Are You Serious About Heaven? Spiritual Matters on Mind? Going to Heaven? Serving God (who is in heaven)?

The Rich Young Ruler Matthew 19:16-30 Mark 10:17-22 Luke 18:18-23

Evidence That He Was Serious Are You Serious About Heaven? Evidence That He Was Serious

Evidence That He Was Serious Came to Jesus (v. 16) Ask about spiritual matters (v. 16) Wants eternal life (v.16) Done the commands (vv. 17-20) Been faithful & consistent (v. 20) So when told to sell all Would assume he would do it immediately Because he is so serious!

Evidence That He Was Serious Evidence That He Was Not Serious Are You Serious About Heaven? Evidence That He Was Serious Evidence That He Was Not Serious

Evidence That He Was Not Serious His Challenge – Hard Command Sell all he has Give to poor Come & follow me Not willing to change Not willing to give up hindrances Attachment to money meant more than heaven Not as serious about heaven as it appeared he was!

Are You Serious About Heaven? Evidence That He Was Serious Evidence That He Was Not Serious Problem: Misplaced Priority

Problem: Misplaced Priority When not serious – can’t go to heaven (vv. 23-26) Must be willing to sacrifice (vv. 27-30) Context: Rich young ruler – not willing to sacrifice Peter: We have sacrificed a lot – what we get? Reward is yet future (v. 29) Meanwhile: Follow Christ (v. 28) Give up ALL that is necessary to do so (v. 29)

Are You Serious About Heaven? Evidence That He Was Serious Evidence That He Was Not Serious Problem: Misplaced Priority How Serious Are You?

Possible to look like more serious than are How Serious Are You? Possible to look like more serious than are Obey gospel (Rom. 6:17) Faithful in worship (Heb. 10:25) Emphasis to “God said” or “Bible says” (2 Cor. 4:13) Sacrificed (Matt. 19:29) Do better than many others (1 Cor. 15:58) Would think that when told something they lack – would change because SO serious!

Possible to look like more serious than are How Serious Are You? Possible to look like more serious than are Possible to fool self into thinking are serious Can deceive self (1 Jno. 1:8; Jas. 1:22) Because we hear & acknowledge truth (Jas. 1:22) Because we are better than others (Luke 18:9-14) Because we have done so well in other areas (Matt. 19:16-ff)

Possible to look like more serious than are How Serious Are You? Possible to look like more serious than are Possible to fool self into thinking are serious Possible that something I’m not willing to do May be forgiving another (Lk. 17:1-5) May be faithful worship (Acts 2:42) May be leading family (Eph. 5; 1 Pet. 3:1-7) May be submission (1 Pet. 3:1-6) May be home responsibilities (1 Tim. 5:13; Titus 2:5) May be dealing with straying (2 Thess. 3:6-15) May be conforming to standards (1 Tim. 2:9-10)

Are You Serious About Heaven? Evidence That He Was Serious Evidence That He Was Not Serious Problem: Misplaced Priority How Serious Are You?