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Published on:

8th Oct 2024

The Challenge of Wealth and Salvation: A Lesson from Jesus in Matthew 19

Salvation is not hard; it's impossible without divine intervention, a key message emphasized throughout this podcast episode. Doctor David Spoon delves into the profound teachings of Jesus, particularly focusing on the rich young ruler and the challenge of wealth in relation to faith. He highlights how societal perceptions equate financial success with God's blessing, while Jesus flips this notion on its head, emphasizing that true salvation is unattainable through human effort alone. With humor and insight, Spoon encourages listeners to reflect on their relationship with God, underscoring that genuine faith and connection to the divine are what truly matter, not earthly riches. The episode is punctuated by a call for engagement, inviting listeners to share their own thoughts and experiences regarding faith and spirituality.

A) We pick it up in Matthew chapter 19, verse 23, where Jesus tells the disciples something that makes them absolutely astounded. He tells them it's very hard for a rich person to get into the kingdom of heaven.

B) It's important to break the story down into its components. The reason that Jesus talked about this was because rich people think that they are already blessed by God, so of course they're going to go to heaven. That's not only what they thought, but that's what the Pharisees taught—that money was a sign of God's blessing.

C) In our society, we still function under the idea that the quality of a person is on the outside and not the inside, which is contrary to what God said when referring to how He looks upon man. We look upon people with fame with great admiration and appreciation and wish we could almost be like them. But God doesn't want that for any one of us; He wants us to be like Jesus.

D) Then Jesus blows their minds by saying it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. Let's just debunk the lie once and for all. This has nothing to do with a camel going through a certain gate of the wall in Jerusalem. There was never a mention in history until the 13th century.

E) When the disciples said, "Well then, how can anybody be saved?" Jesus responds with, "The only way a person can be saved is with God. With human beings, it's impossible, but with God, everything is possible." It takes a miracle for a person to be saved; it takes God for a person to be saved. It's even harder for rich people to let it all go, become saved, and lay up treasures in heaven. That's the fact, Jack.

**Takeaways:**

1. Jesus teaches that it is extremely difficult for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven, challenging common beliefs about wealth being a sign of God’s favor.

2. During that time, many believed, as taught by the Pharisees, that wealth signified God’s blessing and guaranteed entry into heaven. This mindset persists in modern society, where outward success and fame are often mistakenly equated with inner worth.

3. Jesus emphasizes that salvation is not about external appearances or material wealth but about becoming like Him, reflecting God’s values over worldly standards.

4. The metaphor of a camel passing through the eye of a needle is meant to show the impossibility of a rich person entering heaven by their own merit, dispelling myths about historical interpretations of this saying.

5. Ultimately, salvation is not something that can be achieved by human efforts alone. Jesus reminds the disciples that while it is impossible for people to save themselves, with God, all things—including salvation—are possible. It is a divine act of grace, requiring trust and dependence on God.

Transcript
Doctor David Spoon:

The views expressed on the following program are designed to amplify those of the speaker and are not necessarily those of Kam DJRD broadcasting or its sponsors.

Doctor David Spoon:

Hello everybody.

Doctor David Spoon:

Here's what's coming up on today's experience.

Doctor David Spoon:

It's Doctor Dave's devotional diamonds of the day, also known as DDD's, where my daily devotions become some of our spiritual reflections.

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Sound effects placed throughout the show which have nothing to do with life.

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But the Bible teaches in ecclesiastes, chapter three, verse four, there's a time to laugh.

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The review of the goofy news which proves Jesus is coming back sooner than you think.

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Hey, it's one day closer now than it was yesterday.

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Life lessons for our faith that we could actually use probably won't if we sit on our blessed assurance.

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Humor that will force you to think, why does this guy have a radio show?

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Well, why not?

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It might as well be me.

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Also, Bible trivia for fake and yet somehow real cool prizes, your phone calls and more.

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Welcome to the David's experience.

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Local, national and heavenly talk.

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My name is Doctor David Spoon and I'll be your host for the next 5,400,000 milliseconds.

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Get ready for one of the more bizarre experiences on live radio.

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Here is the key to the show.

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We don't know what we're doing.

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We have no idea what's going to happen and we don't care.

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But for the next few minutes, I want to talk faith with you.

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So here we go.

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Or asking questions about living life as a Christian.

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That thingy right there in this world that is having its own problems.

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Here's your big question.

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To open up this week because yesterday was a replay.

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So for to me this is kind of like a Monday open.

