Matthew 19:20-21.Ready

Matthew 19:20-21.Ready

19:20 “All these I have kept,”  the young man said. (If your already young and you say I’ve kept these since I was a youth. You just haven’t lived long enough to break them. Give it some time, you will eventually.) “What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus answered, (looked at him and loved him.-{Mark 10:21} -Jesus saw the sincerity of the man’s heart and loved him enough to tell him what he needed to do. Jesus doesn’t shame us or disown us in the places we fall short. That even when religious and legalistic Jesus still loves us. Even in poor theology, perception, and doctrine Jesus still loves us.) If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, (take up the cross-K.J.V.-Not found in the most authentic and Greek manuscripts.) follow me.”(For Complete  Expository Notes see Book)

Extended Sermons

“Demonstrates how you can have all the things in life: money, success, religion, yet still have a void & emptiness inside.” ⇒ Even as at a young age this man still felt something was missing. Which goes to show how you don’t have to be old to perceive that there’s more to life than just stuff. That there’s more to life than just position and power. You can have the perfect job, career, success, and status and still feel there’s something missing. The actor Jim Carrey once said; “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see it’s not the answer”. That’s why only Christ can fill that gap and emptiness in your heart. Without Jesus, you’ll always be wandering, you’ll always be searching, never quite finding the peace and fulfillment that your soul longs for. This restlessness is a sign—a divine hint that points us toward the need for something greater than ourselves and that is Jesus Christ.

“Warns how a work based religion will always be lacking because you’ll never know if you’ve ever done enough.” ⇒ In fact trying to win the favor with God through good works will eat you alive, because you’ll always wonder whether or not it’s been enough. If you believe being good and religious is the key. How good is good enough? Or how religious is religious enough? And what kind of confidence would you have in that system if you believed that ? What kind of confidence would you have in making it to heaven based on your goodness. Do you think God grades on the curve. That God is going to judge and evaluate you relative to how good you’ve been compared to others.

“Displays how some people are only looking for affirmation in being told they’re 99% there, they just need a little help over the hump.” → Some people approach Jesus not out of a desire to change, but rather to receive confirmation that their actions and beliefs are already sufficient. Instead of seeking guidance or correction, they hope to be reassured that they are on the right track. This attitude reflects a tendency to value personal achievements and self-perceived goodness, rather than humbly recognizing the need for growth or transformation. It suggests that their interaction with faith is more about validation than about genuine spiritual progress.

“Teaches how oftentimes we try to persuade ourselves & Christ that we have done everything possible in order to appease our conscience.” ⇒ As a result it’s not bringing us closer to God, but only dragging us farther away from Him. We often have an inaccurate and false assessment of our own standing with God. The problem is we go with what we feel and what we’re comfortable with in our minds, our convictions, our beliefs, our own observations, and what is right to us. Instead of going to the Lord and His Word and seeing what He thinks. There’s nothing worse than being convinced something to be true, when in fact the exact opposite is true. I can’t image anything more Earth-shaking, heart-rattling than realizing you believed something for so long, only to find out that it was completely false. (cf. Rev. 3:14-18)

“Displays Jesus’ love in confronting us with the hard truths and tough questions even when it’s difficult to hear and accept.”⇒ Be careful of what you pray and ask Jesus to make clear to you because the hammer is about to fall and it’s going to hurt. Jesus doesn’t hold any punches. Jesus is straightforward and unrelenting in His approach. Jesus confronts with the truth and hard facts, because the truth sets us free, no matter how much it hurts in the moment, or how uncomfortable it may be at this point of our lives. Because by doing so, Jesus helps us confront our inner struggles and shortcomings. Jesus’ words are not always easy to hear, but necessary. Aren’t you thankful that Jesus loves us enough to tell us the hard truth.

“Teaches how Jesus isn’t afraid to touch a nerve when it comes to the uncomfortable truths and difficult changes we need to make.” → Jesus knows exactly what issue is keeping us from fully surrendering to Him. When He puts His finger on that one thing—whether it be money, possessions, status, relationships, ambitions, or even a persistent sin—He is not doing so to condemn us, but rather to reveal the obstacles that keep us from a deeper relationship with Him. This moment can be uncomfortable and may touch a sensitive area in our lives, but it is meant to help us recognize what might be taking God’s rightful place in our hearts. These hard truths are not universal commands, but are tailored to each individual. For the rich young man, it was his wealth; for others, it could be something entirely different. The point is not merely to rid ourselves of things, but to be willing to yield any idol or attachment that stands between us and God. Jesus lovingly confronts us so that we can experience true freedom and the fullness of life He offers.

Additional Notes & Applications

Teaches how the Lord often tests us to see if we will surrender anything He asks of us. If you can’t surrender everything Jesus asks of you then He’s not Lord. And if He’s not Lord, He4’s not your Savior.

Teaches how there’s no cookie-cutter approach to evangelism, each person is going to be different. Jesus addresses the man’s personal struggles and desires in a way that speaks directly to his heart.

Warns how we must never lower the bar of the Gospel or the standards of Christianity just because they seem like an ideal candidate. (Don’t soften or water down the truth in an attempt to make Christianity more appealing or accessible.

Teaches how following is Jesus is not only exclusive, following Jesus is costly. It demands everything.

Teaches how following Jesus should not leave us the same as when we started.

Calls for going beyond comfort to looking for opportunities to serve others even it comes at our own personal cost.

Note: Our relationship with God is both horizontal and vertical. The man had the horizontal part down when it came to His neighbors and treating people right, but not the vertical part when it came to his relationship[p with God.

Notice how Jesus didn’t lower the bar, or alter the message. He did the most loving thing you can do with somebody who’s in darkness, by giving them the truth in love.  The most unloving thing you can do is dilute the message out of the fear of offending.

Note: What Jesus is asking for was specific to this man’s possessions and what he needed to address. Whereas it’s going to look different for each of us.  I can’t answer what that barrier is between you and God. You must search your own heart and confess it openly to God. Over the years for me personally, I have had several high places in my life that I had to tear down…these high places have varied and were not always inherently bad, but I made these things bad because they occupied too much love in my heart… too much thought in my mind…and took too much time. They were an idol because it showed that I was devoted more to these things than to God. And that’s what an idol is…it’s the “Thing” you give greater devotion or worship to over God. So, what is it for you? Maybe your here today and your walk is good with the Lord. If so, praise God. But, maybe you have an idol in your life that needs addressing? Maybe for you its Family? Career, Sports? Leisure? Maybe it’s Video games? Money? Pleasure? Food? Some secret sin? that’s coming between you and God?