The Rich Young Ruler

THE RICH YOUNG RULER

And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:16-26)

I. HE WAS UNHAPPY.

A. HE WAS RICH, BUT HE WAS NOT HAPPY.

1. He had great possessions. Matt. 19:22, Mk. 10:22

2. He held a great position. Luke 18:18

B. HE WAS DEEPLY RELIGIOUS, BUT HE WAS NOT

HAPPY.

1. His hands were clean…

“All these things have I kept from my youth up”

2. But his heart was empty.

“What lack I yet?”

a. Something is missing.

b. I need something more.

II. HE WAS UNCOMMITTED.

A. THE CALL THAT WAS GIVEN

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. (Matthew 19:21 KJV)

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. (Mark 10:21 KJV)

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. (Luke 18:22 KJV)

1. It was a call to sacrifice.

2. It was a call to service.

“Come and follow me.”

B. THE CHOICE THAT WAS MADE

But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. (Matthew 19:22 KJV)

And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. (Mark 10:22 KJV)

And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. (Luke 18:23 KJV)

1. He was not willing to comply with these conditions.

a. Too strict?

b. Too senseless?

2. He was not willing to commit himself to Christ.

III. HE WAS UNREADY.

A. HE WENT AWAY WITHOUT CHRIST IN HIS HEART.

B. HE WENT AWAY CONDEMNED TO HELL.

“In hell he lifted up his eyes.”