Breaking Free: The Cost of Discipleship

Bible Passage: Mt 19:16–30

We all have something in our lives that we hold dear to us. That if something happened to it we would be devastated. If we were to lose that thing then we would be broken like this phone. Our lives revolve around the things that we can tangibly hold in our hands. This phone is my safety if something happens I can call police for help with it. My social life is on this phone all my snapchat steaks and tiktok and facebook I know i’m showing my age with that one. My free time is occupied with it. If I had to get rid of my phone I wouldn’t know what to do. I couldn’t get to any new places or keep in touch with my friends that I don't see very often. I couldn’t call my wife when I need to vent because I am having an off day. Yes I call her anytime I am frustrated about something. Don’t think this is an anti phone night so don’t assume that. My point is that my phone is a chain I am attached to. There was one time when I was younger and I had a month old Iphone 5s. I was at the lake with my youth group and someone dropped my phone in the lake it was an accident but I was so mad that I sat and looked at the lake and wouldn’t talk to anyone for like an hour. I then went and secluded myself from everyone until it was time to go home. Obviously I am fine I lived without my phone but I was so upset and angry that I shut down.

We all have chains around our ankles. Mine may be my phone your’s may be a friend, a game console, or maybe even extra things like sports, ffa, band… Being a true disciple of Christ means that we may have to give these things up for him.

Matthew 19:16–30 ESV

16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 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.” 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.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 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. 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?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

1. Challenge of Choice

Matthew 19:16–22 ESV

16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 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.” 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.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 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.

In our passage a rich young man approaches Jesus. He seeks a relationship with God and eternal life with him. His views on reality are kind of backwards though because he thinks that his works will get him into Heaven. Jesus tells him the commandments that we are to follow. He answers but I have followed those commandments. He didn’t understand the reality of salvation. He thought surely I am missing something. I’m sure that he probably felt like something was missing. He probably felt empty inside thinking Jesus would say just keep doing what you’re doing and one day you will be with me in paradise. But Jesus knew his heart. He knew that he held his possessions so highly. He put his material things on a pedestal and thought that if he didn’t have his stuff then he wouldn’t have the status he had. People may not think that hes cool. People may not see his wealth in Christ. But his lack of materials. His possessions chained him down to this world. He was probably someone that we would say is a good person. But just being a good person does not save us. What “riches” chain you to this world that hold you back from following Christ.

2. Chains of Materialism

Matthew 19:23–26 ESV

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?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

After the man left Jesus explains to his disciples that it is hard for the people who are rich in the world to inherit the kingdom. Their chains are so strong around their ankles that they can’t breathe. They are sinking into the ocean and can’t get out alone. Works do not save us. When we do good things for ourselves we do them in vain. Our reality is that if we are not saved we can be the best person. We can be the next Mother Teresa and do so much good but if were constantly holding onto our materialism and thinking we can get ourselves out of anything then we will hear depart from me I never knew you. When we die we do not take anything with us. Everything that we hold dear will be here and decay and be thrown away. When we put those things in our heart we will always feel empty. Jesus is the only puzzle piece that will fill the space. He cannot occupy the same throne that our possessions are on. Jesus is the only one who can rip the chains that drag us down.

3. Celebrating Freedom

Matthew 19:27–30 ESV

27 Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

When God sits on his throne we will have riches upon riches in Heaven when we meet him there. Not to say that we will have money or material possessions but we will have all that we need. We will not want for anything. While we are here on this Earth we must put God above all. We have to dethrone our worldly desires. We have to follow Christ every day. We have to leave behind the desires of those around us. We have to leave behind what we desire for ourselves because we will ultimately seek self destruction. Even if we feel happy without Christ that is a false sense of security and peace. There is no freedom unless it’s in Christ. If you are going through something if your pains are too great. You must ask Christ to break your chains. You must give up the world. God wants all of us not all of our stuff. The altar is open. Come lay your chains down and watch Christ break them. Watch Christ move in your life when he empties out the throne of our hearts and takes a seat at the center of your world.