Lost on Momma's Religion

Matthew 19:16-22

Intro:

  The Bible is clear that our parents have a huge impact on our spiritual life.  The Bible says in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Throughout all of Scripture the Word speaks of the importance of a Godly home.  However, I fear that most “church going” young people today are blinded by the religion of their parents.  Mom and Dad have great intentions, but they have fallen into the motions of religion and are blinded by their good works. 

  Many young people today are living their “Christian” lives: faithful to church, Sunday school, choir, youth group, Bible reading, etc.  However, these young people have never put their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.  Their moms and dads are faithful in the house of God themselves, but their children have never repented of their sins.  It seems that the more we “train” to labor for Christ, the less we teach them on what true repentance is.

Here in this passage we see a young man under conviction as he runs and falls down at the feet of Jesus.  He asked the question that so many people today need to ask, “Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17)

Jesus tells him what he must do, but the young man replies that he has observed the commandments from his youth!  How many young people today do we have sitting on our pews with this same mentality?  “I know the Romans road”, “I know Amazing Grace”, “I can quote John 3:16.”  The youth of this generation are going to Hell on the pews of our church!

Let’s look at this encounter this young man had with Jesus.

• Conviction
• First of all, let me say, before there can ever be a conversion, there has to be conviction.
• There must be a conviction for the sin in the person’s life before he can be saved.
• This young ruler ran to Jesus and fell at His feet.  I will say this, He ran to the right person!

• Calamity
• Note:  This young man was a young man who lived his life by the law, but was still lost.  James 2:10, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”
• He finally realized he was lost and needed to be saved and the only way he could be saved was through Jesus Christ.

• Cost
• Jesus told him that there was still one thing he needed to do…Sell ALL he had and take up his cross and follow HIM. 
• Jesus wasn’t saying that he had to sell his stuff in order to be saved, but Jesus knew the young man’s heart and was aware that this young man worshipped his money more that the Creator.
• There are many little gods in people’s lives that cause them to be naive of their lost condition.  When I was in youth group (so many years ago) I was lost, but I had religion. 
• Serving Jesus has a price.  YES, Salvation is FREE, but there is always a price for following Jesus.  Christ told the young man to take up his cross and follow.  I don’t know about you, but carrying a cross would not be something that sounds easy.

 Conc:

  Do you truly believe mom and dad’s religion is good enough for you to go to heaven?  My friend you are sadly mistaken.  Matthew 7:22-23, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

The bible says that many will never know true repentance because they are blinded by their own works.  May we never lose sight of what salvation truly is…BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH!