(ill) My Dad was into computers long before computers were cool. He was a math whiz who got into computer science in the early 1960?s, even spending 1963-64 at MIT in Boston, MASS. When he finished at MIT, my Dad moved us to Houston TX where he became a systems analyst for Shell Oil. For nine years he ran the corporate rat race as he climbed the Shell ladder.

In 1974, much to my shock and dismay, Dad announced that he was leaving Shell, ad we moved from suburban Houston TX o very rural (and swampy) Judice LA. I didn?t like it. I didn?t understand it. I didn?t appreciate it. But I still remember what my Dad kept telling me as I repeatedly asked him "Why are we moving?" He just kept saying, "Some things are more important than money and success."

T/S: At 10 years old, that meant nothing to me. As a father of 3, now pushing 40, it means a lot. What matters most? One way or another we will answer that question. Either because we have consciously thought about it, and made some concrete decisions about what is important in our life. Or because we will have not given it any thought, and just reacted to life, and let the world around us determine for us what will be most important to us.

What do these parables tell us?

1) The kingdom of God is the most valuable treasure that we can possess.

2) We must move our citizenship into God?s kingdom, or else we will face the consequences.

This morning?s message is a train that runs on two parallel tracks. First of all, since God?s kingdom is the most valuable treasure that we can possess, what response to that knowledge is required from us? Secondly, how does our response to that knowledge impact fathers?

As I examined the Scriptures this week, I found God clearly and consistently answering the question "What matters most?" -- with calls for men and women to develop and live faith-filled lives. There is a progression of three steps that the Bible calls you and I to make in acknowledging by faith, that the kingdom of God matters most.

Jesus? teaching to His disciples about the kingdom of God came down to this -- each disciple needed to make a decision with regard to their will about whether the kingdom of God was what mattered most to them. In very real terms, what this looks like is whether our lives are centered on Jesus.

(ill) A great many people view their relationship with Jesus as another slice in the pie of life. Jesus is one more thing to be juggled, to fit in, to make room for. But the picture of Scripture is quite different. Rather than being another piece of our lives, God desires that our relationship with Him be the pie plate, the foundation upon which all of our life rests.

Our attentions are focused on a great many things, and the end result is that Jesus often gets reduced to leftover loyalty. But these two parables show us characters that are busying about life, looking for success.... looking for satisfaction ... and they stumble upon thee answer. What matters most! What is most valuable that they sell everything that they have? What is so worthwhile that it becomes the top priority?

It?s an issue of faith. Jesus? teaching on the kingdom of God forces me to ask myself: Am I focused on my relationship with God first and foremost above everything else?

(ill) If I came to the conclusion that the most important thing in the world was basketball ....

then I would want to get to know Rick Pitino.

If I came to the conclusion that the most important thing in life was investing in the stock market......

then I would want to get to know Warren Buffet.

If I came to the conclusion that the most important thing in the world was technology and computers ....

then I would want to get to know Bill Gates.

But if I come to the conclusion that the most important thing in the world is the kingdom of God.....

then I must get to know Jesus Christ.

Refocusing my attention, is a step of faith, where I decide that the kingdom of God is what matters most in my life. (Steps two and three will be irrelevant if you don?t make this decision in Step one)

Applications for Dads --

* lead prayers over meals

* be excited & positive about worship and church

* model prayerfulness

* be the spiritual leader of your house ... center your family?s attention on Jesus

James writes about being "double-minded" in our faith. When we move from distracted faith to lives centered on Jesus, it only stands to reason that our activities will need to be adjusted. (ill) Prior to my decision that Jesus was #1 -- before I acknowledged that the kingdom of God was what mattered most -- my energies were spent on

> making a living

> providing for my family

> entertaining myself

> enjoying life

> doing yard work

> watching TV.

But none of those matter most! Does that mean that I?ve stopped doing those things? it better no -- because Paul says that if you don?t work, you don?t eat! What it means is that I need to organize my activities around what matters most.

You may make your plans, but God directs your actions. Proverbs 16:9 (TEV)

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)

"You have heard that the law of Moses says, 'If an eye is injured, injure the eye of the person who did it. If a tooth gets knocked out, knock out the tooth of the person who did it.' But I say, don't resist an evil person! If you are slapped on the right cheek, turn the other, too. If you are ordered to court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow.

"You have heard that the law of Moses says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and on the unjust, too. If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Matthew 5:38-48 (NLT)

Again Jesus went to pray and said, "My Father, if there is no other way, and I must suffer, I will still do what you want." Matthew 26:42 (CEV)

Dads should

- model forgiveness

- model self sacrifice

- model generosity

- model heavenly mindedness

- model faith

- model love

- model grace

To relinquish my authority means to implement my choice to decide that the kingdom of God matters most, EVEN when it inconveniences me or makes me uncomfortable.

God?s dragnet of judgment gathers everyone. The question of who is good and who is bad is resolved by how you respond to Jesus? challenge to make the kingdom of God matter most in your life.