Chambersburg Bible Church

Text: Matthew 19:17-30Matthew 19:17-30
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 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 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ²⁰ The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 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. 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. 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 an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. ³⁰ But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.  

Topic: To show how eternal life would never be a reality apart from God

Matthew 19 introduces a rich young ruler and his discussion with Jesus regarding eternal life. This account is recorded in all three of the synoptic gospels, all of which tell us a little bit about the man. Matthew 19:22Matthew 19:22
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.  
says he was a young man and Luke 18:18Luke 18:18
18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?  
states that he was a wealthy man. He was a spiritual man desiring to follow God’s law with a innate concern for what he must do to obtain eternal life. Yet in even his youth, it was ultimately the love for riches that hindered him from trusting in Christ and finding the truth of eternal life.

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• The greatest misconceptions in the world
  • “Salvation can be obtained through doing something”
    • Even though the man was religious, he was still not right with God
    • He thought that eternal life was acquired by “doing”
  • “Salvation can be gained being someone”
    • This was a good man
    • This was a sincere man
    • This was a man looking for answers
    • This was a man like so many people today

• The greatest standard in the world
  • The commandments of God
    • Look at how Jesus answers in verse 17
    • Christ’s answer may be surprising
      • Why did Jesus answer by telling him to keep the commandments?
      • Was Jesus telling him that eternal life can be gained through obedience to the Law?
    • Not only that, but look at which commandments Jesus mentions.
      • All were from the “second table” of the law
      • All dealt with man’s relationship with fellow man
      • None of the commandments dealt with man’s relationship with God
    • Why didn’t Jesus tell him that man could not be saved by good works?
      • Needed to trust Christ!
      • Needed to repent!

• The intent of the commandments
  • We do not know how much time elapsed between Jesus’ answer and the man’s response
    • “I’ve done all that from my youth up! What yet do I lack?”
    • “What additional good deeds must I be doing over and above all those which I have been habitually keeping from my youth?”
  • In Matthew 19:21Matthew 19:21
    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.  
    , Jesus brought the rich, young ruler face to face with the fact that something was more important to him than being saved. Christ knew exactly what the man’s heart and offered a choice which would demand faith
    • There was something he was unwilling to give up
      • His money was his god
      • His countenance fell and he walked away without eternal life
    • Salvation is possible for those who are willing to deny self.

• The greatest gift in the world
  • Salvation is impossible with man
    • Who then can be saved?
      • It is impossible apart from God
      • No amount of good works
      • No amount of self effort
    • Like a camel trying to pass through the eye of a needle
      • It is not just difficult, it is impossible
      • Man left to himself will never be saved
  • Salvation is possible with God
    • Be born from above
    • Be given the gift of faith (Ephesians 2:8Ephesians 2:8
      8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  
      )
    • Save the lost to the uttermost

Have you ever asked the question:

“What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Trust Christ today!

Christ’s disciples often approached him with various questions regarding their relationship with Him and with questions regarding spiritual living. In this passage, we see them asking Christ about increasing their faith. Often we call out to God, looking for his movement in our hearts to increase our faith in His Word. Christ did not directly answer that question in this passage, but rather provided an illustration to teach that once redeemed by the Master, we are to be in the business of serving Him. This is the exercise of our faith, and our growth comes out of our service.

We are saved through faith (by grace alone) and therfore walk in faith (through grace) in our daily lives. Colossians 1 admonishes us to serve the Master who redeemed us from the slavery of sin. We must not be satisfied with giving God a prominent place in our lives, we must give him the preeminent place in our life.

Luke 17:5-10Luke 17:5-10
5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. ⁶ And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. ⁷ But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? ⁸ And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? ⁹ Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. ¹⁰ So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.  

Mid-week Minutes is a weekly summary of Pastor’s Bible Study from the mid-week Prayer Service.

Matthew 11:28-30Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.  
is a remarkable passage of scripture dealing with the believer giving his difficulties and burdens over to the Lord while no longer relying on self and man to carry those burdens. Jesus has promised to carry our burdens and help us live victorious, sanctified lives, and we should rely on Him for all of our daily concerns.

The Lord is always available to the child of God…

Consider the following verses throughout your week, and may the Lord bring his peace upon you!

• Job 14:1Job 14:1
  14 ¹ Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. few...: Heb. short of days  
  
• Job 5:7Job 5:7
  7 Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. trouble: or, labour sparks...: Heb. the sons of the burning coal lift up to fly  
  
• John 14:1John 14:1
  14 ¹ Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  
  
• Luke 10:38-42Luke 10:38-42
  38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. ³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. ⁴⁰ But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. ⁴¹ And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: ⁴² But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.  
  
• Proverbs 27:6Proverbs 27:6
  6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. deceitful: or, earnest, or, frequent  
  
• Ephesians 3:23Ephesians 3:23
   
  

Mid-week Minutes is a weekly summary of Pastor’s Bible Study from the mid-week Prayer Service.