number of advertisements every single day. Some research suggests that when you take into account streaming commercials, radio, Tv, podcasts, and online platforms, this level reaches levels of 10,000 advertisements daily. What’s more, each advertisement has been created only after extensive study of what you want and desire. These commercials on the surface, are harmless. Who doesn’t want to be happy or improve their lives? I am always looking for a new book to read, and my family is always on the lookout for things to make their lives better. I am sure you want the lives of your kids and grandkids to be improved as well. Here is the problem: The message of “get more to be happy, safe, and fulfilled” is the opposite of what we hear from the lips of Jesus. Hear the words of Matthew’s Gospel: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”-Matthew 6:19-21 . One of the most dangerous aspects of materialism is how subtly its power takes hold of our hearts. What feels like benign “stuff” actually can dethrone God in our hearts and lives. In some particularly sobering words, Jesus warns us that money holds a unique power to gain mastery over us (Matthew 6:24). As theologian Walter Brueggemann puts it: The way of mammon (capital, wealth) is the way of commodity that is the way of endless desire, endless productivity, and endless restlessness without any Sabbath. Jesus taught his disciples that they could not have it both ways. His message consistently calls his followers to simplify their lives. To recognise the fragility and worthlessness of worldly treasure and instead pursue a treasure that is safeguarded for eternity.

Jesus goes even further in today’s passage (read verses 22–24) and says that money very easily becomes an idol (or false god) and replaces God’s role and function in our lives. The Protestant reformer Martin Luther, who wrote several books and hymns including the classic “A Mighty Fortress is our God” described idols as “whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your god and your functional savior” Or, to put it in more simple terms, money and stuff easily become the places we look to for our safety, our security and our sense of significance. If Jesus asked us to give up something important to our hearts, what would it be? A car, or a savings account, a house, clothes, make-up, a games console, or even an iPhone! Whether we register it or not, we all live in the culture of “materialism”, even more so than when Jesus taught the disciples. Pastor Pete Grieg, the founder of Prayer 24/7 and Lectio 365, pointed out that the global beauty industry is worth a staggering $600 billion a year. Are we aware of the pull that belongings have on us? The desert father Hyperichius this resistance to this kind of pull, starts with a choice: “To accept that we will not always have what we want is the monk’s treasure. Therefore, my brother, lay up treasure in heaven, where there will be endless time for rest.” In an age of wealth, next-day delivery, and fast fashion, the idol of materialism is one that we encounter daily. What would it look like, during this season of Lent, to intentionally resist the powers of consumerism and materialism in our lives? How can we make Jesus our greatest treasure as we march towards Good Friday and Easter? That is what I want to talk about today.

When Jesus calls people to make Him His greatest treasure, He calls them first to let go of what they consider to be their greatest treasure: “Jesus looked at him and loved him. One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”-Mark 10:21.Wait, is Jesus serious? Everything I have needs to be gone by tommorrow? What did Jesus mean? Let me tell you. I just got back from a pilgrimage trip to Israel. One of the many places we had a chance to see is the Mount of the Beatiudes. Located between 84 and 100 miles from Jerusalem and the capital of Israel Tel Aviv, its location is 400 ft or so off the Sea of Galilee with almost an amphitheater view (see below). The location is a gorgeous plain that has more than enough room for as many people as possible to be seated. Surrounded by mountains and some of the oldest cites in the world, including Capernum, this holy place gave Jesus a strategic place to do great ministry as he had towns on hills and Sea of Galilee fishing ports were he could meet all kinds of people. Due to what we know about the time, the geography, archeological findings and other things to consider that is beyond the scope of this sermon, this was the place Jesus would have have preached the Sermon on the Mount, including today’s text. Not a half mile away, is the Church of Mulitplication. This church, constructed in the Second century, is the place Jesus fed the 5,000. The church, like many places in Israel, was built not just for worship, but also for protection. Pagans would show up and try to destroy these holy sites, so churches were created to protect them and keep pagans out of these sacred places. It was opposition that marked the spot of some of the most important sites of Jesus ministry. If you look in the picture below, a 5th century Mosaic of 2 fish and 4 loaves bread was created, not 500 years after the miracle happened. Why not 5? After all, for the Jewish people, and Jewish Christians , bread was a treasure to have. Plus, doesn’t the Bible say Jesus took two fish and 5 loaves of bread? If you want to understand many of Jesus’ teachings, you have to understand bread.

