Jesus Offers Hope - When Success Doesn't Satisfy, Part 2

Jesus said some tough things. When he walked on the planet some very controversial things today would you look at one of the most radical things ever said you get a lot of stay with welcome to this Edition of Living on the Edge chip chip survival to this daily discipleship program motivating Christians to live what Christians thanks for joining us. As Jeff wraps up our current series. Jesus offers hope by finishing his talk on success and satisfaction. If you're looking for more practical guide stick around after today's message for some before we begin. If you've been encouraged or inspired by the series would you take a moment after the message insured with a friend do that to the chip and remap or by sending them with free MP3s to find LivingontheEdge.org Bible turned out to Mark chapter 10 let's join chip for part two of his message. When success doesn't satisfy sometimes when the story is told of this rich young ruler. I think he gets a little bit of a bad rap. Jesus offers hope to a man, his bio he's wealthy, successful moral, powerful, sincere and intelligent thought about you but I wouldn't mind that bio for me. Would you, but if someone said, tell me a little bit about your wife about your best friend.

It happened to be you and us all well. I mean, he's wealthy, intelligent, or she successful moral self-aware. I mean, he was listening to Jesus teach. He watched him with the children and he was aware something is missing something is missing.

It's not money. I've got money. It's not religion that we have kept them from my youth, but something is missing and then he had the self-awareness and the humility you know what he just got done teaching you just bless the children, Jesus is walking away this man in his Armani suit. With all these peasants runs after Jesus slides in falls at his feet, humbled himself in front of all these peasants and says what what do I need to do to inherit eternal it says he ran he fell at his feet. Here we read that overwrote quickly. This is a guy who's not embarrassed. This is a guy who says this, Jesus has something that I need something's missing and is not religion and is not money is not intelligence is not power is not wealth but he's got something I need but he recognizes his success has left him empty anybody here for little bit. That way, so Jesus pillow test than he, and please don't miss this everything he ask him to do from this point on he loves this man and if you are a teacher and you saw someone with that intent. He wasn't proud he wasn't like I don't need anybody he wasn't he didn't think he trusted in his wealth. But Jesus saw his heart and so Jesus says to him, here's the challenge sell everything that you have if I'm really good and I'm the Messiah, then let's test this sell everything that you have let go of what you're hanging onto then notice and give to the poor and then he said what this is for your benefit. See we can do think that life is us little tiny thing called time and Jesus gave him an assignment that would change all of his eternity. He said when you sell and when you give, you have Cousy looking out for what what to say. Look in your Bibles you have, what in heaven treasure. This is real stuff this is real reward.

This is something that would pay out for him for ever and ever and ever. The rich man's response revealed the condition. The true condition of his heart and the God that he served his face fell. It was like I want help I want help I want help show me what I need to do. I want that much of my security is my money, my God is my money. Money defines my success. This is a guy that made the list on the front of Forbes. This is a guy.

The people knew who he was when he walked in the room because of how many zeros behind his portfolio. Oh wait a second, I want what you have but say that sex, money, power, mantra, I can't give up what I can see for what I can't see, so his face fell when he went away said Jesus was testing him, God has unlimited resources he could've given his money back to them the next day or the next week or the next year, but we know for sure is that he would have joy that his money can never bring you have security that is never money can never bring you have a relationship with God and peace and rest in his soul that his money can never bring. I mean, isn't that why he was running over and sent Jesus see his money, revealed his heart your money reveals your heart. Sometimes when this is taught. People were so careful to say this doesn't mean that every Christian needs to sell everything they have in order to come to Jesus for eternal life that is very true of any type something Jesus does ask that of some people.

What if he asked if you know what he actually asked of you.

I mean we get this like he ask it of this guy you think is the only rich young ruler who's ever been born.

What if money is such an idol in your life that gets played out by the hours that you work and where you spend it in the prestige and the pride about why the problem with money.

It's the deceitfulness of riches, when it has you. You don't even know it. You think is normal what God loves you enough to say I want you to sell everything you have and follow me. Would you do it and if the answer is no. You clearly understand where you're at in your relationship with God.

See you know we get lots of little things that we sort of figure out we all want to know where were at with people you know you know when your date and your young if he smiles at you think this is going pretty well. Or, you know, she reaches and puts her hip arm around you.

I think this is going pretty well. We all think we know also how my doing with God, who I had a neat, legally feeling when we sing that one song I must be doing pretty good with God, and you know I prayed the prayer and in this got answered.

I must be doing pretty good with God, and I look at other people and I know I'm sure struggling and this and this and this. But everybody does. I must be doing pretty good with God you want to know how you do with God you take your financial statement for your taxes and you just go through and say how much money did I spend on hobbies and stuff and house and food in close and how much money went to God and the people of God helping other people and that will tell you exactly because Jesus said wherever your treasure goes, that's where your heart is. So that's why in America we have 9/10 people who say I'm born again. I love Jesus I follow him and we have average giving of an American Christian at 2.7% of their income.

So I mean if I if I took this literally I would say I got I just want you to know is the CEO and master of the universe, but as an average evangelical born-again Christian I just want you to know the 2.7% of my life is totally committed to what we do know is, actually, that percentage is about 1/10 Christians gives a sort of the beginning point of a tie that means a tent that happened before the law happened during the law happens after it's not like a a law. It is a big beginning point that frees us from our money and you get to grow because what what happens is people who understand is the more generous you are, the more joy you have and we understand it's his. And so when you want your heart to go somewhere. What you do is you to send your money. I've actually had people that I didn't like. I started getting the money. I'm dead serious AMI they did know was made. I actually gave money to people. I did like several I ought I need to change my heart and I know my heart always goes to where my money goes and so Jesus wanted to free this man and then he warns about the dangers of wealth and before I go on to talk about the morning here. I just really want to remind you that you never graduate.

I was involved with.

Walked to the Bible and we had it was probably the greatest privilege international ministry and are still friends and people all around the world that are teaching God's word and they're all nationals and we would have like a couple of these conferences a year where we would raise money and donors would come in. We had one particularly wealthy and generous donor that during the mist of this conference. I caught it but different people would share different things and these brothers and sisters from all around the world.

These national they just capture trees nice heart and we wanted to help them when you know that every dollar you gave was just really multiplied and so wanted generous donors said anyone who would give a six-figure gift or above all magic dollar for dollar up to. I forget how many but he was very wealthy and and so's you know if two people do that all do match two of them at 3355 you know I was thinking about these guys. I was teaching that morning and so I got up early that morning to review my notes and I was praying through it and I mean it was one of those. This doesn't happen all that often, but it was one of those chip I want you to give a six-figure gift that will be matched for those people that you love him with like surely they'll just can help you in running any of this was not a I mean that my arguments this don't get any idea that I was being generous or I mean it was like now Treece and I learned to tithe early and then we been learning to grow our percentage because we want to not we got to we just love to get to do that and got is always blessed greatly and so you need to sort of declare this by this next meeting enemy.

To me it was. I mean we can't get that out of her income Lord. The only place that could come would be our retirement. We don't have a lot of retiming. This is like them is a major portion of all that we have. I mean, you know, like, are you aware of right and now I'm supposed to tell there's no processor Treece is up hotel and in the room because I went out the study and so I come back.

By the way, this is not how to do life the process that you're about to hear is dumb and stupid, but I do know how to get around it and I thought see, here's the deal.

It was a test. I'm preaching on the stuff and it's a test and I get tests and you get test and never think you graduate, and if you can't let go, then it's got you.

I remember one of Treece's and I really believe God wants us to do that she said will.

Where would we get that I said while our retirement. She said honey that's for retiring.

That's you know and you know and she was very straightforward as she is saying things like, I don't think this is the right process. I feel out of the loop. I understand why you think what you think.

If you believe this is what God wants us to do. I will just trust you in this and all I want to say is that was a big one for me but my trusting my retirement are you trusting your 401(k) you figured out little ways where God gets this much so you feel okay about yourself or are you God. All that I have all that I am is yours.

I want my heart where you wanted.

I believe you created the universe. I want the things that money can't buy. And I'm going to trust that when ever you tap me on the shoulder and you want me to give more time or more energy or more money to honor and love you that you will take care of me and that's what that guy could get rid of say he didn't worship God. He had an idol and then Jesus makes the statement that again.

