“Do You Want to Do the Difficult?”
Matthew 19:23
Pst Steve McKinney
TFI Gateway
October 02, 2011
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 19:16-20 (NIV)
The Rich and the Kingdom of God
16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” 17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
Other sources including the gospel of Mark show us that the young ruler “ran” for Christ because He was already gone from the house and on the road leading out of the city.
He was a ruler, not of the synagogue but more significant. He might have even been a member of the local Sanhedrin. A high level local politician.
This young man was not a disciple of a Sadducee (they didn’t much believe in heaven or eternal life) but was more in line with the teachings of the Pharisees (who promoted good works to enter eternal life)
Jesus knew the mind-set of the young man
Jesus knew that the only way to receive eternal life from this point in history would be through a personal relationship with Himself, but He didn’t approach it that way.
Jesus knew that by saying “keep the commandments,” that the ruler was already doing that but was left feeling unfulfilled, insecure, not saved.
Matthew 19:18-20 (NIV)
“Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’[a] and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”
20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
Which ones? There are so many.
Jesus chose to mention the basics, the ones that the young ruler were sure to be doing.
What do I still lack?
What are YOU lacking in your life?
Religion does not fulfill us. It never fulfills anyone.
Even the right religion.
In order to follow Jesus, you must give up everything.
Whatever is the most important thing to you, whatever that is.
For the Young Ruler, it was riches...
He couldn’t take it and went away. He was eager enough to ask, but not committed enough to act.
Hard, but not impossible for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.
Many enter the Kingdom in hopes of becoming rich, only to be tempted by their riches
Riches are always a test. God blesses us so that we can be a blessing. He pours out on you so that you will pour out on others.
“The Eye of a Needle” --- It’s complicated
Matthew 19:25-27 (NIV)
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”
Greatly astonished: The way Jesus was talking, it seemed impossible that anyone could be saved.
With man, impossible. With God, ALL things are possible
God gives us supernatural power to give up what is most important to us!
When Peter exclaimed that they had already given up everything to follow Him, he finally started to get it...
They were already DOING it! They just didn’t realize it!
Matthew 19:28-30 (NIV)
28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife[e] or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
There will be incredible rewards for all who have sacrificed for the sake of God’s Kingdom!
Many who are 1st will be last, and many who are last will be 1st!
Jesus is using the terminology associated with the called and chosen here again.
Many are called, few are chosen. Those who make themselves last as priority, make their own comfort last, make their own riches their last priority, they will be promoted.
Those who seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness will not only have these things added unto them in this lifetime, but in eternity!
Back to my sermon title...
Do you want to do the difficult thing?
If it is hard for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God, does that mean you should shrink back from becoming rich?
Of course not!
Jesus said, “but with God, all things are possible!”
The key is to become a person who gives and gives and gives and serves and serves and serves.
I want to go through the Eye of the Needle!