Lessons from the Rich Young Ruler

1. He recognized that Jesus was the one to whom he needed to come to get spiritual answers.

2. John 8:24 "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins."

3. Acts 4:12 "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

4. 1 Timothy 2:5, 6 "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."

5. He even seemed to have the right attitude-he ran, and he kneeled. He appears to be sincere.

1. "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

1) Same question was asked in Acts 2:27 "Men and brethren what shall we do?"

2) Saul asked this question in Acts 9:6, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?"

3) The jailer said in Acts 16:30, "What must I do to be saved?"

2. This is a question that many ask today in religion.

1) Some say that there is nothing one can do to inherit eternal life.

2) There are others who say that you must do certain actions which will merit your salvation.

3) The truth is that we must obey, but that this doesn't merit our salvation. Acts 2:40 "Save yourselves from this crooked generation."

4) Phil.2:12 "So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;"

3. Jesus answer here was consistent with the truth in this regard.

1) Jesus tells this man to obey the commands of God.

2) This is Jesus first answer to his question.

3) Today, we are under similar obligation to obey God.

4) 1 John 5:2, 3 "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."

5) There should be no doubt in our minds that when it comes to eternal life, we need to obey God.

6) There was, however, an additional element which this man needed to be saved.

1. This man's response to Jesus was that he had done all of these things from his youth.

2. It appears as if he was telling the truth, because the text said Jesus loved him.

3. It was the second answer, however, that this man was not expecting Jesus to give-sell all you have and give it to the poor; take up your cross and follow me.

1) Does this mean that we must sell everything that we have and give it to the poor?

2) Not necessarily.

3) Jesus was calling upon this man to give up the one thing that came between him and God.

4) With us it may be something else.

5) What that is, only we can tell.

4. Jesus asked the man to dedicate himself to Him without reservation.

1) Matthew 6:33

2) Matthew 16:24-26 "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? or what shall a man give in exchange for his life?"

3) We must dedicate everything we have to God.

1. The Bible says he went away sorrowful because he had many possessions.

1) He was sad: his countenance fell, his facial expression changed from excitement to distress.

2) This is the same man that ran to Jesus and fell on his knees in the presence of Jesus.

3) Sorrowful: grieved, saddened, upset.

2. The truth is that he didn't possess those possessions, they possessed him.

1) When we are possessed by something other than God, God will demand that we give it up.

2) Romans 6:16 "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"

3) John 8:34 "Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin."

3. So the text says that he "went away."

1) The Savior was not to blame in this.

2) How often do we hear people today saying, "If you would just let up a little and be more compromising, then we would have greater crowds, responses, and influence!"

3) This was not Jesus' choice.

4) Jesus did not compromise His principles one millimeter to gain the influence of a wealthy man.

5) Whose fault is it today when people do not hear the message of the gospel?

6) Galatians 1:10-12 "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."

4. We must be willing to change to follow Jesus.

1) This is repentance.

2) Luke 13:3, 5 "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

3) Acts 17:30 God now demands that all men everywhere repent.