Matthew 19:16-30 “The Tragedy of Walking Away from Jesus”

“The Tragedy of Walking Away from Jesus”

Jesus identified little children as the model for the citizens of His kingdom (; ). Now we see the character of those who are too big to enter the Kingdom of heaven.

I. The Rich Young Ruler –

A. He is concerned about his soul

1. What must I do to have eternal life?

2. How many in our culture even think about eternity and their eternal destiny?

B. He admires Jesus

1. He calls Jesus “good teacher”

2. He believes Jesus has the answer to his concern about his eternal destiny

C. Jesus corrects his view about Himself –

1. No one is good but God

2. Jesus is asserting His equality with God – ,

3. The commandments offer life – ,

D. Jesus corrects his view of God’s authority in his life

1. He wants to do the minimum – “which ones do I have to obey?”

2. Jesus corrects his self-righteous esteem of himself – The result is this man chooses to walk away from Jesus to the eternal threat to his soul –

II. The Impossibility of Trusting in Yourself for Your Eternal Soul –

A. The difficulty of the rich entering heaven

1. Do not trust in uncertain riches –

2. The love of money is the root of many evils –

B. Who then can be saved? –

1. Saving your soul is impossible for you

2. Apart from Christ – you and I are dead in our trespasses and sins –

3. Apart from Christ we are ungrateful and alienated from the life of God – ;

C. God is able to do the impossible –

1. God resurrects us from our spiritual death –

2. God reconciles unholy sinners to a holy, holy, holy God – ;

III. Sacrifice is Futile –

A. We have left all to follow you –

1. Not sacrifice but obedience –

2. The obedience of faith –

B. All is a free gift, even our rewards –

1. In the regeneration – when Christ rules in the new heavens and the new earth –

2. The blessing of the things we leave behind to know Christ –

3. We will receive 100 times what we left behind

4. And receive eternal life –

Let the lowly brother give thanks for his exaltation. He who was rich for your sakes became poor so that you through His poverty might become rich!