Embracing True Fulfillment Through Following Jesus
Summary
### Summary
Reflecting on our childhood, we often longed to be adults, imagining a life free from restrictions. However, as adults, we realize that life is filled with responsibilities and external influences telling us how to live. This constant barrage of advice and societal expectations can lead us to live lives that lack true joy and fulfillment. The key question we must ask ourselves is, "How is our life going?" Are we living according to God's will, or are we merely following the world's advice?
In Luke 18, we encounter the story of the rich young ruler who approached Jesus, seeking eternal life. Despite his adherence to the commandments, Jesus pointed out that he lacked one thing: the willingness to let go of his wealth and follow Him. This story illustrates a broader principle: true fulfillment and eternal life come from following Jesus wholeheartedly, not from clinging to our possessions or societal status.
Jesus calls us to a different way of living, one that prioritizes spiritual maturity over worldly success, making a difference over merely making a living, and following God's plans over our own. This requires daily submission and a willingness to let go of anything that hinders our relationship with Him. The rich young ruler's sadness at Jesus' command reveals a common struggle: the difficulty of letting go of our earthly attachments to fully embrace the life Jesus offers.
Living a life of fullness in Jesus means daily moments of submission, seeking His guidance, and relying on His strength. It involves intentional living, focusing on spiritual growth, and making a difference in the world. As we reflect on our lives, we must ask ourselves where we find our identity and where we run for comfort. If our answers are anything other than Jesus, we need to realign our priorities.
### Key Takeaways
1. Childhood vs. Adulthood Realities: As children, we longed for the freedom of adulthood, but as adults, we realize that life is filled with responsibilities and external influences. This realization should prompt us to evaluate whether we are living according to God's will or merely following societal expectations. [01:56]
2. The Rich Young Ruler's Dilemma: The story of the rich young ruler in Luke 18 highlights the challenge of letting go of earthly possessions and status to follow Jesus. True fulfillment and eternal life come from wholehearted devotion to Jesus, not from clinging to our wealth or societal status. [10:02]
3. Daily Submission to Jesus: Living a life of fullness in Jesus requires daily moments of submission, seeking His guidance, and relying on His strength. This involves intentional living, focusing on spiritual growth, and making a difference in the world. [23:44]
4. Identity and Comfort in Christ: We must ask ourselves where we find our identity and where we run for comfort. If our answers are anything other than Jesus, we need to realign our priorities. Our identity should be rooted in Christ, and our comfort should come from our relationship with Him. [36:10]
5. Living Intentionally for Jesus: Jesus calls us to live intentionally, focusing on spiritual maturity, making a difference, and following God's plans. This requires letting go of anything that hinders our relationship with Him and embracing the life He offers. [34:32]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:47] - Childhood vs. Adulthood Realities
[01:56] - The Responsibilities of Adulthood
[02:49] - External Influences on Our Lives
[04:24] - Pressures and Expectations
[05:02] - The Question: How's Your Life Going?
[06:20] - Seeking Joy and Fulfillment
[07:16] - God's Wisdom vs. Our Limited Understanding
[07:59] - Making a Difference vs. Making a Living
[08:57] - The Rich Young Ruler
[10:02] - Jesus' Challenge to the Rich Young Ruler
[12:09] - Social Classes in Jesus' Time
[14:41] - The Rich Young Ruler's Question
[15:50] - Jesus' Response
[16:25] - The Heart of the Commandments
[18:07] - The Rich Young Ruler's Confidence
[18:46] - Jesus' Call to Follow
[19:22] - The Challenge of Letting Go
[20:11] - Following Jesus Wholeheartedly
[21:00] - The Cost of Discipleship
[22:09] - The Rich Young Ruler's Sadness
[22:49] - Living Life to the Fullest
[23:44] - Daily Submission to Jesus
[24:21] - Influences on Our Lives
[25:36] - The Struggle of Letting Go
[26:50] - The Hope in Jesus
[28:13] - Following Jesus, Not Our Heart
[29:22] - Chasing Spiritual Maturity
[30:35] - Making a Difference
[31:53] - Living in the Moment
[33:08] - Depending on the Spirit
[34:32] - Living Intentionally
[36:10] - Finding Identity and Comfort in Christ
[37:33] - The Call to Follow Jesus
[38:55] - Prayer and Closing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Luke 18:18-23 (The Rich Young Ruler)
#### Observation Questions
1. What did the rich young ruler ask Jesus, and how did Jesus initially respond? (Luke 18:18-19)
2. List the commandments Jesus mentioned to the rich young ruler. (Luke 18:20)
3. How did the rich young ruler react to Jesus' instruction to sell all he had and follow Him? (Luke 18:22-23)
4. According to the sermon, what societal pressures and expectations do adults face that can influence their decisions? [02:49]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell all his possessions and give to the poor? What was Jesus trying to reveal about the ruler's heart? (Luke 18:22)
2. How does the rich young ruler's reaction to Jesus' command reflect common struggles people face when asked to let go of their earthly attachments? [19:22]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that societal expectations can lead us away from living a life of true joy and fulfillment in Jesus? [05:27]
4. How does the concept of daily submission to Jesus challenge the way we typically plan and live our lives? [23:44]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there any possessions or statuses you find difficult to let go of in order to follow Jesus more closely? How can you begin to address this struggle? [19:22]
2. The sermon mentioned the importance of finding our identity and comfort in Christ. Where do you currently find your identity and comfort, and how can you shift this focus to Jesus? [36:10]
3. Think about the societal pressures you face daily. How can you discern and prioritize God's will over these external influences? [02:49]
4. Jesus calls us to live intentionally for Him. What are some practical steps you can take this week to focus on spiritual maturity and making a difference in the world? [34:32]
5. The rich young ruler was sad because he couldn't let go of his wealth. Is there something in your life that brings you sadness when you think about giving it up for Jesus? How can you seek God's strength to overcome this? [22:49]
6. How can you incorporate daily moments of submission to Jesus in your routine? What specific practices or habits can help you rely more on His guidance and strength? [23:44]
7. Reflect on the question, "How is your life going?" Are you living according to God's will, or are you following societal expectations? What changes can you make to align your life more closely with God's plans? [05:02]
Devotional
Day 1: Evaluating Our Lives in Light of God's Will
Reflecting on our childhood, we often longed to be adults, imagining a life free from restrictions. However, as adults, we realize that life is filled with responsibilities and external influences telling us how to live. This constant barrage of advice and societal expectations can lead us to live lives that lack true joy and fulfillment. The key question we must ask ourselves is, "How is our life going?" Are we living according to God's will, or are we merely following the world's advice? [01:56]
Ephesians 5:15-17 (ESV): "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
Reflection: Take a moment to evaluate your daily routines and decisions. Are they aligned with God's will, or are they influenced by societal expectations? What changes can you make to ensure you are living according to God's guidance?
