TheTheChristChristFactorFactor

Jeff StriteJeff Stritehttp://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=127931http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=127931

A preacher and a member of his A preacher and a member of his congregation stood by the side of the congregation stood by the side of the road. They were taking turns holding road. They were taking turns holding

up a sign that said,up a sign that said,

““The End is Near!The End is Near!Turn around beforeTurn around before

it’s too late!"it’s too late!"

It wasn’t too long until a car drove up, It wasn’t too long until a car drove up, the driver saw the sign, rolled down his the driver saw the sign, rolled down his window and yelled out: "I just wish you window and yelled out: "I just wish you religious nuts would leave us alone!" religious nuts would leave us alone!" and he sped up and drove around the and he sped up and drove around the

curve out of sight. curve out of sight.

Shortly, you could hear the sound of Shortly, you could hear the sound of tires screeching on the pavement… tires screeching on the pavement…

and a big splash.and a big splash.The church member turned to his The church member turned to his

preacher and said, “You know, I told preacher and said, “You know, I told you we should have just put up a sign you we should have just put up a sign

that said ’bridge out’” that said ’bridge out’”

It’s obvious that those church people It’s obvious that those church people should have been more selective in should have been more selective in

what they put on their sign. And, what they put on their sign. And, because they weren’t careful in how because they weren’t careful in how they phrased their warning… a driver they phrased their warning… a driver

ignored them.ignored them.

If something is important enough - if it’s If something is important enough - if it’s critical enough – critical enough –

we try to be careful what we say and we try to be careful what we say and how we say it. how we say it.

There are times when we do not want to There are times when we do not want to be misunderstood.be misunderstood.

In Hebrews 1, In Hebrews 1, GodGod is telling us that is telling us that HeHe was was very selective in how very selective in how

HeHe spoke to us. spoke to us.Hebrews 1:1Hebrews 1:1 NIV NIV In the past God spoke to In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at our forefathers through the prophets at

many times and in various ways,many times and in various ways, GodGod Spoke. Spoke.

GodGod had something to say. had something to say.

And what And what HeHe had to say was so had to say was so important that important that HeHe had a very special had a very special

group of people called “group of people called “prophetsprophets” that ” that HeHe spoke through. And spoke through. And HeHe repeated repeated HisHis message through those prophets message through those prophets

at “at “many times and in various many times and in various waysways.” .”

Now, that implies that Now, that implies that God had something specific God had something specific

HeHe wanted to talk about. wanted to talk about.What could that be?What could that be?

Well, Hebrews tells us plainly:Well, Hebrews tells us plainly:GodGod spoke through those prophets at spoke through those prophets at many many

times and in various waystimes and in various waysBUT NOW He has spoken by BUT NOW He has spoken by His SonHis Son..

What that’s telling us is this:What that’s telling us is this:His SonHis Son was the message. was the message.

The coming of The coming of JesusJesus was what God was was what God was focusing on all through the Old focusing on all through the Old

Testament times.Testament times.In fact there is the repeated message In fact there is the repeated message

throughout the throughout the Old Testament: Old Testament:

““Somebody’s comingSomebody’s coming”. ”.

Sometimes, Sometimes, GodGod could be real subtle. could be real subtle.For example, one man told of an intriguing For example, one man told of an intriguing

message he found in the genealogies.message he found in the genealogies.Genealogies are those boring sections of Genealogies are those boring sections of

Scripture that nobody seems to enjoy reading, Scripture that nobody seems to enjoy reading, and yet – in the genealogy of Noah we find and yet – in the genealogy of Noah we find

these names:these names:Adam - Seth - Enosh - Kenan - Mahalalel - Adam - Seth - Enosh - Kenan - Mahalalel -

Jared - Enoch - Methuselah - Lamech – Noah. Jared - Enoch - Methuselah - Lamech – Noah.

In the Jewish language each one of In the Jewish language each one of those names had a meaning.those names had a meaning.

