1 Corinthians 1:26
Jesus really unnerved the young leader. He arrived with his enviable moral record and his comfortable savings. He walked away still financially loaded but spiritually bankrupt.
And behold, a man came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have kept. What do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, 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." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."--Matthew 19:16-26
The problem with trying to get to heaven when we have lots of wealth is our stuff clings to us, making it hard for us to get thru that narrow gate. As Jesus declared, you can't be bowing to two different masters; and wealth far too often becomes just that, a master.
A quick review of the church directory at 1st Church in Corinth clearly validates Jesus' declaration, "Only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven." The membership roll revealed very few representatives of the class of the rich and famous. Very few, but not none!
There was Gaius with a house large enough to host Paul's ministry team as his guests AND be the place where the growing church assembled. Then there was Stephanas, who also hosted a church in his residence, Chloe, Crispus and a few others. "Not many noble,” but not any noble!
As the deeply disappointed idolater with the impeccable spiritual resume turned away from the Savior while gripping tightly to his riches, Jesus could be heard saying, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
"Not many noble" rather than not any noble. By God's mercy and grace, several were saved by the "M!”
See you Sunday, Church!
Pastor Tom
P.S. Born into the line of royalty in the nation of India, raised in a devout Hindu family, our guest preacher this Sunday was miraculously rescued by the sovereign saving grace of God. Plan to hear Satish John at either Faith Chapel at 9:00 or the full worship service at 10:15.
Jesus really unnerved the young leader. He arrived with his enviable moral record and his comfortable savings. He walked away still financially loaded but spiritually bankrupt.
And behold, a man came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have kept. What do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, 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." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."--Matthew 19:16-26
The problem with trying to get to heaven when we have lots of wealth is our stuff clings to us, making it hard for us to get thru that narrow gate. As Jesus declared, you can't be bowing to two different masters; and wealth far too often becomes just that, a master.
A quick review of the church directory at 1st Church in Corinth clearly validates Jesus' declaration, "Only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven." The membership roll revealed very few representatives of the class of the rich and famous. Very few, but not none!
There was Gaius with a house large enough to host Paul's ministry team as his guests AND be the place where the growing church assembled. Then there was Stephanas, who also hosted a church in his residence, Chloe, Crispus and a few others. "Not many noble,” but not any noble!
As the deeply disappointed idolater with the impeccable spiritual resume turned away from the Savior while gripping tightly to his riches, Jesus could be heard saying, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
"Not many noble" rather than not any noble. By God's mercy and grace, several were saved by the "M!”
See you Sunday, Church!
Pastor Tom
P.S. Born into the line of royalty in the nation of India, raised in a devout Hindu family, our guest preacher this Sunday was miraculously rescued by the sovereign saving grace of God. Plan to hear Satish John at either Faith Chapel at 9:00 or the full worship service at 10:15.
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