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- John Gill
- Tyndale
John Gill Bible Commentary
Jesus said unto him, if thou wilt be perfect,.... Wanting nothing, completely righteous, according to the tenor of the covenant of works, having no evil, concupiscence, or worldly lusts: our Lord signifies it was not enough to be possessed of negative holiness, and do no hurt to his neighbour, to his person, property, and estate, but he must love him, and do him good; and therefore, though so far as he had complied with the law, it was right and commendable; wherefore it is said by Mark, "that Jesus beholding him loved him"; had an affectionate regard to him as man, and approved of his intentions, seriousness, and actions, so far as agreeable; yet tells him, one thing thou lackest: not but that he lacked many more, but he was only willing to observe one thing to him, as a trial of his love to his neighbour, which is the fulfilling of the law: go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: not that either the law of God, or Gospel of Christ, require this to be done of all men, and at all times; for though it is a duty binding upon all, and always, to relieve the poor and the needy, yet a man is not obliged to give all that he has to them; see Co2 8:11 nor does either legal or Christian perfection lie in doing this: a man may give all his goods to the poor and yet be destitute of the grace of God, Co1 13:3 much less can such an action merit the heavenly treasure of eternal life. Nevertheless of some persons, and in some cases, it has been required, that they part with all their worldly substance, for the sake of Christ and his Gospel; as the apostles were called to leave all and follow Christ, as this man was also; for it is added, and come and follow me: between these two, Mark puts, "take up the cross"; all which to do, was much more than to sell what he had, and give to the poor; and indeed, in this branch lies Gospel perfection, or to be really and truly a Christian: for to "come" to Christ, is to believe in him, lay hold on him, receive and embrace him as a Saviour and Redeemer; and to "follow" him, is to be obedient to his will, to be observant of his commands, to submit to his ordinances, and to imitate him in the exercise of grace, and discharge of duty; neither of which can be done, without "taking up the cross"; bearing reproach and persecution with patience; undergoing hardships and difficulties, of one sort or another, which attend faith in Christ, a profession of his name, and following him the Lamb, whithersoever he goes. The consequence of this now, not by way of merit, but by way of grace, is the enjoyment of the rich treasures of eternal glory: but this man was so far from complying with the latter, with coming to Christ, taking up the cross, and following him, that he could by no means agree to the former, parting with his worldly substance; and which is mentioned, as a test of his love to God and his neighbour, and to discover his sinful love of the world, and the things of it; and consequently, that he was far from being in a state of perfection. Moreover, it should be observed, that Christ is here speaking, not the pure language of the law, or according to the principles of the Gospel, when he seems to place perfection in alms deeds, and as if they were meritorious of eternal life; but according to the doctrine of the Pharisees, and which was of this man; and so upon the plan of his own notions, moves him to seek for perfection, and convicts him of the want of it, in a way he knew would be disagreeable to him; and yet he would not be able to disprove the method, on the foot of his own tenets: for this is their doctrine (e); "It is a tradition, he that says this "sela", or shekel, is for alms, that my son may live, or I may be a son of the world to come, lo! , "this man is a perfect righteous man".'' The gloss adds, "In this thing; and he does not say that he does not do it for the sake of it, but he fulfils the command of his Creator, who has commanded him to do alms; and he also intends profit to himself, that thereby he may be worthy of the world to come, or that his children may live.'' And so in answer to a question much like this, the young man put to Christ (f); "How shall we come at the life of the world to come?'' It is replied, "take thy riches, and give to the fatherless and the poor, and I will give thee a better portion in the law.'' (e) T. Bab. Pesach. fol. 8. 1, 2. & Roshhashanah, fol. 4. 1. (f) Zohar in Gen. fol. 60. 4.
The Rich Young Man
20“All these I have kept,” said the young man. “What do I still lack?”21Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
- Scripture
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Please Sir Save Me!
