WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:10.620 Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:12.679 --> 00:00:19.900 The Spinks are really glad to be back with you this morning after several days of driving from 00:00:19.900 --> 00:00:26.179 Huntsville up to South Dakota and eventually to Denver and all the way back again. 00:00:26.179 --> 00:00:34.740 When you take a trip like that where you're in the car for hours on end, when you span 60 00:00:34.740 --> 00:00:40.600 plus degrees of temperature changes over the course of the trip, the hardest part of the 00:00:40.600 --> 00:00:41.460 whole trip is what? 00:00:42.739 --> 00:00:43.219 Packing. 00:00:44.460 --> 00:00:46.620 It's like when you take a baby to the beach. 00:00:46.799 --> 00:00:49.640 You want to bring the whole house with you. 00:00:49.719 --> 00:00:51.480 You just think you might need everything. 00:00:51.479 --> 00:00:58.339 And so every activity that you don't take in the car, you're afraid will cost you your 00:00:58.339 --> 00:01:01.079 sanity at some point during the trip that you don't have it. 00:01:01.479 --> 00:01:06.539 Every article of clothing you decide to leave behind, you're afraid will cost you your comfort 00:01:06.539 --> 00:01:08.979 at some point during the trip. 00:01:09.379 --> 00:01:15.799 But you're forced to leave some things behind and travel light, so to speak. 00:01:16.739 --> 00:01:18.299 You can't take it with you. 00:01:18.299 --> 00:01:21.700 It happens when you fly too, doesn't it? 00:01:21.980 --> 00:01:26.920 You go to an airport and you may be holding any number of things when you get there, but 00:01:26.920 --> 00:01:32.399 by the time you hit airport security, you have to toss that water bottle you've been drinking 00:01:32.399 --> 00:01:33.379 along the way. 00:01:33.920 --> 00:01:39.719 The only suitcase you're allowed to keep has to fit in this little bin that's right there. 00:01:39.799 --> 00:01:42.560 You have to make sure it fits or you've got to leave it back. 00:01:42.560 --> 00:01:48.079 And that little pocket knife that's always on my key chain, I forget to take it. 00:01:48.159 --> 00:01:49.019 That's not going. 00:01:49.780 --> 00:01:50.700 You lose it. 00:01:51.920 --> 00:01:53.359 You can't take it with you. 00:01:53.420 --> 00:01:56.120 You have to let go of some things to get on that plane. 00:01:57.579 --> 00:02:00.659 That's true when we journey with Jesus too. 00:02:00.659 --> 00:02:09.479 It's always hard, isn't it, to let go of things that we find value in, things that bring us 00:02:09.479 --> 00:02:13.000 comfort, things that we just might need for the journey. 00:02:13.840 --> 00:02:15.579 We'd rather hold on to them. 00:02:15.919 --> 00:02:20.139 But Jesus is going to require exactly that this morning. 00:02:20.379 --> 00:02:24.479 That if we are to follow Him, we will have to travel light. 00:02:24.800 --> 00:02:27.139 You can't take it with you. 00:02:27.139 --> 00:02:33.559 It challenges someone about that in a way that we must listen to well. 00:02:34.479 --> 00:02:38.679 Let's follow the story in Luke 18 as we go this morning. 00:02:38.939 --> 00:02:43.179 You may have heard this story called the story of the rich young ruler. 00:02:44.199 --> 00:02:47.639 Luke 18 at verse 18. 00:02:47.639 --> 00:02:57.199 And a ruler asked Jesus, good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? 00:02:57.819 --> 00:02:59.539 Now, right out of the gate, here we are. 00:02:59.739 --> 00:03:07.439 He comes within many ways the right question to in every way the right person. 00:03:08.799 --> 00:03:12.639 Jesus has been teaching about eternal things, hasn't He? 00:03:12.739 --> 00:03:14.179 How important they are. 00:03:14.180 --> 00:03:18.760 He's been telling some surprising stories as we've been going through this section of Luke 00:03:18.760 --> 00:03:22.159 about who's in and who's out in His kingdom. 00:03:22.800 --> 00:03:31.439 And now here comes this guy for an answer about eternal life to the one who Himself gives eternal life. 00:03:32.960 --> 00:03:36.360 Another man asked Jesus the same question just a few chapters ago. 00:03:36.920 --> 00:03:41.180 And Jesus eventually answered him with the story of the Good Samaritan. 00:03:41.920 --> 00:03:42.480 Do you remember that? 00:03:42.479 --> 00:03:46.000 Hey, what should I do to inherit eternal life? 00:03:46.219 --> 00:03:49.039 And Jesus tells him that story. 00:03:49.280 --> 00:03:56.479 It's interesting because we see Jesus in both of these cases not content merely to give an answer 00:03:56.479 --> 00:04:02.359 to a seemingly straightforward question, but to go to our hearts. 00:04:02.939 --> 00:04:11.039 He knew that the man who asked the first time needed to have his vision of neighbor love expanded, right? 00:04:11.039 --> 00:04:15.620 And his heart exposed for its weaknesses there. 00:04:16.180 --> 00:04:18.000 Jesus is eager to do that. 00:04:18.839 --> 00:04:20.279 And the same is true here. 00:04:20.379 --> 00:04:25.120 Notice how Jesus takes any opportunity to cut straight to the heart. 00:04:26.139 --> 00:04:31.039 And we could learn a lot from Jesus' intentional love in relationships. 00:04:31.040 --> 00:04:38.460 In this case, he leaves this simple straightforward question for a minute to talk about the word good. 00:04:39.220 --> 00:04:42.920 Jesus said to him, why do you call me good? 00:04:43.939 --> 00:04:47.460 No one is good except God alone. 