Verse by Verse Matthew

[0:00] Thank you. So let's get into the Bible, Matthew chapter 19. Matthew 19, we stopped in verse number 15 with Christ laying His hands on the children and then moving forward from that into a section that demands our attention.

[0:25] Matthew 19 and verse number 16. I'm just going to read the passage from verse 16 down to 26 and then we'll come back through and comment and make sure we have everything down.

[0:39] Matthew 19, verse 16. The Bible says, And behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?

[0:49] And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? There's none good but one, that is God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, honor thy father and thy mother, and thou shalt love thy neighbors thyself.

[1:10] The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up. What lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come and follow me.

[1:23] When the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

[1:35] And again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

[1:46] But Jesus beheld them and said unto them, With men this is impossible. But with God, all things are possible. Let's pray, and then we'll get back in verse 16.

[1:56] Father, thank you for this morning, for the opportunity we have to sit down and to open up the scriptures, to verse by verse, expound them and teach them. Lord, I pray that what's said would be clear, would be true, that the doctrine would be right, and rightly divided.

[2:11] And Lord, help us to have a clear understanding of all these truths in your holy book. Lord, this book is beyond us. It is before us, and it goes out far beyond us into eternity.

[2:22] We understand that these words are your words, and Lord, help us just to get an understanding of them, if you'd allow by your spirit, we pray in Jesus' name. Amen. So verse 16, this one came and said, and we understand from other passages that this is a young man.

[2:40] He's called a ruler, and he's called, we typically call him the rich young ruler. That's his nickname in scripture. And Mark, in Mark chapter 10, he says that he approached him running and kneeling.

[2:54] In Mark chapter 10, the same passage. So that's an interesting thing to kind of picture in this situation, these children, and then this rich man, who is a young man, at least, I don't know if it's comparison to Christ, or just compared to the generation and the elders, but he comes running to Jesus, maybe afraid he's going to take off and leave him, but he's got a question for him.

[3:19] He wants to get this question answered. And the question is this, good master, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?

[3:30] So this reveals, and it's pretty natural really, the thinking of man, that if I do something, something really good, then I've earned my way, then God accepts me.

[3:44] And that's just, that's, that's, that's what, 90% of the world's religions teach that. You do this, if you do that, and these are all good things, noble things, moral things, and if you check that list off, then God's good, he has to give it to you.

[4:02] Why? Because you're good. And that's just this sad and false view of God, and it's not a biblical view of God, it's just man's kind of natural thinking.

[4:13] And it makes sense to man. And the Bible says there's a way that seems right unto a man. So what? The end thereof are the ways of death, so better not go by what man thinks.

[4:25] You better not trust your own heart. Proverbs says man trusts his own heart, he's a fool. So, come to Jesus Christ, and ask that question. He's revealing what he's thinking, and he wants to do something.

[4:37] What good things shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And it shows there's, this element of works, that he's offering, and interested in, and it's not so far-fetched, with the way God has operated to this point, with mankind, and it's not so far-fetched, with the way God will operate in the future.

[4:55] But it surely is far-fetched, with today's age, and the doctrine, that Paul delivers to the church, we don't do anything, the works have been done, by the Lord Jesus Christ.

[5:06] But there is an element of works, that show up all over this Bible, and that's surely something, that trips men up, as they try to seek, an answer to their own questions, for how do I obtain eternal life? And they follow the law of Moses, and find out that, they were required to do things.

[5:21] They look into the future, and see that God's calling them, to keep the commandments again. And it surely is enough. But let's just get one thing nailed down, before we go further, with this age, with what God requires about works, this age.

[5:33] Look at Romans chapter 4. Let's make sure everybody in this place, has a thorough grasp, of what God is looking for, in regards to what you do, to obtain eternal life.

[5:51] Romans chapter 4, and Paul's going to, emphasize faith, over works, and he's going to use Abraham, as an example, because Abraham, because Abraham, precedes Moses' law, and God dealt with Abraham, according to faith.

