Text: Mark 10:17–31
Coleton taught from the story of the rich young ruler, highlighting how a man who seemed to have everything—morality, status, and wealth—still lacked the one thing that truly mattered: Jesus. His story shows us three important lessons we must learn if we want to experience eternal life and freedom.
1. Good Moral Behavior Cannot Earn Eternal Life
The rich man did everything right—he kept the commandments, approached Jesus with humility, and even received Jesus’ love—but he still lacked something. Jesus identified the issue: the man didn’t want Jesus, he wanted eternal life on his own terms. Eternal life isn’t a reward for good behavior; it’s a relationship with Jesus.
Jesus made this clear: “You still lack one thing… come, follow me.” (v. 21) Eternal life is not about what you’ve done; it’s about who you’re with. Jesus offers Himself, not a checklist. And many religious people today are in danger of missing Jesus because they substitute routines for relationship.
“Eternal life is life with Jesus, not just doing things for Jesus.”
2. You Will Always Sacrifice for What You Worship
Jesus asked the man to give up his wealth because it had become his god. But the man walked away sad. Why? Because even though he said no to Jesus, he still sacrificed something—his joy—for his idol.
Coleton showed how everyone sacrifices for what they worship: money, power, approval, comfort—all demand sacrifice. The question isn’t will you sacrifice? but for whom or what will you sacrifice? The promise of Jesus is that any sacrifice for Him is always worth it. He gives back more—both in this life and the one to come.
3. Many People Stay Trapped Because They Choose To
The man recognized something was missing in his life. He came to Jesus looking for answers. Jesus gave him one—but the man chose to walk away sad. Like a monkey caught in a trap holding onto rice, the man wouldn’t let go of what was trapping him. His imprisonment was a choice.
Many of us are the same. Jesus offers freedom, joy, and life—but we reject it because we won’t let go of control, sin, pride, or pain. Coleton challenged the listeners to stop choosing captivity when Jesus offers freedom.
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Discussion Questions:
1. In what ways are you tempted to treat eternal life like a reward instead of a relationship?
2. Are there areas in your life where you’re “doing the right things” but missing closeness with Jesus?
3. What are you currently sacrificing for the thing you worship most? Is it worth the cost?
4. Jesus promises more than what you sacrifice—do you trust Him to provide in the places you feel afraid to let go?
5. Is there something you know Jesus is calling you to let go of—but you’ve been holding onto it? What’s keeping you from releasing it?
6. Have you ever felt like the rich man—sad, stuck, or spiritually dry—despite doing everything “right”? What do you think Jesus might be inviting you into instead?
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Quoted Authors and Illustrations:
• John Maxwell
“A wise person learns from his mistakes. A wiser one learns from others’ mistakes.”
• David Foster Wallace (from his 2005 Kenyon College commencement address)
“There is no such thing as not worshipping. Everybody worships… Worship money and you will never have enough… Worship your body and beauty and you will always feel ugly… Worship power and you will feel weak… Worship your intellect… you will end up feeling like a fraud.”
• Robert Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
“There’s an old South Indian Monkey Trap… The only reason [the monkey] can’t be free is because of his own choices.”
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Key Takeaways:
• Eternal life isn’t earned—it’s received through a relationship with Jesus.
• Everyone sacrifices for what they worship. The only safe place to direct that sacrifice is Jesus.
• Sometimes the reason we stay stuck is not because there’s no way out—but b