REACHING FOR THE REAL LIFE

Reaching For Real Life

Question:
What are some types of goals people have for themselves?
    – Marry, have a family, enjoy life (work hard to get to retirement).
    – Help others.
    – Train hard and become a great athlete, then coach.
    – Raise a family, then pursue hobbies.
    – Get into politics; become president.
    – Create their own business.
    – Financial (debt free).
    – Career.
    – Education.
    – Good health.
    – Excel where they are.
    – Spiritual maturity.
    – Sports (be a great athlete).

Note:
     If we know the reward is worth the effort,
     some people will make the sacrifice.

Note:
    Some people serve the Lord for what they will get.

MATTHEW 19:

VERSES 16-22:

Question:
Who is this man who came up to Jesus?
    – A rich man (verses 21 and 22).
    – A young man (verse 22).
    Note:
         His age could be from 20 t0 40 years old.
             – A ruler (Luke 18:18).
             – Combined: A rich young ruler.
             – He was wealthy; held an office of honor and respect;
                and still a young man.
             – He was living the American Dream….but,
                …he knew something was missing in his life.
Note:
    Think about all those less fortunate
    who have the same void in their lives.
Note:
    Many people are searching to fill that void,
    but they are trying in so many wrong ways.
Note:
    This young man also had the wrong idea.

“Now”
    – The word is a signal to listeners (and readers)
       to pay special attention.

Question:
How did he approach Jesus?
    – He seems to have come on his own.
    – Apparently, he was anxious to speak to Jesus:
      “ran up to Him” (Mark 10:17).
      Question:
          What does that indicate to you?
               – He was desperate?
               – He had tried to find answers on his own
                  but with no success?
               – His purpose was sincere;
                  he was not trying to “trap” Jesus on behalf of some group.
               – He honored Jesus (Mark 10:17 “fell on his knees”).
                 Question:
                 Wonder if he honored Jesus more than
                  some who claim to be believers?
                           – He showed respect (and probably reverence)
                              for Jesus…he called Him, “Teacher’.
                              Note:
                                  He wanted Jesus to teach him
                                  what to do to have eternal life.

The problem with his thinking is reflected
in his question, “what good thing must I do?”
    – No one receives eternal life by doing good.
      Note:
          Many people today have the same type of thoughts.

Jesus shows sincere interest in the man with His question,
“why do you ask Me about what is good?”.
    – Jesus wanted him to understand that no one
       could be good enough to receive eternal life.
    – God is the only One who “could” be called good enough.
    Note:
         Since Jesus is part of the Trinity, He is including Himself.

Jesus tried to help the man by referring to
the Old Testament’s emphasis on the commandments.
    – If anyone could perfectly keep the commandments,
       he would receive eternal life.
    Note:
         The New Testament points out that no one has ever done this.
              – He may have wanted the man to be honest
                 and admit his failure to keep all the commandments.

Question:
When he asked Jesus, “which ones”,
what do you think he was thinking?
    – Maybe He won’t mention the ones I have not kept.
    – I’m almost there; as soon as I confirm
       my keeping of the commandments, I’m there.
    – He may have been concerned about some of the
       traditions the Pharisees had added to the commandments.

Jesus responded with:
    – Four of the commandments (6 thru 9)
       that refer to relationships with others.
    – The commandment (5th)
       that refers to family relationships with parents.
    – A reference to Leviticus 19:18
       that refers to holy living.
   Question:
   Wonder why He added this?
        – It summarizes the other five?
        – He wanted to emphasize that obedience
           includes an attitude, and a way of life?

The man’s reply:
    – He confidently claimed he had kept these commandments.
   Note:
       He may have kept them, or he may have been in denial,
       or he may not have realized the
       magnitude of the commandments.
           – Murder (includes uncontrolled anger).
           – Adultery (includes lust).
           – Stealing (includes withholding from God).
           – False testimony (includes gossip).
    – By his question, he may have wanted (expected) Jesus
       to say he had done all that was required.

