4 + 1 = 0
Mark 10:17-22
Title
The Bible does not have to say a thing but once for it to be true and it does not have to record an event but once for it to be important. But if the Bible repeatedly talks about something it must be something that demands our attention. Such is the case of the rich, young ruler. His story is mentioned by Matthew, by Luke and by Mark. It is a story Jesus wants us to hear.
Mk. 10:17-22
This rich, young ruler was a bright, exciting and intelligent man. Let us notice four tremendously significant, noble and worthwhile things, which he did as he came to Jesus.
Notice he came:
At the right time.
A. He came with life before him.
1. A time when he could invest most of his life in some important cause.
2. A time when he could not just save his soul but he was coming at a time when he could save his life.
B. The best time to come to Christ is as a young person.
1. Don’t waste some of the best years of your life serving Satan.
2. Don’t use Jesus as a fire escape.
3. Some want to sow wild oats and then pray for a crop failure, but it does not work that way.
4. I think that the oldest man I ever had a part in converting was 87 years old.
a. I am so glad he did because John passed away a couple of years ago and I believe his soul was saved.
b. But on the other hand, I know that the old man’s life was lost; his life had been spent in the service of the Devil.
c. As he would tell you, his influence, lingering after him, would not be a benediction but a blight.
d. During those long years in the service of the Devil he influenced people to live and die in the service of Satan.
5. Some have already wasted so many years, don’t waste one more day. You will never be any younger than you are right now.
6. One ought to come as soon as he realizes he is a sinner and learns how to get rid of his sins.
In the right manner (attitude and spirit).
C. Running (shows his urgency), kneeling called Him, "Good Teacher."
1. He knew Jesus had something that no one else could give him.
2. All his actions indicated that he was very humble around Jesus.
a. We are people without hope, sinners.
b. What man has to offer God is nothing compared to what God has to offer man.
3. We Americans are so cocky.
a. Missionaries in other countries tell about the responses. The reason is because their hope is not wrapped in this world.
b. Unless America becomes humble, God will make us poor again. God can bring us to our knees.
D. Pride is a terrible sin.
1. Prov. 6:16-17
2. Prov. 8:13
3. Prov. 16:18
4. Prov. 29:1
5. I Pet. 5:5-6
6. Lk. 14:11
To the right person.
E. Think of all the people he could have gone to, political friends and investors.
F. Let’s contrast the two men.
1. Rich, young ruler
a. Dress
b. Skin (soft and white)
c. Education (Jerusalem U.)
2. Jesus
a. Clothes (common clothes, remember His crucifixion)
b. Hands rough from working with lumber.
c. Only a synagogue education.
3. It should have been reversed.
G. Some have tried to find all kinds of substitutes for Jesus.
1. Alcohol
2. Drugs
3. Immorality
4. Material things
H. But Jesus is the only answer.
Asking the right question.
I. What must I do to inherit eternal life? (How can I be saved, go to heaven?)
J. Jesus can give you so many things.
1. Happiness
2. Think positively
3. Right kind of friends
4. Good family
5. But the greatest blessing He can give is eternal life.
K. He asked Jesus the most important question.
He came at the right time, in the right way, to the right person, and asked the right question; but when Jesus gave him the answer he went away sad.
Four good traits plus one refusal equals absolutely zero.
Jesus wanted this young man’s heart.
a. He was a good man in a lot of ways.
b. He kept the commandments in an external way.
c. He was in the temple on the Sabbath. He made the proper sacrifices. He tithed his possessions but God did not have his heart.
d. God did not want his money. He wanted his heart and his money was his heart.
In the beginning of the story the young man ran to Jesus eagerly, but when he knew the cost of discipleship he went away slowly and sorrowfully.
e. He had come to the watershed, the great continental divide of his life and made the wrong choice.
f. Here was a young man of great ability and promise. He might have been another Peter or Paul, instead he turned away and now we don’t even know his name, a nobody.
One of these days Jesus and this young man will meet again.
g. His money will be gone.
h. His office will be gone.
i. His youth will be gone.
j. His soul will be lost. He will go into eternity everlastingly bankrupt. 4 + 1 = 0
What about you this morning. Have you given your heart to Christ? Remember 4 + 1 = 0
James David Pharr
Lenoir, NC