april 28, 2024
Welcome to Gateway! It’s such a blessing to worship with you today. If you’re new to Gateway, we want to extend a special welcome to you. Please visit GatewayOnline.org/nextsteps to get more connected.
"Jesus is More Valuable" (Mark 10:17-25)
The difficult saying of Jesus we will examine today comes from Mark 10:25: "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
Mark 10:17-25
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?”
18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’[a]”
20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
21 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.”
22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is[b] to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
The man in this story is called a "ruler" in Luke's gospel and Matthew describes him as being young, so he is often referred to as the "rich young ruler."
Jesus tries to help this man see that He is far more than just a "good teacher."
Verse 21 says Jesus looked at him and loved him. When Jesus looks at us in our sin, He continues to love us.
“He is no fool who gives away what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.” (Jim Elliot)
1) Salvation is found in Christ alone.
We often slip into think our actions allow us to gain eternal life. They don't! The actions of Jesus allow us to gain eternal life.
Matthew 7:23: “Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”
2) Material possessions can diminish our dependence on God.
Ways to maintain a proper perspective on material things:
1) Remember it isn't ours in the first place.
2) Be unreasonably generous.
3) Be content.
A Prayer to Trust in Jesus
If you've never placed your faith in Jesus, pray this prayer to God:
Jesus, I believe in You. I confess that I’m sinful… but I thank you for dying on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. Right now I turn away from doing things my own way and I place my trust in You. I surrender to You as my Lord. I give my heart to You right now. Thank you for accepting me into Your family. I’m Yours completely. Amen.”
Did you place your faith in Jesus? Click the link below to let us know.
