sf214 - Who Can Be Saved (Matthew 19 23-29)

Introduction

The rich young ruler came to Jesus seeking eternal life, but the barriers of his self-centeredness and self-righteousness stood in the way of his receiving it (19:16-22). He would not repent nor would he submit to Christ’s lordship.

Whoever wants anything more than Christ will forfeit Christ.

The Lord repeatedly emphasized that following Him required willingness to sacrifice everything a person had, economic, personal, social, and all else.

In the text before us the Lord answers two questions presented by the disciples; “Who can be saved?’ and “What shall we have?”

1A. Who Cannot Be Saved? (19:23-24)

The expression easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle was a Jewish colloquialism for the impossible.

1B. The self-sufficient

1 Timothy 6:17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

2B. The self-centered

1 Timothy 6:18-19 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

3B. The self-righteous

The rich young ruler’s problem was not his wealth itself but his trust in his wealth and in his own ability to meet God’s standards for acceptance.

Romans 3:19-20 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Jeremiah 13:23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil.

2A. Who Can Be Saved? (19:25-27)

1B. Only those whom God saves (19:25-26)

God must draw them

John 6:44 “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

God must give them a repentant heart

2 Timothy 2:24-26 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

God must give them saving faith

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

2B. Only those who leave all for Christ (19:27)

Matthew 10:37-39 “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.”

Indeed the disciples had left all to follow Christ.

John 6:68-69 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

3A. What Happens to those Who Are Saved? (19:28-29)

1B. The promise to the twelve disciples (19:28)

They will have eternal life.

They will reign with Christ.

Regeneration, (palingenesia) literally means new birth. Translated renewed or restored.

“The words “at the renewal off all things” and Christ’s “glorious throne” decide the matter in terms of a future millennial age.” (JM Boice)

Ø It is a reference to a future time (the millennium) when Christ will reign and the 12 disciples (including Matthias) will sit on thrones ruling over the 12 tribes of Israel.

2B. The promise the all disciples (19:29)

The general principle is that any sacrifice we make will be more than repaid by God’s grace and goodness.

This is not a get rich scheme by Jesus rather it is a wonderful encouragement to serve, because:

The blessings are great!

The blessings are secure!

The blessings are real!

Application

Whom or what are trusting today for your salvation?

Matthew 19:23-29

1A. Who _____________________ Be Saved? (19:23-24)

1B. The self-______________________________

1 Timothy 6:17

2B. The self-____________________________

1 Timothy 6:18-19

3B. The self-_____________________________

Romans 3:19-20

Jeremiah 13:23

2A. Who _____________________ Be Saved? (19:25-27)

1B. Only those whom God saves (19:25-26)

God must ____________________ them

John 6:44

God must ________________ them a repentant heart

2 Timothy 2:24-26

God must give them _______________________ faith

Ephesians 2:8-9