I think you know we we make it softer than it should be. He declares how dangerous money is paid by the way, if you've got a lot of it in your rich the Lord bless you, God's not down on you and don't walk out here feeling guilty. I will find any passages were God's down wealthy people. In fact, I got some friends that are super wealthy and I pray give them or give them or give them or give a more because it doesn't have them in their super generous with it. And yes, they have very nice houses to drive very nice cars and have just fine. Solomon had a nice house, David had a nice house Barnabas had a nice only issues the money have you but when you know across America and as is true in the church.

Half the people don't get anything that zero we become consumers with major hearts locked up for others it's this legalistic you know some people have been into that. I think of nine or 11% secretly slide in some direction. Hopefully in a good way because it's relationship because Jesus says how hard literally the Greek languages enriches how hard it is for someone with things to enter God's kingdom.

Why is when you have stuff you trust in it he says it's harder for a camel to go through the eye in the word for needle was a surgical needle if you've heard that interpretation all that's like the needle in the wall of the city and the camel had to kneel down in order take the loads off. That's a very pretty story. It didn't come until the ninth century is not what Jesus taught. Jesus in teaching it's hard he saying it's impossible some possible and so he saying no amount of good works, no matter what you can do can ever get you eternal life. What he saying is stop and hanging onto it keeps you from realizing you are desperately dependent like a child and you need to come of God stripped away and say I have nothing. Will you forgive me.

I'm basing my salvation, not on what I can do. I'm trusting that the second person of the Trinity whose perfectly human and perfectly divine came and let the perfect life and hung upon a cross and when he hung upon that cross. He paid for your sin and my sin and the sins of all people of all time to atone or cover for it and that is why we was hanging on the cross and my sins past, present and future and all of yours and all the people were placed on him. The father turned away because he is holy and Jesus said, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me because your sins were placed on him, but he rose from the dead to prove that is true, and he says the only way to have eternal life.

It's a gift it's grace and you have the hardest thing for people is to receive a gift and what keeps you is not like a child you're proud I was in Costco about three months ago and there was a young family and I saw all the different things ahead in their heart, and I have traveled somewhere and some people had given me some money and sometimes people give me some money.

I just stick in my pocket. Think God I just knew it wasn't for me I supposed to give it to someone in tiny little couple and then I looked and they were talking. What can we keep this to take this out and I just I was ahead of him and I just waited and what was their turn. I walked over and had a couple clean hundred dollar bills, I said excuse me, I just couldn't help over here you all.

God gave this to me. I'm just pass it on. Would you this'll take care your groceries.

Okay, no, no, no, no I'm seriously it's not mine I just it's just from got no what what what what part of note, this is just I could not receive that I took my $200 and put it back my pocket and member walking on Costco gone. I now know how God feels so he's gotta earn his keep.

He can't recognize he has need.

I just met a very proud man and that proud man kept his kids from getting what God wanted to give him some of you in this room. Your money is keeping you from God and your pride keeps you from saying God. You know what I need you and for some it's it's and I he brought you in this room on this day to say I've got better for you I love you for you with wealth is dangerous but notice the promise. We heard it in the testimonies, the promises great reward for those who trust and follow him in this world, more homes, more brothers, more sisters, more riches, you said you come into this family. This family is all around the world. So you give away a six-figure gift wants because your heart, I'm assuming that God had me do that because he saw some things in my heart I didn't see chip you become like preaching on the stuff how you doing okay hey Bud step up like a way out of your comfort zone.

I okay so what what's it worth to have people that love you carefree you stand with you share with you and do life and give you what, no amount of money could ever by that's what Jesus says to Peter and eternal life forgiveness's on the back page of written out what I think is a a paraphrase of Jesus invitation to you, and I like you. If you have a pen to fill in the words because it starts with what he said to this young ruler come unto me all of you who are exhausted with the weight and the burdens of life and will give you rest. When you like rest meet the pace we live that the stuff take my yoke upon you and learn to follow me. What's a yoke member is two oxen, and there's that wooden thing that connects them. So if one moves us white, they have to move this what you know what yoke is a yoke is saying God I'm gonna not control my life.

You turn this why I follow I'm gonna do relationships your way I'm to do like your way I'm new singleness your way to do finances your way on to be yoked up and I'm going it's a process.

I'm the learn and learn to follow you not be religious not be legalistic. I'm gonna follow you.

