Rich and the Kingdom of God (Mark 10:17–27)

FRIEND (Intro – Connection)

Good morning, church.

Before we begin, I want to say something important: Before you're Peruvian, Korean or American... Before you’re a student, a parent, a businessperson, a leader— You are a child of God.

You are a citizen of the Kingdom of God. That’s your first and truest identity. And because of that, the way we live, the way we think about success, money, time, and community—it’s all different. Not because we’re better, but because we follow a King who has different values and priorities from the world

Today, we’re going to talk about a story in Mark 10:17–27 that many of us know, but few of us want to talk about: The story of the rich young ruler.

Why? Because Jesus says something so radical in this passage that it made even the disciples panic.

But let’s dive in. Let’s see what Jesus really meant—and what He’s asking from us today.

MOTIVATOR (WHY – Why this matters)

So here’s the scene:

A young man runs up to Jesus, kneels before Him, and asks the right question:

Mark 10:17–20 “As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; do not defraud; honor your father and mother.” He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these from my youth.””

That’s the dream, right? Someone eager to know God. Someone hungry for eternal life.

But then… Jesus tells him:

Mark 10:21 “Looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, “You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.””

Jesus loved him..

And what does the man do?

Mark 10:22 “But he was dismayed by this demand, and he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.”

That’s the twist. He wanted the Kingdom, but he couldn’t let go of his kingdom.

And before we judge him too quickly, let’s be honest. How many of us are just like him?

We want Jesus—but we want Him around our lifestyle. We want eternal life—but we want it on our terms. We want to follow Jesus—but not if it costs us too much.

This story isn’t just about money. It’s about what owns you.

Because here’s the hard truth:

Mark 10:23–26 “Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were astonished at his words. Again Jesus said to them, “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 person to enter the kingdom of God.” They were even more astonished, saying to one another, “Then who can be saved?””

Whatever you can’t let go of is the thing that’s competing with Jesus for first place in your life.

TEACHER (WHAT – Teaching & Truth)

Let’s go to Mark 10:27 “Looking at them, Jesus said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God, because all things are possible with God.””

Here’s the key: with man it is impossible. We focus so much on what we can do. “God once I get here, I will do this”. Let’s stop focusing on what we can do and focus on How God is working around and in us. Because, all things are possible only with God. In Him I can do all things.

After Jesus tells His disciples how hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom, they freak out.

“Then who can be saved?” they ask.

Why? Because wealth back then was considered a sign of God’s blessing.

And Jesus flips that belief upside down. He says, "No, you don’t enter the Kingdom through riches. You enter through surrender."

This isn’t a message about being poor. It’s a message about surrendering to God.

And here’s the good news: Jesus doesn’t ask us to do the impossible without help.

“With man it is impossible, but not with God.”

You can’t follow Jesus in your own strength. You can’t surrender everything by sheer willpower. But with God, it's possible.

Because what Jesus is asking from you—He's also empowering in you.

COACH (HOW – Application & Challenge)

Now, let’s get practical.

Jesus said, “Sell everything.”

Does that mean you need to go home today, post all your stuff online, and live out of your car?

Not exactly. This was a personal call to that young man, but the principle applies to all of us:

Are you holding anything back from Jesus?

Ask yourself:

Do I love comfort more than calling?

Do I love convenience more than commitment?

Do I love my stuff, my time, my plans—more than I love Christ and His people?

And here’s where it hits home:

Do you love your church?

If Jesus looked you in the eye and said, “Give up your your evenings, your schedule—serve your church family”… Would you do it?

Loving God looks like loving His people.

Matthew 22:37 “He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

So here’s the challenge:

Sacrifice your time. Show up—not just to attend, but to serve.

Sacrifice your comfort. Say yes when it’s inconvenient. Stay late. Wake up early.

Sacrifice yourself. Be present for people who need you—even when you're tired.

Do you love GJH? Then serve like it. Give like it. Be the Body of Christ, not just a spectator of it.

FRIEND (Conclusion – Heart & Invitation)

Let’s end with this moment from John 21:15-19

Jesus has just risen from the dead. He meets Peter—the same Peter who denied Him three times—and He asks him:

John 21:15 “When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.” “Feed my lambs,” he told him.”

Jesus asks again. And again.

John 21:16–17 “A second time he asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.” “Shepherd my sheep,” he told him. He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” “Feed my sheep,” Jesus said.”

Each time, Jesus responds:

“Then feed My sheep.”

Jesus didn’t say, “Then feel warm and fuzzy about Me.”

He didn’t say, “Then believe harder.”

He said:

"Then love My Church."

And today, I believe Jesus is asking you the same question:

Do you love Me?

Not just believe in Me. Not just sing to Me. Do you love Me?

Then love My people. Love My church. Lay down your idols. Be rich—not in money, but in obedience.

CALL TO ACTION (CONCLUSION)

So now the question isn’t “Can you afford to follow Jesus?” The real question is:

Can you afford not to?

Because the rich young man walked away with everything the world could offer— but without the one thing that mattered most.

And today, you are standing at the same crossroads.

Jesus is not asking for part of you. He’s not looking for weekend faith. He’s calling for your whole heart.

Mark 8:34 “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”

So here’s the invitation: Lay it down. Whatever has your heart more than God—your money, your comfort, your image, your fear— Surrender it.

Don’t walk away sad like the rich man. Walk forward free like a true disciple.

If you’re ready to stop just attending church, and actually be the Church— If you’re ready to say, “Yes, Jesus, I love You”— then show it:

Sign up to serve.

Sacrifice

Be Bold

Love the body of Christ like it’s your own family—because it is.

Jesus is asking: “Do you love Me?” Then feed My sheep. Love My people. Be My Church.

This is your moment. Don’t leave it behind. Step into it

Let us Pray

"Lord, show us the things we’re holding back. Break the grip of the idols we cling to. Help us to follow You, not just with our words, but with our lives. We want to love You with all we have—and that starts today. With You, all things are possible." In Jesus Name, Amen.