Untitled Sermon (9)

ST. - then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold,

we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have

therefore?

TITLE: WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME

This thought has Penetrated the minds of many believers as well as

unbelievers. There are some that are here this morning that are

asking this very question, perhaps you are on the Brink of decision

making -- making a commitment to Christ but the question that Peter

posed some time ago has entered your mind, perhaps like King

Agrippa, after Gospel was presented to him – You are almost

persuaded, but you are still wondering this morning before you make

the most important decision of your life What’s in it for me?

Let’s set the scenario this morning in an effort to help understand

this question that Peter asked, let’s take the time to place it in

its Proper Context. It is important to understand event that led to

this question. Mark tells us in his account that a Rich Young Ruler

came running to Jesus, this young man was feeling pretty good about

himself. He approached Jesus with an expectation that Jesus would

Commend him, for his Behavior and Adherence to the Law.

- "Good Master What Good Thing Shall I Do, That I May Have Eternal

Life?"

- Don’t Murder - Don’t Commit Adultery - Don’t Steal - Don’t

Bear False Witness – Honor Parents – Love your Neighbor as Thyself.

- Lord I have done all these things since I was a little boy

- Just like he Ran to speak with Jesus - at this point He should

have Run Away – Run back home or wherever he came from - while

the "getting was good"

- He received the response he was looking for but did not have sense

enough than to leave at this point

- Felt pretty proud of himself and asked a second question - "Do I

Lack In Any Area?"

Let me tell you my brothers and my sisters, it is a sad thing to

think that we have "arrived." It is a dangerous space to be when we

become "self-righteous" – think that we do everything right in the

eyes of God and in the eyes of man. Jesus responds to this second

question and tells this rich young man that he should "sell that he

has and help the poor and he will have treasures in heaven." And

then Jesus adds, or actually extends an invitation to come and

follow Him. You know what happened you have read or heard this text

before. This is a lively and active passage of scripture, we are

told that Jesus loved this young man, but was disappointed that this

rich young ruler loved his money - his position more then he was

willing to love Jesus. After seeing as well as hearing the

conversation between Jesus and the rich young ruler, who refused to

give up all and follow Christ, apparently the disciples had a

discussion among themselves in reference to rewards and prominence

in the Kingdom of Heaven. Remember with me that it was the

disciples that heard basically the same invitation as this young man

but disciples elected to respond differently. It was the disciples

that left all to follow Jesus and become fishers of men. In the

discussion that grew out of their Reaction to Jesus’ dialogue with

the rich young ruler we are now presented with Peter’s question.

Although it was Peter that asked the question, he was clearly

speaking for the Rest of the Disciples. We understand this fact by

close examination of the Lord’s answer. Look at the beginning of

Vs. 28 "AND JESUS SAID UNTO THEM…" Since Jesus took the time to

address all 12 and not just Peter who once again elected to take the

lead, it is apparent to us that the 12 had been in discussion or

even debate and following the dialogue between them - the question

is now delivered – What’s in it for me?

At first glance we would think that this was a foolish Question, it

seems as though Peter’s Statement and Question are very self-

promoting. The question, however, is more his seeking reassurance

that they have indeed tried to follow him, that they have made the

right choice. They had, in fact, left everything to follow Jesus.

While they had not always understood nor had they always selected

the proper course, they had still sacrificed everything to follow

Him. Wonder have we sacrificed all - have we Counted the Cost -

Willing to Follow God and not attempt to lead Him? We should not be

to quick to discount the great sacrifice the 12 had already made for

Jesus, and to be honest when Jesus was crucified, it had to make

their devastation all the more severe. This was a legitimate

question and Jesus took the time to graciously answer it in lieu of

the fact that a man had just chosen Possessions over Him. It was

the disciples that made the correct choice to follow, unlike this

rich young man that now had his back Turned to Jesus and still

Walking Further Away.

- Jesus called the 12 one by one

- Follow Me and I will make you to become fishers of men

- Straightway forsook their nets and followed Him

- Left their IRS positions

- Left Family Business

- They followed with Sacrificial Obedience

At the time of this summons, Jesus did not mention anything about

rewards – matter of fact when Jesus sent the 12 out according to

Marks account the instructions were simple - ST. "AND

HE CALLED UNTO HIM THE TWELVE, AND BEGAN TO SEND THEM FORTH BY TWO

AND TWO; AND GAVE THEM POWER OVER UNCLEAN SPIRITS; AND COMMANDED

THEM THAT THEY SHOULD TAKE NOTHING FOR THEIR JOURNEY, SAVE A STAFF

ONLY; NO SCRIPT, NO BREAD, NO MONEY IN THEIR PURSE: BUT BE SHOD WITH

SANDALS; AND NOT PUT ON TWO COATS." This was the first time they

had gone out without Christ, and it therefore constituted an

advanced step in their training -- outlined the Standard for their

Ministry. I don’t know about you this morning but I can at a

minimum relate and understand where Peter’s question was coming

from. Jesus also understood this because He did not Rebuke Peter,

instead, like He had done so many others who are desperate for His

Care and Cure, he affirms Peter, just as He affirms us today.

Though the cost of following Jesus may appear to be very high, the

reward of following Him is infinite beyond measure, both in this

world and in the world to come.

