The Rich Young Ruler

Living Hope Presbyterian Church

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Matthew 19: 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.” 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 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 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.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

ESV: The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ©2011 Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Sermon Summary: The sermon delves into the encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler as depicted in Matthew 19:16-30. It explores the themes of wealth, salvation, and the challenges of following Christ wholeheartedly. The rich young ruler, despite his moral uprightness and wealth, struggles to grasp the true essence of eternal life and the cost of discipleship. Jesus challenges him to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him, revealing the potential idolatry of wealth and the necessity of surrendering all to Christ. The disciples’ astonishment at this interaction leads to Jesus emphasizing the difficulty for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven and highlighting God’s power in salvation. The sermon concludes with a call to generosity, self-sacrifice, and wholehearted devotion to Christ.

Key Points:

• The rich young ruler seeks eternal life but struggles with surrendering his wealth to follow Jesus.
• Jesus emphasizes the challenge for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of heaven and underscores God’s role in salvation.
• The disciples’ astonishment reflects societal norms regarding wealth and righteousness.
• Jesus promises blessings for those who forsake worldly possessions for His sake.

Bible Verses Mentioned:

• Matthew 19:16-30

Humor and Anecdotes:

• No specific humor or anecdotes were shared in the sermon.

Key Quotes:

• “Generous giving dethrones money as an idol.”
• “Wealth is dangerous. Heed the Scripture’s warning and instruction.”
• “Take my love, my will, my heart, my silver, my gold. Be ever, only, all for thee.”

Themes:

• The challenge of wealth and discipleship: The sermon explores the tension between material possessions and spiritual devotion, highlighting the need for radical surrender to follow Christ.
• Salvation through God’s grace: Emphasizing that salvation is impossible through human efforts alone, the sermon underscores God’s role in making salvation attainable.
• Generosity and self-sacrifice: Encouraging listeners to examine their hearts regarding wealth and possessions, the sermon advocates for a spirit of generosity and willingness to give up everything for Christ.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does the story of the rich young ruler challenge our modern views on wealth, success, and salvation?
2. In what ways do we struggle with idolizing material possessions in today’s society? How can we guard against this temptation?
3. Reflecting on Jesus’ call to radical discipleship, what are some practical steps we can take to prioritize our relationship with Christ above all else?

Metaphors and Stories:

• The metaphor of a camel passing through the eye of a needle symbolizes the difficulty for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven, emphasizing the challenges posed by wealth.
• Frances Havergal’s hymn “Take My Life and Let It Be” serves as a poignant illustration of complete surrender and devotion to Christ, inspiring listeners to offer all they have to Him.

By dissecting these elements of the sermon, listeners can gain a deeper understanding of its core messages and engage in meaningful reflection on their own faith journey.