Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. Goals

a) We want to have a stronger faith

b) We want to have a faith that is relevant

2. Important Features to bear in mind

a) Faith

i) Genuine

ii) Growing

b) Practices

i) Correction of wrong practices

ii) Consistent practice of good ones

PART II

1. The Treasures of our life   (Matthew 6:19)

a) Treasures of earth

i) Wealth

ii) Fame

iii) Truth: Heart and Treasure
Where your Treasure is, there the heart will be also   (Matthew 6:21)

b) Treasures in Heaven

i) Things above (Colossians 3:1-4)

ii) Christ the Lord

iii) Truth: Heart and Treasure
Where your Treasure is, there the heart will be also   (Matthew 6:21)

2. The Lamp of the body    (Matthew 6:22)

a) The lamp is used figuratively as “the eye”

b) If the eye is good
Your whole body is full of light (Matthew 6:22)

c) If the eye is bad
Your whole body will be full of darkness (Matthew 6:23)

d) Truth:
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)

3. The Master you serve

a) No one can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24)

i) He will love one
He will hate the other

ii) He will be loyal to one
And despise the other

b) God or Mammon

i) We cannot serve both

ii) We must choose one or the other

(1) God

(2) Mammon (Hebrew/Syriac word) that represents money/wealth

iii) Choose wisely!

c) The love of money (1 Timothy 6:9-10)

i) Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation (1 Timothy 6:9)

ii) It becomes a snare

iii) One will fall into foolish and harmful lusts

iv) One could drown in destruction and perdition (1 Timothy 6:9)

v) The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10)

vi) Some have strayed from their faith in their greediness

vii) Pierced themselves through with many sorrows (1 Timothy 6:10)

4. Worries

a) The Problem of Worrying

i) All of us worry

ii) The question is the extent of worrying

b) Things we worry about:

i) Life (in general)

ii) What to eat or drink (Matthew 6:25, 31)

iii) The clothing we will wear (Matthew 6:25, 28, 31)

5. Important Challenges

a) Do not worry      (Matthew 6:25, 31, 34)

i) Learn to Trust God as our Heavenly Father
Learn to look up to God as our Father in heaven
Who feeds the birds (Matthew 6:26)

ii) Remember: We are of more value than birds (Matthew 6:26)

b) Stop Worrying
It does no good at all (Matthew 6:27)

c) The problem of “little faith”

i) Worrying expresses a lack of knowledge and faith in God

ii) Worrying stunts the growth of our faith

iii) “Little faith” can become a feature of our life

d) Seeking the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33)

i) Seek the kingdom of God
Seek knowledge of God
Seek understanding of the kingdom of God

ii) Seek righteousness
Real faith in God expresses itself in practical righteousness

iii) God will be there with us in life

e) Practical Wisdom 

i) Don’t worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:34a)

ii) Today’s trouble is enough to cope with (Matthew 6:34b)