Emory Baptist Church

The Key to Heaven is Grammar!

Introduction

If you have your Bibles, please take them and find Luke 18:18.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “The Key to Heaven is Grammar!”

 

For some of you, that might scare you today.  However, it is actually not as complicated as you might think grammar to be.

 

Today’s text is composed of three conversations involving Jesus and others.  The first is a man who was depending on his own morality to get into heaven.  This is often called the story of the rich, young ruler.

 

 

1. A Request from a Rich Ruler, Luke 18:18-23

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,’ ‘Honor 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.

 

This story is found not only in Luke 18, but it also in Matthew 19 and Mark 10.  When we harmonize all three accounts, we find out that this man was a ruler who was young and rich.

 

In verse 18, we see his request.  He came to Jesus and asked, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

 

In this verse, notice the word do. As it relates to grammar?  This verb is in the present tense.  Remember that for later. 

 

As the conversation unfolds, we see that this rich ruler know the Old Testament and was obedient to the Old Testament. 

 

As it relates to answer his question, Jesus pointed him to the Ten Commandments.  In summary, they were what we think of as commandments 5-9 that relate to our behavior toward others.   

 

BTW…After Jesus made a veiled declaration of His own deity, was He advocating works righteousness?  No, He was using the Law to show this man where he fell short. 

 

Again, verse 20 says he knew the Old Testament.  Verse 21 says he obeyed the Old Testament. 

 

After the young man said he had obeyed all those, Jesus had one more answer for him.  On the outside, the rich young ruler appeared to be righteous, and if anyone could have earned their way to heaven, it would have been him.

 

In verse 22, this first conversation ended in sorrow as Jesus challenged this rich ruler at his weakest point.  He indirectly challenged him with the first four commandments and then the last.

 

How was he challenged with first four?  It seemed that wealth was his God.

 

How was he challenged with the last?  He didn’t want to give up any and most likely wanted to acquire more. 

 

When Jesus asked him to turn from those sins and follow Him by leaving his money behind, he decided Jesus wasn’t worth it.  He left the conversation sorrowful for he was rich.

 

 

1. Clarification for a Confused Crowd, Luke 18:24-27

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.”  26 And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?”  27 But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”

 

When the rich ruler came to Jesus, evidently some of His disciples were close by.  They saw and heard all that transpired.  As a result, they were confused by what they had witnessed and now heard.

 

In verse 24, Jesus said it was hard for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God.  In today’s story, the kingdom of God means heaven. 

 

He even compared it to a camel going through the eye of a needle.  As the camel was the largest animal they knew, it was more plausible for it to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man entering heaven. 

 

 

However, Jesus wasn’t saying that the wealthy couldn’t be saved, but it was going to be hard or difficult.  The crowd was confused.    

 

In the Jewish culture, the wealthy and rich were seen as having the blessings of God on their lives.  If God had blessed them in this life, why would it be hard for them to go to heaven? 

 

This crowd then asked if the wealthy can’t be saved, then who can be saved.  They needed clarification, and Jesus responded with the most important verse in today’s story.

 

In verse 27, He said with men it is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.  He was saying that it is impossible for any man or woman to earn salvation. 

 

It can’t be done.  It is impossible.  However, it is certainly possible to receive salvation from the author of salvation, and that is God.

 

The great thing about his verse is that not only does it apply to salvation, but it applies to all of life.  That is why I chose it for our verse of the year.

 

You may not be able to save your marriage, but God can.  You may not be able to bring your wayward child back, but God can.  You may not be able to reconcile your finances, but God can.

 

 

• Direction for a Discouraged Disciple, Luke 18:28-30

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.”

 

Included in this confused crowd, was Peter, a discouraged disciple.  Notice what he said in 18:28, “We have left all and followed you.” 

 

Let me translate.  “We thought we were following you to be saved, but if the rich aren’t saved, then surely we aren’t saved, and now I have nothing.” 

 

Jesus reassured Peter with the direction found in verses 29-30.  He said you have left everything, and you will get back everything + when we get to heaven.

 

 

Conclusion

As I began, the key to heaven is grammar.  The rich ruler wanted to get to heaven by what he could do, present tense. 

 

You can only get to heaven by what Jesus did on the cross.  That is past tense. 

 

Receiving Jesus as your Lord and Savior and putting your trust in Him is the only way to be saved.  Morality can’t save.  Prosperity can’t save.  Sincerity can’t save. 

Generosity can’t save, and genealogy can’t save. 

 

For those who are truly saved, you will never regret following Jesus.  I have never one Christian who regretted giving his or her life to Jesus. 

 

I don’t think I have ever had a genuine follower of Christ say to me, “I’ve obeyed too many times,” or “I’ve attended church too much,” or “I’ve given too much money,” or “I’ve shared the gospel one too many times.” 

 

Jesus was absolutely right when He said to Peter that following Him is the greatest and most rewarding decision that you will ever make.  I agree and invite you today to do the same.

Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World!

Introduction

If you have your Bibles this morning, take them and find Luke 18:15.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World.”

 

Were you taught that song in Sunday School or Vacation Bible School?  I was at FBC Venus, Texas.

 

Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.  Red and yellow, black and white…they are precious in His sight.  Jesus loves the little children of the world.

 

This morning in Luke’s gospel, we are continuing in chapter 18. Last Sunday, we heard a parable about salvation and the truth that no one has always been saved.  Before you are saved, you must realize that you are lost. 

 

This account in Luke 18 is also found in Matthew 19 and Mark 10.  It also has been used throughout 2,000 years of church history to justify infant baptism even though there is absolutely zero reference to baptism in this passage.

 

I want to make three observations with you this morning.  Then I will make three applications of this text thinking about Jesus loves the little children of the world.

 

 

1. The Request from the Parents about Children, Luke 17:15a

15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them.

