Matthew 28:20 (ESV) …teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

Intentional Discipleship …seeking first the Kingdom of God JESUS IDENTIFIES THE OBSTACLE TO SEEKING FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD… IT’S NOT WHAT WE DO BUT WHAT IS IN OUR HEART

Matthew 6:19–21 (TPT) — 19 “Don’t keep hoarding for yourselves earthly treasures that can be stolen by thieves. Material wealth eventually rusts, decays, and loses its value. 20 Instead, stockpile heavenly treasures for yourselves that cannot be stolen and will never rust, decay, or lose their value. 21 For your heart will always pursue what you value as your treasure. Matthew 6:22–23 (NLT) — 22 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy (clear), your whole body is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is unhealthy (cloudy), your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!

JESUS IS THAT LIGHT (REVELATION, TRUTH OF GOD)

John 1:4–5 (NLT) — 4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. (John 9:5; 12:46; 2 Cor. 4:4) WHAT WE FOCUS ON MATTERS!

• Proverbs 29:18 (KJV 1900) —Where there is no vision, the people perish: But he that keepeth the law, happy is he. •Vision = Spiritual Insight (light of God) •Perish = Run wild and out of control • Proverbs 29:18 (NLT) —When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. • Proverbs 29:18 (NCV) — Where there is no word from God, people are uncontrolled, • Matthew 6:24–27 (TPT) — 24 “How could you worship two gods at the same time? You will have to hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t worship the true God while enslaved to the god of money!” – Luke 16:13–14 (NLT) — 13 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.” 14 The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, heard all this and scoffed at him.

• Money: Grk: Aramaic term Mammon → riches and is usually in a negative sense; indicates a desire to pursue wealth as a primary purpose or goal; a sense of self-sufficiency WHAT IS MAMMON? (SYRIAN GOD OF RICHES & MONEY) • All money has a spirit attached to it: Mammon or God’s Spirit • Mammon is not money, but the evil spirit attached to money • Mammon is in direct contrast to the Spirit of God – Mammon says “buy and sell at any cost”; “hoard up”; cheat & steal – God says “give and it will be given back to you” – Mammon says you need more money for your problem and not God • Mammon will cause us to sacrifice our character and calling – Prodigal son and his brother were both selfishly driven by mammon – Rich young ruler was driven by mammon and walked away from Jesus • Mammon will steal our trust away from God – Tithing is about taking authority over the spirit of mammon and trusting God GOD PROMISES TO ATTACH HIS SPIRIT TO OUR MONEY AND REBUKE THE DEVOURER • Malachi 3:10–11 (ESV) — 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. • “Money that is submitted to God and His purposes has the Spirit of God on it—which is why it multiplies and cannot be consumed by the devourer.” Morris, Robert. The Blessed Life: Unlocking the Rewards of Generous Living • 25 “This is why I tell you to never be worried about your life, for all that you need will be provided, such as food, water, clothing— everything your body needs. Isn’t there more to your life than a meal? Isn’t your body more than clothing? 26 “Look at all the birds—do you think they worry about their existence? They don’t plant or reap or store up food, yet your heavenly Father provides them each with food. Aren’t you much more valuable to your Father than they? 27 So, which one of you by worrying could add anything to your life? • Matthew 6:28–33 (NLT) — 28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

KINGDOM OF GOD IS GOD’S WILL AND RULE IN OPERATION IS A SPIRIT OF MAMMON IN OPERATION? 1. Undue anxiety and worry about necessities of life…“And why worry about your clothing?” 2. Lack of faith and an unbelieving heart…“Why do you have so little faith” 3. Fear of the future…“What will we eat, drink, wear?” 4. Thought life consumed with fear and mistrust of God a. “These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers…” b. Are we always comparing ourselves with others? c. Do we focus on what we don’t have? 5. Disobedience because we do not trust God a. “Seek first the kingdom” PRAYER TO BREAK OFF THE SPIRIT OF MAMMON 1. REPENT for allowing our hearts to become focused on anything other than God. Repent of greed, pride, manipulation, control, comparing ourselves with others, envy, fear, etc. 2. RENOUNCE any demonization that has occurred due to this sin. Close every door that this sin has opened. Doors of disorder, out of control living, hard hearts 3. RECEIVE the forgiveness and promises of God.