Matthew 19:16-26
2015
SYNOPSIS:An experienced reader of the scriptures sees the scripture like a sunset, taking it all in at once, but another useful way to read scripture to organize it as if one were presenting it on a PowerPoint slide, with an outline and expounding major exegetical points. The story of the rich young ruler, who desire to know "one good thing" to be saved and eventually "went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions" lends itself particularly well to this method. We perform the exegesis of this passage, organizing it into "Errors", "Instruction", "Promises" and then the most important category the "take home". As always, we read the scripture intensely personally. We are liars if we think the rich young ruler is not "us", and fools if we not understand that also we are referred to when the Lord says: "If thou wilt be perfect..."

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See all our sermons on the 12th Sunday after Pentecost

The Rich Young Ruler Mat 19 16 26
1999

2001

The Question Of The Young Rich Man
2002

2004

The Rich Young Ruler
Matthew 19:16-26
2008-09-07
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The Rich Young Ruler
The main points are about hidden passions, ignorance about God and self, and yes, money too.
Matthew 19:16-26
2009-08-30
Also in Format: Word DOC or mp3 You can watch this sermon on the following video platforms: Yahoo, MySpace, DailyMotion, Blip.tv and Veoh

Grace and Labor
The Orthodox view. Important to understand in our age of "salvation without labor"
1 Corinthians 15-1-11
2010-08-15
Also in Format: Word DOC or mp3
SYNOPSIS:Excerpts from the homily:
Today in both the Epistle and the Gospel that are appointed for today, the 12th Sunday, we hear about grace and about labor...
So this is the Gospel: That Jesus Christ is risen from the dead and, because He is the God-man and in His humanity rose from the dead, we can rise from the dead.
Now, how does this occur? Just knowing about the Resurrection does not make the Gospel effectual in your life.
St Paul said: "I am the least of the Apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God. But by the grace of God, I am what I am. And His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly then they all."
Here we see how the Gospel is fulfilled in a man. What a powerful statement, to say by the grace of God I am what I am. It is true. By God?s grace we do everything. Anything that we do that is good is by God?s grace helping us. We breathe by His grace. We know Him by His grace. We have holy thoughts and feelings in our hearts by His grace. Everything is by His grace.
But inherent in his statement is not just: By His grace I am what I am right now; but, "I will become what I should be by His grace."
It is good for a Christian to notice, to know what he is now; what is good about you, what is not good about you; what needs to be improved. It is good to know these things. But in knowing these things you should also have the sure confidence that you will become what you should be.
But this perfection comes through labor. Grace with labor. Grace alone does not cause a man to be saved.
I've told you before, many times; the greatest heresy of all is that salvation can be had without labor, that believing can be done without labor. To believe is also to do. And so Saint Paul says that he labored and not in vain or the grace bestowed upon him was not in vain because he labored, he says, more abundantly then they all. ...

Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.
But by the grace of God I am what I am.
1 Corinthians 1 5:1-11
2011-09-04

Matthew 19:16-26
2014-08-31
SYNOPSIS:Answer every question in the scripture! There are no rhetorical questions. Look carefully at the answers Jesus gives to questions. He often answers what the question should have been! Be careful to ask good questions and recognize stupid ones. The rich young ruler asked a bad question. Jesus rebuked him on two counts, and taught clearly, for those who have eyes to see, and ears to hear, the way of salvation, and the purpose of life. This answer is directly opposed to the minimalist spirit of this age, with its pseudo-Christianity. We can do no "good" thing, because only God is good. The way to salvation is not by doing one or a million good things, although we must attempt to follow the commandments. Jesus gives the way to salvation - not being good enough, but fulfilling the great commandment - to love the Lord with all the heart, soul, mind and strength - which He defines here as "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven." Read the Gospels every day (or it will be as hard for you to be saved as the rich man), and you will learn the purpose of life - perfection! The Lord tells us that "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."

Matthew 19:16-26
2015
SYNOPSIS:An experienced reader of the scriptures sees the scripture like a sunset, taking it all in at once, but another useful way to read scripture to organize it as if one were presenting it on a PowerPoint slide, with an outline and expounding major exegetical points. The story of the rich young ruler, who desire to know "one good thing" to be saved and eventually "went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions" lends itself particularly well to this method. We perform the exegesis of this passage, organizing it into "Errors", "Instruction", "Promises" and then the most important category the "take home". As always, we read the scripture intensely personally. We are liars if we think the rich young ruler is not "us", and fools if we not understand that also we are referred to when the Lord says: "If thou wilt be perfect..."