Treasure in Heaven

Well I today were continuing our study in Matthew's gospel we took a break is one of the labeling for Matthew's gospel because we looked for six weeks, the teaching of Jesus on gender and mileage and use this. Our foundational text of the first 12 verses of Matthew 12 and then following that as we thought of a fresh start with Jesus. We look to the teaching of Jesus in verses 13 through 15 of Matthew 12 learn what it is to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

Now we come to very interesting section of Scripture. In fact, I think this is one of the great dramas of the gospel. If I was if I were a movie director. I'd love to set this up.

This would make a wonderful movie is aware of the tremendous drama. This is a drama which stops us in our tracks. In answer to a question about a penetrating question. I think I thoughtful question by a young man. Jesus issues a personal challenge and the young man is going to read waivers on the very edge of eternity will he or will he not receive eternal life.

Surely there is no greater question, will he enter the kingdom of God today. Jesus issues a challenge.

A fresh challenge to you and me will you hear it's sometimes as we come in a setting like this, we come to and pray the beginning of the service that the Lord would three of us on this but sometimes these distractions crowded in their mind that while we are here in body were not really listen to the word, that would be very very dangerous.

I want you to listen to John Monroe to Jesus Christ. I want you to listen. I don't want you to think what is your response to the question that we will find this passage you think you're going to enter the kingdom of God would give you the assurance would you answer that question of I said to you, will you answer the kingdom of God.

Are you in the kingdom of God. First of all our Bibles. Matthew 19 verses 16 to 22 when we will learn that eternal life is to be received, not achieved. This is so important eternal life is to be received not achieved Matthew 19 verse 16. Behold, a man came up to him, saying, teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life of the center.

Why do you ask me about what is good. There is only one who is good if you would enter life, keep the commandments center was once Jesus said you shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness on your father and mother, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.

The young man said to all these I have kept what do I still lack Jesus said to him, if you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give it to the poor, and you love treasure in heaven and come, follow me. When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful for you. Great possessions with a drama confrontation between our young men and Jesus and this man asks a very important questions from the Pronto accounts in Matthew in Mark and Luke.

We put the synoptic Gospels.

Together we know that this man was not only rich, he was young and he was a ruler whatever occurred. We would think for the kingdom of heaven is young is rich and is a ruler. But in spite of his riches is using his influence. He senses that something is missing in his life had been that way is to be commended.

And he comes to Jesus and asked the question them since there's something missing in your life you may be on the crest of the wave. God may in this goodness.

I bless you.

From a worldly standpoint you're very very successful.

You've accomplished something, but I'm so very proud of what you've accomplished this man said you know this teacher. Verse 16. What good deed must I do to have eternal life in the Gospels, Jesus frequently answers a question by asking another question and Jesus does not hear their 70 doesn't the man realize there's only one who is good, ultimate goodness and perfection belong only to God, you may be a better person than your next-door neighbor. You may be in your estimation. One of the best people in the Carolinas, but compared with God, you're far from good.

Only God is good and here Jesus reminds the man of five of the 10 Commandments equal to read them in verse 18 and 19. And then Jesus as you shall love your neighbor as yourself and to our surprise was to my surprise, then this rich young ruler replies. Verse 20.

All these I have What do I still lack is pretty impressive, isn't it. This young man is never murdered anyone he say he's never committed adultery is never stolen. He's never given false witness is never defrauded anyone and he's on his father and his mother on the face of it is very impressive. Many of us could say as we went through these five commandments that while we kept them all never borne false witness goes on at your father never committed immorality never stolen anything so this man says, very impressive, isn't it. But he recognizes that there is a lack in his life.

Verse 20. All these I have kept what do I still like he senses that something is missing and the way he asked the question. Verse 16.

What good deed must I do to have eternal life suggests that he was depending on his ethical conduct to enter the kingdom of God.

Mark tells us a little Matthew doesn't that when Jesus looked to the young man says he loves Jesus love thing this wonderful young man and Jesus knows what is going to do. Jesus loves them and is not going to expose for this young man lacks Jesus is quoted from the second half of the 10 Commandments hasn't yet mentioned the last one and this second half of the 10 Commandments have to do without relationship with her neighbors…… To kill my neighbor… To commit adultery with my neighbor's wife still for my neighbor, a negative bear false witness against my neighbor and so on and the second half of the 10 Commandments to do.

Very importantly without relationship with her neighborhood to love our neighbor as ourselves. However, it's only half of the commandments and the first part of the 10 Commandments deal with something even more important than our relationship with a neighbor and that is a relationship with God. It could be possible we could argue that technically it could be possible from a legalistic and external standpoint to fulfill the law's requirements of not stealing.

