Mark 10:17-34
"What Are You Willing to Give Up For Jesus?"

Mark 10:17-34
What Are You Willing to Give Up For Jesus?

Heb 11:35 Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37 They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated- 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

The Rich, Young Ruler

V.17-20
Sincerity is not the gauge for what is right

Ex: Buddhists, Muslims, Mormons

The gospel is D-O-N-E

John 6:28 Then they asked him, What must we do to do the works God requires? 29 Jesus answered, The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.

V.18 “No one is good except God alone.”

V.21 Jesus looked at him and loved him.

We will never be successful at reaching people for Christ unless we love them first

Prov 27:5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted,

What commandment was he guilty of breaking?

** Warnings that the Bible gives against the love of money

Luke 12:15 Then [Jesus] said to them, Watch out Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.

Prov 23:4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. 5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

1 Tim 6:9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Does Jesus command all of the rich to give their wealth away?

1 Tim 6:17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Having money is not the issue. The issue is what has you?

V.22 Mitton, Gospel of Mark, “The only way to life is through the narrow gate of full surrender, and through that gate we may take, not what we want but only what God allows.”

Sometimes we have to choose

Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

V. 23-25 Why were the disciples so amazed?

Wealth can be a sign of God’s blessing

Eccl 5:19 Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work-this is a gift of God.

There are many wealthy wicked

Luke 16:19 "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.

V.27 What we can’t do for ourselves God has done for us in Christ Jesus

V.29-30 Why are “persecutions” added in a list of seemingly positive things?

1. It’s the reality of_______________________.

2 Tim 3:12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

2. Persecutions can be seen as ______________________.

Matt 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven

V.31 The first shall be last and the last shall be first

What is it in your life that God may be calling you to give up

Mitton, “The only way to life is through the narrow gate of full surrender, and through that gate we may take, not what we want but only what God allows.”