Understanding the Investment of Eternal Life

Understanding the Investment of Eternal Life

Luke 18:31 - 19:27

September 29, 2000

Scripture:  Romans 4:1-8

Prayer

I.       The Way to Eternal Life

31*  Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled.

32*  He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him.

33*  On the third day he will rise again."

34*  The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.

II. We Must Want to See and Believe

35*  As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging.

36*  When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening.

37*  They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."

38*  He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

39*  Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

40*  Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him,

41*  "What do you want me to do for you?" "Lord, I want to see," he replied.

42*  Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you."

43*  Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

III.    We Must Want to See and Repent

1*  Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.

2*  A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.

3*  He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd.

4*  So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

5*  When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today."

6*  So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

7*  All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.'"

8*  But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."

9*  Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.

10*  For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

IV.    We Must Want to Serve Him with the Eternal Life He Gives Us

11*  While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.

12*  He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return.

13*  So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. 'Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.'

14*  "But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, 'We don't want this man to be our king.'

15*  "He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.

16*  "The first one came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned ten more.'

17*  "'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.'

18*  "The second came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned five more.'

19*  "His master answered, 'You take charge of five cities.'

20*  "Then another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth.

21*  I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.'

22*  "His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow?

23*  Why then didn't you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?'

24*  "Then he said to those standing by, 'Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.'

25*  "'Sir,' they said, 'he already has ten!'

26*  "He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.

27*  But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them-- bring them here and kill them in front of me.'"