S1: Today on bold steps with Mark job, we're taking a
S1: hard look at what we truly treasure in this life.
S2: The Bible tells us that Jesus said, you want to
S2: come and follow me. That means that I affect the
S2: way you talk, the way you walk, the way you think,
S2: your attitudes, how you marry, how you parent, how you read,
S2: what you think, what you do. Because I am the
S2: Lord of your life and I am the master. And
S2: so therefore, if I'm the Lord of your life, I
S2: am at the center of your life.
S1: Welcome to Bold Steps with pastor Mark Jobe, president of
S1: Moody Bible Institute and senior pastor of New Life Community
S1: Church in Chicago. I'm Wayne Shepherd. Yesterday, Mark began an
S1: eye opening message called The Treasure Principles, where he challenged
S1: us to examine what we're really valuing in life through
S1: the illustration of his grandson's treasured backpack. Mark showed us
S1: how the things we value today might look very different
S1: from an eternal perspective. Today, as we continue part two
S1: of this message, we'll discover why the lens through which
S1: we view life determines how we live it. If you
S1: miss the first part of this powerful teaching, you'll find it,
S1: as always at Boldsystems.org. But right now, let's join Mark
S1: Jobe for today's lesson.
S2: The great majority of us, I believe we live primarily
S2: conscious of what we can touch and feel, the here
S2: and the now. And what Jesus is saying is that
S2: you need to live with a with a bigger mindset.
S2: The Bible talks in first Thessalonians that we are body,
S2: soul and spirit. Some people call it the trichotomy of man.
S2: Your body is that which you you know. It's the
S2: physical part of you. It sounds like at 73 we
S2: start to wear out. How many of you are already
S2: feeling the wearing out? Boy, I don't know. Some of you.
S2: Just to get up in the morning. There's grunts and
S2: groans and ah, you know, sounds like you just run
S2: a marathon. You're just getting out of bed. Um, because
S2: your body is not meant to last forever. Your body
S2: has an expiration date. And the moment that your body dies,
S2: your heart stops beating. Your brainwaves stop functioning. Your body
S2: is done. It goes to the grave, but your soul
S2: and your spirit do not have an expiration date. In fact,
S2: your soul. The Bible talks about the soul of man
S2: and woman and your soul. Is that unique part of
S2: you that, uh non-tangible invisible part of you that we
S2: that makes up who you are. It's your personality. It's
S2: your mind, your intellect, your volition. It's who makes you. You.
S2: The Bible says that that does not have an expiration
S2: date when you die. Listen to me. When you die,
S2: when your body dies, your soul continues to exist. That's
S2: not only taught in the Bible, but you will find
S2: even a lot of other scientific, um, studies that have
S2: indicated that when people die, their heart stops, yet they
S2: have this consciousness of seeing their body still on the
S2: bed there. And they have these experiences that scientists and
S2: doctors can't explain because there's an awareness, a consciousness, even
S2: after their body has died, of what was happening in
S2: the room. Because your body, your soul, it doesn't pass
S2: away when your body passes away. But then you also
S2: have a spirit. Every person is born with a spirit.
S2: You are a spirit being, uh, when you are born,
S2: the spirit part of you is the part that interacts
S2: with the spiritual world. So you have a body, you
S2: have a soul, and you have a spirit. Now don't
S2: confuse that with the Holy Spirit because you are a
S2: spiritual being. But the Holy Spirit, which is a third
S2: person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit. When you become
S2: a believer, he quickens or makes your spirit alive and
S2: suddenly you are conscious of the spiritual world. God speaks
S2: to you in powerful ways. The Word of God comes
S2: to life. You're convicted. You're led, you're prompted, you're helped.
S2: You're empowered through the Holy Spirit. So body, soul, and spirit,
S2: your body passes away. And what Jesus is saying to us,
S2: listen to me, this is important. What Jesus is saying
S2: to us is most of us live valuing a very
S2: temporary treasure when our treasure needs to be more eternal.
S2: And what Jesus is saying is that most of us,
S2: our heart is fixed on the here and the now. Um,
S2: he tells us where your treasure is. There your heart
S2: will be also. Listen to me. Your heart follows your treasure.
S2: So look for what you value the most and you
S2: will find where your heart is at. And when you
S2: find where your heart is at, you will also find
S2: the greatest influence on your life. So many of us
S2: get deluded into thinking that what other people value, the
S2: material world that we live in, that that is the
S2: most important thing, and our heart is close to that.
