Matthew 19:16-26

What is Required?

The Rich Young Ruler’s Question

March 19, 2017First Baptist ChurchJackson, Mississippi

USA

What’s the number one thing?

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The Glory of God!

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1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV

31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.

March Memory Verse

Romans 12:2 ESV2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Mission Opportunity

SS Class to Partner with Missionary Family from FBCJ

Need Volunteers to Assist Mark Green

References

• ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Publishers, 2008).•Crabb, Larry, “Looking Back and Ahead to Life”,

Presentation at Xenos Summer Institute, July 14, 2016. •Unless otherwise stated, scriptures are quoted from

the ESV.

Introduction to Matthew 19:16-26

• The Story of the Rich, Young Ruler.•Matthew, Mark and Luke write about this encounter

with Jesus.•All three accounts are complimentary and not

contradictory.•Details of account vary but are consistent.

Introduction to the “Rich, Young Ruler”

• Jesus and disciples are on their way to Jerusalem from their journey to Caesarea Philippi.• They are denied passage through Samaria and must

go eastward through Perea. (Luke 9:51-56)• They are in Bethany (2 miles from Jerusalem) – Home

of Mary, Martha, Lazarus.• Large crowds are following Jesus.

Incident Before the Rich Young RulerMatthew 19:13-15

• The little children were brought to Jesus for blessing and prayer.• The disciples rebuked the people.• Jesus replied "Let the little children come to me and

do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."•Children serve as a metaphor of the humility

necessary for entrance into the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 19:16 ESV

16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?"

•Only Luke identifies him as a ruler.•Possibly a Pharisee and member of Sanhedrin because

of the diligence he displays in following the law.•All writers make a comment about his great wealth.

Jesus is addressed as “Teacher or Good Teacher”

• Teacher was a title of respect.•Good Teacher was respectful and complimentary.•Could the man have used a sarcastic voice here to be

disrespectful?•Mark reports the man knelt before Jesus.•Was the man truly seeking an answer to his question?

The Question is………?

Matthew 19:1616 “What good deed must I do to have eternal life?”

Mark 10:1717 “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Luke 18:1818 “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Eternal life”

• This is the first time this expression is used in Matthew.•Other expressions:

• Matthew 5:20 – “enter the kingdom of heaven”.• Matthew 19:25-26 – “being saved”.

•Basic meaning = life everlasting in the presence of God.

The question indicates an action is required.

• The man believed there was some good deed you must do for eternal life.•We do not know if he was truly seeking an answer or

just wanting to test Jesus’ teachings.•Unfortunately, many who call themselves Christians

believe salvation is by works or good deeds.• Jesus is about to explain why not by works or deeds.

Matthew 19:17

17 And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments."• This is a confusing reply to the man.• Jesus is not denying his deity as “Good Teacher”.•Only in understanding God as infinitely good can the

man discover that human good deeds cannot earn eternal life.

"If you would enter life, keep the commandments."

• Jesus is not teaching that good works can earn eternal life.• Jesus is about to show the man how short he is in

thinking he is obeying the commandments.• Jesus, in His deity, already knows the commandments

where the man falls short.

Matthew 19:18-19

18 He said to him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself."• Jesus only recites commandments #’s 6, 7, 8, 9, 5 and

the second greatest commandment he quotes in Matthew 22:39.

Matthew 19:20

20 The young man said to him, "All these I have kept. What do I still lack?"• The man knew the list was incomplete.•Did the man really believe that he had fully kept the

commandments?•Was he possibly still being sarcastic?•Was he waiting for Jesus to say “Well done, good and

faithful servant”?

Which commandments were omitted in Jesus’ answer?

1. You shall have no other gods before me.

2. You shalt not make for yourself an idol.

3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

4. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

10. You shall not covet.• Reference: Exodus 20:3-17

Why did Jesus omit the other commandments in His listing?

• The man claims to have kept the commandments that related to relationship to other people.• Jesus was now going to show the man he had failed in

keeping the commandments regarding his relationship to God.

Matthew 19:21-22

21 Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

• Sell Give Follow Me

"If you would be perfect…"

•Perfect = keep all commandments.•Perfect = Loving God as the goal.• Look at the commandments not kept.• Jesus knew the man was a worshipper of money,

money was the man’s idol, he coveted what others had and had no place for God in his goals.

"…go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, …"

• Jesus knew that the only way the man could focus on God was to get rid of all of his money.• Sell = convert everything to cash.•Give to poor = could never reclaim his money, must

trust God for all provisions, no savings for a rainy day.

"…and you will have treasure in heaven; …"

Matthew 6:19-2119 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.•What is treasure in heaven?

Treasure in heaven

Matthew 6:2424 "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."

Revelation 22:1212 "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense (rewards) with me, to repay each one for what he has done."

Jesus’ call is the same for everyone.

Matthew 16:2424 Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

Matthew 19:2121 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."