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Here we go.

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Ready?

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Is church service for you too long or too short?

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That's right.

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I.

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It's a personal answer.

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Is church service when you go to service, is it too long or is it too short?

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That's the question I'm asking.

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If you have the courage to answer, please do so.

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If you have an opinion, a comment, a thought or a question, please don't let it die of loneliness.

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Just reach out and give us a call.

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Talking to Jammin Jacob is like talking to a person that you can count on.

Doctor David Spoon:

Thank you, David.

Doctor David Spoon:

Happy Tuesday and welcome back.

Doctor David Spoon:

Thank you sir, thank you so much.

Doctor David Spoon:

Very, very, very good to be back.

Doctor David Spoon:

I will point out to everybody, yesterday was in fact a replay for those that did not know I was supposed to get some down time.

Doctor David Spoon:

Let me tell you how down that went.

Doctor David Spoon:

Zero.

Doctor David Spoon:

I had nothing but stuff to do.

Doctor David Spoon:

Oh, my goodness.

Doctor David Spoon:

And that's not exactly a day off.

Doctor David Spoon:

Yeah, day off.

Doctor David Spoon:

Yeah.

Doctor David Spoon:

It was more like a day on, and it started very early at 530 in the morning and just kept going.

Doctor David Spoon:

So we won't talk about that for right now, but there are many things we're going to cover.

Doctor David Spoon:

Thank you, by the way, for covering for me tomorrow and getting the replay all situated.

Doctor David Spoon:

I do want you to be aware of, if you want to reach out to us, you can use the phone.

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We do not believe there will be an electronic shock that affects you if you do use the phone.

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But if that does happen, let us know and we'll pass that information on for you.

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Isn't that nice?

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We're trying to just be public servants right here.

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Is that, that seems fair.

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Okay.

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We might not be able to help, but we will pass it on.

Doctor David Spoon:

We will pass that information on to somebody that we think may or may not be able to help.

Doctor David Spoon:

Hey, I kind of sound like a politician.

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All right.

Doctor David Spoon:

Anyway, you can reach out and call us.

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You can also text us.

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That's text us, not Texas.

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-:

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-:

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Additionally, you can email us, david@hemustincrease.org David.

Doctor David Spoon:

David at a with a circle.

Doctor David Spoon:

He must increase.

Doctor David Spoon:

From John 330, he must increase.

Doctor David Spoon:

I must decrease.org because we're a nonprofit entity.

Doctor David Spoon:

Let's keep it simple.

Doctor David Spoon:

Why would you call us?

Doctor David Spoon:

Why would you text us?

Doctor David Spoon:

Why would you email us?

Doctor David Spoon:

I'll make that easy.

Doctor David Spoon:

Maybe you've got a praise report.

Doctor David Spoon:

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.

Doctor David Spoon:

The Bible is very clear in Isaiah 43 seven that we are created for the glory of God.

Doctor David Spoon:

This is an opportunity when you share a praise report to give glory to God, that is one of the reasons you were created.

Doctor David Spoon:

And so you have that opportunity to share.

Doctor David Spoon:

You might be like, yes, I want to share it, but I'm kind of afraid it doesn't seem very important or I don't know how to say it very well, or any of those other things.

Doctor David Spoon:

Excuses, excuses.

Doctor David Spoon:

We hear em every day.

Doctor David Spoon:

Well, the devil, he'll provide em.

Doctor David Spoon:

If from church, you'll stay away.

Doctor David Spoon:

Okay, here's the bottom line.

Doctor David Spoon:

If you've got something to share, share it.

Doctor David Spoon:

We'll keep it cool.

Doctor David Spoon:

It'll be simple, it'll be fun.

Doctor David Spoon:

It'll bless you, it'll bless other people, it will honor the Lord.

Doctor David Spoon:

Maybe you've got a prayer request.

Doctor David Spoon:

Prayer changes universes, period.

Doctor David Spoon:

You think universes?

Doctor David Spoon:

Yeah.

Doctor David Spoon:

Whether anybody admits it or not, everybody exists in their own universe to some degree.

Doctor David Spoon:

Big mission in the christian faith is to expand your universe to cover other universes.

Doctor David Spoon:

Hello.

Doctor David Spoon:

And the bottom line in that process is we believe that God can do anything.

Doctor David Spoon:

Nothing is impossible for him.

Doctor David Spoon:

Nothing is impossible for God.

Doctor David Spoon:

And with that saying and that scripture, all things are possible to him that believes.

