Eternal Treasures!

 Father’s Day!

                                                                Intro:

A.        Shortly after we moved here almost 5 years ago now, we did some work on the house.

            1.         I replaced damaged boards on the deck, and we painted it with Deck-over!

            2.         I power washed the house!

            3.         Among many other things.

 

            B.        This Spring, I noticed the house is needing power washed again!  The deck has some soft spots and needs some more boards replaced and at least part of it then repainted.  Things do not last forever!

 

            C.        Today is Father’s Day.  As fathers, many of us do those kinds of jobs around the

                        house.  It is kind of disheartening when we have to do them again! Let's look at

                        some of these things that do not last forever this morning, and maybe, by doing

                        this, it will point us to some things that do last forever!

 

            D.        We do need to do these things, but what things do we not need to forget to also

                        do?

                                                                         Prayer

                                                                   Matt. 6:19-21

I.          What are some of these things that don't last forever?

 

            A.        Jobs.

                        1.         No matter how secure we may feel, nothing in this life is secure!

                        2.         Our jobs aren't secure:

                                    a.         Company could file bankruptcy.

                                    b.         Poor management.

                                    c.         Imports can push us out.

                                    d.         Place of business burn.

            B.        Social Standing.

                        1.         Many times, when the money goes, this goes.

                        2.         Other times, it only takes a rumor to ruin our reputation!

 

            C.        Popularity.

                        1.         Very important to young people.

                        2.         Sometimes to older people too.

                                    a.         We want to do something to please people.

                                    b.         So we will be liked!

                                    c.         In life, this doesn't last; many times, the most popular person in

school won't be the most popular when they get out in life!

            d.         Sometimes, the things we have to do to be popular aren't pleasing

to God and aren't best for us in the long run!

 

            D.        Personal Possessions.

                        1.         These may be very important to us.

                        2.         But fire or a natural disaster can take these away instantly!

                        3.         Some things can never be replaced.

                        4.         For those things that can be replaced, we have insurance, but even

insurance isn't 100% secure!

 

            E.         Our scripture says:

                        1.         It is foolish to make these things most important to us (to make them our

treasures) because they will not always be there!

                        2.         It is like putting money in a pocket with holes in it!

 

II.        What are some things that will last forever and nothing can destroy?

 

            A.        Our relationship to Jesus Christ. (Rom. 8:38-39)

                        1.         Nothing can separate us.

                        2.         This relationship will last forever!

                        3.         We need to build on that relationship!

                                    a.         Prayer

                                    b.         Bible Reading

                                    c.         Worship

                                    d.         Service

                        4.         We need to invite people to that relationship by what we say and how we

                                    live!

                        5.         Men, well all of us, that is something worth giving our lives to!

 

            B.        That that we have done to the Glory of the Lord.  This covers a lot!

 

                        1.         Helping someone in need.

 

                        2.         Helping someone find the grace and love of God in Christ.

 

                        3.         Supporting through our financial means the ministry

                                    of the church so that ministry can go on beyond our walls!

a.         It blesses us to give!

b.         It is one way of investing in something that lasts!

 

                        4.         Ministering to those who are hurting: food, talk, prayers.

                                    a.         Sometimes life can get people down; they might even give up!

                                    b.         A word of encouragement, thoughtful food at a hard time, praying

with them may be just what they need to point them to a God who cares and loves them and can get them through!

 

                        5.         Ministering through the local church: doing children’s moment,  singing

                                    specials, doing bulletins, playing musical instruments, preaching, helping

                                    with lawn maintenance and inside cleaning of the church, working at

                                    Thrift Store, helping in tech booth, praying, calling on the sick &

                                    shut-ins, helping the poor, and so much more!

                                    a.         Because of the things we do through the local church, lives have

and will be changed for the good!

                                    b.         It will have eternal consequences!

                                    c.         What we do in God's name will not be in vain!

 

            C.        Welcoming all of God’s people into our church: making sure that all people

                        encounter the love of God through God’s people!

                        1.         We may be the only Bible some people read.  When they read us, do they

                                    know God loves them?

                        2.         Are we welcoming to immigrants to our country?

                        3.         Are we welcoming to people not like us: Blacks, Whites, Asians,

                                    Hispanics, different social class, or different gender or sexual orientation?

                        4.         In a world where people who call themselves Christians want to exclude

                                    women from God’s ministry and from certain rights and freedoms, and

                                    want to support unfair treatment of immigrants and people unlike

                                    themselves, we have an opportunity to really show the love of God shown

                                    to and lived among us in Jesus Christ!

                        5.         Many have been hurt by the church!  They are out there!  Somehow, by

                                    the way they experience us, they need to see that things might be different

                                    here.  Otherwise, they think we are just like the church who hurt them!

Conclusion:

 

            A.        Fathers, Men, well all of us, where are we placing our treasures?

            B.        What holds 1st priority in our lives?

            C.        Are we putting our lives into a pocket with holes in it?

D.        If we are, God's grace can change that this morning; just give it to God as we encounter Christ at the table this morning! What we do for Christ, will last!

 

                                                             Prayer of Confession

Service of Communion