Mark 10:13-31 (ESV)

13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. 17 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?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 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.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 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.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23 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!” 24 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! 25 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.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 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, 30 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. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Intro: How do you think about allegiance?

JESUS VS. THE STATUS QUO
Who is Jesus with and why?

DISTORTED & DISHEARTENED
What competes for our attention and affection?

THE BEAUTY OF BEING LOW
How does the Gospel change our perspective on humility?

YOU CAN PRAY WITH US …
1 - Praise the LORD for His inherent humility and generosity. Worship Him, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for giving to us freely of His riches and welcoming us into His family and home.

2 - How have you lived as if this world counts for everything and as if God counts for little or nothing? Confess your foolishness and rebellion to Jesus, asking Him to forgive you and to change your perspective.

3 - Give thanks to Jesus for becoming poor in order that those who believe in Him would be made rich. And thank Him that those who have made themselves rich in rebellion against Him will be stripped of every last penny.

4 - Who do you know that lives intoxicated with the riches of this world and numb to God? Pray for them, asking the Lord to open their eyes and love them just as He loved the rich young ruler.

5 - Ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and insight into how Jesus views the things of this world. Pray for such joy in the Lord – that He offers Himself to us and that He claims us as belonging to Him.