Sermon Title: “One Thing You Lack” – The Rich Man and Jesus

Scripture Reading: Mark 10:17–27

“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.’”
– Mark 10:21 (NIV)

Introduction:

Everyone wants eternal life, but not everyone is willing to do what it takes to receive it. This is the story of a man who had everything—wealth, status, morality—but lacked the one thing that mattered most: surrender.

1. The Rich Man’s Desire: “What Must I Do?”

He came running and knelt before Jesus, showing respect and urgency.
He asked the right question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”
But his mindset was still performance-based: focused on doing, not being.

Application: Many today still believe salvation is earned through good works, religious routines, or status—but salvation is a gift received through faith and surrender.

2. The Rich Man’s Record: “All These I Have Kept”

Jesus mentioned the commandments (Mark 10:19).
The man confidently replied, “I’ve kept all these since youth.”
He was morally upright but spiritually empty.

Application: Outward obedience without inward transformation is not enough. The heart must be yielded to Christ.

3. The Rich Man’s Roadblock: “Go, Sell… Then Come, Follow Me”

Jesus pointed to the idol in the man’s heart—his wealth.
Jesus didn’t say money is evil, but He saw that the man’s possessions possessed him.
When asked to give it up, “he went away sad, because he had great wealth.”

Application: What is the “one thing” standing between you and full surrender to Jesus? It could be pride, comfort, relationships, or control.

4. Jesus’ Love and Challenge

“Jesus looked at him and loved him.” (v. 21) — This was not a harsh command, but a loving invitation.
Jesus calls us not just to remove idols, but to follow Him.

Application: True love sometimes confronts the hard truths. Jesus wants all of us, not part of us.

5. The Kingdom Perspective

“It is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of God...” (v. 23)
Not because God rejects the rich, but because the rich often trust in their riches.
“With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (v. 27)

Application: Only God can give us the strength to surrender what we hold tightly and follow Him fully.

Conclusion:

The rich man walked away sorrowful—not because Jesus rejected him, but because he couldn’t let go. Jesus is still asking each of us:
“Will you follow Me, no matter the cost?”