[6:09] Romans chapter, Romans 4 verse 2, for if Abraham, were justified by works, he hath whereof the glory, but not before God. In other words, if Abraham, could justify himself, by his good deeds, yeah, he sure could boast about that, and say, everybody see what I did, see how good I am, I did it, I was good, but you can't stand before God, and say, I don't need you, look at me, did you see me God, do you know, how good I am, you can't stand before a holy God, and declare your worth, and your goodness, and that's something, that man needs to wake up on, right there, that'll do it.

[6:46] He looks at his works, to other men, and thinks I'm not as bad as him, I've never killed somebody, so, and he looks at the worst of man, and says I'm better than that, but he never seems to look at God, and say, oh, I fall short of that, you can't have glory before God, verse 3, for what saith the scripture, well that's a good place to go, Abraham believed God, there's faith, and it was counted unto him, for righteousness, now to him that worketh, is the reward, not reckoned of grace, but of debt, he earned it, so he owes it to him, debt, but to him that worketh not, but believeth on him, that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted, for righteousness, and then he goes to Psalm 32, even as David also describeth, the blessedness of a man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness, without work, saying, blessed are they, whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered, blessed is the man, to whom the Lord, will not impute sin, although, it's implied, the man has sin, he's guilty, but it's not imputed unto him, he's been imputed righteousness, instead, and it's not with works, it's by faith, now, the contrast is faith and works, these are opposites, you cannot earn, or I'm sorry, grace, you cannot earn, go to chapter 11, it'll show up there, you cannot earn,

[8:08] God's grace, or it wouldn't be grace, look at Romans 11, and verse number 6, so the work of God, and what we call salvation, in that case, it was imputing righteousness, to a man, that's a work of God, as conditioned on the man's faith, not upon his works, Romans 11, verse number 6, and if by grace, then it is no more, of works, otherwise grace, is no more grace, but if it be of works, then it is no more grace, otherwise, work is no more work, might sound confusing, but if you sit on there, and think on it, you'll get it, that, if you can earn your way, to God's favor, then it's definitely not his grace, that's giving you his favor, it's your earning of it, you earned it, it's indebted to you, since that's never the case, here in this age, then it has to be by grace, if you can gain God's favor, it has to be his gift, people say that grace, is an acronym, for God's riches, at Christ's expense, and that's a cute little statement, but it's, it's totally not a definition, of what grace is, grace, a good easy definition, is unmerited favor, unmerited, meaning you did not earn it, you don't deserve it, because of anything, that you are, or have done, therefore, it is pure grace, for God to give you, righteousness, it's by grace, for by grace, are ye saved, through faith, that's Ephesians 2, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, come to Titus chapter 3, while we're turning here, go back to Titus, this thought of works,

[10:02] I could, Ephesians, I should have kept going, Ephesians 2 verse 9, says, not of works, lest any man, should boast, like, Paul said about Abraham, Titus, all the way back, 1st Timothy, 2nd Timothy, Titus chapter 3, and look at verse number 5, start in verse 4, but after that, the kindness, and love of God, our Savior, toward man appeared, not by works, of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, just note that word, and plug it in the back of your mind, it might come up a little bit later, here today, the washing of regeneration, and renewing, of the Holy Ghost, that's a spiritual thing, that's going on there, and it's not by your works, go to 1st John chapter 5, we were here on Wednesday night, 1st John chapter 5, in this age,

[11:05] God's looking for faith, faith exercised, in the work of his son, the Lord Jesus Christ, on Calvary, and when God sees that faith, when a man believes on Christ, there's a lot of things, that take place, we just like to say, you got saved, you get delivered from hell, and from paying for your sins, you get God's righteousness, Christ's earned righteousness, imputed to your account, which you do not deserve, nor have you earned, but it's that gift, of eternal life, 1st John 5, and notice with me, verse 11, this is the record, that God hath given to us, eternal life, that's what that young ruler, sought, eternal life, and this life is in his son, he that hath the son, hath life, no good deeds, being done here at all, no good thing, do you do, to get the son, it's by faith, verse 13, these things have I written, unto you that believe, believe on the name, of the son of God, that you may know, you have eternal life, there's your assurance, and that you may believe, on the name, of the son of God, so God gives, eternal life, and he gives it, to the one, who doesn't work for it, but, believes on the Lord,

[12:23] Jesus Christ, all right, coming back to Matthew, it's a gift, conditioned on belief, there's no element, of works involved, God doesn't accept, man's works, or his good deeds, even when he offers them, even when he attempts them, but, we are in Matthew 19, aren't we, what we're studying, is doctrine, in Matthew 19, not in the, Pauline epistles, we're studying doctrine, that is before, the cross of Calvary, when all through this book, Christ is offering, the kingdom of heaven, is at hand, and he's healing, and he's displaying, signs of his kingdom, and of the Messiah, that he is, and when this man, shows up, and asks for, what must I do, what good thing, shall I do, that I may have, eternal life, he does not reply, at all, with, believe on me, he doesn't say, anything, about his death, burial, resurrection, does he, you show me in this passage, where he talks about it, where he tells this man, he lets this guy, walk away, sorrowful, and never one time, did he tell him the gospel, so that's a problem, if you're going to try, to put this, into today's age, it's a big problem, but it's not a problem, at all, because Christ doesn't need, to preach the gospel, to this man, he's going to deal with him, what he needs to deal, with him on, and where they're at, and we rightly divide our Bible, and realize, that this gospel, that is preached today, was not yet revealed, and so it's a mystery, it's not even being preached, or taught, his disciples aren't believing on him, this young man, is not going to believe on him, for eternal life, by faith alone, yet either, it's not the age yet, so, in verse number 16, what good thing, shall I do, that I may have eternal life, and he said unto him, what a thing, why callest thou me good, that's an interesting reply, when he calls him good master, now the, the Pharisees, call him master, they say that, when they're coming to him, tempting him, trying to trip him up, in his words, in different times, in this Bible, and they use that term, master, master, and this guy says, good master,

[14:35] I don't know why Christ, said that to him, why callest thou me good, there's none good, but one, that is God, and so, either he's going to make the guy, eat his words, or he's going to make the guy, believe, in his deity, that he is God, you still think I'm good, if I, yes I do, because there's only one good, and that's God, then I'm God, and you can see how that works, but, the new versions, change this around, I don't know why, they change it to say, why do you ask me, concerning the good, instead of saying, why callest thou me good, where they totally, just disrupt the conversation, and there's no need for it, but it's, all the new versions, mess with this passage, for some reason, the end of this verse, here's his reply, but if thou would enter into life, keep the commandments, now I've been teaching you, that phrase, enter into life, it shows up all over Matthew, it's a phrase about, the kingdom of heaven, enter, enter, enter, you see that all over the place, and when he's entering into life, we saw it just back in chapter 18, with him, let me see the verse, verse 8, wherefore if I hand with thy foot, offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee, it's better for thee, to enter into life, halt or maimed, remember that's not, go to heaven, to the third heaven, to the eternal heavens,

