Jesus Speaks to the Rich Young Ruler ~ Matthew 19:16-30

Landmark Baptist Santa Rosa

Pastor John Opferman

10:00 AM

October 13, 2024

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Main Topics Discussed

Introduction:

• Opening prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to speak through the message and open the eyes of the listeners.

• Context: We are nearing the last week of Christ’s life on earth.

• We are studying the encounter of the rich young ruler with Jesus, focusing on eternal life, wealth, and following Christ.

The Approach of the Rich Young Ruler:

• He shows honor and reverence to Jesus by running and kneeling before Him (Matthew 19:16).

• He addresses Jesus as "Good Master," revealing his recognition of Jesus' authority but not fully understanding His identity as God.

Jesus’ Response:

• Jesus immediately questions, "Why callest thou me good?"—highlighting that only God is truly good (Matthew 19:17).

• This response emphasizes the divinity of Jesus and the nature of human sinfulness.

• Jesus points to the commandments as the answer to the young man’s question about eternal life.

The Commandments:

• Jesus lists several commandments: do not murder, commit adultery, steal, lie, honor your parents, and love your neighbor (Matthew 19:18-19).

• The rich young ruler claims he has kept these from his youth (Matthew 19:20).

• However, the deeper issue remains—has he truly loved his neighbor and God above his wealth?

The Call to Perfection:

• Jesus challenges the young man further: "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come and follow me" (Matthew 19:21).

• The ruler’s sorrowful reaction reveals that his wealth held his heart more than his desire for eternal life (Matthew 19:22).

Wealth and the Kingdom of God:

• Jesus teaches His disciples about the difficulty for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God, comparing it to a camel going through the eye of a needle (Matthew 19:23-24).

• This metaphor emphasizes the impossibility of earning salvation through wealth or human effort.

Salvation is God’s Work:

• The disciples are amazed and ask, "Who then can be saved?" (Matthew 19:25).

• Jesus affirms that "with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26).

• Salvation cannot be attained by human works but is a gift from God through faith.

Peter’s Question:

• Peter reminds Jesus that the disciples have forsaken everything to follow Him (Matthew 19:27).

• Jesus promises rewards in the regeneration, including thrones and judgment for the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28).

• Jesus extends this promise to all who forsake worldly possessions and relationships for His sake, promising a hundredfold return and eternal life (Matthew 19:29).

The First Shall Be Last, and the Last Shall Be First:

• Jesus concludes with a profound statement that "many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first" (Matthew 19:30).

• This reflects God’s upside-down Kingdom where humility, sacrifice, and dependence on Him lead to eternal reward.

Conclusion:

• Salvation is not earned by works but through faith in Christ alone.

• Jesus calls us to let go of anything that holds our hearts and follow Him fully.

• Trust in God's grace for salvation, knowing that what is impossible for man is possible with God.

Closing Prayer:

• Asking for a deep understanding of the need for Christ as Savior and the realization that works alone cannot secure eternal life.

• Praying for a reliance on God’s grace and faith in Jesus for salvation.

Biblical References 

• Matthew 19:16-30: The central passage of the sermon, recounting the interaction between the rich young ruler and Jesus, where the young man asks, "Good master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" (v. 16-30).

• Psalm 14:2-3: "The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one."

• Psalm 53:2-3: A similar passage to Psalm 14, "God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one."

• Romans 3:10-12: Paul’s quote of Psalms 14 and 53: "There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one."

• John 8:23-24: Jesus says, "Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins."

• John 6:28-29: The Jews ask, "What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?" Jesus replies, "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."

• James 2:10-11: "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law."

• Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Reflection Questions 

1. How do you approach Jesus in your own life—like the rich young ruler with questions, or with a heart fully surrendered to follow Him? What might Jesus be asking you to surrender?

2. The rich young ruler struggled with placing his wealth before God. What "possessions" in your life (physical or emotional) may be preventing you from fully following Jesus?

3. Jesus said, "With men this is impossible; but with God, all things are possible." How does this truth about God's grace and power shape your understanding of salvation and eternal life?

4. In the passage, the young man seeks to justify himself by asking, "Which commandments?" Are there areas in your life where you try to justify yourself before God rather than rely on His grace?

5. Jesus promises rewards for those who forsake everything to follow Him. In what areas of your life are you putting God first, and where might you still be holding back?

Daily Activities 

1. Inventory of Priorities:

• Activity:

• Set aside time this week to reflect on your priorities.

• Write down the things that are most important to you (e.g., work, family, possessions, faith).

• Application:

• Consider whether any of these things may be taking priority over your relationship with God.

• Pray and ask God to help you surrender anything that may be holding you back from fully following Him.

2. Generosity Challenge:

• Activity:

• Choose a valuable possession or resource (time, money, talent).

• Give it away to someone in need or a charitable cause this week.

• Application:

• Use this experience to reflect on what it means to prioritize heavenly treasure over earthly possessions.

• Pray for a heart of generosity and ask God to keep your focus on eternal values.

3. Weekly Acts of Love:

• Activity:

• Commit to performing at least one selfless act of love for a neighbor, coworker, or family member each day for a week.

• These acts can be simple (offering help, a kind word, or sharing something you have).

• Application:

• Reflect at the end of the week on how these acts of love helped you live out the command to "love thy neighbor as thyself."

• Consider how you can make these selfless acts a regular part of your life and deepen your love for others.

4. Surrender Prayer:

• Activity:

• Every morning for the next week, begin your day by praying a prayer of surrender.

• Ask God to reveal areas of your life where you need to trust Him more.

• Application:

• Reflect on the rich young ruler’s struggle to let go of his wealth and how that relates to areas in your own life.

• Ask God to help you let go of anything that hinders your walk with Him, growing in trust and reliance on God.

5. Bible Study on Salvation and Grace:

• Activity:

• Spend time studying Bible passages on salvation and grace (e.g., Romans 3:23-24, Ephesians 2:8-9).

• Journal your thoughts on what you learn from these scriptures.

• Application:

• Reflect on how salvation is a gift from God and not earned by good works.

• Consider sharing what you’ve learned with someone who may be struggling with the concept of earning salvation.

• Use this time to deepen your understanding of God’s grace and how it impacts your daily life.