It ain’t easy

Matthew 19:16-22

Introduction:

Mention how this past week I was experiencing somewhat of an existential crisis, and began to feel very small in the world

Before getting into prayer begin to speak about how individuals who have all that they have still aren’t wealthy

Despite having riches, money, cars, fame

Mention how the bible is unique that in the same person we believe wrote a book with so much knowledge and wisdom begins to doubt their life in the second book

Mention how the old addage that money can’t buy you everything is true, because in scripture we’re introduced to a man who has everything but has nothing

Body: As I read the scripture go verse by verse in a bible study way

1.) His Posture approaching Jesus (v16-17)

2.) His theological back and forth with Jesus (v20-21)

3.) His sorrowful acceptance of what Jesus was saying

Issue wasn’t what the young man had, it was what had Him.

The young man thought the possession that He had were in his control when in reality they were controlling him.

The young man was insistent that He kept all the commands but in reality he did not.

Jesus wanted to show the young man that He was not fully keeping all the commandments.

The young man who knew about inheritance worded it in a way, that showed His underlying pride.

You’re due an inheritance as a child because you’re a child. You’re taken care of, while we want that to be the case in our communion with God, it is only when we accept the Lord as our savior that we are given that promise.

He believes that because He kept the commandments, that somehow gave Him the right to the kingdom. (Like many of us)

Jesus had to remind Him in that moment, and prove to him that He was not a true law keeper because broke the most important law. (Not have any other gods (idols). )

And while the man, is embarrassed, this is exactly the place where Christ wanted Him to be.

Christ wanted Him to recognize that regardless of how good we are in our self-righteous works, there will always be something missing when it’s salvation by works.

Mention when you read old western philosophers you’ll realize that even they began to latch on to this idea of a mediator, because this God that everybody believed in was too big and perfect for us to follow Him without help, and what this man doesn’t not realize is that the help is in front of Him.

While the man is ashamed, hurt, sad, depressed, this is exactly the place where Jesus could do some of His best work, because it is only at the brink of hopelessness, that we’re able to find where our hope really is. Jesus’ invitation to the man was let go of what bounds you and follow me (build on this) He says, follow me!

The young man gets the answer to his question; He came looking for eternal life, Jesus says let go of what bounds you and follow me; if I could sum up the rest of 2024’s messages from this pulpit, it’ll be this if you want to know what kingdom living is look at Jesus. Jesus says follow me!

The young man says no, can’t do that, I can’t let God of these things that I love, He turns around, walks away. *Say I’m done here*, His disciples look at him confused, Jesus says to them it’ll be hard for a rich person to get into him (explain the needle reference)

Mention that it’s hard for people to receive the free gift of eternal life because this is the one gift that requires the laying down of something. When it comes to christmas you give gifts, birthdays you give to give, but eternity requires submission. The kingdom requires your obedience. I end today by asking you a question; even if you aren’t rich, what has God been asking you to give up to follow him? And if he’s been asking you so long, why have you not yet let it go? Because I’m a christocentric preacher, I can’t end without giving you some goodnews. The good news is that Christ still extends and invite for fellowship, even to those of us, who struggle with letting go.