What do I still lack?

Title: What Do I Lack?

Scripture Focus: Matthew 19:16-30

Key Verse: Matthew 19:20

Session Truth: Believers must let go of anything that keeps them from following Christ completely.

Session Outcome: To understand the ways we can let go of anything that keeps us from total obedience to Christ and to not fear the loss of things we hold dear in the pursuit of Christ.

Application Thoughts

• Jesus knows the difficulty of letting go of the attractive things of this world. He made them and loves them too. However, he also knows that God working in and changing the believer’s heart is the only way for any one of those he loves (even the rich man) to inherit eternal life.

• To sell all one’s possessions would leave one destitute, yet there is another level of destitution that is described in Jesus’ saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit…” This is the level of destitution that leaves one completely dependent on the grace of God… which is where we need to be for God to do in us, then through us, what He wishes.

• In our lives, as Christ’s disciples, we must answer the same question the rich man asked: “What do I still lack?” If there is anything in our lives, in our priorities, in our preferences more important to us than God’s perfect will, we must choose to get rid of those things and follow him. If there is any lack of faith in our hearts, we must call on God to grow it in us as we follow him.

Matthew 19:16–30 KJV 1900

And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

Psalm 23 KJV 1900

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Philippians 4:11–13 KJV 1900

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.