INTRODUCTION

1. Not everyone fully comprehended the teaching about the Kingdom of God

2. The people who listened to the teaching of the Lord Jesus

a) The Multitudes

They did not fully comprehend Matthew 13:10-15

b) The Disciples

They had a better grasp of His teachings Matthew 13:16-17

3. There were others who were not Multitudes nor were they Disciples

a) Some were Scribes (scholars)

b) Others were religious leaders (Pharisees, Sadducees)

 

THOSE WHO TRUSTED IN THEIR PERSONAL RIGHTEOUSNESS
Luke 18:9-14

1. These were clearly described

Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Luke 18:9

2. The problem explained in a parable

10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 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. 12 I fast twice a week;

I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 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!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,

and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:10-14

3. Features of this Parable

a) The Pharisee

i) He thanks God he is not like others

ii) The others- “extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector”

iii) He fasts twice a week

iv) He gives tithes of what he possesses

b) The tax-collector

i) He stands far away

ii) He does not dare to lift up his eyes to heaven

iii) He beats his breast (in remorse, in grief and repentance)

iv) He prays, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!”

4. The comment of the Lord Jesus

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:14

a) The tax-collector goes away justified

b) But not the Pharisee

c) The sinner who humbles himself will be exalted

d) The person who exalts himself will be humbled

5. Self-righteousness

It can prevent a person from fully understanding the Kingdom of God!

 

THOSE WHO CHOOSE WEALTH ABOVE THE KINGDOM OF GOD

18 Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

19 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 20 You know the commandments:

‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honour your father and your mother.’ ”

21 And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.”

22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor,

and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.

24 And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!

25 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 18:18-25

1. This is NOT a Parable

2. This was a true story

3. Features of the story

a) A ruler of the Jews

b) A very wealthy man

c) He is a knowledgeable man

d) He claims he has been keeping God’s laws

4. His question

“Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Luke 18:18

 

THE INTERACTION OF THE LORD JESUS WITH THE RICH RULER

1. Would he be prepared to give up his wealth to follow the Lord Jesus?

2. The response of the rich ruler

22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor,

and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. Luke 18:22-23

a) He could not part with his wealth

b) The idea of a “treasure in heaven” was not very real to him

c) He was very sorrowful

d) He knew the Lord Jesus was right

e) But he could not give up his wealth!

 

THE COMMENT OF THE LORD JESUS

24 And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!

25 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 18:24-25

1. “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!”

a) Wealth can hinder people from considering the worth of the kingdom of God

b) Wealth is often chosen rather than God’s kingdom

2. “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.”

a) How can a camel go through the eye of a needle?

b) Harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God!

 

THE RESPONSE OF THE DISCIPLES

And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?” Luke 18:26

1. They were surprised

2. They thought that those who are blessed with wealth would be saved easily

 

THE FINAL COMMENTS OF THE LORD JESUS

27 But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”

28 Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.”

29 So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,
30 who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.” Luke 18:27-30

1. Salvation is a work of God

2. Those who have given up all to follow the Lord Jesus have shown genuine faith in the Lord Jesus and the Kingdom of God

3. Their blessings:

a) They are blessed in this life

b) They will have eternal life in the Kingdom of God

 

CONCLUSION

1. Let nothing come in the way of believing in the Lord Jesus Christ

2. The Kingdom of God is worth every sacrifice we may make!