Sobering Realities #11: An exposition of Luke 18:18-30. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist on Sunday morning, June 24, 2012.
Intro:
It is a difficult sight. It is hard to watch regardless of the circumstances. No one likes to witness it. Only the most perverted wants to see another human being’s spirit crushed. He was young, promising, the kind of young man who had the world by the tail. He wasn’t arrogant – on the contrary he was humble. Unlike so many of his contemporaries he exhibited genuine compassion and great concern for those around him. He is the kind of guy everyone wanted to see succeed. That’s what made it so difficult to watch. He didn’t say a word. He didn’t have to; you could see it in his eyes. Those dark, penetrating eyes said it all. That face that seconds before was bright with excitement now revealed the pain and sorrow of his heart. He didn’t say a word. He simply turned and walked away. A deafening silence fell across the crowd. And the Master declared, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” Our text this morning is found in the 18th chapter of Luke’s Gospel beginning with the 18th verse.
Text: Luke 18:18-30
The cross is within sight.
Storm clouds are gathering on the horizon as the hostility mounts.
In a matter of days an angry mob will be shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”
History’s pivotal moment is about to arrive.
Galilee’s rebel rousing rabbi and his “blue collar” disciples are making their way toward Jerusalem.
This is a moment of high drama.
The focus of the Lord Jesus in these last days before the cross is on the Kingdom of God.
The fact that it is a present reality and a future hope.
He has talked about life in the “not yet” of the Kingdom.
As we live in the “not yet” we are to live lives of confident, persistent prayer.
He has made it clear that a man is made right with God by throwing himself on the mercy of God.
A man is justified in the eyes of God when he cries out from the depth of his being, “God, have mercy on me the sinner.”
As he held infants in his arms he said to those gathered, “The kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” You either enter the kingdom of God as a helpless dependent or you do not enter it at all.
That great truth is amplified by what happened next.
What follows is Luke’s account of the “Rich Young Ruler.”
This is an encounter that is found in all the synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke.
Matthew lets us know he was young.
Luke informs us that he was a ruler.
All three make it plain that he was rich.
This is another of those biblical texts that is often pressed into service where it does not belong. Well meaning Bible teachers and expositors draw conclusions from this text that, while they may be true, do not flow from this particular text!
Set the encounter in its context. The flow of thought in this passage has to do with entrance into the kingdom of God. Note the passage sighted a moment ago (18:15-17). Also note the words of Jesus in verse 24 of the text. Thus the focus of our passage has to do with entrance into the kingdom of God. What does it take to go to heaven? What is involved in receiving eternal life?
I’m convinced that a careful reading of the text serves to remind us that:
Thesis: Receiving eternal life demands that you abandon self-effort and confidently trust in Christ alone.
There are two things I want us to note as we explore this passage.
- Receiving eternal life demands an honest acknowledgement of your helpless state. (18:23)
- Receiving eternal life demands absolute confidence in Christ and Christ alone. (18:24-30)
Conclusion:
Jesus is teaching that wealth is a handicap.
Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 16:13, 19-31; 12:13-21
There are disadvantages to having money, primarily what it can do to your soul.
Wealth can pervert one’s values.
Soon you know the price of everything and the value of nothing!
The problem with wealth is self-reliance.
You buy whatever you need.
Who then can be saved?
The point is everyone’s salvation is a miracle.
Hebrews 7 makes it clear.
Complete, absolute, total, eternal salvation is our because of the miraculous work of Jesus Christ and him alone.
18:27 = salvation is the work of God and not a work of man.