00:04:49.120 --> 00:04:51.240 Why did you say good, teacher? 00:04:51.780 --> 00:04:53.560 Only God is good. 00:04:53.560 --> 00:04:56.959 Now, back to your question, verse 20. 00:04:57.519 --> 00:04:58.839 You know the commandments. 00:04:59.740 --> 00:05:00.839 How are you going to get eternal life? 00:05:00.899 --> 00:05:02.600 You know what the Bible says. 00:05:04.220 --> 00:05:05.339 Do not commit adultery. 00:05:06.060 --> 00:05:06.699 Do not murder. 00:05:07.000 --> 00:05:07.800 Do not steal. 00:05:08.120 --> 00:05:09.579 Do not bear false witness. 00:05:09.939 --> 00:05:11.240 Honor your father and mother. 00:05:11.639 --> 00:05:13.040 What's Jesus telling him? 00:05:13.040 --> 00:05:17.600 It's the whole second panel of the law about neighbor love, isn't it? 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:19.060 Except do not covet. 00:05:19.400 --> 00:05:20.220 He didn't mention that one. 00:05:21.220 --> 00:05:26.800 But all of those things where God tells us, here's what it looks like to love your neighbor. 00:05:28.860 --> 00:05:30.500 And the ruler doesn't bat an eye. 00:05:30.759 --> 00:05:32.100 Yep, I've been doing all of those. 00:05:33.000 --> 00:05:36.759 He said, all these I have kept from my youth. 00:05:37.620 --> 00:05:40.579 Not just recently, but for a long time I've been doing those things. 00:05:40.879 --> 00:05:46.159 Jesus, but stop and think about this for a minute, how the conversation is going. 00:05:46.779 --> 00:05:50.240 Jesus says, only God is good. 00:05:51.599 --> 00:05:56.139 And then, now remember how God tells you to live. 00:05:56.420 --> 00:05:58.379 Only God is good. 00:05:58.680 --> 00:06:00.159 And how does the ruler respond? 00:06:01.300 --> 00:06:01.980 I'm good. 00:06:04.180 --> 00:06:04.659 What? 00:06:04.660 --> 00:06:08.060 Are you listening to the conversation? 00:06:09.120 --> 00:06:10.960 Do you see what Jesus is saying? 00:06:12.540 --> 00:06:18.180 See, he's come to the right person to ask a question about eternal things, 00:06:18.320 --> 00:06:22.020 but his heart is still very deceived, isn't it? 00:06:22.900 --> 00:06:24.480 We can see it easily. 00:06:24.640 --> 00:06:29.480 Perhaps the people around could, but he doesn't see his own self-deception. 00:06:29.480 --> 00:06:36.040 He hasn't considered deeply what the true treasure of his heart is. 00:06:37.939 --> 00:06:44.259 We have to consider that reality this morning because God knows what we truly treasure. 00:06:45.100 --> 00:06:47.640 That's what we see here as Jesus interacts with the ruler, isn't it? 00:06:47.819 --> 00:06:51.040 God knows where the treasure of our hearts is. 00:06:51.040 --> 00:06:54.340 In this case, I believe it was fairly apparent to many. 00:06:55.540 --> 00:06:59.540 As we'll see, this man was extremely rich. 00:06:59.540 --> 00:07:03.660 But it wasn't obvious to him. 00:07:05.040 --> 00:07:08.840 Jesus wants to expose his self-deception for him. 00:07:09.260 --> 00:07:14.420 And so he asks him to do something, verse 22, to help him out. 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:17.259 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, 00:07:17.259 --> 00:07:32.079 Jesus gets to the answer to his question, so to speak. 00:07:32.319 --> 00:07:32.860 Here he is. 00:07:33.019 --> 00:07:34.599 You just need one more thing. 00:07:35.120 --> 00:07:38.159 And this is Jesus packing for the long trip, isn't it? 00:07:38.920 --> 00:07:42.000 Taking him through airport security, if you will. 00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:46.839 You've got to have empty hands to follow me. 00:07:48.120 --> 00:07:53.519 It's clear from the rest of the passage that Jesus is not asking the man to earn his salvation 00:07:53.519 --> 00:07:56.120 by doing yet one more good thing. 00:07:57.319 --> 00:08:04.879 Rather, what he's asking him is to let go of one treasure to embrace another. 00:08:05.759 --> 00:08:12.139 Notice the implication in this verse that his treasure is not yet in heaven. 00:08:12.139 --> 00:08:15.620 He doesn't have treasure in heaven, does he? 00:08:15.620 --> 00:08:19.920 Jesus says that's what you lack is treasure in heaven. 00:08:20.420 --> 00:08:24.579 So do this thing and then you'll find treasure in heaven. 00:08:24.720 --> 00:08:29.040 And only then can you follow Jesus. 00:08:29.899 --> 00:08:33.480 If your heart can release these things you're holding on to, 00:08:33.720 --> 00:08:37.060 then you will have treasure in heaven. 00:08:37.200 --> 00:08:39.860 You can hold on to that tightly. 00:08:39.860 --> 00:08:48.399 See, it's impossible to follow Jesus where he is going with your heart full of earth. 00:08:49.820 --> 00:08:51.440 And Jesus knows that. 00:08:54.440 --> 00:08:58.860 He challenges the ruler to consider what that would look like for him. 00:08:58.860 --> 00:09:01.840 And how does the ruler respond? 00:09:01.960 --> 00:09:05.360 It was just one thing that he lacked and he could have treasure in heaven. 00:09:05.440 --> 00:09:06.500 He could follow Jesus. 00:09:06.779 --> 00:09:12.139 Does he eagerly do the one thing he lacks for the glorious privilege of following Jesus? 00:09:12.139 --> 00:09:15.740 Verse 23. 