A Very Costly Decision (Final Draft)

18 A ruler asked Him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 19 "Why do you call Me good?" Jesus asked him. "No one is good but One-God. 20 You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not bear false witness; honor your father and mother. " 21 "I have kept all these from my youth," he said. 22 When Jesus heard this, He told him, "You still lack one thing: sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me." 23 After he heard this, he became extremely sad, because he was very rich.

I want to tag this text this morning, “A Very Costly Decision”

OPENING PRAYER

INTRO

[Len Bias]

In 1986, the Washington D.C native and University of Maryland All-American, Len Bias, was reportedly the next star chosen to continue the historic legacy of the Boston Celtics franchise.

They said he was going to change the game.

They said he could have been the best ever.

That’s what they said...

He was drafted with the second overall pick in the 86 draft on June 17th. Two days later he was pronounced dead of a cocaine overdose. What was supposed to be a celebratory night, turned into a fatal morning. A life with so much promise and potential, gone—just like that (snap).

His decision to use cocaine was a very costly decision.

[Roller Coaster Hat Story]

The story is told of a young man at Six Flags who lost his hat while riding a roller coaster. When the ride came to an end he got off and began to search for it only to find it behind a fence which had a very obvious sign that read, “Proceed No Further Upon Fear of Bodily Injury.” Faced with the decision to heed the warning of the sign or to attempt to recover his hat, he decided to jump the fence avoiding all procaution. As he reached out for the hat, he was struck by a roller coaster and instantly killed.

His decision cost him dearly

[Lifetime Decisions]

It has been estimated that the average person makes nearly 900 million conscious decisions in a 70 year lifespan.

Many of these decisions come as a response to questions we’ve asked ourselves

What’s the weather like today?

What clothes do I wear today?

Who is going to win the game tonight?

But some of the deepest questions have nothing to do with the weather, your wardrobe, or winning a game.

The deepest questions usually revolve around life and death.

How did we get here?

Where did we come from?

Where are we going?

How do we get there?

Many religions and philosophies have tried to answer these very weighty questions. The answers of which often result in certain decisions as it pertains to how we live.

Yet, in all life’s searching, one thing remains constant, death is certain. Where we go after death--is not.

If I was to walk down your aisle this morning and interview every person in the room and ask you to take a survey on where you want to end up after you die, 100% of the people surveyed would answer, “heaven.”

If I was to walk down your aisle this morning and interview every person in the room and ask you to take a survey on where you want to end up after you die, 100% of the people surveyed would answer, “heaven.”

So how does that happen? How does a person come to the point where he or she is certain beyond a shadow of a doubt that heaven will be a reality for them beyond the grave?

So how does that happen. How does a person come to the point where he or she is certain beyond a shadow of a doubt that heaven will be a reality for them beyond the grave?

This is the tension of our text this morning.

And yet all it takes is one decision, to cost you everything.

Yet this is exactly what is happening in this text this morning.

CONTEXT

In this passage we’re introduced to the ruler who is known for his extreme riches, his external righteousness, and he is seeking eternal rewards.

This account is a part of a larger context of in which Luke addresses one’s salvation.

He uses three metaphors regarding the subject

a. justification

b. entrance into the kingdom of God

c. inheriting eternal life

Our passage is where he addresses salvation through this metaphor of eternal life.

3 things we see in light of this encounter between the ruler and Jesus are

Eternal Life Isn’t Based On Words

2. Eternal Life Isn’t Based On Works

3. Eternal Life Is Based On Worship

I. ETERNAL LIFE ISN’T BASED ON WORDS (vv. 18-19)

One of the first things we find out about this ruler who comes to Jesus is that he is good with his words.

He reminds me of the salesman who knows how to build rapport with the customer, because he knows that people buy from who they like. So he comes at Jesus with his sales script, “Good Teacher.”

When Jesus hears this he asks the ruler why he calls him good?

At first glance it may appear as though Jesus is distancing himself from any association with being good.

Then when Jesus says “There is no one good except one- God”, it may appear that Jesus is also disconnecting himself from his divinity.

But upon further review Jesus is actually cutting through the flattery. Without the ruler even realizing what is happening in this moment, Jesus is actually showing divine nature by seeing the heart of the young ruler.

THE IRONY of the matter is that: Jesus is good & Jesus is God but the young ruler doesn’t know who Jesus really is.

