Sermon Notes

So Far, and Yet So Close!

Matthew 19:16-26

16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”

18 “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony,

19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”

20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.

24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

QUESTIONS

1. Tell each other in your group about anyone you ever met that thought they had to earn heaven.

2. What was a rich young ruler in Jewish society at the time of Christ?

3. Why did the man ask, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” instead of, "How do I get saved?"

4. Why did Jesus ask the man, “Why do you ask me about what is good?”

5. Why did Jesus only recite the commandments that had to do with loving people?

6. Why do you think the man didn't stay to ask more questions?

7. What did the disciples understand that the rich man had not yet learned?

8. How does Jesus' answer to his disciples in verse 26 help us understand why he handled the rich young ruler the way that he did?

9. How will this story help us as we study the ten commandments?