00:09:17.019 --> 00:09:24.460 But when he heard these things, he became very sad for he was extremely rich. 00:09:26.220 --> 00:09:27.799 Very sad. 00:09:29.539 --> 00:09:31.539 Extremely rich. 00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:35.419 He hears what's required. 00:09:35.419 --> 00:09:38.979 But he can't do it. 00:09:38.979 --> 00:09:46.120 Luke is telling us that he wanted to carry all his riches through the door into Jesus' family. 00:09:46.819 --> 00:09:52.419 He couldn't stand to set his lavish things down to travel light. 00:09:52.779 --> 00:09:58.500 And the heartbreaking reality that we read is that he comes to Jesus and leaves how? 00:09:59.879 --> 00:10:00.439 Sad. 00:10:00.440 --> 00:10:00.720 Sad. 00:10:02.500 --> 00:10:07.860 He comes to the right person to ask questions about eternity. 00:10:08.380 --> 00:10:11.720 And Jesus brings good news of great joy. 00:10:12.180 --> 00:10:16.240 And he leaves sad. 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:25.040 Because he learns that he can't attach himself to both Jesus and his wealth. 00:10:25.039 --> 00:10:31.279 Jesus makes an observation that he makes in many places. 00:10:32.240 --> 00:10:36.159 Material wealth makes following him difficult. 00:10:38.879 --> 00:10:45.279 Jesus, seeing that this man had become sad, said, 00:10:45.279 --> 00:10:51.240 How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God. 00:10:51.439 --> 00:10:58.779 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. 00:10:59.179 --> 00:11:01.360 Some people have tried to make this complicated. 00:11:01.600 --> 00:11:03.379 The picture's not that hard. 00:11:03.480 --> 00:11:07.379 It's a very large animal in a very tiny space. 00:11:07.720 --> 00:11:09.620 And it's not happening, is it? 00:11:10.459 --> 00:11:13.419 You can't squeeze through there. 00:11:13.419 --> 00:11:15.299 There's no way. 00:11:17.439 --> 00:11:21.879 Wealth keeps people from Jesus regularly, he says. 00:11:22.139 --> 00:11:25.179 It's not an unusual struggle here in this passage, is it? 00:11:25.419 --> 00:11:28.099 Jesus has addressed it many times in Luke already. 00:11:28.259 --> 00:11:31.740 Story after story, we feel like he keeps pressing on us here. 00:11:32.120 --> 00:11:32.419 He said, 00:11:32.419 --> 00:11:43.959 These are direct words. 00:11:45.019 --> 00:11:49.559 They're meant to be convicting enough words, in fact, that we would despair. 00:11:50.139 --> 00:11:51.539 Verse 26, 00:11:51.539 --> 00:11:53.079 Those who heard it said, 00:11:53.219 --> 00:11:55.759 Then who can be saved? 00:11:57.319 --> 00:12:02.719 If not the rich, how will anyone get God's favor? 00:12:03.259 --> 00:12:07.139 Wealth was a sign of God's blessing in these times, right? 00:12:07.939 --> 00:12:12.899 Perhaps you don't think we think about wealth that way, but I'd suggest we often do. 00:12:13.899 --> 00:12:14.159 We say, 00:12:14.219 --> 00:12:16.059 God is just blessing my business. 00:12:16.059 --> 00:12:18.159 Things are going really well. 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:25.619 And it may just be God being gracious, not condoning your business practices as better than someone else's. 00:12:27.779 --> 00:12:30.739 Conversely, have you ever had the thought or said, 00:12:30.739 --> 00:12:34.679 If they'd just make more godly decisions, they'd have more money. 00:12:34.679 --> 00:12:41.859 Jesus reminds us in this passage, that's not how his kingdom operates. 00:12:43.219 --> 00:12:47.620 Level of godly living does not equate to level of material blessing. 00:12:49.239 --> 00:12:56.339 Don't just look at the ways God has been gracious to you and conclude that means you're eternally safe and walking closely with him. 00:12:56.679 --> 00:12:58.919 That's not what it means, necessarily. 00:12:59.120 --> 00:13:02.839 This passage suggests, in fact, we ought to consider something different. 00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:11.100 That material prosperity should even make us stop and carefully evaluate how full our arms are. 00:13:12.879 --> 00:13:16.080 Wealth itself can be very dangerous. 00:13:16.420 --> 00:13:16.700 Why? 00:13:17.399 --> 00:13:23.300 It's very easy to hold on to and hard to let go of to follow Jesus. 00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:27.200 Proverbs tells us this about wealth. 00:13:27.400 --> 00:13:31.320 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city. 00:13:31.320 --> 00:13:36.400 They imagine it a wall too high to scale. 00:13:37.820 --> 00:13:39.540 It's a good image, isn't it? 00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:42.460 It's going to keep me safe. 00:13:42.800 --> 00:13:44.940 Nothing can get to me. 00:13:45.260 --> 00:13:46.360 I'm protected. 00:13:46.980 --> 00:13:52.460 Rich tend to believe their wealth buys them safety and security. 00:13:52.460 --> 00:13:56.180 Maybe that's what you're really holding on to. 00:13:56.680 --> 00:13:57.200 Security. 00:13:58.040 --> 00:13:59.160 Self-sufficiency. 00:13:59.620 --> 00:14:00.200 Control. 00:14:00.900 --> 00:14:01.540 Power. 00:14:01.820 --> 00:14:02.519 Influence. 00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:03.420 Or reputation. 00:14:04.259 --> 00:14:09.019 And those are the things we're clinging to, but money is just a means to get them. 00:14:11.200 --> 00:14:13.540 This passage does focus on money. 00:14:13.539 --> 00:14:20.500 But Jesus mentions later in a couple more verses letting go of homes, spouses, children, parents, 00:14:20.879 --> 00:14:26.019 whatever we're trying to carry on the plane that we won't put down for Jesus. 