The title “teacher” was used in the Luke’s gospel by strangers and not followers of Jesus. Followers of Jesus addressed him as “Master.” It was an address that showed one’s submission to his authority and power.

The title “teacher” also gives us more understanding about this because the term “teacher” was used in the Luke’s gospel by strangers and not followers of Jesus. Those followers of Jesus addressed him as “Master.” It was an address that showed one’s submission to his authority and Lordship.

When Jesus questions the ruler by asking “Why do you call me good” it appears he is avoiding equality with God the Father.

So for the ruler to use the term teacher actually revealed the condition of his heart lacking the relational connectivity to please God.

But actually, he’s affirming it.

See, eternal life requires more than merely lip service, it requires heart transformation. But the nature of every person is that we have been born into sin. That God has a standard of perfection of which all have fallen short. That we have been formed in iniquity and have been born with our spiritual umbilical cord severed from God. There is no one who is good...

...except one ----- Jesus.

And in essence what Jesus is saying is “Don’t call me good unless you are ready to call me God.”

This ruler’s words weren’t enough to get him eternal life.

Paul said to the Corinthian church in not with lofty words so that their salvation wouldn’t be in the eloquence of his presentation but that it would be in the essence of his proclamation of Jesus Christ crucified.

Paul said to the Corinthian church in not with lofty words so that their salvation wouldn’t be in the eloquence of his presentation but that it would be in the essence of his proclamation of Jesus Christ crucified.

Paul said to the Corinthian church in not with lofty words so that their salvation wouldn’t be in the eloquence of his presentation but that it would be in the essence of his proclamation of Jesus Christ crucified.

That the power of God unto salvation is found in the message of the gospel that Christ died, he was buried, and he rose again!

This should encourage you as you share your faith with others. You don’t have to always have the perfect words.

So is Jesus saying he isn’t good? No.

Somehow we do this, we come to Jesus with all kinds of words and try and dress up our mess but Jesus sees through it.

THE IRONY: Jesus is good & Jesus is God but the young ruler doesn’t know who Jesus really is. The “Rich Young Ruler” had no clue that he was talking to the “Rich Old Ruler.”

So what about you? Is your eternal life based on the fact that your doctrinal jargon is on par with the theological astute?

Are you basing your eternal standing the fact that you can quote certain creeds and core tenants of the faith?

says,

13 ...when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Sure... people may recognize your intellect, but can they recognize that you’ve been with Jesus?

We also see that...

II. ETERNAL LIFE ISN’T BASED ON WORKS (vv. 18-21)

The question, “What must I do?” by the ruler reveals the result of his sinful condition; that somehow he is capable of doing something to earn eternal life.

But isn’t this all of us?

That we often think , when God looks at what we’ve done, he considers our effort and best intentions and that he gives us a pass.

The fact that we’re born in sin, says that prior to life in Christ “we are dead in our trespasses and sin” as a result our works are also dead.

But it’s interesting that Jesus goes right into a list of works from the 10 commandments. You know the commandments “…Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not bear false witness; honor your father and mother.”

So is Jesus saying that you can work your way into heaven? It may seem that way, if you were to look back at chapter 10 you may remember the story of the Good Samaritan and how his compassion moved him to action on behalf of his neighbor. Then Jesus says in v 37 “go and do the same”

Immediately after this parable, in vv 38-42 of chapter 10, the scene shifts to Mary and Martha’s house where Martha is distracted by all the tasks that she is doing to ensure Jesus is served, while Mary takes a seat at the feet of Jesus and doesn’t worry about everything that needs to be done. Mary is credited by Jesus as to having made the better decision.

here

The parable of the Good Samaritan was told to a person who wanted to justify himself by his expertise of the law while at the same time having a lack of compassion for his neighbor. In other words, his orthodoxy did not inform his orthopraxy.

The reality of what Jesus is showing here is that a true love for God will always result in a true love for one’s neighbor. That the way you know God lives in you is the way you treat those created in his image.

Conversely, the story of Martha showed that even her works of service, although good, and for Jesus, were actually a distraction from what really mattered the most, Jesus himself. Her works in this instance were leading her to miss the opportunity of a lifetime.

the story of Martha showed that her works of service were a distraction from Jesus.

So what do we make of Jesus alluding to works the commandments here in chapter 18?

