Main Idea: What are you willing to do in order to gain eternal life? Worldly possessions can’t save you, but Jesus can.
Text: “Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’” “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth” (Matthew 19:16-22 NIV).
Introduction: Do you want eternal life? What would you be willing to do to get eternal life? This story from the life of Jesus is about a young rich man who wanted eternal life but was not willing to pay the price. Let’s see what we can learn from his story.
I. Do you want eternal life?
A. The rich young man asked: “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
B. Jesus said:“Why do you call me good? There is none good but God alone.”
C. Jesus is saying that there is only One who is righteous.
II. What must one do to have eternal life?
A. Jesus says: Matthew 19:17 “If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
B. What are the commandments? (Exodus 20:1-17).
1. You shall not murder.
2. You shall not commit adultery.
3. You shall not steal.
4. You shall not lie.
5. Honor your father and mother.
6. Love your neighbor as you love yourself.
C. Have you kept the Ten Commandments?
1. If you have hate in your heart, you are guilty of murder. Matthew 5:21-22 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister,‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
2. If you tell a white lie, you are guilty of being a liar.
3. If you steal something small, you guilty of being a thief.
4. If you look at a woman with lust, you are guilty of adultery. Matthew 5:27-28 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
D. The young man was amazing because he replies: Matthew 19:20 “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”
E. Jesus replies: Matthew 19:21“If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor…”
1. Everyone lacks something.
2. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”
3. This young man was almost perfect, but he still lacked one thing.
4. What are you lacking? Are you perfect? Matthew 5:48 “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
III. What are you willing to do in order to gain eternal life?
A. The man went away very sad. He could not afford the price of eternal life. Matthew 19:22 “When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.”
B. If you have to pay the price for eternal life, you will always be found lacking.
C. The truth is that only Jesus can save you. John 14:6 “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
1. Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for your salvation. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
2. No other god can save you. Why? No other god died for you.
3. Your good works cannot save you.
4. Your money cannot save you. Money did not save the rich young man.
5. The only way to be saved is to cry out to Jesus, the One who is perfect. Acts 2:21 “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
