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Northwest Church of Christ 3904 38th Street NW Canton, Ohio 44718 330-492-5523 Fax: 330-493-7119 |
“What Do I Still Lack” |
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I. Introduction.
A. In three of the four gospel accounts, the story is found of
Jesus’ encounter with a young man who asked some
serious questions, received answers to his questions, but
left dissatisfied with what he’d been told.1. In Matthew 19, in Mark 10 (vs. 17-22), and in
Luke 18 (vs. 18-23) we read of this young man
who, apparently, was successful by world’s
standards and was attempting to live according to
God’s law.2. But, his involvement with “getting ahead” in life
caused a problem when he confronted the truth of
what Jesus told him.3. His distraction by commitments in this life
interfered with his making a real commitment to
God.B. First, we need to focus on young man himself, and occasion
of his meeting with Jesus.1. As this incident takes place, Jesus was approaching
end of his work on earth. At times, He had left area
of Jerusalem, and Judea, to escape from the intense
hatred, and persecution, of his enemies. At this
time, He’d gone into northern Galilee, then crossed
the east side of Jordan River into area called Perea.
Was leaving Perea at the time he encountered this
young man.2. As to man himself:
a. We know he was young (Matthew 19:22:
speaks of reaction of “young man” to Jesus’
advice to “sell what you have and give to
the poor.” (v. 21).b. We know what he possessed was much,
“. . . for he was very rich.” (Luke 18:23).c. He was called a “ruler” in Luke 18:18. Luke
is the only gospel writer to mention this
point. Gives him not only high economic
status, but also high social status.d. We can say he was a good, moral, man:
When Jesus listed some important points
of the Mosaic Law, he replied “All these
things I have kept . . .” (Matthew 19:20).
e. But, in spite of his goodness, man was
lacking something to be able to claim full
relationship with God. He asked: “. . . what
good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal
life?” (Matthew 19:16). To all He had told
the man in response to this question, Jesus
added one thing he still lacked.3. When Jesus counseled him “. . . go and sell what
you have and give to the poor, . . .” the young man
“went away sorrowful.” (Matthew 19:22).4. Jesus let him go. When we ask, “Lord what must I
do?” and receive a truthful answer, we must choose.
It is either God’s way, or no way. Jesus didn’t
reduce the demands of discipleship in order to gain
a convert; He didn’t dilute truth to spare the feelings
of one individual.C. The spiritual condition of this man is sad, because he had
so many things in his favor. But, if he never made that full
commitment to Jesus, that Jesus requires of any disciple, he
was still spiritually lost in spite of the many good things we
can say about him.II. “In Spite Of . . .”
A. The rich young ruler was lost in spite of a good
background.1. Here was a person from a good family, with
obvious personal talents and a responsible nature,
one who had been brought up with a strong
religious background. He had been taught right
from wrong, and had been taught God’s Law
“from . . . youth up.”2. Having all the advantages his background
provided him, it is truly sad he didn’t follow
Jesus, sad he allowed something so temporary
as material wealth to stand between himself and
God.3. It’s equally sad, today, when people, young and
older, in spite of good upbringings and back-
grounds, allow something to interfere with their
becoming a disciple, or maintaining their
discipleship.4. Some come to Jesus for salvation from a deprived,
or tragic, past. Some come from past life of serious
sin and degradation. Some come from
circumstances that were much better, and more
conducive, to encouraging obedience to God. But,
whatever the past, all meet on common ground;
must obey command of Jesus, or sacrifice eternal
life.B. Second, the rich young ruler was lost in spite of asking
life’s most important question.1. When given the opportunity, he came straight to
point: “. . . what good thing shall I do, that I may
have eternal life?”2. Jesus was equally direct in His answer.