Of not giving false witness of not committing adultery and so on and still not have a love for God is not true. I have never stolen, never committed adultery. I've never borne false witness and from a technical standpoint, not knowing your heart that could be possible. But Jesus is concerned with something deeper. Jesus is the master teacher and is now going to reveal what this young man lacks with the First Amendment shall have no other gods before me. Fundamental to the Old Testament fundamental to the new covenant throughout Scripture summarize in the first commandment you shall have no other gods before me. God must have been no rivals at all this, my love, his riches is lifestyle is influence in the community more than he loves God to become an idol to Irons were not on the subject, whereby the 10 commandment you shall not covet the coverages here is a challenge given by Jesus be ready for standing before Jesus here is verse 21.

If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you love treasure in heaven and come, follow me response.

Your mind is asked the question here is the answer. What do I still like here is can't you sense the young man's intense inner struggles pictured in weighing the cost. Can you picture him thinking through the implications of what it would mean if he would sell everything that he had and to give it to the poor and no, instead of living his own life as a ruler the top of the wave is aware, Mr. cool in the community is aware know he's got to abandon all of that I get rid of all he has and furthermore is got to come follow Jesus. But here's the way to eternal life. Here is what it means to enter the kingdom of God question is asked the dialogue. Another direct answer to the question, is given by law, Jesus Christ. How will this rich young ruler response turns. We can always hear the swish of his expensive robes currently determines I'm really cute. In verse 22 when the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions to catch. Could you see this young man coming to Jesus. Jesus looking at him and love looking at him. I'm sure right in the eye and they have this dialogue. The question is asked. The challenge is given and the young man that he assigns face-to-face with the Lord of glory, the Lord Jesus Christ. This man this good man. This man was seen for the sake of argument that the pad. Some of these commandments determines guys he turns his back and Jesus and walks away sorrowful for you. Great possessions. One of the things all of us want is joy you experience in your Christian life. The closer you follow to Jesus in the mortgage in your heart to Jesus, the greater your joy you get your eyes off Jesus and seven when you turn your back on Jesus.

You may think you're going to have happiness.

You may think you're going to seize life, but I can tell you the path of soul, and when it comes right down to it, this young ruler for all of his observance of the commandments for all of his impressive credentials when it comes right down to it he chooses the wealth of errors rather treasure to the parable Jesus told about this going to so he says this in Matthew 13 verse 22. The cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and it proves unfair and fruitful. Here is an individual example 1st witness her jugular. He hears the word he wants to respond. He's drawn to Jesus or something compelling about Jesus obviously needs outnumber athletes in the medicals something very, very compelling, and the word. The very word of God, the living word of God is planted because of the deceitfulness of riches is no fruit. I can almost hear the Lord's disciples would witness the submit scene is this young man walks away from Jesus with his back to Jesus was here Jesus as he looks at him and love says for what shall it profit if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul on the world or do you want Jesus Christ. When Jesus came preaching the gospel.

Matthew four verse 17 he said this over and over again in the series repentance for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Mothers repent for the kingdom of heaven is shown man hears the word is he going to repent is going to repent from the sin of having great possessions more than loving God is going to repent that he loves his great possessions on these prestige and power he loves not more than Jesus repent.

Jesus also said Matthew 16 verse 24. If anyone would come after me, let him deny myself, take up his cross and follow North to South yesterday. Jesus want to make yourself the center of the world want to go your own way. Go but that don't say you're following Jesus, take the name of Jesus on your lips. If you're turning your back on him and following your own desires or following the crowd on your own ambitions rather than following Jesus. This young man readied myself, you ready to repent is prepared to follow Jesus, so that the command is come, follow me know's actions give the answer. He walks away still grasping his authorities great possessions, but losing eternal life. Can God is to be received, not achieved by self effort, our sales efforts. What we do, trying our best to keep the 10 Commandments and all of that cannot achieve salvation last week. As I talked about on pilgrimage.

I emphasized the grace of God. God is gracious and Paul says, by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not your own doing, it is gift of God's not the result of words that no one should boast.

Fishermen could borrow so what he had done so very opposite of salvation that we are saved, not by what you do but entirely by what the Lord Jesus Christ has done many people grab some of you sitting here this morning. Think but if you're good enough, or if you work hard enough you get into heaven mask with every impact renders whatever your religion is whatever your own view of life is many good things to think you have to do to get into heaven and you know that you've achieved that standard of goodness that would get you into heaven was the standard, how would you know when you to grasp this truth. The kingdom of heaven is beautiful is God's grace. The kingdom of heaven is to be received as a gift not achieved as a reward for your efforts.