00:14:26.559 --> 00:14:27.740 Good things. 00:14:29.939 --> 00:14:31.659 But things we're clinging to. 00:14:31.659 --> 00:14:38.419 Can we ask ourselves honestly this morning, what's keeping you away from Jesus? 00:14:40.419 --> 00:14:47.519 Pastor Derek asked us helpfully last week to consider what hinders us from coming freely to Jesus. 00:14:48.600 --> 00:14:53.459 You've come again this morning to the right place with questions of eternal importance, 00:14:53.460 --> 00:14:59.220 but do you at times walk away from Jesus sad? 00:15:00.220 --> 00:15:07.240 Because you have great comfort and He leads you into uncomfortable places? 00:15:08.920 --> 00:15:14.420 You have great plans for your life and His seem a bit different? 00:15:15.320 --> 00:15:21.639 You have great security in your resources and He seems to want you to trust Him alone? 00:15:23.460 --> 00:15:30.200 You have a great boyfriend and you're afraid if you follow Jesus' design for your relationship, 00:15:30.379 --> 00:15:31.000 you'll lose Him? 00:15:32.620 --> 00:15:40.060 What are you refusing to put down that's keeping you from traveling with Jesus? 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:45.620 In a city and church blessed with material prosperity, 00:15:46.340 --> 00:15:51.720 we must consider if our treasure is on earth or in heaven. 00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:54.180 Jesus says it's one or the other. 00:15:54.680 --> 00:15:58.019 And don't just say, like, let's go a little bit deeper than just saying, 00:15:58.100 --> 00:15:59.200 oh no, my treasure's in heaven. 00:15:59.240 --> 00:16:00.560 That's easy to say you're in church. 00:16:00.660 --> 00:16:01.480 I get that. 00:16:02.060 --> 00:16:08.740 When we're reminded in this passage how easy it is to be deceived about our hearts. 00:16:09.560 --> 00:16:15.360 Jesus' challenge to the ruler pushes us to consider our actions, doesn't it? 00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:21.200 That show us and show others often where our treasure is. 00:16:21.960 --> 00:16:24.360 You can be honest because God sees it, doesn't He? 00:16:25.460 --> 00:16:26.419 He knows. 00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:31.940 It was really cool when I was a kid to go around saying, 00:16:32.300 --> 00:16:33.580 your epidermis is showing. 00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:36.659 At least I think I remember it as being cool. 00:16:36.659 --> 00:16:40.639 And we would say that all the time. 00:16:40.980 --> 00:16:44.240 And yep, sure enough, our skin is usually showing. 00:16:45.919 --> 00:16:48.219 So is our treasure, isn't it? 00:16:49.980 --> 00:16:51.319 It's usually showing. 00:16:53.079 --> 00:16:55.839 It was for the ruler in this passage. 00:16:57.120 --> 00:16:59.039 Can I probe for just a minute? 00:17:01.439 --> 00:17:02.319 What are you going to say? 00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:02.620 No? 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:11.259 If you spend more on funding vacations than funding mission trips, 00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:13.980 your treasure may be showing. 00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:19.279 That may seem unfair the Sunday after fall break, 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:21.240 but me too. 00:17:23.220 --> 00:17:27.079 If you can't remember the last time you prayed for God's provision, 00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:29.819 your treasure may be showing. 00:17:29.819 --> 00:17:35.279 If you give more money to your car or to your clothes than to your church, 00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:38.480 your treasure may be showing. 00:17:40.679 --> 00:17:42.740 And just so none of us misses out, 00:17:42.859 --> 00:17:47.119 Jesus never gives a dollar figure for the rich young ruler's salary, does He? 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:53.139 He just tells us that He wouldn't put down His possessions to follow Jesus. 00:17:54.099 --> 00:17:57.200 God isn't trying to scold those who make six figures. 00:17:57.200 --> 00:18:03.240 He's trying to pry all of our fingers off the things that we're clinging to. 00:18:03.779 --> 00:18:05.059 So maybe you're like me, 00:18:05.140 --> 00:18:08.519 and you're trying to take pride in the fact that you don't love money, 00:18:08.700 --> 00:18:12.120 and you don't have to be rich to be happy, 00:18:12.840 --> 00:18:18.680 but your heart also knows what it's like to find security and comfort there. 00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:22.019 So a couple I've been struggling with lately. 00:18:23.580 --> 00:18:27.460 If you're noticeably calmer when your bank account is higher, 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:30.259 your treasure may be showing. 00:18:32.019 --> 00:18:33.340 If you're sad, 00:18:34.080 --> 00:18:37.060 which often looks or feels like being anxious, 00:18:37.500 --> 00:18:41.220 if you're sad or anxious when asked to give money away, 00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:42.480 and I mean any amount, 00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:45.440 a thousand dollars to a foreign mission, 00:18:45.980 --> 00:18:49.980 or a dollar to a homeless guy on the side of the road, 00:18:50.079 --> 00:18:52.680 if you're sad or anxious about that, 00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:55.220 your treasure may be showing. 