Luke 12:1-34
(v3) Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.
- God knows everything we do, say and think
- Just because others cannot see it, doesn't mean it will be forgotten
- As such we must love others even when they are not around and what we say to others about them should also be loving
(v7) Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
- God knows even the number of hairs on my head!
- He created us, so he knows literally everything about us
- If he created us and he loves us, then why do I worry? He will provide and supply me with everything that I need to fulfill his purpose for me
(v11-12) do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."
- not knowing what to say shouldn't hold me back from telling others of Christ
- Similarly not knowing how to do something (skills/gifts) shouldn't hold me back from serving him
- The holy spirit will teach me everything I need to know in order to defend Christ and myself
(v14) But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?"
- have I made Christ the judge of my life?
- Am I living my life as if Jess, P Matt or friends are the judge or am I living for the audience of one?
(v15) And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
- I'm quite materialistic and focused on things of this world
- But what will this bring me?
- Jesus directly says, life is not about the abundance of possessions or how much money I can make
(v20-21) But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God."
- What use is any world treasure
- It might bring me joy for even a life time but eventually it will fade
- Even great investments in the eyes of the world are poor investments if they aren't for God
(v28) But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!
- how often I have so little faith in God, and I trust myself to pull me through
- Jesus is rebuking those who are not dependent on Christ but are dependent on themselves instead
(v31) Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
- Jesus promised that when we seek his kingdom, we will be given everything we need regardless
- Instead of seeking things of this world and earthly treasures, seek Christ
(v33-34) Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
- Where is my treasure?
- Is it in my relationship? job? security? comfortability?
- When my treasure and heart are in the heavens, it is unfailing, immovable and unshakeable
- It brings EVERLASTING joy compared to the temporary joy found on Earth
Prayer:
Dear God, sorry for not trusting in your power. Sorry that I depend on myself and my own power to best live my life. Sorry that I place other things, gifts you've given me, above you. Please soften my heart and transform it so that I would prioritise you as the most important thing in my life. I pray I might continue to seek your kingdom alone and that I would rest in assurance of Christ. Would this bring great joy and comfort to continue living for you. I also pray this passage over Jess. Would you humble her heart and convict her through the gospel. Would you reveal how much you love her and how much greater you are than anything this world could ever offer. Would she run to you not only in times of need by also daily.
In your son's name,
Amen