By William Booth12K02:16Classic RecordingsMAT 16:24MAT 19:21MRK 8:36LUK 12:33LUK 14:331TI 6:17JAS 2:14In this sermon, the preacher tells a story about a gold miner on a ship that gets caught in a storm and starts sinking. A little girl asks the miner if he can swim, and he realizes he cannot save both her and his gold. He chooses to save the girl and throws his gold overboard. He jumps into the water and swims until he reaches safety. The preacher uses this story to encourage the listeners to put their trust in God and help those in need, even if it means sacrificing their own comfort or possessions.
The Spirit and the Bride Say Come
By R.G. Lee6.2K31:47Free SalvationISA 1:18MAT 11:28MAT 16:24MAT 19:21LUK 14:17JHN 7:37REV 6:16In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the urgency of accepting Jesus Christ as one's Savior. He warns that if someone were to die without accepting Christ, they would be considered a fool in the eyes of God. The preacher describes Jesus as the embodiment of God's truth, holiness, love, and power, and expresses disbelief that anyone would reject Him. He calls on the church to actively invite others to come to Christ and to live a life of devotion and service to Him.
(Through the Bible) 1 John 4
By Chuck Smith2.3K45:54Through The BibleEXO 20:14MAT 19:21REV 7:4In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the love of God as demonstrated through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. He highlights that God's love is not based on our love for Him, but rather on His own love for us. The preacher uses the example of a parable on forgiveness to illustrate the importance of showing love and forgiveness to others, just as God has shown love and forgiveness to us. He also explains that true life, according to the Bible, is having a deep fellowship and oneness with God, rather than simply physical existence.
Being a Disciple of Christ - Part 2 by Dr. k.p. Yohannan, Metropolitan
By K.P. Yohannan2.0K19:52MAT 6:19MAT 19:21LUK 9:23LUK 14:33JHN 6:53ACT 2:442CO 11:27PHP 3:81TI 6:10HEB 13:5This sermon emphasizes the importance of giving up material comforts, wealth, and ease in order to truly follow Jesus. It contrasts the superficial teachings of prosperity preachers with the sacrificial lifestyle of Jesus, Paul, and early Christians. The speaker challenges listeners to embrace simplicity, sacrifice, and a deeper commitment to Christ, highlighting the need to prioritize spiritual values over worldly possessions.
True Discipleship - Part 5
By William MacDonald1.8K27:54DiscipleshipMAT 6:33MAT 19:21LUK 14:33LUK 18:22ACT 2:44JAS 3:11JN 2:17In this sermon, the speaker discusses the verse Luke 14:33 and its implications for Christians. He acknowledges the doubts and reasoning that may arise when considering the idea of giving up everything for the will of God. However, he emphasizes the importance of prioritizing eternal blessings over earthly treasures. The speaker shares examples of individuals who have demonstrated this commitment, such as Jim Elliot and a couple who gave all their money to the work of the Lord. He also highlights the issue of hypocrisy in prayer and how obedience to Luke 14:33 can deliver a person from it.
(Demonology) How to Overcome - Part 2
By Willie Mullan1.8K1:11:07DemonologyMAT 19:21MRK 10:17MRK 10:21JHN 3:1ACT 24:25In this sermon, the preacher shares a personal story about a man who was paralyzed and could only move his throat slightly. Despite his physical limitations, the man praised the Lord and inspired others. The preacher then reflects on the parallels between this man's situation and the challenges faced by believers in the spiritual realm. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the tactics of the kingdom of darkness and the need for the light of the gospel to shine in people's lives. The sermon concludes with a call to sing a hymn that celebrates God's triumph over evil.
