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Luke 18:18-30
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. The rich young ruler is a great example of many people Christians come in contact with every day. Let’s start with
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THE MAN’S APPEARANCE. He displays four characteristics that might loosely define most people; 1= he was of high moral character; 2= he had an inner desire for eternal life; 3= he thought Jesus had knowledge and authority to give him solid advice concerning eternal life; 4= he was earnest in his request. In all this man was, or had, from a worldly viewpoint – he realized in his heart that something was still missing. Such is the plight of people in our life who don’t yet know Christ as Savior! Therefore, they talk to us about spiritual matters occasionally. Notice he calls Jesus “Teacher.” The way Luke used that word would have been a clue to Christians back then that the man was being sarcastic. The form of the word Luke used was used only by non-believers to ridicule Jesus. So the man gave himself away as a hypocrite, which is what such people eventually do! Now notice
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THE MAN’S ATTITUDE! His talk revealed his true attitude toward Jesus, the Gospel, and The Word of God. This young and arrogant man wanted Jesus to tell him what a wonderful “Christian” he was because he was such a good commandment-keeper! His arrogance and self-centered attitude also revealed how he really felt toward God’s grace and salvation. He basically sees them as a reward or paycheck where God settles up with the man because he has been what he thinks is a model Christian. Don’t miss the underlying reality in this man’s life. He knows something is amiss or lacking in his life. Such lack is what causes him to ask Jesus “What else..?” Now see
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THE MASTER’S ANSWER! Go to Mark 10:21 and notice that in all his spiritual deficit and destitution, Jesus loved him. Jesus loved him just as he was in all his “lost-ness” kneeling there before The Master! For us as Christians to share that love of Christ with others, we must first experience it in our own hearts. When we experience it, we discover it is eternal; it can never diminish; it does not depend on our performance; and it isn’t doled out as reward or payment for our behavior. God loves us with an everlasting love that begins and ends in Him! It is interesting that Jesus tells this young man to “GO!” Jesus is telling him to rid himself of all the earthly encumbrances that will interfere with absolute devotion to Christ as only Sovereign Lord. Notice he told the man to sell, not give, his possessions to the poor! Jesus didn’t want the possessions to burden the poor as they burdened the man. Jesus wanted the poor to be able to purchase what they needed and thereby experience some dignity and self worth. When God tells us to GO, he always gives us very clear, and precise directions we can understand right where we are when He gives them to us. The healing is in Jesus’ words. By the way – what specific direction is Jesus giving you?
If we can help you answer your spiritual questions, call us at (574) 643-9419.