Jesus’ Call

Matt. 16:24 Disciples

1. "Deny yourself"2. "Take up your cross"3. "Follow me"

Matt. 19:21 Rich Young Ruler

1. "Sell what you possess"2. "Give it to the poor"3. "Come, follow me "

"…he went away sorrowful…"

• Even though the man wants “eternal life”, he cannot bring himself to cease worshipping the ruling force in his life – his great possessions.• The man’s possessions meant everything to him.• Jesus now focuses on teaching the disciples about

loving wealth and the challenge of the blessing of wealth.

Four Mistakes Made by the Rich Young Ruler.

1. He did not recognize Jesus as Lord.2. He was unaware of his own faults.3. He misunderstood the plan of grace and salvation.4. He went away – His biggest mistake!

Matthew 19:23-25

23 And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, 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." 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"

"only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven."

•Wealth is deceptive and intoxicating.•Wealth fools a person into thinking that he/she is self-

sufficient apart from God.•Our human/sinful nature wants to hold on to that self-

sufficiency.• The general attributes of “rich” are opposite those of

a child. (Matthew 18:1-5)

The controversy of the “eye of the needle” –Possible??

The controversy of the “eye of the needle” –Impossible??

Which is correct????

• The Jerusalem gate theory does not support Jesus’ teaching here according to many scholars. (ESV)• It is not merely difficult for the wealthy to be saved;

without God’s grace, it is impossible for anyone to be saved.• You can use the illustration both ways, but salvation is

only by God’s grace through Jesus.

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"

• In the Jewish culture, wealth was equated with God’s favor and blessing.• Deuteronomy 28:1, 8

1 "And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.

8 The Lord will command the blessing on you in your barns and in all that you undertake.

Common Attitudes If Wealth Is Your Goal:

• “I am a self-made man.”• “I create my life.”• “I create the exact amount of my success.”• “I deserve to be rich because I add value to other

people’s lives.”• “If it is to be, it is up to me.”• “I am a generous giver and an excellent receiver.”

Three Levels of Control:

• Top – God owns me, and God owns my possessions.•Middle – God owns me, but I own my possessions.•Bottom – I control myself, and I control my

possessions.• Where are you on this scale?

Riches:

• The hardest things you will ever give God control over are your finances and your possessions.• The irony is that they are not really yours, even

though you claim them!

The Apostle John said it this way.

1 John 2:15-1715 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life —is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Matthew 19:26

26 But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this (man entering the kingdom of heaven) is impossible, but with God all things are possible."•Man does not have the ability to save himself.• Salvation cannot be bought, sold or negotiated by

man.•Man cannot be good enough or do enough to earn

salvation.

"but with God all things are possible."

•God makes salvation possible through His Son, Jesus.•God makes salvation available to every human,

whether rich or poor.• The price for salvation was paid by Jesus – His blood

and His life.•God’s grace makes salvation available to everyone.

Jesus’ illustration about following Him.

Matthew 7:13 NIV 13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."•What makes the road of following Jesus narrow?•Where does the narrow road lead?

What makes the road of following Jesus narrow?

Matthew 6:3333 "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

• You put Jesus first (seeking the kingdom of God) in your life – the narrow road of Salvation in Jesus.

The Narrow Road – Dr. Larry Crabb

• The narrow road squeezes the second things out of our lives so that first things can take their place and the life to which it leads.• The narrow road leads to life eternal.• The broad road leads to a wasted life and destruction.

Quote by C. S Lewis

“Put first things first, and second things are thrown in. Put second things first and you lose both first and second things.”

• Like the rich young ruler, our natural tendency is to put second things first.

•We look at all things in life that can give us what we want – success, enjoyment, etc.

Thomas Chalmers (1780-1847)“The Expulsive Power of a New Affection”

•As my love for God increases, the expulsive power of this squeezes out my commitment to second things so first things more easily take their place.

• Second things are trying to squeeze out of you these first things.

• You are an idolater when second things are first!

Conclusions from Rich Young Ruler Encounter:

1. It is impossible to find fulfillment in things.2. Jesus alone can satisfy and bring fulfillment.3. To receive all that God has for you, you must give

all you have to God.

Next Sunday’s Lesson:

Matthew 21:1-11More Than A Prophet?(The Triumphal Entry)

Bill Boteler

March 26, 2017First Baptist ChurchJackson, Mississippi

USA

The Plan of Hope & Salvation

John 3:1616 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

John 14:66 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

The Plan of Hope & Salvation

Romans 3:2323 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23a23a For the wages of sin is death,

• Death in this life (the first death) is 100%.• Even Jesus, the only one who doesn’t deserve death, died in this life

to pay the penalty for our sins. • The death referred to in Romans 6:23a is the second death

explained in Revelation 21:8.

The Plan of Hope & Salvation

Revelation 21:88 “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Romans 5:88 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

The Plan of Hope & Salvation

Romans 6:23b23b but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Revelation 21:77 “The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”

• Romans 10:9-10 explains to us how to be conquers.

The Plan of Hope & Salvation

Romans 10:9-109 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Romans 10:1313 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

The Plan of Hope & Salvation

If you have questions or would like to know more, Please, contact First Baptist Church Jackson at 601-949-1900 or http://firstbaptistjackson.org/contact/