00:18:57.680 --> 00:19:00.559 If you think you might be treasuring something, 00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:05.640 and you're not sure anything at all on earth, 00:19:05.640 --> 00:19:08.000 try actually giving it away, 00:19:09.840 --> 00:19:11.740 and see how your heart responds. 00:19:12.060 --> 00:19:12.940 How does it make you feel, 00:19:13.360 --> 00:19:15.820 even now to think about letting go of it, 00:19:16.400 --> 00:19:18.900 giving some or all of it away? 00:19:20.320 --> 00:19:24.240 Jesus is utterly serious about our hearts. 00:19:24.400 --> 00:19:25.600 It's what he cares about, isn't it? 00:19:25.740 --> 00:19:27.000 He goes right there, 00:19:27.080 --> 00:19:28.420 and we must hear him. 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:32.460 This is the spiritual equivalent of the evacuation order 00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:34.560 that many of you heard this week, 00:19:34.559 --> 00:19:36.399 and believe me, it was serious. 00:19:37.379 --> 00:19:39.599 Why don't we take Jesus as seriously 00:19:39.599 --> 00:19:41.839 as we do the National Weather Service? 00:19:43.079 --> 00:19:44.000 He says, 00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:44.980 danger. 00:19:45.559 --> 00:19:47.659 This is a serious warning. 00:19:49.639 --> 00:19:53.079 When you heard that warning this week, 00:19:53.359 --> 00:19:55.139 sadly, but without hesitation, 00:19:55.579 --> 00:19:57.659 many of you headed back home 00:19:57.659 --> 00:20:00.659 to be here for physical safety. 00:20:00.660 --> 00:20:03.620 Jesus says, 00:20:03.940 --> 00:20:05.620 for your spiritual safety, 00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:07.580 for your eternal safety, 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:09.620 evacuate your money 00:20:09.620 --> 00:20:11.560 and find true safety 00:20:11.560 --> 00:20:14.180 and true treasure in me. 00:20:14.620 --> 00:20:16.720 Give your stuff away 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:18.440 until you are sure 00:20:18.440 --> 00:20:20.800 that I'm what you treasure. 00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:25.180 Until we see our poverty, 00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:28.519 we will never see Christ's value, 00:20:29.640 --> 00:20:30.720 Thomas Watson said. 00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:33.920 See, wealth can be dangerous 00:20:33.920 --> 00:20:36.220 because we have so much in our hands 00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:38.940 that there's a lot we have to put down 00:20:38.940 --> 00:20:40.860 to travel with Jesus. 00:20:41.100 --> 00:20:42.259 There are a lot more things 00:20:42.259 --> 00:20:44.539 insulating me from my need, 00:20:44.980 --> 00:20:47.100 my spiritual poverty. 00:20:47.099 --> 00:20:49.759 And Jesus is warning 00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:50.980 the rich young ruler 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:52.379 and he's warning us 00:20:52.379 --> 00:20:54.559 of the danger of having 00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:56.139 something to offer 00:20:56.139 --> 00:20:58.259 when the Bible says 00:20:58.259 --> 00:20:59.419 the Christian life 00:20:59.419 --> 00:21:01.319 is having nothing to offer 00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:04.119 and finding everything in Jesus. 00:21:04.599 --> 00:21:04.819 Right? 00:21:07.319 --> 00:21:09.199 Are you willing to see your heart 00:21:09.199 --> 00:21:10.599 truly this morning? 00:21:11.779 --> 00:21:13.279 God's heart for us 00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:15.319 is to remove the self-deception, 00:21:15.319 --> 00:21:17.579 to expose the reality 00:21:17.579 --> 00:21:19.079 so that we can let go 00:21:19.079 --> 00:21:20.259 of our treasure on earth 00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:21.799 to have treasure in heaven 00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:24.159 and then follow Jesus there. 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:26.759 Does that challenge of Jesus 00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:28.220 convict you? 00:21:28.960 --> 00:21:29.919 Give it all away. 00:21:30.359 --> 00:21:31.559 Have treasure in heaven 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:33.740 and follow me. 00:21:36.139 --> 00:21:38.059 We're not through with the story yet, 00:21:38.159 --> 00:21:40.019 but I want to do something 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:41.339 God's teaching me lately 00:21:41.339 --> 00:21:43.379 and just stop to reflect 00:21:43.379 --> 00:21:44.619 and pray. 00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:45.819 Here. 00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:48.759 Give you a minute 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:50.139 to consider your own heart 00:21:50.139 --> 00:21:50.819 and then I'll pray 00:21:50.819 --> 00:21:51.519 for the Spirit 00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:52.679 to work in our hearts 00:21:52.679 --> 00:21:55.159 and then we'll finish the passage. 