He Came Running, But Walked Away

The Story That Was Never Written

Mark 10:17–22

 

I. A Lifetime of Opportunities

Isaiah 43:18–19

“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?”

Psalm 90:12

“Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should.”

  • Every encounter with God is an ____________________.
  • God opens doors through conviction, sermons, altar calls, and the Holy Spirit.
  • The question is not, “Will Jesus call?” The question is, “Will I ____________________ when He calls?”

 

II. The Greatest Story You’ll Never Hear

Mark 10:21

“Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘One thing you lack…come, take up the cross, and follow Me.’”

Revelation 21:8

“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

  • This was not rejection — this was an ____________________.
  • The tragedy is not that Jesus rejected him; the tragedy is that he rejected Jesus’ invitation.
  • What you refuse to let go of can silence the ____________________ God wanted to write through your life.

 

III. This Young Man’s Failure

Mark 10:22

“But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”

Mark 10:28–30

“Then Peter began to say to Him, ‘See, we have left all and followed You.’ So Jesus answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time…and in the age to come, eternal life.’”

  • The real issue was ____________________.
  • He believed what he had was greater than what Jesus promised.
  • Jesus was not trying to take from him — Jesus was trying to ____________________ him.

Closing

Mark 8:36–37

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

  • Without Jesus, there will always be one thing lacking: ____________________ life.
  • Will you walk away sorrowful, or will you follow Jesus?