One Thing (2)

Jesus identified a single deficiency in the ruler’s spiritual life: his attachment to wealth (Matt 19:16–26; Mark 10:17–27; Luke 18:18–27). The phrase “one thing thou lackest” appears deceptively simple, but it cuts to the heart of a deeper spiritual problem than mere financial accumulation.

Wealth itself isn’t inherently sinful; rather, the danger lies in how possessions capture our trust and security. And so

1. What makes this ruler’s case particularly striking is that he was righteous in conduct—yet righteousness proved insufficient

2. His obedience to the commandments masked a fundamental allegiance problem. No one can serve two masters simultaneously; divided loyalty between God and material security is impossible (Matt 6:24).

The demand to sell everything and distribute to the poor wasn’t arbitrary punishment. Jesus exhorted the ruler to relinquish his possessions and follow him. And from one scholar to all of you scholars sitting in here tonight An English statesman, said that, “Learning … is only to be acquired by reading men and women, and those folk studying all the various editions of them.” When we read God’s word we find out what the said the Lord. If you truly want spiritual knowledge read the word of God.

Because as I examined the text I found out that

The antecedents that prompted this biblical narrative was Jesus blessing the little children.

Look at Luke 18:15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

Dr. Luke the writer of this text wrote about widows and politicians, Pharisees and publicans, little children and adults, rich men and beggars.

Sunday gone we dealt with the Pharisee and the Publican. Now let’s deal with the Children. In Jewish culture It was customary for the Jews to bring little children to the rabbis to receive their special blessing, so it is strange that the disciples would stand in the way. Very rarely had I ever seen a pastor priest preacher prophet that didn’t want the children of the church to get blessed or baptized. So for Jesus ‘ disciples to restrict them was something that was off kilter. Perhaps they thought Jesus was weary and needed rest, or they may have decided that He was not really interested in children. Whatever their reasonings were they were wrong! And let me say this for the church everybody is not on the same level. Sometimes we give them credit for being an adult but they are just babes in Christ. They need a gentle touch with a firm nudge.

Let me tell you a true story my grandmother my momo would pay my dues to the church when I ain’t had sense enough to do so myself. Wait nah I’m grown… I make money!!! But I ‘m refusing to pay tithe or dues for stupid reasons… Wait nah I drink like a fish I get high as the sky. I run women and I stay out in the streets all night long and play music in the clubs… When I look back on that lifestyle I know she must have been ashamed of me. .Because I was the grandchild that was supposed to turn out better than the rest, But I was a child in my mind....A grown man but a child in my mind...Especially when it came to spiritual principles… And and and the point is my grandmother knew that and she covered my sins and paid my dues to the church for me.. She said you ain’t got the sense you was born with fool… If you die they gon have to bring you through the funeral home and not the church you grew up in all your life.. And so I’ve learned to be patient with ba by christian who haven’t yet realized the proper way to be with God or the church.

The disciples are standing guard, so called protecting Jesus from the children.… The Children!!! Come on man..Because after all In Jewish culture It was customary for the Jews to bring little children to the rabbis to receive their special blessing,

And so on the 5th Sunday Pastor Cook is baptizing a few of his members here after he preaches… I know he a little surprised at how quickly I said yes… But I’m reminded that the Great Commission said Go ye therefore in all the earth teaching and preaching the word of God Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost… Teaching them to observing all things whatsoever I have commanded.. And lo I’m with you even to the end of the world. And so Jesus is super concerned about blessing the little children and He says in verses 16 &17

16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

Jesus said the Kingdom of God/ or as I have taught you before the Kingdom of Heaven… That means that Heaven is super concerned about our children so we ought to be too… And that’s why I’m excited that the coach is coming Sunday and all of the team and little Richie said Pastor our coach is coming Sunday… Listen well when you show interest in the children you won’t have to worry about the future of the church because they would have seen how the church has always cared and nurtured and built me up in a positive way.

Be sure that you’re not tearing them down trying to make them into little adults before their time...if we make church a miserable place to be they ain’t gonna want be here. Because unbenounced to us old folk,,,,, CHURCH ain’t the most popular place to be in 2026. If you ask them what’s your favorite place to be or your favorite thing to do… Sorry too tell you that church is going to farrrr down on that list if it even makes the cut. Then Jesus makes it crystal clear in verse. 17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. So He sets the Godly Standards of Salvation based off of the concept and mindset and theology and ideology of children being the gold standard of how to approach God if you want to go to heaven.

