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Show A MAN WITH EVERYTHING Matthew 19: 16-29 talking with a young man who had everything under the sun. He was rich with material and worldly goods Yet, he realized that there was something important missing. He was missing the spiritual assurance of eternal Jesus had been . life. So he came to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" (Matt. 19: 16) Notice he asked about his own contribution to the important and lasting thing possible. So Jesus played along, looked at him, and answered his question with a question. "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one Who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the most 1 commandments." When Jesus told him commandments, the rich young ruler said, "All these have I kept, what do which I sti11lack?" (Matt 19: 20) everything but there was He had still a void in the young mans's life. He was blameless still unfulfilled. He was obedient still wanting. curious yet something hindered and prevented him from He was becoming a disciple of the Lord. He was upright and honorable yet, there was a void in his heart. He had everything still he yearned to be complete. What a magnificent example showing that earthly goods, worldly riches will never fill or satisfy our hearts. The prophet Isaiah said it loud and clear, "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is he is near." (55: 6) He was 2 unspotted from the world. He was externally obedient. He was a fine young man as far anybody had to be higher. as he went and could see. as far as Yet, he knew there something more, something Jesus said to the young rich man who had everything, "Go, sell that thou hast, and give to the poor." (Matthew 19: 21) This was not a suggestion, a counsel, a recommendation, a word of advice. This was a solid commandment. "Go, sell that thou hast, and give to the poor." Somewhere else Jesus said, "If you would be my disciple, deny your self, take up your cross, and follow me." (Matthew 16: 24) The young man who everything went away not angry but disappointed and sad, thinking he would have to give up so much. F or things get had 3 in the way. Can I tell you when you give up what you give up to follow Jesus, you are never giving up Then, the His disciples into the 24) text says, Jesus turned to and said, "It would be camel to go through the eye needle than for a rich man to enter easier for of a much at all? a (Matthew 19: 24 puts it, "They that trust kingdom Mark 10: of God." riches, cannot enter in." Sounds impossible! Image a 6 to 7 feet tall in 1500 pound single or double hump camel trying to squeeze into the tiny almost unseen eye of a sewing needle! The gate to the kingdom of God is always strait and there is no wiggle room. The rich much become poor in spirit and the poor must become rich in faith. Those who love money whether rich 4 or poor are of slippery ground. The wonder, "Who then disciples began to can be saved?" Thank God for Jesus. He came as the way the truth and the life, to provide a way for us to make it in. So He assures disciples, while they cannot get there in and of themselves, God can get them in. "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." We the cannot wise or save ourselves. We strong enough. We and too sinful to make it neither are are too week on our own. advantage or our handicap, our strength or our weakness, our rebuff or our temptation, only God is Whatever is able to our save us. uttermost that (Hebrews 7: "He is able to come 25) He unto God can save by Him." take that which is formless and empty and make 5 to the something. He can take the love of money and change it into the love of God. He can take the riches of this world glory of God He can take the temptations of pride and self righteousness and cause us to trust and obey. He can take our feeble efforts and make them a testimony of His glory. "God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by and use them to the , whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." closing, whenever you ask the question "what must I do to be saved. "the answer is always the same, "Keep the In commandments." Second, instead of saying you have kept them all say, mercy upon me a sinner." Third, "Have remember that "the love of money is the 6 Fourth, "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling" root of all evil." own and you can do all things that strengthens you. 7 through him |