The “they” in this verse seems to refer to parents and others who were bringing their children to Jesus for Him to bless them.  Verse 15 uses the word infants, but could range in age from newborns all the way up to twelve years of age. 

 

The NASB and the NIV uses the word babies.  The NLT uses the phrase little children.

 

Why were they doing this?  These Jewish parents probably wanted God’s blessing on their children from a “holy man.” 

 

This was a long-standing Jewish tradition that can be seen as far back as Genesis in the OT.  See Genesis 48:14. 

 

14 Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn.

 

The Patriarch Israel or Jacob laid his hands on the heads of his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, and blessed them. 

 

Do we see anything like this today?  This practice closely resembles our parent/child dedication.  It is not a requirement, but simply an opportunity for the church and the pastor to pray for parents and their children, and to commit them to the Lord.

 

Some have pointed to this passage of Scripture to justify infant baptism.  However, I personally think this is a stretch since there is no mention of baptism, sprinkling, or pouring found anywhere in this text.

 

 

1. The Rebuke from the Twelve about Children, Luke 15b

15…but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

 

The Twelve saw all these people and all these snotty-nosed kids, and they got real protective of their Jesus.  They didn’t want to share. 

 

More than likely, they thought Jesus was too busy to deal with children.  Apparently, they saw children as unimportant and insignificant as was common in first-century Judaism. 

 

After all, in their eyes, children couldn’t contribute much to culture and society.  The disciples simply wanted to send these people and their children on their way so Jesus could get back to more urgent matters.

 

 

• The Response from Jesus about Children, Luke 18:16-17

16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”

 

In verse 16, I think we have good reason to believe that God has a special grace that He provides for infants or children or mentally handicapped individuals who die before they reach an age where they recognize their need for a Savior and exercise such faith.  Jesus said for such is the kingdom of God.

 

Remember, the kingdom of God has meant Jesus.  It has meant when Jesus’ returns.  It has meant God’s will playing out on earth in the lives of Christians. 

 

It can also mean heaven.  I think what Jesus means here is both this third and fourth definition. 

 

Children are welcome into the kingdom of God on earth.  They will also be welcomed into the kingdom of God in heaven.

 

In verse 17, we see Jesus welcoming any who receive the kingdom of God as a little child.  What does that mean? 

 

Does it mean that teenagers and adults must come to Jesus humbly?  I think it can meant that although all children aren’t humble. 

 

Does it mean that teenagers and adults must come to Jesus with simple trust?  Again, I think it can mean that.  However, all children aren’t trusting. 

 

More than anything else, I think Jesus means that any who comes to Jesus must come to Him for salvation with empty hands.  In other words, with a helpless dependence. 

 

You must realize that your morality does not impress God.  Your genealogy or family tree does not impress God.  Your spirituality or church attendance or baptism or membership or tithing record does not impress God. 

 

God receives those that acknowledge that they have nothing to offer to Him.  All you can do is trust in the grace and mercy of God to save you by receiving Jesus Christ into your life as Lord and Savior.

 

 

Applications/Conclusions

I think there at least three applications from this text.  I have one for three different groups of people.

 

First and for parents, bring your children to Jesus.  Bring them to church and Sunday School and VBS and camp, and teach them about Jesus at home

 

Also, trust that, God forbid, should anything happen to them and their life is cut short on earth, trust they will have a home in heaven because of God’s special grace for them.

 

Second and for our church, this text shows us the importance of ministering to and evangelizing children. 

 

If you were saved at age 12 or younger, please stand.  Brothers and sisters, this simple illustration should remind us that Children’s Sunday School is vital as are ministries like Sonbeam, VBS, Preteen Camp, and Fall Festival as attempt to bring children Jesus.

 

Furthermore, don’t get mad when children are loud in church or disruptive in church or disrespectful in church.  Be patient and grateful for them being in church!

 

Finally, regardless of your age, if you have never received Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life like a child with helpless dependence, this morning, I invite you to call on Him to save you for the very first time.

Lost and Found

Introduction

If you have your Bibles this morning, please take them and find Luke 18:9.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “Lost and Found.”

 

I suspect most of you are familiar with a “Lost and Found.”  It is a place at school or church where lost items and kept and hopefully, eventually found by their owners.  We’ll come back to that idea in just a moment.

 

Last week, Jesus told us the parable of the unjust judge or the persistent widow.  We are to keep praying and don’t give up.  Don’t get discouraged.  Don’t lost heart.  Don’t get tired.

 

Today, we are continuing in Luke 18 with the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, and it is unique to Luke.  Even though it speaks about prayer, it is not primarily a parable teaching about prayer.

 

In today’s message, I am going to outline our text into 8 parts.  They all begin with the letter P.

 

 

Exposition

First, this is parable about a proud Pharisee and a publican.  That is the KJV word for tax collector.

 

Remember that a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.  According to verse 9, Jesus spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others.

 

More than likely, this was directed at the proud Pharisees, and they were close by.  See Luke 17:20.

 

20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation.

 

Second, verses 10-11 introduce us to the proud Pharisee and the publican or tax collector.  They both went to the temple to pray, which was generally at 9 AM and 3 PM.

 

In verse 11, we are reminded of their positions.  The Pharisees were Jewish religious leaders known for their knowledge of the Old Testament and their spiritually.

 

The publican or tax collector was also Jewish, but he worked for the Roman government.  Therefore, he was considered to be a traitor.

 

He was generally dishonest.  He collected the tax that he turn paid to the government.  However, he also collected some for himself, and he was despised by his countrymen for his position.

 

Third, verse 11 speaks not only of their positions, but also of their posture.  The proud Pharisee stood and seemed to pray loudly so that others could hear.

 

When the text says that he “prayed thus with himself,” that literally means that he prayed to himself.  His posture was also one of pride as he prayed listing his resume.