Adam, for example Adam, for example means “Man”means “Man”

Seth means “appointed”,Seth means “appointed”,Enosh means “mortal… and so on. Enosh means “mortal… and so on.

So this man took the meanings of each of So this man took the meanings of each of those names came up with the most those names came up with the most

intriguing message:intriguing message:“Man - appointed - mortal - “Man - appointed - mortal - sorrow – sorrow – The blessed GodThe blessed God - -

shall come down - teaching – shall come down - teaching – HisHis death shall bring - the death shall bring - the

despairing - rest or comfort!” despairing - rest or comfort!” (http://fromthemindofdoulos.blogspot.com/)(http://fromthemindofdoulos.blogspot.com/)

Never knew that was there did you?Never knew that was there did you?Neither did I till I read this man’s article.Neither did I till I read this man’s article.

And that’s just in the boring part of And that’s just in the boring part of Scripture – the part Scripture – the part

no one wants to read.no one wants to read.That’s just when That’s just when

GodGod was being subtle. was being subtle.

But there other times when But there other times when GodGod wasn’t very wasn’t very subtle at all.subtle at all.

Sometimes Sometimes GodGod was very direct and was very direct and obvious. obvious.

For example, you could look in the book of For example, you could look in the book of Daniel and you’d find that Daniel and you’d find that GodGod gave very gave very

specific information about when specific information about when JesusJesus was to be cut off, (put to death.)was to be cut off, (put to death.)

Daniel 9:26Daniel 9:26 NIV NIV After the sixty-two After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be cut ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. The people off and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end the city and the sanctuary. The end

will come like a flood: War will will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations continue until the end, and desolations

have been decreed.have been decreed.

There are theories that pinpoint the There are theories that pinpoint the exact date of the exact year that exact date of the exact year that JesusJesus rode into Jerusalem. The dates that I rode into Jerusalem. The dates that I

have seen in my review of other have seen in my review of other people's research is either people's research is either

April 6, 32-33 AD. (The difference in the April 6, 32-33 AD. (The difference in the year depends on whether the 20th year depends on whether the 20th year of Artaxerxes was in 444-445 year of Artaxerxes was in 444-445

BC). BC). http://www.aboutbibleprophecy.com/weeks.htm http://www.aboutbibleprophecy.com/weeks.htm

In the book of Isaiah, In the book of Isaiah, GodGod tells us a great deal about tells us a great deal about the coming the coming MessiahMessiah..

We find, especially chapter 53, thatWe find, especially chapter 53, thatThe MessiahThe Messiah would be despised and rejected of would be despised and rejected of

men;men;That That HeHe would be wounded and bruised would be wounded and bruisedHeHe would pour out would pour out HisHis life unto death life unto deathThat That He’dHe’d die with wicked men, and numbered with die with wicked men, and numbered with

the transgressorsthe transgressorsBut, that But, that HeHe would be buried with the rich would be buried with the richAnd that And that HisHis life would be a “guilt offering” … life would be a “guilt offering” …

“bearing the sin of many” “bearing the sin of many”

Isaiah 53 is a very significant chapter in Isaiah 53 is a very significant chapter in God’sGod’s prophetic revelation.prophetic revelation.

It is so powerful that – to this day – Jewish It is so powerful that – to this day – Jewish people are still puzzled and frustrated by it’s people are still puzzled and frustrated by it’s

message.message.

And, that prophecy from Isaiah 53 was so And, that prophecy from Isaiah 53 was so powerful, that Acts 8 tells us the story of an powerful, that Acts 8 tells us the story of an

official from Ethiopia who was riding home in official from Ethiopia who was riding home in his chariot reading that very passage. his chariot reading that very passage.

God God arranged to have Philip arranged to have Philip (a Deacon of the early church) available, so (a Deacon of the early church) available, so

that when the Ethiopian saw him, asked that when the Ethiopian saw him, asked him to help him understand the chapter he him to help him understand the chapter he

was reading. He asked who was reading. He asked who GodGod was was talking about. And from that very passage, talking about. And from that very passage, Philip taught this Ethiopian official about Philip taught this Ethiopian official about

JesusJesus. .

