The true lesson is what do we lack? What is our god? What is holding us back from a supernatural, spirit filled, obedient life fulfilled by our relationship with him where we can say “Jesus is my Lord”. Jesus knew that this was going to be a request too big for the young ruler to accept because this was his god, his obsession, his focus and so he used the analogy of the camel through the eye of the needle when speaking with his disciples. It was about whether he could give that up and lay it aside to follow him. Jesus telling the rich young ruler that he must sell everything and follow him was not about the wealth. Just as we can put our importance into material things, Jesus is warning us that we must be willing to give it all up to follow him. Jesus is challenging the man to be able to forsake what he has put in his life as a high importance and give it all up to follow Jesus. No matter what we hide, no matter how deep we bury it, we can only worship one God. Jesus called him out and named what He needed to do to truly be free and follow Jesus. His very own wealth, power and position were what he really worshiped. He thought his good deeds were another path and yet he was unaware of the very thing stopping him from a relationship with God. Jesus knows that the man’s focus is his money and position and that these are his idols. What’s the Big Deal about Serving? Jesus is not saying in this passage that we cannot have wealth and still have Salvation. He did not realise that the free gift of Salvation is for all mankind. He thought he could make a deal with Jesus. Unfortunately the rich young ruler had lost sight of this and did not realise that there is nothing he could do to get salvation. It’s a gift of grace through the death and resurrection of Christ. Is there a better church, better youth group, better goods, better teaching or better kids group? The first mistake the man made was thinking that the gospel was for sale but the truth of the gospel is that it is free for all people. Is there some service that we can do, a donation we can make, how good do we need to be? So many people treat Christianity like a series of transactions. He was seeking but in all the wrong places. Is it a transaction with God in order to get into heaven? The rich young ruler asks “What must I do to get?” What does he need to DO in order to GET? The young man was trying to enter into a transactional relationship with Jesus to find out how to GET eternal life. As we grow larger, we need to keep getting smaller. They are beneficial to your life and are not the same as casual relationships. Our Life Groups are not just a ‘program’. What’s the Big Deal about Small Groups? Small groups (which we call Life Groups) are biblical they are the only way to care for a large congregation they are the best way to disciple people they are the best way to develop leaders and they the best way to grow a strong church. In this study we will explore what may be the one thing you lack and not just in your daily life but what is the thing that was holding you back from a relationship with God before you were a Christian or maybe it is holding you back now? The bible says we are all lacking something. It could be a good singing voice, the ability to play an instrument, not good at sport, co-ordination. 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” What is the one thing you lack? Everyone lacks something. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” 24 This amazed them. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. Honor your father and mother.’” 20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” 21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. Mark 10 v 17 – 25 17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked.
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