Doctor David Spoon:

So the combination of everything being possible for one who believes and nothing impossible for God makes a one two punch that is unbeatable, just as simple as it can be.

Doctor David Spoon:

If you've got something that's got to do with your job, your finances, relationships, it doesn't matter what it has.

Doctor David Spoon:

Maybe it's got to do with your health.

Doctor David Spoon:

Maybe it has to do with family members.

Doctor David Spoon:

Let's pray.

Doctor David Spoon:

Because prayer changes lives.

Doctor David Spoon:

So let's do that.

Doctor David Spoon:

You might have something you just want to share.

Doctor David Spoon:

Maybe you've got a scripture, something that's on your mind.

Doctor David Spoon:

Now, we are more geared towards encouragement.

Doctor David Spoon:

That's our bent.

Doctor David Spoon:

That's what we're focused on.

Doctor David Spoon:

We're focused on helping people draw closer to the Lord.

Doctor David Spoon:

The Bible says in James chapter four, verse eight, draw near to God and he will draw near to you.

Doctor David Spoon:

That's what we're going for.

Doctor David Spoon:

Why?

Doctor David Spoon:

Because the answer to everything is more of God.

Doctor David Spoon:

It's not more of government, it's not more of money, it's not more of this, that, or whatever.

Doctor David Spoon:

The answer is more of goddess, God, period.

Doctor David Spoon:

Well, you don't understand my situation, Dave.

Doctor David Spoon:

I'm sorry.

Doctor David Spoon:

You don't understand the power of your God.

Doctor David Spoon:

That's a big deal.

Doctor David Spoon:

So it can be for any of those things we want to, you know, get involved with.

Doctor David Spoon:

I do have a couple of announcy mint kind of things we need to talk about.

Doctor David Spoon:

We'll be doing Jake's take.

Doctor David Spoon:

Yes, I will be relishing that in the second 60 minutes.

Doctor David Spoon:

I do want you to be aware we're going to open up with some prayer for North Carolina people that are still struggling, as well as Florida.

Doctor David Spoon:

I am aware that the Internet is a little scratchy.

Doctor David Spoon:

It's supposed to be fixed by:

Doctor David Spoon:

The scratchiness is not our fault.

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I won't say what company it is.

Doctor David Spoon:

Spectra.

Doctor David Spoon:

That's brilliant to blame Spectra.

Doctor David Spoon:

But whatever that company is, Spectra, we hope they get it fixed.

Doctor David Spoon:

Two other things I want to tell you.

Doctor David Spoon:

We've added a on site search engine to the website.

Doctor David Spoon:

If you go in there, on the very bottom of the front page, there's a little search engine.

Doctor David Spoon:

It just says, search this site.

Doctor David Spoon:

It's not perfect, it's not awesome, and it's not costly.

Doctor David Spoon:

But if you're looking for something in particular and you put that information in there, you should be able to find it pretty easy.

Doctor David Spoon:

And then I'll tell you the other announcement after we do the prayer that we're going to pray for people in North Carolina and for Florida.

Doctor David Spoon:

So let's take our faith, combine it together.

Doctor David Spoon:

What is it that that pleases God?

Doctor David Spoon:

Our faith.

Doctor David Spoon:

Let's take our faith, combine it and pray to the Lord for those that are going through quite the struggle and may be going through quite the bigger struggle.

Doctor David Spoon:

So let's do it.

Doctor David Spoon:

Father, we come before you right now.

Doctor David Spoon:

We thank you and praise you.

Doctor David Spoon:

First, we thank our God.

Doctor David Spoon:

We look at your word in romans one and one corinthians one.

Doctor David Spoon:

We look at Jesus, the model you gave us that says, Father, who art thou in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Doctor David Spoon:

And we start with that because glory and honor to you, first, because you are worthy of all praise and more praise than we can ever give.

Doctor David Spoon:

Your goodness to us exceeds us.

Doctor David Spoon:

So thank you for everything.

Doctor David Spoon:

And Lord, we have not just brothers and sisters, but people in general who are just deeply struggling in North Carolina, our very own state, having just trying to survive.

Doctor David Spoon:

Some people may be yet alive, yet to be found.

Doctor David Spoon:

We are asking for your grace, for your mercy, Lord, push past all the idiocies of mankind and let these people be discovered and saved and rescued.

Doctor David Spoon:

And we are praying for them now, Lord, and for the struggle and for the hopelessness that seems to come upon these situations.

