September 28, 2025
Let Go to Gain
Pastor Ricky Smith

Sermon Notes

Mark 10:17-31
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. And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 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.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

I. Sincere Seeking Is Not the Same as Saving Faith

II. Salvation Is Impossible Without God’s Intervention

III. Following Jesus Requires Sacrifice but Yields Reward

You gain everything when you let go of everything for Jesus.

Next Steps

• I confess my sin and turn to Jesus as King for the first time.
• I confess that I am trusting in my strength rather than God’s power.
• I commit to focus on giving rather than getting.

Deep Dive

1. Read Philippians 3:7–8. How can we practically value Christ above all else in daily life?
2. How does Mark 10:27 challenge our understanding of salvation and human effort?
3. What “one thing” might Jesus ask you to let go of that competes for your allegiance?

Springboards

Read Mark 10:32-45

1. What emotions do you think the disciples felt as Jesus led them to Jerusalem? How would you feel if you were a disciple being told a third time that your leader would die a cruel death on the cross?
2. Compare and contrast the differences between worldly greatness and Christ-like greatness.
3. Who are some of the greatest spiritual leaders of our time?