Yass Community Baptist Church
Part V of our series Face To Face With God
Matthew 19:16-30 NIV
Today, we continue our series, "Face to Face with God".
Through this series, we will be looking at a number of one on one, personal encounters through the book of Matthew.
Hebrews 1:3 tells us that Jesus is the exact representation of God. Even Jesus Himself noted that seeing Him is to see the Father.
As we explore these face to face encounters with the person of Jesus, we will gain an insight into the very nature of God.
This week, join us in looking at one of the hardest choices we have to make as Christians.
Three questions
Genesis 3:22-24 NIV
Revelation 22:1-5 NIV
Luke 10:25-37 NIV
We live in an age of self sufficiency. Comfort and wealth are the pinnacles of achievement by the standards of the world.
But here, Jesus challenges that thinking. He does not say that all Christians are to sell all they have and give the money to the poor (although He obviously doesn't rule that out).
He looks further, in some ways asking the more important question of 'where is your treasure?'.
Where are you building up your wealth?
The Impossible
Matthew 19:16-30 NIV
Note that here Jesus doesn't say it would be easier for a camel to fit through the door of a house. He makes a pointed statement using both the biggest animal possible, and the smallest opening.
No one can save themselves. It is only by the grace of God that salvation is available to us.
But yet we still sometimes hold on to the idea that some people are better candidates for salvation than others.
Do we come to Jesus with a resume, hoping we have done enough? What do we really learn from this young, rich, powerful man?
An eternal reward
Matthew 19:16-30 NIV
This man was given a choice, but not one that he was prepared for.
We are often told that if we work hard enough, make enough money, have a nice enough house, car, job, then we can have what we want out of life.
But Jesus turns this idea on it's head. Earning salvation is not possible. The Kingdom of God is an inheritance available to God's children.
Are you working, trying to earn the inheritance that is freely available to you? Or have you graciously accepted that which Jesus died on the cross for you to be heirs of?
Romans 8:18-25 NIV
What type of Christian do you want to be?
This story shows us two paths.
That of the rich, young, powerful person. Popular, diligent, but fundamentally not willing to commit everything to following God.
Or the disciple. One who trusts entirely in God to be sustained, fulfilled, and stores up wealth that cannot be eaten away.
It's easy to see the difference in a passage like this, but sometimes seeing the difference in real life (even in our own lives) can be a lot harder.
Which type of Christian do you want to be?
As our life groups gather this week, we have attached our reference verse and some questions to prompt a deeper discussion and search into this week's topic.
If you are not currently part of a life group, and would like to join a small group of like minded people in fellowship and connection during the week, please contact Nick on 0417472474 to register your interest.
Matthew 19:16-30 NIV
1. We have seen multiple encounters one on one with Jesus over the last few weeks. What do you think these outsiders had that makes their stories so pivotal to the Gospels?
2. Do we ever feel like Peter in this story, crying 'what then will there be for us?'.
3. Are we called to sell everything we have and follow Jesus? How then should we interpret this command?
4. What are you still lacking?
Luke 10:25-37 NIV
Romans 8:18-25 NIV
5. Who is your neighbour? And how should you be loving them?
6. What are some practical ways that we can start loving those that we may find 'difficult to love'?
7. The verse above states that 'we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship'. Is patience challenging for you? Why?
7. Hope is sometimes challenging, sometimes difficult. What do you have hope for?
Pray for your life group, and others you may feel led to pray for, that we may know God more, and grow ever closer to Him.
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