Doctor David Spoon:

And we're praying for people in Florida about to be again under another raging element, another storm that will be devastating.

Doctor David Spoon:

We're praying for protection and for grace and for mercy.

Doctor David Spoon:

And we are asking you, Lord God Almighty, king of the universe, that you will pull it back.

Doctor David Spoon:

Jesus, we already know you have power over the storm.

Doctor David Spoon:

You've showed us manifest that power and have mercy on us as a people and as a nation.

Doctor David Spoon:

Have mercy in this situation.

Doctor David Spoon:

Lord, we lift up these people and pray your blessing upon them and that you would protect them and send them angels of rescue in the name of Jesus Christ.

Doctor David Spoon:

We pray.

Doctor David Spoon:

Amen and amen.

Doctor David Spoon:

Okay, folks, that is how we're going to open the show.

Doctor David Spoon:

If you get a chance to say anything in this next 20 minutes or 15 minutes, I will be very impressed because the material we're teaching on is one of the most important.

Doctor David Spoon:

And we are going to put down some myths that have existed in the church lore, and we're not going to do it with any kind of kindness.

Doctor David Spoon:

Sorry about that.

Doctor David Spoon:

We are in Matthew, chapter 19, and we're picking it up at verse 23.

Doctor David Spoon:

And it says this.

Doctor David Spoon:

This is right after the rich young man, the rich young ruler, went away, sadly, because Jesus said, you know what, dude?

Doctor David Spoon:

For you, you gotta sell everything you have.

Doctor David Spoon:

You might have some self righteousness going on, but you are so attached to money, you've got to give up all that money and follow me.

Doctor David Spoon:

So the young ruler, the young man, heard what he said.

Doctor David Spoon:

He went away because he went away, sadly, because of the many possessions he had.

Doctor David Spoon:

We're picking it up there from verse 23.

Doctor David Spoon:

Then Jesus said to his disciples, I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to get into the kingdom of heaven.

Doctor David Spoon:

I say it again, it is easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.

Doctor David Spoon:

Verse 25.

Doctor David Spoon:

The disciples were astonished then, who in the world can be saved?

Doctor David Spoon:

They said.

Doctor David Spoon:

Jesus looked at them intently and said, humanly speaking, it is impossible, but with God, everything is possible.

Doctor David Spoon:

Wow.

Doctor David Spoon:

All right, let's go to it.

Doctor David Spoon:

So here we have this situation where this rich young man walks away, and then Jesus talks to his disciples.

Doctor David Spoon:

And here's the issue that's breaking down.

Doctor David Spoon:

He says, a rich person.

Doctor David Spoon:

It's very hard for a rich person to get into the kingdom of heaven.

Doctor David Spoon:

Let's start right there.

Doctor David Spoon:

Jesus tells the disciples something that makes them absolutely astounded.

Doctor David Spoon:

And you need to understand why.

Doctor David Spoon:

He tells them that a very.

Doctor David Spoon:

It's very hard for a rich person to get into the kingdom of heaven.

Doctor David Spoon:

And you're thinking, what?

Doctor David Spoon:

Well, it's important to break down the story and its components.

Doctor David Spoon:

The reason that Jesus talked about this is because rich people think they are already blessed by God, so of course they're going to heaven.

Doctor David Spoon:

That's not only what they thought in their culture, but that's what the Pharisees taught, that money was a sacrifice sign of God's blessing.

Doctor David Spoon:

In our society, we still function under the idea that the quality of a person is on the outside and not the inside, which is contrary to what God said when referring to how he looks upon man.

Doctor David Spoon:

We look upon people with fame that have fame, power and money, with such great admiration, such great appreciation and wish.

Doctor David Spoon:

We could almost be like them, or be like them.

Doctor David Spoon:

But God doesn't want that for any of us.

Doctor David Spoon:

He wants us to be like Jesus.

Doctor David Spoon:

Did you hear what I said?

Doctor David Spoon:

Those people with power and fame and money.

Doctor David Spoon:

Oh, I want to be like them.

Doctor David Spoon:

God wants you to be like Jesus.

Doctor David Spoon:

The father wants you to be like the son.

Doctor David Spoon:

Son.

Doctor David Spoon:

Wow.

Doctor David Spoon:

And then Jesus blows their mind.

Doctor David Spoon:

Why?

Doctor David Spoon:

Because Jesus is so awesome.

Doctor David Spoon:

Listen to this.

Doctor David Spoon:

He says 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.

Doctor David Spoon:

It is easier for a camel.

