Matthew 19:27-30
Mark 10:28-31
Luke 18:18-30
What is your ideal annual salary?
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- What does the ruler's question in Luke 18:18 imply about his viewpoint on eternal life? What is Jesus' point in his response in Luke 18:19? Considering the man's religious obedience, what is ironic about Luke 18:23-25?
- Since wealth was commonly considered a sign of God's blessings, what was the problem for the disciples in Luke 18:26?
- Why is it so difficult for the rich to enter the kingdom? On what basis is it possible for anyone, rich or poor, to enter?
- What is the way into the kingdom according to Luke 18:27-30? How do the children in Luke 18:15-17 reflect this attitude better than the rich man?
- In this passage how are these four concepts connected: salvation, discipleship, entering the kingdom of heaven and inheriting eternal life?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- Jesus hit this man where it hurt -- in his wallet. If Jesus were to address you where it hurts, what would be his hot topic?
- Are you more like the ruler or the children in how you approach God? Why?
- Why is Jesus so tough on riches?
- What has helped you see the impossibility of earning the kingdom? As a result, how have you experienced the gift of the kingdom like Luke 18:29-30?
- What have you given up to follow Jesus? How is your life different as a result?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
Knowing Sacrifice and Reward
Changing your life can require great sacrifice. Giving up old habits and things you love and feel attached to takes practice, patience, and true dedication to your goal. If you occasionally lose sight of why you're struggling, remember that nothing great is ever accomplished without risk or effort. When you reach your goal, the rewards — both physical and spiritual — will make up for all you gave up. In fact, you'll feel richer and more fulfilled than ever before.
Jesus said, Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. (Mark 10: 29–30). Jesus Heals Ten Men with Leprosy
Luke 17:11-19
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Mark 10:26‐27 ‐‐ “The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each
other, ‘Who then can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this
is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.’"
The disciples made a common
mistake in their relationship with God by interpreting and seeing God through
their human point of view. When you
become a follower of Christ, you receive the Holy Spirit along with the
promises of God.
2 Peter 1:4 says, “Through these He has given us His very great and
precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine
nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
Unfortunately you limit
God’s work in your life when you embrace God’s promises through your own
limitations. When you do this you tend
to pray without real expectation, you ask with your decisions and plans already
made, and you interact with others believing God will not actively work in the
relationship. It is easy for our
humanity to callous our spirit from walking in active faith and believing
God.
Live a life of faith. Believe big, walk with Christ in a powerful
way, and trust God to act in you.
Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to him
who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to
his power that is at work within us.” Have the
attitude of Mary when she was confronted with the impossible: “‘I am the Lord's servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said’" (Luke 1:38).
Hebrews 11:6 ‐‐ “And without faith it is impossible to please God,
because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards
those who earnestly seek Him.”
Rich Young Ruler
Matthew 19:16-30
Matthew 19:16-30 = Young
Mark 10:17-31
Luke 18:18-30 = Ruler
Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"
So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. "You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, ' 'Do not murder, ' 'Do not steal, ' *'Do not bear false witness, ' 'Do not defraud, ' 'Honor your father and your mother. '"
And he answered and said to 'Him, "Teacher, all these"!'~have~observed from my youth." Then Jesus,* looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." But he was sad at this word, and went away grieved, for he had great possessions. NKJV - (Mark 10:17-22)
THE PRICE IS (NOT) RIGHT? —Ted Kell
"...'All these I have kept,' the young man said. 'What do I still lack?' Jesus answered, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth." Matthew 19:20-22.
The scene was remarkable: "As Jesus started on his way, .a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher,' he asked, 'what must I do to be inherit eternal life?"1 (Mark 10:17) Matthew reports he was a "young" man with "great wealth". Luke records that he was a "ruler". It was indeed a "rich, young, ruler" on his knees before God asking how to "inherit eternal life." Have you ever seen such a scene?
Jesus' reply was devastating. "Sell...give...follow..." It was much - at least in the young man's opinion. Even in exchange for eternal life, and "treasure in heaven", the price was not right!
