Comfort or Freedom?

Hello & Greeting

Prayer Requests

Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

Message

Me

Everybody has that one thing they can’t seem to let go of — the thing you clutch so tightly you don’t even realize it’s the very thing keeping you from freedom.

And you know, it’s strange. The tighter we cling to things — somehow the emptier we feel.

It’s that quiet ache in the pit of your stomach that says, “There’s gotta be more to life than this.”

It’s lying awake at night — replaying that same worry — even though you promised God you’d stop stressing about it.

It’s pretending you’re fine while your knuckles are white from holding on so tight.

We think we’re protecting ourselves. But sometimes what we call protection is just fear in disguise. And what we call control — is actually captivity.

It’s like trying to hold water in your hands. The harder you squeeze — the faster it slips away. And we do that with life, don’t we? We hold on tighter — to our plans — or our hopes — our version of how things should go — and before we know it… the joy has leaked right out of our fingers.

Sometimes the things we grip the hardest are the very things that keep us from grasping what God’s trying to give us.

We

We all have something we hold onto tightly. And we all tell ourselves it’s not a big deal — but deep down — we know it’s what’s keeping us from fully trusting God.

At the core — we all struggle with surrender.

For some of us — it’s control. We can’t let go because we think if we don’t hold it together — it’ll all fall apart.

For others — maybe it’s hurt. We say we’ve forgiven — but the moment that person’s name comes up — the wound starts bleeding again.

Maybe for some of us it’s money. We tend to trust our savings more than we trust the Savior.

And for some — maybe it’s comfort. We’d rather have predictable misery than risky faith.

It could be pride — or approval — or any number of things. But whatever it is — that’s the thing Jesus puts His finger on. We all worship something.

Whatever it is — it’s amazing how something we think will make us secure can actually hold us captive. It feels like safety — but really — it’s just slavery.

That’s where we all live sometimes. We say we want to follow Jesus — but if we’re honest — we’ve all got something we’d rather not hand over. And it’s exhausting — trying to control things that were never ours to carry in the first place.

God

That’s exactly where Jesus meets a young man in Mark Chapter 10. A man who has everything — except freedom. A man who can’t let go.

This morning we’re finishing up our “Crossroads” series — where we’ve looked at different encounters people have had with Jesus in the Book of Mark.

Some of them sought healing — others sought deliverance — and today — this young man is seeking freedom he so desperately desires.

Exposition

And as we walk through this story together — it’s going to be a lot like holding up a mirror. Because what Jesus puts His finger on in this man’s life — He often puts His finger on in ours.

Let’s look at the text together — Mark Chapter 10 — starting in verses 17 through 20:

vv. 17-20

Mark 10:17–20 NLT

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?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”

This young man runs up to Jesus and he kneels before Him. Good posture. And good question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

But it’s not the right question. Notice what the young man asks here — what must I do to inherit eternal life? He’s sincere — he’s moral — he’s a good guy — he’s religious — he’s showing up and he’s doing all the right things — but he still thinks salvation is something to do.

And we’re guilty of that too, aren’t we?

We think we’ve got to meet the quotas.

And show up to all the events.

And serve every time there’s a need.

And pray — and give — and the list goes on and on.

And all those things are important — but that’s not what brings salvation.

YOU CAN FOLLOW GRAPHIC

You can follow all the rules and still miss the relationship!

Jesus answers this guy by listing off commandments — and the young man proudly proclaims that he’s kept all of them since he was a boy. But that’s the problem — it’s pride. He’s still trying to ride in on his own merit. And he’s missing the whole point.

So when Jesus begins listing the commandments — He’s not checking the man’s moral resume — He’s holding up a mirror. He’s pointing out what we see in James Chapter 2 — look:

James 2:10 NLT

For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.

Jesus is showing this man that goodness isn’t something you achieve — it’s something you encounter in Him.

v. 21

Look with me at verse 21:

Mark 10:21 NLT

Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him.

Pause here. That’s critical. Jesus doesn’t challenge him out of anger or frustration. He challenges him out of love. Jesus loves this man — even though He knows the man might not follow Him. Jesus loved us enough to die for us — and He also loves us enough to walk straight toward us — even when it’s uncomfortable.

Mark 10:21 NLT

“There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

This statement — it immediately breaks through the man’s motives. Here is the barrier that can keep this guy out of the Kingdom — His love of money. Money represents his pride of accomplishment and doing things on his own. And ironically — he doesn’t even realize it — but he’s breaking the very first commandment — don’t put anything before God.

But see — Jesus wasn’t after the man’s money — He was after his heart.

Now don’t rush home today and start selling off all your stuff! The point of this passage is to help us understand that if we’re not following Him faithfully —

WHATEVER WE’RE HOLDING ONTO GRAPHIC

then whatever we’re holding onto will eventually strangle our own hearts.

Think about it — if Jesus asked —

could you give up your house?

or your car?