And sooo

When the rich young ruler saw that the children had precedence with Jesus, he saw it an opportunity to try to get close to Jesus.

And so a young ruler, desires to follow Christ, But is hindered by his unwillingness to sacrifice riches and position. 18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? The rich young ruler (Matt. 19:20) may be the only man in the Gospels who came to the feet of Jesus and went away in worse condition than when he came. His question is so deep. You don’t find young people today asking thee question what must I do to be saved? What must I do to inherit eternal life? How can I make it to heaven? In 2026 young people aren’t asking those kinds of questions. They’re asking what in my 401k ? How’s my portfolio looking this quarter? How much should I invest? Where am I going out tonight to be socially accepted? What are my sorals doing tonight ? What are my fraternity brother doing tonight? Just got off working 10 hours at the plant where’s the happy hour? And a ton of other question in this modern age. But not Good Master what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And so Jesus answers him in verse 19. Let’s read it together

19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

Let me see if I can explain this verse that has so much controversy. The Jew normally called the Rabbi Master. In this text it means Teacher. But regular people wouldn’t call the Rabbi GOOD The Jews reserved the word good for God (Pss. 25:8; 34:8; 86:5; 106:1). And so this explains a little more clearly why our Lord Jesus Christ asked the young man what you mean I’m good? what do you meant? Because here the thing if the rich young ruler really believed that Jesus was “good,” then he had to confess that Jesus was God. By asking this question, our Lord was not denying His deity but confirming and affirming to it. Jesus was testing the young man to see if he really understood what he had just said. Why ? because the eternal life question was deep but to call Jesus Good Master was even deeper.. Because it speaks to the deity of Christ.

So Jesus proceeds with the commandments

20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.

And one thing I noticed about Jesus He never threw the Old testament scriptures away… Instead he oftentimes quoted from the old testament Because the New Testament scripture were not written until long after Jesus’ death burial and resurrection.

21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.

The young man had so much in his favor! He was moral. He was religious. He was earnest and He was sincere. If this young man would have come to our church he probably would have qualified for membership. In fact he would have qualified to be in an above average church. They would have been glad to see somebody with money influence and power to join their church. Yet the problem is he refused to follow Jesus Christ and instead went his own way in great sorrow. The bible says that there is a way that seemed right unto a man but the ends thereof are the ways unto death.

The rich young ruler had a personal sense of self righteousness. He said I’ve kept all the commandments from my youth up. And then I’ve got a question for him to answer. You’ve kept all the commandments compared to what? Whose standards? yours or God’s? Well what makes us ask this question? This rhetorical question

22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

One Thing… In today’s economy Right now If Jesus says One Thing and it’s economical, it’s financial, it’s lucrative, it involves money

Houston we have a problem. Because in that day the world wasn’t as modern as it is now… they didn’t have creature comforts like cars cribs and clothes like we have today. In that day the poorest of us would be considered well off. If you have a trailer a house a hut a tent and crib boy you were somebody.

Next sell all that you have… ALLL 4x All I have Jesus… Man do you know how hard it is to stay a float in this economy… Gas sky high utlities are ways up and nobody is reducing their bill and nobody is giving leniency. Everybody wants their money on time and not on slow pay .… Sell all that I have worked for, for over 38 years whattttt. Come on man.

Then give it all to the poor… the last time I checked I’m poor too. Wait nah Jesus what kind of trickery what kind of bamboozling what kind of okey dookey you trying to pull here… I’m already poor and now you want me to give that away too .. Because Jesus I ain’t but two paycheck away from being homeless again.

Listen saints when I came back from living in Los Angeles I clearly knew that I had to have gainful employment for the rest of my life.… I will work anywhere to keep food on my table and a roof over my head because I know what it feels like to be without those creature comforts… And I think I’ve spoiled my children because they came up Middle class. I was listening to Steve Harvey this morning when one of the statements from a caller was “I did real good in school but this real life experience is harder than I ever imagined.. And Steve Harvey said School ain’t nothing like real life. Nothing!!! Boy I learned that the hard way. Because Living in the dorm room on campus with a meal ticket ain’t the same as footing all the bills at your own apartment or your own home.