(Through the Bible) Exodus 19-20
By Chuck Smith1.5K51:29EXO 19:9EXO 20:3EXO 20:7JOL 2:13MAT 19:21MAT 22:37In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a right relationship with God in order to have a right relationship with others. He explains that the first law is to have no other gods before God, and uses the example of a rich young ruler who claimed to have kept all the commandments. Jesus challenged him to sell all his possessions and follow Him, revealing that the man's possessions were his god. The preacher highlights the need to serve God in a way that draws attention to Him, rather than ourselves. He concludes by encouraging the listeners to desire and fulfill God's law, and to seek transformation by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded #3
By John Owen1.5K1:31:11Audio BooksGEN 24:53MAT 19:211CO 13:92CO 4:182CO 8:1HEB 6:91JN 3:2In this sermon, the preacher provides special directions on how to discharge the duty of looking at things above and the state of future glory. He emphasizes the importance of possessing right notions and apprehensions of these spiritual realities. The preacher highlights that faith is necessary to have a prospect of these unseen things and that due consideration of the nature of God and man is required. He also addresses the various thoughts and apprehensions people have about the positive aspects of the future state, cautioning against being too attached to earthly things and encouraging a focus on spiritual growth.
Shall a Man Rob God?
By Dean Stump1.4K1:20:15Robbing GodMAL 3:8MAT 6:33MAT 19:21LUK 6:38ACT 20:35In this sermon, Brother Denny emphasizes the transformative power of Jesus in our lives. He highlights the importance of coming to Jesus with a cry for salvation, as He is able to revive our dead hearts and make us new creatures. Brother Denny also discusses the seriousness of sin in God's eyes, using the example of stealing and the required restitution. He encourages believers to consider the principles taught by Jesus, such as treating others as we want to be treated and being good stewards of our possessions. He concludes by emphasizing the eternal value of investing in the Lord and His people, as opposed to earthly possessions that will eventually fade away.
Houston Colonial Hills Conference 1995-04 Personal Testimony
By William MacDonald1.3K27:41Personal TestimonyMAT 6:33MAT 18:19MAT 19:21MRK 10:21LUK 14:33ACT 4:321TI 6:10In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal experience of reading a book called "CT Stud" by Norman Grubb, which deeply impacted him. The book tells the story of a man who was a cricket champion in England but became a passionate follower of Jesus after getting saved. The speaker highlights a poem written by CT Stud, expressing his desire to run a rescue shop near hell. The speaker reflects on how we often trust God for our eternal salvation but struggle to trust Him with our daily lives. He then shares his own testimony of surrendering his life to the Lord for service, emphasizing the importance of fully committing to God. The speaker also emphasizes the need for genuine salvation, as he realized that his outwardly separated life was not enough to save him from his inner sinfulness.
The 7 Myth's of Repentance - Part Iii
By Robert Wurtz II1.2K41:391SA 16:7PSA 103:12JER 31:34MAT 5:8MAT 19:21MRK 10:21In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of repentance and revival in the lives of believers. He references Charles Spinney, a preacher known for his teachings on revival, and highlights the convicting nature of his lectures. The preacher emphasizes the need for believers to reflect on their lives and genuinely repent of any sins that may be hindering their relationship with God. He also emphasizes that while man may only see the outward appearance, God sees the heart and urges believers to prioritize their love for God above all else.
Road to Reality - the Most Important Thing in Life Part Two
By K.P. Yohannan1.1K24:57Road To RealityMAT 6:33MAT 19:21MAT 28:19MRK 8:34LUK 14:25JHN 17:3ACT 20:24In this sermon, Brother K. P. Johannon shares his personal journey of serving God for over four decades. He recounts how he left his home at a young age to serve God and faced suffering and persecution along the way. After many years of ministry, he realized that he had become disconnected from the pain and lostness of the world. His board members encouraged him to take a vacation, which he initially saw as a punishment, but ultimately embraced. The sermon challenges listeners to consider what they need to walk away from in order to fully follow Jesus, using the examples of the apostles who left everything to follow Him and the rich young ruler who was unwilling to do so.
(Deeper 2003 - "Let It Go") Letting Go of... - Sep 27, 2003 Am
By Stephen Fenton84456:17MAT 6:33MAT 19:21LUK 9:23LUK 19:31CO 1:26REV 3:20In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story about taking his children to the swimming pool and how they would trust him to catch them when they jumped into the deep end. He then relates this to the story of Zacchaeus in the Bible, who let go of control and gave his whole life to Jesus. The speaker emphasizes that just like Zacchaeus, we need to let go of control and trust that God will catch us. He also mentions other individuals in the Bible who let go of control and invited Jesus into their lives, despite their past mistakes and failures.
