January 30, 2022

Entering the Kingdom of God

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Luke 18:15-30
Service Type:

Introduction

  • The 1st parable speaks about children and young people
  • Children
    • In times past many children went to Church
      • This is no longer the case
    • Jesus entreated children to come to Him as the disciples were trying to prevent parents from bringing their children
      • Are children being hindered from coming to Church?
    • What about Christians?
      • We have a responsibility to teach our children about God - Deut 6
  • Young People
    • Some may remember rallies of old
    • Example of Steve Levy
    • Today it is very hard - we need much prayer
  • The 2nd parable speaks about a man - a young man (the other Gospels tell us)
    • Jesus spoke about the Ten Commandments - He knew what this man needed to hear
  • Looking at both passages but concentrating on the Rich Young Ruler
    • What links these passages?
      • v17, 24, 29
  • Jesus preaches of the kingdom of God
    • Not everyone is a child of God

Verse by Verse

  • The young man asks about eternal life (v18)
    • Mark's gospel tells us he is eager / he runs to Jesus
    • Mark's gospel tells us he kneels before Jesus
  • If someone ran to church and knelt down crying out 'what must I do to have eternal life?', we would think they were really searching
    • But what would we say to them?
    • Example of the Philippian Jailer
  • Jesus takes a different approach
    • He knew this man was trusting in his own righteousness
      • He had kept most, but not all of the law
    • Do not many today think they are good people and that perhaps there is something more they need to do?
      • They do not understand that God demands perfection and total obedience
    • A child comes with nothing and receives everything
      • This young man cannot trust in himself, but give up these things and come empty handed to God
    • Salvation is a free gift
      • Total grace
      • No self-reliance - just like a child
  • Challenging the young man as He calls Jesus good (v19)
    • All humans are sinners but there is only one who is pure and intrinsically good - that is God
    • Do you understand that Jesus is God?
      • He is fully good
      • He never sinned
      • He is absolutely perfect
    • Example of Nicodemus - a fellow teacher of the law
    • Jesus' life will be a payment for our sin
      • His righteousness will be transferred to us
  • The Ten Commandments quoted out of order (v20)
    • Is there a significance to the order quoted by Jesus?
    • The young man assumes he has kept all these commandments (v21)
      • He assumes he is an upright moral man - like Paul
      • He may certainly be outwardly clean
    • Jesus tells him there is one thing he lacked - on the commandment He did not quote - covetousness
      • Why does Jesus say this?
      • "Through the law comes the knowledge of sin"
      • No-one will believe in Jesus unless convicted of their sin
      • The young man may appear outwardly clean but this is not true inside
  • Jesus tells him to sell everything (v22)
    • He did not need to say this to Zacchaeus as his heart was already moved to freely payback his ill-gotten riches
    • Mark's gospel tells us this young man had many possessions - that he lived for
    • Not that works would save him but that he repents
      • Jesus needs to be his highest treasure
      • If we follow Jesus we will have treasure in heaven (v22)
    • He could not make the commitment to come under Jesus' Lordship and follow Him
      • Example of Ruth and Naomi
  • Speaking about riches (v24-30)
    • It is not riches that stop people from going to heaven but the love of riches
      • With riches comes responsibility
      • Riches are dangerous
        • 1 Tim 6
        • Riches become all consuming
    • It is harder for a camel to go through the eye of a needle (v25)
      • Example of the Talmud
      • Jesus uses a similar proverbial saying
    • The disciples do not understand (v26)
      • It is impossible for men to save themselves
      • But God has the power to save
    • The disciples have given up all (v28)
      • This may be hard but you will receive provision and blessing
      • Not to become rich
  • A pernicious teaching - come to Jesus and He will make you rich
    • This exalts people to live for riches
    • To follow Jesus to have, to claim and to get
    • This is not the Gospel teaching and not found in the Bible
      • Yes those who work hard will become rich
      • You must come as a little child - with nothing but your vulnerability
      • We must rely totally on Jesus Christ

Closing Remarks

  • Enter through the narrow gate
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