TEXT:
MATTHEW 19:16-30, Mark 10:17-31, Luke 18:18-30
THE
RICH MAN AND LESSONS FOR US
·
Introduction
·
His strength
·
His weakness
·
Conclusion
INTRODUCTION
Jesus
Christ our Lord and Saviour when He was on His earthly voyage lived to die and
died to live Mark 10:45, John 12:27.Mark
10:45 says for even the son of man came not to be served but to serve and give
his life as a ransom for many. All He did between His coming and His death
on the cross is to create a perfect example for us to follow/learn, one of such
is His interaction with a rich man may God continue to open us to learning,
give us the requisite humility to learn rightly and the grace to be a doer of
ensuing priceless lessons in Jesus mighty name Amen.
HIS
STRENGHTS
ü Was rich: The Bible is God’s inspired word 2
Tim 3:16, It is powerful sharper than two edged swords Heb 4:12 It is also fair
to all irrespective of inclination/disposition to God/His people/His word.
Consider the definitions the bible gave to
the following people:
Goliath : 1 Sam 17:1-6 mighty warrior
Naaman : 2 king 5 won several victories
Herod
: Matt 2:13-14 Joseph had to run
away with Jesus
If
anyone is/has something the bible will equally affirm same.
ü Sought
God correctly: not minding His earthly riches he sought God
Can
this be said of us today or will this be our testimony when God answers our
prayers as touching materiality /wealth? Let us learn from this rich man. He also
did not go to the Sadducees’ or Pharisee who were the front liners at the time
(remember the story in John 9 especially verse 22). Lastly he asked the right question.
Verse 16.
ü He
knew the law and kept them: knowing God’s word, being anointed to teach it is
not the herculean task (although the aforementioned is commendable no one can do
what is not known/taught), the task is actually doing the word of God that is
known.
HIS
WEAKNESSESS
ü He
came with self-justification/self-righteousness: he probably thought of himself
as perfect and a sure candidate of heave come any situation like the parable of
the Pharisee and the tax collector Luke 18:9-14.Rabbi revealed his imperfection.
Matt 19:21 says if thou want to be
perfect………..
ü Stored
worldly treasures only: vs 21 which says
Jesus said unto him, if thou wilt be perfect go and sell that thou hast and
give to the poor and thou shall have treasure in heaven and come and follow me
.Matt 6:20 Jesus speaking but lay-up not for yourselves treasures upon earth
where moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves break through and steal.(when
we give our soul firstly to God in genuine repentance, then our time, talent, position,
money and other belongings for the course of Christ we are laying up treasures
in heaven).
ü He
chose his possessions above Jesus Christ: v22 when our imperfection is publicly
revealed or what is that situation that will make us depart from Christ, lets prayerfully
keep watch.
CONCLUSION
Being rich is not
only a plus to the custodian it is a plus to the body of Christ, but let us
look at these words of Jesus Matt 19:23
then Jesus said to his disciples I tell you the truth it is very hard for a
rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven, Matt 8:36 And what shall benefit if you gain the whole
world(an impossible stance for anyone)
but lose your soul, Matt 6:19 Jesus speaking says do not store up treasures
here on earth. One problem with riches is ungodly pursuit/storing at the
expense of Christ/His course ,losing focus on him/relationship with him and heaven
don’t be caught in that web it will indeed be very hard to enter the kingdom of
heaven in such state.
SHALOM.
### 1 Cor 13:9 for we know in part
……###
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Sam 2:8 ###
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