November 14, 2021
Evening Service

This morning we, as the rich young ruler, came to Jesus seeking the missing piece to our puzzle.  We knew there had to more than just following the rules and the answer was more than we expected.  I trust you did not leave here this morning sorrowful.  It is good to look in that spiritual mirror honestly and see where we really stand in our walk of faith.  When we come to God open, honest, and broken, He has to smile and say; “now we can go to work and get things done.”  I am praying that this morning’s service will be a spring board for us individually and collectively to ignite a fire of revival among us.  Tonight we switch roles back to being the 13^th disciple and will be shown the reward Jesus has for us who do truly put God first in our lives.  We will begin where we left off this morning immediately following the young ruler walking away sorrowful.  Jesus continues to use this teachable moment to invest in us.

Mat 19:22-26But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.  (23)  Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.  (24)  And again I say to you, 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."  (25)  When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"  (26)  But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

            Jesus reveals that very thing that many of us strive for, to be wealthy, is a burden we must overcome as we follow Jesus.  Paul told us this:

 

1Ti 6:6-10Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  (7)  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  (8)  And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.  (9)  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.  (10)  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

            We must be careful what we strive for.  This is a curse that our nation is facing.  When we are wealthy we have no real needs and live a comfortable life, so why would we call on God?  It is not money that is the issue, but the “love money that is the root of all kinds of evil.”  Jesus says the same thing only with a sense of humor as He says; “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”  This prompts us to ask, “who then can be saved?”  We must realize that our salvation depends on our acceptance of the free gift given to us by our Savior and not our own works.  Wealth can give us a false sense of security that we can take care of ourselves.  We can’t “earn” our salvation and we must realize we need help; we need a Savior.  Nothing is impossible when Jesus is with us and our salvation comes from through Him alone.   Peter now, thinking of what all the disciples had given up, asks what that accounts for.

 

Mat 19:27-30Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore, what shall we have?"  (28)  So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  (29)  And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.  (30)  But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

            Jesus promises to these twelve disciples that they indeed will have a special place in His kingdom to come.  He refers to it here as the “regeneration.”  This speaks of the future renewal of the earth where the curse is lifted during Christ’s millennial kingdom.  They will “sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”  This is significant in that their place of authority was not reserved for this world only, but in the kingdom to come as well.  That promise that showing that Jesus was committed to these men had to play a part of these disciples being so committed to Him even to the point of death.  The promise also applies to us as Jesus promises that all sacrifices we make on this earth for His name’s sake will be rewarded one hundredfold in the next kingdom.  It is not the great and powerful (the first) that will be blessed in heaven, but the humble, obedient, self-sacrificing servant (the last) that will be called “great.”  “The first will be last and the last first.”  That is an encouragement to be that type of servant, not for the reward, but to please my Lord in so doing.

            As we begin chapter 20, Jesus continues to teach on the kingdom of God and shows that we are all included by the grace of God alone and it does not matter our heritage or longevity.  God is the Potter and we are the clay.

 

 Mat 20:1-16 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.  (2)  Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.  (3)  And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, (4) and said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went.  (5)  Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise.  (6)  And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, 'Why have you been standing here idle all day?'  (7)  They said to him, 'Because no one hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.'  (8)  "So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.'  (9)  And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius.  (10)  But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius.  (11)  And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, (12) saying, 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.'  (13)  But he answered one of them and said, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?  (14)  Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you.  (15)  Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?'  (16)  So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen."

            This parable is not focused on rewards of the kingdom really, but salvation.  It is a teaching about God’s grace and generosity.  Some believers spend their entire lives serving the Lord, denying themselves, and carrying their cross.  Others are saved upon their deathbed after living lives that in no way glorified God.  Their salvation is the same despite their investment or lack of one.  God’s generosity to others should not become an area of jealousy for us.  Jealousy is a powerful emotion that we all must be careful of.  We should be at a place that we can rejoice with a brother who God blesses in a different way than He has chosen to bless us.  We are following Him and He chooses to make each of our journeys unique.  It is not for us to question, but to faithfully follow.

 

   Many churches struggle with this with the generation gap that comes as time goes by.  The older generation get set in their ways and don’t want things to change, but the younger generation is reached by using new ways of communication and technology.  Jealousy sets in and a division occurs that can destroy a church.  We are a family of believers and we need to be aware of the unique needs that we each have.  Here we do show videos and use the newer technology to expand our abilities to reach people, but we will never get away from certain things that are important to the older generation, such as the hymn books.  We are better together and each generation needs the other one to be engaged and flourishing.

Today has been a good day!  Certainly you know I am not talking about the weather!  God has spoken to us through His Word and we have heard Him.  He calls us to place Him first in our lives and promises us that we will not regret it.  How many of our older generation ever say; “I lived too close to God,” no it is always the opposite.  Don’t begin the week sorrowful with regrets, but be energized by the stirring of the Holy Spirit in our lives!  Don’t get caught up in the “love of money” knowing it can deter us from truly serving well.  Know that God sees our sacrifices and will reward us for them, a hundredfold!  Watch out for jealousy and don’t let someone else’s blessing be a hindrance along your journey with Jesus.

 

Heavenly Father, today we came to You broken, transparent, and repentant.  We leave here renewed and redeemed and ready for Your service.  Give us the courage and wisdom to make the changes to our priorities that cement You into first place in our lives.