Day 2: Letting Go of Earthly Attachments
In Luke 18, we encounter the story of the rich young ruler who approached Jesus, seeking eternal life. Despite his adherence to the commandments, Jesus pointed out that he lacked one thing: the willingness to let go of his wealth and follow Him. This story illustrates a broader principle: true fulfillment and eternal life come from following Jesus wholeheartedly, not from clinging to our possessions or societal status. [10:02]
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: Identify one material possession or status symbol that you hold dear. How does it impact your relationship with Jesus? What steps can you take to let go of this attachment and follow Him more closely?
Day 3: Daily Submission to Jesus
Living a life of fullness in Jesus requires daily moments of submission, seeking His guidance, and relying on His strength. This involves intentional living, focusing on spiritual growth, and making a difference in the world. [23:44]
James 4:7-8 (ESV): "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reflection: Reflect on your daily routine. How can you incorporate moments of submission to Jesus throughout your day? What practical steps can you take to seek His guidance and rely on His strength?
Day 4: Finding Identity and Comfort in Christ
We must ask ourselves where we find our identity and where we run for comfort. If our answers are anything other than Jesus, we need to realign our priorities. Our identity should be rooted in Christ, and our comfort should come from our relationship with Him. [36:10]
Colossians 3:2-3 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
Reflection: Consider where you currently find your identity and comfort. Is it in your job, relationships, or achievements? How can you shift your focus to find your identity and comfort in Christ alone?
Day 5: Living Intentionally for Jesus
Jesus calls us to live intentionally, focusing on spiritual maturity, making a difference, and following God's plans. This requires letting go of anything that hinders our relationship with Him and embracing the life He offers. [34:32]
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: Identify one area of your life that hinders your relationship with Jesus. What practical steps can you take to let go of this hindrance and live more intentionally for Him? How can you focus on spiritual growth and making a difference in the world?
Quotes
### Quotes for outreach
1. "Because for most of us, we get caught in this trap that we start listening to all of these voices. We start listening to the opinions, to the marketing, to the thoughts. Maybe even to the close people who are around us saying you should do this or you should do that." [04:24] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If you want to be my follower. Then you have to follow me. And it's such a basic foundational thing. If you want to follow Jesus. You have to follow Jesus. But what this man was unwilling to do was to stop following the way of life he had always done. So that he could follow the giver of life." [20:11] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Living life to the fullest is a life lived with Jesus. There is no other way for us to live a full life than to live with Jesus. But every day we try to do it, don't we? If we really do believe that God is who he says he is, that he can do what he says he does, that his goodness and mercy abounds, then why wouldn't we follow him?" [25:36] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If God is who God says he is, then we should have no reservation or worry about following him. But we do. And it's not because God lacks in his leadership skills. It's that we're not great followers. And I guarantee you on a daily basis, there are times where you turn away from the ways of God and you're sad because you have whatever it is." [24:21] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you're in that spot today, the great news is that there is hope, there is life, there is purpose, and it is found in Jesus. And every day, it's not just a moment of salvation, you say this prayer once, and then the rest of your life is on a trajectory that's perfectly fine. No, it is a moment of salvation of you repenting from your sins." [26:50] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for members
1. "And what I want to get at. What I want to get to this morning is how's your life going? Because for most of us, we get caught in this trap that we start listening to all of these voices. We start listening to the opinions, to the marketing, to the thoughts. Maybe even to the close people who are around us saying you should do this or you should do that." [04:24] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And instead of studying the Scriptures, instead of running to God, what we often do is we dig in deeper in whatever we're doing. We try to make a living. We work hard on our job. We try to change our job. We try to affect other things in our life that we have control over. But every time we do that, it doesn't actually bring us joy." [06:20] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And it's such a basic foundational thing. If you want to follow Jesus. You have to follow Jesus. But what this man was unwilling to do was to stop following the way of life he had always done. So that he could follow the giver of life. How often are we in that spot? How often are we in that spot where we're unwilling to stop doing the things that we're doing." [20:11] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If we really do believe that God is who he says he is, that he can do what he says he does, that his goodness and mercy abounds, then why wouldn't we follow him? Because he will give us a fuller life. But in the back of our minds, we've been conditioned to think that there's something else, there's some other way out there that we should live." [25:36] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And if you're in that spot today, the great news is that there is hope, there is life, there is purpose, and it is found in Jesus. And every day, it's not just a moment of salvation, you say this prayer once, and then the rest of your life is on a trajectory that's perfectly fine. No, it is a moment of salvation of you repenting from your sins." [26:50] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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