Thursday, September 18, 2008

The Rich Man and Lazarus, Part 24 of 28

Text: Luke 16:19-31

IDEA: The poor have spiritual advantages they and others may not recognize.

PURPOSE: To explain why a poverty of resources can produce a richness of spirit.

Jesus has a way of turning our values on end. He makes statements that take us by surprise.

For example, in Luke 6:20, Jesus said, “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of heaven.”

In Matthew 19:24, He told His disciples, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.”

What is it about a poverty of resources that opens the door to the kingdom of heaven while riches can block the way?

I. The poor know they are in urgent need of redemption.

What keeps wealthy people from understanding their need?

When we talk about wealthy people, do we mean only the rich and famous?

How do you know if you are “rich” or “poor”?

What are “middle-class” people?

What can keep us from understanding our need?

II. The poor know not only their dependence on God and on powerful people, but also their interdependence with one another.

One of the marks of American culture has been the emphasis on individualism, on self-reliance, on independence.

Why do many of us have trouble acknowledging our dependence on other people?

Do we really feel we are “dependent” on God?

Do we understand how we are dependent on other people?

Does the biblical image of the Christian community as a “body” tell us anything about our interdependence?

Do we have a problem feeling as if we’re “interdependent” with other Christians?

Would we rather maintain our independence?

III. Is it possible that our failure to recognize our need—for God and for others—can keep us from the kingdom?

What has to happen to keep that from happening?

The poor have spiritual advantages they and others may not recognize.