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Sunday Worship 24 April 2022 : “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God”

Text: Luke 18:18-30
24 April 2022

Introduction

1. Many will resist entering the kingdom of God

2. The people whom Jesus taught

a. The sinners
“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.”   John 3:19, 20
b. Scribes and Pharisees
c. Multitudes

The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector

1. Those who trusted in their personal righteousness

“Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’
a. The prayer of the Pharisee before God
b. He exalted himself   (Luke 18:14)
c. Despised others
d. But was not justified   (Luke 18:14)

2. The tax collector humbled himself before God

“And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’   Luke 18:13
a. Prayer of the tax collector before God
b. Great humility   (Luke 18:14)
c. Was exalted   (Luke 18:14)
d. Justified   (Luke 18:14)

The desire of the rich young ruler makes it hard

1. The story of the rich young ruler   (Luke 18:18-23, Matthew 19:16-22)

a. He was young   (Matthew 19:20, 22)
b. He was rich   (Luke 18:23, Matthew 19:22)
c. He was a rich young ruler   (Luke 18:18)
d. He was knowledgeable   (Luke 18:20)
e. He desired to be good

2. The question about eternal life

“Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”   Luke 18:18
a. His inquiry of eternal life
b. “What shall I do…”
c. The Lord Jesus’ answer
i. No one is good but God   (Luke 18:19)
ii. To do the commandments   (Luke 18:20)
“You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”
d. The young ruler replied that he kept all the commandments from young
“And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.”   Luke 18:21
“The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”   Matthew 19:20

3. The Lord’s challenge to the young ruler

“Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”   Matthew 19:21
a. “If you want to be perfect”
b. Sell all
c. Give to the poor
d. Follow the Lord

4. The response of the young ruler   (Matthew 19:22)

a. This was one thing that the rich man lacked
b. He found it hard to give up all his riches
c. He was not able to follow the Lord
d. He ended up being sorrowful

Understanding the problem of the ruler

1. Lack of humility

2. Covetousness

3. Truly impossible for the rich to enter the kingdom

“For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”   Luke 18:25

The worth of the kingdom of God

1. To the rich young ruler

a. Jesus revealed the worth of the kingdom
“You will have treasure in heaven.”   Luke 18:22
b. But it was lost on the ruler
c. He did not see the worth of the kingdom
d. He found greater worth in the things of the world

2. To those who have faith

a. The kingdom of God is of great spiritual worth
b. It is priceless

3. What is the worth of the kingdom to us?

All things are possible with God

1. The disciples’ reactions

“When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
a. Greatly astonished
b. Their understanding was that if you are blessed with riches, you are saved already

2. Salvation is a work of God

“But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”   Luke 18:27
a. It may seem impossible for a rich man to be saved
b. God makes it possible for a rich or poor man to enter into His kingdom
c. For those who have faith in Him

Conclusion

1. Choosing to receive the kingdom of God

a. It is worthwhile to receive the kingdom of God
b. Do not allow any obstacle to stop us
c. Have faith in the Lord and His kingdom

2. Challenged to do more for the kingdom of God

a. What would we be willing to sacrifice?
b. The sacrifice of the Lord Jesus
“For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”   Luke 18:32
c. To be inspired by the Lord to do more for the kingdom of God

Last hymn HWC 517 “I’d rather have Jesus”