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A CRUCIAL CONVERSATION WITH GOD
Luke 18:18-30 Dr. Chuck DeVane, Pastor Lake Hamilton Baptist Church Hot Springs, Arkansas November 11, 2018 18 And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” 21 And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. 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 these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth 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 person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” 28 And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” 29 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.” — Luke 18:18-30, ESV There are many conversations between God and man recorded in the Bible. They begin in Genesis and end in Revelation. They take us on walks and talks with God from the garden to the vision of the new Heaven and Earth. In the Gospels, where so many of these conversations take place, there is one that is crucial, so much so that Mark, Matthew, and Luke all wrote it down. Mark called the man who approached the Lord Jesus Christ on this day “rich.” Matthew said He was “young” and Luke identified him as a “ruler.” The question and answer session enjoyed by the rich young ruler and Jesus was also enjoined by a small supporting cast of scoffers and followers. The complete conversation provides a wealth of information about man, God, and the only way that a man or woman can be truly right with God and live with Him forever. A Conversation About Faith The text begins with two outstanding questions. One of them was offered by a man to God, the other given by God to man. Give both the rich young ruler and the Lord Jesus Christ credit at this point, for correct answers can only be found by asking the right questions. This man asked Jesus a question that every man should, and most would, ask. “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” You would have to be an atheist or agnostic to disagree with the assertion that this is the penultimate question of this life and the life to come. It is a religious question, asked by a religious man, one that every religious man asks. I suspect the rich young ruler was a Pharisaical Jew, for he presupposed one has to “do” something or expend some kind of energy in order to be saved. But it is not just Pharisees from the past who believed in salvation by works, for this is the premise of every present religion on earth, except for orthodox, biblical, evangelical Christianity. Before Jesus answers the question, He questions the man in order to prepare him for the answer. The rich young ruler had addressed Jesus as “Good Teacher,” an accurate title indeed that spoke of more than the man knew. So the Lord, as He often did, answered the man’s question with a question: “Why do you call Me Good?” In our common vernacular, good can be bested by better and best. But in the language of Jesus’ day, good was without par. To be good meant to be flawless, perfect, aligned with the standards of God in every way. No one was surprised to hear the man call Jesus “Teacher,” or Rabbi, for this is what He was most commonly called. But to insert “Good” before it got the attention of everyone, especially Jesus. Next comes Christ’s answer, though it was not the one the man was initially searching for. “No one is good,” Jesus declared, no one is flawless, perfect, righteous, “Except for God.” In this brief exchange at the outset of the conversation, our Lord Jesus Christ has revealed an astonishing amount of important doctrine. First of all, one does not have to “do” to be saved, but rather “be” a person changed by belief. And the first thing we believe that makes the change of salvation take place in our lives is that Jesus Christ is Lord. For the Lord Jesus Christ was, is, and always will be the eternal God, from whom eternal life flows. The only alternative interpretation to this part of the conversation, one that has been offered by more liberal versions of Christianity, is that Jesus was horrified at the prospects of being called as “Good” as “God” and thus downplayed any notion of His deity. But I believe, and I pray you do, too, that Jesus is God, “The Word became flesh” (ref. John 1:14), the One in Whom “all the fulness of deity in bodily form” lives (ref. Colossians 2:9), the God who came to us to reveal Himself to man and show us the way of salvation and eternal life. Two questions tell us so much! They tell us of the futility of salvation by works and the necessity of justification by faith. Sadly, the right young ruler would not believe, neither would he repent. A Conversation About Repentance Since Jesus is God, it is impossible for Him to lie (ref. Hebrews 6:18). However, this does not mean He cannot be a little tricky from time to time. His original answer to the rich young ruler’s question was something of a bait and switch. “You know the commandments,” Jesus said, then quoted half of the top ten. The implication, which is actually accurate, is that if you can perfectly keep the Ten Commandments, you can earn your own favor with God and go to Heaven when you die. Can you do this? Could the rich young ruler do this? He said he did, “All these I have kept from my youth.” What a braggart! What a liar! But Jesus did not embarrass him, but rather revealed he was wrong by issuing him a challenge. Without citing the commandment against covetousness, Jesus told the rich young ruler to “Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor” and thus prove yourself perfectly obedient to God. If you don’t want Jesus to get your goat, don’t let Him know where it is tied. This man no doubt dressed for success, and Jesus could tell right away that his first love was money, that he coveted possessions more than people, including the person and work of Christ. Here is where the rich young ruler, and by proxy you and me, flunked out and “became very sad.” This was not the answer he wanted to his question, he remained unrepentant, dead in his sins, and he walked away without the eternal life he so eagerly sought. Salvation by works promote human pride that can only be slain by repentance. I’ll do this, I’ll decide that, I’ll earn eternal life for myself, says man, But the energy of the mind and the body cannot save the soul, for this is like putting “a camel … through the eye of a needle,” it is “impossible with man.” It