1. Your View of Jesus Matters (Mark 10:17–18)

“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.’”

• The man runs to Jesus with eagerness but sees Him only as a “good teacher,” not as the Son of God.

• His question, “What must I do?” reveals that he thinks salvation is something earned, not received.

• Jesus challenges his view—He’s not just good, He’s God.

Application:

• Many in the Bible Belt treat Jesus as a consultant or a get-out-of-hell-free card, not as Lord and Savior.

• You cannot follow Jesus if you only see Him as helpful—you must see Him as holy.

• Our view of Jesus must move from good teacher → God and Savior.

2. Your View of Yourself Matters (Mark 10:19–20)

“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.’”

• Jesus lists the commandments—not to affirm the man’s goodness but to expose his sin.

• The rich young ruler believes he’s done enough, that he’s good in himself.

• But the law exists to reveal our need for Jesus, not to reinforce our self-righteousness.

Application:

• Our culture often believes being “good” equals being “godly.”

• Works (tithing, volunteering, attending church) don’t save—they flow from salvation.

• True faith says, “I can’t earn it.”

• If you think your goodness earns God’s favor, you’ve misunderstood grace.

3. Your View of Submission to Jesus Matters (Mark 10:21–22)

“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.”

• Jesus’ love leads Him to expose the man’s idol: money and control.

• Jesus doesn’t demand poverty; He demands priority.

• Salvation isn’t achieved through selling everything—it’s found in surrendering everything.

• The rich young ruler couldn’t let go—his possessions possessed him.

Application:

• Submission means saying “yes” even when it costs you something.

• We love Jesus as Savior—but will we follow Him as Lord?

• “Answering the call” means laying down control and following wherever He leads.

Closing Challenge

• Jesus isn’t just calling you to believe about Him—He’s calling you to follow Him.

• When answering the call…

  • Do you have the right view of Jesus?

  • Do you have a humble view of yourself?

  • Do you have a surrendered heart toward Jesus?

• The invitation remains: “Come, follow Me.”