True Surrender: The Cost of Following Christ
Summary
This morning, we reflected on the story of the rich young ruler in Mark 10, a man who came to Jesus with the right question—“What must I do to inherit eternal life?”—but ultimately missed the heart of what it means to follow Christ. He was eager, humble, and even courageous in seeking out Jesus, but his faith was rooted in religious performance and personal goodness rather than true surrender. Jesus’ response to him was not a rejection, but a loving challenge: to let go of his possessions, to care for others, and to follow Him wholeheartedly. This encounter exposes the difference between outward religiosity and inward transformation, between being a “good person” and being a surrendered disciple.
We often fall into the same traps as the rich young ruler. It’s easy to equate spiritual excitement or emotional experiences with genuine faith, but Jesus calls us to count the cost and move beyond feelings. Likewise, we can be tempted to follow personalities or charismatic leaders, mistaking our attachment to them for devotion to God. True faith, however, always points the spotlight away from ourselves and others, and onto Christ alone.
Another danger is settling for a works-based, moralistic faith—a “therapeutic deism” that values being nice and feeling good over holiness and surrender. Jesus’ challenge to the rich young ruler was not about money, but about the heart. He asked him to give up what he valued most, not because God needs our stuff, but because anything we hold above God becomes an idol. The call to care for others, to be inconvenienced for the sake of the gospel, is not optional for followers of Jesus. It is the natural outflow of a heart fully surrendered to Him.
Ultimately, the rich young ruler walked away grieving, unable to let go of his possessions. The question for us is: what are we holding onto that keeps us from fully following Christ? Are we willing to lay everything on the altar—our time, resources, comfort, and even our pain—so that we can truly care for others and experience the abundant life Jesus offers? The invitation remains: “Come, follow Me.” Let’s not settle for being good; let’s be surrendered.
Key Takeaways
- True faith is not measured by religious activity or emotional excitement, but by a heart fully surrendered to Christ. The rich young ruler did everything right on the outside, but Jesus exposed the one thing he lacked: total surrender. We must ask ourselves if we are holding anything back from God, and be willing to lay it all down for Him. [51:08]
- Feelings and personalities can be deceptive guides in our spiritual journey. While emotions and inspiring leaders can draw us closer to God, they are not substitutes for genuine faith and obedience. Our devotion must be rooted in truth, not in how we feel or who we follow, always pointing the spotlight to Christ rather than ourselves or others. [52:48]
- Works-based religion and moralistic therapeutic deism offer a false sense of security. It’s easy to believe that being a good person or doing good deeds is enough, but Jesus calls us to something deeper: a relationship marked by sacrificial love and dependence on His grace. Our identity and hope must rest in Christ’s righteousness, not our own efforts. [01:02:20]
- The call to care for others is inseparable from the call to follow Jesus. Genuine Christianity is not just about avoiding harm or doing the minimum; it’s about positive, sacrificial generosity that inconveniences us for the sake of others. Love always requires us to step out of our comfort zones and give of ourselves, just as Christ did for us. [01:14:43]
- Idolatry is anything we value more than God, whether possessions, comfort, or even pain. The rich young ruler’s possessions owned him, and he could not let go. We must regularly examine our hearts for idols, surrendering everything to God so that nothing stands between us and wholehearted obedience. Only then can we experience the freedom and joy of truly caring for others as Christ commands. [01:23:40]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Vacation Bible School Recap and Thanks
[03:10] - Introduction to Mark 10 and the Rich Young Ruler
[06:00] - The Right Question: Inheriting Eternal Life
[08:30] - The Rich Young Ruler’s Qualities
[11:00] - The Danger of Relying on Feelings
[14:00] - Chasing Personalities vs. Following Christ
[17:00] - Religion Without Compassion
[21:00] - Works-Based Faith and Moralistic Therapeutic Deism
[27:00] - The Call to Sacrificial Care
[32:00] - Jesus’ Loving Challenge: Full Surrender
[36:00] - The Cost of Discipleship and Idolatry
[41:00] - The Freedom of Letting Go
[45:00] - Invitation to Respond and Closing Prayer
[01:29:26] - Announcements and Closing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Rich Young Ruler and the Call to Surrender
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### Bible Reading
Mark 10:17-22 (ESV)
17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.
19 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.’”
20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.”