It was so convincing that the Ethiopian It was so convincing that the Ethiopian believed in believed in JesusJesus, confessed , confessed JesusJesus as as His His LordLord and and SaviorSavior, and was buried in , and was buried in the waters of Christian baptism for the the waters of Christian baptism for the

forgiveness of his sins. forgiveness of his sins. Acts tells us that he then went on his Acts tells us that he then went on his

way “rejoicing.” way “rejoicing.”

When When GodGod spoke thru the prophets … spoke thru the prophets …at many times at many times

and in and in various waysvarious ways……

HeHe had a very special message. had a very special message. A message that A message that HeHe drove home by drove home by

symbols, hidden messages and symbols, hidden messages and outright declarations. outright declarations.

The message was this:The message was this:Somebody’s comingSomebody’s coming..Somebody’s comingSomebody’s coming..And when And when HeHe comes, comes,

this is what this is what He’llHe’ll look like, look like, and this is what and this is what He’llHe’ll do, do,

and this is where and this is where He’llHe’ll go. go.

There were over 300 direct prophecies There were over 300 direct prophecies telling about this telling about this MessiahMessiah..

No other prophet or religious teacher can No other prophet or religious teacher can lay claim to that kind of prophetic lay claim to that kind of prophetic

attention.attention.300 direct prophecies, and perhaps 1000 300 direct prophecies, and perhaps 1000

symbolic and hidden declarations ofsymbolic and hidden declarations of God’s God’s intention.intention.

Each and every one of those messages Each and every one of those messages telling us exactly the same thing: telling us exactly the same thing:

Someone is comingSomeone is coming!!And now…that someone has comeAnd now…that someone has come

In these latter days In these latter days GodGod has spoken to us has spoken to us by by His SonHis Son, , Jesus ChristJesus Christ..

And And HeHe spoke thru spoke thru JesusJesus, because , because HeHe WAS the message.WAS the message.

HeHe was the one everyone had been was the one everyone had been anticipating nearly 4000 years. anticipating nearly 4000 years.

And the writer of Hebrews wants you to And the writer of Hebrews wants you to understand this message wasn’t about a understand this message wasn’t about a body of doctrine it was about the body of doctrine it was about the Son of Son of

GodGod, , HeHe was not some angel. was not some angel.

HeHe wasn’t a nice teacher of wasn’t a nice teacher ofpleasant moral precepts.pleasant moral precepts.

HeHe wasn’t simply a prophet of wasn’t simply a prophet of GodGod..He He was the was the SON of GodSON of God..

HeHe was: was:Hebrews 1:3aHebrews 1:3a NIV NIV The Son is the radiance The Son is the radiance

of God’s glory and the exact of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining representation of his being, sustaining

all things by his powerful word. all things by his powerful word.

Now, there are some people who have a Now, there are some people who have a problem with that.problem with that.

They’re not comfortable with They’re not comfortable with JesusJesus being being something more than a good teacher, a something more than a good teacher, a

mere mortal who said some decent things.mere mortal who said some decent things.But talk about But talk about HimHim being being

The Son of GodThe Son of God they don’t want to go there.they don’t want to go there.

Charles Colson says that he “discovered Charles Colson says that he “discovered that one major U.S. daily, as a matter that one major U.S. daily, as a matter of policy, will not print the two words of policy, will not print the two words JesusJesus and and ChristChrist together; because together; because when combined, the editor says, it when combined, the editor says, it represents an editorial judgment.” represents an editorial judgment.”

Rabbi Boteach, a Dean from Oxford Rabbi Boteach, a Dean from Oxford University said on Larry King Live: "University said on Larry King Live: "JesusJesus was a great teacher, a very ethical, moral, was a great teacher, a very ethical, moral, human being, not a prophet, but perhaps human being, not a prophet, but perhaps a phenomenal teacher and Christianity is a phenomenal teacher and Christianity is

a great world religion.a great world religion.And while I agree And while I agree HeHe is a great light, once is a great light, once

we say he is the only light, this is what we say he is the only light, this is what leads to all kinds of spiritual racism and a leads to all kinds of spiritual racism and a division between Jews and Christians.”division between Jews and Christians.”

