Title: The Rich and Heaven (Mt. 19:23,24)
Content br> "It is difficult for a rich man to 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 man to enter the kingdom of God" (Matthew 19:23,24)
Introduction:
1. Description of the background of the text
2. Modern people obsessed with being rich and Bible prophecy (2 Tim. 3:2)
1) The triumph of capitalism
2) Economy-oriented national policy
3) Economic-oriented social logic
4) Increase in crime due to money
5) Expansion of Christian Reliefism
Main subject:
1. These words do not mean that no rich man can ever be saved.
The key meaning of these words of Jesus is that it is very difficult for a rich person to truly believe in Jesus and be saved and enter the kingdom of heaven.
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Saved Zacchaeus, Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, and Paul were all rich before they were saved. However, even though they were rich, they were saved by God's grace. Of course, they all entered the kingdom of heaven.
2. Examine the reasons why it is difficult for a rich man to truly believe in Jesus and repent so that his soul can be saved and enter the kingdom of heaven.
1) Because even rich people are inherently sinners. Sinners cannot enter the kingdom of heaven as a sinner.
2) Most rich people love and serve money more than God.
3) Most of the rich are reluctant to believe in Jesus because of their wealth.
4) This is because most rich people are satisfied with the joy of riches and do not seek spiritual joy.
5) This is because most rich people do not depend on God but on wealth.
6) This is because most rich people do not choose any means to form wealth.
7) Because most of the rich commit many sins with their wealth.
8) Most rich people are proud of their wealth.
9) Most rich people do not have time to read the Bible for various reasons.
10) Because most of the rich live luxurious lives.
11) Because most rich people love the world more than heaven.
12) This is because most of the rich are secularists and have no interest in the afterlife, or heaven.
3. Bible verses about the vanity of wealth
1) The Bible tells us not to strive to become rich. (Proverbs 23:4)
2) The Bible says that the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Tim. 6:10).
3) The Bible says that the god of those who act as enemies of the cross is a ship (wealth). (Phil. 3:19)
4) The Bible says that it is better for a house to be at peace with only a piece of dry bread than for a house full of flesh and flesh and strife (Proverbs 17:1).
5) Jesus said that a rich man died and went to hell, and a beggar died and went to heaven.
He told the truth (Luke 16:19-31)
6) God spoke through James about the sins of the rich, the futility of their wealth, and God's judgment (James 5:1-6).
7) Jesus said, beware of all covetousness, for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions (Luke 12:15).
4. The saints should work hard and live in this world, but do not try to be rich (Proverbs 23:4).
1) If you became rich by accumulating wealth in a sinful way before believing in Jesus, you should repent like Zacchaeus and use it for good deeds for the glory of God or as a reparation to the person who caused damage.
2) If there is a possibility of becoming rich by receiving a lot of inheritance or doing well in business, you should use the wealth to do good things for the glory and joy of God so that you do not become rich.
5. Command given to the rich (1 Tim. 6:17-19)
1) Do not exalt yourself
2) Don't put your hope in wealth that is not fixed.
3) Put your hope in God
4) Do good deeds
6. Prayers of saints for economic problems (Prov. 30:7-9)
conclusion:
The words of Jesus are true. Now, among the famous rich and wealthy people in Korea, the United States, China, Japan, and the Arab world, how many people confess that they are sinners and truly accept Jesus as their Savior?
Judging from this fact alone, what Jesus said about the rich man is the truth.