Doctor David Spoon:

You ever seen a camel?

Doctor David Spoon:

Biggest to go through the eye of a needle.

Doctor David Spoon:

You ever seen a needle small than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God?

Doctor David Spoon:

Let's just debunk the lie once and for all.

Doctor David Spoon:

This has nothing to do with a camel going through a certain gate in the wall of Jerusalem.

Doctor David Spoon:

There was never a mention of a wall in Jerusalem called the eye, the needle, or the eye of the needle ever mentioned in history, ever until the 13th century.

Doctor David Spoon:

All those people that have said that before are absolutely misinformed, incorrect, period.

Doctor David Spoon:

There is no, oh, whoa.

Doctor David Spoon:

This is all has to do with the camel.

Doctor David Spoon:

And the camel gets down on his knees and the person gets off, and then the camel squirms through the little hole, inch by inch by inch by inche, and then he finally gets through.

Doctor David Spoon:

And that's what Jesus was talking about.

Doctor David Spoon:

No, it is not.

Doctor David Spoon:

Jesus knows how to speak.

Doctor David Spoon:

He says it clearly without any reservation.

Doctor David Spoon:

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.

Doctor David Spoon:

Let me say something that's going to blow your mind.

Doctor David Spoon:

Ready?

Doctor David Spoon:

I just get ready for this.

Doctor David Spoon:

You might want to write this down if you like.

Doctor David Spoon:

This.

Doctor David Spoon:

Salvation is not hard.

Doctor David Spoon:

Salvation is impossible.

Doctor David Spoon:

Let me say it again so you can catch what I'm saying.

Doctor David Spoon:

Salvation is not hard.

Doctor David Spoon:

Salvation is impossible.

Doctor David Spoon:

Except with God, you get that.

Doctor David Spoon:

Salvation's not difficult.

Doctor David Spoon:

It's impossible.

Doctor David Spoon:

Forget it.

Doctor David Spoon:

Apart from God, it cannot be done.

Doctor David Spoon:

And so Jesus explains to these guys, takes it right to them, look, it's easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle, and you're sitting there going, a camel can't go through the eye of a needle.

Doctor David Spoon:

Exactly.

Doctor David Spoon:

That's exactly his point.

Doctor David Spoon:

He's trying to explain that to him and make sure they understand.

Doctor David Spoon:

And so what does Jesus say in the next verse, verse 26.

Doctor David Spoon:

Jesus looked at them intently.

Doctor David Spoon:

I don't know if you guys can.

Doctor David Spoon:

Sometimes when you read the scripture, we don't think of Jesus.

Doctor David Spoon:

We always think of Jesus as this flowery, pulling out flowers, peace sign, tie dye shirt, peace sign around him, walking in sandals, you know, just, you know, chewing on some gum and, hey, what's happening?

Doctor David Spoon:

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Doctor David Spoon:

It's like, that's got nothing to do with Jesus at all.

Doctor David Spoon:

This is the messiah.

Doctor David Spoon:

This is the chosen one of the father.

Doctor David Spoon:

And he looks at his disciples intently.

Doctor David Spoon:

Have you ever had somebody look at you intently?

Doctor David Spoon:

It's a moment that just catches you.

Doctor David Spoon:

Somebody looks at you intently, you go, okay, I'm paying attention right now.

Doctor David Spoon:

And then Jesus drops the line.

Doctor David Spoon:

Humanly speaking, it is impossible.

Doctor David Spoon:

What?

Doctor David Spoon:

With men, it is impossible.

Doctor David Spoon:

Humanly speaking, it is impossible.

Doctor David Spoon:

I don't know if you know this or not, but there's even people that teach jesus never have said the word impossible.

Doctor David Spoon:

That is impossible to believe that they think that.

Doctor David Spoon:

Here it is.

Doctor David Spoon:

The bottom line is, humanly speaking, salvation is impossible.

Doctor David Spoon:

Salvation is not hard, folks.

Doctor David Spoon:

It's impossible, except with God.

Doctor David Spoon:

You think, what are you trying to tell me?

Doctor David Spoon:

Jesus was saying it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get saved.

Doctor David Spoon:

Yes, that's what he said.

Doctor David Spoon:

He doesn't stutter.

Doctor David Spoon:

He's doing fine.

Doctor David Spoon:

And it's impossible to be saved on mankind's efforts.

Doctor David Spoon:

And it's got nothing to do with a gate.

Doctor David Spoon:

That just shows you how absurd mankind is because they're thinking, no, we can make this happen.