[15:55] God's abode, you don't go up there, with halt or maimed, this body doesn't even, make it up there, period, so it's totally, not talking about, dying and going to heaven, it's talking about, entering the kingdom of heaven, which is on earth, a visible physical kingdom, that's offered to the Jews, same context here, in Matthew 19, study the words of your Bible, never change them, and they can teach themselves, if you allow them to, but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments, now, the seventh day Adventists, love this passage, they love it, because, their number one goal, is to get you to worship, on the Sabbath day, and if they can bring you, into that, they're going to teach you, that God's commandments, have never been rescinded, he still wants the world, to keep the ten commandments, and the number one, in their mind, is keep the Sabbath, keep the Sabbath, keep it holy, they love that verse, they love another verse, in John 14, if you love me, Christ said, keep my commandments, and they pretend, that that means, Moses's ten commandments, when Christ said, keep my commandments, and it's, he studied that passage, and he says, several times, keep my words, keep my sayings, and that's what he meant, so they, they misinterpret the Bible, and in this case, they love this one, because Christ told a man, if you want to enter, into eternal life, then, keep the commandments, and that settles it, for them, not rightly dividing, the Bible, can damn your soul, to hell, you better be careful, be careful, what verse you, jump on, and cling to, and so,

[17:29] Christ tells them, to keep the commandments, now, again, Christ did not tell him, to believe on his death, burial, and resurrection, he, he did refer him though, to the word of God, that they had, that's all they had, there was no Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, any revelation, from the apostle Paul, none of that existed, all they had was, Genesis, through Malachi, in scroll form, and none of it, was compiled, into one book, or into one long scroll, at all, it was just, probably, just like blueprints, stuck down into bins, in certain, temples, or rather, synagogues, and I don't know, that every synagogue, had every prophet, or not, I have no idea, what existed, in each town, or synagogue, but what they had, was the commandments, that's one thing, they had, and that's what Christ, pointed him to, now to understand, something about this, come to Luke chapter 1,

[18:31] I've showed you, this verse before, this is something, you need to know, and mark, and learn, in dealing with, before the cross, Luke chapter 1, and understanding, the, the, I don't know, how to word it, God's requirements, maybe, for this age, for this era, before Calvary, all they have, is Moses's law, and it's not been, yet, eliminated, although, Christ said, that the law, and the prophets, are until John, and because, there is a, an offer, of a kingdom, it's kind of, in a transition, phase, you might say, but up until, this time, look at Luke chapter 1, and here is, Zachariah, and his wife, Elizabeth, and in verse number 6, they were both, righteous, before God, and that's a great thing, and that's what, everybody wants, and look how, they got that, walking, in all the commandments, and ordinances, of the Lord, blameless, that's the Old Testament, that's Old Testament, salvation, as we call it, that's Old Testament, righteousness, that they had earned, by their works, and their obedience, to the word of God, now when Christ, told this young man, to keep the commandments, there's an example, that's the era, and the age, that they were in, it's the right thing, to say, now some people, still want to preach, the gospel here, and so what they say, the typical Baptist, that doesn't know his bible, or the fundamentalist, that still thinks, everything's about the cross, he comes to this passage, and he says, well, what Christ is really doing, is just trying to make a point, because he knows his heart, and he knows, that he loves his riches, so he's just going to try, to make a point, and identify, that he has something, he's holding on to, so that's why, he never preaches, the gospel to him, that's why he never, takes them to Calvary, or to himself, he just tells them, to keep the commandments, and that's a cute way, of kind of, getting around, the truth, but it's not studying, the bible, it's wrong, it's what it is, this man asked, a point blank question, and if Jesus Christ, wants to see him saved, and had something, to offer him, that's pretty wrong, of him to withhold it, from him, and to mislead him, and just to play, a little game with him, with his sin, and it does more than that, what it does, is it, he never answers, his question, if keeping the commandments, is not the answer, then he never, answers his question, and that's wrong, of the Lord, then as well, and understand, what I'm saying, when I say, it's wrong with the Lord, not charging him, with folly,