In first-century Judea and Galilee, bread was a treasure and the primary means of life. It wasn’t just a treasure, it was essential to survival. Most people were poor, so meat, was rare. Bread was served in two types, barley for the poor, wheat for those who had more money — was eaten every single day. Grinding grain took hours. Women typically rose early to grind flour by hand. As much as it was treasured as essential to survival, making bread wasn’t convenient; it was labor. That’s why when Jesus teaches in Gospel of Matthew 6:11, “Give us this day our daily bread,” He is talking about literal survival. It meant:“God, if You don’t provide today, we don’t eat.” There was no fridge. No storage system for weeks ahead. Daily bread meant daily dependence. That is why Jesus responds with:“I am the bread of life.”-John 6:35. When tempted by the devil, Jesus reminds the tempter that man does not eat by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. These statements by Jesus give a glimpse of the purpose of the Mosaic found at this church and our theme today . When Jesus feeds the 5,000 in Gospel of John 6 not a mile from were he preached the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is claiming, and followers of Jesus believed Him to be the true treasure from heaven — not just temporary bread, but the source of life itself. Bread was important, but without Jesus as the “Jireh”, or “provider”, then all the bread in the world could not save them, no matter how hard they worked.

When Jesus says “were your treasure is your heart will be also” he is saying examinethe purpose of what you own.There is nothing wrong with owning two cars, taking vacations, making a lot of money, making daily bread, having a savings account, or making that extra purchase of something you want. But, if the thing you own gets in the way of loving Jesus, it is an idol, get it out of your life! What stuff might be getting in the way of you following Jesus? In the words of Martin Luther – what does your heart cling to? If you were to look through your online shopping history, your social media feed, or your most recent bank statement, what would it say about where you look for security or significance in things or in community? Be the type of Christian that let’s go of what you consider to be your greatest treasure so you can follow Jesus.

In my own life, what was my greatest treasure for a long time was football. I see some of you snickering, but hear me out. Growing up, football was a thing for me. I watched Texas Tech every Saturday. I played football in high school. This will really speak to the kids, I even used to do something alien and weird today, I played football outside, with no technology in sight, for hours! We would start playing a game on a summer morning, pretending to be Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin, Joe Montana, etc. Mom and Dad would call my brothers and me in to eat, but after lunch, we would back out and do it again. It was freedom! When I moved out, I continued to make football a priority each Saturday. Then I met Rhiannon. We had an opportunity to go to Austin one year and tour the Capitol, you would think that would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a young college kid, right? No! I told her :” But babe, Alabama and LSU are playing!” Strike one for me. Rhiannon, being the supportive girlfriend, said that was fine and we would watch the game. We bought food, did the “football thing” with snacks, and we were ready to watch. Well, during the game, I did what all guys do in sports, I believed that somehow yelling “come on” would get the team to play better! Strike 2 for me. Strike 3 came when Alabama lost, and friends, I got frustrated. Rhiannon sat me down and said “Baby, I love you, but how you acted today isn’t going to fly anymore!” Friends, message received! Football had become an idol for me, and Rhiannon exposed my idolatry. I still watch the game today, and I sometimes slip back into that treasure sports mindset. But most of the time I do, Jesus always reminds me of how rich I truly am. I will then offer Rhiannon a different option “Hey babe, wanna watch Netflix? Wanna go for a walk?” Friends, making Jesus my greatest treasure was one of the best decisions of my life, and it helped my relationship immensely.

Let’s briefly get pratical. After all, if we want Jesus to be our highest treasure, anyone can give something up, what do we replace the “thing” with? One of the best tools the Bible gives us to make Jesus our greatest treasure is worship: Paul recommends this very thing to the church in Colosse: “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”-Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬. A heart of worship for God helps us to notice and express how much we already have in Christ. The hymn writer agreed with this: “Be Thou my Vision oh Lord of my heart, naught be all else to me save that Thou art, Thou my best thought by day or by night waking our sleeping my presence my light” Worship helps us to develop true joy and happiness in Christ and living life right were we are now, today! Put another way, worship helps us realize that the treasure we deeply desire can actually be found in Christ. Have you ever heard someone say after a worship service or a wedding that was rooted in scripture walk away saying “I am tired, but man what a day!” That is why Sunday worship is so important. It is a continual pathway to joy and renewal. The more you come and sing to the Lord, and hear the Word proclaimed, and share the love of Christ, these 3 biblical practices will shape your character and life in ways that you and I want and crave.

I invite you to give thanks to Jesus as our portion and highest treasure of your life. I also invite you to remember the lesson of how important bread was in the first few centuries of the church in Galilee, and how they were willing to say Christ was their greatest treasure. Some of us, we have treasures in our lives, that are important, but they have a grip on us right now and we consider them more important than Jesus. We would never say that, but our actions show it. Let them go. The more you make Jesus your greatest treasure and deny yourself of other treasures, important as they may be, the more your Sunday worship life will spill over into your week, your work, and your relationships, and your life will be better for it. What would it take to make Jesus your greatest treasure? May the Spirit of Christ settle your minds and give rest to your hearts as you make Him your highest treasure this week. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.