INTRODUCTION
The encounter of this young man is recorded in three of the gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It reminds me of a game show I used to watch when I was a kid.
ILLUST: It was called, “Let’s Make a Deal”.
The Young Man and His Desire for Eternal Life
There are some insights to this story that I would like for us to consider this morning.
The first thing that we see is that this man had an understanding that he currently did not have eternal life because he asks…“Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
Jesus said unto him, … Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
At this point the man was probably feeling pretty good about himself.
20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
When talking with people are their relationship with Jesus Christ and their salvation I often hear, “I am not a bad person. I don’t steal. I try to be good to people.”
This is where a lot of people are. They are like this young man. And because they have done these things they think they are OK and that God is going to eagerly welcome them into heaven.
Jesus knew that the young man was…
• A good man
• Kind
• Thoughtful
When we look carefully at Jesus’ reply we see that He skips the first four commandments and begins with those relating to those dealing with his relationship with people.
The depth of this young man’s religion was very shallow. It was limited to works and human interaction. Jesus truly wanted this man to understand how he could have eternal life.
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
The first four commandment deal exclusively with man’s relationship with God.
• Primarily that we are to love Him with ALL of our heart
While this young man was doing a pretty good job of keeping the commandments relating to his relationship with people, he was unwilling to pay the price to have a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ.
Christ put before him the same alternative which, in many different forms, He puts before people today.
• The one thing needful is always entire self-surrender to God.
Jesus was not implying that wealth is a bad thing.
Intrinsically riches have no moral character; all depends upon the use.
Jesus also was not implying that it is absolutely easy for a person that has no riches to enter the kingdom of God.
Jesus was saying a couple things…
1. That the whole battle of a person’s salvation is determined by that which is dearest to the heart.
2. It’s interesting to note that his choice left him not only discarding Christ’s offer to follow Him, but it also left him unhappy with what he chose over Christ. “He went away grieved.”
He had discovered that he was a slave to his wealth.
The contentment with his riches that he had previously experienced plunged in a large measure out of his heart.
In that one encounter with Christ he was able to understand, as never before, the world’s power over him; and even while he yielded to it, he hated it.
His wealth had a attraction for him, and yet it seemed, even as he held on to it, the very price for which he had traded eternal life; that he could neither give it up, nor respect it with as he had prior to speaking with Jesus.
Deep in his heart he knew that what Christ was offering to him was the best and wisest choice, yet his riches had a hold on him that he was unwilling to part with.
Just as the drunkard despises his slavery, even while he is getting the last few drops out of the bottle, because that which was at the beginning a pleasure has now become a bondage.
The realization comes in clear view that he no longer owned his wealth, his wealth owned him.
The same is true with anything we allow to take the place of our relationship with Jesus Christ!
Mar 10:22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
It’s the delusion of life when a person believes they are free, and yet they are totally unaware that the object that they are convinced brings them freedom is the very thing that has them bound.
SIN IS EXPENSIVE!!!
Peter’s Found It
Christ had told the rich youth to give up all, and Peter now says, “We have done this-we have forsaken all.”
• It may not have been as much, but it was all that he had
o He left his net and his fishing boat to follow Jesus
o The sacrifice is to be measured not by the amount surrendered, but by the love which prompted it.
o There was something about Jesus that caused Peter to realize that there was nothing more valuable than to follow Jesus!
When a person makes a decision to follow Christ there are always some things they will leave at an altar.
• There is always a turning away from sin and a turning to Christ
But the result is always better for the person who follows Christ
And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left
house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
Hundredfold reward
We must understand this in value. It is….
• Joy in the Holy Ghost, peace of conscience, the sense of God’s love; Contentment.
Paul Found It
Philippians 3:4-8 KJV Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Moses Found It
Hebrews 11:24-27 KJV By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
CONCLUSION
It is so sad that so many people go through life having no idea why they are here or what God has purposed for them and their life.
Quotes:
"There's purpose and worth to each and every life." -Ronald Reagan
“Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.” -John F. Kennedy
• You are Created for a Purpose.
• You are Created with a Purpose.
• You are Created for God’s Purpose.
Don’t waste your life, invest it.
Let go of what may be holding you back from full surrender to Christ!
Let Him take your broken pieces and put them back together!
Invest your life in the Kingdom of God and let Him use it to bless you and others.
ILLUST: Lad with a lunch given to Jesus
