The Rich Young Ruler

2002029

2365 (materialism)

Introduction:

A. Jesus now out of Galilee & in the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 19:1

1. Met by large crowds – healed many – 19:2

2. Dealt w/questions w/MDR. Concluding thoughts on this in 19:12

3. 19:13-15 – blesses little children that are brought to Him.

B. Getting ready to head for Jerusalem. Mk. 10:17. Just before they leave Jesus is asked a question…what must I do to gain eternal life?

1. Lk. 18:18 – man is called a “ruler.”

a) probably a ruler of a synagogue.

b) Probably had good character & promising talents.

2. Mk. 10:17 – he runs to Jesus. An indication of his earnestness & anxiety.

a) falls upon His knees – indicates respect.

3. Mt. 19:20 – called a young man. Some have speculated that he might have been in the prime of life; but had retained something of the impetuousness of youth.

C. When we listen to his conversation with Jesus – we might reveal some traits of his character…

1. could have been impulsive.

2. someone who was quickly given to emotion.

3. someone who acted before thinking…

D. Today, we will take a close look at the conversation between our Lord and this man.

I. He realized that Jesus is the impersonation of perfect goodness.

A. Mk. 10:17; Lk. 18:18 – He addresses Jesus as “good Master.”

1. Note again,…Mark’s account tells us he kneels before Jesus.

2. asks Jesus what he had to do to obtain eternal life.

B. Someone has said that the man was basically asking,…Good teacher, how may I be like you?

C. Mk. 10:18 – Jesus quickly answers – Why do you call me good?

1. By calling Him good – it meant that this man put Jesus on an even plane with God.

2. Jesus wants to know whether the man knew & believed that.

D. Because Jesus IS on a plane with God – He alone is good – b/c God is good.

1. Js. 1:17 – all men are subject to God. “All crowns must lie at His throne.”

II. God’s law is the rule of goodness.

A. Mk. 10:19 – Jesus: You know the commandments…

1. Matthew’s account: if you wish to enter into life…keep the commandments.

2. This is the sober truth.

3. To keep the commandments from a principle of living faith is undoubtedly the way to eternal life.

4. Those justified through their faith must keep commandments before they can enter eternal life.

a) 1 Jhn. 3:22-24

b) Jhn. 15:10, 14

B. So Jesus says – 10:19

1. 10:20 – to which the man says…

2. Mt. 19:20 – what am I still lacking?

3. Note…he observed the commandments in the letter.

4. Commandments listed here are identical in the 3 gospel accounts except that Mark adds do not defraud and Matthew adds you shall love your neighbor as yourself.

C. Here,…Jesus puts the moral law in the foremost place.

1. Some have said Jesus did this purposely as to stress them over the laws of ritual, obedience. (Jews primarily concerned w/tradition & ritual)

2. Matthew’s account: you shall love your neighbor is a summary by Jesus.

a) love for God can only be demonstrated by love to neighbors/fellowman.

b) 1 Jhn. 4:20-21

c) Been said, our light burns in love to God, but it shines in love to our neighbor.

3. Again, we focus upon the answer of the young man.

D. 10:20 - I have kept all these things from my youth up.

1. “Master/Teacher”. Note.. this time without “good”. Some say he wasn’t so sure that he should equate Jesus with God.

2. Said he was devoted to God from his youth.

a) Jews strict in observing the law.

b) He had done so since childhood. Jews often did a good job in raising children in the Jewish faith.

c) Moses had commanded this – Deut. 6:4-9

d) Timothy: 2 Tim. 2:5; 1 Tim. 2:5; 2 Tim. 3:15. No doubt Paul had been raised this way – Phil. 3:6

3. Think this man, upon approaching Jesus, is sincere in his asking. I believe he truly wanted to know.

E. But…he had missed the spirit of the law.

1. He was convinced that he still needed more.

2. Yes…he thought he was good & he thought he could do more good – if he was told what to do.

a) He had lived an externally blameless life – but was not at peace.

b) He wanted to achieve “complete” righteousness!

3. He needed to see that while commandments are to be kept – the motivation MUST be out of a love for God & a desire to please Him!

a) too many try to serve God today just with cold, calculated law-keeping.

b) 1 Jhn. 2:5-6 – love for God is our motivation! How do we serve God today?

c) A proper love for God will cause one to be willing to sacrifice things in this life – willingly & happily!

d) Our love for God must become supreme!

4. Is there anything in this life I would not give up for Christ?

III. The way of Christ is the way of goodness.

A. Mk. 10:21 – the answer of Jesus. Note Jesus loved him.

1. “lack” = you are not complete/finished.

2. Sell all that you possess. Follow me. Then you will have treasure in heaven.

B. Reaction: 10:22

1. unwilling at this time to part w/possessions. Preferred earthly treasure to heavenly treasure.

2. McDonald: worldly men prefer hell over heaven; Christians prefer heaven to earth.

C. Note…Jesus promised eternal life & still does.

1. We must be motivated through our love/faith in our obedience.

2. THAT is the spirit of the law!

D. Note also: While Jesus promises eternal life – He requires absolute submission!

1. Sell all.

a) literally required of this man. Jesus required a total disposal & depletion of the man’s wealth.

b) Just because Christ loved Him – did not mean his load would be lightened.

2. if it comes down to it – we must be willing to sell all! We must be willing to part with anything that might hinder our salvation.

E. 10:22 - Finally…we see that those who refuse submission accept sorrow.

1. Wd. = stagnasas. Lit = “was rendered gloomy.”

a) one can almost see the look on his face. ASV: man’s countenance fell.

b) Unable to rejoice in the Lord & in his commandments.

2. He could not bring himself to follow Jesus. What an opportunity to miss.

3. All 3 gospel accounts say his wealth was the reason He did not follow.

a) LA Stauffer: treasure in heaven was not, in this mans eyes, to be compared with treasures of earth, a covetousness that ever abounds in the human head.

4. How many reluctantly turn away from Jesus because they cannot fully accept His teaching?

a) and for what? A few good years of pleasure for an eternity of misery?

b) Many are ruined by the sins they commit with reluctance.

F. Imagine the impression this exchange had upon the apostles.

1. Mk. 10:24-31

2. Following Jesus WILL cost us something!

3. There are demands placed upon us by the kingdom of Christ.

Conclusion:

A. How are we keeping the commandments of God?

1. What is our motivation?

2. Is there anything in our lives we are not willing to sacrifice for Christ?

3. Mt. 6:19-21

B. Are you willing to give yourself completely to Christ?

C. If not, why not?

D. I N V I T A T I O N



The Rich Young Ruler 2002029 2365 (materialism) Introduction: A. Jesus now out of Galilee & in the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 19:1 1. Met by large crowds – healed many – 19:2 2. Dealt w/questions w/MDR. Concluding thoughts on this in 19:12 3. 19:13-15 – blesses little children that are brought to Him. B. Getting ready to head for Jerusalem. Mk. 10:17. Just before they leave Jesus is asked a question…what must I do to gain eternal life? 1. Lk. 18:18 – man is called a “ruler.” a) probably a ruler of a synagogue. b) Probably had good character & promising talents. 2. Mk. 10:17 – he runs to Jesus. An indication of his earnestness & anxiety. a) falls upon His knees – indicates respect. 3. Mt. 19:20 – called a young man. Some have speculated that he might have been in the prime of life; but had retained something of the impetuousness of youth. C. When we listen to his conversation with Jesus – we might reveal some traits of his character… 1. could have been impulsive. 2. someone who was quickly given to emotion. 3. someone who acted before thinking… D. Today, we will take a close look at the conversation between our Lord and this man. I. He realized that Jesus is the impersonation of perfect goodness. A. Mk. 10:17; Lk. 18:18 – He addresses Jesus as “good Master.” 1. Note again,…Mark’s account tells us he kneels before Jesus. 2. asks Jesus what he had to do to obtain eternal life. B. Someone has said that the man was basically asking,…Good teacher, how may I be like you? C. Mk. 10:18 – Jesus quickly answers – Why do you call me good? 1. By calling Him good – it meant that this man put Jesus on an even plane with God. 2. Jesus wants to know whether the man knew & believed that. D. Because Jesus IS on a plane with God – He alone is good – b/c God is good. 1. Js. 1:17 – all men are subject to God. “All crowns must lie at His throne.” II. God’s law is the rule of goodness. A. Mk. 10:19 – Jesus: You know the commandments… 1. Matthew’s account: if you wish to enter into life…keep the commandments. 2. This is the sober truth. 3. To keep the commandments from a principle of living faith is undoubtedly the way to eternal life. 4. Those justified through their faith must keep commandments before they can enter eternal life. a) 1 Jhn. 3:22-24 b) Jhn. 15:10, 14 B. So Jesus says – 10:19 1. 10:20 – to which the man says… 2. Mt. 19:20 – what am I still lacking? 3. Note…he observed the commandments in the letter. 4. Commandments listed here are identical in the 3 gospel accounts except that Mark adds do not defraud and Matthew adds you shall love your neighbor as yourself. C. Here,…Jesus puts the moral law in the foremost place. 1. Some have said Jesus did this purposely as to stress them over the laws of ritual, obedience. (Jews primarily concerned w/tradition & ritual) 2. Matthew’s account: you shall love your neighbor is a summary by Jesus. a) love for God can only be demonstrated by love to neighbors/fellowman. b) 1 Jhn. 4:20-21 c) Been said, our light burns in love to God, but it shines in love to our neighbor. 3. Again, we focus upon the answer of the young man. D. 10:20 - I have kept all these things from my youth up. 1. “Master/Teacher”. Note.. this time without “good”. Some say he wasn’t so sure that he should equate Jesus with God. 2. Said he was devoted to God from his youth. a) Jews strict in observing the law. b) He had done so since childhood. Jews often did a good job in raising children in the Jewish faith. c) Moses had commanded this – Deut. 6:4-9 d) Timothy: 2 Tim. 2:5; 1 Tim. 2:5; 2 Tim. 3:15. No doubt Paul had been raised this way – Phil. 3:6 3. Think this man, upon approaching Jesus, is sincere in his asking. I believe he truly wanted to know. E. But…he had missed the spirit of the law. 1. He was convinced that he still needed more. 2. Yes…he thought he was good & he thought he could do more good – if he was told what to do. a) He had lived an externally blameless life – but was not at peace. b) He wanted to achieve “complete” righteousness! 3. He needed to see that while commandments are to be kept – the motivation MUST be out of a love for God & a desire to please Him! a) too many try to serve God today just with cold, calculated law-keeping. b) 1 Jhn. 2:5-6 – love for God is our motivation! How do we serve God today? c) A proper love for God will cause one to be willing to sacrifice things in this life – willingly & happily! d) Our love for God must become supreme! 4. Is there anything in this life I would not give up for Christ? III. The way of Christ is the way of goodness. A. Mk. 10:21 – the answer of Jesus. Note Jesus loved him. 1. “lack” = you are not complete/finished. 2. Sell all that you possess. Follow me. Then you will have treasure in heaven. B. Reaction: 10:22 1. unwilling at this time to part w/possessions. Preferred earthly treasure to heavenly treasure. 2. McDonald: worldly men prefer hell over heaven; Christians prefer heaven to earth. C. Note…Jesus promised eternal life & still does. 1. We must be motivated through our love/faith in our obedience. 2. THAT is the spirit of the law! D. Note also: While Jesus promises eternal life – He requires absolute submission! 1. Sell all. a) literally required of this man. Jesus required a total disposal & depletion of the man’s wealth. b) Just because Christ loved Him – did not mean his load would be lightened. 2. if it comes down to it – we must be willing to sell all! We must be willing to part with anything that might hinder our salvation. E. 10:22 - Finally…we see that those who refuse submission accept sorrow. 1. Wd. = stagnasas. Lit = “was rendered gloomy.” a) one can almost see the look on his face. ASV: man’s countenance fell. b) Unable to rejoice in the Lord & in his commandments. 2. He could not bring himself to follow Jesus. What an opportunity to miss. 3. All 3 gospel accounts say his wealth was the reason He did not follow. a) LA Stauffer: treasure in heaven was not, in this mans eyes, to be compared with treasures of earth, a covetousness that ever abounds in the human head. 4. How many reluctantly turn away from Jesus because they cannot fully accept His teaching? a) and for what? A few good years of pleasure for an eternity of misery? b) Many are ruined by the sins they commit with reluctance. F. Imagine the impression this exchange had upon the apostles. 1. Mk. 10:24-31 2. Following Jesus WILL cost us something! 3. There are demands placed upon us by the kingdom of Christ. Conclusion: A. How are we keeping the commandments of God? 1. What is our motivation? 2. Is there anything in our lives we are not willing to sacrifice for Christ? 3. Mt. 6:19-21 B. Are you willing to give yourself completely to Christ? C. If not, why not? D. I N V I T A T I O N