The Savior or Stuff?

Sermon 77 in Series

Luke 18:18-30

[18] And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” [19] And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. [20] You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” [21] And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” [22] When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” [23] But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. [24] Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! [25] For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” [26] Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” [27] But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” [28] And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” [29] And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, [30] who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  How does this passage continue the dual emphasis on humility and salvation that we’ve seen? How does it relate to previous teaching on riches?
2.  What is wrong with the rich ruler’s mindset? How do his words reveal his heart?
3.  What does Jesus call the rich ruler to do, and how does he respond? How should we apply this to ourselves?
4.  In what ways do riches tend to exalt, distract, and capture us? How have you seen this play out in your life?
5.  How does this passage clarify authentic Christianity? How does it aid contentment and generosity?
6.  How are the disciples contrasted with the rich ruler? How do they serve as examples of God’s gracious power at work?
7.  How do vv. 28-30 motivate and reassure the hearer/reader? What promises does Christ hold out for his followers?

References: Matthew 19:16-30 (corporate reading); Mark 10:17-30; Luke 5:20; Romans 7:12; 3:20; Philippians 3:6; Matthew 5:22, 28; Luke 19:8; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; Luke 14:33; 8:14; 1 Timothy 6:8-10; Luke 1:37; 5:11, 28; Ephesians 2:7.