Think of the contrast with the little children in verses 13 through 15 that Jesus taught.

The contrast between these little children and this rich young ruler these little children can do nothing to inherit eternal life, and they have nothing yet, Jesus says, verse 15 just such a long the kingdom of heaven. Childlike attitude quality day of helplessness of total dependence on their parents little child is Paul Martin organizing child to survive.

Nothing left to themselves that little baby would die left to ourselves, we would be spiritually dead forever in the entire world Lord Jesus Christ comes the sentence to such goes like little children, meaning the attitude of little children of utter dependence this stage along the kingdom of heaven. The children have nothing but receive everything is everything, but receives nothing. Verse 34. Many who are first will be last in the last first. Interestingly, Jesus teaches makes us think shakes us up a bit. Doesn't know Jesus is not saying that the way to achieve eternal life by selling everything you have and giving it to the poor. That's not the point. That is not a universal command that is given to this young man in this regulation. Know the point is this that God will have no rivals to follow Jesus Christ. He has to be number one. So the question was preventing you from following Jesus, you say well I'm not. I'm selling Rh well compared with most people in the world. I think all of us a rich terms of two things I heard during the we could only bite 2% of the so-called underdeveloped countries are the billing development company have access to the backseat as one example, we have an abundance. He can go right now to get the vaccine. Think of people who don't have water people who don't have homes yesterday in our world so we are not rich compared with other people, perhaps using while there are richer people in Calgary that I am the pints. The point is this what is preventing you from following Jesus wholeheartedly abandoning his or whatever thing so that he is number one but is the central point verse 21 of the end of it on visit.

Come follow me. Have you come to the Lord Jesus Christ and are you following him. I love the fact that Jesus says follow me because visit what I've come. But here's the test you following eternal life is to be received, not achieved.

Secondly, verses 23 through 26 in the kingdom of God. There is some render not compromise verse 23 Jesus said to this art's treating you loving your playful was it was good to come next.

Truly I say to you, only with difficulty without Willowridge person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than then put a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. When the disciples had this they were greatly astonished, saying, who then can be saved. Some of us asking the same question I told you that all of you rich compared with billions of people in this world today and can be saved. But Jesus looked at them and said with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. The kingdom of God is to be no compromise.

That is to be certain it's difficult for the rich, Jesus is saying to enter the kingdom of God. Now in the first century, not entirely giving different from the 21st century. But in the first century. Certainly wealth was regarded as a sign of God's blessing is this rich young man God has blessed them.

MDE is a ruler he's an influential person and he's got great possessions.

Whether he'd inherited them.

Whether he had invested wisely in all of the whatever it is you would invest in in the first century. I made a lot of money is in the pints he had great possessions.

So in that culture. People would look at him as he walked into the synagogue is a God's blessing is on this man drench God's blessing you know that from the story of Joe Bilger when God withdrew his riches. People said God discussing and that Jesus is saying that is difficult with difficulty, the rich verse 23 will enter the kingdom of heaven which makes it worse by saying is almost impossible for the rich to get into heaven, and the disciples. Verse 25 were greatly astonished. This was a radical teaching which undermined the religious worldview of God is blessing you rich.

We have that in the prosperity preachers today have your full Jesus and the wealthy within $100 to the collection praise… If you thousand dollars but once you rich ones in the best job and so on and so forth. We call that process validate gospel can essay a terribly false gospel. Don't fall for it. Don't give you money to some guy is going to send you a prayer cloth or our water from the Jordan River and the others of these things that hucksters don't do its and Jesus no uses Schumer to make them make important points. Verse 24 is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. The camel was the largest animal in Israel at that time and the eye of the needle was the smallest opening and most holes but it's so you've got in the average Israeli home needle with a little iron. It's in the largest animal that then you in Israel at that time was the camel a large, awkward creature often said that which is if the committee designed it to the dog deciding this to me what happened, but that it is is a camel and is a very awkward creature. I remember when we were in the Jordan Petro some of your with us and there's a camel and my dear wife decided to go on the camel and they think the camel is flying down.

It sits back legs up first and it was a very awkward about my wife was going to fall off, and who was I going to sue there just didn't know plays a very awkward one and then the idea of this awkward large camel going to live a needle is absurd, isn't it that some people say the Greek word for camel in the Greek word for rope are very similar. And what Jesus was saying well is is easier for a large rope to go through the open door disc camel another say well in the first century there was a small gate into Jerusalem called the eye of a needle in an order for a camel with all the baggage and everything on it to get into that gate.

All of the baggage had to be put off and then it would get through what makes a good preaching, but there is no such.

