Is Salvation Possible For All? Series

Sermon – Is Salvation Possible for All?

Matthew 19:16 Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 “Why ask me about what is good?”Jesus replied.“There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.” 18 “Which ones?” the man asked. And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. 19 Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 20 I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?” 21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 20 I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?” 21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 27 Then Peter said to him, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?” 28 Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”

Introduction: Just because a thing is possible for all does not mean it’s easy! Is this even possible for me? How often have we thought or said those very words? Hearing about the possibility of salvation or healing or deliverance, we think that’s impossible! Scripture has examples of impossible things becoming possible. The Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, walking across the Red Sea, drinking water from rock and the list goes on. All things that seemed impossible. Isaiah foretold that a virgin would be with child. Mary was told she would give birth to a son, an unmarried virgin, all impossible! Yet, an angel visited them both with God’s message. "For nothing will be impossible for God” (Luke 1:37).

1. Salvation is Possible for All Who Believe - Matt 19:21 “Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.”

The young rich ruler’s desire for eternal life was noble and praiseworthy. Jesus makes it clear that salvation is possible for all who comes God’s way. This is discouraging for many who have use their money or influence to get what they want in life. In this life, money and power seem to answer all things. Jesus was not criticizing wealth, or the acquisition of wealth but He cautions us about the danger of trusting wealth as a means to salvation. The amount of money and the earthly influence ones has will have no bearing on salvation or spiritual perfection in the kingdom of God. I know many may see salvation’s way as too narrow and spiritual perfection as an unrealistic goal, yet Jesus says it’s possible now and possible for all. Although It can not be earned by human effort, we can all receive it. By faith we can receive salvation and pursue spiritual perfection as a free gift from God.

The rich young ruler was a law abiding Jew, who had earned much by his personal efforts. This man centers everything on himself and his ability. Still empty, he ask, “What should I do that I might have eternal life?” “Lord, I know how the gain the respect and trust of others, to acquire wealth and prosperity. I gained all I have by doing, now what good thing can I do to earn salvation?” Jesus answers this man’s question with what he expected to hear. Do the commandments, keep the commandments and Jesus started to list them. You can almost see the man checking each one on the list. After all, the man was trying to earn his salvation by doing his best and do them all. Now he is thinking, “Which one did I miss?” The Lord Jesus keeps this man’s attention on the second table of the law. The man needed to learn to love his neighbor as himself. Jesus was teaching that the best demonstration of ones love for God is showing love to ones neighbor. Salvation is possible for all who love God enough to practice love for others. .