Ye Cannot Serve God and Mammon
The sermon emphasizes the importance of choosing to serve only one master, God, and committing to Him with a whole heart.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes that Jesus clearly states one cannot serve both God and mammon, warning that attempting to do so leads to serving only one master, ultimately resulting in spiritual deception and failure. He illustrates this with examples of biblical figures like Saul, Balaam, and Judas, who faced dire consequences for their divided loyalties. In contrast, he highlights Mary and Paul, who exemplified a singular devotion to Christ, leading to divine favor and deliverance. Simpson urges believers to fully commit their hearts to God, assuring that such dedication will not go unrewarded. The sermon challenges listeners to reflect on their own commitment to Jesus as their sole master.
Text
Jesus does not say you cannot very well serve God and mammon. Rather, He says you cannot serve two masters at all. If you try, you will surely end up serving only one. The person who thinks he or she is serving God a little is deceived. He or she is not serving God. God will not have that service. The devil will monopolize the person before long. A divided heart loses both worlds. Saul tried it. Balaam tried it. Judas tried it. Their efforts ended in desperate failure. For Mary there was but one choice. Paul said: This one thing I do, and For me to live is Christ.
Of such a life God says: Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name (Psalm 91:14).
God takes a peculiar pride in revealing His love to the heart that wholly chooses Him. Heaven and earth will fade away before its trust can be disappointed. Have we chosen Him only and given Him all our hearts? Say, is it all for Jesus, As you so often sing? Is He your Royal Master? Is He your heart's dear King?
Sermon Outline
- You Cannot Serve Two Masters
- Examples of those who tried to serve two masters
- The choice to serve one master
- God's response to a whole heart
- God's love and protection
- Heaven's trust in a whole heart
- Judas
Key Quotes
“A divided heart loses both worlds.” — A.B. Simpson
“For me to live is Christ.” — A.B. Simpson
“Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name (Psalm 91:14).” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- We must choose to serve only one master, God, and commit to Him with a whole heart.
- A divided heart will lead to serving only one, and the devil will monopolize our lives.
- God takes pride in revealing His love to the heart that wholly chooses Him and promises to deliver and protect it.