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Observations: • Many who seemingly “have everything” are often very depressed. Examples of “celebrities” who have attempted suicide; they include: Britney Spears, Donna Summer, Drew Carey, Mike Wallace, Robert Young, Elizabeth Taylor, Drew Barrymore, Brigitte Bardot, Johnny Cash, Gary Coleman, Sammy Davis, Jr., Clark Gable, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Ozzy Osbourne, Richard Pryor, Mike Tyson, etc., etc. • Having “everything,” as the world views it, is no guarantee of happiness!
Title: The Man Who Had Everything….Except • A Study of the Rich Young Ruler, Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:18-23. • A Familiar, yet Sad, Story. Sad because: • It began with promise, ended with sorrow. • Tells about a man who desired salvation, but ended with him still lost. • It is not the story of just one person
Things Which This Man Had: • He had youth, Matthew 19:22. • He had Material Wealth, Matt. 19:22 • He had Earthly Position, Luke 18:18. • He had Zeal, Mark 10:17. • He had reverence and Respect, Mk. 10:17 • Note the reply of Jesus in Mark 10:18. • Jesus wanted him to know His true identity!
The Man Had Wisdom! • Evidenced by his desire for “eternal life,” Matthew 19:16. • He went to Jesus, Who has “the words of eternal life,”John 6:68. • He went to Jesus Who is our access to he Father, John 14:6. • To Jesus through Whom God speaks, Hebrews 1:1-2. • In Whom is Salvation, Acts 4:12.
The Man had Morality! • Jesus quoted five of the ten command- ments (Ex. 20:12-16; also Leviticus 19:18. • The young man said, “all these things have I kept from my youth up,” Matt. 19:20. • He was not entirely correct in his assessment of himself. Did not love his neighbor as himself! • Most people seem to believe that these qualities are enough to save! • Is it any wonder that Jesus “loved him,” Mk. 10:21?
What He did Not Have: • His Priorities in Order! • Evidenced by the Lord’s reply and his response, Matthew 19:21-22. • The Lord’s answer staggered him; he never knew how much he loved his money until he saw that he had rather risk losing his soul than losing his money!
His Departure: • The Manner – in Sorrow. • The Reason – not because Jesus had been unkind. • He loved his riches. Cf. I Timothy 6:10. • The direction: • To his position, and his wealth. • To the judgment. • Ultimately, to his eternal Destiny.
Lessons For Us: • The Lord does not Lighten His Demands on those He loves. Mark 10:21. • Riches alone do not bring peace of mind. • The deceitfulness of riches. Matt. 13:22. • The Religion of Jesus requires Total Surrender, Matthew 16:24. • The Lack of One thing May make all the other things Useless!
Conclusion: • You obviously possess a number of commendable qualities. • But is it possible that you may be lacking the most important thing? • Could it be that you have everything except Jesus Christ, and the salvationHe offers?
