Expository Thoughts On Luke - Luke 16:13-18
J.C. Ryle emphasizes the impossibility of serving both God and worldly wealth, urging believers to choose wholehearted devotion to God alone.
In this expository sermon on Luke 16:13-18, J.C. Ryle explores the profound teaching of Jesus about the impossibility of serving two masters. Ryle highlights the spiritual conflict faced by those who attempt to divide their loyalty between God and worldly wealth. He calls believers to wholehearted devotion to God alone, warning against the discomfort and futility of divided affections. This sermon challenges listeners to examine their hearts and choose their master wisely.
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SERVING TWO MASTERS
These verses teach us, firstly, the uselessness of attempting to serve God with a divided heart. Our Lord Jesus Christ says, "No servant can serve two masters--for either he will hate the one and love the other--or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."
The truth here propounded by our Lord appears, at first sight, too obvious to admit of being disputed. And yet the very attempt which is here declared to be useless is constantly being made by many in the matter of their souls. Thousands on every side are continually trying to do the thing which Christ pronounces impossible. They are endeavoring to be friends of the world and friends of God at the same time. Their consciences are so far enlightened, that they feel they must have some religion. But their affections are so chained down to earthly things, that they never come up to the mark of being true Christians. And hence they live in a state of constant discomfort. They have too much religion to be happy in the world, and they have too much of the world in their hearts to be happy in their religion. In short, they waste their time in laboring to do that which cannot be done. They are striving to "serve God and mammon."
He that desires to be a happy Christian, will do well to ponder our Lord\
Sermon Outline
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I. The Impossibility of Serving Two Masters
- No servant can serve two masters
- Either he will hate one and love the other
- You cannot serve God and mammon
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II. The Common Attempt to Serve Both
- Many try to be friends of the world and God simultaneously
- Consciences feel the need for religion
- Affections remain chained to earthly things
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III. The Resulting Spiritual Discomfort
- Too much religion to be happy in the world
- Too much world in the heart to be happy in religion
- A wasted effort striving to serve both
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IV. The Call to Choose God Wholeheartedly
- Desire to be a happy Christian
- Ponder the Lord's teaching seriously
- Commit fully to serving God alone
Key Quotes
“No servant can serve two masters--for either he will hate the one and love the other--or else he will hold to the one and despise the other.” — J.C. Ryle
“Thousands on every side are continually trying to do the thing which Christ pronounces impossible.” — J.C. Ryle
“They have too much religion to be happy in the world, and they have too much of the world in their hearts to be happy in their religion.” — J.C. Ryle
Application Points
- Examine your heart to identify any divided loyalties between God and worldly things.
- Commit fully to serving God alone to experience true spiritual peace and happiness.
- Avoid the futile effort of trying to balance friendship with the world and devotion to God.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to serve two masters?
It means trying to devote oneself fully to both God and worldly wealth, which Jesus says is impossible.
Why is serving both God and mammon impossible?
Because one will inevitably love one master and hate the other, making divided loyalty unworkable.
What is the spiritual condition of those who try to serve both?
They experience discomfort, being too religious to enjoy the world and too worldly to enjoy their religion.
What is the main lesson from Luke 16:13?
Believers must choose to serve God wholeheartedly rather than attempting to divide their loyalty.
How can one become a happy Christian according to this sermon?
By fully committing to serve God and rejecting divided affections toward worldly things.