00:21:55.379 --> 00:21:56.059 Just pray for a minute. 00:21:56.059 --> 00:22:26.039 Thank you. 00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:56.039 Thank you. 00:22:56.059 --> 00:22:56.700 Let go of. 00:22:57.460 --> 00:23:00.980 Show us what it is that we'd rather have than Jesus. 00:23:04.559 --> 00:23:05.899 Would you work in our hearts? 00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:08.019 Would you show us those things? 00:23:09.679 --> 00:23:10.919 And then would you show us Jesus? 00:23:11.880 --> 00:23:13.240 We ask in his name. 00:23:13.620 --> 00:23:13.880 Amen. 00:23:13.880 --> 00:23:14.020 Amen. 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:25.600 It can be painful to see our sin, to have the Spirit put a finger on an idol in our heart. 00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:28.760 Listen, this is what the Christian life is all about, y'all. 00:23:29.619 --> 00:23:33.420 This is how it works, that the Holy Spirit brings conviction. 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.579 It's not a bad thing. 00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:35.680 It's a good thing. 00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:37.500 He's going to wound in order to heal. 00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:43.680 He brings conviction to our heart, shows us our idols, our deep-seated sin. 00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:52.960 And at the same time, he shows us Jesus so that we might have somewhere to turn from our empty pursuits, 00:23:53.360 --> 00:23:59.200 someone fulfilling to travel with once we lay down those things we're clinging to, 00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:03.220 some place for comfort when we're convicted. 00:24:03.220 --> 00:24:07.980 If you feel like the crowds, then who can be saved? 00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:10.120 Certainly not me. 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:15.360 Look at how I love the things of this world more than God at times. 00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:18.799 Pick back up at verse 27. 00:24:21.100 --> 00:24:22.620 They said, who can be saved? 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:30.660 But Jesus said, what is impossible with man is possible with God. 00:24:31.100 --> 00:24:32.259 He says, you're right. 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:33.759 You can't do it. 00:24:33.940 --> 00:24:34.980 It's impossible. 00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:37.599 The camel's never going through the eye of that needle. 00:24:38.160 --> 00:24:39.299 It's not just hard. 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:40.559 Impossible. 00:24:41.059 --> 00:24:44.200 But God can change even your heart. 00:24:45.400 --> 00:24:50.319 Salvation comes not from being more generous, but from being regenerated. 00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:52.000 A new life. 00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:53.740 A new heart. 00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:57.220 And God is able. 00:24:58.039 --> 00:25:00.379 There's comfort there. 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:03.619 But Peter jumps in. 00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:06.379 We're pretty good though, right, Jesus? 00:25:08.160 --> 00:25:11.660 I don't know Peter's heart, but it sounds a lot like that. 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:12.859 Verse 28. 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:18.220 Peter said, see, we've left our homes and followed you. 00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:38.819 Jesus said to them, truly I say to you, there's no one who's 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. 00:25:38.819 --> 00:25:40.819 Maybe you feel a little bit of this. 00:25:40.819 --> 00:25:43.539 I mean, I've given up a lot for Jesus. 00:25:44.639 --> 00:25:47.119 And maybe you're feeling bad for feeling that. 00:25:47.439 --> 00:25:49.439 Jesus doesn't pound you for that. 00:25:50.399 --> 00:25:53.139 He speaks words of comfort, doesn't he? 00:25:53.140 --> 00:25:55.580 I know you've sacrificed. 00:25:57.040 --> 00:25:58.440 It's worth it. 00:25:59.280 --> 00:26:00.020 Jesus says. 00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:06.560 He refills us here and in this life and overflowing in the age to come. 00:26:08.020 --> 00:26:11.140 I've seen a picture of that with our family. 00:26:11.920 --> 00:26:19.940 When God called us to Southwood 10 years ago, one of the things we knew was we wouldn't be in the same town with any of our family. 00:26:19.940 --> 00:26:26.720 Maybe not the biggest thing ever, but a bit of a sacrifice, especially when you have a new baby, right? 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:32.340 And God has so kindly given us family here. 00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:41.299 Brothers and sisters, we can't imagine doing life without parents for us, grandparents for our kids who love us. 00:26:41.840 --> 00:26:43.420 That we're so thankful for. 00:26:43.420 --> 00:26:51.980 But can you imagine for just a second how much more we'll experience that in the age to come? 00:26:52.840 --> 00:27:00.620 That's just a little taste, isn't it, of how God can provide eternal life that Jesus is talking about. 