[21:29] I'm exposing, the false teaching, they're creating, a problem, and take it, a step further, what it also implies, is that, instead of Christ, giving him, the gospel truth, he insists, that he has to repent, of this particular sin, of loving his money, before, he can, even hear the gospel, much less, believe on it, that's a terrible teaching, that's damnable, doctrines, and heresy, teaching, that Christ, makes a man, repent of his sin, before he can, even hear, the gospel, Christ wouldn't even, give him the truth, so understand, we don't need to do that, with the passages, in Matthew, we don't need to, twist the scriptures, to try to teach, the doctrines, of our age today, but rather study them, where they stand, and this is important stuff, when you're rightly dividing, and dealing, there's doctrines, there's denominations, there's teachings, that have surfaced, from passages, just like that, they're being taught, in pulpits, all over the place, this is how you, enter into life, they twist that passage, they want to teach it, because Jesus said it, the words are in red, and so they want to, teach it so badly, so Matthew 19, verse 17, if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments, well then, look at what he says, which, he saith unto him, which, no,

[22:53] Christ is, actually, we'll see, he's pleased with this man, and he loves him, it says in Mark, I think, or Luke, one of them, but, I feel like, it's just revealing, another little bit, of that human nature, you tell your kids, to do their homework, and they're like, which subjects, are you talking about, that doesn't fly, does it, well that's, I mean, keep the commandments, which ones, you know, are you, are you being specific here, so there's a problem there, with what the man asks, and Jesus, gives him an answer, and he gives him a couple, he doesn't give him, the whole thing, does he, he skips a few, and he talks about, murder, adultery, stealing, bearing false witness, honoring your mother, and father, father and mother, and loving your neighbors, thyself, and he gives him, a short list, and the man says, I've, like, phew, all good there, check that box, so, I'm good then, what lack I yet, he said in verse 20, all these things, have I kept for my youth up, what lack I yet, what do I lack, that's an interesting thought, now, that partial list, you can almost see, the man either in relief, or, in being self-righteous, just thinking,

[24:10] I'm good, I'm good enough, I've done the job, I've done the work, it requires, to get there, but it turns out, there's something, that's still, untouched, undone with, instead of saying, thou shalt not, steal, in Mark, Christ says, thou shalt, defraud not, and uses a different, term there, and just, it describes, being dishonest, perhaps, in business dealings, and sales, and in transactions, and trades, defrauding, versus just, the word steal, and if you want, to put the scripture together, that gives you light, to show you, that stealing, is not just going, into a store, and shoplifting, or seeing nobody's looking, somewhere, and taking, but rather, being unjust, in your transactions, and you're dealing, with others, it's considered, stealing, defrauding, so thou shalt, do no murder, thou shalt not, commit adultery, check, thou shalt not, steal, I think I'm good there, thou shalt not, bear false witness, honor your father, yeah, yada, yada, yada, and I think,

[25:13] I'm pretty good, and when he said that, all these have I kept, from my youth up, let me turn that, read you that, from Mark 10, and I'll just, find it quick, in Mark 10, he answered, and said unto him, in verse 20, master, all these have I observed, from my youth, Jesus beholding him, loved him, and said unto him, one thing thou lackest, he loved him, and what an interesting thought, there from our savior, beholding him, loved him, he was a moral guy, he was an honest man, he was a righteous man, he did love God, and love, and care for his neighbor, so there's a few things, Jesus Christ didn't mention, he didn't mention, having no other gods, before him, could be, money was placed, before him, maybe, he didn't mention, thou shalt not covet, could be, that was one, that could fall into that deal, with the money, and maybe, maybe not, but one thing thou lackest, notice he never mentioned, the Sabbath day, just need to point that out, didn't say that was the issue, that's keeping him from heaven, or eternal life, in verse 21,

[26:26] Jesus said unto him, if thou wilt be perfect, now that's interesting, if thou wilt be perfect, what's he saying, look back at chapter 5, we saw this already, Matthew chapter 5, the very last verse, verse 48, if thou wilt be perfect, meaning complete, not flawless, not sinless, but, if thou wilt be complete, if thou wilt check all the boxes, and be able to say, that you're righteous, according to all the commands, Matthew chapter 5, verse 48, this is how he, after the first chapter, of this sermon on the mount, this constitution of the kingdom, all through this, Moses said this, but I say this, and we've studied this out, I know it's been a while, but the entire chapter, gives point after point, of Moses' law, by the letter, and then Jesus Christ, teaching about the spirit, of that law, and in verse 48, he concludes it, by saying, be therefore perfect, even as your father, which is in heaven, is perfect, and perfection, in this context, is not, okay,