First century Israel know Jesus is using Schumer. He's using hyperbole is using something which is utterly ridiculous is absolutely no way for a camel to go through the eye of the needle's versus 26 disciples.

A mother can be say. Ask yourself, Jesus looked to them and said with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. If it is true that is a different camel to go through that I would needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. The disciples say that you be safe on possibility yes and that's the point is the point impossible.

From our perspective from a human perspective, but were talking about answering the kingdom of heaven, and in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. God does the impossible. He takes wretched crowds coverages sinners like you and me and in his grace he saves us that with God all things are possible. All of her money.

All of our efforts all about religion all about keeping of the commandments cannot inherit the kingdom of God. You will never ever enter the kingdom of heaven.

Depending on your religious heritage.

Depending on your membership of the church with her. That's Kyle Richards or any other church you will never enter the kingdom of God through trying to keep the commandments will never enter the kingdom of God by saying what I was baptized into communion. I come from a wonderful heritage.

I you let me, let me tell you about myself. No, Jesus, for what didn't he see in the rich and ruler repentance ability not compromise, not making a deal with God, saying, well, God, you bless Marisol do this I'll give this and that will make me acceptable. So I'll get into the kingdom of heaven. No, no compromise, no making deals total surrender salvation. We saw this a couple weeks ago as we thought of Jesus and the fresh start. Salvation is entirely a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. We must be born again.

That which is of the flesh is flesh, that which is of the spirit is this is entirely spiritual saying you must have a spiritual experience with God the life of God in your soul born from above not going through some religious ritual, not trying to keep some commandments not trying to clean up your act but coming to God in repentance and humility and eggs and saying I messed up. I'm totally spiritually bankrupt of mercy upon me, I miss, I don't deserve this. Yes, it's easier for camel to get through the eye of a needle than the rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Whatever it is we buy ourselves cannot enter the kingdom of God.

What do I need I need the Sage clients for the blood of Jesus Christ. I don't need some religious makeover. I need a supernatural new, but a fresh start. I cry out to Christ for his mercy and his grace authentic followers of Jesus must surrender the pride their achievements. But religious heritage resources and say I surrender. That's a seven member what Jesus says in the Beatitudes Matthew six verse 24 no one can serve two masters.

Or we try to do that the storage is installed by Luke of the Pharisees who come to Jesus and then maybe kind of that item because they were trusting in Richardson. Yes, you can negotiate with God. No, you cannot. You cannot sound money and serve God, you can send your support and your hobby on your family and make that your idle and at the same time serve God. No one can of two masters of your minds surrender not compromise is the way and the kingdom become like a helpless, humble child. I finally verses 27 through 30 very quickly in the kingdom of God that is trust not worry. You know, if you follow Jesus Christ close to Jesus Christ was eliminated. I don't mean entirely. Where were we were still in the body, but your stress level and your worry level is going to be greatly reduced. The closer you are to Jesus, the more you look on him kingdom of God's trust not worry. Verse 27 then Peter said in reply. See we left everything and followed you will then be only half like Peter says what we will become the thinking ability appropriate times. Jesus sets of truly I say to you in the new world I underlined my Bible in the new world when the son of man will sit on his glorious throne, you have followed me will also sit on 12 thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel. When the reasons why we love Israel's and everyone who is left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my namesake will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last of the last first the kingdom of God versus those who trust God and never disappointed. Peter reminds Jesus to his disciples, but we left everything and we followed you that had the call of Jesus and followed him. What a contrast with the young man who kept everything and gone his own way gone in the opposite direction rather than following Jesus using following Jesus means a dynamic relationship of trust is to follow Jesus is a life of denying self is a life where you are saying I'm going to follow Jesus, whatever the cost. Whatever you may need is ready for that member tongues or businessmen saying the student and he said he said don't know if I could I could you mean I'm going to follow Jesus everyday obey him, follow him. I like to be in charge S like to be the driver seem like to control the remote Boston is aware like to think were in control of our lives. In Jesus they know when you to surrender that I want you to totally trust me, Jesus makes this tremendous promise that those who leave their homes and lands receipt will receive 100 living by faith trusting God to provide trusting God that each day is going to give me the wisdom and the strength and the grace for every site you ration, and days when it seems that we can hardly put 1 foot after another, God in his grace as I keep my eyes on Jesus will give me the strength will give me the help will give me the wisdom that I need. If I respond to his call, follow me, and when you follow Jesus. Many who can testify to this. I sent Micah when you follow Jesus, the more you follow him, the better becomes I said before the devil gives you his best first and when you bite on that become seller and seller until you find your life is a mess for Jesus different song. This is the longer I serve sweet girls to the good manages your love for that person gets deeper and deeper and as you follow Jesus Christ and gets better and better, that our incredible blessings.