 

However, the publican or tax collector’s posture was just the opposite in verse 13.  He stood far off away from others.  He didn’t feel worthy.

 

He also beat his chest.  This was a sign of contrition and deep sorrow. 

 

Fourth, notice their prayers.  The proud Pharisee listed his resume of how he kept the OT laws of fasting and tithing. 

 

The OT required fasting once a week, and he fasted twice.  He also tithed of all that he possessed.

 

There is no debate.  He had been obedient. 

 

BTW…Brothers and sisters, as follower of Christ, we should be obedient to God’s word. 

 

In John’s gospel, Jesus said that if we love Him, we ought to be obedient.  See John 14:15.

 

15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.

 

Then John said in 1 John 2:3 that obedience can assure us of our knowing Christ.  

 

3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.

 

Not only did the proud Pharisee list his resume, but he also spoke negatively of others including the publican or tax collector.  He thanked God that he wasn’t like extortioners, the unjust, adulterers, and this tax collector. 

 

On the other hand, the publican or tax collector’s prayer was seven words.  He called out to God for mercy as he was a sinner. 

 

The proud Pharisee’s prayer was self-righteous and judgmental.  The publican’s prayer acknowledged his need and stayed in his own lane.

 

Fifth, what was the problem with the proud Pharisee’s prayer?  His standard for living was other people.

 

Sixth, what was the positive with the publican’s prayer?  His standard for living was God, and he knew that he fell woefully short.

 

Seventh, this parable contains a major paradox.  Look what Jesus said in verse 14. 

 

He was pointing to the publican when He said, “This man went down to his house justified.”  For the first century listener, this blew their mind!

 

Justified means to be made right or even saved.  Jesus just said that this good man was not saved even though he had done all of this stuff.  On the other hand, this dishonest publican was saved.  This didn’t make sense.

 

Eighth, so what is the point of the parable?  Again, it isn’t primarily about prayer.  However, it can teach us to pray with humility like the publican instead of self-righteous pride like the proud Pharisee.

 

The main point of this parable is about salvation and that no individual can be found by God until he or she realizes he is lost without God.  In other words, no one can be saved until they realize they need to be saved.  Finally, you can’t have personal saving relationship with God until you realize that you need one and don’t have one unless you make that conscious, personal decision.

 

Paul affirms this key theological truth and reality in Ephesians 2.

 

1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.  4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

 

 

Conclusion

Listen to that again.  If you have never made a conscious decision to recognize your need for a savior and call on Jesus, you are spiritually dead in your sins.  The devil is your boss, and he is the one who is calling the shots.  You are by nature a child of God’s wrath.

 

You must understand that you are lost.  You must understand that you need to be saved.  Today, I invite you to be saved and found by God. 

Do You Nag God?

If you have your Bibles this morning, please take them and find Luke 18:1.  I want to share a message with you that has a question for its title, “Do You Nag God?”

 

Generally speaking, when we think of “nagging,” we don’t think positively.  As a matter of fact, we probably had some husbands answering in their minds a moment ago about their wife.

 

In the book of Proverbs, this idea is seen multiple times with the word, “contentious.”  BTW…Let me encourage you in the new year to read through the book Proverbs each month by reading the chapter that corresponds with the date.

 

Proverbs 21:9 9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,

Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

 

Proverbs 21:19 19 Better to dwell in the wilderness,

Than with a contentious and angry woman.

 

Proverbs 25:24 24 It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,

Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

 

Proverbs 26:21 21 As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire,

So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

 

Proverbs 27:15 15 A continual dripping on a very rainy day

And a contentious woman are alike;

 

However, in today’s text, we are going to see a parable from the Lord Jesus in which His encourage for us is to nag God.  We do this in a positive way with our persistent prayers.

 

Depending on your translation of the Bible, this parable goes by multiple names.  It has been titled a parable on prayer. It has been entitled the Parable of the Persistent Widow, and it has been entitled the Parable of the Unjust or Unrighteous Judge.

 

Don’t forget what is a parable.  It is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning or a spiritual meaning. 

 

In verse 1, we see that Jesus spoke this parable to them.  There doesn’t seem to be a reason that we should change contexts.  Therefore, Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples.

 

Remember, this is not a special class of Christians.  These are Jesus’ followers.  If you are a Christian, you are a disciple of Jesus.

 

Fortunately for us, we don’t have to wonder or guess what this parable means.  Jesus told us in verse 1.  We ought to pray and not lose heart.

 

We are to pray and keep in praying and be persistent in praying.  Consequently, don’t become discouraged.  Don’t faint or tire.  Don’t give up.

 

 

1. The Unjust Judge

The first character we are introduced to in this parable is a judge in a certain city in verse 2.  We also see something about his character.

 

He did not fear God, and he didn’t regard man.  In other words, he didn’t respect people.

 

Look what Jesus called him in verse 6.  He is called an unjust judge or an unrighteous judge.  That is where some get the title for this parable.

 

 

2. The Persistent Widow

The second character is a widow in the same city.  She is introduced in verse 3. 

 

BTW…In this day and age, widows were considered outcasts.  They didn’t have anyone to care for them.  That is why Luke highlights them regularly in his gospel demonstrating the gospel is for everyone.

 

The reason this widow came to the judge is because he was only one who could defend her or fight for her.  Therefore, she came to him and requested that he get justice for her from her adversary. 

 

Your bible may say opponent or enemy.  Even though we don’t know the specifics, someone had taken advantage of her.

 

However, she didn’t just come to the judge with this request once.  She can EVERY single time he held court.  She came again and again and again.

 

The judge thought she would give up.  He thought he could wait her out.  However, he couldn’t.

 

Finally, he decided to give in.  Even though he didn’t fear God and didn’t care what others thought of him, he got tired of her nagging him.

 

Verse 5 says he didn’t want her to trouble him and make him weary.  She was wearing him out by her continual coming. 

