Lessons from a Rich Young Man

1. Lessons from a Rich Young Man Matthew 19.16–22

2. Lessons from a Rich Young Man The Focus of Our Preaching? To come down the aisle or to come to Christ? To baptize or to convert? This man came looking for eternal life—yet was turned away.

3. Lessons from a Rich Young Man Matthew 19.16–22 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

4. Lessons from a Rich Young Man Four Things He Got Right He came with the right motive. He sought eternal life Consider the person: From a worldly perspective, he had everything Yet he knew there was something he lacked

5. Lessons from a Rich Young Man Four Things He Got Right He came with the right attitude. “And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him…” (Mark 10.17) He came running: he was eager He came kneeling: he was humble He came without fearing what anyone else thought

6. Lessons from a Rich Young Man Four Things He Got Right He came to the right source. 1 John 5.11, 20 John 14.6 Acts 4.11–12 Where else could he have gone?

7. Lessons from a Rich Young Man Four Things He Got Right He asked the right question. Not asking for a handout Not asking for a miracle Not asking for a free meal Jesus gave him the wrong answer. Follow the law?! Not what he said to Nicodemus Not what Paul says about the law!

8. Lessons from a Rich Young Man Four Things He Got Right He came with the right motive. He came with the right attitude. He came to the right source. He asked the right question. Jesus’ answer exposed what he didn’t have right.

9. Lessons from a Rich Young Man Three Things He Got Wrong He was filled with pride. Jesus answer should have caused him to see his shortcomings. Instead, he felt good about his spirituality and missed the point.

10. Lessons from a Rich Young Man Three Things He Got Wrong He did not confess his guilt. James 2.10 A product of his culture? Externalized religion. “And Jesus, looking at him, loved him” (Mark 10.21).

11. Lessons from a Rich Young Man Three Things He Got Wrong He would not submit to Christ. Nothing can take priority over Him. Luke 14.33

12. Lessons from a Rich Young Man So Also with Us We must make Jesus the lord of our life To come half-heartedly is not to come at all. Matthew 10.37–39 The cost was too high for this man The cost is the same for all who come: Nothing can come before Jesus. But the rewards of surrendering to the lordship of Jesus are incomparable.

13. Lessons from a Rich Young Man One Thing And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing…” (Mark 10.21) What one thing is preventing you from eternal life?