god’s at war… Sin is a problem… it separates us from God! Isaiah 59:2 NLT – It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore. In this Series, “god’s at war” we’ve discovered that our Sin is an outward expression of a deeper issue… Sin is the fruit of the tree, the fruit of my heart. Whatever’s at the root determines the fruit! The problem more often than not is Idolatry! Idolatry is that thing (whatever that thing is) that we… * want more than God, * desire more than God, * treasure more than God, * enjoy more than God… * love and worship more than God. And as a result, we make bad choices, do sinful things. Things that are disobedient toward God. And so far, we’ve looked at two specific little – god’s… the god of pleasure and the god of love… Today we’re looking at another little g… one that is extremely powerful and influential. * The Bible contains 500 verses on Prayer and Faith but over 2000 verses on this little god. * 40% of the parables Jesus shared dealt with this little god. It’s the little god of money, wealth, possessions. Martin Luther said once that there were three conversions a person needed to experience… 1. The Head, 2. The Heart, 3. The Pocketbook Why the Pocketbook? Because when God has you’re pocketbook, He’s got your head and your heart! Luke 18:18-25 ESV – 18 Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 “Why do you call me good? ”Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good. 20 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’” 21 The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” 22 When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 23 But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich. 24 When Jesus saw this, he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! 25 In fact, 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!” Commentary: 18 “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” The way he asks the question reveals a lot… “What must “I do” to inherit eternal life? (Salvation) * How can I “acquire… or “earn” eternal life/Salvation. (Works mentality.) * It was about what he could do… what he could accomplish. When you inherit something you don’t “do” anything to earn it. It’s “given” to you! * 19 – 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? Only God is truly good. Unless the man understands the concept of “good” on God’s level… He won’t understand the gift of eternal life. (Neither will we!) Apart from God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit there is nothing good in this world. * There are only Godly things or evil things. * There are only Godly people or evil people. * There’s only the Kingdom of God or the kingdom of satan. * There is only the Kingdom of righteousness or the kingdom of unrighteousness! Also, Jesus is actually revealing Himself to the man. “Only God is truly good.” He doesn’t get it… he’s blind. Salvation is standing right in front of Him! * 20 – 20 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery.
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