Doctor David Spoon:

We can do this.

Doctor David Spoon:

You just gotta struggle and squeeze through and get the camel through the gate.

Doctor David Spoon:

And that's the way it goes.

Doctor David Spoon:

Because you get the camel through the gate and it's really hard, but it can be done.

Doctor David Spoon:

Rubbish.

Doctor David Spoon:

It's impossible to be saved apart from God, period.

Doctor David Spoon:

It is impossible to be redeemed without the blood of Jesus Christ.

Doctor David Spoon:

And no amount of work will ever be sufficient ever to warrant the worthiness of the kingdom of God, since he requires perfection, kind of good.

Doctor David Spoon:

Without the redeeming work of Jesus Christ being imputed to us, given to us in the mind of God, we don't have a chance.

Doctor David Spoon:

And so the key in understanding this text is salvation is not hard.

Doctor David Spoon:

It's impossible.

Doctor David Spoon:

There is no salvation without the redeeming work of Jesus Christ.

Doctor David Spoon:

There is no salvation, humanly speaking.

Doctor David Spoon:

There is no amount of human effort that could ever make the difference for God to say, okay, you're just like me.

Doctor David Spoon:

Come on, in ever apart for the redeeming work of Jesus Christ being imputed to us.

Doctor David Spoon:

Imputed and imparted.

Doctor David Spoon:

When something is imparted, it's given.

Doctor David Spoon:

When God gives you the Holy Spirit, he imparts to you the Holy Spirit.

Doctor David Spoon:

The Holy Spirit actually exists inside of you.

Doctor David Spoon:

Imputed means.

Doctor David Spoon:

That's how it seems.

Doctor David Spoon:

So in other words, think of this.

Doctor David Spoon:

You're sitting there and you're standing next to somebody, and then somebody says, hey, hold out your hand.

Doctor David Spoon:

And you hold out your hand, and they put a quarter in it.

Doctor David Spoon:

And then they say, close your hand.

Doctor David Spoon:

And then you close your hand.

Doctor David Spoon:

That's imparted.

Doctor David Spoon:

Imputed means this.

Doctor David Spoon:

Hey, hold out your hand.

Doctor David Spoon:

You hold out your hand.

Doctor David Spoon:

The person puts a quarter in there, but doesn't leave the quarter in there.

Doctor David Spoon:

Pulls the quarter back, and then says, close your hand.

Doctor David Spoon:

Okay, okay, I've closed my hand.

Doctor David Spoon:

There's nothing in it.

Doctor David Spoon:

Ah, but I, the person who put that in your hand, I impute to you that quarter.

Doctor David Spoon:

You in my mind, have $0.25 in your hand.

Doctor David Spoon:

That's imputed just to make it as simple as possible.

Doctor David Spoon:

So what I want you to understand is this.

Doctor David Spoon:

Listen to what is being said.

Doctor David Spoon:

The disciples, remember, the disciples are freaking out.

Doctor David Spoon:

You don't think they're.

Doctor David Spoon:

Why did Jesus have to look in that intently?

Doctor David Spoon:

Because the disciples are like, wait a second.

Doctor David Spoon:

And by the way, the scripture says the disciples were astounded.

Doctor David Spoon:

Now we are at chapter 19 in Matthew.

Doctor David Spoon:

This isn't the first deep teaching Jesus has given.

Doctor David Spoon:

This isn't the first time he's had something profound to say.

Doctor David Spoon:

And yet after 20 chapters, after two thirds of the gospel, the disciples are, like, going, what?

Doctor David Spoon:

How is it?

Doctor David Spoon:

This is crazy.

Doctor David Spoon:

The disciples were astounded.

Doctor David Spoon:

Then who in the world can be saved?

Doctor David Spoon:

Don't you see?

Doctor David Spoon:

What's happening is people think because they're blessed financially, God must already bless them.

Doctor David Spoon:

They must already be going to heaven.

Doctor David Spoon:

And Jesus is, like, not even close.

Doctor David Spoon:

In James chapter two, verse five, it says that God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith.

Doctor David Spoon:

Oh, by the way, what is it that pleases God?

Doctor David Spoon:

Is it you having a big financial account, or are you having a big faith account?

Doctor David Spoon:

Which one pleases God?

Doctor David Spoon:

And so when the disciples are astounded, it's like, who in the world can be saved?

Doctor David Spoon:

I don't get it.

Doctor David Spoon:

This is unbelievable.

