June 24th, 2012 Book of Mark Wk24 Where Is Your Security

This week we get back into the book of Mark and discuss the framework Jesus gives to the rich young ruler and how that applies to our lives and the body of Elevation.

If you want a study tool to go along with the podcast, see Lift Notes here: 

The Gospel of Mark: Where is your security?

June 24th, 2012  by Kasey Crawford

Today’s Passage: Mark 10:17-31

Review…( Mark 1-10)

A framework for understanding Mark: The book of Mark puts on display how Jesus brings more of heaven to earth and invites his followers to experience the same as they learn a new (kingdom) way of life from the Master and respond with regular repentance (turning to God) and belief (taking action).

New (Mark 10:17-31)

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. 10:17-30

As I was wrestling with what point of focus God wanted for this message, Dawn said to me: “i will never desire security over being in the center of his will and plan. [What the world calls] security is a false hope, its dust, it can be eaten away.”

God desires us to put our security in him, so that we are ______ to live for his kingdom.

“Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”  10:22 

Jesus knew what was holding him back from seeing the kingdom spring forth in his life.  His __________ was in his ___________.

There is only so much room on the __________ of the human heart and if you put your security in possessions on the throne, then there won’t be _________ for God.

Many times people stop here and this passage is understood to be about the inherent __________ of wealth. But that’s not how the passage ends.  The disciples are living in way opposite of the rich young ruler and Jesus has a very different thing to say to them. 

Unlike the rich young ruler, the disciples have been willing to __________ their security in stuff, and responds with a ___________ that because of that sacrifice they will rewarded with a hundred fold blessing in this life.

When it comes to wealth, the willingness to give it up demonstrates the ___________ to ____________ it well.

This is a hard road, in fact, on my own its impossible.  And that’s why Jesus says, “What’s impossible with man, is possible with God.”

God wants you to live a life that would be _____________ without him.

When you are surrendering to God’s way, you know it by two emotions:

1. 1.        you can feel that you are being stretched beyond what is _______________.

If you are not uncomfortable in any aspect of your life you are not _______________ as a disciple.

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”     Mark 8:34

In other words, do the _____________ of what feels comfortable,  that’s when you are on the cusp of seeing the power of God truly bring lasting change into your life.

1. 2.        you feel an inner __________ that just makes you laugh by observing that what is happening in your life is truly beyond you could do or handle on your own.

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