00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:03.580 In the age to come, eternal life, it's not mere existence. 00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:06.700 He's not just saying you'll survive forever. 00:27:06.700 --> 00:27:11.440 It's fullness of life that we were created for. 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:15.799 Relationship with a perfect heavenly Father. 00:27:16.640 --> 00:27:24.660 Restored relationships free from sin with brothers and sisters and parents and grandparents, many of whom you haven't met yet. 00:27:25.880 --> 00:27:34.720 All of us in a home prepared just for us in our true homeland with our Father forever. 00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:39.079 How richly can our heavenly Father repay? 00:27:40.079 --> 00:27:48.339 How extravagantly He loves and provides for us beyond what our meager resources could do. 00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:50.519 Isn't He awesome? 00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:53.000 Won't He provide? 00:27:53.579 --> 00:27:54.700 Won't He refill? 00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:58.360 Can't He give more than you could get for yourself? 00:28:00.779 --> 00:28:03.279 But that's not even the greatest comfort here. 00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:11.079 Verse 31, no matter how much we give, Jesus gives more. 00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:20.460 Peter sacrificed a lot, but Jesus takes the twelve aside and says to them words of comfort one more time. 00:28:20.460 --> 00:28:27.720 See, we're going up to Jerusalem and everything that's written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:34.400 For He will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. 00:28:35.360 --> 00:28:39.400 And after flogging Him, they will kill Him and on the third day He will rise. 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:43.039 But they understood none of these things. 00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:46.980 The saying was hidden from them and they did not grasp what was said. 00:28:46.980 --> 00:28:56.440 Jesus talks about giving things up and being filled back up as He goes to give His own life. 00:28:57.339 --> 00:29:02.319 Beyond what we understand, Jesus gives Himself, doesn't He? 00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:09.039 He gently reminds them and us that this is the way of the kingdom. 00:29:09.359 --> 00:29:16.960 We're called to let go of things we value in order to cling to Jesus because that's the way the king himself is operated first. 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:24.299 His kingdom has always been about holding wealth in an open hand and about being willing to give it away. 00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:29.220 And He has always been the true treasure. 00:29:31.079 --> 00:29:36.079 Jesus lays aside the glories and comforts of heaven. 00:29:36.460 --> 00:29:41.019 He travels to earth with empty suitcases as it were. 00:29:42.440 --> 00:29:42.919 Why? 00:29:42.919 --> 00:29:43.000 Why? 00:29:44.379 --> 00:29:45.919 Why would He do that? 00:29:47.659 --> 00:29:52.759 To fill them with you and me. 00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:58.200 Because He loves us so far beyond what we deserve. 00:29:59.180 --> 00:30:05.279 Because He's committed to rescuing and restoring that relationship with us. 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:11.940 The hope of the gospel, after all, is not that you will successfully cling to Jesus every day. 00:30:13.119 --> 00:30:15.140 But that you're in His hands. 00:30:15.879 --> 00:30:19.599 And He will never let you go. 00:30:19.599 --> 00:30:22.859 There's security. 00:30:24.419 --> 00:30:26.299 It's not in your level of generosity. 00:30:28.879 --> 00:30:30.179 There's significance. 00:30:31.619 --> 00:30:34.879 There's joy and rest. 00:30:36.219 --> 00:30:44.059 Traveling light is worth it because you're actually traveling with Jesus who loves you like that. 00:30:44.059 --> 00:30:52.099 Having Him, what else could the riches of the world offer to compete with Him? 00:30:53.200 --> 00:30:59.079 What else besides that kind of love could make you willing to lay aside the things of this world? 00:30:59.399 --> 00:31:02.619 What else could motivate you to hold your wealth in an open hand? 00:31:02.619 --> 00:31:07.459 What else could compel you to cling to Jesus desperately? 00:31:09.879 --> 00:31:19.139 Thou who wast rich beyond all splendor, all for love's sake becamest poor. 00:31:19.140 --> 00:31:23.820 You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:31:24.980 --> 00:31:31.000 That though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor. 00:31:31.900 --> 00:31:35.440 For your sakes He gave up everything. 00:31:36.500 --> 00:31:39.440 And that's what this table reminds us of. 00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:48.580 This table offers us a chance to find our treasure again in the One who gave Himself up for us. 00:31:49.559 --> 00:31:53.439 Remember what He said when He told His followers to do this. 00:31:56.079 --> 00:31:56.839 He said, 00:31:58.579 --> 00:32:01.799 This is my body, which is for you. 00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:04.720 Do this in remembrance of me. 00:32:05.779 --> 00:32:09.699 He sat with His disciples and He took the bread. 