Entrance Into the Kingdom
Notes
Transcript
Intro
I wanted a dog so bag growing up. When I was in 4th grade, my parents made me a promise that if I hit a home run, I could get a dog. Deal. Finally hit one. Got a dog named Maddie, short for Greg Maddux. This was the best. Take it out to use the bathroom. Clean up after it. Feed it. Get shots. Sprayed with skunk, I had to clean. This wasn’t a great deal. Costing me more than I thought.
Need: Everything in life costs you something. Not everything is monetary. Even the great question in Scripture about how we inherit eternal life/enter kingdom. This costs us something. Our gut response is that it costs us tithe money, service hours, and more boxes of obedience. That’s not what Jesus will explain in this text.
Main Idea: To enter God’s kingdom requires something of us.
Return to Luke 8:5-8. I believe that the parable of the sower is the hinge passage in Luke.
5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. 8 And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Here in Luke 18, we will see Jesus explaining how to enter the kingdom. Three main truths and then application.
Truth #1: Entrance into the kingdom is for those who have childlike dependence (15-17)
Exp. After the parable of Pharisee and tax collector, people begin bringing their babies to Jesus. Verse 15. High infant mortality rate. Parents thought that bringing their babies to Jesus would save them. Disciples rebuked them. Verse 16-17. He’s not saying it’s only for children because that would nullify everyone before and after this. But a quality of children that people are to have. Reason he said “infants” = complete dependence. Babies can’t do anything for themselves. This is the dependence we are to have on God.
Arg. Our dependence is typically placed on ourselves.
Ill. Three Chinese girls working at Ridgecrest. One said things would be better if she just knew the answers to all her questions. I explained to her that answers do not solve problems. Dependence on God does. Letting go of our self-reliance will.
Truth #2: Entrance into the kingdom is not for those distracted by worldly goods (18-30)
Exp. After hearing Jesus speak about the kids and kingdom, a ruler of the synagogue speaks up about himself. Verse 18. “What about me?” Verse 19. Jesus is not saying he’s not good, but tying a thread between God and himself. Then he answers. Verse 20. Five of the Ten. All on the second tablet having to do with people. Verse 21. He’s done it. Measurable achievements. This is our pitfall. Look at what we’ve done. Verse 22. Sell what you have. Verse 23. Luke is telling us that he won’t do it.
Ill. Picture of Gollum from Lord of the Rings. He desires the ring and chases it until it finally kills him. If he would just let it go, he would be free from its power. That’s how this ruler is with his possessions. That’s how we can be.
Arg. Being rich isn’t the problem. Idolatry of our possessions is. You can be that way and poor. Verse 24-25. Wild illustration. Jesus is lamenting what created things do to God’s image bearers. Verse 26-27. We saw this when the angel spoke with Mary. Who can be saved? Only God can save. Salvation is a gift from God. Those clinging to worldly things won’t enter the kingdom because you either take the kingdom without everything or you lose the kingdom. Peter then brags on the disciples. Jesus answers. Verse 29-30. Are you clinging to the things of this world?
Truth #3: Entrance into the kingdom comes through Jesus Christ (31-34)
Exp. Jesus leaves the crowd and is only with disciples. Verse 31-33. We knew he turned his face to Jerusalem. The OT prophesies about all that will happen. Delivered to Gentiles and poorly treated. Kill him, but then rise again. This is what he will go through and then win victoriously. Verse 34.
Ill. Christian asked about where God came from. I told him that God always existed. Then I asked if he understood, and he was like no. Hard for an adult. The disciples couldn’t grasp this truth either.
Arg. Even though he’s told them several times, they wouldn’t wrap their minds around it. It was like Jesus had veiled their eyes. This ultimately displays our dependence on God. Jesus can explain something numerous times and it still not make sense. He ultimately reveals truth to us.
Christ - As a child is fully dependent on someone to take care of them, we are fully dependent on God for salvation. Christ is the sacrifice that we couldn’t supply ourself. Our calling is to lay down our earthly things to follow Christ, as he laid down heaven to die for us.
App.
Depend on God for everything. Why do we struggle with this? Self assurance will lead us astray. Why do we pray as a last resort instead of our first response? Do you depend on God for the future? Do you depend on God in your work? With your kids? Practice letting go!
Renounce worldly idols. For the ruler, it was his possessions. Can you renounce your for Christ? What about renouncing your reputation? Do you make decisions based on what you think people will think? This isn’t a suggestion or wise advice, but necessary for what’s next.
Follow Christ. Go back to verse 22. There is more than one command. Not only sell what you have, but follow Jesus. He’s inviting you to follow in his footsteps. The footsteps that lead to Jerusalem, to the cross, and to the resurrection. New life. Away from the worldly things.
Conclusion
Here is the cost: everything. Just like Jesus, don’t withhold anything.
