Preacher: Rev. Steve Mattis
Series: The Greatest Sermon Ever Preached
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Sermon on the Mount

Matt. 6:16-24

“Treasure in the Heavens”

Vrs. 16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites…that they may appear before men to be fasting.”

Moreover, links this teaching on fasting with verse 5 on praying and verse 2 on doing charitable deeds or giving.

When you do any spiritual practice…Don’t do them in order to be seen by man.

Principle:

The Spiritual Discipline of Secrecy breaks the human bondage to seeking or needing the approval of men.

The Discipline of Secrecy strips us of Hypocrisy.

• Vrs. 4 Give in secret, your Father rewards you.
• Vrs. 6 Pray in secret, your Father rewards you.
• Vrs. 18 Fast in secret, your Father rewards you.

How does God Reward us?

Genesis 15:1 “After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, Do not be afraid Abram. I am your shield, your
exceedingly great reward.”

Hebrews 11:6 “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

God always rewards us with His Presence!

Jesus then teaches via another Contrast:

Vrs. 19 Treasures on earth.

No real security! Moths, rust, thieves.

Vrs. 20 Treasures in Heaven.

Imperishable, undefiled, last for ever!

Vrs. 21 Want to know where your heart is?

Look at where your treasure is!
What you value most.

Contrast is between: The heart set on the visible and temporary things of the earth (contrasted to)

The heart set on the unseen riches of the Kingdom of God. God’s Presence.

Vrs. 22-23 Jesus asks, How is your Eye?

The good eye vrs. The bad eye.

Hebrew idiom.. “The generous person.”
Dwight Prior – Cen. for Judaic-Christian Study

The whole passage began to make sense!

People who live in the Kingdom are not overly captivated by things. (Treasures)

They live in the reality – to Love God – to Love People – and use things. (treasure) For Kingdom purposes.

Rather than – to love things (treasures) and use God and use people. (for your own ends)

Vrs. 24 You really cannot serve two masters. (Captured our heart)

You really will end up hating one and loving the other!

You cannot (long term) love God and Love Riches!

It is an issue of who is your MASTER.

The Good Eye (Generosity) is how we demonstrate – who our master really is.

Sermon on the Mount

Matt. 6:16-24

“Treasure in the Heavens”

Vrs. 16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites…that they may appear before men to be fasting.”

Moreover, links this teaching on fasting with verse 5 on praying and verse 2 on doing charitable deeds or giving.

When you do any spiritual practice…Don’t do them in order to be seen by man.

Principle:

The Spiritual Discipline of Secrecy breaks the human bondage to seeking or needing the approval of men.

The Discipline of Secrecy strips us of Hypocrisy.

• Vrs. 4 Give in secret, your Father rewards you.
• Vrs. 6 Pray in secret, your Father rewards you.
• Vrs. 18 Fast in secret, your Father rewards you.

How does God Reward us?

Genesis 15:1 “After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, Do not be afraid Abram. I am your shield, your
exceedingly great reward.”

Hebrews 11:6 “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

God always rewards us with His Presence!

Jesus then teaches via another Contrast:

Vrs. 19 Treasures on earth.

No real security! Moths, rust, thieves.

Vrs. 20 Treasures in Heaven.

Imperishable, undefiled, last for ever!

Vrs. 21 Want to know where your heart is?

Look at where your treasure is!
What you value most.

Contrast is between: The heart set on the visible and temporary things of the earth (contrasted to)

The heart set on the unseen riches of the Kingdom of God. God’s Presence.

Vrs. 22-23 Jesus asks, How is your Eye?

The good eye vrs. The bad eye.

Hebrew idiom.. “The generous person.”
Dwight Prior – Cen. for Judaic-Christian Study

The whole passage began to make sense!

People who live in the Kingdom are not overly captivated by things. (Treasures)

They live in the reality – to Love God – to Love People – and use things. (treasure) For Kingdom purposes.

Rather than – to love things (treasures) and use God and use people. (for your own ends)

Vrs. 24 You really cannot serve two masters. (Captured our heart)

You really will end up hating one and loving the other!

You cannot (long term) love God and Love Riches!

It is an issue of who is your MASTER.

The Good Eye (Generosity) is how we demonstrate – who our master really is.

Sermon on the Mount

Matt. 6:16-24

“Treasure in the Heavens”

Vrs. 16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites…that they may appear before men to be fasting.”

Moreover, links this teaching on fasting with verse 5 on praying and verse 2 on doing charitable deeds or giving.

When you do any spiritual practice…Don’t do them in order to be seen by man.

Principle:

The Spiritual Discipline of Secrecy breaks the human bondage to seeking or needing the approval of men.

The Discipline of Secrecy strips us of Hypocrisy.

• Vrs. 4 Give in secret, your Father rewards you.
• Vrs. 6 Pray in secret, your Father rewards you.
• Vrs. 18 Fast in secret, your Father rewards you.

How does God Reward us?

Genesis 15:1 “After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, Do not be afraid Abram. I am your shield, your
exceedingly great reward.”

Hebrews 11:6 “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

God always rewards us with His Presence!

Jesus then teaches via another Contrast:

Vrs. 19 Treasures on earth.

No real security! Moths, rust, thieves.

Vrs. 20 Treasures in Heaven.

Imperishable, undefiled, last for ever!

Vrs. 21 Want to know where your heart is?

Look at where your treasure is!
What you value most.

Contrast is between: The heart set on the visible and temporary things of the earth (contrasted to)

The heart set on the unseen riches of the Kingdom of God. God’s Presence.

Vrs. 22-23 Jesus asks, How is your Eye?

The good eye vrs. The bad eye.

Hebrew idiom.. “The generous person.”
Dwight Prior – Cen. for Judaic-Christian Study

The whole passage began to make sense!

People who live in the Kingdom are not overly captivated by things. (Treasures)

They live in the reality – to Love God – to Love People – and use things. (treasure) For Kingdom purposes.

Rather than – to love things (treasures) and use God and use people. (for your own ends)

Vrs. 24 You really cannot serve two masters. (Captured our heart)

You really will end up hating one and loving the other!

You cannot (long term) love God and Love Riches!

It is an issue of who is your MASTER.

The Good Eye (Generosity) is how we demonstrate – who our master really is.