The Way of Entry
A Sermon on Mark 10:17-25
Originally preached June 23, 1963
Scripture
17¶ And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but …
Sermon Description
All try to find satisfaction in this life, but they must first seek God’s kingdom. Do not be deceived—not only will the unrighteousness not enter the kingdom, even the good one does is not enough. It is a peculiar, yet common fallacy. In this sermon on Mark 10:17–25 titled “The Way of Entry,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones looks at the story of the rich young ruler to explain how Christianity is not just an addition to life, but a new life entirely. There are only two inevitable responses to Christ: either go after Him and forfeit everything, or be offended by Him and run away. No one can be indifferent to Christ. Find out how this young ruler was sorrowful due to both what Christ said, and what He did not say. All must come to the one who knows them better than they know themselves. God alone truly knows what everyone needs. Humanity’s problem is not intellectual; it is moral. God makes an impossible request that can only be fulfilled in Christ; do not walk away from Him. The listener is encouraged to not rely on anything other than Christ; turning away from Christ will only to lead to sorrow and condemnation. Find rest in Christ.
Sermon Breakdown
- The rich young ruler came to Jesus seeking eternal life but went away sorrowful because of his misunderstanding of the kingdom of God.
- The young man expected Jesus to confirm his preconceived notions about gaining eternal life by doing good works. However, Jesus did not say what the young man expected.
- Jesus told the young man that simply following the commandments and being morally good were not enough to gain eternal life. More was required.
- Jesus exposed the young man's real trouble - his love of money and power. The young man trusted in his riches, not God.
- Jesus presented the kingdom of God as surprising and different from what the natural man expects. Entry requires humility, faith like a child, and surrendering preconceived ideas.
- The young man went away sorrowful because of Jesus' demands - to sell his possessions, give to the poor, take up his cross, and follow Jesus. The young man was unwilling to surrender control and trust Jesus.
- The young man failed to realize his true need for salvation, who Jesus really was, and the glory of the treasure in heaven. He was ignorant of the joy of forgiveness, new life, and sonship with God.
- Relying on one's own goodness, works, or possessions for salvation is fatal. Apart from Christ there is only sorrow and misery.
- To turn away from Christ leads to sorrow in this life and eternal sorrow in the next. There is no rest or peace apart from Christ.
Other Sermons
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.