Luke
10:17-20
[17] And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
[18] And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
[19] Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
[20] Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Is Your Name Written There ?
Introduction
People give all kinds of reasons why they plan to go to heaven when their earthly lives are over. Some base it on baptism while others base it on good deeds and kindness toward their fellowman. It is important to note that no performances can bring eternal life. Each person must ask the question for himself as to the validity of his claim.
Called By the New Name Rather Than the Old Name
We are told in Scripture that a book exists titled the Lamb’s Book of Life. Within its pages are the names of the saved of all ages. I often Sign documents with my legal signature, but I cannot enter my name into the Book of Life. Our Study References emphasize that the most important thing is that God has written your name an my name in that book.
Paul tells us in 11 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new.” God tells us in Revelation 2:17, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” The white stone is a symbol of acceptance. The name is known only to its recipient.
All of us that are Christians have our names written in the Book of Life. Those names are not the earthly names that our families gave us but are the heavenly names that God gave us at the time of our spiritual births. When I was born into this world, my parents gave me a name. When I was born into God’s family, He gave me a name. Therefore, I do not hear Him with the natural ear when He calls to me. I hear Him with my spiritual ear. When God calls to me, I am the only one who hears. Those around me do not hear. The same is true in your case.
This Scripture verse tells us the name is a new name. It has never been used before. It will never be given to anyone else. My name that is written in the Book of Life is just as unique as my salvation. God cannot give my salvation to someone else or give me that which belongs to someone else. The same holds true for that name that He has given me.
Some day, I will be able to hear the name and understand the name much more clearly than I do now. Paul tells us in I Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
I recently searched the internet for others with the name of Bob Vanderpool. I was amazed that there were many with the same name. However, no two Christians have the same name in the Book of Life. God does not duplicate the names he gives. He that overcomes is he who has been saved by the grace of God.
We are never too Young
I once worked with a lady who did not allow her children to go to funeral homes. She was afraid it would frighten them. I wondered if she was more frightened for herself than for the children. Children and adults must face the reality of death. The sooner they learn about death. The sooner they learn about death, the sooner they will realize they must prepare to face it.
CONCLUSION
Have you ever had the opportunity to stand by the bedside of one as he or she breathes the last breath? I call it an opportunity because so much can be learned about life and eternity in a short time span. All things that surround our lives seem to fade somewhere in background. Priorities seem to align themselves quickly. The feel ing of helplessness becomes somewhat of a blessing because you can see the power of God at work. The departure is peaceful and pleasant.
I have never stood with one who left no hope, but I have heard related stories of such. The description of the exodus is not a pleasant one. A great contrast is drawn between these two scenes. If God should call for you today, would your departure be happy and pleasant or horrendous? Only you can answer that question. Regardless of your age, it remains the most important question of your life. Nothing else can compare in seriousness.
Our Lesson Text, in the same manner as our Study References, insists that nothing is more important than having our names in the Book of Life. Works serve a purpose. Dedicated service in the name of Jesus Christ is important. However, only on thing matters when the time comes to draw the last breath. Your name must be in the Book of Life. Job explains the procedure as each of us meets our God. Job says in Job 15:14-15, “If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.”
Scripture References: Revelation 3:5; 1 John 5:4; Revelation 20:12; Revelation 21:27
Food for Thought – “Somewhere in the great expanse of eternity, a book contains my name, and only God and I can communicate with it.”-bkv
Parable of the Rich Fool
Luke 12:16-21
[16] And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
[17] And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
[18] And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
[19] And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
[20] But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
[21] So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Memory Verse: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36
INTRODUCTION
The story of this rich man has always been an outstanding example to illustrate choices between that which is material and that which is spiritual. Wealth enters today’s parable as it did last Sunday’s parable. Greed is the danger rather than the wealth. Although he had abundant wealth, the amount is not mentioned. The amount is not important. The important factor is that his wealth separated him from God.
PURPOSE OF THE PARABLE
The parable was born from a request of a man in the crowd. He asked that Jesus speak to his brother about dividing their inheritance. Jesus quickly answered in Luke 12:14, “…Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?” The man did not understand the reality and purpose of Jesus’ presence. He looked at Christ as being an earthly ruler or judge.
Christ’s purpose was not to fulfill the daily material desires and needs of the people as Moses had done hundreds of years before. Jesus had come to save the lost. Material problems were not His concern. Thus, He spoke this parable in an explanation to the man’s request.
PORTRAIT OF A FOOL
Webster says a fool is a simple and silly person. It is a a serious label to be given to a human being. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:22 to be preserved as a label for God to use and not man. Psalm 14:1 tells us, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God…” The word used in this parable is aphron and means heedless or witless. In all of his planning and all of his passion, material possessions and wealth were the core of his being.
All wealth comes from God, the provider of the universe. Without Him nothing was made that was made. Since the beginning, men have credited themselves and the earth on which they live for the temportal and sensual pleasures that adorn their lives. God is ignored and replaced by the idols of sinful lifestyles. Even in America, once known as a Christian nation, many idols adorn the livelihoods of her inhabitants.
Anything that stands between man and God is an idol to him. It matters not what that idol may be. It can be a person, place or thing. It can be very valuable or relatively worthless or anywhere between the two. The nature, characteristics and value of the idol are irrelevant. Jesus said that such a person is a fool.
PLEASURES FOR A SEASON
The pleasures of this life are not true pleasures at all. God blessed the rich man with much money to enjoy, but the rich man failed to realize that the things on which he placed so much value were vain and finite. They were capable of vanishing much quicker than they came. He never stopped to realize that he would eventually leave his riches behind. What good were his Wall Street holdings and his ability to analyze the Dow Jones and NASDAC if he were not alive to enjoy them? We have recently witnessed how quickly life savings can vanish by means over which we have not control what so ever. We are seeing our freedoms taken away from us just a few bits at a time.
FALSE ASSURANCES
All of the things on which America depends for her greatness are slowly disappearing. The only thing that can hold her up is a true turning to God. I am not referring to lip service. I am referring to a true repentance and faith toward God. All of her other strengths are mere props on which she leans until they are removed by an enemy or by God’s ending of His longsuffering toward us.
CONCLUSION
Even as Christians, it is a dangerous thing to place our material and carnal possessions between God and us. Although our souls are preserved, our influence and peace of mind are in jeopardy at such time that we allow these things to be. The parable can be a lesson to both Christians and sinners.
The sinner can lose his life and soul in hell. The Christian can lose the happiness of his Christian fellowship with Jesus Christ. David was a prime example of one who paid the price for placing his idols first in his life. His son, Solomon, actually became a pagan in his old age.
Whether you are a Christian or sinner, what is your idol or idols? If you think you do not have one, it will do you well to take a closer look. If we have idols in our lives as Christians, how much influence will we have on helping the poor lost sinner to see passed our idols so he can see God?
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: “It is a greater thing to appear foolish in the eyes of the world for God’s sake than to suffer the consequence of appearing foolish in the eys of God for the pleasures of the world.” -bkv
