In the Sermon on the
Mount, Jesus describes the character of those who are entering His
kingdom. In Matthew 6: 19-34 Jesus is
essentially saying, “This is what I want you to be like, free from anxiety, seeking My kingdom, and laying up treasure
in heaven and not on earth.” In our study of The Treasure Principle we
are learning the joy and freedom of trusting Jesus as the Lord in every area of
our lives and treasuring Him and His kingdom above all else.
Treasure Principle #2 says: “My
Heart Always Goes Where I Put God’s Money”.
Our hearts always follow our treasure.
Even though God promise us generous rewards in a New Heaven and a New
Earth, “many Christians dread the thought of leaving this world.” “Why”, asks Randy Alcorn? “Because so many have stored up their
treasure on earth, not in heaven. Each
day brings us closer to death. If your
treasures are on earth, that means each day brings you closer to losing your
treasures…..to him, death is loss.” On
the other hand “He who lays up treasure in heaven looks forward to eternity;
he’s moving daily toward is treasure. To
him, death is gain.” (TP page 42 & 45)
Worship helps us keep our focus and
vision on eternity, on heaven, on our Treasure
- on Jesus.
The devotion and prayers
of the Puritans help me prepare for worship.
One of those prayers asks this:
May I never be importunate for temporal
blessings,
but always refer them to thy
fatherly goodness,
for thou knowest what I need before I ask;
May I never think I prosper unless my soul
prospers,
or that I am rich unless rich
toward thee,
or that I am wise unless wise unto salvation.
May I seek first thy kingdom and its
righteousness.
May I value things in relation to eternity.
May my spiritual welfare be my chief solicitude.
May I be poor, afflicted, despised and have thy
blessing,
rather than be successful in enterprise,
or have
more than my heart can wish,
or be admired by my fellow-men,
if thereby these
things make me forget thee.
May I regard the world as dreams, lies,
vanities,
vexation of spirit, and desire
to depart from it.
And may I seek my happiness in thy favour,
image,
presence, service.
(Valley Of Vision, “Desires”)
One of the songs we will use in our
service is based on the text of Matthew 6:19-20. Ann Griffiths originally wrote the first
verse of Gladly
Would I Leave Behind Me in 1805. The song declares a simple devotion to Christ
seen in the Christian’s desire to lay aside everything in order to gain
Christ. Everything we think and do
should echo this theme. You can preview it and hear it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFpexotDL5A
Gladly would I leave behind me all
the pleasure I have known,
To pursue surpassing treasures at
the throne of God the Son;
Worthy of unending worship, Love
and loveliness is He
By His precious death were
millions from the jaws of death set free.
Gladly would I give to Jesus all
affection, everything,
For the washing of His mercy makes
my ransomed heart to sing;
“Holy, holy!” is the chorus,
Rising up from those who see
Christ exalted, bright and
burning, full of power and purity.
CHORUS
Where else can I go? Jesus, You’re
the One that I was made to know;
What else can I do? Jesus, You’re my all; I gladly run to You.
Gladly would I flee temptations
for their troubles fill my life
Turn and seek my God and Savior
for His goodness satisfies;
Earthly treasures, all are
passing, thieves break in and rust destroys
But in God are awesome splendor,
Love, and everlasting joys.
TAG
Gladly would I give to Jesus, all
affection, everything;
For the washing of His mercy makes
my ransomed heart to sing.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFpexotDL5A
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