Message Notes

INTERMEDIATE SUNDAY SCHOOL 30 June 2024
STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Text: Matthew 19:16-22

Topic: The Rich Young Man

16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
18 He said to Him, “Which ones?”
Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’
19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ ”
20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Matthew 19:16-22
(Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-23)

1. The story of the rich young man is well-captured in the Synoptic Gospels

2. Descriptions given:

a) A young man Matthew 19:20, 22

b) He was called “a ruler” Luke 18:18

c) All declared him to be very rich Matthew 19:22; Luke 18:23
Mark 10:22

3. His interest
How to obtain “eternal life” Matthew 19: 16; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:18

4. His life

a) He knew the commandments of God

b) He had kept all the commandment since young Matthew 19:20a

c) He was a “good” young man

d) What did he still lack? Matthew 19:20b

5. His regard for the Lord Jesus

a) There was great respect shown

b) He knelt before the Lord Jesus Mark 10:17

6. The Invitation of the Lord Jesus

a) Sell all he had

b) Give his wealth to the poor

c) Follow the Lord Jesus Matthew 19:21

WHY DID THE LORD JESUS SPEAK THUS TO THE RICH YOUNG MAN?

1. The young man had asked what he “still lacked”

a) He lacked “eternal life”

b) He desired eternal life

c) He felt that he had done all that was needed to inherit eternal life

d) Was he right?

2. The Lord Jesus showed him what was lacking:

a) Genuine faith in the Lord

b) Compassion for the poor

c) Trust in God for the future

d) Following the Lord Jesus

i) Denying self

ii) Taking up the cross

iii) Following the Lord Jesus Matthew 16:24

THE DECISION OF THE RICH YOUNG RULER

1. He went away from the Lord Jesus

a) Sorrowfully

b) Regretfully

c) He realised he was not all that good after all

2. He could not give up his life of luxury

a) Wealth

b) Position

c) These mattered too much to him

3. He could not comprehend the difference between

a) This present life

b) Eternal life

CONCLUSION

1. How do we regard “eternal life?”

2. Are we willing to give up everything to gain eternal life?

a) Friends

b) The world

c) Things to which we are attached