S2: And we live very shallow, superficial lives because our values
S2: are placed on things that are temporary. Can I tell
S2: you something? I mean, that scratch that you got in
S2: that newer car that you have that almost sent you
S2: to therapy. You just couldn't get over talking about it
S2: for weeks on a time, and you were angry and
S2: upset about it. Can I tell you something? When you
S2: are on your deathbed, You are not going to have
S2: one thought about that scratch on your car. Can I
S2: tell you something else? When you're on the other side
S2: of life, that is going to seem like some of
S2: the little items in Finn's backpack. You're going to look
S2: and say, that was so dumb. Why did I care
S2: so much about that? And so what Jesus is reminding
S2: us of is he's telling us, listen, so many of
S2: us are living our lives with our treasures in the
S2: wrong place. We need to redefine what our treasure is
S2: so that our heart can follow our treasures. Jesus is
S2: very clear about that, because your heart is going to
S2: be where your treasure is at, and many of us,
S2: our heart is in the wrong place. And if your
S2: heart is in the wrong place, you're living the wrong
S2: way for the wrong things, with the wrong priorities, and
S2: ultimately wasting your life. Number two, not only your heart
S2: will always be close to where your treasure is at.
S2: But secondly, the second treasure principle Is this the way
S2: the lens through which you view life will determine how
S2: you live life? Notice what Jesus tells us in verse 22.
S2: It's in the context of our priorities, our treasures, our heart.
S2: He says this the eye is the lamp of the body.
S2: So if your eye is healthy, your whole body will
S2: be full of light. But if your eye is bad,
S2: your whole body will be full of darkness. If then
S2: the light in you is darkness, how great is that darkness?
S2: Now Jesus says he uses a physical illustration to represent
S2: a spiritual truth. He says, if you're blind and can't see,
S2: then your body is full of darkness. Through your eyes
S2: you see light. And when you see light, you know
S2: where you're going. Your body's full of light. You have direction.
S2: You have purpose. But if your eyes are not open,
S2: then your entire being will be full of darkness. What
S2: is Jesus saying? I believe that Jesus is talking about
S2: how we see the world and clarity of vision. Clarity
S2: of vision. Many people don't see clearly the purpose and
S2: the priorities in their life. And when you don't see
S2: clearly the purpose and priorities of your life, you start
S2: to live the wrong way. You will always make mistakes
S2: and wrong turns if you cannot see clearly where you're
S2: going spiritually in life. Listen, some of you right now
S2: have made a virtual mess of your life your marriage,
S2: your family, your relationships, your priorities, your finances, your emotions,
S2: your mind. Why? You've made a mess because there's been
S2: a lack of clarity. You have not seen things clearly,
S2: spiritually speaking, in your life. And when there's a lack
S2: of clarity, you make a lot of mistakes. Recently, I
S2: was driving down I-55, and I don't know if anybody
S2: else got caught up in this, but as I was driving,
S2: they had predicted a storm. The sky got dark, the
S2: clouds rolled in, and then suddenly, at first very lightly,
S2: but then I got pelted with huge hailstones. Was anybody
S2: else in that? I mean, these were huge. I got
S2: a picture of it. That's my hand right there with those.
S2: That's literally hailstone that I picked up off the side
S2: of my yard. They were that big. I mean, golf
S2: ball size. And I had to, uh, cars were pulling
S2: under bridges. People were turning out there was accidents that
S2: were happening. I actually got off the main expressway, went
S2: under a tree just because I thought, this is going
S2: to dent my car. The point was, I couldn't see
S2: clearly because of the because of the hail, because of
S2: the darkness that was there. When you can't see clearly,
S2: you end up in accidents. And there are multiple accidents
S2: that happened because of lack of clarity. Listen to what
S2: second Corinthians chapter four verse 18 says. So we fix
S2: our eyes not on what is seen, but on what
S2: is unseen. Since what is seen is temporary, but what
S2: is unseen is eternal.
S1: You're listening to Bold Steps with Mark Jobe, and before
S1: we continue examining what truly matters our hearts, I want
S1: to remind you that we love hearing from listeners about
S1: how these messages impact your life.
S2: That's right, Wayne, whether you have a testimony to share,
S2: a prayer request, a Bible question, we love to hear
S2: from you. And you can reach out to us by
S2: simply going to our website at Bold Steps dot. Or
S2: if it's easier for you to do this, you can
S2: leave a message at 312329 2011. By the way, we
S2: love to hear people's voices, so if you could do that,
S2: I'd love to hear the intonation of your voice again.
S2: That's 312329 2011.
S1: All right. And speaking of listeners reaching out, here's a
S1: question we got recently, Mark, to you from Stephanie. If
S1: we can be forgiven of our sins, how come the
S1: devil can't?
S2: Hey, Stephanie, I love your heart of compassion. Let me
S2: tell you that, boy, we could get in a very
S2: lengthy theological discussion about this, but let me try to
S2: keep it simple. Angels are not human beings. There's a
S2: different relationship that God has with human beings created in
S2: his image. Then he has with angelic beings. And it appears, Stephanie,
S2: that there was a season of time where God was
S2: allowing these angelic beings to choose what their state would be.
