Embracing God's Goodness Through Surrender and Purpose
Summary
God’s goodness is not measured by the comfort or ease of our lives, but by His faithfulness to shepherd us through every season—both the valleys and the mountaintops. Even when life is hard and we face trials, God’s desire is to meet us right where we are, to comfort us, and to lead us into His peace. King David’s declaration in Psalm 23 that “the Lord is my shepherd” was not written from a place of comfort, but from the wilderness, reminding us that God’s goodness and mercy pursue us in every circumstance.
We often find ourselves carrying the burdens and treasures of this world, gripping tightly to things that ultimately cannot satisfy the deep longing in our hearts. Like the rich young ruler in Luke 18, we may have achieved worldly success, influence, or comfort, yet still sense that something is missing. Jesus’ invitation is clear: to receive the eternal life and purpose He offers, we must be willing to let go of whatever we treasure more than Him. The things we withhold from God—whether possessions, status, comfort, or even our fears—can become the very things that pull us away from the life He has for us.
Jesus is not looking for crowds of interested people, but for fully surrendered disciples. He calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him—not just in word or religious activity, but in wholehearted devotion. This means evaluating what truly sits on the throne of our hearts. Are we building our own kingdoms, or are we seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness? The call is not just to avoid obvious sins, but to surrender even good things that have become ultimate things in our lives.
God’s purpose for us is not just about a future in heaven, but about living an eternal kind of life right now—a life marked by surrender, purpose, and impact for His kingdom. Each of us is called to be a light in our community, to serve, to love, and to point others to Jesus. The invitation is to lay down whatever competes for our devotion, to pick up the life God has for us, and to trust that what He offers is far greater than anything we could ever gain from the world.
Key Takeaways
- God’s Goodness Is Present in Every Season
God’s goodness is not dependent on our circumstances. Even in the midst of hardship, loss, or confusion, He is the Good Shepherd who desires to meet us, comfort us, and lead us through the valley. Our greatest experiences of His peace and joy often come not on the mountaintops, but in the valleys where we learn to trust Him more deeply. [03:00]
- Worldly Success Cannot Satisfy the Eternal Longing
No matter how much we achieve or accumulate, there remains a God-given longing in our hearts for something more—eternity. The rich young ruler had everything the world could offer, yet he knew something was missing. Only a life anchored in Christ and lived for eternal purposes can truly satisfy the soul. [42:53]
- What We Withhold from God Can Become Our Greatest Obstacle
The things we are unwilling to surrender—whether wealth, comfort, relationships, or even our own plans—can become idols that pull us away from God’s best for us. Jesus will not share the throne of our hearts; He calls us to lay down whatever competes for our devotion so we can fully follow Him. [49:13]
- Jesus Seeks Surrender, Not Just Interest or Activity
Crowds may be drawn to Jesus for what He can do, but He is looking for disciples who will surrender everything. True discipleship means loving Him above all else, even above good things like family, comfort, or reputation. The call is to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him into a life of purpose and sacrifice. [54:04]
- Eternal Life Begins Now, with Purpose and Impact
God’s invitation is not just to a future in heaven, but to a life of meaning and impact today. Each of us is called to be a light, to serve, and to participate in God’s redemptive work in the world. As we surrender to Him, He uses us to bring healing, hope, and salvation to others—this is the eternal life we are called to embrace. [01:02:13]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:00] - God’s Goodness in Every Season
[06:30] - Prayer for Those in Hardship
[10:00] - Outreach and Community Impact
[13:30] - The Fishing Story: Carrying Life’s Loads
[18:00] - Letting Go to Receive from God
[22:00] - Introduction to the Rich Young Ruler
[38:18] - The Challenge of Wealth and Salvation
[41:32] - The Rich Young Ruler’s Success and Lack
[45:01] - Jesus Sees the Heart, Not Just Actions
[48:11] - Peter’s Example of Surrender
[49:13] - The Danger of Withholding from God
[53:02] - Jesus Seeks Surrendered Disciples
[58:01] - The Throne of Your Heart
[01:02:13] - Living Out Eternal Purpose
[01:10:58] - The Call to Revival and Full Surrender
[01:12:11] - Closing and Next Steps
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
Luke 18:18-30 (ESV)
And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For 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.” Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”
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### Observation Questions
1. What did the rich young ruler ask Jesus, and how did Jesus respond to his question? (Luke 18:18-22)
2. According to the passage, what was the one thing the rich young ruler lacked? (Luke 18:22)
3. How did the rich young ruler react to Jesus’ invitation, and why? (Luke 18:23)
4. What did Jesus say about the difficulty of the rich entering the kingdom of God, and how did the disciples respond? (Luke 18:24-27)
5. What promise did Jesus give to those who leave things behind for the sake of the kingdom? (Luke 18:29-30)
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell everything and give to the poor, instead of just telling him to believe or follow the commandments? [44:13]
2. What does this story reveal about the things that can compete for our devotion to God? [49:13]
3. How does Jesus’ call to “deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me” challenge the idea of just being interested in Jesus versus being fully surrendered? [54:04]
4. In what ways does the story of the rich young ruler show that even good things (like wealth, influence, or comfort) can become obstacles to following Jesus? [49:13]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon said, “The things you withhold from God will become the very things that pull you away from him.” Is there something in your life right now that you are holding onto more tightly than you are holding onto Jesus? What would it look like to surrender that to Him? [49:13]
2. The rich young ruler had everything the world could offer, but still felt something was missing. Have you ever experienced a similar feeling, even when things were going well? What did you do with that longing? [42:53]
3. Jesus is not looking for crowds of interested people, but for fully surrendered disciples. What is one area of your life where you sense God is asking for deeper surrender? What is holding you back? [54:04]
4. The sermon mentioned that God’s goodness is present in every season, not just when life is easy. Can you share about a time when you experienced God’s goodness in a difficult season? How did that shape your faith? [03:00]
5. The passage and sermon both talk about “letting go” in order to “take hold” of what God has for us. What is one practical step you can take this week to let go of something that is competing for your devotion to Jesus? [49:13]
6. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” What do your daily habits and priorities reveal about what you treasure most? Is there anything you want to change? [50:40]
7. The sermon challenged us to be a light in our community and to serve others. What is one way you can intentionally serve or point someone to Jesus this week? [01:02:13]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for courage to surrender anything that is competing for their devotion to Jesus, and for open eyes to see opportunities to serve and be a light in their community.
Devotional
Day 1: Letting Go to Take Hold of Eternal Life
God calls each of us to release our grip on the things of this world—whether possessions, ambitions, or comforts—so that we can fully receive the eternal life and purpose He offers. Like the rich young ruler, we may find ourselves holding tightly to what is familiar or valuable in our eyes, but Jesus invites us to set those things down and follow Him into a life that is far greater than anything the world can provide. The challenge is not just about material wealth, but about anything that takes priority over Christ in our hearts. When we surrender, we discover the true joy and fulfillment that comes from living for what is eternal. [38:18]
Luke 18:18-30 (ESV)
And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For 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.” Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”
Reflection: What is one thing you sense God asking you to let go of so you can more fully follow Him today?
Day 2: Where Your Treasure Is, There Your Heart Will Be
The things we treasure most reveal the true priorities of our hearts. Jesus warns that whatever we value above Him—whether wealth, status, comfort, or approval—will ultimately pull us away from wholehearted devotion. He calls us to examine what occupies our thoughts, desires, and time, and to realign our hearts so that He alone sits on the throne. When we treasure Christ above all, our hearts are set free to pursue His kingdom and experience the life He intends for us. [50:40]
Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Reflection: What do your daily thoughts and habits reveal about what you truly treasure most?
Day 3: The Cost and Call of True Discipleship
Jesus is not looking for crowds of interested people, but for disciples who are willing to surrender everything for Him. He makes it clear that following Him means loving Him above all else—even above family, comfort, and our own lives. True discipleship requires sacrifice, a willingness to carry our cross, and a commitment to pursue His purposes over our own. When we say yes to Jesus, we step into a life of meaning, impact, and eternal significance that far outweighs any temporary cost. [53:02]
Luke 14:25-27 (ESV)
Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”
Reflection: What is one area of your life where following Jesus would require a real sacrifice today? Are you willing to make it?
Day 4: Jesus Will Not Share the Throne of Your Heart
There is only room for one on the throne of your heart, and Jesus will not share that place with anything or anyone else. Whether it’s fear, anxiety, the pursuit of comfort, or the approval of others, anything that takes precedence over Christ becomes an idol that pulls us away from the life He offers. God lovingly calls us to examine our hearts, surrender our idols, and allow Him to reign fully, knowing that His plans for us are good and eternal. [58:01]
1 John 5:21 (ESV)
Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
Reflection: Is there something or someone that has taken God’s place in your heart? What step can you take today to surrender that to Jesus?
Day 5: Living with Eternity in Mind
God has created each of us with a purpose that impacts eternity, not just for our own salvation but to be used by Him to bring hope, healing, and the gospel to others. Eternal life is not just a future promise, but a present reality that begins now as we walk in obedience and surrender. When we seek first His kingdom and righteousness, we become part of God’s plan to bring revival and transformation to our communities and beyond. [01:02:13]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Reflection: How can you intentionally live today with eternity in mind, using your gifts and opportunities to serve God’s purposes?
Quotes
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