So what do we make of Jesus alluding to works the commandments here in chapter 18?

The fact is we must be clear, Jesus is not espousing a works-based religion that you can earn your way to eternal life.

We have to remember that Jesus is all about getting to the heart. That once he has our heart he will have everything else. The reality of what he is getting ready to do with the rich young ruler is actually reveal his heart to him so that he recognizes that he is not as good as he perceives himself to be.

We have to remember that Jesus is all about getting to our hearts. That once he has our heart he will have everything else. The reality of what he is getting ready to do with the rich young ruler is actually reveal his heart to him so that he recognizes that he is not as good as he perceives himself to be.

When Jesus lists these commandments, I can imagine a smile coming to his face before he replies, “I have done all these since I was a child.”

III. ETERNAL LIFE IS BASED ON WORSHIP (vv. 22-23)

Here, the ruler is showing his confidence in his own work.

Some commentators believe this young ruler to be a young Pharisee who was taught religion and works based righteousness by some of the best hypocrites around (look at vv 9-14)

Jesus parables were told to communicate a spiritual reality and here we have a man who comes to Jesus much like the Pharisee above in his works.

But the trouble with modeling your righteous after a Pharisee is that it breeds a false sense of security. You think you are righteous before God but you're not.

The danger of pointing out everyone else's sins is the failure to acknowledge your own. So you can see the needs of others while being blind to your own.

ILLUSTRATION: To him coming to Jesus this as nothing more than cashing out at Walmart...before leaving he saw Jesus as the guy who checks your receipt on the way out and all he wanted him to do was check that the transaction was valid.

[Transition]

but Jesus would not change the eternal requirements just because his words or his works, Jesus would show him that...

III. ETERNAL LIFE IS BASED ON WORSHIP (vv. 22-23)

In verse 22, Jesus says, “One thing you still lack.”

Can you imagine having the ability to have anything, only to be told you’re lacking something.

Can you imagine?

Here is a man that could have anything he wanted, now being told he is lacking something

This is equivalent to having an American Express black card declined.

Jesus says to him to “Sell all that he has, distribute to the poor”

this was hard for this ruler to hear. And this is interesting, he’d come to get the answer to how to have eternal life, the problem is he didn’t like the answer.

What Jesus did was to show him he hadn’t loved his neighbor really as he should but even more than that, that he had allowed his possession to become his god, thereby making him guilty of breaking the very 1st commandment which is “You shall have no other gods before me”.

Meaning that God is the only one worthy of our worship.

Jesus had just uncovered the nature of idolatry within the ruler’s heart.

Tim Keller says that “idolatry happens when good things become God things. No doubt this ruler had allowed his possessions to become his god.

Tim Keller says that “idolatry happens when good things become God things.

See it’s one thing to have earthly possessions, but it’s another thing when the possessions have you!

Worship is all about having the right heart posture toward God.

Luke 16:13 ESV

No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Jesus always aims for the heart. And Jesus tells him that when he does this, he will have “treasure in heaven” which is why he came in the first place, but it’s interesting to see his posture all of the sudden change as he computes the value of his earthly riches compared to heavenly treasure.

It was simply a matter of value, and he is unable to see how following Jesus is worth giving up everything

reminds us,

34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also

This is exactly where the heart of the ruler was. He showed that he treasure earth more than eternity.

But even beyond that, he’d finally found the one thing he wasn’t able to buy.

You see—the reason eternity can’t be bought because it has already been paid for!”

At calvary

13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (ESV)

Luke 12:34 ESV

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Luke 12:34 ESV

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

English Standard Version Chapter 12

34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

English Standard Version Chapter 12

34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

English Standard Version Chapter 12

34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also

The rich young ruler could not comprehend that Jesus was worth giving up everything for.

Jesus paid it all

Jesus paid it all

The context of this story finds itself third in line.

He came to Jesus for eternal life, yet leaves when he realizes the cost. It will cost you earthly attachments for eternal rewards

APPLICATION

We’re never told what happens to this man later on in his life after this encounter. All we really know from this account and the other places where this encounter is mentioned is that he became sad and he turned and left.

Why don’t we

So for us the main things we must realize is that as we live this life of faith, let us never forget that we cannot earn what we did not pay for.

We must remember that salvation isn’t based on our words or works but salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

See as we follow Christ in this world of sin, we would see him as all sufficient and all glorious above all