S2: A group of angels that were intent on their own
S2: glory rebelled against God, and they were given a chance. Before,
S2: though they were given a chance, they could decide, but
S2: they were. The Bible says cast out of heaven. We
S2: know them now as demons and the head fallen angel
S2: as Lucifer or the devil. Angels both on the good side,
S2: cannot sin. So there is no angel there in a
S2: state of not being able to sin. And then we
S2: have the demonic angels, those that are fallen, that are
S2: in a state of non redemption. And so they did
S2: have an opportunity. They chose their state. And now that
S2: appears to be a permanent state that they live in.
S2: Again different than human beings. Human beings can always have
S2: an opportunity to experience a repentant heart.
S1: I've never thought about that before. So Stephanie, thanks for
S1: asking the question. Giving Mark a chance to address it
S1: here today. And if you're listening and want to share
S1: your own story or your question you have, you can
S1: contact us again. The website is Bold steps.org. Or as
S1: Mark said earlier, give us a call (312) 329-2011. Now back
S1: to the message. Here again is Mark with today's lesson
S1: the treasure principles.
S2: Can I tell you that many of us, your treasure
S2: is in what you see and what God is telling us,
S2: is that your greatest treasure you normally need, your greatest
S2: treasure in God's economy needs to be in what you
S2: cannot see. Not too long ago, my grandson, it was Finn.
S2: We're in the house and he said. He said, Papa,
S2: why can't I see God? And so I took him
S2: to the back window. I had done this with my
S2: younger kids when they were small as well, and I
S2: looked out the back window and I said, hey, it
S2: was a windy day. I said, do you see the wind?
S2: And he said, yeah, see in the tree, I see
S2: the wind. I said, no, no, no. Do you see
S2: the wind? The wind is invisible. You can't see the wind,
S2: but you see what the wind does. And if you
S2: open the door you feel the wind. So you can
S2: feel the presence of God. And you can see the
S2: hand of God. Even though he's invisible. Hey, that's theology
S2: for a four year old. But I think it works.
S2: And can I tell you that? Can I tell you
S2: the same thing about our relationship with God? The Bible
S2: tells us that what really, really matters in life is
S2: usually invisible. And here's here's the question that I ask
S2: you as you think through this. Where your heart is
S2: at and where your values are at. I ask you
S2: this question and not to be morbid, not to scare you,
S2: but if you were to die today unexpectedly, a heart
S2: attack or get hit by a car and you were
S2: to look over your life, can I ask you this question?
S2: What would you be living for? Would you be content
S2: with your life? Or would you look at your life
S2: and say, I've lived for a lot of things that
S2: really don't matter? I valued a lot of things that
S2: have little importance and the things that have a lot
S2: of importance I've neglected. There's only two things on Earth
S2: that live forever people and the Word of God. Everything
S2: else is going to perish. And so I want to
S2: challenge you as we get into the series called On
S2: Earth as it is in heaven, to ask yourself this question,
S2: are you really living for what matters? Are you wasting
S2: your time on things that really have no eternal purpose?
S2: No significance? Are you storing up treasures just on earth?
S2: Or are you? Is there anything on the other side
S2: of heaven that you stored up? Is there anything that
S2: you're building on the other side of the grave, on
S2: the other side of death that you say, hey, this
S2: is where my treasure really is at. Not just what
S2: I can see, feel and touch. Number three. And lastly, treasure.
S2: Principle number three. You will end up serving what is
S2: of highest value in your life. Jesus finishes these couple
S2: of verses by telling us this no one can serve
S2: two masters. Either you will hate the one and love
S2: the other, or you will be devoted to one and
S2: despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
S2: He says. I don't know if you've ever been in
S2: a job situation where there was lack of clarity of
S2: who was your direct supervisor. If you have ever been
S2: in a job situation where you're your direct supervisor is
S2: telling you something, and someone else that has authority is
S2: telling you something else, then you have a conversation. You say,
S2: wait a second, you told me this. They told me that.
S2: Can we get clear? Like, what am I supposed to
S2: be doing? Are you the supervisor? Is he the supervisor? Because.
S2: And then once someone tells you no, I'm the supervisor,
S2: you need to listen to me. Then what happens is
S2: you start saying, okay, I know that person is my
S2: direct supervisor. And if the other person keeps bossing you around,
S2: you start to despise them more and more. You start to,
S2: don't talk to me. I already have my orders. Don't talk.