must come from the heart, or rather something God does in the heart, which is only “possible with God.” Again I appeal to the suggestion this man was Pharisee. He had gotten rich from religious gain, but it was not really his riches that were being called into question, but his doctrine of works righteousness. Scoffers in the crowd thought if a Pharisee was not saved, “Then who can be saved?” One thing is clear from the conversation. It is impossible for a person to “do” anything that gains eternal life from God. God must be the doer, and what God does to save a man is not altogether clear from this conversation, although the outcome is as plain as the nose on Simon Peter’s face. A Conversation About Salvation Some suggest the rich young ruler is actually the Apostle Paul. That is a romantic notion, but one with which I cannot concur. Luke tells us all about Paul in his book of Acts, but makes no mention of him here. I do not know who the rich young ruler was, I only know who he represents. He stands, and walks away, in the place of every lost person who has ever lived and died without Christ on the planet. Every lost man and woman is a rich young ruler. They crave riches, want to be eternally young, and rule over their own and other people’s lives. This is the nature of the human heart apart from grace. Man’s way is not the way to God. God’s way is different. It is the way, the truth, and the life (ref. John 14:6) discovered and represented by Simon Peter in this conversation. “See, we have left our homes and followed you,” he said. If you want to “do” something to be saved, here you go, follow Jesus. But what happened to Simon Peter that made him want to follow Jesus? What did Simon Peter get that the rich young ruler lacked? The rich young ruler would not believe, would not repent, and would not be saved. Simon Peter got grace from God (ref. Ephesians 2:8-10). Simon Peter “obtained a faith … by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (ref. 2 Peter 1:1). Simon Peter was “granted repentance that leads to life” (ref. Acts 11:18) by God. God’s grace gives the faith and repentance necessary to follow Jesus in this life and gain eternal life in Heaven. God’s grace, not man’s works, is the way of salvation. Recipients of God’s grace follow God’s Son, even at great cost. The outcome of genuine salvation is life abundant and eternal. “He said to them, Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.” I hope you have enjoyed listening in on this crucial conversation with God. I hope you have had this conversation with Him yourself. I hope you can say with the great hymn writer Isaac Watts, No more, my God, I boast no more, Of all the duties I have done; I quit the hopes I held before, To trust the merits of Thy Son. Do not walk away sad. Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Follow Him, not matter what the cost. Life abundant and everlasting awaits. Copyright © 2018 Lake Hamilton Baptist Church, All rights reserved. Check out the weekly happenings at Lake Hamilton Baptist Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
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THE KINGDOM IS FOR KIDS
Luke 18:15-17 Dr. Chuck DeVane, Pastor Lake Hamilton Baptist Church Hot Springs, Arkansas November 4, 2018 15 Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” — Luke 18:15-17, ESV This episode is brief and the saying of Christ is short. Take them together, however, and we are plunged into it some theological depth with issues fraught with controversy in our contemporary age. Yet at the end of our examination of the text, the lessons learned should be simple enough for a child to understand. After all, the kingdom of God is for kids. The Inspiration of Scripture This may not seem like the place to dive into a discussion regarding the verbal plenary inspiration of Scripture. But isn’t that where every Bible study or sermon starts? On this subject there are generally three schools of thought. There are those who have no confidence in the Bible as the inspired word of God; therefore, their lives are not governed by it in any form or fashion. It is alarming that an ever-increasing number of professing Christians take this position. Secondly, there are those who affirm the inspiration of Scripture, but seldom or ever take the time to read, study, and apply it to their lives. Vast numbers of nominal Christians and inactive church members fit into this category. Then, like the parabolic seed falling on the proverbial good soil, there are those who believe the Bible and have the audacity to trust it, hear it, study it, and obey its precepts, or at least make every effort to do so. Allow me to promote the last, most satisfying view. The Bible records true stories (historical narratives) and stories that teach truth (like a parable). This text is a little of both, for I have no doubt that Jesus blessed children during His ministry and I hear Him say metaphorically that all Christians must be children. But how did we get this story and statement? It appears in Mark’s and Luke’s Gospels almost verbatim, almost. Yet neither Mark nor Luke were there. Mark got his account most likely from eye-witness Simon Peter, while Luke gathered his information from Mark, the Apostle Paul, and other well-researched sources. The way in which the words were written reflect each author’s personality, intellect, and style. At the same time, the Holy Spirit was at work in them to safeguard the integrity and consistency of every word, word for word, which is the doctrine we call the verbal plenary inspiration of Scripture. To this truth most true Christians will say, Amen. So, let us reexamine every word of Luke’s passage, remembering that it is very similar to Mark’s, yet with one additional, important word. And remember, Mark was a common fellow whom the Lord used, but Luke was a learned physician. The doctor’s inclusion of a particular word on his part reveals something important about the sanctity of life and the kingdom of God. The Sanctity of Life While Mark chose to use only one word for “child” in his account, Dr. Luke uses two. The ESV renders them “infants” in verse 15 and “children/child” in verses 16 and 17. “Paidon” is a transliteration of the latter word in Greek, which speaks of the toddler to teenage stage of life. “Brephos” is the first word Luke used here, but not for the first