Matthew 19:16-22

HOW TO MISS JESUS

Intro:  A very sincere, religious young man came to Jesus to inquire about the means of living forever!  Now, who in this room does not want to live forever?  Every person that I have ever met in my life wants to love forever!

      Yet, too many are like this young man.  They become interested in spiritual things and come face to face with the Lord Jesus but they do not follow through and receive Him into their lives.  What a tragedy!  Far too many people miss Jesus everyday.  They are just like the rich young ruler. 

      There are four reasons why this young man missed Jesus, and after 2,000 years, people are still making the very same mistakes that he made.  I want to show you the mistakes this young man made when he came face to face with Jesus.  It may be that you are making some of the same mistakes that he made.  Let’s notice the mistakes the rich young ruler made.  I want help everyone in this room avoid making the same mistakes this young man made. If you want to miss Jesus and the salvation He has to offer, then is all you have to do.

 

 I.  v.16          HAVE THE WRONG IDEAS ABOUT SALVATION

A.  Ill. What can I do?  (What good thing?)

B.  There are many false views concerning salvation!  (Works, faith plus, birthright, denomination, etc.) (Ill. Salvation is not about “do”, it is about “Done”! Ill. “You’re too late!”)

C.  There is only one way of salvation; one way to miss Hell; one way to Heaven – Acts 16:31; Eph. 2:8-9; John 3:16; John 14:6.  If you will ever be saved, then you must get to the cross and meet Jesus!

 

 II.  v.16-17      HAVE WRONG IDEAS ABOUT THE SAVIOR

A.  Ill. “Good Master” – A great man, but not God!

B.  Any other view concerning Jesus but that He is 100% God and 100% man will never bring you to the place of salvation.  (Ill. John 1:1; 14)  (Ill. He is teacher, example, way shower, etc, but He is also God!  Anything less makes Him less than God and you less than saved!) (Ill. Who is Jesus to you? – Matt. 16:13-16)

C.  You must believe it all, or you will never be saved!  (Ill. Rom. 10:9 – Confess!)

 

III.  v.17-20     REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR SINS

A.  Ill. All these have I kept – No Way!

B.  Salvation is always accompanied by:

      1.  Conviction of sins – John 6:44; 16:8; 6:65

      2.  Confession of sins – 1 John 1:9  (Ill. Luke 18:9-14)

C.  Sin can never be dealt with until it is brought out into the open – Pro. 28:13. (Ill. Gen. 3:9 – “Adam, where art thou?”)  (Ill. The Savior is still seeking – Rev. 3:20) (Ill. Please do not let pride stand between you and your eternal salvation!  It is hard to take that first step, but that first step can lead to a new walk of life that will end in Heaven.  And, that is what you want, isn’t it?)

 

 IV.  v.21-22     HOLD TOO TIGHTLY TO YOUR STUFF

A.  Ill. “Sorrowful….he had great possessions!”

B.  No material possession; no sin; no pleasure; no indulgence, is worth going to Hell over! – Mark 8:34-38!  What holds you back?  What will it be worth in Hell?  Ill. Monkey traps.  Don’t let a tight grip on this world send you to Hell!

C.  God promises us more in return that we could ever give up – Luke 12:32, Mark 10:29-30.  Your life won’t last forever, but God has eternity to repay!

 

Conc:  High on a hilltop overlooking the beautiful city of Venice, Italy, there lived an old blind man who was a genius. Legend had it he could answer any question anyone might ask of him. Two of the local boys figured they could fool the old man, so the caught a small bird and headed for his residence. One of the boys held the little bird in his hands and asked the old man if the bird was dead or alive. Without hesitation the old man said, "Son, if I say to you that the bird is alive, you will close your hands and crush it to death. If I say the bird is dead, you will open your hands and the bird will fly away. You see, Son, in your hands you hold the power of life and death."

      I praise God that when I came face to face with Jesus, I didn’t miss Him.  Be sure that you do not!  Today is your decision day, 2 Cor. 6:2; Isa. 55:6.  What will you do with Jesus?

 

Jesus is standing at your hearts' door,

Standing and knocking, He's knocked before.

This is the question you face once more,

What will you do with Jesus?

 

What will you do with Jesus?

Neutral you cannot be;

Someday your heart will be asking,

What will He do with me?