3. This man, apparently, a model of moral excellence
and integrity, must have felt something was still
missing in his spiritual life to prompt him to say:
“what do I still lack?”a. If human goodness and human actions
could save anyone, this young man was
already saved. He displayed virtue at a time
when so much sin reigned in the world; he
showed faith in a time of spiritual infidelity
on part of so many of his kinsmen.b. Unlike others in his situation, who feel that,
aside from their wealth, they need nothing,
he recognized that there was more to life
than possessions or law keeping.4. Jesus’ answer struck at very heart of a problem in
man’s life.5. People live, and die, without ever asking life’s most
important question: The question hasn’t changed,
and the answer is still same as well.a. Not that selling all we have has ever been
made condition for discipleship. Jesus never
condemned ownership of property or
forbade disciples to have a share of this
world’s goods.b. Then, why this condition for this man? Two
possible reasons:1. First, covetousness had reached such
a degree in this man’s life that only
by getting rid of his wealth could he
really follow Jesus.2. Another possibility is that Jesus
might have been calling him not just
for discipleship, but for apostleship –
a situation that did require forsaking
all one had. Peter acknowledged this
in Luke 18:28: “. . . we have left all
and followed Him.” Here, Jesus
gave a special appeal to young man,
as He had to all other apostles:
“. . . come, follow me.”
(Matthew 19:21).6. The tragedy here, as it is today, is to know the
answer to life’s most important question, yet still
resist acting upon that knowledge.C. Third, the rich young ruler was lost in spite of a tender
heart of remorse, and regret.1. The eagerness and confidence with which he
approached Jesus was replaced by a downcast,
subdued, spirit of sorrow.2. I believe he came sincerely seeking an answer from
One he respected and admired. This is reflected in
how he addressed Jesus: “. . . Good Teacher, . . .”
(Matthew 19:16). He used a term which the Jews
applied to God Himself.3. In turning away, young man not only made a wrong
decision regarding his eternal condition, but also
regarding his earthly situation. He would have been
better off, even in present world, to have obeyed
Jesus. In his heart, knew truth of what Jesus said –
and this produced regret.4. He was not like those so hardened in sin that they
despise spiritual things. Rather was like those who,
despite burden of conscience, and knowledge of
what to do, still put off doing it.5. Discipleship does not allow for the obeying of
selected commands – those that suit us or our style
of life. (Matthew 7:21: “Not every one that saith
unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom
of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father
which is in heaven.”).6. (Illust.) Some tourists asked a man at a reptile farm
which snake was deadliest – the rattle snake, the
cobra, the water moccasin, or the coral snake. His
answer: “They all have what it takes to kill you.”7. We don’t have to commit every sin to miss joys of
heaven. Any forgiven sin needs taken care of. The
tender heart of remorse, and regret, that calls upon
God for forgiveness, will have it – when we comply
with His Will.D. Of the three gospel records of this story, one adds a
significant detail. In Mark 10:21, says: “Then Jesus
looking at him, loved him, . . .” But, rich young ruler was
lost in spite of fact Jesus loved him.1. Love of Jesus for him didn’t cause Him to withhold
truth from man.2. We can still be spiritually dead in spite of God’s
great love for us – love that has been abundantly
demonstrated, and is open, and available, to
everyone.3. It hurts us when our love for someone is not
returned. It grieves God when His love is rejected
by His creation.III. Conclusion.
A. We would like to think this story had happier ending, that
sometime later this young man came back to Jesus and
said: “I’ve thought it over and I’m willing to make
whatever sacrifice is necessary in order to have eternal
life.”1. As far as we know, this never happened.
2. Jesus let this man make the final decision about
his life, and his future.B. After young man’s departure, Mark tells us: “. . . Jesus
looked around, and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it is
for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of
God!’ ” (Mark 10:23).1. This “astonished” His hearers. So Jesus explained
what He meant (verse 24); that those who “trust
in riches,” or put confidence in them, are excluding
themselves from relationship with God, now and
forever.C. Our stories don’t have to end so sadly. Having heard life’s
most important question, can hear answer as well: “Repent
and be baptized . . . in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins, . . .(Acts 2:38).D. Ours may not be a problem of covetousness, but it is a
problem of sin. Need sin forgiven; need what only Jesus
can provide, need what only we can decide to do. If you
still lack something in your spiritual life, the “Good
Teacher” can fill void. He calls you today to “. . . come
and follow me.”