21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
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### Observation Questions
1. What qualities did the rich young ruler show when he approached Jesus? (eagerness, humility, courage, discernment) [[51:08]]
2. According to Jesus, what did the rich young ruler still lack, even though he had kept the commandments? [[51:08]]
3. How did the rich young ruler respond to Jesus’ challenge to sell his possessions and follow Him? [[51:08]]
4. What does Jesus’ response to the rich young ruler reveal about what He values most in a follower? [[51:08]]
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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 pray more? What does this say about the heart of discipleship? [[51:08]]
2. The sermon mentioned that feelings and personalities can be deceptive guides in our spiritual journey. Why is it dangerous to base our faith on emotions or charismatic leaders? [[52:48]]
3. The pastor talked about “moralistic therapeutic deism”—the idea that being a good person and feeling good is enough. Why is this mindset so common, and how does it fall short of true faith? [[01:02:20]]
4. Jesus loved the rich young ruler, even as He challenged him. What does this teach us about the way God confronts our idols and areas of resistance? [[51:08]]
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### Application Questions
1. The rich young ruler was eager and religious, but he still held something back from God. Is there anything in your life—possessions, comfort, time, pain—that you are holding onto and not surrendering to Jesus? What would it look like to lay that down? [[51:08]]
2. The sermon warned against letting our faith be driven by feelings or by following personalities. Have you ever found yourself relying on emotions or a favorite leader instead of focusing on Christ? How can you shift your attention back to Jesus this week? [[52:48]]
3. The idea of “being a good person” is attractive, but Jesus calls us to something deeper—sacrificial love and surrender. In what ways have you settled for “goodness” instead of true surrender? What is one step you can take to move toward deeper obedience? [[01:02:20]]
4. The call to care for others is not optional for followers of Jesus. When was the last time you were inconvenienced for the sake of someone else? Is there a specific person or need God is putting on your heart right now? [[01:14:43]]
5. The sermon said that anything we value more than God—possessions, comfort, even pain—can become an idol. What are some “idols” in your life that might be standing between you and wholehearted obedience? How can you begin to surrender them? [[01:23:40]]
6. The rich young ruler walked away sad because he couldn’t let go. Have you ever experienced grief or resistance when God asked you to give something up? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [[51:08]]
7. The pastor challenged the church to step out of their comfort zones and care for others. What is one practical way you can show sacrificial care to someone this week, even if it costs you time, money, or comfort? [[01:14:43]]
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Closing Thought:
Jesus’ invitation is still the same: “Come, follow Me.” Let’s not settle for being good; let’s be surrendered.
Devotional
Day 1: Asking the Right Question: What Must I Do to Inherit Eternal Life?
The rich young ruler approached Jesus with a sincere and urgent question: “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He was eager, humble, and even courageous in seeking out Jesus, recognizing that there was something missing in his life despite his religious observance. Yet, his question reveals a common human tendency to focus on doing rather than being—on external actions rather than the internal surrender God desires. The pursuit of eternal life is not about checking off a list of good deeds or religious duties, but about seeking a relationship with God that transforms the heart and leads to true life. [51:08]
Mark 10:17-22 (ESV)
And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and 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 murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Reflection: What is the deepest question you are bringing to Jesus today, and are you willing to let Him answer it in a way that may challenge your assumptions or comfort?
Day 2: Feelings and Personalities Cannot Replace True Surrender
It is easy to get swept up in emotion or to be drawn to charismatic personalities, but Jesus warns us not to let our feelings or admiration for people take the place of genuine faith and surrender to God. Our culture often tells us that if we don’t “feel it,” it must not be real, but feelings can be deceptive and fleeting. Likewise, following a gifted teacher or preacher is not the same as following Christ Himself. True discipleship means counting the cost, thinking calmly, and choosing to follow Jesus even when it is uncomfortable or inconvenient. [52:48]
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you have let feelings or admiration for a person take precedence over obedience to Christ? What would it look like to choose truth over emotion today?
Day 3: Goodness and Religion Are Not Enough—We Need Christ’s Righteousness
The rich young ruler believed that keeping the commandments and being a good person would be enough to secure his place with God, but Jesus exposed the limits of a works-based, religious approach. Many people today fall into the trap of “moralistic therapeutic deism”—believing that being good and feeling good is the goal, and that God is only needed in emergencies. But Scripture teaches that no one is righteous by their own efforts; we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Our goodness cannot earn us heaven, and our calling is not just to be good people, but to be reborn and surrendered to Christ. [01:02:20]
Romans 3:20-22 (ESV)
For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction.
Reflection: In what ways have you relied on your own goodness or religious activity to feel secure with God? How can you shift your trust to Christ’s righteousness today?
Day 4: Full Surrender: Letting Go of What Owns Us
Jesus’ challenge to the rich young ruler was radical: “Go, sell all you have and give to the poor… then come, follow me.” This was not about money, but about surrender—about letting go of anything that stands between us and God. True care and service require honest accountability, counting the cost, and a willingness to be inconvenienced for the sake of others. When we hold nothing back from God, we discover a freedom and joy that cannot be found in possessions or comfort. The call to follow Jesus is a call to lay everything on the altar and trust Him with it all. [01:14:43]
Reflection: What is one thing—possession, comfort, relationship, or fear—that you sense God asking you to surrender to Him today? What step can you take to lay it before Him?
Day 5: Caring Means Action—Not Outsourcing, But Personal Involvement
Caring for others is not something we can outsource or delegate; it is a personal calling for every follower of Jesus. The rich young ruler missed the point by focusing on what he could keep, rather than what he could give. True Christian care means stepping out of our comfort zones, being willing to be inconvenienced, and letting God use us as instruments of His grace and mercy. When we collectively embrace this calling, we can make a real impact in our community and beyond. The abundant life Jesus offers is found not in holding on, but in giving ourselves away for the sake of others. [01:23:40]
Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV)
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Reflection: Who is one person God is prompting you to care for in a tangible way this week, and what specific action can you take to show Christ’s love to them?
Quotes
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