Kingdom Mindset: Matthew 19:13-30

CIT: Salvation is a gift of God by his grace and mercy, and is totally devoid of human merit.

Intro: Merit based scholarships and financial need based scholarships

Jesus accepts and rejects

What we learn from the children

What we learn from the rich man

What we learn about salvation

Jesus accepts and rejects

Jesus accepts the humble (Matt. 19:13-15)

Children represent humility, Matt. 18:4 “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus rejects the proud (Matt. 19:16-22)

While it may be difficult for us to accept that Jesus would reject someone it is clear in Scripture, James 4:6 “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.””

This rich man is an example of pride in personal achievement (keeping the law) and status (being rich).

What we learn from the children

Children are important to Jesus (Matt. 19:13-15)

As a student you are still considered a child, and it can often feel like you are unimportant. You may feel ignored or unappreciated, but rest assured that God does not view you in that way

Matthew 19:14 “but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.””

Matthew 19:30 “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

1 Corinthians 1:27-31 “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.””

1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

Children are safe with Jesus (Matt. 19:15)

If you have ever been in a situation or season of life where you have felt unsafe it can be hard to trust that God is for you and will protect you, but rest assured that because you are important to Jesus you are safe with Jesus.

Psalm 46:1-11 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah”

Jesus blessed these children in this moment, and by his grace he has blessed you too! He has blessed you with security and safety through salvation.

What we learn form the rich man

Jesus’s call of salvation demands radical surrender (Matt. 19:21)

When the rich man had realized that there was still something lacking in his pursuit of eternal life, which is synonomous with entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven, he asked Jesus what was left.

Jesus responded in saying to sell EVERYTHING and give it to the poor. Why does Jesus say this?

Jesus calls him to give everything away, exchanging the god of wealth for the eternal treasure found in following Jesus as the one true God. Jesus’ ultimate answer to the question posed in v. 16 (“What … must I do to have eternal life?”) is to follow him.

Recognize the danger of great possessions (Matt. 19:22)

What was the rich man’s response? Matt. 19:22 “When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”

Wealth is both deceptive and intoxicating: it fools a person into thinking that he or she is self-sufficient apart from God; and the rich person wants desperately to hold on to that supposed self-sufficiency. The general attributes of the “rich” are the opposite of those of a “child”

What we learn about salvation

It’s easier for the impossible to happen than for us to earn salvation (Matt. 19:23-25)

Jesus says that it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heave, which was counter cultural to the thoughts of that time, and now, that major wealth meant you were blessed by God.

Jesus then explains how hard it is with Matt. 19:24 “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.””

There was not a separate gate called the eye of the needle. Jesus is literally saying that it is impossible for this to happen.

Jesus makes the impossible happen by his grace through faith (Matt. 19:26-30)

The disciples are distraught by this, their philosophy that being rich was the ultimate blessing has been turned on its head, and Jesus has seemingly said that it is impossible for us to enter into his kingdom.

Jesus explains to them that through their effort it is impossible, like the camel and needle, but Matt. 19:26 “But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.””

How has God chosen to do the impossible?

John 3:16 ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Ephesians 2:5 “even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—”

Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,”