 

 

Conclusion

Verses 6-7 contain the point or conclusion of this parable.  Again, we don’t have to wonder or guess because Jesus told us.

 

It is somewhat odd, but we learn a good lesson from a bad example.  If the unjust judge acts this way, how much more will God our heavenly father do.

 

Therefore, yes, the unjust judge is God the Father.  However, this is a great time to remind you not to press the parable too much.

 

For example, first, is God an unjust or unrighteous judge?  No, He is not.

 

Second, do my prayers bother God or make Him tired? No, they do not.

 

Third, does God care about us unlike the unjust judge?  Yes, He not only cares for you, but He loves you.

 

If the unjust judge answered the plea, how much more will God answer ours?  Notice in verse 7, we are called the elect.

 

Don’t forget that reality in 2026.  Long before you chose God, God chose you! 

 

As His elect, we ought to be crying out to Him night and day with our prayers, and yes, He will answer.  Therefore, keep doing good.  See Galatians 6:9.

 

9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

 

Also, don’t forget that God’s timing is not our timing.  See 2 Peter 3:8-9.

 

8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

 

Finally, look at the end of verse 7.  Will Jesus find us faithful in our persistent praying when He returns?

 

Think about this.  What if God is ready to answer your prayers with one more prayer from you?

 

What if God will save that family member or friend with one more prayer?  What if God will save that marriage with one more prayer?  What if God will reconcile that relationship with one more prayer?  What if God will take away that cancer with more prayer?  What if God will provide that money with one more prayer?

 

Will we be faithful in persistent praying?  God wants you to nag Him in 2026!

The First Christmas

Statisticians tell us that our world’s current population is approximately 8.3 billion people.  That is an 8, a 3, and 8 zeros (8,300,000,000).

 

Those same statisticians tell us that in all of human history, approximately 117 billion people have lived.  That is 117 with nine zeros.

 

Of that 117 billion people who have ever lived, some have been male.  Some have been female. 

 

Some have been red.  Some have been yellow.  Some have been black, and some have been white, but they have all been precious in God’s sight!

 

Some have gone on to be doctors.  Some have been lawyers.  Some have been Indian chiefs.

 

However, there is no more significant birth or child in all of human history than the one we celebrate this Christmas season, and that is the birth of Jesus Christ.  Today, let’s remember the first Christmas in the gospel of Luke and chapter 2.

 

 

1. The Incarnation of God, Luke 2:1-7

1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.  4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

 

The word incarnation means became flesh.  The Christmas story is about God becoming a man.

 

In the first three verses of this chapter, we see the context for Joseph and Mary getting to Bethlehem.  A census was being taken, and we can conclude that Joseph owned property in Bethlehem. 

 

Therefore, he had to go there to register his family.  Rather than leave Mary behind and be absent at the birth of his son, Mary went with him to Bethlehem.

 

First, as it relates to the incarnation of God, I want you to see is that it was prophesied in the Old Testament.

 

By leaving Nazareth, but unbeknownst to Joseph, he was following the predetermined plan of God revealed in the Old Testament.  See Micah 5:2.

 

Micah 5:2, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”

 

Second, I want to remind you that the incarnation of God was conceived by the Spirit. 

 

Verse 5 tells us that Mary was with child on this trip.  It is very difficult for us to even imagine this young, teenage mother walking and or riding on a donkey for any prolonged period of time at nine months pregnant. 

 

However, that is what we have here, but don’t forget how this happened.  It was miraculous!

 

Had she been with another man and unfaithful to Joseph?  No. 

 

Had Mary and Joseph consummated their marriage? No.

 

Even though they were legally married, they were still in the betrothal period, and were sexually pure.  See Luke 1:35.

 

Luke 1:35, And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

 

Third, in the simplicity of two verses (6-7), Jesus was born.  God became flesh. God was incarnated.

 

Verse 7 says Mary gave birth to her firstborn son.  In other words, she would have more. 

 

 

2. The Proclamation by the Angels, Luke 2:8-14

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”  13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” 

 

Beginning in verse 8, we are introduced to a group of shepherds.  They were herding their sheep which is what shepherds did, and an angel of the Lord appeared to them and scared them. 

 

In verse 10, the angel began to speak.  He tried to calm the shepherds down and let them know that he had good news or good tidings for them and for us.

 

The first part of the good news is that the Savior was born. 

 

Jesus was born, and He is the Savior for all people.  He isn’t just the Savior for a few or for a certain denomination or a certain race or a certain social-economic class.  Regardless of who you are and where you’re from and what you’ve done, Jesus came to be your Savior.

 

The second part of the good news is that God offers salvation to those who believe.

 

He is a Savior sent for you, but you have to make the personal decision to receive Him into your life or trust in Him as Lord and Savior or call on Him to be saved from your sins. 

 

I can’t do it for you.  It isn’t applied to you just because of what your parents have done or who your grandfather was. 

 

God didn’t just create you for 70 or 80 or 90 years of living on earth.  He created you to live with Him for eternity. 

 

The third part of the good news is that we can be at peace with Him by receiving His Son as our Savior.  Salvation only comes through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 

 

Suddenly, in verse 13, a multitude of the heavenly host appeared with the original angel.  Was this fifty more?  Was this one hundred more?  Was this one thousand more? 

 

Probably, it was the latter.  Thousands and thousands of angels began to exalt the Lord in song, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” 

 

Every human being since Adam has been at odds with God because of sin.  No man has been at peace with God on his own. 

 

However, God has provided a way.  The way is Jesus.

 

The angels exalted God in heaven as they proclaimed Jesus as the only way to be saved.  See Romans 5:1.

 

Romans 5:1, Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Today, on this Sunday before Christmas, I extend an invitation to you to be saved.  Jesus came to save you, but you have to receive Him. 

