Following Jesus Freely
At Home with Jesus • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 2 viewsLast week I addressed the Rich Young Man's who rejected Jesus' invitation to follow. This week I will be focusing on the disciples response to this dialogue with Jesus.
Notes
Transcript
Last week we addressed the Rich Young Man.
This young man had a lot of money, he was young, he was a good man, a moral man, His character was outstanding, and he was interested in Jesus but this man wanted to follow Jesus on his own terms.
He thought that he could be justified by what he did…
What good thing must I DO to get eternal life?
Which commandments must I do?
Jesus said, that if you want to enter life then simply do not Murder, don’t commit adultery, steal, don’t lie, and be sure to honor your father and mother and love your neighbor as yourself.
He said, “I’ve done all those things but what else am I missing?”
Then Jesus said, if you want to be perfect, sell all that you have, give to the poor and then, you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.
At this request, it was beyond his ability. This young man could not do what Jesus was requesting him to do so he rejected Jesus’ invitation to follow HIM.
22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
This man was free to follow Jesus but was unwilling to let go of the false god, the idol that prevented him from following Jesus. He was sad because he had great wealth and to give up everything was to much for him to do.
This young man had to give up a whole lot more then some poor fisherman. He was wealthy and to give up everything to follow Jesus, according to his math was not worth the risk.
At least at this point… but who knows, he may have followed Jesus at some point but at this time, this was a bridge that was impossible to cross. And, that’s the tragic end of this Rich Young Man.
At this point, Jesus turned his attention to HIS disciples, the followers of Jesus as they witnessed the end of this sad story.
Jesus teaches HIS disciples a lesson about perusing wealth using this sad story of this young man rejecting Jesus.
Matthew 19:23–30 (NIV)
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, 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.”
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”
28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
Pray
Have you ever compared yourself to someone else who appeared to be better off then you?
The “if only” attitude… more money, lived in a better house, neighborhood, better community, better marriage, better kids, better parents.
The “if only” attitude is the thief of joy and hinders us from being thankful. The “if only” attitude will cause us to overlook the blessings that God has given us every single day.
Jesus reminds his disciples that the money is worthless when it comes to our eternal reward. Money only gives us a false sense of security that’s only temporary. Jesus makes it crystal clear that what we give up here on earth we will gain so much more as our eternal reward.
Follow Jesus freely and follow Jesus faithfully. This world is full of distractions that will try to fool us into thinking that this is all there is to live for.
What we see is what we get. Don’t let the lie this world is feeding you trip you up.
The one who dies with the most toys does not win, the one who gives up all to follow Jesus wins.
True safety and security only comes when we follow Jesus.
True safety and security only comes when we follow Jesus.
Jesus makes it very clear, that the poor have a much easier time following Jesus then the rich do because the poor are completely dependent.
We could depend on others, the government, our employer but ultimately God takes care of those who follow Jesus faithfully.
Jesus is talking about fully relying on Christ, not depending on anything but Jesus and watch how God provides.
We all want to live in this world safely and secure. Physically, emotionally, relationally, financially safe and secure.
This world tells us to stock up, food, money, guns, so you can be safe and secure.
Jesus said while we live here on earth travel light, cast your cares upon ME, seek first HIS Kingdom and HIS righteousness, replace your earthly treasure for a heavenly treasure.
Break free from the attachments or distractions that keeps us consumed with this world and prevents us from following Jesus freely.
Jesus explained to HIS disciples that it was very difficult for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven (not impossible, but difficult).
Wealth can be a stumbling block on the path to discipleship because it presents the idea of self-sufficiency.
If someone who is rich is feeling empty, they can buy something new to dull the pain. The pain that was meant to drive them toward God.
Jesus said that their abundance and self-sufficiency become their deficiency.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, 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.”
Jesus used a common Jewish proverb to illustrate how hard it will be for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.
With all their advantages and influence, rich people may find it difficult to have the attitude of humility, submission, and service required in order to follow Jesus.
Money represents power, authority, and success, wealthy people often have difficulty realizing their need and their powerlessness to save themselves.
That’s why Jesus explained that it would be easier to get a camel (the largest animal in Palestine) through the eye of a sewing needle than for a person who trusts in riches to get into the kingdom of God.
Whatever you own could become a barrier to entering the kingdom if it comes between you and God. Because it is impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, it appears impossible for a rich person to get into the kingdom of God.
26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Jesus answers the disciples’ question, “Who can be saved?” The truth is that it is not just the rich who have difficulty. Salvation is not possible for anyone from a human standpoint.
No one can be saved by his or her wealth, achievements, talents, or good deeds: On our own this is impossible but the situation is not hopeless.
