ENCOUNTERS on THE WAY TO THE CROSS              Pastor Bob Chroninger 
Trinity C.U.  3-8-98 A.M.  		  Luke 12:13-21         A:\LUK12-13
	 BEWARE of COVETEOUSNESS!!  There is little that brings out the worst
       in people like the settling of an estate.  Here one who heard Jesus
       appeals to Him to settle a dispute.  Out of this situation... Jesus 
       teaches a lesson that seems to be necessary from age to age. There 
       are many things that we are told to avoid... like the plague... and 
       "Covetousness" is one of them... 

I.  JESUS MAKES A STATEMENT... 15 
  A. The Warning... 
    1. Take Heed.. pay attention... listen up, etc. 
    2. Beware of Covetousness.. 
      - What in the world is that? 
          "an inordinate desire to have that which belongs to another...
             and pursuing it...
	- How is it manifested ???  Ex.20:17; 
	   -  Oppression.. Gen.31:41 .. Laban changed Jacob's wages... 10 
            times..; Micah 2:2
	   -  Theft.. Josh.7:21... Achan... "I saw... I coveted... I took..."
	   -  Disobedience.. 1 Sam.15:9... King Saul... and Agag
	   -  Meanness.. 1Kings21:2... Ahab.. wanting Naboth's vineyard...
	   -  Even Scoffing.. Luke16:14 .. Pharisees who were covetous... 
            derided Jesus
	- What to do about it??  Col.3:5 
  B. The Reason... 
     1. A Person's life does not consist in the abundance of things.. 
	- Real life and real living are not related to how rich we are
	- Paul had learned contentment rather than covetousness... 
      - Phil.4:11; 1Tim.6:8;  Heb.13:5 

II.  JESUS TELLS A STORY..   16-20  It's About ...
  A. A "Successful" Farmer.. 
    1. He was rich.. 
    2. He had fruitful land.. 
    3. He had a problem... what to do with all his goods ?  17 
    4. He had a "solution".. enlarge his barns.. store his increase 
    5. He had a plan...  enjoy his prosperity..
	- "Soul".. you have much goods stored
	- "Soul".. it will last for many years.. 
	- "Soul".. take it easy... "eat, drink, and be merry" 
  B. A "Foolish" Farmer... 20  "but God Said...." 
    1. He was a "Fool".. empty headed one... (foam) 
	- He was thinking only for time... and not for eternity!
    2. His "soul" would be recalled... this night! 
	- He thought he plenty of time... 
    3. His "goods" would pass to another... 
	- He lived for "self"... would not enjoy it at all... 

III.  JESUS MADE THE APPLICATION...  21  "So Is Everyone...." 
  A. Who Lays Up Treasure for Himself.. 
    1. Yearns and earns only for his own creature comforts 
    2. Lives only for the "Now" 
  B. Who Is Not "Rich" Toward God...   How to begin ?? 
    1. Recognize your personal sinfulness 
    2. Repent.. Godly sorrow... change of attitude that results in a change
       of action. Turn from and Turn To... 
    3. Receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior 
    4. Reform.. - begin to apply the lesson...and be RICH TOWARD GOD! 

IT IS SO EASY TO BE "COVETEOUS" RATHER THAN "CONTENTED"
CHRISTIANS CAN FIND REAL JOY & CONTENTMENT IN HIS PRESENCE...  Psalm 16:11