 

You have to accept His invitation. 

 

The salvation that Jesus offers is only applied to your life when you personally believe in Him.  Will you do that today?

 

 

3. The Exaltation from the Shepherds, Luke 2:15-20

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

 

In verse 15, the shepherds went on their way after the angels left.  They headed to Bethlehem.

 

Verse 16 says they came to Joseph and Mary and the baby, and they told them all that the angels had said.  Therefore, the shepherds experienced Jesus personally.  

 

In verses 17-18, they told others about this Savior.  In other words, they shared their experience. 

 

Isn’t that all that evangelism or witnessing is…sharing your experience with Jesus? 

 

In verse 20, the shepherds then left, and they went back glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard.  Ultimately, they exalted God for He what He had done in providing for them a Savior. 

 

 

Conclusion

So my question for you this morning is simple.  How will you respond to the story of the most significant birth in all of human history?

 

Will you accept Him as your personal Lord and Savior and the only way to be at peace with God?  Will you share your experience and point others to Jesus who may not know?

 

Jesus’ birth is the most significant of one hundred and five billion.  What will it mean for you?

Will You Be Left Behind?

Introduction

If you have you Bibles, take them and find Luke 17:20.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “Will You Be Left Behind?”

 

We return to Luke’s gospel this morning, and let me remind you where we are, and where we’ve been.  Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem.  See Luke 17:11.

 

11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

 

However, please remember, He isn’t on a pleasure trip. He is on His way to die.  He is on way to the cross to die for us.

 

The last time we were in Luke 17, Jesus healed ten lepers.  However, if you remember, only one returned to thank Him.  Now, He is going to answer some questions for the Pharisees and His disciples.

 

Today, I want you to see two truths about the kingdom of God.  The kingdom of God is Christ, and the kingdom of God is coming.

 

We have seen Jesus talk about the kingdom of God on multiple occasions, and He spoken about the kingdom of God in multiple ways.  First, the kingdom of God has referred to heaven.

 

The kingdom of God has also referred to God’s will and plan working out in the lives of His followers.  That would be you and me.

 

Jesus has also referred to the kingdom of God as Himself.  He is the kingdom of God, and the kingdom of God can refer to His kingdom that will come on earth.  In other words, the kingdom of God is also Jesus’ reign on earth.

 

 

1. The Kingdom of God is Christ, Luke 17:20-21.

20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” 

 

In verse 20, the Pharisees asked Jesus about when the kingdom of God.  They were expecting a military Messiah.

 

His response was that they wouldn’t see signs of His coming.  However, that wasn’t because there wouldn’t be signs.  That is because they had wrong expectations.

 

The end of verse 21 says that the kingdom of God was within them.  However, in the language of the NT, the end of verse 21 actually says the kingdom of God was in their midst.

 

In other words, the kingdom of God was standing in front of them.  Brothers and sisters, that is the gospel.

 

Knowing the world was in need of a Savior, God sent His one and only Son.  We celebrate that at Christmas.  His name is Jesus.

 

He came to earth and lived a sinless, perfect life.  He then died on the cross in our place and for our sin.  To authenticate and affirm everything He had said and did, He was resurrected from the grave and ascended to heaven to be with His Father.

 

If you have never accepted Him as Lord and Savior of your life, that is my invitation to you this morning and this Christmas.  The kingdom of God in your midst, and Jesus wants to have a personal, saving relationship with you today.

 

You will never earn heaven and eternal life on your own.  You can’t do with your morality or ingenuity or generosity.  You can have heaven, eternal life, and forgiveness of sins today by admitting that you are a sinner in need of a Savior, repenting of our sin, and calling on Him today to save you.

 

 

2. The Kingdom of God is Coming, Luke 17:22-37.

22 Then He said to the disciples, “The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23 And they will say to you, ‘Look here!’ or ‘Look there!’ Do not go after them or follow them. 24 For as the lightning that flashes out of one part under heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the Son of Man will be in His day. 25 But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. 26 And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.  31 “In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. 35 Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. 36 Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.”  37 And they answered and said to Him, “Where, Lord?”  So He said to them, “Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.”

 

In verse 22, Jesus turned His attention of His disciples.  He was speaking to us.

 

Starting in verse 22 and through the end of the chapter, Jesus used His favor title for Himself.  He called Himself the “Son of Man,” and He spoke of His Second Coming or His return or the kingdom of God to come.

 

First, He said it would not be seen by everyone.  In other words, some would die and not be alive when He returned again for the second time.  That includes approximately 2,000 years of His followers.

 

Second, His coming would be obvious to all of those who were alive at the time.  It would be so obvious like that of lightening in the sky.  Matthew 24:29-30 give us some descriptions.

 

29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

 

Third, His coming will be after suffering and rejection in verse 25.  Remember, He was on His way to Jerusalem.  His trip would end in suffering and death on the cross for our sins.

 

Fourth, His coming will be an act of judgement. In verses 26-30, He reminded us of two Old Testament examples of judgment.

 

First, remember Noah.  Noah preached and warned, but the people ate, drank and were married.  None of that is wrong, but they didn’t listen to Noah.

 

Consequently, when the flood came, Noah and his family were saved.  However, the rest were destroyed. See Genesis 7:21-23.

 

21 And all flesh died that moved on the earth: birds and cattle and beasts and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every man. 22 All in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, all that was on the dry land, died. 23 So He destroyed all living things which were on the face of the ground: both man and cattle, creeping thing and bird of the air. They were destroyed from the earth. Only Noah and those who were with him in the ark remained alive.

 

Also, don’t forget about Lot and Sodom and Gomorrah. They also carried on with their daily lives without any regard for God.

 

What was their fate?  Fire and brimstone rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.  The only survivors were most of Lot’s family.  The day when Jesus returns will be similar.

