The Rich Young Ruler

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Have you ever wanted something really really bad, but as hard as you tried, you just couldn't get it? What are some examples?

• A job or promotion
• A particular girlfriend/boyfriend
• The elusive 4.0 GPA
• Dan Marino wants a SuperBowl ring (or a more current sports example)

Why is it that sometimes we don't get what we sincerely want?

• We don't start soon enough
• We can't / don't obtain the necessary resources ($$$)
• We just didn't realize how much effort it was going to take
• Sometimes its just a matter of priority

Do you suppose we don't get what we want because we don't try hard enough? Sometimes, but not always! We can be sincere and still not get our way!

Let's rephrase our question: Have you ever been so sincere about something, but didn't get it or achieve it anyway? Examples?

Tonight we are going to look at a young man in the bible who was in this exact situation. We will read this passage one verse at a time. If you are already familiar with this story, then don't jump ahead, follow along with us ...

Mark 10:17

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

What does he ask Jesus about?

From his actions, do you think he is sincere?

How important is this question to you tonight?

Have you ever wondered the same as this man?

Why do you suppose he asked Jesus this question?

• Curiosity?
• He wasn't sure, and he really wanted to know?
• He was looking for something to give his life meaning?
• He already felt secure, and wanted Jesus' affirmation?

Mark 10:18-20

"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."

So Jesus goes through some of the (10) commandments with him, and he essentially replies: "Been there, done that!"

Maybe some of you can relate to that tonight. It would be easy to feel that way if we are raised in a religious home and we've heard all this since childhood, and if we consider ourselves generally good people, though not perfect, we try to do what's right ...

How do you think the young man feels about Jesus' answer?

• Secure
• Excitement
• Adequate

What are some of the things that we sometimes do to make us feel secure?

• Attend church services
• Give at the office
• Avoid dirty jokes or fowl language
• Etc.

But then in verse 21, Jesus hit's him with a hard dose of tough love:

Mark 10:21-22

Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Huh?!?

Why do you think Jesus asked him to sell all that he had?

Jesus knew that the most important thing in this man's life was his money. As sincerely as he wanted eternal life, this man had his priorities in the wrong order!

How does this relate to us? What priorities do we have? Be specific. What would Jesus ask us to give up in order to follow him?

Keep your place in Mark, and turn to ...

Matt 22:36-40

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Our personal relationship with God must be our highest priority if we are to receive eternal life! Jesus did not tell this guy that selling all his possessions would earn him eternal life! We can't earn God's gift of grace! Jesus wants us to get our earthly affairs in the right priority because of our love for Him! That is the only lasting motivation!

The young man in Mark 10 was sincere, but he couldn't give it up! He went away sad because he didn't get eternal life!

As crazy as it sounds, sometimes people today respond to Jesus in exactly the same way! As sincerely as they want to go to heaven (and who wouldn't want that?), they just can't bring themselves to make their relationship with God their top priority!

Yet Jesus does not change His terms for us!

Mat 16:24-26

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"

Let's close with the rest of the story in Mark 10

Mark 10:23-27

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

Close with prayer.