February 7, 2016
Morning Service

Luke 18:15-30.

 

            One of the topics we discussed last week was the importance of prayer.  Being persistent, and always in prayer.  You have a life, and God is there for you at all times.  So why not walk in prayer?  He is our heavenly Father.  When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He said, “Our Father which art in heaven,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,”  Our Father.  Yours, His, and mine.  It’s a very comforting thought, to know that my Father is in control of this universe, and everything that happens.  Things don’t just happen.  He is working all things out according to His divine plan.  He will be bringing things to a close before long.  Then we will be in eternity with Him, and all those that love His appearing. 

            This morning we will look at two topics, the first is accepting the Kingdom of God as a little child, the second, is what it takes to possess eternal life.      These teachings are also found in Matthew, and Mark.        Let’s begin.

 

Luk 18:15-30  And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them:

·         They were seeking a blessing for their children.

·         It’s what we do when we bring our children forward, and have them anointed, and prayed for.  It’s not Christian baptism, but asking God to watch over them, and keep them safe, until they are old enough to make up their minds on becoming a Christian.

·         Paul said in the Ephesian letter that there was only one Christian baptism, and that is submerging in water, in Jesus name, to wash away your sins.  All the examples in the Scriptures are of people old enough to make the decision for themselves, no infants. 

·         The reason the Catholic church baptizes babies is to remove the Adamic sin.  You will not be judged because of Adam’s sins, but your own.   (Ezekiel 18 ).

but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.  (16)  But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.  (17)  Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. 

·         Do not keep your children from coming to me.  It is actually a matter of life, or death.  Parent, if you don’t raise your children in the fear, and admonition of the Lord, they don’t have a chance in this world.  Satan will destroy them.  The world has so many alluring things to draw them away from the Lord’s teachings, but you must be firm, and not let that happen.

·         Of such is the kingdom of God, a little child.  We all know how loving, innocent, and forgiving they are, and those are just three traits that makes one worthy of the kingdom.  Jesus said if we are not willing to become as little children, meaning putting on these traits, we will not enter in to the kingdom of God.

Next topic:

(18)  And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 

·         Here’s a ruler, asking this good teacher, how he can have eternal life.

(19)  And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 

·         It’s difficult to know why Jesus said this.  It certainly is a truism, there is none good but God, but then Jesus is God. 

(20)  Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. 

·         Jesus names a few of the commandments, in essence, keep the commandments.

(21)  And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 

·         A very notable reply.  He no doubt was raised by good, God fearing, parents.

·         His living for God has helped him be a ruler in the synagogue, or another important office within Judisam.  Living for God will also help you in this life.

 

(22)  Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 

(23)  And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 

·         Jesus knew that the one thing that stood between this man, and total surrender, was his money.

·         So that brings us to ask concerning ourselves.  What is it that stands between you, and total surrender to God?  For us, there could be more than one thing.

·         Total surrender means putting God first in every aspect of your life.  He’s first before your family, your job, your recreation, your friends, your habits, etc;  He is first.  This is what brings forth eternal life.  When He is first, it will cause you to want to do what He ask you to do.  

(24)  And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!  (25)  For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 

James said this; “Jas 5:1-3  Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.  (2)  Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.  (3)  Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.  (4)  Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.  (5)  Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.  (6)  Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.

·         James describes the terrible selfish traits of a rich man. 

(26)  And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? 

·         Maybe thinking, “if a rich man can’t buy his way into eternal life, well then who can?”

·         But we have learned, you can’t buy it, you can’t earn it, it’s a gift from God.  Paul said,

·         Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

·         Eph 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

(27)  And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. 

·         Another truism.  Nothing is impossible with God.

(28)  Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.  (29)  And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,  (30)  Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

·         True Peter, and you will be blessed for it.

·         What do you want?  The pleasures of this world for a season, or the joys of heaven for eternity?

·         Not to hard to choose is it?  Choose Jesus, and you will never be sorry.  You will have a wonderful life now, and eternal life one day with Him.

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.  MAKE THIS TRUTH SO VERY REAL TO OUR HEARTS, AND MINDS, AND HELP US TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION.  AMEN.