[27:32] I haven't committed adultery, check, I haven't murdered, check, but rather, he goes into the, for instance, with the adultery, in verse 27, you've heard that it was said of them, at all times, thou shalt not commit adultery, but I say unto you, whosoever looketh on a woman, to lust after her, hath committed adultery, with her already in his heart, so there's the sin, being, being, what's the word, being done, accomplished, fulfilled, whatever, and he's not even, doing the act, but he's guilty, guilty, guilty, now that's perfection, under the law, is to not just be, checking the boxes, but to be actually righteous, on the inside, not just, not guilty, on the outside, but if thou wilt be perfect, go and sell, verse 21, that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure, in heaven, and come follow me, come follow me, that thought must have, pierced his heart, right there, standing in front of him,

[28:34] I mean, I'm doing so well, this is looking up for me, all this I've kept for my youth, what lack I yet, he probably didn't see it coming, your money, and that probably just, oh, I mean, he went away sorrowful, and that would hurt, to think, I'd have to give up, all of that, I'm, I mean, he's a young man, and he's wealthy, I mean, he must have respect, he must have honor, it must feel good, to be in his shoes, and to be, further ahead in life, than so many other people, around him, older than him, to think he'd have to, walk away from that, and just drop all that, at the feet of Jesus Christ, and then, follow him, like these guys, these fishermen, walking everywhere, and town to town, and just ministering to people, all the time, and instead of being ministered to, I mean, that's a whole change of life, that he's seeing in front of him, and he doesn't want it, and it had to be a heavy thought, for him to sell, to leave, to just give it away, distribute that stuff, to people who are poor people,

[29:45] I don't know that he despised the poor, I don't want to assume that, but he's a rich man, to think, to give away all his things, to people, to other people, and they have it, not him, tough stuff, and it's a lifestyle, that he just wasn't willing to forsake, it's the same thing, Christ asked of his disciples, to forsake all, follow me, but for this guy, it's a little bit, the stakes are a little higher, isn't it, and it shows you, he wasn't willing to do, it's quite a dilemma, for a young man, verse 22, but when the young man, heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, why, for he had great possessions, look at, look at 1 Timothy chapter 6, it's nice to be able, to have some things, it's nice to be, comfortable in life, to be taken care of, to not want for anything, and to, to thank the Lord, for those things, but boy, you better be careful, that could be the thing, that keeps you, from obeying God, can keep, be the thing, that takes your heart, 1 Timothy chapter 6, and verse 9, says, but they that will be rich, that is, will, will to be rich, want to be rich, that's, it's not, they that are rich, they that will be rich, have that desire, fall into temptation, and a snare, and into many foolish, and hurtful lusts, which drowned men, in destruction, and perdition, that's no return, why is that, for the love of money, is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after, they've erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through, with many sorrows, but thou,

[31:32] O man of God, flee these things, take off, you better learn, how to not fall in love, with money, I heard a preacher say it one time, and it stuck with me, and it just resonated within me, because in my youth, and in my young, teenage years, and college age years, young man years, those, I just had this love for money, this, this desire for it, just want to just be successful, and wealthy, and, and didn't matter what it took, to get there, it was, it was in me, and I didn't, it wasn't, it's bad, it wasn't good for me, and I knew, that the Lord, put me through, through some things, and probably still is, just to keep me in check, and praise the Lord for it, because I don't want that, to get a hold of me, that's damnable stuff, just, it drowns men, in destruction, and perdition, and Paul warns a preacher, about it, you better flee, and I heard a preacher say, I hate money, filthy lucre, and when he, it just hit me, in the pew that day,

