Letting Go
Luke 18:18
Luke 18:18-23 (KJV)
And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? [19] And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. [20] Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. [21] And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. [22] Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. [23] And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
This story of the rich young ruler is found in all four of the gospels
This man has always been able to purchase anything he’s needed with his money in the past
The money alone is not the problem with this man, its his attitude about the money, in his money he has found security.
Many rich people have gone to heaven..
Matthew 27:57 (KJV)
When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple:
There is a saying in our culture that goes like this, “Let go and let God..” In order for us to have peace and even eternal life we must let go of all our securities and and let God have control.
Here’s how to catch a monkey. You need a basket, a lid with a hole just large enough for the monkey to stick her hand into, and a banana. You firmly attach the basket to something immovable. You stash a banana inside the basket, attach the lid and wait. The monkey will come put her hand through the lid to grasp the banana. But, guess what—the hole is not big enough for the monkey’s hand to fit through when she’s got a banana in her fist. All she has to do is let go of the banana in order to be free of the trap. Amazing as it seems, the monkey won’t let go of the banana even in the face of being captured.
John 12:3 (KJV)
Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
1 Kings 19:19-21 (KJV)
So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. [20] And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee? [21] And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.
When Jesus called Peter and Andrew the bible says
Matthew 4:20 (KJV)
And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
James and John when Jesus Called them let go of their security and let God
Matthew 4:22 (KJV)
And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
The children of Israel on their way to the promised land were wanting to go back to Egypt for security.
Exodus 14:12 (KJV)
Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
Matthew 6:24 (KJV)
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Know God enough that we can Let Go of our Past
Philip. 3:13 (KJV)
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
1 Cor. 6:9-11 (KJV)
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, [10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. [11] And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Hebrews 10:17 (KJV)
And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Trust God enough that we can let go what we value
I surrender all
Like the woman and the alabaster box, the disciples and their fishing nets and boats, elisha like the oxen
Luke 12:21 (KJV)
So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Luke 12:34 (KJV)
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Mark 10:24 (KJV)
And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
God tells us to let go so that we can receive something better
Matthew 19:27-30 (KJV)
Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? [28] 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. [29] 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. [30] But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