Getting Ready for Jesus to Return
By Sandeep Poonen83738:00ISA 53:10MAT 16:24MAT 19:21MRK 12:41ROM 10:101CO 13:3PHP 3:8This sermon emphasizes the importance of being willing to be crushed and utterly destroyed for the sake of following Jesus. It highlights the value of surrendering all aspects of our lives, including our riches, past mistakes, and comfort, to find eternal life. The speaker urges listeners to prioritize their spiritual future over worldly possessions and to be all in with Jesus, even if it means becoming smaller than the eye of a needle. The message stresses the significance of being willing to lose everything to gain eternal life and to be judged by God based on our deeds and willingness to be crushed for His sake.
The Love of Money - Part 2
By Zac Poonen76409:01MAT 6:24MAT 19:21MRK 10:21LUK 18:221TI 6:10This sermon emphasizes the importance of keeping money in its proper place as a servant, not a master, highlighting how our love for Christ should surpass all other loves, including the love for money. It delves into the story of the rich ruler in Luke 18, showcasing the significance of detaching from the love of money to truly follow Jesus and inherit eternal life. The message stresses the need for radical detachment from money if it has deeply rooted itself in our hearts, drawing parallels to the cancer of the love of money that requires radical surgery to be cured.
The Most Important Thing in Life, Part 2
By K.P. Yohannan71024:57Seeking GodMAT 6:33MAT 19:21MAT 28:19MRK 8:34LUK 14:25JHN 17:3ACT 20:24In this sermon, Brother K. P. Johannon shares his personal journey of serving God for over four decades. He recounts how he left his home at a young age to serve God and faced suffering and persecution along the way. After many years of ministry, he realized that he had become disconnected from the pain and lostness of the world. His board members encouraged him to take a vacation, which he initially saw as a punishment, but ultimately embraced. The sermon challenges listeners to consider what they need to walk away from in order to fully follow Jesus, using the examples of the apostles who left everything to follow Him and the rich young ruler who was unwilling to do so.
Gaining an Eternal Perspective (P2)
By K.P. Yohannan64723:36EternityMAT 6:19MAT 6:25MAT 6:33MAT 19:21LUK 9:24LUK 12:32ROM 10:15In this sermon, the speaker shares a powerful story of a missionary who was brutally attacked while preaching the gospel. Despite the scars and the pain, this missionary continued to faithfully serve God. The speaker emphasizes the importance of prayer and encourages listeners to develop a disciplined prayer life. He also warns against mistaking obedience for legalism and urges believers to truly know and have a personal relationship with God. The sermon concludes with a reminder of the privilege of being born in a Christian home and the responsibility to support and pray for missionaries around the world.
Hope - With God All Things Are Possible
By Shane Idleman59448:26MAT 19:21ISA 9:6MRK 8:34PHP 4:7JAS 4:7This sermon emphasizes the importance of surrendering to God and the need to repent, seek God wholeheartedly, and allow Him to rebuild our lives. It discusses the challenges of letting go of worldly mindsets, idols, and sin, highlighting the cost of following Jesus and the necessity of obedience. The message stresses the significance of disconnecting from the world's influences, surrendering all to God, and finding true hope in Him.
Pillars, Manna, Vindication, and Treasure in Heaven
By Mike Bickle261:13:03Heavenly RewardsOvercoming ChallengesISA 60:14MAT 6:20MAT 19:21LUK 12:37JHN 6:351CO 3:15GAL 2:9REV 2:17REV 3:12REV 22:2Mike Bickle emphasizes the significance of being an overcomer in Christ, highlighting the promises found in Revelation 2 and 3, particularly the rewards of becoming pillars in God's temple, receiving hidden manna, and the treasure in heaven. He explains that these rewards are not just for all believers but specifically for those who overcome challenges and remain steadfast in their faith. Bickle encourages believers to pursue a deeper relationship with God, emphasizing the importance of love and commitment in their walk with Christ. He also discusses the vindication of believers before their persecutors and the reality of heavenly treasures, urging the congregation to invest in their spiritual future.