S2: Please stop it! Enough! I already have, because you can
S2: only serve two masters. Jesus says you will start to
S2: love one and despise the other. But you can only
S2: serve one master. Can I tell you that even in life,
S2: sometimes good things can become bad masters? For example, anything
S2: in life that takes the top priority. Anything in life
S2: that you have set at the center of your life
S2: that has just become your God, your idol. It's great
S2: that you have a boyfriend. But listen, if he has
S2: become the center of your life, if he trumps everything
S2: else in your life, if he becomes the priority, then
S2: you have something that has replaced God. Your boyfriend. Hey,
S2: your job is great and I hope you love it.
S2: I hope you throw yourself into it, but if that
S2: trumps everything, if that is the most important thing in
S2: your life, if everything revolves around your job. If it
S2: is the highest priority on earth, then you have just
S2: replaced God with something other than him. Jesus said in
S2: Matthew chapter ten and I know these are tough words.
S2: Jesus said, whoever loves father and mother more than me
S2: is not worthy of me. Whoever loves son or daughter
S2: more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever
S2: does not take up his cross and follow me is
S2: not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it.
S2: And whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
S2: Jesus is saying there cannot be anything else at the center.
S2: I need to be number one. Now listen to me.
S2: Look up at me. This is important. Some of us
S2: treat Christianity as though it's a part of your life. Hey,
S2: I have my trainer at the gym that helps me
S2: work out. I have my tax person that helps me
S2: do my taxes. I have a restaurant that I like
S2: to go to when I don't have time to food,
S2: and it really helps me out. And I have my
S2: group of friends there, and I have my church in Christianity,
S2: and I need a little sprinkle of religion on me.
S2: It makes me feel good, but I don't want to
S2: be too, like radical about it. Can I tell you something?
S2: True Christianity is not sprinkle of religion. If you're going
S2: to be a follower of Jesus, he says, I want
S2: to be at the center of your life. You are
S2: not a Christian. You may be religious. You may be sympathizer.
S2: You may be a supporter, a fan of, but you're
S2: really not a Christian unless Jesus is the Lord of
S2: your life. The Bible tells us that Jesus said, you
S2: want to come and follow me, then repent, believe and
S2: be baptized. Confess me as Lord and Savior of your life.
S2: In other words, I want to be at the center
S2: of your life. That means that I affect the way
S2: you talk, the way you walk, the way you think,
S2: your attitudes, how you marry, how you parent, how you read,
S2: what you think, what you do, your time, your money,
S2: money management. Because I am the Lord of your life
S2: and I am the master. And so therefore, if I'm
S2: the Lord of your life, I am at the center
S2: of your life. That's Christianity. You say, well, pastor, that's
S2: pretty radical. I didn't write it. I just preach it.
S2: The Bible says that the way that leads to life
S2: is narrow, and few people find it. And the way
S2: that leads to destruction is wide, and there's a lot
S2: of people on it. Why? Because it requires that we
S2: put Jesus at the center.
S1: That's today's bold steps with Mark job. The end of
S1: a lesson titled The Treasure Principles. Mark. This message leaves
S1: us with a really important question.
S2: It really.
S3: Does. Is Jesus at the center of your life? Because
S3: if he's not at the center of your life, then
S3: your treasures will not be connected to Jesus. Your your
S3: treasure will be your job, your house, your career, your sports,
S3: whatever is the other thing that's taking precedence over God.
S3: And so this is a great time to examine our
S3: priorities and ask yourself this question is my treasure really
S3: found in Christ or am I serving something else? So, father,
S3: I pray even right now, for that person, that man
S3: or woman that realizes under conviction right.
S2: Now that they realize that although they say that they're
S2: a follower of yours, There's something else that takes priority
S2: over everything else. Something else that's at the center. And
S2: I pray today that there would be a repentance, a
S2: reorganizing of priorities, a realization of the centrality of the
S2: relationship with you put at the center of their life.
S2: I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.
S1: Amen. Thank you. Mark, such an important perspective to take
S1: with us as we go back into our day to
S1: day life. And wherever you're listening from right now, let
S1: me remind you that you can revisit this message or
S1: share it with someone you know by simply visiting our website.
S1: Bold steps.org. Have you subscribed to Mark's YouTube channel yet?
S1: This is a great way to get his latest video
S1: teachings and insights right on your phone or smart device.
S1: Just search for Bold Steps Radio on YouTube and click
S1: the subscribe button to find encouraging content that will help
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S1: Bold Steps. I'm Wayne Shepherd and tomorrow we'll be heading
S1: to Chapel Moody Bible Institute's President's Chapel. That is, to
S1: hear a message all about experiencing the presence of God.
S1: Learn how to see God for who he really is.
S1: Friday right here on Bold Steps with Mark John. Bold
S1: steps is a production of Moody Radio, a ministry of
S1: Moody Bible Institute.