The reply from Jesus:
    – He didn’t challenge the man on his claims.
    – He didn’t debate his sincerity.
    – “perfect” (the word carries the idea
       of completeness, or full maturity).
    – He said, “sell what you have;
       give to the poor; follow Me”.
   Note:
       The result of these actions would be
       a great reward (treasure in heaven).
   Question:
   Why do you think Jesus gave him these instructions?
       – The man trusted his wealth over trusting God?
       – His possessions had become his God?
         Note:
             If this was the case,
             he had broken the first commandment,
             “Thou shalt have no other gods before me”.
         Note:
             This in itself would disqualify him from inheriting
              eternal life by keeping all the commandments.
    Question:
    Wonder why Jesus didn’t mention the first four
    commandments earlier in the conversation?
        – He knew this was the area of weakness for the man,
           and wanted to focus on it later to make a point
           (that all commandments could not be kept by man)?
    Note:
        When comparing the God of Life to the God of this world:
             – God of this world tempts us in or weaknesses.
             – God of Life tests us in our strengths.
    Note:
        Jesus may have wanted to remove
        the man’s focus on his weakness.
    Note:
        We can see a good reason for us to focus
         on our strengths instead of our weaknesses.
    Note:
         The demand given to this man is similar to the demand
          for all believers – full commitment to the Lord.

The man’s response:
    – We see the importance of wealth for this man.
    – Question:
      Why was he sad?
            – He didn’t want to lose his wealth and status?
            – He realized he was giving up eternal life?

Question:
How did Jesus feel about the man?
    – He loved him (Mark 10:21).
      Note:
          He didn’t love him because of what he could do
          to help Jesus; He loved him for what He could do
          for the man.
          Note:
               This is why Jesus sincerely tried to help him.

Question:
Wonder what Jesus was thinking at this point?
    – He may have been sad (knowing this was
       the man’s last chance to inherit eternal life).
     Note:
         Jesus let the man go away.
         Note:
             This shows He doesn’t force anyone to follow Him.
             He allows each person the option of choosing.
        Note:
             Each of us must live with the consequences of our choice.
        Note:
             If we don’t choose, we have made a choice
             (our choice is to not follow, commit, and serve Him).

Note:
This man failed to receive eternal life because:
    (1) His self-righteousness kept him from recognizing his sins.
          Note:
              Many today think eternal life can be earned.
                  – Some feel they have already earned it.
                  – Some are looking for good things
                     they can do to earn it.
    (2) His prosperity got in the way.
               – Jesus said the poor in spirit would have
                  the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3).
              – Wealthy people have trouble being poor in spirit.
                Question:
                What does “poor in spirit” mean to you?
                     – Having a faith and dependency on the Lord?
                     – Depending on Him for:
                            – Food.
                            – Clothing.
                            – Shelter.
                            – Guidance.
                            – Protection from temptation.
                            – Humility.

Summary:
    – There are people who have a hunger for eternal life.
    – Jesus is the authority on how to have eternal life.
    – Many assume (falsely) that eternal life
       is a reward for doing good things.
    – When people see themselves as Jesus does,
       they see their sins, and His love.
    – Some people make possessions and/or status their god.
    – Jesus calls for total commitment
      from those who desire eternal life.
      Note:
           This means some old habits and desires have to go.
    – Jesus asks, but does not force anyone to choose to follow Him.

VERSES 23-26:

The disciples were with Jesus and probably wondering
why He made the demands on the young man.

Jesus told them that it’s hard
for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

He gave them an illustration
of how difficult it is for a rich man.
    – “camel through the eye of a needle (an impossibility).
      Note:
          Some have said that Jesus was referring to
           a small gate in Jerusalem primarily used by people.
          A camel might be able to squeeze through it,
           but it would be difficult.
      Note:
          When looking at verses 25-26, it looks
           like He was talking about a real needle.

When He gave this illustration, the disciples were astonished.
     – The thinking in those days was that
        a rich person must be among God’s favored people;
        Jesus was saying that a rich person would have
        a difficult time even being in God’s kingdom.
     – They must have been thinking,
        “If we were wrong about the rich, then what else
         were we wrong about? Do we qualify to be saved?”
     – They decided to ask Jesus about it.
       Note:
            It doesn’t say one of them asked Jesus – apparently,
            several were asking at the same time
             (sounds like a panicky moment).