 

Fifth, Jesus’ coming will be unexpected.  Look at verses 31-36.

 

Jesus gave four scenarios. When Jesus comes unexpectedly, you can’t gather all your goods.  It will simply be time to go.

 

Don’t be like Lot’s wife who missed out.  You can’t have this life and life and heaven.

 

Beginning in verse 24, two men will be sleeping.  One will be taken.  The other left behind.

 

Two women will be working.  One will be taken.  The other left behind.

 

Two men will be in the field.  One will be taken.  The other left behind.

 

The question is whether the one taken is saved or is it the one left behind.  With the context of Noah and Lot in the previous verses, they were taken or saved.  Those left behind were destroyed.

 

My question for you is this.  When Jesus comes, will you be left behind for the judgement? 

 

I hope not.  I pray not. I’m offering the invitation today to be saved by Jesus and not left behind, but the decision has to be made by you.

 

Our text ends by giving us a gruesome picture of judgement. Look at verse 37.

 

The bodies left behind will be spiritually dead.  They will encounter God’s judgement for rejecting His Son.

 

Consequently, the eagles or your Bible may say vultures will be circling.  This will be a sure sign of spiritual death.

 

 

Conclusion

The kingdom of God is Christ, and He is coming.  Will you be left behind?  If not, are you warning and inviting your spouse, coworker, and neighbor to be saved by Jesus?

Rise Up: 3 Years Later and Moving Forward

I want you to take your Bibles and turn to Proverbs 6:6.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “RISE UP: 3 Years Later and Moving Forward.”

 

Think with me back to the summer of 2022.  We had approved construction plans for our Family Life Center, and we turned our attention capital fundraising.

 

BTW…Please always remember that a FLC is not a silver bullet or the magic solution to seeing people saved in Emory and Rains County.  That is Jesus and only Jesus.

 

If you’re here this morning and aren’t saved, the gospel is that man has sinned and is separated from God because of our sin.  That includes you.

However, Jesus died on the cross for your sins and paid your sin debt.  His death has made it possible for us to be saved in relationship with God again.

 

I invited you to be saved this morning if you aren’t already.  That is the main thing.

 

In September and October of 2022, we experienced a church-wide campaign called “RISE UP!”  That theme and encouragement came from Nehemiah 2:18.

 

18 And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me.  So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work.

 

For the Sundays in September and October, we did a survey study of Nehemiah.  This was true for our Sunday School Small Groups and my Sunday morning sermons. 

 

Then, at the end of our study, your were challenged to make a commitment to pay for the Family Life Center.  These commitments would be above and beyond your tithes.  It would be your offering.

 

At the end of November 2022, 79 families or giving units pledged $927,405 over a three year period.  However, at that time, our deacons and FLC Committee decided to pause our construction plans until we had more cash on hand.

 

We resumed our plans in 2024 with the selection of Bearing General Contractor as our builder.  They committed to build our Family Center for $3,999,009, and construction began on May 1, 2025.

 

Today is the last day of three-year giving period that started on December 1, 2022.  Some would give once.  Others would give annually.  Even others gave monthly or weekly. 

 

I am so proud to report to you today what you gave over that three-year giving period.  We exceeded our commitments, and gave $1,271,236, and we aren’t done yet.

 

Before we move any further, let’s turn attention to Proverbs 6:6-11.  We are encouraged to got to ant and watch and learn be.  Watch how the ant acts.  Learn from the ants ways.  Be wise!

 

What exactly will we see?  What can we learn?  Ants are eager in their organization.  Ants are earnest in their preparation.  Ants are expectant in their realization.

 

 

1. Ants are eager in their initiation, 6:7.

 6 Go to the ant, you sluggard!

Consider her ways and be wise,

7 Which, having no captain,

Overseer or ruler,

 

Solomon tells the reader, that he also calls a sluggard, or lazy to go and watch the ant.  We are to watch how they act and learn how they behave, and be wise.

 

Notice verse 7.  They don’t have anyone telling them what to do.  They don’t have a captain or overseer or ruler.

 

Instead, they take the initiative.  They don’t wait to be told what to do.

 

Emory Baptist Church, before we know the price of this project, we made our commitments.  Before we went to the bank to borrow money, we made our commitments.

 

The ants are eager in their initiation.  Emory Baptist Church is too as the FLC Fund existed long before the FLC construction project.

 

 

2. Ants are earnest in their preparation, 6:8.

8 Provides her supplies in the summer,

And gathers her food in the harvest.

 

Summer is not a time that you would normally work in storing food, but the ant did.  The ant was getting ready for the fall during the summer.

 

The ant prepares in advance, and they work hard in doing it.  They also work hard during the harvest. 

 

The bottom line is that the ant always works hard.  They are diligent and industrious.

 

I commend you brothers and sisters for your hard work.  I know that when you have given to the FLC, you have given above and beyond your tithe.

 

Many of you have given from your savings.  Others have given from your retirement.  Even others have given from their estate.

 

You have committed and sacrificed for this project.  You have worked hard in your preparation.

 

 

3. Ants are expectant in their realization, 6:9-11.

9 How long will you slumber, O sluggard?

When will you rise from your sleep?

10 A little sleep, a little slumber,

A little folding of the hands to sleep—

11 So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler,

And your need like an armed man.

 

Why do ants do what they do?  Because they know winter is coming.  They expect reality.

 

Verses 9-11 speak to the reality of poverty if you don’t work.  It will come and try to take away what you have.

 

Brothers and sisters, our reality is that we had to borrow money to complete this project.  A second reality is that we will have to make loan payments as soon as our cash is spent.

 

Therefore, I congratulate today, but I also challenge you.  Keep giving.

 

You have already proved to yourself that you can do it.  Please keep doing it.

 

The more you give, the less we have to actually borrow.  The more you give and the sooner you give, the later we have to borrow.

