Sunday Morning Service

Matthew 19:13-30 (Click title for audio access)

“The Kingdom And Value!” • 11.28.10 • Calvary Christian Fellowship, Sunday Morning Service

Intro.

- In the last few chapters, Matthew has been presenting the need for humility as a pre-requisite toward entrance into the Kingdom of heaven.

- This attitude forms the basis for our relationships toward one another, which chapter 18 and the first part of chapter 19 has been about.

- In the section before us, we are challenged with the story of a man who will be asked to humble himself in a way that he could not have anticipated.

- This section begins again with children being presented to Christ, which is no coincidence.

Text

• Matthew 19:13-15 : "Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.' And He laid His hands on them and departed from there." : Little children, maybe even infants, were brought to Jesus. These were likely from the multitudes that had gathered and that He healed.

- Can you imagine how blessed these kids were? They were literally held by God in the flesh, who blessed them personally! What an awesome thought.

- The disciples rebuked them. They attempted to turn these parents away from Jesus.

- The disciples represent a heart that is often seen today towards children or people who are not important: “Send them away! We don't have time for this!” Note the words “But Jesus.”

- The disciples rebuked, but Jesus said, “Let them come.”

- Jesus knows nothing of their mentality. He calls for them to come to Him because these little ones, rejected and turned away by the world, are the very ones who inhabit the halls of His Kingdom!

- Jesus laid His hands on them. He touched these children. He blessed them. That is the heart of Jesus and the heart of the Father. He wants to touch and bless His kids.

- You'll note the context: It's no accident that Matthew would place this here, as it's the children that often bear the brunt of a decision to divorce, even in the adult years.

- But there is even another important reason for it's placement here. It's important to recognize that Jesus welcomes little children into His arms.

- The ones who are most dependant, most humble and most willing to place themselves into His care are welcomed into His arms. This serves as the necessary backdrop for what we see next.

• Matthew 19:16 : "Now behold, one came and said to Him, 'Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?'" : We have come to know this man as the Rich Young Ruler. In Matthew's account, he's just another one who came to Him.

- He opens his query with what sounds like a very modest opening to our minds, but is indeed a truly generous greeting in the minds of this first century audience.

- “Teacher” would have been appropriate, but to add the word "good" was really laying it down!

- He thinks highly of Jesus. We can learn much about this man from his question.

- First, the question is telling regarding the authority that he ascribed to Jesus.

- He wants to know what Jesus thinks about this. This poor Rabbi from Nazareth draws the attention of this very rich man, who comes asking for the secret of life! There's a headline for you!

- This would have been shocking, sort of akin to Donald Trump running up to ask me how he could get what I have! I’d be forced to answer, “There’s no chemicals, my hair just grows naturally!”

- Second, you can tell that he is a man of privilege. He is used to being able to secure what he wants and in this case he wants the life that Jesus has and eternal security!

- Third, you'll note that he's a man of practicalitiy. It must come down to something that can be done! Once this was done, eternal life was a done deal!

- Finally, you can tell that this was man with proper concern. Life is simply the precursor to "eternal life." One who lives long enough to enjoy life, also lives with the knowledge that life is short!

- This man is wise enough to consider His personal need for eternal life.

- He's a man of privilege, practicality and proper concern, coming to an appropriate authority!

• Matthew 19:17 : "So He said to him, 'Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.'" : Jesus is drawing this man in. This man has not come at random, but because He has been drawn to Jesus. Jesus has this life now and he wants it.

- Jesus wants to know why he has called Him good. Was the man making a confession? Certainly, he was not sure, but Jesus wanted him to know that he wasn’t far from a great truth.

- He is saying, "You are right to call me good because of who I am!" And now, here's how you enter into life: Keep the commandments!

- Jesus holds the 10 Commandments up to this man as the standard for those who seek to have eternal life.

- The 10 Commandments are the summary statement of the Mosaic Law. They are the 10 thesis statements that are then expounded throughout the rest of the law.