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0007/06/lkl.00.htmlhttp://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0007/06/lkl.00.html

When it comes to the divinity of When it comes to the divinity of JesusJesus there are a lot of people who just don’t there are a lot of people who just don’t

want to go there.want to go there.But the Bible won’t let us go anywhere But the Bible won’t let us go anywhere

else.else.Again and again, the Scriptures speak Again and again, the Scriptures speak

of of JesusJesus’ ’ divinitydivinity. .

From the prophecy in: From the prophecy in: Isaiah 9:6Isaiah 9:6 NET NET For For a child has been born to us, a son has a child has been born to us, a son has

been given to us. He shoulders been given to us. He shoulders responsibility and is called: responsibility and is called:

Extraordinary Strategist, Mighty God, Extraordinary Strategist, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

To the Gospel of Matthew quoting To the Gospel of Matthew quoting another prophecy Isaiah: another prophecy Isaiah: Matthew 1:23Matthew 1:23 NETNET ""Look! The virgin will conceive Look! The virgin will conceive and bear a son, and they will call and bear a son, and they will call

him Emmanuelhim Emmanuel,," which means "God " which means "God with uswith us..""

JesusJesus HimselfHimself said: said: John 10:30John 10:30 NET NET The The Father and I are one."Father and I are one."

When When JesusJesus asks asks HisHis disciples who they disciples who they think that think that HeHe is is Matthew 16:16Matthew 16:16 NET NET Simon Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the

Son of the living God."Son of the living God." 1717 And Jesus And Jesus answered him, "You are blessed, Simon answered him, "You are blessed, Simon

son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, not reveal this to you,

but my Father in heaven!but my Father in heaven!

And one of the most famous passages in And one of the most famous passages in Scripture declares Scripture declares John 3:16John 3:16 NET NET For this For this is the way God loved the world: He gave is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but who believes in him will not perish but

have eternal life.have eternal life.Again and again and again Again and again and again God’sGod’s Word Word

declares declares JesusJesus was was God in the fleshGod in the flesh. .

But there are those who reject that But there are those who reject that Biblical reality because it Biblical reality because it

““doesn’t make sense to them”.doesn’t make sense to them”.That’s the main argument used by the That’s the main argument used by the

JehovahJehovah Witnesses. Witnesses.They can’t understand how They can’t understand how JesusJesus could be could be GodGod… and if they can’t … and if they can’t understand it – it can’t be true. understand it – it can’t be true.

But that’s only because But that’s only because JehovahJehovah Witnesses Witnesses reason in the reason in the

wrong direction.wrong direction.They think as mortals.They think as mortals.

And because they think as mortals – and And because they think as mortals – and not like not like GodGod – –

they end up trying to bring they end up trying to bring GodGod down to their level.down to their level.

But it doesn’t work that way. But it doesn’t work that way.

A preacher once met a A preacher once met a JehovahJehovah Witness who challenged him on the Witness who challenged him on the

deitydeity of of ChristChrist. . "You say that "You say that Jesus ChristJesus Christ is coequal is coequal with the with the eternal Fathereternal Father, but , but HeHe cannot cannot be, for no son is ever as old as the one be, for no son is ever as old as the one

who has begotten him." who has begotten him."

The minister thought for a moment and The minister thought for a moment and then replied, "You yourself have just then replied, "You yourself have just called called God the eternal FatherGod the eternal Father. Have . Have

you ever thought that statement you ever thought that statement through? Don’t you realize that through? Don’t you realize that GodGod can only be can only be the eternal Fatherthe eternal Father if if HeHe

has an has an eternal Soneternal Son? ?

If you would rethink your position in the If you would rethink your position in the light of the Scriptures, you would see light of the Scriptures, you would see

that that eternal Fatherhoodeternal Fatherhood demands demands eternal Sonshipeternal Sonship!" !"

