Grace Like a Camel
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Jesus reveals how extraordinary grace must be to save a single condemned sinner.
Text: Luke 18:24-30
Date: 12/15/2024, the Combined service.
Series: "Luke: Thy Kingdom Come" Part 174
Description:
Luke wraps up the story of the rich young ruler with a commentary by Jesus on how hard it is for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. He uses a famous analogy of a camel fitting through the eye of a needle. We will analyze what Jesus means by this, and then consider the significance of Peter's followup statement, that he and his fellow disciples had indeed "left all" to follow Jesus. The passage ends with a glorious promise that all who sacrifice for the Kingdom of God will be richly rewarded both in the "here and now" and in the "not yet". We will realize that Jesus' short parable of the camel applies not only to the very rich but to all who seek to justify themselves before God through their own self-righteousness. Ultimately we will see that Jesus is emphasizing it takes "grace like a camel" for a single condemned sinner to be saved.
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Luke 18:24-30.
A. Context
1. The discussion of "goodness".
2. Destroying altars.
B. The tension between grace and works.
1. Jesus' commentary, vs. 24-25.
a. The principle, v. 24.
i. Variations in the text.
ii. A sweeping statement on wealth.
b. The proverb, vs. 25.
i. What the image is not.
1) The tiny gate.
2) A rope or string.
ii. What the image is.
c. Probing the implications.
i. Not the "fact" of wealth.
ii. The impediment of wealth.
2. The incredulous response, vs. 26-27.
a. The reason for the surprise, vs. 26.
b. Solving the mystery, vs. 27.
i. The impossibility of works-salvation.
ii. A bonafide miracle.
c. The paradox of grace, sin, and God's wrath.
i. Diminishing sin diminishes grace.
ii. A tolerant God diminishes grace.
iii. Misunderstanding the commandments destroys grace.
3. Peter's response, vs. 28.
a. Looking at the form, Luke 18:22.
b. The eternal question.
i. The nature of the "sacrifice".
ii. The example of the sons of thunder, Luke 5:10; Mark 1:20.
c. Looking at the significance, Acts 4:13.
4. The promise, vs. 29-30, Matt. 19:27.
a. Responding to the call of God. va 29.
i. The unmodified truth formula.
ii. Another all-inclusive, all-exclusive reference.
iii. A radical teaching concerning the family, Luke 12:51-53; 1Cor. 9:5; Matt. 27:56.
iv. An essential qualification, Luke 14:26.
b. The glorious reward, vs. 30.
i. The nature of the reward, Luke 13:30, 18:22.
ii. Reward in the "here and now".
1) Confusing to non-Christians.
2) The joy of knowing Christ, Phil. 3:8; Acts 5:41.
iii. Reward in the "not yet", John 14:2-3.
III. Application
A. The tension between grace and works.
1. Entering like a child, Eph. 2:8-9; Luke 18:17.
2. Growing past childhood, Phil. 1:21-22, 3:14, 2:12-13, 1:29.
IV. Conclusion
