Sermon on the Mount: CONSECRATED LIFE AND SERVICE Part 8

CONSECRATED LIFE AND SERVICE

FOREWORD

In the passages before us (Matthew 6:19-34), Jesus, in clear and simple language, sets our priorities straight. He puts first things first. He was addressing a mixed audience, some disciples or followers, others present out of curiosity. It is safe to say that “the twelve,” at this early stage of discipleship, had not yet gotten the service area of their lives in order. In fact, during His last evening with them be­fore His arrest and crucifixion—at “the last supper”—there was still “a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the great­est” (Luke 22:24). They were boastful as to their readiness to die with Him (Mark 14:31), but their emotions still had the priority over their consecration—as they proved before another sunset! (Mark 14:50).

Consecration means the dedication of one’s life, possessions, and service to God in sincere devotion to Him and His cause. It involves separation from everything that does not give honor and glory to Him in all of His persons. It is the abandonment of self and all self­ish purposes. An example is found in II Corinthians, Chapter 8. The Macedonian saints were undergoing “a great trial of affliction,” and they were in “deep poverty”; but “beyond their power” they responded to an appeal for aid to the poor. Paul writes: “And this they did, not [merely] as we hoped, but first

Gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God” (verse 5).

In this lesson, Jesus calls us to the full consecration of ourselves and all that we have and are to the Father, including the placing our trust in  His promises and providences: (1) Our “treasures” (vv. 19-21); (2) our service (vv. 22-24); and out trust (vv.25-34).

KEY TEXT: “Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).

Matthew 6:19-21, 24, 25, 33, 34

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; not yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more that meat, and the body than raiment?

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

I.   HEART VALUES (MATT. 6:19-21)

“Treasures” are anything considered valuable by any particular in­dividual. Money is not the only thing men treasure, though it may help to attain their desires—prestige, fame, or power.

A. Treasures on Earth: No treasure of earthly origin has enduring value. “For we brought nothing into this world [at birth], and it is certain we can carry nothing out [at death]” (I Tim. 6:7). Solomon sums it up well:

“I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of provinces...

“And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labor.

“Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun” (Ecc. 2:8, 10, 11).

The finest of furs and fabrics are ruined by the moth, and the stron­gest implements are corroded and eaten away by rust. All are sub­ject to the conniving thief. Likewise, the cherished hopes and pos­sessions of earth will only by “counterfeit” at heaven’s gate, and they who neglect “the true riches” will find that Satan, “the master thief,” has stolen every hope of eternal life!

B. Treasures in Heaven: How do we lay up treasures in heaven? We know, of course, that the material things of this earth are not intended. Undoubtedly, our salvation—justification by faith—is our greatest and most precious treasure. It is our very life, and Paul tells us that our life “is hid with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3). Peter describes it as “an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (I Peter 1:4). Then, God knows how to credit to our “account” our alms, our prayers, our fastings, our efforts toward the saving of souls—any consecrated service we render unto Christ and the church. We have the assur­ance that “...God is not unrighteous to forget our work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have min­istered [rendered service of any kind] to the saints, and do [con­tinue to] minister” (Heb. 6:10; see also Gal. 6:10).

One word of warning: There is nothing in heaven for that man or woman who “works” only for his own glory! It is a matter of the heart. Our choice of a “treasure storehouse” declares the condition of our hearts.

II.    CLEAR VISION DIRECTS SERVICE (MATT. 6:22-24)

Jesus uses the physical eye to illustrate the “single” eye. Eyes with 20/20 vision, and without astigmatism, cataracts, or glaucoma, pro­duce “single” eyesight. They see things as they are, without distor­tion or deception.

One must be born again to “see” the kingdom of God (John 3:3). Peter relates the “Christian virtues” to spiritual vision (See II Peter 1:1-11). When we receive “the righteousness of God” in justification by faith, His “divine power” also gives us “all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” We are made “partakers of the divine nature.” Beginning with that reception of faith, we are to add virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity. These virtues produce fruitfulness which, evidently, swells our “treasures account” in heaven. But Peter also has a word for those who show no evidence of these holy attributes:

“But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.”

In current terminology, one may be pronounced “legally blind,” yet be able to see in a limited measure. They “cannot see afar off’; perhaps cannot see anything clearly. They may have “double vi­sion”—an “evil eye.” Perhaps there is a relationship to being “double­minded”; wavering between faith and doubt; belief and unbelief; God and mammon! Yesterday they “saw it” that way; today they “see it” this way! Yesterday they felt like investing in heaven; today they decide to drive their stakes down deeper in this world. Jesus declares that they are struggling with an impossibility.

“No man CAN serve two masters... Ye CANNOT serve GOD and MAMMON.”

III. TRUST: THE CURE FOR ANXIETIES (MATT. 6:25-34)

A. Life’s Necessities Supplied: Here, we come to the test and proof of consecration. True consecration brings absolute and un­wavering trust in God for soul and body. Anxiety has no place in the trusting heart and mind; that is, there is no cause for uneasi­ness or worry. With respect to the earthly cares and needs of life, one can be “as free as a bird” and as relaxed as “the lilies of the field.” As the old hymn goes:

“Be not dismayed whate’er betide... beneath His wings of love abide;

God will take care of you.

“All ye may need He will provide.., nothing you ask will be denied;

God will take care of you.

“No matter what may be the test... Lean, weary one, upon His breast;

God will take care of you.”

Four times He says, “Take no thought...” or, more pointedly, “Why take ye thought...?” This is implicit trust!

B. Priority Matters: This kind of unquestioning, unwavering trust releases us to give our time and effort to the things that matter; both for now and eternity: “Seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

His kingdom—the spiritual abode of the redeemed, and His righteousness—the inheritance of the justified soul, should be the pri­ority objects of our desires. The more diligently we seek them, the more precious they will become to our hearts.

LIVING THE LESSON

Consecration is not something to be treated lightly. We do not play “fast and loose” with God. We do not say today, “I will die for You rather than deny You, then tomorrow “forsake Him in Gethesemane”! If we keep ourselves “tied to this world’s apron strings,” that enemy that binds us will see that we render no consecrated service to the God whom he hates!

NOW—while we have something to give—is the time to lay up trea­sures in heaven. NOW—while we have the strength for service—is the time to “see” and choose to serve God rather than mammon.

NOW—while He, “the Seeking Shepherd,” is wooing us to heaven—is the time for us to seek His kingdom and His righteousness! If we confuse our priorities, the time will come when we will be like the materially successful statesman, who, with death’s icy hand upon ~m, cried out, “I must leave all this! I must leave all this!” And “all this” was the trifling “treasures” of art and costly adornments for his earthly mansion! Yes, he left it all behind! And if he could have taken them with him, he would have cursed them in hell for taking him there!

If you have never accepted or if you have fallen away from Jesus Christ here are three steps you need to take to be saved:

You must admit you are a sinner, confess your sin to Jesus, repent (turn from all you know is wrong), ask Jesus to come in your heart, and begin to follow Jesus by reading and obeying his word and go to a bible believing church that teaches his word. And tell someone what Christ Jesus Has Done For You (Rev 12:10)  

May God through Christ bless you!

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