Next and thou shalt have treasure in heaven.. To the young ruler this is crazy.. For the record It’s existentially deep, to talk about heaven in the after life… But Jesus what you’re he say is not in this tangible physical world. Jesus what you’re saying in not something anybody that I know can touch or feel man… I believe and all but honestly I ain’t with this.… And there it is. AND THERE IT IS. The rich young ruler is DISHONEST… he’s dishonest to God and he’s dishonest to himself.. We learned something in philosophy class “Be true to thy own self” I mean if there’s one person that you ought to be honest with, it it yourself. Don’t lie to yourself… You can’t lie to God but don’t lie to yourself...

Last thing in the text And come follow Me.. This road on ministry looks glamourous from the outside oh but it’s got some uncomfortable sides to it.. The rich young ruler said Let me get this straight… You want me to sell everything I’ve worked for Then give all my money away to them poor people. Then you speak existentially deep about having treasure in heaven where no traveler who has ever gone has ever come back to tell us how it is up there in heaven. Then you want me to take up my cross and follow you. So Jesus you want me to give up living in the mansion. Give up having a bank account to pay my bills. Then Give all my money to poor people . Then Take up my cross ( A Roman Cross) are you crazy and then I know you crazy because you want me to follow you everywhere on these dusty rusty streets all over the region>>>Jesus you don’t even have a tent, a tabernacle, You ain’t no priest so you don’t live in the monstary house that provided for the priest, Jesus you live out doors!!! Jesus you ain’t got a pot to pp in neither a window to throw it out of… Wait 3x Jesus I’ve got servants at home that live better than this… Our yard man lives better than this our house keeper lives better than this our steward lives better than this … And Jesus you want me to learn to live Humbly before God and men? I just can’t do it… Honestly speaking Jesus I’ve been dishonest about my motive the whole way all along. So the rich young ruler says duces.

23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. The rich young ruler (Matt. 19:20) may be the only man in the Gospels who came to the feet of Jesus and went away in worse condition than when he came. And yet he had so much in his favor! He was moral and religious, earnest and sincere, and probably would have qualified for membership in the average church. Yet he refused to follow Jesus Christ and instead went his own way in great sorrow.

24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

I gather something from this story. I see why now that God didn’t let me see nothing but a glimpse of success in the music world… Because He knew I wouldn’t never done this ministry calling. people look at me funny when I say that but Only God could make me do this vocation. Only God could compel me to do His appointed Job. Only God!!!

This is a rough job because after Peter dem saw that they said in verse 26

26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? Oh Jesus ain’t none of us good enough to be saved.. Because we truly thought that this young ruler was a prime candidate for the cloth..… But brothers and sisters just because you know the religious jargon to say does not qualify you to be in ministry. You could wear the Stacy Adams shoes, the Bentley Headwear hats, the Conn Turner suits, The Gold Label Shirts from Dillard's, with the cuff links to match all you want but that doesn’t make you a bonifide stepper. I had the Cadillac and my wife had the first lady dresses.. we looked the part long years ago. And now I just want to do the will of the Lord. Because man looks on the outside but only God see the heart… And Jesus answers their heart felt question. in verse 27 Let’s read it together.

27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. The word of Good says with men things are impossible But with God All things are Possible. And that’s why I don’t ever think woe is me I can’t make it. Or woe is the church how are we going to make it… All things are possible through Christ that strengthens us. I’ve seen God come through when we were sure to go under… OH But God...

28 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. Peter is making his confessional. That’s good because Peter is saying to God I trust in God my savior the one who will never fail.. Peter said we left everything to follow you Jesus… Jesus other men are as committed as we are!!! That’s got to count for something hah?

And Watch Jesus’ Response

29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, 30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

Listen 4x you can’t do good by God and then God leave you all by yourself.. He said in His word I’ll never leave you nor will I ever forsake thee… if God gets us in it Then just know without a doubt that God can get us out of it.… Nobody that invest in the Kingdom of God is going to come up empty handed… David said Never have I see the righteous forsaken or his seed begging bread. The text says that God will give us a manifold blessing here on earth as well as a super natural blessing when we get to heaven…

I just believe that… And I’ll follow Jesus wherever He leads me to… I’m super glad to be your pastor.… And wherever I am I’m going to serve diligently Not out of obligation but out of service to my Spiritual Bosman. Rev. Lionel Davis taught me that way back in New Roads in 2005. I’ll listen at suggestions from you all but I’ll only do what agrees with what God says. Let me tell you something and I’m through Peter and the gang saw this biblical narrative unfold in real time and they too had to make some serious decisions about ministry… And that is You in Or you out,

Christ foretells His death 31 Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. 32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: 33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. 34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.