- If he wanted life, he needed first to see himself in light of the law of God which is the mirror of a perfect life. As you’ll see, this is a bit of a trap.

• Matthew 19:18-20 : "He said to Him, 'Which ones?' Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ The young man said to Him, 'All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?'" : This section is profound. The man that has come to Jesus reveals a common misconception regarding the law of God.

- We believe that if we can excel in one area and keep perfectly that one area, that God will understand neglect of the rest.

- "Which ones?" reflects a concept that believes that some were more important than others.

- Unfortunately for those who espouse this belief, the law of God is like a chain: You break one and you break the chain! Jesus does not include the entire chain. He only uses one half of it.

- He points to every commandment that would have been found on the second law tablet. Pre-meditated murder, adultery and theft, lying and respect of parents were all human plane commands.

- Jesus adds “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” which was not part of the 10 commandments, but carried equal weight. You can find this in Leviticus 19:18.

- Conspicuous by their absence are the commandments regarding man's relationship to God? "You shall have no other gods before me?" You shall have no graven images?"

- Jesus wants Him to evaluate Himself on these other commands first. The young man reveals more about himself here: He feels that he had kept these!

- He feels secure that he has not murdered or stolen or adulterated. Moreover, in his mind, he has done so since childhood. His attitude reflects the external righteousness mentality of his day.

- But if that was what eternal life was about, this man would never have come! Notice this final statement: What do I still lack?

- This is a key verse when considering a legal relationship with God. Even when one believes that they have kept the law, there is still something that they lack!

- There is still a lack of peace and finality. All those who relate to God on a legal basis must always cover their bases! They must always keep to their self-imposed standard.

- God allowed the law to be conceived originally for the Hebrew nation to be a standard of living in the wilderness, but then to be a school master to drive us to grace.

- This man speaks volumes in this statement when he says "What do I lack?" Truthfully, all who attempt to live by the law and to be justified in it, will eventually come to this same confession.

• Matthew 19:21,22 : "Jesus said to him, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.' But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." : What do I still lack? Jesus answers if you want to be complete, you'll do this. That’s the word translated “perfect.”

- It’s the word of an artist who is finished with his artwork. "It’s perfect." It can’t be added to. It is complete and finished. This man had an anchor on his soul and Jesus exposed it.

- For this man and this man only, Jesus said, "Go and sell what you have and give it to the poor." Don't resell it. Don't make a profit from it. Give it to those who have no way to repay you!

- It must be understood that this is not part of everyone's salvation, but it was critical to this man. Possessions clouded his eyes and kept him from truly assessing the value of heaven.

- Jesus answered him personally. He will do the same for you and what He says to you will be unique to you.

- This man had come wondering what he could do for eternal life, thinking that he had what it took to gain it, only to find out that the price was too high!

- He was to give away his possessions to the poor, believe that his treasure was in heaven and then follow Jesus, none of which was in the cards for this man with great possessions!

- He could not give away his possessions for they were too valuable to him and therein is the issue. Something in his life was more valuable than that which could be found in heaven!

- To get treasure in heaven, there must be investment in heaven! At the same time, if we would get to heaven, nothing must anchor us to this earth! For this man, it was his possessions.

- When he heard this, the smile of the privieged man fell to a frown of a man who could not pay, ironically for the first time in his life, for that which he desired!

- Jesus exposed the man on the basis of the law: He had another god in his life, which was a violation of the first commandment, “You shall have no other gods before me!”

- Let me say again: It's vital to understand that money given to the poor is not the way in for all of us! The point is that gaining eternal life is worth anything that He would ask us to sacrifice!

- This man had run up to Jesus with great joy and anticipation of having this issue settled in his life. When it was settled, he walked away sorrowful, with all the treasure of earth, but none in heaven.

- Don't miss this: He walked away and Jesus let him. He will not be second to any other loyalty!

• Matthew 19:23,24 : "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, 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.'" : Looking at this man leave, knowing that he was disappointed, made Jesus make this remark: It’s hard for those who are rich to enter the Kingdom!