[32:34] I was like, amen, that's, that is, that stuff, to me, it is a temptation, it's a snare, and it's wickedness, to me, I'm not saying, having money, giving money, you know, you know what I mean, but that love, it can take a hold of a man's heart, and it can destroy him, he'll fall, into temptation, he'll covet after, and err from the faith, he'll lie, he'll cheat, he'll steal, he'll be deceitful, to anybody, and everybody, because of money, for 20 bucks, for a thousand bucks, for a higher position, a salary, perks, the love of money, it makes men do things, they ought not do, and this man, couldn't walk away, from his money, he had great possessions, and so we need to conclude this, but come down to Matthew, chapter 19, and then verse 23, and notice the man, passed on following Jesus Christ, he passed on being a disciple, of Jesus Christ, he called him right there, follow me, and he passed on it, walked away from it, and some people do that,

[33:45] I know a man, that he's, man, he's probably pushing, 80 years old now, and just, within the last 10 years, we've had conversations, he's a nice man, he would do some things, at the church, on the weekends, at different times, I'd be around, and we'd just have conversation, and he always asked me, Bible questions, and he just, he'd read his Bible, he'd hit a verse, it'd be weird, you know, and he'd just, he'd say, what do you think that means, and we'd talk, have great discussions, about Bible stuff, and one time, he opened up to me, and he, he was sorrowful, and regretful, and he said, you know, when I was your age, I think the Lord was telling me, he wanted me to be a missionary, and I was like, really, whatever happened with that, and he just, he just looked down at the floor, and just shook his head, he just said, I didn't do it, I didn't want to do it, I was afraid to do it, and I just was quiet, what do you say to that, he's like 80 years old, or not quite at the time, but pushing in his 70s, and you blew it, you missed a chance, to come follow me, and he looks at his life, and thinks, he's a good man, he's faithful to church, doing things around, and all that, but he knows, that he missed the opportunity, a big opportunity,

[35:06] God gave him, and now he never, ever, went after it, or sought the Lord on it, he just scared his whole life, and that was something, that just stuck with me, whenever I think of that man, I think, what could have been, you're going to stand, in the judgment seat of Christ, and he's trying to do little things, but he let that one go, and this young man, did the same thing, he walked away from it, now I really do want to finish this, so verse 23, then said Jesus unto his disciples, verily I say unto you, that a rich man, shall hardly enter, into the kingdom of heaven, again I say unto you, it's easier for a camel, to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man, to enter, into the kingdom of God, now there's the word, kingdom of God, and there's the word, kingdom of heaven, in verse 23, we'll have to probably, pick this up next week, it's a little too much, to tie this all together, in case you have forgotten already, about the differences here, but the one thing I'll say, and we'll get into it next week, is this rich man, could have entered, into the kingdom of heaven, it was right there, it wasn't impossible for him, and so people have misapplied, and misinterpreted it,

[36:16] I'll give you a story of this, next week, or willing, probably not next week, we've got somebody with us, but I'll give you a story, next time we're together on this, of a man that I witnessed to, he was close to me, and I worked with, that would not believe the gospel, because of this passage, at least that was his excuse, because the Bible says, rich men can't get saved, and I said, it doesn't say that, but he was so hung up on this, that he just rejected the whole thing, somebody taught him some stuff, it wasn't right, it was Matthew 19, and he allowed it to, to be at least his crutch, or his excuse, to keep him from, opening his heart, to the Lord Jesus Christ, so anyway, we'll stop there, we've got some more to say, to wrap this section up, as he says,, howthen tomore Jesus Christ, he's got a Pierce, becoming aluf, he's had a cup, because k museums, I told you who are, so anyway, some people can't, people can't get hired, and he gave up a gift, because he made it a career, because it was wonderful, so anyways, so again,

[37:24] I've got a gift. And so I've got this together, so I think that's something that my idea of boy,