We Ought to Deny Ourselves and Imitate Christ Through Bearing the Cross
By Thomas a Kempis1MAT 16:24MAT 19:21JHN 8:32JHN 14:211PE 2:21Thomas a Kempis preaches about the importance of surrendering to Christ, emphasizing the need to depart from self and fully embrace God's will without contradiction. He highlights that following Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life is essential for true living and eternal life. Kempis urges believers to keep Christ's commandments, deny themselves, and carry their crosses to find blessedness and true light.
Bowing to the Givers
By A.W. Tozer0The Role of Wealth in the ChurchFaith in God's ProvisionPSA 37:25PRO 11:25MAL 3:10MAT 6:24MAT 19:21LUK 12:15ACT 20:352CO 9:7PHP 4:191TI 6:17A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of relying on God rather than on the wealth of individuals within the church. He warns against the temptation to cater to wealthy givers, asserting that true prosperity comes from God and not from human patronage. Tozer encourages ministers to prioritize the spiritual health of the church over financial concerns, reminding them that God's provision is sufficient for all needs. He concludes with a prayer of gratitude for God's generosity and faithfulness to both individuals and the church.
Hebrews 10:8-18
By St. John Chrysostom0PSA 40:6MAT 5:3MAT 19:21MAT 25:34ACT 3:6HEB 10:4HEB 10:10John Chrysostom emphasizes the inefficacy of sacrifices in purifying sins and the superiority of Christ's sacrifice, which once and for all sanctifies believers. He explains that God never truly desired sacrifices but rather the obedience and surrender of one's will. Chrysostom highlights the importance of poverty as a virtue, contrasting the anxieties of the rich with the freedom and confidence of the voluntarily poor. He encourages believers to embrace poverty, generosity, and humility, as exemplified by Christ and His disciples, to inherit the kingdom of Heaven.
The Cause of Spiritual Stupidity
By George MacDonald0MAT 6:31MAT 19:21MRK 8:21LUK 11:34LUK 11:39LUK 12:29George MacDonald preaches on the disciples' lack of understanding when Jesus warned them about the leaven of the Pharisees, focusing on their preoccupation with material concerns like bread instead of trusting in God's provision. He emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment, trusting in God's care, and seeking first the kingdom of God. MacDonald highlights the need to let go of earthly possessions and ambitions that hinder one's relationship with God, urging listeners to cast out distractions and make room for eternal truths in their hearts.
Fool Away Their Souls
By Thomas Brooks0Prioritizing Spiritual WealthEternal SalvationECC 5:10MAT 6:19MAT 19:21MRK 8:36LUK 12:152CO 4:18PHP 3:191TI 6:17HEB 12:1JAS 4:14Thomas Brooks emphasizes the critical choice presented by Christ to the young man in the Gospel, who was offered eternal treasures in exchange for his earthly possessions. Despite the promise of heavenly rewards, the young man chose to prioritize his temporary wealth, ultimately missing out on salvation. Brooks warns that many people today similarly squander their time and opportunities for eternal life, choosing fleeting pleasures over lasting fulfillment. The sermon serves as a call to recognize the value of spiritual over material wealth and to seize the opportunities for salvation before they slip away.
John 5:23-30
By St. John Chrysostom0MAT 6:12MAT 10:16MAT 19:21JHN 5:222CO 5:10HEB 9:28John Chrysostom emphasizes the importance of living with great diligence as we will be held accountable for our words and actions before the Judgment-seat of Christ. He highlights the fear of facing a fearful tribunal after this life and the need to remember the final judgment. Chrysostom explains the equality of honor between the Father and the Son, emphasizing that honoring the Son is honoring the Father. He delves into the Son's authority to judge, proving His equality with the Father and the necessity of honoring Him. Chrysostom urges believers to forgive others, judge themselves, and strive for eternal life by following Christ's commandments of love and selflessness.