- The rich could be any one who believes that they have resource in any way. Rich in finances, rich in morality, rich in seemingly good works. It’s hard for them to enter!

- The rich were considered blessed of God and had the resource to make their lives even more blessed. What they wanted, they could have.

- But to enter the Kingdom of heaven required different credentials. Jesus says that it's hard because a rich person trusts in that which he has amassed.

- His riches and his trust in them makes it hard for him to transfer his loyalties.

- Please notice something here. Jesus did not lower the standards.

- It's hard for the rich. No apologies. It's not easy for anyone and God will not have it be!

- Jesus acknowledges it's difficulty, but will not make it easier on this man. How difficult is it?

- It's more difficult than a camel going through a needles eye! A camel can go through the literal eye of a needle, but you'd have to grind that camel real fine!

- Many have speculated that there was an actual gate leading into Jerusalem called "The Eye Of The Needle."

- Those who hold to this idea believe that there was a gate that was so small, that you had to remove all cargo from the camel and then push and pull him through this small gate.

- The ridiculous thing about this is, "Why would a person put a camel through a small gate when there was a large gate around the corner!?"

- Christ is saying that it's impossible for a man or woman, who is secure in this life and secured to this world, to give up and enter into eternal life!

• Matthew 19:25,26 : "When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, 'Who then can be saved?' But Jesus looked at them and said to them, 'With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.' Then Peter answered and said to Him, 'See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?'" : The disciples could not believe their ears. If the rich could not enter the kingdom, how could anyone? God has set an impossible standard.

- Therefore, for men of any kind, rich, poor or otherwise, salvation is an impossibility!

- That is a statement that deserves our attention. It's impossible for us to be saved when left to our own resources.

- But with God! We need to celebrate these words. The very presence of God in the world makes all things possible, even the salvation of human souls!

- Today, your salvation is possible, not because of a prayer uttered, but because of God's power that is extended toward you in Christ!

- Salvation was outside of your reach, outside of the realm of your mind. God made it possible!

• Matthew 19:27-30 : "Then Peter answered and said to Him, 'See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?' So Jesus said to them, 'Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first." : Peter has just seen a rich man walk away, unable to obtain salvation.

- He who had everything, left, but what about he who had left everything? What about the disciples? They had nothing to show for the little that they left. Jesus makes them a promise.

- There is nothing that you have left that you won't receive back in greater measure! He promises this to the disciples.

- Someday, there will be a regeneration. This is what Jesus calls the new heavens and the new earth. It is the time which we will call "heaven."

- The promise to the disciples is authority. They will sit on 12 thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. What does that mean? They knew what He was referring to, even if we don't.

- Then, Jesus makes a promise that extends to us. Whatever has been left for His sake, will be returned a hundredfold in heaven!

- Jesus is not advocating leaving your family. Rather, the implication is that the family may leave you! Your unbelieving spouse may say, "It's Jesus or me!"

- When threatened, the idea isn't to force a separation. The idea is that if it's forced on you and you stay close to Jesus, you will receive more than you have lost.

- This is true in terms of the body of Christ. I have a million Moms, sisters, brothers and Dads in the faith! I gained several more a year ago when we started this church!

- The body of Christ is a family born in the blood of Christ Himself!

- We receive the body in this life and eternal life in Christ in the next! That is the promise that Jesus makes to you and I.

- The final surprise is that those who are first in this life, men like the rich young ruler, will be the last in the Kingdom of God.

- Today, there are many who would be considered first, and because they have given less, they will one day be last. But the ones considered last, will in that day, be first.

- I like the NLT's translation of Matthew 19:30 : "But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then."

Conclusion

- As we draw this to a close, I remind us of where we began. Little children came to Him and found open arms.

- That is still the case. Jesus is the Savior who calls you to come to Him, but not without first dropping anything that would deter you.

- Perhaps there is a lack in your life, an area of loyalty that stands between you and Him. Believe Him when He says that nothing you invest for His sake will be lost.