Sermon on the Mount – Storing Up Treasures in Heaven

Matthew Vander Els, speaking at Founded in Truth Fellowship, began a teaching by acknowledging the current events and uncertainties of the world heading into 2025. He emphasized the Christian duty to pray for leaders, referencing both President Trump and President Biden as examples. Despite the conflicts and anxieties prevalent in the world, he urged the congregation to remember their neighbors and reject living in fear.

Vander Els introduced the concept of the church as an embassy of the kingdom of God, where the focus should be on seeing human beings rather than worldly headlines. He then directed the attention to the Sermon on the Mount, specifically Jesus’ teachings on navigating a challenging world as citizens of God’s kingdom. He explained that Jesus taught that it’s possible to experience heaven, or the kingdom of God, here and now on earth, characterized by God’s complete shalom, presence, and rule. This isn’t solely something to be attained after death but a reality that can seep in through the Holy Spirit, bringing peace. The Sermon on the Mount, according to Matthew Vander Els, is about how to cross the threshold into this heavenly reality in the present. He used the analogy of tuning a radio to a specific frequency to illustrate how we can align ourselves with the frequency of heaven, which is always available.

Expanding on the nature of heaven, Vander Els stated that the Bible presents it as not bound by space but rather about making heaven and earth indistinguishable, bringing God’s presence and reign fully into the present moment. He cited Jesus’ miracles of healing, resurrection, and forgiveness as examples of people experiencing heaven on earth. He reflected on the common desire of older people for peace, recognizing its true value on both personal and global scales. Moments of peace, love, and joy are reflections of God’s reign on earth, treasures of heaven.

Vander Els then delved into Matthew 6:19-21, where Jesus teaches about not storing up treasures on earth but in heaven. He addressed the common misconception of heavenly treasures being a future investment, suggesting that Jesus is speaking about the present. He clarified that the Greek word “thesaurus” used in this passage means a storage room, a place where you store things, rather than inherently meaning treasure itself. Therefore, Jesus’ teaching is not just about money but about not storing up things in general.

He elaborated that anything we tend to store up can become an obstacle to experiencing the kingdom of God, heaven on earth. This includes tangible things like money, but also intangible things like security, jobs, lifestyles, and even some relationships that we anchor ourselves to, preventing us from our true journey. Vander Els used the example of early cordless phones interfering with baby monitors to illustrate how frequencies can clash, suggesting that the things that give us earthly security can keep us from the deeper security found in God. The threshold to this divine security is trust, and God often places good things on the other side of fear. While settling for earthly security is a path one can choose, Matthew Vander Els emphasized the greater fulfillment in seeking a closer relationship with God, recognizing that worldly security is ultimately a facade. There is never enough earthly wealth to resolve all problems, as new threats constantly arise, similar to the cycle of addiction.

Turning the dial to the frequency of heaven involves leaving behind the things we are currently anchored to. The treasures of heaven are priceless and cannot be taken away, contrasting with earthly treasures that are subject to destruction, decay, and theft. These heavenly treasures include peace, contentment, love, mercy, and grace – the qualities reflected in the life of Jesus. Vander Els described individuals deeply connected to God as often living lives that might appear difficult from an external perspective, yet they remain at peace and focused on God because they are tuned into a different reality. To experience this same level of peace, one must also engage in changing the dial, letting go of the things that hold them back. Acquiring heavenly treasure, which God values, requires the courage to let go of insecurity, status, and everything that causes fear. The fundamental issue is fear, not simply material possessions.

Vander Els directly addressed the topic of money, questioning why people are scared to give their money to God, especially within American culture where money often takes a central role. He critiqued the consumeristic nature of modern Christmas as an example of this. He asserted that the root of storing up things is fear, which is not on the same frequency as the kingdom of heaven. Negative emotions like anger and hatred also stem from fear. The opposite of love is fear, and since God is love, being one with God necessitates confronting and overcoming fear.

This is also a matter of allegiance; one cannot serve both God and money (mammon), which represents wealth and anything providing false security that prevents leaving fear behind. The world will only reflect the kingdom of heaven when its citizens embody that way of life, which requires controlling personal fear. Matthew Vander Els used examples like being afraid to leave a secure but limiting job or being attached to sentimental but unnecessary possessions (like an old iPhone box) to illustrate how fear governs our choices. Giving money to the local church, the embassy of God’s kingdom, demonstrates where one’s heart and trust lie and signifies a release of fear and solidarity with the community. Fear acts as a control mechanism and can become an addiction, manifesting in reactions to news or the need to engage in negative online behaviors.

The core message of the Bible, according to Matthew Vander Els, is to let go of fear and let love guide actions. Overcoming fear leads to becoming unoffendable, emotionally stable, and naturally inclined towards forgiveness. Choosing to align with God’s frequency might provoke those still operating out of fear. Ultimately, Yeshua’s entire ministry encourages us to stop letting fear control us and to step into a place of love, becoming ambassadors of heaven. He concluded by reminding the congregation that they have the power and the Spirit to leave fear behind, identify their anchors, and turn towards God, allowing the world to see a kingdom built on love, not fear.

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Application for Everyday Life:

• Recognize and confront your fears: Identify the specific things that cause you fear, as these are often the anchors preventing you from experiencing deeper peace and connection with God.
• Examine what you are “storing up”: Reflect on both tangible possessions and intangible securities you are clinging to. Consider if these are hindering your spiritual growth and trust in God.
• Practice letting go: Consciously work on releasing your grip on things that you realize are driven by fear, whether it’s material items, the need for constant security, or certain relationships.
• Prioritize heavenly treasures: Focus on cultivating qualities like peace, love, joy, forgiveness, and contentment, recognizing these as true and lasting treasures.
• Cultivate trust in God: Actively work on building your trust in God’s provision and security, understanding that true security comes from Him, not from worldly possessions or circumstances.
• Be aware of your allegiances: Examine where your primary loyalty lies – with God and His kingdom, or with worldly values and the pursuit of wealth and status.
• Give generously: Consider giving your resources, including money, to support the local church and other expressions of God’s kingdom as an act of trust and a release of fear.
• Choose love over fear in your interactions: When faced with anger, conflict, or judgment (both internal and external), recognize the underlying fear and consciously choose to respond with love and understanding.