Luke 18:18-30(NIV) A certain ruler asked him, Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? 19

Transcription

1 Series: All In SELLING OUT Pastor Rhonda Howard Luke 18:18-30(NIV) A certain ruler asked him, Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? 19 Why do you call me good? Jesus answered. No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother. 21 All these I have kept since I was a boy, he said. 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me. 23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. This passage is a troubling one. It was troubling for the disciples, for the wealthy young man, and for us. It seems too radical, too excessive, too outrageous, just too much to suit our tastes. Luke places this event in the middle of a series of incidents in Jesus life and parables that Jesus taught designed to show true discipleship. All the Gospel-writers place it near the end of Jesus' public ministry. Mark 10:17 (NIV) As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. Jesus is about to leave the town. It is the man's last chance to ask his question, to meet Jesus faceto-face. And so he runs up to him and falls on his knees before him. It is a picture of urgency and earnestness and humility. --PROFILE OF THE RICH, YOUNG RULER (18:18) "A certain ruler asked him, 'Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?' " (18:18) The word translated "ruler" is Greek archon, "generally, one who has administrative authority, 'leader, official.' " It is used of various Jewish leaders, including those in charge of a synagogue and members of the Sanhedrin. Matthew's account (19:22) adds another detail and refers to the ruler as a "young man," Greek nean iskos, "a relatively young man, 'youth, young man' (most likely in his 20 s/between the ages of 21-28) Note: Over half of the world population is under 25 years old, that's a staggering 3 billion plus people. Millenials are America s largest generation at 75.4 million. With more access to the internet, Money,

2 Technology and other advancements, this generation could be the most powerful and most influential ever with tremendous opportunities to shape cultures and worldviews. Lots of options are available for this emerging generation but at the same time they have to face lots of crises and challenges. I can strongly say that young generation will shape the future. But when we see this age group s involvement in the Church or a commitment to Christ it's disappointing. Today, this generation is not interested in spiritual things. It sounds very unexciting to them. They are making lots of decisions in their lives in order to have a better life. But, at some point in life we all have to make a crucial decision between God and world. So, this young man is faced with a crucial decision that will affect the rest of his life. Today, as I speak many of you will be faced with the same crucial decision. What decision will you make? "he was very wealthy (18:23)." "Wealth" is Greek plousios, "pertaining to having an abundance of earthly possessions that exceeds normal experience, 'rich, wealthy.' The adjective "great" translates Greek sphodra, "a very high point on a scale of extent, 'very (much), extremely, greatly.' And so we have a very serious and sincere young man, a wealthy -- very wealthy, indeed -- and probably and a person entrusted with authority in the synagogue, a ruler, a respected person in the community. And in his fine robes, he is kneeling in the dirt of the roadside at the edge of town, with a burning question on his heart. Inheriting Eternal Life (18:18) " what must I do to inherit eternal life?' " (18:18) Most of the wealthy, religious people who asked Jesus public questions were trying to trick him into some imprudent statement -- "Should we pay taxes to Caesar?" (Luke 20:22). "Why do your disciples pluck grain on the Sabbath?" (Luke 6:2). "This lady was caught in the very act of adultery. Shouldn't we stone her as Moses directed?" (John 8:4). But this man's question was no trick. It was a sincere question to which he needed to know the answer -- how to inherit eternal life. The question tells us a couple of things about the young man: 1. He must be feeling inadequate in his spiritual preparation somehow. 2. He believes that eternal life is something that one earns or merits by what he does. Sell Everything, Give to the Poor (18:22) "When Jesus heard this, he said to him, 'You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven." (18:22)

3 Jesus affirms the young man's sense of need. The word translated "lack" is Greek leipo, "to be deficient in something that ought to be present for whatever reason, 'lack.' " But Jesus' prescription is hard to swallow -- to the young man and to us. "Sell everything" and give it away. If the man does this, Jesus assures him, he will have treasure in heaven. It is an ironic exchange that Jesus proposes -- exchanging fabulous wealth here on earth for fabulous wealth in the Kingdom of God. Jesus asks him to give up more than just his money.. Possessions, what money will buy, the accouterments of wealth. A new car, a nice house, a membership in the country club, and fashionable clothing. Status and influence that wealth affords. People make way for the wealthy, hoping that some of that wealth might rub off on them. At the very least, people kowtow to the wealthy to keep from becoming their enemies. Power. Wealth is power. It buys influence. It buys others who will now let the wealthy have their own way. Community leadership. The man isn't very likely to continue as a respected ruler without his wealth. If he gives up his wealth he will be misunderstood and resented by the other influential people in his community. No, he won't be a ruler for long. Family. The young man probably comes from a wealthy family. But if he disposes of a huge chunk of the family wealth, will his siblings understand and accept it? Will his wife and family? His father or mother if they are still living? WHY JESUS WORDS UPSET US But Jesus' words don't just upset the rich young ruler. They also upset us. As a pastor I have heard many times the response to this passage: "That doesn't mean everyone should sell what they have, does it? If everyone did that it would result in chaos." Obviously. But why are we even worried with the question? Do we, too, feel possessive of what we have? Do we fear that Jesus may require us to do something that would cost us too much? What are we afraid of? And why do we fear? JESUS IS ASKING FOR MORE THAN THIS YOUNG MAN S POSSESSIONS. JESUS IS ASKING HIM TO GIVE HIS HEART. What do I mean by giving your heart? I mean being sold out. Would you do anything you can for God s kingdom, his purpose, His will? Would you do anything that Jesus asked you? Even if it meant giving all that you have? The young man had obeyed the commandments, but he lacked one thing. WE CAN DO ALL THE RIGHT THINGS, BUT STILL NOT GIVE JESUS OUR HEART.