 

When all is said and done, we want to borrow less and at a lower rate.  The reality is that we will have to pay back whatever we borrow.

 

1 Thanksgiving and 9 Turkeys

Prioritizing Others

Introduction

If you have your Bibles this morning, please take them and find Luke 17:1.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “Prioritizing Others.”

 

In 2002, California pastor and author, Rick Warren, wrote his best-selling work, “Purpose Driven Life.”  It was written as a forty-day devotional.  If you’ve never read it, I highly encourage it.

 

The very first sentence of Day 1 says, “It’s not about you.”  Wow!  You know what?  He’s right.

 

Turn to your right and say to your neighbor, “It’s not about you.”  Turn to the neighbor on your left and say, “It’s not about you.”  Look this way and say about yourself, “It’s not about me.”

 

We’re continuing our study of Luke’s gospel this morning, and today’s message is about this profound truth.  Following Jesus is a call to prioritize others above or before self.

 

17:1-10 points out three specific ways we can prioritize others.  Consider others sacrificially.  Forgive others completely, and serve others dutifully.

 

 

1. Consider others sacrificially, Luke 17:1-2.

1 Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

 

Verse 1 tells us that Jesus is talking to us.  He’s talking to disciples, followers, believers, Christians.

 

1 Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!

 

He then said that it is impossible to avoid offending everyone.  However, do your best not to offend or be a stumbling block to younger Christians. That’s who is in sight when He said “little ones” at the end of verse 2.

 

2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

 

If you do offend younger Christians or cause them to stumble or sin, it would be better for you to die than to have to answer to God for that.  That’s what it means to have a millstone or cinder block tied around your neck and thrown into the sea.

 

In Jesus’ day, just like our day, there were controversial issues.  We have even seen some in our study such as healing on the Sabbath.

 

 

We have controversial issues today.  Sometimes, we call them “gray areas.”  Is it ok for a Christian to drink alcohol?  Is it ok for a Christian to gamble?

 

There were also controversial issues in Paul’s day.  A well-known one was eating meat sacrificed to idols.

 

Was it ok for Christians to eat meat that from an animal that was sacrificed to a pagan idol?  Paul gives us some counsel in Romans 15:1-3, and it mirrors Jesus’ counsel here in Luke 17.

 

1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.”

 

Paul’s counsel was to not please ourselves, but please our neighbor first like Jesus.  In other words, consider others sacrificially.  Sacrifice your liberty for your neighbor’s good.

 

 

2. Forgive others completely, Luke 17:3-4.

3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” 

 

The second way we can prioritize others is by forgiving them completely when they hurt us.  Look at verse 3.

 

3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

 

The family titles here are our spiritual family.  If our brother or sister sins against us, rebuke them and forgive them when they repent.

 

Did you read that?  Jesus gives us the responsibility to call out the behavior of spiritual family members. 

 

When that family member repents, we are to forgive regardless of the hurt. We are even to forgive again and again and again.

4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” 

 

However, if they sin an eighth time, we don’t have to forgive.  No, that is not what Jesus said or meant.

 

When He said forgive seven times in a day, He used seven as the perfect number.  It means completely.  Don’t hold any of your forgiveness back.

 

Again, we can turn to the Paul in his letter to the Ephesian Christians and find similar instruction.  See Ephesians 4:32.

 

32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

 

Paul also calls us to forgive our spiritual family, but notice our standard.  Our standard is not others, but God. 

 

Forgive as God forgave you.  Forgive others completely.

 

 

3. Serve others dutifully, Luke 17:7-10.

7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”

 

Verses 7-10 encourage us to prioritize others by serving them dutifully or because that’s our duty.  Notice the rhetorical question in verse 7.

 

7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’?

The implied answer is no one.  No one would invite a servant in from the field to sit down and eat.

 

You would tell your servant to come in and prepare the meal. When you had finished eating, they could eat. 

 

You wouldn’t thank your servant for doing his or her job.  That’s simply their job.

 

In a similar way, we are servants of God.  Therefore, our duty is to serve Him by serving others.

 

For a third time, Jesus is our example.  Remember Hebrews 12:2.

 

2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

Jesus endured the cross for His Father and for us.  It was His duty, and He did well.

 

It is our duty to serve God by serving others.  We shouldn’t need an “attaboy” for doing what were supposed to do.

 

 

Key

5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”  6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

 

You might be saying right now, “Bro. Richard, This is so hard.”  You’re in good company. 

 

Look at verse 5.  The disciples thought the same thing, and said to the Lord, this is so hard we need more faith. 

 

Jesus said you don’t more faith.  You just need the faith of the mustard seed.

 

This is not the only time Jesus said this.  See Matthew 17:20, 21:21, and Mark 11:23.

 

20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

 

21 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.

 

23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

 

If we are going to prioritize others as followers of Jesus, the key is not more faith but refocusing the object of our faith.  Your faith must be in the mountain mover rather than the mountain.  You faith must be in the mover of the tree rather than the mulberry tree.

 

Everything Jesus said for us to do in today’s text, He said that He is object of our faith.  He is the source of action.  He is the reason for our behavior.

 

How do consider others sacrificially?  Like Jesus considered us sacrificially.

 

How do we forgive others completely?  Like Jesus forgave us completely.

 

How do we serve others dutifully?  Like Jesus served us dutifully by going to the cross.

 

 

Conclusion

Scott Drew is the head men’s basketball coach at Baylor University.  Several years ago, he received a lot of national attention because of his team’s success and their mantra.

 

Their mantra was “Choose J.O.Y.”  Notice that choose is an active verb.  It takes intentionality. 

 

JOY is both an object and a result.  He encouraged his players to choose JOY.  That acronym stands for Jesus, Others, You…J. O. Y.  Their success as a team was based on their choosing JOY.

 

I would say the same about us.  When we choose JOY in that order, we can consider others and forgive others and serve others even when its hard.

