I. Rich Young Ruler
II. Read the account: Luke 18:18-30
III. He sought eternal life but the price was too high
A. He wasn’t willing to sacrifice what was temporary with what was eternal
B. Contrast to Matthew 13:44-48: willing to give up everything to possess
C. But the sacrifice of earthly things pales in comparison to the spiritual and eternal blessings we receive.
IV. Does the rich young ruler’s command apply to us?
A. I’ve heard preachers and teachers trip over themselves to emphasize that this was a command for this young man and not a broad command for all Christians. But is it?
V. Don’t lay up treasures
VI. Matthew 13: farmer
A. How did the early church understand Jesus’ teachings?
VII. Acts 2 and 4
- Other accounts show that Christians had homes and possessions so it wasn’t a blanket restriction on having homes and possessions.
- But our possessions must be our servants, not our masters (prior lesson)
- It may be that some of us do need to liquidate some of our possessions so we can have the resources to serve in the kingdom of God. They may be restricting our service and our heart may be tied more to things than to the kingdom.
VIII. He came to Jesus but Jesus challenged his heart/priorities/allegiance and exposed his true loyalties such that he departed from Jesus.
IX. The rich young ruler was sad that he had to leave Jesus—it was his choice! But he wasn’t motivated to everything in his power to have eternal life
X. Our enemy is often not evil but ease
A. Been through luxurious places and stayed in beautiful hotels. It’s brick, wood, drywall, paint, and decorations. It’s a façade.
B. Abandoned places: the luxurious places are not far from destruction.
C. These things draw us in, I get it, I feel the pull as well.
D. Maybe it’s not wealth but comfort: binge watching everything we can stream; indulging in our hobbies leaving little time for service, or simply not wanting to be bothered.
XI. People walked away from the master teacher.
A. This story from the life of Jesus actually provides me comfort.
B. Jesus was the embodiment of the gospel! The rich young ruler was talking to one who is God, who has the power of rule and judgment, and is savior.
- Jesus cut to the heart of what the young man needed to be free from the entanglements of this world and live a truly dedicated life on earth and have eternal life.
- Mark’s account says Jesus looked at him and loved him.
- Jesus loved this young man but told him the most difficult thing he needed to hear and directed him in an action that he needed to do to truly be free and have the eternal life he sought.