We cross over to worldliness and find unhappiness when… We fail to prioritize SPIRITUAL THINGS as the MOST important things in our lives. Worldliness

3   Does your family own a car?   Do you own more than 2 changes of clothing?   Do you have an indoor toilet – one that works?   Do you have clean, drinkable running water in your house?   Do you have a real luxury – hot running water in your house? A Survey on Riches

4   In the last year, have you had enough money every day to purchase all the calories you and your family need for good health?   Do you have enough rooms in your house so that fewer than four people have to share a bedroom?   Is there less than a 1/40 chance that any babies born to your household will die before their first birthday? A Survey on Riches

5 Jesus' words are consistent: Luke 14: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters – yes, even his own life – he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33 – “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” Not Only The Rich Ruler

6 Matthew 13: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Not Only The Rich Ruler

7 Luke 9:24 – “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.” Luke 17:33 – “Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.” Not Only The Rich Ruler

8 1.He was EAGER Came running to Jesus. 2.He was HUMBLE Knelt before Jesus. 3.He showed REVERENCE Called Jesus “Good Teacher”. 4.He had SPIRITUALITY Concerned about his eternal soul. 5.He was MORALLY PURE Kept the commandments. The Rich Young Ruler

9 6.He had COURAGE Peer pressure in his social circle. 7.He had SOCIAL RANK – Lk. 18:18 Among the class who crucified Jesus. 8.He was WEALTHY But spiritually poor. 9.He was LOST Because he would not give up all. The Rich Young Ruler

10 Jesus says, “One thing you lack,” and then issues five commands: Go! Sell! Give! Come! Follow! Mk. 10:22 …he went away grieved, for he was one who owned much property. The Rich Young Ruler

11 What might have been going through the ruler’s mind as he walked away? “That’s not fair! You don’t ask everyone else to do that!” “Why not 50%? Why does it have to be all?” “This is completely impractical! Look at all the people who depend upon me! And all the good I do!” “I’m willing to do almost anything,– but this is too hard!” The Rich Young Ruler

12 That something is difficult or seemingly impractical has no bearing on whether or not God expects us to follow His will. Stay in difficult marriages; Confess Christ; Love the unlovable; Forgive the unforgivable; Suffer consequences of others’ sins. Jesus even tells some to give away all their possessions. The Rich Young Ruler

13 What was the one thing he lacked? The Rich Young Ruler

14 23And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!”   And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!   “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:23-25 The Rich Young Ruler

15 What is it about riches that makes it so difficult to enter the kingdom? The Rich Young Ruler

16 1 Timothy 6:17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. The Rich Young Ruler

17 The most significant barrier to entering the kingdom is the illusion of control provided by wealth. The Rich Young Ruler

18 The fool said to himself… “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.” (Luke 12) The Foolish Farmer

19 If the illusion of control is the key… then all of us are rich, and all of us are in danger of trusting in riches. The Foolish Farmer

20 Which leads to the second barrier to entering the kingdom of heaven: Our Possessions Enslave Us. “You cannot serve both God and money.” The Rich Young Ruler

21 We get used to our possessions and we start calling our desires “needs.”   We “need” to live in the manner to which we have become accustomed.   We spend so much on ourselves that we don’t have much to share.   We spend more than we have.   We worry about things that might happen that would cause us to lose what we have. The Rich Young Ruler

22 What impact is this having on the Lord’s church in America today? The Rich Young Ruler

23 If it is so…   that we are addicted to comfort   that we depend on riches   that we find our security there instead of in trusting God… might Jesus say to us: The Rich Young Ruler

24 One thing you lack: Go Sell Give Come Follow The Rich Young Ruler

25 What would happen if we did that? Would we lose security? Would we lose out on joy & pleasure? The Rich Young Ruler

26  Peter began to say to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You.”  Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel's sake,  but that he shall receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life. Mark 10:28-30 A Hundred Times As Much

27 When it is for our good and His glory, God lavishes safety and relationships and possessions and worldly success on us. When it is for our good and His glory, God lavishes persecutions and trials and troubles on us. When it is for our good and His glory, God lavishes death on us. A Hundred Times As Much

28 13And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. 14But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15“Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” Mark 10:13-15 The Little Children

Children openly admit their complete dependence (humility) Children are filled with wonder at God’s world around them Children are completely trusting Children are eager to be generous The Little Children

Will You Become A Christian? Hear The Gospel (Rom. 10:17) Believe in Jesus as the Son of God (John 8:24) Repent of Your Sins (Acts 17:30) Confess Jesus as the Son of God (Acts 8:37) Be Baptized for Forgiveness of Sins (Acts 2:38) Live Faithfully Until You Die (Rev. 2:10)