What about your level of control?

That hurt and bitterness that you’ve been carrying for years?

When we come face-to-face with that challenge — we see the thing that’s keeping us from experiencing a full — and life-giving relationship with Christ.

v. 22

Can you imagine the silence in this moment between Jesus and this young man? The crowd is waiting to see what he’ll do. You can almost feel the weight of it. Because deep down — we’ve all stood there — hearing Jesus say, “Let go,” and wondering if we really can. Every heart in the crowd is watching this moment.

And as he comes face-to-face with this realization — look at the young man’s response. Verse 22:

Mark 10:22 NLT

At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

This is the emotional breaking point in the story. You can almost see it — the light in his eyes fading — his shoulders slumping — the hope draining from his face. The man comes running to Jesus full of energy — eager for answers — but he walks away heavy — burdened — and broken.

Why? Because he discovers what Jesus really wants isn’t his stuff — it’s his surrender. And he just can’t do it. He wants eternal life — but not if it means letting go of his earthly security. He wants Jesus as his Savior — but not as his Lord. His possessions have become his prison. And when faced with the choice between clinging to what he owns or opening his hands to Jesus — he walks away. Still rich — but not free.

This is the only time in Scripture somebody comes to Jesus in humility and leaves in sorrow. He doesn’t leave angry. He doesn’t argue. He leaves sad. Broken. Because deep down — he knows Jesus is right — but he just can’t let go.

He wanted Jesus — just not at that price.

vv. 23-27

And so as the man disappears into the distance — Jesus doesn’t chase Him — but He turns to His disciples and lets the silence hang for a moment. You can feel the shock rippling through what the disciples have just heard. The disciples think that wealth is a blessing — a sign of God’s favor.

But Jesus is about to use this as a lesson — because what broke this man’s heart is the same thing that keeps breaking ours.

Look at verses 23 through 27:

Mark 10:23–27 NLT

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. 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!” The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”

So Jesus uses an image here that’s not just meant to be dramatic — it’s deliberate shock value. He says it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. The camel was the largest animal in Israel — and the eye of a needle? The smallest opening imaginable.

Jesus is painting an absurd picture: a massive — hairy — stubborn animal trying to squeeze through a sewing needle. It’s meant to surprise you — and maybe make you laugh — and then realize — He’s dead serious.

It’s like trying to shove an SUV through a doggy door — it ain’t happening! THat’s Jesus’ point — human effort can’t make the squeeze.

The disciples are floored. Their worldview is collapsing in real time. They thought wealth meant you were blessed by God — and poverty meant punishment. If this man — the rich man — the moral man — the man who had it all together can’t get into Heaven — then who can!? What hope does anybody else have?

That’s when Jesus delivers the heart of the Gospel in one statement: It’s impossible for us to save ourselves — but nothing is impossible when God intervenes.

Here’s what He’s saying:

We can’t buy our way in.

We can’t behave our way in.

We can’t achieve our way in.

Salvation isn’t a paycheck for good behavior — it’s the gift of grace.

The Apostle Paul echoes this truth in Ephesians 2:8-9 —

Ephesians 2:8–9 NLT

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

That’s the heartbeat of this story — grace for the undeserving — hope for the impossible.

SALVATION ISN’T ACHIEVED GRAPHIC

Church, salvation isn’t achieved — it’s received.

This is the collision point between human effort and divine grace. Every religion on the world says, “Work harder — and do more — and be better.” But Jesus says, “You can’t. But I can.”

vv. 28-30

And as the disciples are still reeling from Jesus’ words — Peter does what Peter always does — he speaks up. He’s processing out loud what everybody else is thinking. Look at verse 28:

Mark 10:28 NLT

Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said.

Classic Peter moment right here — everybody’s still processing — and he’s already negotiating the benefits package.

And, really, this comment almost sounds like Peter’s trying to earn a little credit here, right? Like he’s saying, “We walked away from the boats — and the business — and the money.”

But Jesus doesn’t scold Peter… He affirms him. Look at verses 29 and 30:

Mark 10:29–30 NLT

“Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.

Jesus tells the disciples — in essence, “You haven’t lost anything that I won’t redeem. Whatever you’ve left behind for Me — whatever you’ve surrendered — will be returned in ways that you can’t even imagine.”

But then He adds something unexpected — He says, “Along with persecution.” It’s like He’s saying, “Yes — following Me brings reward — but it’s not without cost. You’ll gain a new family in the Kingdom — but not everybody will understand your decision to follow Me.”

Some of you know what that’s like. Some of you have strained relationships with family or friends because of following Christ. I have a strained relationship with my own family because of that decision. But Jesus promises us that we’re never left alone in that battle.

That’s why He says we’ll receive a hundred times as much. He’s not talking about material gain — He’s talking about community. About the new family we gain in the Kingdom of God. Every time we give up something for Christ — He replaces it with something eternal: brothers and sisters in faith — joy in serving — purpose in pain. That’s the upside-down economy of the Gospel.

