Sermon Notes from 1 Timothy 6:9–10; Matthew 19:16–22 (NKJV)
Series: The Root of All Evil
2025 Vision Theme: REVIVE US AGAIN! (Psalm 85)
Scripture Reading
1 Timothy 6:9–10 NKJV
“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
Matthew 19:16–22 NKJV
“…If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”
1. Keep the Commandments
Matthew 19:16–19 NKJV
“…But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
- The rich young ruler asked what he must do for eternal life. Jesus pointed him to the commandments.
- All of the Law is summed up in two commandments (Matthew 22:37–40):
- Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
- Love your neighbor as yourself.
- Loving God keeps our hearts aligned with His will. Loving our neighbor protects us from exploiting or harming others out of greed.
Reflection Questions:
- How does my love for God shape the way I handle money and possessions?
- Where in my life do I struggle to love my neighbor as myself?
- Have I viewed God’s commandments as restrictions, or as opportunities to please Him?
2. Seek Maturity
Matthew 19:20–21 NKJV
“The young man said to Him, ‘All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor…’”
- “Perfect” here means mature, complete.
- Jesus identified the area where the rich young ruler was immature; his attachment to wealth.
- Spiritual maturity means allowing God to confront and heal the weak, hidden areas of our lives.
Reflection Questions:
- What areas of my life reveal spiritual immaturity?
- How has God been calling me to grow deeper in obedience?
- If Jesus pointed out “one thing you lack,” what might it be?
3. Anchor Your Faith
Matthew 19:21–22 NKJV
“…But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”
- The rich young ruler’s faith was not anchored in God. It was anchored in wealth.
- Paul warns that some strayed from the faith because of greed (1 Timothy 6:9–10).
- Anchoring faith means deciding now: “I will not walk away from Jesus, no matter the cost.”
Reflection Questions:
- What possessions, relationships, or desires could tempt me to walk away from God?
- What is my “price”? What is the thing I’m most unwilling to surrender?
- How can I strengthen my anchor in Christ so I remain faithful in trials?
Conclusion
- Money isn’t evil. The love of money and misplaced trust in wealth create the trap.
- Avoiding the treasure trap requires:
- Keeping God’s commandments.
- Seeking maturity in weak areas.
- Anchoring faith firmly in Jesus Christ.
- Let’s resolve: We will not walk away, drift away, or stray from the faith. Our anchor holds in Jesus, the Solid Rock!
Memory Verses (This Week)
- 1 Timothy 6:10 – The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.
- Matthew 22:37 – Love the Lord your God with all your heart.
- Matthew 22:39 – Love your neighbor as yourself.
- Matthew 19:21 – Sell what you have… and follow Me.
- Psalm 62:6 – He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense.
Prayer Focus
“Lord, reveal to me the hidden traps of greed in my life. Teach me to love You with all my heart and to love my neighbor as myself. Anchor my faith in You so that nothing, no possession, no temptation, no trial, can pull me away from You. Amen.”