Those who follow Christ must forsake all and follow Him. This is a

very difficult thing in which to do. I have watched many a Christian

struggle with the surrendering of their Will and give in to the Will

of God. This is why Bible Study is not full on Wednesday Night,

this is why Prayer Service is not well attended, this is why we can

not rise early on Sunday to attend Sunday School hour, because we

have not forsaken all to follow Him. When we learn to forsake and

follow, Jesus will become that pearl of great price for which we

would gladly sell all that we have. ST. "THE

KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE UNTO A MERCHANT MAN, SEEKING GOODLY

PEARLS: WHO, WHEN HE HAD FOUND ONE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE, WENT AND

SOLD ALL THAT HE HAD, AND BOUGHT IT." What hinders this process of

commitment and forsaking all is our love of the World. If we are

not able to move beyond the question What’s in it for me? than we

are still caught up in the cares of this life, Jesus reminds us

that "no man can serve two masters…" I don’t believe there is

anything more dangerous to a man’s soul than riches and wealth. It

was J.C. Ryle that wrote:

"FEW OF OUR LORD’S SAYING SOUND MORE STARTLING THAN THIS; FEW RUN

MORE COUNTER TO THE OPINIONS AND PREJUDICES OF MANKIND; FEW ARE SO

LITTLE BELIEVED; YET, THIS SAYING IS TRUE, AND WORTHY OF ALL

ACCEPTATION. RICHES, WHICH ALL DESIRE TO OBTAIN, - RICHES, FOR

WHICH MEN LABOR AND TOIL…RICHES ARE THE MOST PERILOUS POSSESSION!"

We need to make sure we have Laid our Treasure in Heaven. God will

not measure a man by the money he has been able to save and put in

the bank, but He will measure a man by the amount of Grace he places

in his Heart. Don’t get me wrong this morning – I am not suggesting

that God desires us to be poor, I am not suggesting that at all.

What I am saying is that our first desire must be to Serve God, we

must have a real hunger and thirst after righteousness. God can

cause Kings to bow down and Worship - God can cause rich men to

cast their riches at His feet.

- Abraham was rich – yet he was the father of the faithful

- Moses was rich – still he followed God

- Job was rich – God still recommended him - have you considered my

servant Job?

- David was rich – yet he was a man after God’s own Heart

- Solomon, Jehashphat, Josiah, Hezekiah, were all rich – yet they

stand as monuments of God’s Grace

- They forsook all

- When God gave them Riches they did not sit idle but used what God

blessed them with for His Glory

What’s in it for me? - Those who forsake all and follow Christ

shall lose nothing for doing so. Christians do not serve God for

any type of Gain. There are those especially TV Evangelist that

preach the Health – Wealth - Prosperity Gospel of Greed are nothing

more than Misguided. Here what I am saying this morning, I do not

pretend that God will make you wealthy - healthy - or even

comfortable in a physical - material sense in this World. But here

is a promise I can make to you in the name of God as you forsake all

and follow Christ. Go with me to "BUT MY GOD

SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY BY

CHRIST JESUS." King David in days gone by fully understood this

promise when he proclaimed -- "THE LORD IS MY SHEPHARD, I SHALL

NOT WANT." -- David boldly said I have no Wants, because God is

more than able to provide for my every need -- I believe the

Songwriter said "What Ever You Need God’s Got It." -- The

Psalmist said "I WAS YOUNG BUT NOW I AM OLD, YET I HAVE NEVER SEEN

THE RIGHTOUS FORSAKEN NOR HIS SEED BEG FOR BREAD"

What’s in it for me? Well…you might lose some Family - Old

Friends. Neighbors will think you are now a "Holy Roller." I have

learned I have a Father and a Brother in every Male believer - I

have a Mother and a Sister in every believing Woman. I can be at

Home in every believers house, I feel that I as a Believer am the

richest person on the earth! What’s in it for me? Jesus told the

Disciples that their Reward in Heaven will be Great, told them in

Heaven they will sit upon 12-Thrones and judge the 12-Tribes of

Israel. I can not explain this to you, but I can explain this –

Jesus said if you understand Its not about you, not about your Will

down here, I will Bless you on the other side.

-- President JFK who said "Don’t Ask What Your Country Can Do For

You, Ask What You Can Do For Your Country"

-- I can hear the Lord saying to us today – Don’t Ask What’s in it

for me? – But Ask What Can I Do For The Lord

-- What’s in it for me? - Life Eternal - Streets that are Paved

with Gold - Peace that Surpasses all Understanding

-- I may not occupy one of the 12 Thrones, I may never Judge the 12-

Tribes of Israel, But I’ll Be Somewhere Around God’s Throne

-- What’s in it for me? – I may look around and realize some of my

loved ones did not make it – I may look around and realize that some

of my church family did not make it – may realize that some of my

neighbors did not make it – my look around realize some of my co-

workers did not make it – realize some of the deacpms did not make

it - may look around and realize that some of the preachers did

not make it

But my brothers and sisters, I now realize what’s in it for me –

When I see Jesus, the man who Died for Me - the Man Who Set Me

free - I will be able to relate to the words of the Song Writer

who wrote millions did not make it but I was one of the one’s who

did