Why because I'm gentle and listen to this. I want what is best for every aspect of your life. This rich young ruler stayed materially rich and spiritually, emotionally, and relationally, and eternal God was better for you this message. When success doesn't satisfy from a series Jesus offers hope does it feel like you hit rock bottom, like you've done everything right, only to have your circumstances go from bad to worse. Are you in desperate need of hope right now on this four-part series reveals how it's possible to experience God's supernatural hope even in the midst of the worst life throws at you hear from the Gospels why we can place our absolute confidence in God and hang on to the hope he wants us to have every day for limited time the resources for Jesus offers hope are discounted and the MP3s are always free. You'll find everything you need@livingontheedge.org or give us a call at triple late.

333600 free app listeners tap special offers before we go any further, here's a quick word from ship this current series is talking about Jesus offering hope and I don't have to tell you we are living in a season where people feel very very hopeless and we been able to provide some hope. I wish you could sit with me personally over a cup of coffee and I could just dinner take all these emails that I've printed out and that I've read over and and the little cards of people who've told me in our team. You have been my lifeline. My husband lost his job or my wife is critically ill.

You know the stories go on and on and on and on and what we found during this time is we've created broadcast and then we done daily discipleship, swear, we've coached people through you know the last 18 months or more and were watching God. Give people hope because in their desperation there. Turning to him and when I just want to tell you that we can't do this without the help of people who faithfully pray and people faithfully give you probably can't imagine the stability in the hope it gives to us when we know, and whether it's enough $10 or $50 or $25.

The issue is not the amount the issue is, would you where you are at. Be willing to say Living on the Edge has offered me hope and is really help me. Maybe I've given now and then. Or maybe I haven't, but would you be willing to pray about and I mean that sincerely just pray Lord, do you want me to begin giving the Living on the Edge and whatever amount that is just between you and God. And if he says yes, then do that. And if he says no that don't do that.

So, thanks. Thanks for praying about that I appreciated and my request is do whatever God chose you. Thanks, Chip will as you prayerfully consider your role with us in this ministry I will remind you that when you partner with Living on the Edge.

No gift is insignificant to send a gift call us at AAA 333-6003, or if you prefer, just go to LivingontheEdge.org app listeners tap donate.

Your generosity is greatly appreciated will now with some final thoughts appears chip as we close today's message and also this entire series. I want to remind you that Jesus is offering hope to a very wealthy, successful moral, powerful, sincere and intelligent man who actually is quite self-aware. He even knows he has a spiritual issue. He knows that is not right with God and he knows something is missing, but there's a roadblock in the roadblock is his stuff, it's his money and that's his security, and you know we talk a lot about a lot of stuff here in America we talk about a lot of things spiritually but I want you to know that if there is a blind spot if there is a barrier. If there is something that we, especially as American Christians are so blind to and go into denial. It's about the impact of money and materialism in our lives. Jesus was very clear to this rich young ruler and is very clear to us. There are two competing gods for your soul. Jesus is one in mammon or money is the other and I I just have to tell you I don't know where you're at, but I plead with you to ask God to help you be honest and vulnerable about what you've heard today and what Jesus is saying you know what if you don't give the first portion of your money if you hold it tight. If you have large amounts of debt. If you find that your controlling and worry about what you have or don't have or what you wish you had.

I want you to know that lack of peace is like a siren going off in your soul to say stop, something's wrong. That success that you think someday some weight. It'll never deliver. And Jesus offers hope but you need to lay it down. You need to ask him to forgive you. You need to come to him and you need to surrender, then all that you have in all that you are and you know what he may test you.

He may ask for some of that stuff so that he can get all of your heart.

Father I pray right now all of us here in America we have so much and that so much gets in the way of the real stuff of life or relationship with you. Peace with you eternal life with you.

I pray right now in Jesus name that you would help us see very clearly where our heart is and to release the things that keep us from you to come unto you, and to find rest in peace for soul right now in Jesus name, amen. Just before we close.

Would you pray for those who are feeling challenged to respond to trips encouragement right now. There's always a spiritual battle when we feel prompted to draw near to God, thanks for taking a minute to do that and if there's a way we can pray for you. Would you let us know. Call us at AAA 333-6003 or email chip@livingontheedge.org. We'd love to hear from you until next time for everyone here. This is Dave saying thanks for listening to this Edition of Living on the Edge