291 - Heart's Treasure

Illustrate Humor: Illustration: Herman and Henrietta were touring their brand-new house, a house that Henrietta had paid for with her money, a fact of which she often reminded Herman. In each room of the house, she said to her husband, ¡§Herman, if it were not for my money, we wouldn¡¦t be here.¡¨ Herman didn¡¦t say a word.

That afternoon a truck delivered to the house a load of furniture, furniture that Henrietta paid for with her money. After the furniture was in place, the couple toured the house again. As they observed each room, beautifully appointed and magnificently decorated, Henrietta reminded her husband, ¡§Herman, if it were not for my money, this furniture would not be here.¡¨ Again, Herman was silent.

Late in the afternoon a truck came with a special piece of furniture which was to be the focal point of the den, a combination stereo-television-computer all wrapped into one gorgeous piece of furniture which Henrietta paid for with her money. When it was in place, Henrietta again addressed her husband, ¡§If it were not for my money, that piece of furniture would not be here.¡¨ Finally, Herman spoke, ¡§Honey, I don¡¦t want to make you feel bad, but if it were not for your money, I wouldn¡¦t be here!¡¨ (Harbour, Rising Above the Crowd, 7)

1 PP SLIDE: Sermon Study 291 ¡V HEART¡¦S TREASURE

Key Scripture: Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Illustrate Stats: Gallop poll recently: 64% of all couples argue over money issues¡K.

And ¡K this is also the #1 cause for all divorces¡K 54% of all divorces are over money issues¡K

Explain: Acts 8:9-22 - Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, [10] and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, "This man is the divine power known as the Great Power." [11] They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. [12] But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. [13] Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

[14] When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. [15] When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, [16] because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. [17] Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

[18] When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money [19] and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

[20] Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! [21] You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. [22] Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.

Illustrate Humor: A College student had the following message on his dorm answering machine:

¡§Hi! This is Fred. If it¡¦s the phone company, I sent the money. If it¡¦s Mom or Dad, please send money. If it¡¦s the financial office, you didn¡¦t loan me enough money. If it¡¦s my girlfriend, leave a message-- and don¡¦t worry, I¡¦ve got plenty of money.¡¨

2 PP SLIDE: HEART EXAMINATION

1. Who are you seeking?

„Ã Mat 6:31-33 So do not worry, saying, ’What shall we eat?’ or ’What shall we drink?’ or ’What shall we wear?’ [32] For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. [33] But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

2. Who will you serve?

Illustrate Humor: I heard about a rich man who was determined to take his wealth with him. He told his wife to get all his money together, put it in a sack, and then hang the sack from the rafters in the attic. He said, "When my spirit is caught up to heaven, I¡¦ll grab the sack on my way." Well he eventually died, and the woman raced to the attic, only to find the money still there. She said, "I knew I should¡¦ve put the sack in the basement."