And Hebrews tells us, And Hebrews tells us, that is the message.that is the message.

Jesus is THE SON of God,Jesus is THE SON of God,God in the fleshGod in the flesh..

Hebrews 1:3aHebrews 1:3a NET NET The Son is the radiance The Son is the radiance of his glory and the representation of of his glory and the representation of

his essence, his essence, That’s the message.That’s the message.

But why is that important?But why is that important?Why is it important for us to BELIEVE Why is it important for us to BELIEVE

that that JesusJesus is the is the Son of GodSon of God

in order to be Christians?in order to be Christians?

Well, because if Well, because if JesusJesus wasn’t the wasn’t the Son of Son of GodGod… …

If If HeHe wasn’t wasn’t God in the fleshGod in the flesh……

If If HeHe wasn’t wasn’t Immanuel, God with usImmanuel, God with us……

Then, Then, HisHis death on the cross would death on the cross would mean nothing.mean nothing.

You see, the Bible tells us that You see, the Bible tells us that JesusJesus died on died on the cross to the cross to

forgive us of our sins.forgive us of our sins.It also tells us that It also tells us that

our sin is against our sin is against GodGod..And Scripture also tells us that there is no way And Scripture also tells us that there is no way we could ever pay for our own sins by our own we could ever pay for our own sins by our own

good works. We can’t balance out our guilt, good works. We can’t balance out our guilt, no matter how many no matter how many

good deeds we may do. good deeds we may do.

Now, if I can’t pay for my own sins, then Now, if I can’t pay for my own sins, then someone else has to.someone else has to.

But couldn’t another man or woman pay But couldn’t another man or woman pay for my sin by dying for us?for my sin by dying for us?

NO!NO!No mortal man has ever been sinless No mortal man has ever been sinless

enough to step in for us.enough to step in for us.Romans 3:23Romans 3:23 NET NET for all have sinned and for all have sinned and

fall short fall short of the glory of God.of the glory of God.

Only the sinless Only the sinless Son of GodSon of God could take our place.could take our place.

We couldn’t pay the price… We couldn’t pay the price… so so GodGod did it for us. did it for us.

To deny that is to demean To deny that is to demean God’sGod’s sacrifice to sacrifice to redeem us from our sins.redeem us from our sins.

The message is this: The message is this: Jesus Jesus

((God in the FleshGod in the Flesh//God With UsGod With Us) ) gave gave HisHis life to save ours. life to save ours.

The Apostle John wrote: The Apostle John wrote: 1 John 2:221 John 2:22 NET NET Who is the liar but the person who denies Who is the liar but the person who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This one is the that Jesus is the Christ? This one is the

antichrist: the person who denies the antichrist: the person who denies the Father and the Son. Father and the Son. 2323 Everyone who Everyone who

denies the Son does not have the Father denies the Son does not have the Father either. The person who confesses the Son either. The person who confesses the Son

has the Father also.has the Father also.

A wealthy man and his son loved to A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from everything in their collection, from

Picasso to Raphael. They would often Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great sit together and admire the great

works of art. works of art.

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very the son went to war. He was very

courageous and died in battle while courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father rescuing another soldier. The father

was notified and grieved deeply for his was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young there was a knock at the door. A young

man stood at the door with a large man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. package in his hands.

He said, "Sir, you don’t know me, but I am He said, "Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life the soldier for whom your son gave his life He saved many lives that day, and he was He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck carrying me to safety when a bullet struck

him in the heart and he died instantly. him in the heart and he died instantly.

He often talked about you, and your love He often talked about you, and your love for art." The young man held out this for art." The young man held out this package. "I know this isn’t much. I’m package. "I know this isn’t much. I’m

not really a great artist, but I think your not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have son would have wanted you to have

this." this."

The father opened the package. It was a The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared at it in awe and his eyes man. He stared at it in awe and his eyes

welled up with tears. He thanked the welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the young man and offered to pay him for the

picture. picture. "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your

son did for me. It’s a gift." son did for me. It’s a gift."