4 WE CAN LOVE GOD AND WANT TO GO TO HEAVEN, BUT STILL HAVE OTHER gods BEFORE HIM. WE FEAR BECAUSE WE ARE NOT FULLY SURRENDERED. Jesus' words to the rich young ruler are quite consistent with what he has been saying to his disciples throughout his journeys.. "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters -- yes, even his own life -- he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple" (NIV-Luke 14:26-27). "In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple." (NIV- Luke 14:33) "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it" (NIV-Matthew 13:44-46). "Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it" (NIV-Luke 17:33) Story: Titanic account of the lost who would not let go. WE TRY TO SAVE OURSELVES BY HOLDING ONTO LIFE PRESERVERS THAT THE WORLD THROWS OUT TO US. LET S GIVE EVERYTHING TO GOD WHERE THERE IS NOTHING LEFT TO HOLD ONTO. HOW DO WE GIVE OUR HEART? 1.PUT GOD FIRST Get your priorities right. ILLUSTRATION/diagram: Jesus is at the center of all we do. TO GIVE JESUS OUR HEART IS TO GIVE HIM OUR TIME, OUR MONEY, OUR TALENTS, OUR HOPES, OUR DREAMS, OUR DESIRES EVERYTHING! GOD WILL NEVER STEAL YOUR HEART. IT S YOURS TO GIVE. What happens when you give your heart to God? What will he do if you give Him everything? Big things!!!!! God can use you in big ways! He will do great things!

5 1. YOU DO WHATEVER GOD TELLS YOU TO DO Illustration: David stood up to a bully 2. YOU GO WHEREVER GOD TELLS YOU TO GO Illustration: Phillip evangelized a nation 3. YOU GIVE WHATEVER GOD TELLS YOU TO GIVE Illustration: Abraham and Issac ILLUSTRATION: FREE FALL BACKWARDS Romans 8:32 (NLT)What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won t he also give us everything else? COME FOLLOW ME (18:22) Disposing of wealth was not all that Jesus asked the man to do. Then come, follow me.' " (18:22) The word "follow" is the characteristic word of discipleship, Greek akoloutheo, "' follow,' figuratively, to follow someone as a disciple, 'be a disciple, follow.' "[12] Jesus looked at this man and loved him (Mark 10:21). I think Jesus was inviting this young man to join him on his journeys, to become one of the disciples. To enjoy the privilege of spending time with Jesus and learning from him on a day-by-day basis. What a wonderful invitation! We, too, are invited to come to Jesus, and then to follow him. To enjoy his company, his presence. To be taught along the way by his Word and Spirit. To become part of his great extended family, the Body of Christ throughout the world. And to be filled with hope in the closing days of our journey as we know his promises and feel his comfort with us. COME FOLLOW ME IS AN INVITATION THAT JESUS EXTENDS TO YOU AND ME. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God. 26 Those who heard this asked, Who then can be saved? 27 Jesus replied, What is impossible with man is possible with God.

6 28 Peter said to him, We have left all we had to follow you! 29 Truly I tell you, Jesus said to them, no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life. STORY: Billy Graham tells the story about a little child the was playing with a very valuable vase. He put his hand into it and could not withdraw it. His father too, tried his best to get it out, to no avail. They were thinking of breaking the vase when the father said, Now my son, make one more try. Open your hand and hold your fingers out straight as you see me doing, and then pull. To their astonishment the little fellow said, O no, dad, I couldn t put my fingers out like that because if I did I would drop my dime. Smile, if you will but thousands of us are like that little boy, so busy holding on to the world s worthless dimes that we cannot accept liberation. Drop the trifles in your life. Surrender! Let go, and let God have His way in your life. CLOSING: HE BECAME VERY SAD (18:23) But this radical call to discipleship was too much for the rich young ruler. "When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth." (18:23) The word translated "sad" is Greek perilupos, "very sad, deeply grieved. Matthew and Mark note that the man went away sorrowful. Jesus remains standing where he is, on the verge of continuing his journey, but the earnest and rich young ruler, his face stricken with grief ("the man's face fell," it says in Mark 10:22), rises from his knees. He averts his eyes from Jesus, as I see it, turns slowly, and moves away from the band of disciples. He cannot go with them. He cannot go with Jesus, as much as he would love to. Because he loves one thing more, and he cannot leave that to serve God. In a very real sense he has broken the first commandment: "You shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3). Nor can he obey the Shema which, as a devout Jew, he recites twice a day: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength" (Deuteronomy 6:4).

7 Jesus has pierced the man's heart, and has proved to him, that you cannot serve God and serve another god too. STOP THE SORROW AND SERVE THE SAVIOR! What is holding you back from fully surrendering to Jesus? Is it a relationship? Is it unforgiveness? Is it money? Is it fear of the unknown? What life preserver will you not let go of? What are you not willing to give up? Is it the fear of what He might ask you to do? Is it your possessions? Is it your reputation? Is it the fear of rejection from your friends? Is it the fear of the future, not knowing where He will lead you? Is it a desire that you are not willing to place in His hands?