January 9, 2011
Evening Service

Matt. 19:16-30

 

Review:

1.                  This morning we looked at one of the many sins Christians get entangled with in their walk with God.  This evening we want to see just how dependant we really are on God’s N.T. plan of salvation. 

 

The event that we are looking at this evening is the rich young ruler coming to Jesus, and asking Him what he must do to inherit eternal life.  This is recorded in 3 of the Gospels, Matt. Mark, Luke.  I want us to look at all three.

 

Mat 19:16-30 KJVR  And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 

• Luke describes him as a young ruler.   Mark says he came running, and bowed down before Jesus.
• At any rate this young man was concerned enough about his life, that he came to the Prince of Life for the answer.
• Under the dispensation he was living, he probably had a pretty good idea what Jesus was going to say.

(17)  And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God:

• Good Master - The word “good” here means, most excellent; referring not so much to the moral character of Jesus as to his character as a religious teacher. It was probably a title which the Jews were in the habit of applying to their religious teachers. The word “Master” here means teacher.
• By Jesus saying this, He is kinda rebuking this young man for using the term so loosely. 
• Yes, Jesus was divinity, and the Master Teacher, but this is not why He answered the young man the way He did, for the young man did not really recognize, or acknowledge Jesus as devine.  He was just using words of flattery to approach Jesus for an answer.

 

but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 

• In the dispensation they were in, ( The Law ) this is what was taught.
• It was true that if a man perfectly complied with the requirements of the law he would be saved, for there would be no reason why he should be condemned.  However, even under this dispensation God knew they would not keep His laws, that’s why they had all the different sacrifices to make.

 

• But just so we know, and understand why the Hebrew writer said, Heb 12:24 KJVR  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.  He is telling the Hebrews that the N.T. is far superior to the O.T.
• The meaning here is, that the blood of Jesus speaks better things than Abel did; that is, that the blood of Jesus is the “reality” of which the offering of Abel was a “type.” Abel proclaimed by the sacrifice which he made the great truth that salvation could be only by a bloody offering - but he did this only in a typical and obscure manner; Jesus proclaimed it in a more distinct and better manner by the reality. The object here is to compare the Redeemer with Abel, not in the sense that the blood shed in either case calls for vengeance, but that salvation by blood is more clearly revealed in the Christian plan than in the ancient history; and hence illustrating, in accordance with the design of this Epistle, the superior excellency of the Christian scheme over all which had preceded it.
• We are not saved by laws, works, or any such thing, but by the precious blood of Jesus.
• Rom 3:20  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
• Rom 3:28  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
• Gal 2:16  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
• Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.
• 2Ti 1:9  Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

 

 

 

 

Now notice what Jesus tells him;  He actually omits the first four, which pertain to God.

 

(18)  He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,  (19)  Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 

• All these are ask of us in the N.T. it’s just that we understand doing them can’t save us.  However, someone that is saved will do their best to keep them.

(20)  The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 

• He was certainly to be commended for doing these things, however, he still knew there was something else.

(21)  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 

• There it is!  Totally committed to God, and His service.  Letting go of the riches of this world, and laying up treasures in Heaven.

(22)  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.  (23)  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.  (24)  And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 

 

(25)  When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?  (26)  But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. 

• There have been those in history that have done this very thing. 

 

• Then the reward for doing this very thing.

(27)  Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?  (28)  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  (29)  And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.  (30)  But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.