Final Thoughts

I invite you to think about:
   •   Your strongest ministry skills
   •   The roles you’re most effective in
   •   The ministries you enjoy the most
   •   The parts of church life you would hate to lose
   •   Your weekly schedule
   •   Your influence, your platform, your routine
   •   The things in ministry that feel like yours
   •   The expectations of your peer group
   •   The pressure of the fellowship, denomination, or network you belong to
   •   The theological framework or ministry model you were trained in
   •   The unspoken rules you are expected to keep in order to “stay accepted.”

 

Now hold that list up to Mark 10:17–22. The rich young ruler came running, fell on his knees, and asked Jesus:“

 

Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”Jesus pointed him to the commandments, and the young man replied that he had kept them from his youth.

 

Then Scripture makes a striking statement, “Then Jesus beholding him loved him…”Out of love, Jesus said, “One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor… and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”“And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.”

 

The faithfulness of the young ruler was not the issue.
His morality was not the issue.
His activity was not the issue.

 

What mattered was that He would do what Jesus said.

 

Jesus did not ask for some of what He had. He asked for everything.

 

The Lord is asking for your favorite ministry, your strongest role, your most fulfilling schedule—or even the approval of the pastors you respect, the fellowship you depend on, and the system that trained you.

 

Is the Lord asking you to surrender
 

   •   Your effectiveness?

   •   Your identity in ministry?

   •   Your structure and routine?
   •   Your reputation among other pastors?
   •   Your alignment with a group that expects silence or conformity?
   •   Your sense of security that comes from staying “in good standing”?

Or would you, like the rich young ruler, walk away grieved—not because the request was unreasonable, but because the attachment was too strong?

 

The Lord did not need the young ruler’s riches. Jesus wanted him.

 

Jesus asks, “Do you love me?”You are His disciple.If you are ready, move on to How to Start Your one-on-one Discipleship Ministry at the "HowtoStartJourney" link below.