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Respectability and Wealth

Respectability and Wealth

Sep 28, 2014

Preacher: Rev. Steve Mattis

Series: The Greatest Sermon Ever Preached

Category: Sunday Sermons

Detail:

We have been walking through “The Greatest Sermon ever Preached”
The Sermon on the Mount.

Discovering answers to the two great questions forced upon all of us by human life:

Who really is well off?

Who is a genuinely good person?

The one really well off (Blessed):
One whose life is based upon acceptance of and intimate interaction with what God is doing in human history.

Kingdom of God is at hand! Now present! Jesus brings us into this kingdom. (Reign) Into personal interactive relationship with himself and with His Father.

The kingdom of God is present where Jesus rules and reigns (interactively) in the heart.

The genuinely good person:
Is one - who from the deepest levels of their hearts and motives are committed to promoting the good of everyone they deal with.

This is the kingdom lived out - “beyond the righteousness of the Scribes and the Pharisees!”

This union of our heart with the rule of the King, thrusts us into the conspiracy to undermine the structures of evil, (in the world) with the forces of truth, freedom and love!

Matthew 6:1-4

Two of the greatest impediments of Kingdom life in us.

Reputation and wealth.

The lure of religious honor, reputation and respectability. Matt. 23:1-11

Religious symbols on their cloths. Prominent seats at dinners. Respectful greeting in public. Being called “professor or doctor.”

Religious posturing around the rear end of cars. Bragging and exhibitionism on bumper stickers and T-shirts. Routine puffing of credentials and resumes.

Much of our behavior that passes for a normal part of our self-esteem culture.

All that is part of life without a true sense of our standing in the Presence of God; God living in us wanting to be seen by love.

Children of the Kingdom are to have none of this:

You have one Father in heaven. Vr. 9

You have “one teacher” and you are all students and apprentices. Vr. 10

You have one leader, the Anointed one. The servant is the greatest among you. Vr. 11

We play to an audience of one! God really does see!

Securing ones life through Wealth:

When you give! Don’t give to be seen by men.

Kingdom people will give because they have been given so much!

Generosity is the truest sign of the Kingdom.

Tithe and Alms (gifts) Love and mercy

Secrecy - Giving before the God who sees.

Rewards! God sees in secret rewards openly!

Kingdom people:

People transformed by their daily walk with God.

Their deeds naturally flow from a kingdom heart.

Doing “good” to others doesn’t require reflection.

Love of God and genuine Love of others is the chief motivation in life.

Recognize that every small action when motivated by the King - has eternal impact!

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