Lent SeriesTransformed by

Jesus

Mark 10 – ‘Rich’

Matthew 19 – ‘Young’

Luke 18 – ‘Ruler’

The Rich Young Ruler

1. The Story

3 Things the Young Man got Right

1. His Approach. v 17 ‘As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him’.

2. His Request. v 17 ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’

3. His Lifestyle. v 20 ‘all these (Commandments) I have kept since I was a boy’.

3 Things the Young Man got Wrong

1. His Understanding of Jesus. v 17 ‘Good Teacher…’

2. His Understanding of his sin and God’s Grace. v 17 ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’

Not the labours of my hands Can fulfil thy law's demands; Could my zeal no respite know, Could my tears forever flow, All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone.

3 Things the Young Man got Wrong

1. His Understanding of Jesus. v 17 ‘Good Teacher…’

2. His Understanding of his sin and God’s Grace. v 17 ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’

3. His Understanding of Discipleship. v 21 ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me… At this, his face fell.’

‘True Christianity is an all-out commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ’

Naked I came from my mother’s womb,and naked I shall depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD’

‘What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?’

2. The Application

Jesus looked round and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!’The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, ‘Children, how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, ‘Who then can be saved?’Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.’

‘Many who are first will be last, and the last first’

His Real Problem

‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it’ Luke 9:23

The dearest idol I have known,Whate’er that idol beHelp me to tear it from Thy throne,And worship only Thee.

William Cowper1731 – 1800