00:32:11.019 --> 00:32:12.139 And He broke it. 00:32:12.879 --> 00:32:14.319 And He gave it to them and said, 00:32:14.399 --> 00:32:15.139 This is not normal. 00:32:15.220 --> 00:32:17.939 This is not the bread I usually give you. 00:32:17.940 --> 00:32:20.380 This bread is going to represent to you my body. 00:32:21.120 --> 00:32:23.360 Which is broken for you. 00:32:23.539 --> 00:32:25.299 And you're to do this in remembrance of me. 00:32:25.380 --> 00:32:28.279 And He took the cup after supper. 00:32:28.400 --> 00:32:28.660 And He said, 00:32:29.000 --> 00:32:30.840 This cup is not a normal cup. 00:32:31.100 --> 00:32:33.240 This cup is the new covenant in my blood. 00:32:33.460 --> 00:32:36.200 My blood shed for many for the forgiveness of sins. 00:32:36.539 --> 00:32:39.500 So you drink from that cup. 00:32:39.500 --> 00:32:55.619 This week we had a chance as we were out in Colorado to see the majestic grandeur and beauty of the Rocky Mountains. 00:32:55.880 --> 00:32:58.299 Snow capped in God's kindness. 00:32:58.299 --> 00:33:00.159 And one of my kids said, 00:33:00.240 --> 00:33:01.819 You know, I don't think this will ever get old. 00:33:02.960 --> 00:33:06.379 And sure enough, we confirmed that suspicion with some of the locals. 00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:12.440 That this time every year in the first snow, waking up and seeing the mountains around you is overwhelming. 00:33:12.759 --> 00:33:16.180 And it never gets old no matter how many times you look at it. 00:33:17.279 --> 00:33:20.180 And I thought about this table we were going to be at together. 00:33:20.180 --> 00:33:26.100 And I thought it can never get old. 00:33:27.140 --> 00:33:31.320 I've come hundreds of times in my life to the Lord's table. 00:33:31.380 --> 00:33:33.960 I don't know how many times you have come. 00:33:34.200 --> 00:33:36.580 But may it never get old. 00:33:36.680 --> 00:33:39.920 May you get a fresh glimpse of it even this morning. 00:33:39.920 --> 00:33:48.960 That the Savior whose body and blood is pictured here comes to remind you of His unstoppable love. 00:33:50.180 --> 00:33:52.120 His costly sacrifice. 00:33:52.440 --> 00:33:54.039 Do you know what we just read in Luke? 00:33:54.259 --> 00:33:55.720 Jesus said, here's what's going to happen. 00:33:56.039 --> 00:33:57.539 We're going to go up to Jerusalem. 00:33:57.880 --> 00:34:00.759 And here's all the terrible things that are going to happen to me. 00:34:01.200 --> 00:34:01.539 Beaten. 00:34:01.940 --> 00:34:02.400 Flogged. 00:34:02.640 --> 00:34:03.560 Treated shamefully. 00:34:03.920 --> 00:34:04.420 Killed. 00:34:05.180 --> 00:34:06.480 Buried for three days. 00:34:06.799 --> 00:34:07.880 And what does Jesus say? 00:34:09.460 --> 00:34:10.320 Let's go. 00:34:11.260 --> 00:34:12.619 I'm going there. 00:34:13.619 --> 00:34:14.260 Knowing. 00:34:14.820 --> 00:34:17.539 Jesus, knowing what He was walking into, 00:34:17.539 --> 00:34:22.079 went to the cross for you. 00:34:23.800 --> 00:34:25.059 Because He loved you. 00:34:26.279 --> 00:34:27.480 He would do it again. 00:34:28.420 --> 00:34:30.119 He loves you like that. 00:34:30.300 --> 00:34:31.300 Do you see that in this table? 00:34:32.139 --> 00:34:38.219 Do you taste the love of a Savior who gives up everything in order to have a relationship with you? 00:34:39.279 --> 00:34:41.079 Let's pray and we'll come to this table together. 00:34:41.079 --> 00:34:41.179 Amen. 00:34:41.179 --> 00:34:46.639 Jesus, thank You for what You've done. 00:34:46.779 --> 00:34:49.079 Thank You for giving us a picture of it. 00:34:49.759 --> 00:34:51.039 And the bread and wine. 00:34:52.039 --> 00:34:54.519 We might never forget Your body and blood. 00:34:54.619 --> 00:34:57.779 That it might be fresh and taste sweet to us again. 00:34:58.679 --> 00:35:01.159 So would You do that as we celebrate. 00:35:01.480 --> 00:35:02.619 And we ask it in Your name. 00:35:03.659 --> 00:35:03.960 Amen. 00:35:03.960 --> 00:35:04.079 Amen. 00:35:05.720 --> 00:35:08.579 If you don't know Jesus this morning, 00:35:09.380 --> 00:35:11.920 our desire is not to give you bread and juice. 00:35:13.159 --> 00:35:15.039 Don't come to this table for that. 00:35:15.240 --> 00:35:17.220 We actually want to introduce you to Jesus. 00:35:18.059 --> 00:35:20.800 We'd love to talk with you about Him. 00:35:21.840 --> 00:35:23.159 So don't come to the table. 00:35:23.280 --> 00:35:26.599 Come and talk with us and let's talk about Jesus together. 00:35:26.599 --> 00:35:29.000 But if you know your Savior, 00:35:29.199 --> 00:35:35.319 if you see in this bread and juice the body and blood of the One who treasures you, 00:35:35.579 --> 00:35:41.000 who will never let you go no matter how much you struggle to treasure Him, 00:35:42.460 --> 00:35:43.920 then come to this table. 00:35:44.059 --> 00:35:45.219 Come repenting. 00:35:46.239 --> 00:35:49.199 Come rejoicing in His forgiveness again. 00:35:49.739 --> 00:35:52.739 Our host team members will usher you to tables forward and back. 00:35:52.739 --> 00:35:54.539 And we'll celebrate His love together. 00:35:56.599 --> 00:36:01.880 For more information, visit us online at southwood.org.