Hope for the Camel

Opening hymn: Praise my soul 793

Praise: Ancient words

Sermon: Today your mercy calls us 915

Communion: Chief of sinners 611

My hope is built 575

What a friend we have in Jesus 770

Closing: I am trusting Thee Lord Jesus 729

(All other hymns the same as 10/11/09)

Eccles. 5:10-20

(Find joy in doing the Lord’s work which is a gift from God, not in earthly riches.)

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. [11] When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? [12] Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.

[13] There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, [14] and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. [15] As he came from his mother's womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. [16] This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind? [17] Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger.

[18] Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. [19] Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. [20] For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.

Hebrews 4:1-16

(Listen to the Word of God. Hold fast to Jesus. Enter God’s eternal rest through grace.)

Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. [2] For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. [3] For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said,

"As I swore in my wrath,

'They shall not enter my rest,' "

although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. [4] For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all his works." [5] And again in this passage he said,

"They shall not enter my rest."

[6] Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, [7] again he appoints a certain day, "Today," saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted,

"Today, if you hear his voice,

do not harden your hearts."

[8] For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. [9] So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, [10] for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

[11] Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. [12] For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. [13] And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

[14] Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. [15] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Mark 10:23-31

(It is only possible for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God by the power and grace of Jesus Christ. All who suffer as followers will be rewarded greatly in heaven.)

And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" [24] And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! [25] 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." [26] And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, "Then who can be saved?" [27] Jesus looked at them and said, "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God." [28] Peter began to say to him, "See, we have left everything and followed you." [29] Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, [30] who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. [31] But many who are first will be last, and the last first."

Hope for the Camel

Camels were pack animals in the time of Jesus. They carried worldly possessions. If you moved to another country, you would probably use camels. The richer you were, the more camels you had.

Jesus said that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God (Mark 10:25). Rich people often love possessions more than God.

It was tough for camels, too, to be saved. If a city was being attacked, they closed the main gate and left a small door open for those seeking refuge. But, a fully loaded camel could not fit through that needle. Its only hope of escaping a spear was to be unpacked and to kneel down and crawl through the door.

The same is true for you and me. If we love possessions more than Jesus Christ and eternal life, we will be locked outside of heaven and face eternal death. How can we unload our love of money and possessions? Jesus said (Mark 10:27): "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God."

Repent and call upon the name of the Lord. There is hope for the camel and hope for you. Jesus will take your burden of sin. Kneel down and ask Him. Amen.

Pastor Raymond Van Buskirk, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Baytown, TX

www.rlcbaytown.org