Regardless if they are rich or poor God has an entirely different plan: With God all things are possible.
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
It begins with God’s grace received through faith that makes us safe and secure. Walking down the road of life as we follow Jesus together.
Our eternal reward only comes as we follow Jesus faithfully.
Our eternal reward only comes as we follow Jesus faithfully.
People are often motivated by the reward.
Finding somebody else's pet.
Giving up incriminating information
Peter was motivated by the reward for giving up everything to follow Jesus. Peter made that clear to Jesus...
27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”
Peter was telling the truth. He left his boats, his fishing equipment along with his crew and followed Jesus.
Even though Peter’s question seems a little selfish, he was simply thinking about rewards from the standpoint of his Jewish background.
In the Old Testament, God rewarded HIS people according to HIS justice, and obedience often brought reward in this life (Deuteronomy 28).
But Jesus explained to Peter that obedience and immediate reward are not always linked. If they were true then good people would always be rich, and suffering would always be a sign of sin.
The disciples’ true reward (and ours) was God’s presence and power through the Holy Spirit. The reward also includes the assurance of salvation and eternal life (an assurance that the rich young man lacked, 19:20). Later, in eternity, God will reward his people for faith and service.
28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
The term “at the renewal of all things” seems to refer to the creation of the new heaven and new earth.
The Jews looked forward to this restoration as the messianic age at the end of the world based on Old Testament prophecy.
17 “See, I will create
new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
nor will they come to mind.
They believed that a golden age similar to the days when David ruled the kingdom would be restored. This would occur when the Son of Man sits on HIS glorious throne.
Jesus made it clear that this was an event still in the future. The disciples had been hoping that it would happen immediately, but Jesus’ constant talk of his coming death made them wonder what would happen to them in this whole scenario and who would rule in Jesus’ absence.
The twelve thrones and judging the twelve tribes can be understood in different ways.
If taken literally, the twelve apostles will rule the tribes of Israel at Christ’s return.
Judas’s betrayal? The addition of Matthias as a disciple to replace Judas, and the role of Paul’s apostleship. The exact time and nature of that role is not specified.
If not taken literally, then the disciples will oversee the church, which will have a prominent place in God’s plan.
The second understanding (the disciples will oversee the church) seems likely because the “Son of Man” imagery ties to
13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Jesus said to HIS disciples, this is what you have to look forward to but this is what you have to give up. When we faithfully follow Jesus our eternal reward is guaranteed but it doesn’t come without a cost.
What Jesus values will always be contrary to what the world values.
What Jesus values will always be contrary to what the world values.
Jesus turned the world’s values upside down. Consider the most powerful or well-known people in our society—how many got where they are by being humble, self-effacing, and gentle? Not many!
But in the life to come, the last will be first, if they came in last place by choosing to follow Jesus. Don’t forfeit eternal rewards for temporary benefits. Be willing to make sacrifices now for greater rewards later. Be willing to accept human disapproval, knowing that you have God’s approval.
29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
Jesus assured the disciples that anyone who gave up something valuable for HIS sake would be repaid a hundred times over, although not necessarily in the same form.
Jesus is promising us spiritual blessings for material sacrifices. For example, someone may be rejected by his or her family for accepting Christ, but he or she will gain the larger family of believers with all the love it has to offer.
This is the answer to the rich young ruler’s question about how to obtain eternal life.
Jesus explained that by submitting to HIS authority and rule, making HIM top priority over all else, and giving up anything that hinders following HIM, each person can inherit eternal life.
For the rich young man, that meant giving up money as his idol. For each person the sacrifice may be different, though no less difficult.
We may have little or much, but are we willing to give it all up in order to have eternal life?
Jesus said that the “greatest” are like “little children”.
In the world to come, the values of this world will be reversed. Those who believe but who still seek status and importance here on earth will have no status or importance in heaven.
Jesus may have been referring to the disciples’ mixed-up motives. They had given up everything and hoped for rewards and for status in God’s kingdom. Jesus explained that yearning for position would cause them to lose any position they might have.
Christ’s disciples who have humbly served others are most qualified to be great in heaven. Rewards in heaven are not given on the basis of merit or “time served” or other earthly standards.
What matters in heaven is a person’s commitment to Christ. Radical discipleship—a willingness to follow totally and accept the consequences, a willingness to surrender everything to and for the service of Christ—is the only path to reward.
TAKE AWAY: What’s distracting you from faithfully following Jesus?
TAKE AWAY: What’s distracting you from faithfully following Jesus?
Money, status, family, relationships, time, social media.
Where is your security found?
What reward are you seeking? Eternal or Earthly