Doctor David Spoon:

Nobody's going to ever get saved.

Doctor David Spoon:

And Jesus looks at them and says, humanly speaking, you're right.

Doctor David Spoon:

It's impossible.

Doctor David Spoon:

But with God, everything is possible.

Doctor David Spoon:

So he takes that which is impossible by human effort alone.

Doctor David Spoon:

And allows the opportunity, with divine intervention, for the possibility to exist.

Doctor David Spoon:

That's the teaching.

Doctor David Spoon:

Not it's really hard to get a camel through a gate.

Doctor David Spoon:

And I've seen, yes, some people, I really like spokespeople.

Doctor David Spoon:

I really like different political.

Doctor David Spoon:

I really like, on television say the same thing.

Doctor David Spoon:

Not one reference before the 13th century.

Doctor David Spoon:

It's a lie.

Doctor David Spoon:

Salvation is a gift from God.

Doctor David Spoon:

It is received by faith and given by grace.

Doctor David Spoon:

It is the redeeming work of Jesus Christ and his efforts.

Doctor David Spoon:

And your faith in that, that enables you to have salvation, that enables you to be saved.

Doctor David Spoon:

Which is why christians ought to always be appreciative.

Doctor David Spoon:

Since we cannot merit the love of God, we have to believe in order to process the love of God, the faithfulness of God, the grace of God, the kindness of God.

Doctor David Spoon:

You don't deserve it.

Doctor David Spoon:

You deserve to be sent to hell for all eternity.

Doctor David Spoon:

My good works are better than my bad works.

Doctor David Spoon:

Your bad works still disqualify you from fellowship with God.

Doctor David Spoon:

All 292,000 thousand of them if you live till you're 80.

Doctor David Spoon:

Just sorry.

Doctor David Spoon:

That's the way it goes.

Doctor David Spoon:

So what's the deal then?

Doctor David Spoon:

Here's the deal.

Doctor David Spoon:

Salvation is not hard.

Doctor David Spoon:

It's impossible, except with God.

Doctor David Spoon:

So Jesus says that very thing.

Doctor David Spoon:

He says, humanly speaking, it is impossible.

Doctor David Spoon:

But with God, everything is possible.

Doctor David Spoon:

Not only is salvation possible, but a powerful life walking in fellowship with God.

Doctor David Spoon:

You want to have the best possible life here on earth.

Doctor David Spoon:

It's not about having the money.

Doctor David Spoon:

It's about having the closeness to God.

Doctor David Spoon:

Because all of the money in the world will not bring you peace, your soul.

Doctor David Spoon:

What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and yet forfeit his soul?

Doctor David Spoon:

That's what Jesus is talking about.

Doctor David Spoon:

And we're people are out there, and the nation's fighting against nation, about who's wealthy, who's got rich, who's got this, who's got this.

Doctor David Spoon:

You don't understand.

Doctor David Spoon:

When that trumpet blows, when it's over, when it's done, none of that will matter.

Doctor David Spoon:

What we do with the testimony God is giving regarding his son, that will matter.

Doctor David Spoon:

And your salvation, a gift from God, is only possible because of God.

Doctor David Spoon:

So the biggest thing you should do, like myself, like you, like all of us, is just say thank you for Jesus.

Doctor David Spoon:

Okay.

Doctor David Spoon:

All right, let's take a short break, and then we're gonna come back.

Doctor David Spoon:

You're listening to the David Spoon experience right here on KAAM, 770 that truth station here in Texas.

Doctor David Spoon:

Short break.

Doctor David Spoon:

We'll be back.

Doctor David Spoon:

Don't go anywhere.

Doctor David Spoon:

What is the David spoon experience?

Doctor David Spoon:

Isaiah, chapter 63, verse eight through nine, says this.

Doctor David Spoon:

He said, surely they are my people, sons who will not be false to me.

Doctor David Spoon:

And so he became their savior.

Doctor David Spoon:

In all their distress, he, too, was distressed.

Doctor David Spoon:

So I want to make sure you understand, we've talked about this before.

Doctor David Spoon:

You've heard some of my testimony.

Doctor David Spoon:

If you want to really get a better hand on my testimony, I'll shamelessly plug the broken for his glory book, which contains the testimony.

Doctor David Spoon:

But you can get it for free if you do it through Kindle.

Doctor David Spoon:

And then otherwise it's like $7 or something.

Doctor David Spoon:

That's not very much.