The father hung the portrait over his The father hung the portrait over his mantle. mantle.

Every time visitors came to his home Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the son before he showed them any of the

other great works he had collected. other great works he had collected.

Some time later, the man died, and Some time later, the man died, and there was to be a great auction of his there was to be a great auction of his

paintings. Many influential people paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the gathered, excited over seeing the

great paintings and having an great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their opportunity to purchase one for their

collection. collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his son. The auctioneer pounded his

gavel. "We will start the bidding with gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture of the son. Who will bid for

this picture?“this picture?“There was silence. There was silence.

Then a voice in the back of the room Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We want to see the famous shouted, "We want to see the famous

paintings." paintings." But the auctioneer persisted. "Will But the auctioneer persisted. "Will

someone bid for this painting? Who someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?" will start the bidding? $100, $200?"

Another voice shouted angrily. "We Another voice shouted angrily. "We didn’t come to see this painting. We didn’t come to see this painting. We

came to see the Van Goghs, the came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Rembrandts.

Get on with the real bids!“Get on with the real bids!“But still the auctioneer continued. "The But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who’ll take the "SON?" son! The son! Who’ll take the "SON?"

Finally, a voice came from the very back Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime of the room. It was the longtime

gardener of the man and his son. "I’ll gardener of the man and his son. "I’ll give $10 for the painting." Being a poor give $10 for the painting." Being a poor

man, it was all he could afford. man, it was all he could afford. "We have $10, who will bid $20?" "We have $10, who will bid $20?"

"Give it to him for $10. "Give it to him for $10. Let’s see the masters." Let’s see the masters."

"$10 is the bid, "$10 is the bid, won’t someone bid $20?" won’t someone bid $20?"

The crowd was becoming angry. They The crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t want the didn’t want the

picture of the son. picture of the son.

They wanted the more worthy They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The investments for their collections. The

auctioneer pounded auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, the gavel. "Going once, twice,

SOLD for $10." SOLD for $10." A man sitting on the second row A man sitting on the second row

shouted, "Now let’s get on with the shouted, "Now let’s get on with the collection!" collection!"

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I’m The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I’m sorry, the auction is over." sorry, the auction is over."

"What about the paintings?" "What about the paintings?" The auctioneer replied: "When I was The auctioneer replied: "When I was called to conduct this auction, I was called to conduct this auction, I was

told of a secret stipulation in the will. told of a secret stipulation in the will.

Only the painting of the son would be Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that auctioned. Whoever bought that

painting would inherit the entire estate, painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who including the paintings. The man who

took the son gets everything!" took the son gets everything!"

GodGod gave gave His SonHis Son 2,000 years ago to 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, auctioneer, HisHis message today is: message today is:

""The SonThe Son, , The SonThe Son, who’ll take , who’ll take The The SonSon?" ?"

Because, you see, whoever takes Because, you see, whoever takes TThe he SonSon gets everything. gets everything.

JesusJesus guarantees guarantees HeHe will give us all we will give us all we need. Remember these words:need. Remember these words:

Mt 6:33Mt 6:33 NIV NIV But seek first his kingdom But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.things will be given to you as well. By seeking By seeking HisHis KingdomKingdom & & His His

RighteousnessRighteousness we will obey these we will obey these words:words:

Mt 6:19Mt 6:19 NIV NIV “Do not store up for yourselves “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and destroy, and where thieves break in and

steal. steal. 2020 But store up for yourselves But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not do not destroy, and where thieves do not

break in and steal. break in and steal. 2121 For where your For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.treasure is, there your heart will be also.

It is truly a WIN/WIN situation! Seek It is truly a WIN/WIN situation! Seek His His KingdomKingdom & & His RighteousnessHis Righteousness by by

living in Love through Obedience to living in Love through Obedience to His WordHis Word and we will have treasures and we will have treasures

waiting on us in Heaven when waiting on us in Heaven when ChristChrist returns. returns.