Destroying Altars
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Learning why Jesus required the rich young ruler to give away his wealth before following Him.
Text: Luke 18:20-23
Date: 12/08/2024, the Combined service.
Series: "Luke: Thy Kingdom Come" Part 173
Description:
In this message we will continue to make our way through the "living parable" of Jesus' encounter with a rich, young ruler, focusing on the high drama of their meeting. In response to the man's question concerning what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus recites a carefully abbreviated and ordered list of commandments he must keep. Seeming to ignore the young man's self-righteous claim to have kept them all, Jesus concentrates on what He knows is the young man's idol-- his great wealth. We will carefully analyze the reason Jesus required the man to divest his wealth before following Him and why the man went away sad. We will also answer several other poignant questions that arise from the text and are particularly relevant in a modern context. But ultimately we will realize that our God is a jealous God who will not allow His people to worship other gods, but requires all those who will follow Him to destroy their altars and worship Him alone!
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I. Introduction, Ex. 20:3-5; Judg. 6:25-26; Luke 16:13.
II. Exposition of the text, Luke 18:20-23.
A. Context
1. The extended discussion of the Kingdom of God.
2. The encounter, vs. 18-19.
a. Revisiting the ruler.
b. Revisiting the address.
c. The tone of the question.
d. Jesus' profound response.
i. The significance of the question.
ii. Jesus statement of "goodness".
B. Exposing the idol of the rich young ruler.
1. The standard of "goodness", vs. 20.
a. Revealing the "standard of goodness", Matt. 5:17-19.
b. Turning to the Law.
i. Noting the choice of commandments.
1) Noting the ones excluded.
a) All the commandments concerning God.
b) One commandment concerning humanity, Ez. 20:17; Col. 3:5.
2) Noting the ones included.
ii. Noting the order.
c. How this relates to "goodness".
i. The concept of "perfect goodness", Luke 18:19.
ii. A thematic question concerning the Law.
iii. Determining the real reason for the Law, Psa. 14:3.
2. The ruler's self-righteous reply, vs. 21.
a. An exalted view of himself.
b. Worshiping the universal and timeless god.
3. Jesus drives to the heart of goodness, vs. 22.
a. Putting into perspective.
b. The stunning condition.
i. Give your wealth to the poor.
1) The nature of his wealth.
2) The problem of family.
ii. Treasure in heaven.
iii. Following Christ.
1) A mode of repentance.
2) An example from the early church, Acts 4:34-35; Eph. 2:10.
4. The sad epilogue, vs. 23, Luke 12:34; Mark 10:22.
III. Application
A. Answering questions raised by the text.
1. Is it necessary to be poor to follow Jesus?
2. Why did Jesus require this man to give away his wealth?
3. Why did Jesus allow the man to walk away, Psa. 50:10-11?
4. Is Jesus saying there are conditions to salvation?
5. Is wealth the only god that blocks the Kingdom of God?
IV. Conclusion