Followers of Jesus will experience persecution because of their faith. And it may look different for different people. But Jesus emphasizes this here — because He’s showing us that there is a cost to follow Him — and that people shouldn’t follow Him for selfish reasons or for rewards.

v. 31

See — Jesus’ promise isn’t just about reward — it’s about perspective. When you surrender what you love most — you don’t walk away empty-handed. You walk away free. And Jesus ends with a reversal that echoes throughout the Gospel. Look at verse 31:

Mark 10:31 NLT

But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”

This is one of those statements that just stops you in your tracks. Jesus takes the world’s value system: power — status — wealth — and comfort — and flips it upside down. In His Kingdom — the scoreboard is different. The ones the world celebrates as “first” — the powerful — and influential — and successful — often find themselves last in line. And the ones the world overlooks — the servants — and the sacrificers — and the surrendered — are the ones Heaven calls great.

In other words — what the world calls success — Heaven doesn’t always applaud.

Jesus reminds His disciples — and us — that the Kingdom of God doesn’t measure greatness by what we accumulate — but by what we release. It’s not about climbing ladders — it’s about carrying crosses. The people who seem small now — the ones faithfully loving their families — quietly serving in the background — giving generously without recognition — they’re the ones God exalts in the end.

IN GOD’S ECONOMY GRAPHIC

In God’s economy — surrender outranks success.

This verse is the great leveling line of the Gospel. It means there are no favorites in the Kingdom — only followers. It means the playing field is even at the foot of the Cross. The rich young man walked away holding on to His greatness — but Jesus invites us to lay ours down.

You

And that’s where this story presses on us — because it’s one thing to nod along with that truth; it’s another to live it. Because if greatness in God’s Kingdom is measured by surrender, then we have to ask ourselves — “What am I still holding onto?”

Maybe it’s control — that quiet belief that if you don’t keep every plate spinning — everything’s gonna crash.

Maybe it’s comfort — that voice that says, “I’ll follow Jesus — as long as He doesn’t ask me to change too much.”

Maybe it’s your image — or your plan — or your reputation — that need to look like you have it all together.

Or maybe — like this man — it’s wealth — not because money is evil — but because you’ve started to believe it’s what keeps you safe.

Whatever it is — Jesus isn’t asking for it because He needs it. He’s asking for it because it’s standing between you and Him.

He knows what your “one thing is” — and He’s looking at you the same way that He looked at this man — with genuine love.

The hardest thing for us to release is usually the thing that has the strongest hold on our heart. But here’s what we so easily forget: surrender doesn’t lead to loss — it leads to freedom.

So what are you gripping onto so tightly today?

What’s keeping your hands closed when Jesus invites us to open them?

What if the very thing you’re afraid to let go of this morning — is the thing keeping you from experiencing the life you’ve been praying for?

Because the only way to follow Jesus is with open hands.

He’s not trying to take something from us — He’s making room for something better.

We

When you think about it — every person we’ve met in this Crossroads series has stood at the same intersection: the moment when following Jesus means letting go of something.

The paralyzed man had to let go of pride and accept help from his friends.

The man possessed by demons had to let go of shame and step into freedom.

The bleeding woman had to let go of fear and reach out in faith.

And now — this rich young man had to let go of his security and trust Jesus completely.

Every one of them stood at a crossroads — just like us.

Because at the heart of the Gospel is this simple — but costly message: “Come, and follow Me.”

Not halfway. Not when it’s convenient. Not when we’ve cleaned everything up. But right here — right now — with open hands and surrendered hearts.

We all have something that tries to take first place in our lives. And Jesus keeps lovingly — and patiently — and persistently — pointing to that thing and saying, “That one. That’s what I want. Not because I need it — but because I want you.”

Maybe it’s time to stop standing at the crossroads and start walking with Jesus — trusting that whatever we lay down — He’ll replace it with something far better. Because the surrendered life may look costly — but it’s the only life that’s truly free. And that’s the crossroads we all face — the choice between comfort and Christ. Only one leads to freedom.

Call to Repentance

Here’s the thing, church. He’s not trying to take something from us — He’s offering freedom from what’s been taking us. He’s not after our stuff — He’s after our heart. It’s not our performance He wants — it’s our trust.

The question is — are we going to walk away holding on to what we think we need — or will we open our hands and follow Him?

Because the truth is — we can’t hold on to both.

We can’t hold on to control and still cling to Christ.

We can’t hold on to comfort and still carry our Cross.

We can’t walk away with our hands full of stuff — and still walk in His peace.

Maybe today it’s time to loosen that grip — to let go of that “one thing”. To stop clutching what was never meant to save you — and reach out to the only One who can.

And here’s the good news — when you do — you won’t walk away defeated like the man in this story.

You’ll walk away free.

Prayer

Communion