- John Gill
- Tyndale
John Gill Bible Commentary
Jesus said unto him, if thou wilt be perfect,.... Wanting nothing, completely righteous, according to the tenor of the covenant of works, having no evil, concupiscence, or worldly lusts: our Lord signifies it was not enough to be possessed of negative holiness, and do no hurt to his neighbour, to his person, property, and estate, but he must love him, and do him good; and therefore, though so far as he had complied with the law, it was right and commendable; wherefore it is said by Mark, "that Jesus beholding him loved him"; had an affectionate regard to him as man, and approved of his intentions, seriousness, and actions, so far as agreeable; yet tells him, one thing thou lackest: not but that he lacked many more, but he was only willing to observe one thing to him, as a trial of his love to his neighbour, which is the fulfilling of the law: go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: not that either the law of God, or Gospel of Christ, require this to be done of all men, and at all times; for though it is a duty binding upon all, and always, to relieve the poor and the needy, yet a man is not obliged to give all that he has to them; see Co2 8:11 nor does either legal or Christian perfection lie in doing this: a man may give all his goods to the poor and yet be destitute of the grace of God, Co1 13:3 much less can such an action merit the heavenly treasure of eternal life. Nevertheless of some persons, and in some cases, it has been required, that they part with all their worldly substance, for the sake of Christ and his Gospel; as the apostles were called to leave all and follow Christ, as this man was also; for it is added, and come and follow me: between these two, Mark puts, "take up the cross"; all which to do, was much more than to sell what he had, and give to the poor; and indeed, in this branch lies Gospel perfection, or to be really and truly a Christian: for to "come" to Christ, is to believe in him, lay hold on him, receive and embrace him as a Saviour and Redeemer; and to "follow" him, is to be obedient to his will, to be observant of his commands, to submit to his ordinances, and to imitate him in the exercise of grace, and discharge of duty; neither of which can be done, without "taking up the cross"; bearing reproach and persecution with patience; undergoing hardships and difficulties, of one sort or another, which attend faith in Christ, a profession of his name, and following him the Lamb, whithersoever he goes. The consequence of this now, not by way of merit, but by way of grace, is the enjoyment of the rich treasures of eternal glory: but this man was so far from complying with the latter, with coming to Christ, taking up the cross, and following him, that he could by no means agree to the former, parting with his worldly substance; and which is mentioned, as a test of his love to God and his neighbour, and to discover his sinful love of the world, and the things of it; and consequently, that he was far from being in a state of perfection. Moreover, it should be observed, that Christ is here speaking, not the pure language of the law, or according to the principles of the Gospel, when he seems to place perfection in alms deeds, and as if they were meritorious of eternal life; but according to the doctrine of the Pharisees, and which was of this man; and so upon the plan of his own notions, moves him to seek for perfection, and convicts him of the want of it, in a way he knew would be disagreeable to him; and yet he would not be able to disprove the method, on the foot of his own tenets: for this is their doctrine (e); "It is a tradition, he that says this "sela", or shekel, is for alms, that my son may live, or I may be a son of the world to come, lo! , "this man is a perfect righteous man".'' The gloss adds, "In this thing; and he does not say that he does not do it for the sake of it, but he fulfils the command of his Creator, who has commanded him to do alms; and he also intends profit to himself, that thereby he may be worthy of the world to come, or that his children may live.'' And so in answer to a question much like this, the young man put to Christ (f); "How shall we come at the life of the world to come?'' It is replied, "take thy riches, and give to the fatherless and the poor, and I will give thee a better portion in the law.'' (e) T. Bab. Pesach. fol. 8. 1, 2. & Roshhashanah, fol. 4. 1. (f) Zohar in Gen. fol. 60. 4.