Sunday, August 7, 2016 - What Do I Still Lack?
Pastor Roger Marcos
August 7, 2016
Yesterday, after the praise team practice I went home alone to get rest. I lay down on the bed thinking what might be my sermon. I went to the living room turn on my laptop to study the life of THE RICH YOUNG MAN.
When my cell rang for a message in the messenger I’M ON MY WAY HOME! She done that too often when she take a bus.
Her message strike me a lot: don’t let a single day go by without telling your kids how you feel.
Sometimes the toughest thing about feelings is sharing them with others. Sharing your feelings helps you when your feelings are good and when they aren't so good. Sharing also helps you to get closer to people you care about and who care about you.
The way a person feels inside is important. It can be really hard not to tell anyone that you're feeling sad, worried, or upset. Then, it's just you and these bad feelings. If you keep feelings locked inside, it can even make you feel sick!
But if you talk with someone who cares for you, like your mom or dad, you will almost always start to feel better. Now you're not all alone with your problems or worries. It doesn't mean your problems and worries magically disappear, but at least someone else knows what's bothering you and can help you find solutions.
The rich young man, asked to Jesus “WHAT DO I STILL LACK”? It is a legitimate question - a question that deserves an honest answer.
Was He Really Prepared to do what the Master Instructed him?
Let’s examine this text of scripture to see what this young man did and to make sure that we are really willing to follow our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
MATTHEW 19:16-25
16 Now a man came to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”
18 “Which ones?” the man inquired.
Jesus replied, “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,” and “love your neighbor as yourself.”
20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said, “What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man 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 a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
Have You Ever Asked Yourselves that Question? WHAT DO I STILL LACK?
For 30 years of the Lord Jesus walked on planet earth meeting different kinds of people and THOSE THAT WERE CHANGED THEIR LIVES THROUGH THEIR MEETING WITH THE LORD were often the poor, sick, the helpless, and the afflicted.
Those who were often not changed were the powerful, the rich, and the elite.
Material Things Can Blind Us to Spiritual Realities, That We Must Guard Our Hearts and Keep Our Eyes On Spiritual Values:
1. The Rich Young Man Focus: GOD PUNISHMENT. (Explain)
He Run to Jesus, and he asked “What good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”
This is the opening statement the read on verse 16.
16 Now a man came to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
In other words, WHAT CAN I DO TO AVOID PUNISHMENT so that I may be able to have the Eternal life?
The man’s desire was to understand the requirements for “eternal life” or entrance into heaven, expecting to perform a reasonable act to gain entry in heaven. What thing to do to guarantee his eternal life.
Jesus quickly gets to the root of the issue by first asking why the man was looking for something good when only God truly is good.
2. Jesus’ Focus Verse 17--- God’s Mercy
17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”
Nervously the man asks Jesus which commandments he needed to keep to gain eternal life.
Jesus Answered the Young Man.
a. The answer that Jesus gave to the young man was “if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.
b. After quoting from the Ten Commandments, Jesus concluded with “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 18-19
c. At this point, the young man responded with “all these things I have kept from my youth - what do I still lack?”
3. Man’s Focus 18- God’s Punishment.
4. Jesus’ Focus (18-19) God’s Love.
18 “Which ones?” the man inquired.
Jesus replied, “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,” and “love your neighbor as yourself.”
5. Man’s Focus (Matthew 19:20) God’s Punishment
20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said, “What do I still lack?”
The final question asked by the man, “what am I still lacking” (Matthew 19:20) is answered with the statement “if you wish to be complete” and the requirement “go and sell your possessions and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven” and the requirement “and come, follow Me”
Jesus' statement to this man about obeying the commandments was in essence saying;
"First Have a Relationship With God as Proved by your obedience to the commandments and then you will find eternal life."
It wasn't the "doing" that brought eternal life, it would be the relationship with God that resulted in "doing" that would bring it.
This man loved his wealth, and this is precisely where Jesus directs his need, to get his heart off his earthly treasures and put it on spiritual ones.
The reaction of this man clearly shows the shallow desire he has.
Too often people may decide to embrace Christianity without a lifelong commitment, it will not last long if their heart is on earthly treasures!
Some say, dedicate the heart and the money will follow; but our Lord put it the other way around. "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." If your treasure is dedicated, your heart will be dedicated. If it is not, it simply won't. It is as simple as that. -- G. Timothy Johnson in the Covenant Companion (Sept. 1990). Christianity Today, Vol. 34, no. 15.
6. Jesus’ Focus (Matthew 19:21) God’s Mercy.
A deep commitment to the things of this world usually means a shallow commitment to the things of God!
A. His Reaction and Face Tells Who He Was. (SADNESS) vs. 22
21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
a. The rich man's reaction to Jesus' advice to go and sell all he had and give to the poor reveals his real heart, he leaves Jesus with sadness!
b. While he was interested in salvation, it was not enough to have it cost him everything.
c. Material things mattered more to him than spiritual things
Prosperity has often been fatal to Christianity, but persecution never. -- An Amish bishop quoted in The Economist (July 22, 1989). Christianity Today, Vol. 33, no. 16.
This man's heart was set on getting, not on giving . giving is the true spirit of a follower of Christ.
When Christ is in us, the spirit of giving breaks loose!
ILLUSTRATION:
While Eric Hulstrand of Binford, North Dakota, was preaching one Sunday, an elderly woman, Mary, fainted and struck her head on the end of the pew. Immediately, an EMT in the congregation called an ambulance. As they strapped her to a stretcher and got ready to head out the door, Mary regained consciousness. She motioned for her daughter to come near. Everyone thought she was summoning her strength to convey what could be her final words. The daughter leaned over until her ear was at her mother's mouth. "My offering is in my purse," she whispered. -- Fresh Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching (Baker), from the editors of Leadership.
The man leaves, he does not wish to have eternal life without his wealth.
How Rich Are You?
What price tag is on your soul?
What brings you the greatest joy in life?
What would you have answered Jesus if you were the rich young man?
Will You Leave Here Sorrowful or Full of Joy?
CONCLUSION: No greater sadness comes to God than those who will get "saved" for very shallow reasons. Jesus ran into people like the rich young man who wanted eternal life, but based on his terms rather than on God's terms. No such salvation exists outside of a complete surrender to Christ. How deep is your commitment?
Do You Love God More Than Anything Else?
If you were to ask God, “What do I still lack?” What Would His Answer Be To You?