Cares, Riches, Pleasures!
Craig Mussulman warns believers about the subtle dangers of worldly cares, riches, and pleasures that can entangle and distract them from fully following Jesus Christ.
This sermon emphasizes the danger of being drawn away from Jesus Christ by the cares and distractions of this world. It highlights how easily worries and anxieties about various aspects of life can consume us, leading to a lack of focus on what truly matters. The speaker urges Christians to prioritize their time and attention on eternal things rather than temporary concerns, reminding them to constantly evaluate if they are making the best use of their time in light of the evil days we live in.
Full Transcript
How easily this world seeks to draw you and suck you in, and away from anything and everything that's Jesus Christ. And it can be so subtle at first. Who doesn't have cares in this world? We do, right? And it has often been my prayer, Lord, please, please don't let me be swallowed up by the cares of this world.
I think Christians feel that. You name it. Our children's welfare.
I mean, it can be good things. Family, health, bills, food, job, house, car, lawn, this, that. All kinds of things.
All these temporary things vying for our attention and time. And they'll swallow you whole if you let them. They will.
Cares, worries, anxieties of every sort. Worrying about this not being right, that not being right, and getting this done, that done, and worrying about food and clothing and shelter. Life can be full of worries.
People can simply just get weighed down and preoccupied by the constant pressures of just ordinary life. The job, the needs, the education, employment, social duties, family. These are real thorns.
Real thorns that can wrap themselves around you and choke you out. I was telling Bobby, one of the good things about making trips to places like Renosa is it serves as a fresh reminder of just what's important in this life. It's a gut check.
Am I living life right, Lord? Am I making the best use of my time because the days are evil, as Paul says? And what a statement that is to American prosperity and ease. The Lord has increasingly gripped my mind with this concern over the last two or three years. Making, not just good use, the best use of time.
God, help us. Help us. Brother, are we doing that? Are we even burdened about that? Are we even thinking about that? Far be it that any of us here find more time for Facebook and such than we do with spending time with our Lord.
Cares, riches, pleasures, they're right there next to you. Waiting to put you to sleep and entangle you so deep you can't get out of it.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Subtlety of Worldly Cares
- Cares and worries can slowly draw believers away from Christ
- Common concerns include family, health, and daily needs
- These cares compete for our time and attention
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II. The Danger of Being Swallowed Up
- Cares can choke spiritual life like thorns
- The pressures of ordinary life can weigh down believers
- It is easy to become preoccupied and distracted
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III. The Call to Evaluate Our Priorities
- Reflect on whether we are living life rightly before God
- Make the best use of time because the days are evil
- Avoid spending more time on distractions than on the Lord
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IV. The Reality of Cares, Riches, and Pleasures
- They are always present and ready to entangle us
- They can put us to spiritual sleep
- We must be vigilant to not be caught by them
Key Quotes
“How easily this world seeks to draw you and suck you in, and away from anything and everything that's Jesus Christ.” — Craig Mussulman
“Cares, riches, pleasures, they're right there next to you. Waiting to put you to sleep and entangle you so deep you can't get out of it.” — Craig Mussulman
“Am I living life right, Lord? Am I making the best use of my time because the days are evil, as Paul says?” — Craig Mussulman
Application Points
- Regularly evaluate your daily priorities to ensure Christ remains central in your life.
- Guard your time carefully to avoid being consumed by worries and worldly distractions.
- Seek God's help to resist the entanglement of riches and pleasures that can dull your spiritual walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 'cares of this world' mentioned in the sermon?
They refer to everyday worries and concerns such as family, health, finances, and daily responsibilities that can distract believers from focusing on Christ.
Why does Craig emphasize making the best use of time?
Because the days are evil, believers need to prioritize their time wisely to avoid being consumed by worldly distractions and to grow spiritually.
How can worldly riches and pleasures be harmful to Christians?
They can entangle believers, leading to spiritual complacency and distraction from their relationship with Jesus.
What practical steps does the sermon suggest to avoid being swallowed by cares?
Regular self-reflection, prioritizing time with the Lord over distractions, and recognizing what truly matters in life.
Is it wrong to have concerns about family and daily needs?
No, but when these concerns become overwhelming and distract from faith, they become a spiritual danger.