time. “And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb” (ref. Luke 1:41). “The baby,” or the “brephos,” was none other than John the Baptist, a very valuable person. Please note he was considered a person while “in her womb.” Jeremiah was commissioned a prophet by God while still in the womb (ref. Jeremiah 1:5). The fruit of Mary’s womb (ref. Luke 1:42) had a name, the name above every name, and of course the name of that person is the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Luke’s Gospel and other books in the Bible make plain the truth that life is sacred, life begins at conception, and the life of every unborn, newborn, and growing child is precious in the sight of God. Children were treated like burdens in Jesus’ day, and today we seem to have come full circle. But Luke lets us know that Jesus does indeed love the little children, all the children of the world, in more ways than one. Therefore, to harm a child in the womb is a sin. To intentionally hurt a baby or small child in any way is a sin. And, to hinder a child from coming to Jesus, and all humans are children in God’s eyes, is a heinous sin. Let me speak plainly. Abortion is a sin. Child abuse is a sin. Child neglect is a sin. And perhaps the worst sin a person can commit against a child is the one the Apostles were dangerously close to committing in this story. They were keeping children away from God, away from Jesus Christ, and in a sense away from the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let me speak mercifully. None of these is the unpardonable sin. God’s grace is deep and wide enough to forgive an abortion or even child abuse. But keeping your child away from God, the word of God, and the church of God could keep them permanently out of the kingdom of God. This would be an eternal shame, for the kingdom of God is the ultimate place for kids. The Kingdom of God The kingdom of God is not only the ultimate place for kids, it is exclusively for kids, according to Jesus. Of course He meant this symbolically, for often believers come into the kingdom after their infant, toddler, and adolescent years. So let us unpack the metaphor and discover what it means, spiritually, to be “like a child” according to Jesus. Spiritual life, like physical life, begins at conception. The Holy Spirit is the egg and the word of God is the seed. The result is a “born again” (literally “born from above”) child of God. Though physical conception occurs in the womb, spiritual conception occurs out of it (John the Baptist being a notable exception, as well as God in Christ). But Jesus makes it plain here and various authors of Scripture concur that it takes the Spirit of God and the word of God to make a child of God. From start to finish, salvation is the work of our sovereign God, ordained by the Father, accomplished by the Son, applied by the Holy Spirit. But the Holy Spirit is carried in the human hearts of true believers, whose hands hold the word of God, and whose mouths should speak the gospel of Jesus Christ. God is sovereign but we are responsible to live, tell, and teach the gospel, especially to our children. A healthy child of God has a Father and a mother. Our Father, of course, is our God and Father who rules Heaven and earth. Who is our mother? The great saint Augustine said, “No man can claim God as his father who does not embrace the church as his mother.” A church which plants another church is called the mother church, and for good reason. While God is always a perfect Father, churches have sadly been known to abuse or neglect her spiritual children, but a true spiritual child should never neglect her church. Returning to the theme of responsibility, human fathers and mothers with children dare not neglect their spiritual responsibilities. Christ Himself asked the chilling question, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul (ref. Mark 8:36)?” Fathers and mothers who give their children all the blessings of material comfort but neglect to seek their Christian conversion and active membership in the church will be held frighteningly accountable to God. Children grow into adults and have children themselves, in the natural order of things. This should be true spiritually as well. When the good seed falls on good soil, it produces a crop. A spirit-filled, well-churched Christian usually leads his or her children to Christ. A committed Christian who worships and works for the Lord usually witnesses and influences other people to come to Christ, also. Such adult activity is carried out with child-like joy, especially when we see others born again into the kingdom of God. Real Christians are conceived by God, nurtured by Christian parents and churches, and grow. Real Christians grow, but they never grow up. Salvation by grace is a gift that keeps on giving, Every day is like Christmas Day for kids of the kingdom. We are given child-like faith and unbending trust in God that we never lose, always depending on the Father for all things. We cry when we are hurt and have the remedy of running into our Father’s arms and being comforted by His words. We rejoice when we are blessed and thank Him for our blessings. We have a home away from home in our own homes and churches, and we are going home one day where we will live with Him, face to face, for all eternity, singing and playing like a bunch of kids in their Father’s house. “Don’t you want to be there, don’t you want to know, Where the grace and simple truth of childhood goes. Don’t you want to be there, when the trumpet blows?” — Jackson Browne You want to be there. You want to be a kid in the kingdom of God, forever. For the kingdom is here and the kingdom is coming, and the kingdom of God is for kids. Copyright © 2018 Lake Hamilton Baptist Church, All rights reserved. Check out the weekly happenings at Lake Hamilton Baptist Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas. |
AuthorDr. Charles F. "Chuck" DeVane, Jr., is the Pastor of Lake Hamilton Baptist Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas. His weekly sermon article, "The Gospel Truth," has been published in newspapers in Arkansas and Georgia. Dr. DeVane is a graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and has served in the pastorate for over 20 years. Contact Pastor Chuck at PastorChuck@lakehamiltonbaptistchurch.org
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