4/21/2015 The Rich Young RulerScriptures: Mark 10:17-22
This young man from human perspective would be the perfect follower of Jesus. He ran to Jesus and knelt before Him. He recognized Jesus' authority: "What shall I do that I may inherit enteral life?" He was a young man; he was financially secure. He had a high level of morality: the Bible says that Jesus looked at him and loved him. Jesus did not just see who he was but also what he could become. The young man asked the questions, but never expected the answer he received. It was the one thing he lacked the desire to give up: sell all you have and give to the poor. When you do that you will have treasure in Heaven: take up the cross and follow Me. The Bible says he went away sad: He left speaking with Jesus in sorrow. Can you imagine being in Jesus' presence and leaving Him sad? The young ruler wanted to be accepted for who he was and not for what he could become. He must have felt that he was already giving enough. He wanted Jesus to accept him, but we are called to accept Jesus. Is there "one thing" that is keeping you from truly following Jesus? Christianity promotes continual growth. "Christ loved us while we were yet sinners." His love for us does not leave us in our fallen state: Christ challenges us to grow; to go and sin no more. Jesus sees our successes, but also knows our potential. This world has many opinions on acceptance. God loves us for who we are, but also sees all that we can become. 4/10/2015 Biblical Examples: CorneliusScriptures: Acts 10:1-11 Cornelius was a Roman centurion: a man many could admire. He was a humble Roman: history shows us that Rome had conquered the Jewish people 60 years before the birth of Christ. The roman people were known to show contempt for the people they conquered, yet Cornelius was devoid of prejudice. He did not look down on the Jews, in fact he worshipped the God of the Jews. Cornelius rejected his cultural background. He was a devout Gentile: and he did not let anything keep him from praying. He lived the way he prayed, gave much alms to the people. Alms were acts of mercy, compassion, and a true demonstration of love. Cornelius was a Gentile praised by the Jews. Cornelius was the spiritual leader of his family: he was a good example as a father and husband. He feared God with all his household, while balancing firmness and gentleness. A successful earthly father is submissive to his Heavenly Father. Cornelius was not yet converted. He was a good man, but being good is not enough for salvation. Cornelius needed Peter to speak to him that words which would provide his salvation. Cornelius was religious, but he needed an experience with the Living God. When he heard the message of salvation, he responded with worship and action. 4/10/2015 Biblical Examples: JoabScriptures: 2 Samuel 3:20-30 Joab was a man with great potential. He was a true leader of men and David's main general. Yet, he did not make it on David's list of mighty men. Joab's life is an example to us: this lesson will study three characteristics from his life. First, Joab's relationship were filled with conflict. Joab was determined to please himself: anyone standing between him and what he wanted was pulled into some type of battle. His life was characterized by unhappiness. Joab tried to create happiness, but he could not always get what he wanted. Unhappiness comes from lust: literally meaning over desire or constantly wanting. His prayer life lacked results. He prayed when he had problems. His prayer life was about satisfying personal desires and his prayer life never changed him as a person. So what do we learn from Joab? The necessity of asking ourselves the following questions: Do many of my relationships end up in conflict? Do I spend too much time trying to create happiness? Is my prayer life powerful or powerless? |
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