 

And you know what we’ll receive in return?  Our result will be joy.

 

Today, have you chosen Jesus?  Today, will prioritize others.  Following Jesus is not about you!

 

Money Can't Save You!

Money Can’t Save You!

Luke 16:19-31

Sunday, November 9, 2025, 10:30 AM

Emory BC

 

19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’ 27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”

 

 

 

Introduction

If you have your Bibles, take them, and find Luke 16:19.  I want to share a message entitled, “Money Can’t Save You!”

 

Here in Luke 16, money has been a common topic.  In Luke 16:1-13, Jesus told us the parable of the unjust steward.  Jesus commended his shrewdness or wisdom in spending money on others and planning for the future.

 

In Luke 16:14-18, Jesus addressed the Pharisees.  Dr. Luke called them “lovers of money,” and Jesus condemned their unrighteousness.

 

Today’s text includes another parable.  However, some don’t think it is a parable but a real-life story about a rich man and Lazarus.

 

I do believe this is a parable, and it is another parable that is unique to Luke.  Contrary to what you may have been taught, it is not a parable that is primarily about end-times or even heaven and hell.

 

The main idea of this parable is about money.  The truth is that money can’t save you, and it doesn’t matter how much we are talking about. Elon Musk will not go to heaven because of his new worth.

 

Today’s parable revolves around three scenes, and the main character is a certain rich man.  The first scene is about life on earth.  The second scene is about after-life on earth.  The final scene is about eternal choices.

 

 

1. Life on Earth, Luke 16:19-21

19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

 

The parable begins in verse 19 with a certain rich man.  He doesn’t have a name although this parable is sometimes known as the parable of Dives and Lazarus.  Dives is the Latin word for rich.

 

The certain beggar named Lazarus is introduced in verse 20.  While still being a parable, this is the only parable that Jesus used a proper name.

 

As for life on earth, these two men were complete opposites. Verses 19-21 speak to that. 

 

One was rich.  The other was a poor beggar. On wore purple and fine linen undergarments.  The other wore sores. One lived sumptuously or luxuriously every day.  The other was laid at his gate every day. One ate like a king.  The other desired the table scraps.  One certainly felt the hands of his servants.  The other felt the tongues of the wild dogs who licked his sores.

 

In the minds of the Pharisees gathered around, they knew exactly why these men were like this.  The rich mad had honored God with life and wealth, and now God was blessing him.  The poor man was suffering from some sin and rebellion and disobedience.

 

Therefore, when Jesus uttered what was next, their worlds were turned upside down.  Jesus said they both died, but the rich man went to Hades, and the beggar went to Abraham’s bosom.  Their gasps were audible!

 

 

 

2. After Life on Earth, Luke 16:22-26

22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’

 

Verse 22 says that both men died.  Shockingly to the Pharisees, the beggar was carried by angels into Abraham’s bosom.  This was Jewish idiom that meant the presence of God.

 

BTW…We are told that the beggar died, but we aren’t told that he was buried.  He probably wasn’t.  He was probably was thrown into the city trash dump.

 

However, the rich man was buried, and probably had a funeral.  It would have been very well attended and very elaborate going on and on about his wealth.

 

Verse 23 is where the story turns.  The one who was thought to have God’s favor on his life was now in Hades and in torments. 

 

BTW…It is commonly thought that before Jesus returns, Sheol is the place of the dead, and Sheol has two compartments.  One is upper, and the other is lower.

 

The upper compartment is Abraham’s bosom or Paradise.  It most certainly is the presence of God.

 

The lower compartment is Hades or hell.  It most certainly is the absence of God.

 

There will be an eternal heaven and an eternal hell.  These are not them.

 

Verse 24 says that the rich man looked up and asked Abraham to send Lazarus to comfort him with a drip of water. Verse 25 says his request was denied. 

 

In verse 26, Abraham makes it clear that there is not a going back in forth between Abraham’s bosom and Hades.  The great gulf or chasm is fixed.  In other words, it is permanent.

 

Here we see the main point of this parable.  The majority of this first century audience was shocked and dismayed to hear about this rich man in Hades, but money can not and will not save you.

 

It matters not what your bottom line is.  When it comes to after life on earth, the only thing that matters is what have you done with Jesus? 

 

Have you received Him as Lord and Savior or rejected Him?  Only Jesus can save and will save!

 

A secondary point of this parable is that proof or evidence of our salvation is demonstrated in how we treat others.  This rich man didn’t go to Hades because of how he treated Lazarus. 

 

How he treated Lazarus was evidence of this man’s rejection of Christ.  Conversely, Lazarus had been helped by God, and he went to Abraham’s bosom not because he was poor, but because he recognized his need and called on the Lord to save.

 

Just to be clear, there will be many rich people in heaven and many poor people in hell.  There will also be many rich people in hell and many poor people in heaven.

 

The key is not your wealth.  The key is what you do with Jesus, which takes us to our final scene.

 

 

3. Eternal Choices, Luke 16:

27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”

 

In verse 27, the rich man in Hades turns his attention to his lost brothers.  He asked Abraham to send someone to warn them about this place of torment.

 

Again, Abraham denied his request.  They should have read their Bibles and listened to the prophets.

 

The rich man made one last request.  He requested that Abraham send someone who had risen from the dead. 

 

For the third time, the rich man’s request is denied.  If they didn’t read their Bibles and didn’t listen to their prophets, they wouldn’t be persuaded by the miraculous.

 

 

Conclusion

If you haven’t already, you have a choice to make.  Where will you spend eternity?

 

Your choices are with God or apart from God.  With God will mean receiving God’s Son, Jesus, as Lord and Savior.

 

If you do nothing, it will be as if you rejected Jesus.  There will be no second chances, and your eternity will be one of torment and torment and torment.