Now put your head on the pillow I know is well with your soul.

That's worth $1 billion is well with my soul belong to Christ is holding me and says Jesus. There is this blessing in the new world.

What in the world is going to be remade is burned up, and have an incredible future in the new world and I will inherit eternal life. The rich young ruler held onto his possessions. He tried to gain the world, and in so doing, he lost his soul. He gained nothing. He lost everything and if you do not follow Jesus you will lose your lose everything.

All you may be successful in terms of the world you will be eternally lost. Often those are some of the top. In fact, last for many who are first will be last in the last first. Jesus takes the values of this world in terms of safety.

Some of your worriers engine.

Some thing the future is bothering you. Your words, your business, your health, you worried about your family you what was going to happen in a few years everything and run out of money or something and under your worry Satan brother sister is not a cliché should comprise of Jesus. Listen to him read his word, ask for his help trust him and there's no need to worry about your future, he loves you. He loved the rich young ruler loves you more are in his family.

Everything in the hands of the Savior from the O that that the little book eternal security.

I'm held by my Savior and you will never let me go and you who are parents you take care of your children do not think that your heavenly father is a better father than you are and you will certainly care for you and Jesus calls us to trust them like little children not to worry about tomorrow. Trust him today. If you received the blessings of the kingdom of God in the kingdom of God. See quick lessons as we conclude summarized what you do but to his Lordship first seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, the times I said that during the series C again. Nothing and no one must compete with following Jesus's amazing excuses. We have even forthcoming not to worship on the Lord's day you find yourself sometimes on the Lord's day, allowing your support, your work, your family or friends to stop you from worshiping the Lord and send sources on the worship of our graduate a mask personally find it difficult to tell Jesus that I'm not going to come to the house of the Lord because mask conditions your prejudices is that your work, your hobby or support your family. All of these counting so easily squeeze on us and we feel them. Normally, the pressure of our world around us cannot say follow Jesus seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you from following Jesus relationship with girlfriend.

What is it what is there between you and Jesus to Jesus with no rivals, rivals, and Jesus calls for a radical reorientation of her life and are prorated to say Jesus asking all of us to sell what we have and give to the poor. No, Peter, Andrew, James and John left their possessions and followed him.

He asked the young man to do that within the Gospels. Not everyone was called to leave their possessions. We think of Zacchaeus, for example, Joseph, about a myth. The Lazarus maybe and Martha.

They Jesus didn't call them to sell everything you had to follow him know what is the point if Jesus asked you to do that would you do this it was easier 50 years old of much money. Studies 15-year-old boys were but your will. But something else is there to find anything in my life. I'm asking myself this question of my life between me and Jesus don't close your ears to his call was a call, follow.

Secondly, everything belongs to the Lord. James is every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of lights. Everything you have everything I have belongs to the Lord. You believe that my speed to hold lightly what God is. God bless you good could you hold lightly rather than grasping you thankful to God, to give thanks for getting well. This is why did thankful to God, thankful to others within a society which is not very thankful when a society which is all about my rights, my freedom what you're going to do for me. My entitlements no Jesus hold lightly and that means if I believe everything I have belongs to God is kinds of gracious and generous, you generous person. Your giver rather than a taker. The Bible says in terms of our giving, we are to give systematically, which again proportionally as the Lord has blessed us and what to give cheerfully present for someone you don't the dredging. On the person to give cheerfully so much given to the Lord this month.

The tall, I'm thankful that I'm a pastor a church that gives generously so we can support a couple going to Israel with the gospel so that we can buy shoes for these children that so many of you give generously. So if you don't think we just take for granted is like going to a restaurant having a meal and walking out not paying for it be gentleness, everything you have belongs to God.

Finally, follow Jesus your eyes on Jesus, you following Jesus unreservedly out on your own convenient terms you surrender everything to Jesus or is that an uneasy compromise in your life are you worry about tomorrow, rather than trusting the Lord Jesus. There are many distractions there are many temptations that are many discouragements but today I'm asking you to look up look up to the Lord Jesus, sometimes saying your eyes upon Jesus look full in his wonderful face and the things of that will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory. Jesus saying to you today and sing to me, follow we want to do the father. Think of those listing by lifestream. Those in the century hundreds thousands of us want to do that. Our hearts father that will repent of our selfishness over sin and once again look to Christ. Thank you for this reminder that the things of this no value compared with the infinite value of inheriting eternal life may many not be looking to the Savior who love them and die for them, and rose again. They will collect and for salvation waistcoat in his name