Nor was this young man the last person to decide that Jesus asks too much. A multitude, filled with loaves and fishes, "intended to make him king by force..." But when the Lord had challenged them beyond today's food to "eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood" or "you have no life in you", they, too, stumbled. "On hearing it, many of his disciples said, 'This is a hard teaching. Who can accept?' ...From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him." (John 6:15, 53, 60, 66.) Sadly, they preferred satisfied stomachs to saved souls. Peter rightly asked, "'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.'" (vs. 68,69.)
What is it to us today that we will not surrender to gain eternal life? A worldly friend drawing us back? A job advancement that compromises our zeal? A secret pleasure that stains our soul? Our "do it my way" independence that will not submit? A desire for easy spiritual growth without the discipline of prayers, study, and service to others?
Does the Lord require too much of us? The rich young ruler thought so on that day he knelt before Jesus. What do you think he might say to us now? God asks of us just what He gave Himself - all He had. There is no alternative.
"ON MAKING THE TOUGH CHOICE"
The "Rich Young Ruler" is known by all . . . he fascinates us, terrifies us! This is not the Jesus we would create. He loved this young man . .. He (some think) offered him an apostleship .. . He was brutally honest with him ... He, then, allowed him to leave. Did Jesus demand too much? Was Jesus unfair? Should He have followed him with further explanations? Must we all "sell out"? The shoe begins to pinch!We don't like this revelation about Jesus. Do we find ourselves making Jesus answer to us? This is love, tough love! We literally refuse to wrestle with the life issues found in the Rich Young Ruler. Let's observe and think.(1) He did keep the commands. Jesus commanded this. We all are under God's law. The first command is to keep the commands. He did! Jesus did not deny that. His resume beats mine! Commands keeping is necessary yet not all conclusive. One can be lost keeping commands. Legalism fails! All of us would be thrilled to have the Rich Young Ruler identify with us!
(2) He failed! He walked away sorrowfully! Why? He refused to make the "Great Choice." So true ... yet so demanding! Why do we fail? Not because we don't go to church and do a few things —we fail to make the "tough choice." Repentance! Surrender! Death to self! Why cannot we lose weight? We resort to gimmicks —not self control. Why cannot we control our anger, hate, etc.? Because we do not allow the new birth, the new heart, the new creation! We do some things wondrously well—yet fail to make the life/death choice!
(3) "What would make me (the local church, too) grow?" This is not the right question. Anything of God naturally grows. "What is keeping me from growing?" This is the right question. Tough choices! There are things I must cease . . . there are things I must do. We try to baptize folk —we ought to command repentance. There is much more to salvation than getting people wet. We demand too little! We are a crowd — will we become a church? We are satisfied with members —Christ demands disciples. Jesus allowed the crowds to leave . . . the Rich Young Ruler, too! Make the BIG decision —the little ones will take care of themselves!
CHILDREN AND THE RICH YOUNG RULER --Charles Hodge
This is a Bible study... familiar scripture must be read more closely. Read Mark 10:13-22. This must be read to profit from this article. Children were brought to Jesus. The disciples tried to "run them off." Jesus rebuked the disciples. Then Jesus taught about the merits of child-likeness. In this context (scripture must be read in context) came the Rich Young Ruler. Don't read verses separately. Don't lift verses from context. Jesus blessed the children; Jesus conversed with the Rich Young Ruler. Jesus tied them together. We seldom do. Jesus gave lessons concerning children: (1) They are simple. (2) They are teachable. (3) They respond in trustful obedience.
The Rich Young Ruler has to be evaluated from the principles learned from children.
(1) He was not simple. He wanted that "special knowledge/command." He wanted mysticism, "deep spirituality," something limited only to the extra-pious. To simply keep the commands was too simple. He wanted the "big commands" not the simple daily attitudes.
(2) He was not teachable. He did-not hear what he came to hear. "Itching ears" (1 Timothy 4) are a problem with us all. Jesus probed the depths of this man's soul — are you really interested in learning?
(3) He could not obey. The Jews thought possessions indicated God's honor of our lives. The man had "possession problems." He thought his wealth was his — not God's. Material possessions have always been the acid test for man. The Rich Young Ruler flunked! Jesus said all of us must become as little children. The Rich Young Ruler could not become a little child. So far as I know — he went to hell.
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When you read the New Testament you cannot help but realize how relevant it's message is to everyday life! Jesus never said or did^ anything that was not full of purpose and meaning. Let's look at the scripture we just read....