The reply from Jesus:
    – What Jesus said to them was a key point regarding salvation.
    – No person can save himself.
      Note:
          Implied is, there are no deeds a person can do to be saved.
    – The realty is, what man cannot do, God can do.
      Note:
          Salvation is a gift from God
          (based on faith and not works).
          Example:
              If someone were to give you a present and then
              you say you’ll mow their lawn, then you have
              diluted the gift they have given you, and insulted them.
              If someone gives you a gift and you say, “Here is 3
              pennies in my pocket, let me give them to you”.
             Again, you have cheapened the gift they gave you.

Summary:
    – Being rich doesn’t mean we have gained God’s favor.
    – Wealth often prevents a person from having
       the humble faith needed for salvation.
    – No one can save himself.
    – God makes the impossible, possible.
    – Salvation is based on faith.

VERSES 27-30:

As Peter soaked in what had happened, and
what Jesus had said, he had some additional questions.
    – The rich man needed to give up his possessions
       to receive eternal life.
    – The disciples had left their possessions (and family)
       to follow Jesus.
    – The rich man’s reward would have been
       heaven…what is the reward for the disciples?
       Note:
           His question almost has the same tone
            as Judas’ (Matthew 26:14-15).

Question:
How do you feel about his question?
Was it a fair question?

The response from Jesus:
    – He answered in verses 28 & 29;
      He gave a warning in verse 30.
    – When Jesus is elevated to a high position,
       the disciples will be elevated too.
    – They will regain all they sacrificed,
       plus more than they could imagine.
    – Most importantly, they will receive everlasting life.
    Question:
        Wonder what they thought about this response?
    Question:
        Do you think this was enough motivation
        for them to continue following Jesus?
    Question:
        What is our motivation for following Jesus?
    Question:
        When we look at the sacrifices we have made,
        what we can anticipate?
    Note:
        Sacrifice does not mean giving up something evil
        (like drinking, etc.)…those are the things we are
        EXPECTED to eliminate.
        It means sacrificing time, money, possessions, etc.
        for the cause of Christ.
   Note:
       We should evaluate our lives and ask ourselves
       what we have sacrificed already and what we
       plan to sacrifice in the future.
       Note:
          This may help us to measure our love for Jesus and
          our appreciation for what He has done for us.
              – Verse 30 could be a rebuke to those who follow Jesus
                 with wrong motives (which was to get great rewards).
              – Those who “humbly” follow Jesus
                 are not focused on the rewards.
              – Jesus gives them a parable as a reminder that God
                 is the One Who decides how His followers are
                 rewarded (Matthew 20:1-16).
             Note:
                 God sees past what we show on the
                 surface; He looks into our hearts.

Question:
When you hear something like that, do you think
about a person’s heart, or mind, or both?

    – Look at the focus of the mother of the disciples James
      and John, and how the disciples and Jesus responded
      (Matthew 20:20-28).
      Question:
      What do you think the mother was thinking?
          – Why have you taken my sons away?
      Question:
      What problems could be caused
      by having the wrong focus?
          – Causing turmoil?
          – Causing others to lose their focus?
          – Failure to sincerely listen to others
             (and their problems)?

Summary:
    – We should worship and serve God for what we
       have already received…not for what we will receive
       (it’s a matter of love and appreciation).
    – God will reward the faithful
      and sacrificial service of His children.
      Note:
          Humility appears to be an important factor.
          Question:
               Wonder how many believers exercise
               humility (including pastors, deacons, etc.).
          Question:
               If you had to define humility, could you?
         Webster:
              Having or showing a consciousness of one’s
              defects or shortcomings; not proud; modest.
         Note:
              It’s interesting that the word which is close to
               humility is “humiliate” which is
               ‘lowering the pride or dignity of someone else’.
– God’s rewards are gifts of His grace.

  Note:
      Although its good to have goals in life,
       believers should focus on the present,
       and not the rewards for their efforts.