Doctor David Spoon:

It's kind of a fascinating journey on becoming saved and then going through bad churches or a bad church and then coming back into good church.

Doctor David Spoon:

That's not always easy to do.

Doctor David Spoon:

One of the big premises of the book and of my entire christian journey is a passage like this, which says, he said, surely they are my people's sons who will not be false to me.

Doctor David Spoon:

And so he became their savior.

Doctor David Spoon:

And in all their distress, he, too, was distressed.

Doctor David Spoon:

I think it's important for you and I to understand the level to which God has put himself or placed himself.

Doctor David Spoon:

He's not incomplete without us in the theological term that God can exist completely independently and doesn't need us, but he bears with us or connects to us in such a way that he feels with us.

Doctor David Spoon:

And so I think it's important for you and I to grasp that when Paul was on the road to Damascus, and then the Lord appears to him, right?

Doctor David Spoon:

And we've talked about this before, you know, knocks him, you know, knocks him off his donkey and blinds him.

Doctor David Spoon:

Okay?

Doctor David Spoon:

Now, you just have to imagine you're on a donkey, bam o.

Doctor David Spoon:

You're on the ground, okay?

Doctor David Spoon:

Okay.

Doctor David Spoon:

Not on a comfy table or a comfy chair or a comfy bed on the ground, and you're blind.

Doctor David Spoon:

So this is a real wake up call.

Doctor David Spoon:

And then Jesus says to him, Saul, before he becomes Paul, why are you persecuting me?

Doctor David Spoon:

And what does Paul say, Saul say?

Doctor David Spoon:

He says, who are you?

Doctor David Spoon:

Right?

Doctor David Spoon:

Because this is like.

Doctor David Spoon:

This is outer limits stuff right here.

Doctor David Spoon:

And then Jesus goes, I'm Jesus, whom you're persecuting.

Doctor David Spoon:

But the irony behind that is that Jesus made the identification with the church because Saul was persecuting the church.

Doctor David Spoon:

But Jesus goes, I'm the one you're persecuting.

Doctor David Spoon:

Now, see?

Doctor David Spoon:

See how he connects himself to the people?

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About the Podcast

The David Spoon Experience
The David Spoon Experience Podcast. Local, National, AND Heavenly Talk. It's a cross between Steve Martin, Sean Hannity, and Focus on the Family!
The David Spoon Experience Podcast. Local, National, AND Heavenly Talk. It's a cross between Steve Martin, Sean Hannity, and Focus on the Family!
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About your host

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David Spoon

David Spoon was born and raised in a Jewish home in Detroit, Michigan. He attended a private Hebrew school called Hillel Hebrew Academy. David was bar mitzvah-ed at the age of thirteen. Not long after, he was involved in drug abuse and trafficking. After hearing the Gospel for the first time at age seventeen, David accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. A few months later, David had a dramatic experience with God. Immediately set free from years of excessive drug use, he committed himself to ministry and to furthering the Kingdom of God.

He attended Arizona Bible College, Northern Arizona University, and Life Pacific College, graduating summa-cum-laude in their Ministry and Leadership program. He also graduated with honors from Regent University with a master’s degree in Theological Studies and earned his Doctor of Ministry degree in Strategic Christian Ministry at Liberty University.

He is one of a few individuals holding ministerial ordinations from three separate denominations: Heritage Free Baptist Organization, 1981; Independent Pentecostal Ministers Association, 1985; and Vineyard Valley Association, 1988. He was also the Chaplain for the Flagstaff Police Department. In addition, David was the senior pastor of Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Flagstaff.

In addition, David started and co-hosted two different live Christian call-in radio talk shows. He hosted the very popular radio show “The David Spoon Experience” on KPRZ 1210 and a show called “To Know Him,” which aired on 88.9 on the F.M. dial-in Temecula, California at 1:00 p.m., Monday through Fridays. He was also the Director of Local Ministry for Salem Media Group in San Diego, California.

David is married to his best friend, Noelle. He has three children and seven grandchildren, plus their two dogs named Levi and Bert. On March 18th, 2019, he started “The David Spoon Experience” in Texas and is growing with his audience of awesome believers and non-believers alike.

He is the President of He Must Increase Ministry, a 501c3 ministry, and is hosting (again) the live daily radio show “The David Spoon Experience” with DJR Broadcasting in KAAM, on the 770 A.M. radio dial. The show is also on various apps and the Internet.

David is a Jewish-Christian, Bapti-Costal, Cal-Minian, Manifold Millennialist.

Just ask him.