Message Notes

INTERMEDIATE SUNDAY SCHOOL 7 JULY 2024
STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Text: Matthew 19:23-29

Topic: With God all things are possible

THE COMMENT OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

24 And again I say to 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.”

Matthew 19:23-24

1. Entrance into the kingdom of heaven

a) Hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven

b) This was sadly obvious

“Assuredly”

2. A proverbial saying

a) The eye of a needle

b) A camel passing through the eye of the needle

THE DISCUSSION OF THE DISCIPLES

When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”

Matthew 19:25

1. The Disciples were astonished

2. A common understanding

a) A secret wish to be rich

b) Wealth to many is a special “blessing”

3. Who then can be saved?

4. They still have a defective understanding of salvation

THE ANSWER OF THE LORD JESUS

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26

1. With men this is impossible

a) To give up wealth

b) To deny self

c) To take up the cross

d) To follow the Lord Jesus Matthew 16:24

2. But with God all things are possible

a) Finding genuine faith

b) Following the Lord Jesus fully

c) Giving up whatever is necessary to find eternal life

THE QUESTION OF PETER

Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”

Matthew 19:27

1. They had left all and followed the Lord Jesus

a) Their jobs

b) Their family

c) Their friends

2. What could they look forward to

a) Peter was candid in his question!

b) He was asking how they would be rewarded

THE LORD’S RESPONSE

28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, 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 lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.
30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Matthew 19:28-30

1. Would there be a reward?

Yes!

2. When would the reward be given?

a) In the “regeneration”

b) When the Lord Jesus sits on the throne of His glory

c) All who have followed Him will sit on thrones

d) They will judge the twelve tribes of Israel

3. The Lord honours all who have sacrificed something to follow Him

a) Houses

b) Family

“Brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children”

d) Wealth

“ Or lands”

e) “For My name’s sake”

4. The ultimate reward

a) He shall receive a hundredfold

b) And inherit eternal life

5. A word of admonition

But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Matthew 19:30

a) Many may be first

They might end up last

b) Some may be last

They might end up first

OUR CHALLENGE

1. To appreciate afresh the gift of “eternal life”

2. To find the kind of faith that is prepared to leave all to follow the Lord Jesus

3. To focus on the Return of the Lord Jesus