In the religious world today great emphasis has been placed on the teaching that Jesus is Savior. Rightly so! Because we are sinners we need saving. Yet, so much emphasis is placed on the saving power of Jesus ....may be we have forgotten He also came to be Lord.
The problem is wide spread in our day, but it even existed in Jesus day. A young man, who happened to be rich, approaches Jesus with this question, "What do I do to be saved?" Jesus' answer is simple and direct, "Obey the commandments!" The young man is relieved to know he is already doing this. But Jesus continues on, "Sell your possessions, give to the poor, follow me!" The Scripture tells us that the young man leaves Jesus because he wouldn't give up his material wealth.
The situation is summed up this way - the young man wanted a Savior, but not a Lord. He wanted salvation, yet desired to remain in control of his own life. And Jesus said that was impossible.
The message is clear. If we accept Christ as Savior, we must also accept Him as Lord., That's the whole, complete Gospel. We need to preach it and teach it! Even more We need to live it.
Most of us thru obedience have made Jesus our Savior. Have we made Him our Lord? He leaves the decision to us. He won't force His Lordship on us. But let's be honest about this - if He is to be our Savior, He must become our Lord. He must have control of our lives.
Think about. Read the scriptures above. Let's make Jesus Lord of our lives.
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One Thing You Lack
"As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. 'Good teacher,' he asked, 'what must I do to inherit eternal life?' 'Why do you call me good?' Jesus answered. 'No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother."Teacher,' he declared, 'all these I have kept since I was a boy.' Jesus looked at him and loved him. 'One thing you lack,' he said. 'Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.' At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth."(Mark 10:17-22)
The kind of lifestyle God expects of His people has become quite a controversial topic in the church today. In recent years many churches of Christ have seen the need to be more committed to the restoration of New Testament Christianity in every area of the Christian life while other churches have misunderstood, and therefore oppose, this "new" commitment. The mere fact that commitment is a topic of discussion and study should not of itself alarm us because every Biblical topic should be studied in every generation. However, that it has become so controversial reflects a serious misunderstanding about the kind of life the early Christians lived as well as an unbiblical concept some have regarding commitment.
One of the most enlightening passages of Scripture on this subject is found in Mark 10:17-29 where Jesus' conversation with a rich young man is recorded. Jesus had conversations with many people during his lifetime but this one is especially significant because of the great lessons we can learn about the kind of life we need to be living.
The Christian Life Involves Every Area of Our Lives. To most people this young man was doing great spiritually. In fact, the disciples were amazed at Jesus' assessment of his spiritual condition (vs. 24). However, in God's sight the neglect of one spiritual area is a serious matter. Jesus told this young man, "One thing you lack." "One thing" can make all the difference in our spiritual lives. Literally it can be the difference between heaven and hell. Obedience in one area of the Christian life will never outweigh our disobedience in other areas. Though God is patient with us in our weaknesses, he expects us to live obedient lives. This man had proven himself in many areas but had neglected the one area most important to his salvation.
The Christian Life is a Life of Denial. In this particular situation the man had let his wealth keep him from living a committed life and as a result was without eternal life. That is why Jesus told him to "Go, sell everything you have...." The implication for us is not necessarily an abandonment of life's possessions but rather that the command of self-denial be obeyed whatever the cost. (Luke 14:25-33) The irony of this man's refusal is seen in Jesus' promise that "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age...and in the age to come, eternal life." (Mark 10:29-30) The very thing the young man was unwilling to give up could have been multiplied a hundred times if he had trusted Jesus. A life of self-denial always brings greater returns. "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it." (Luke 9:24)
The Christian Life is a Possible Life. The tragedy of this situation is not found in Jesus' high expectations for this man's life as the disciples supposed. The real tragedy is in the man's refusal to see the real possibility of living the kind of life Jesus expects. The same refusal exists today. Many churches and individual Christians are arguing against commitment instead of realizing the possibility and blessings of living committed Christian lives. The false doctrine that total commitment is an impossible commitment can be overcome with faith in God's power. Jesus, recognizing fully the degree of commitment he was calling for and the inability of man alone to achieve it stated, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." (Mark 10:27)
Let us be sure that we do not let "one thing" keep us from the many rewards that come from committed Christian living, "...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1)
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