Scripture Reference

Luke 18: 18-30

Sermon Audio

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Sermon Notes

Our road trip with Jesus continues and this week we encounter a wealthy and earnest Jewish leader eager to gain eternal life. while he begins with great enthusiasm and seemingly has lived a life of virtue, he ultimately goes away deeply saddened because he could not make the sacrifice needed to truly follow Jesus Christ. This man’s problem was not money, it was idolatry.

Idolatry in Any Form Prevents Truly Following Jesus

  1. The Ruler’s Issue is Idolatry (verses 18-25)
    1. He Asks a Flawed Question – What to DO to INHERIT eternal life
    2. The Commandments He Does Follow (verses 20-21)
    3. What Was Missing? The Commandments He Doesn’t Follow – Loving God With All His Heart, Soul, Mind, Strength
      • Idols aren’t always statues – they are anything you love more than God
      • Jesus tests him – sell everything to love your neighbor, then follow me (verse 22)
      • This ruler loves his money more than the God who was standing in front of him (verse 23)
      • The things that tend to make us wealthy/successful tend to result in building idols (verses 24-25)
  2. God Loves to Smash Idols – With Him, All Things are Possible
    1. Idols Hold Us Tight, But Jesus Can Break Them (verse 27)
      • The disciples gave up comfort, security, family time, etc. Idols smashed! (verse 28)
      • Rich Zaccheus in 10: 1-10. Idols smashed!
    2. Our salvation is in God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ
      • It’s possible for God to get past our idols and inherit eternal life (verse 27)
      • We DO nothing – God saves us by His grace; then we are called to follow Jesus, with enormous rewards (verse 30)
  3. What Stands in Your Way? What Idols Keep You from Truly Following Jesus?
    1. Most of us have idols that affect our ability to follow Jesus – the thins we hope God will never ask us to give up.
    2. What are your idols? At some point these will stop you from truly following Jesus because you love them more. Jesus invites you to give these up and follow him (verses 29-30)
    3. Let God smash these idols! Confess, turn away, pray for God’s help. Embrace His love; Follow His Son