How Can You Obtain Eternal Life? (Matthew 19:13-22)
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Sermon Title: How Can You Obtain Eternal Life?
Sermon Text: Matthew 19:13-22
Scripture reading: Psalm 53
Sermon Outline:
MAIN IDEA: As Jesus deals with the “Rich Young Ruler” He exposes THREE RESPONSES necessary for obtaining eternal life.
You must BELIEVE like a CHILD (19:13-15)
You must ACKNOWLEDGE your HELPLESSNESS (19:16-17)
You must CONFESS your GUILT (19:18-20)
You must SURRENDER your LIFE (19:21-22)
Sermon Questions:
1. Can you recall the other elements of "faith like a child" that we learned in our study of Matthew 18:1-3? How are these elements not present in the life of this man? How have you seen them in the lives of those you have shared the gospel with, who are still rejecting it?
2. In what sense is "no one good?" In what sense did Jesus mean "if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments?" Where does the Bible teach the futility of salvation through keeping the commandments? Where does the Bible teach the idea of faith alone, and not works, as the only means of salvation (don't limit yourselves to one or two passages)?
3. Discuss effective ways to help people see their helplessness before God. Why do you think Jesus went right to the Ten Commandments (and then to the second greatest commandment)? Curiously, He left out "the greatest commandment" to love God with your whole being? Any thoughts as to why?
4. Obviously, Jesus wasn't advocating "salvation through philanthropy." He was teaching the necessity of conversion, and of total surrender, as the evidence of God's saving grace. In addition to riches, what things might people be unwilling to surrender in order to follow God? How can you help people understand in those situations how they have replaced God with those things?
5. Is there anyone you might need to pray for, and strategize about sharing this passage with, in order to help them see their need for Christ and salvation?
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Matthew 19:13-22
13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And he laid his hands on them and went away.
16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (ESV)