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MARK 10:21

"The Young Ruler"

Intro: The desire for true meaning for life is universal, we all are
       seeking that which  with satisfy our deepest needs.

I. LET US LOOK AT THE YOUNG RULER.
        A. Man of fine temperament "Good Master."
                1. His whole attitude towards Christ reflects it.
                2. He had great courage - hostilities had arisen.
                3. He was a humble person - knelt.
                4. "One thing thou lackest."
        B. He had a clean record.
        1. Let no man be he prophet or priest tell you there is value in
           pollution.
                a. Testimonies of being delivered from pollution's grave.
                b. Greater is the testimony of being kept from.
        2. Jesus flashed upon him a light of 6 of 10 commandments.
                a. "All of these have I observed from my youth."
                        1. Idle boast?
                        2. Jesus looked on him and loved him.
        3. "One thing thou lackest."
        C. A man of true aspirations - "What must I do to inherit eternal
           life?"
        1. What is meant by term "eternal life?"
                a. Not just life that never ceases hell.
                b. Not just quantity but quality.
                2. He was conscious of a lack in his own life.
                        a. His wealth could not buy it.
                        b. His goodness had not fulfilled it.
                        c. He was conscious of the infinite but unable to
                           grasp it.
                        d. He wanted that age abiding life that would
                           satisfy the deepest need.
                3. "One thing thou lackest."

II. WHAT DID HE LACK?
        A. Was it poverty? Nothing of the kind.
                1. Jesus first question - "Why callest thou me good."
                        a. There's a reason what is it.
                        b. You have recognized goodness, what does it
                           mean?
                        c. Jesus trying to awake to his consciousness the
                           fact that He is God.
        B. He lacked a true central authority in his life.
                1. He was being ruled by his riches.
                2. What is it on the throne in your life?
                        a. Desire for riches?
                        b. Sex?
                        c. Drugs - alcohol?
        C. "One thing you lack"  You need to find your true King, your
           King is God, follow Me!

III. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE YOUNG RULER?
        A. He went away sorrowful - for he had great possessions - paradox.
                1. When he arrived home he did one of two things.
        B. Today from deep within your life, their comes the cry for age
           abiding life.
                1. That life on the highest plane.
                2. That life that will satisfy.
                3. Listen to the voice of Christ, one thing thou lackest,
                   "Come follow Me."  Before you can come you must
                   dethrone from your life that  desire or thing that is
                   keeping you from coming.
        "Cast down every idol break down every foe"