Rich Young Ruler 1.Reality of this young ruler 2.Root of his problems 3.Response to the Lord Jesus

16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 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.” Matthew 19:16-22

18 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, 19 honour your father and mother, and, you shall love your neighbour as yourself.” Matthew 19:16-22

20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 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.” Matthew 19:16-22

22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Matthew 19:16-22

Rich Young Ruler 1.Reality of this young ruler

Reality of this young ruler “You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, 19 honour your father and mother, and, you shall love your neighbour as yourself.”

Rich Young Ruler 1.Reality of this young ruler 2.Root of his problems

If you would be perfect... Root of his problems

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.

Root of his problems You shall not murder You shall not commit adultery You shall not steal You shall not bear false witness Honour your father and mother You shall love your neighbour as yourself.

The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see; they have ears, but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths. Those who make them become like them, so do all who trust in them. Psalm 135:15-18

Does money change you?

 Have a harder time connecting with others  Show less empathy to the extent of dehumanizing those who are different from them  Are less charitable and generous  Are less likely to help someone in trouble  Are more likely to defend an unfair status quo Rich people…

Rich Young Ruler 1.Reality of this young ruler 2.Root of his problems 3.Response to the Lord Jesus

Response to the Lord Jesus When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

C.S. Lewis “Make no mistake,” He says, “if you let me, I will make you perfect. The moment you put yourself in My hands, that is what you are in for. Nothing less, or other, than that. You have free will, and if you choose, you can push me away. Mere Christianity

But if you do not push Me away, understand that I am going to see this job through. Whatever suffering it may cost you in your earthly life, whatever inconceivable purification it may cost you after death, whatever it costs Me, I will never rest, nor let you rest, until you are literally perfect, C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity

until my Father can say without reservation that He is well pleased with you, as He said He was well pleased with me. This I can do and will do. But I will not do anything less.” Mere Christianity C.S. Lewis

His loss…  The forgiveness of all his sins and reconciliation with the Father.  The joy of having fellowship with the Father and the Son.  The empowering presence and joy of the Holy Spirit.

His loss…  The profound sign and wonder and joy and strength and comfort of being part of Christ’s body, the Church.  The provision of God’s sufficient grace for every need.

His loss…  The privilege of participating in the destruction of the devil’s works.  The triumphant joy of seeing others delivered from the domain of darkness.

His loss…  The abundant life Jesus would have given him.  Eternal joy.  GOD! The Cost of Non-Discipleship John Bloom