Who Am I? The Gospel According to Matthew 19

The Gospel According to Matthew

INTRODUCTION:  Well I have been up in New York this entire week with the Present Truth Drama Team.  We have been having a fantastic time.  Today was 12 hours in the city that started on the Staten Island Ferry at 5 am.  Then after returning home at 5 pm, I had to shop for dinner make dinner (with plenty of help from others) and then feed the cherubs. But, what a week to be studying this weeks passage. 

There is so much in this city that is amazing but there is also so much commercialism.  So many huge stores and then places like Times Square where there are ads and screens that climb the tall buildings selling EVERYTHING.  

I remember as a little girl, living in Mount Vernon Ohio that I loved seeing the church steeple pointing toward the sky, lit up at night. I believed that the point of the steeple on the church was to point people to Jesus and heaven.  The fact that it was lit at night and seemed to rise up out of the trees as an illuminated arrow made it all the more special.  

This week it has not been steeples that have been pointing to heaven.  It has been things, money.  All of that has been climbing the tallest buildings toward heaven.  

READ: 

Matthew 6:16-24

Fasting

16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

This first section is about being what?

Transparent?

Ethical?

Having Integrity

Are you what people see?

What faces do you put on to keep others from knowing you?

Are you the same behind closed doors when no one is looking on, not even your spouse or your kids.

Integrity is not something you have it is who you are...

What do you think?

Treasures in Heaven

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,[a] your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy,[b] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Treasure.  There are lots of treasure in NYC.  Stores that are so expensive it is unreal.  Yesterday I went into the Plaza Hotel and decided that I was meant to be a Plaza Hotel guest!  I think I could be very happy there!  It was amazing!  I walked around in my not so cute coat and my rain boots feeling very out of place but Oh so enjoying the beauty of it all!

The first section about treasure has always been implied as speaking about dollars... however, look closely.  It can be money but what about other things too.  For example, what about husbands and wives.  Wouldn't it be interesting to read this to be MORE than just money.  It isn't JUST about where your money goes, but where your time is and with whom.  How do you spend your time, what are you watching, shopping for, what are you saving for, what do you do when no one is around?

This entire passage is really about being a person of integrity.
After reading it, what traits make up a person of integrity?

Is there any area of your life that needs improving to make you a person of integrity?

Take a moment and write down some examples of integrity.

Here again Jesus is saying that He needs us to do more.  It is not enough to be good in public.  IT isn't enough to be good when people see your goodness.  He wants you not just someone who does what is right but someone who does what is right even if your private sin will never be exposed.  

Jesus calls us to more. 

Who are you? Who are you in public?  Who are you in private?  Who are you?