What Is Keeping You From Following Jesus?
Pastor Toby Cavanaugh
June 28, 2026 Message Recap
The rich young ruler asked the question every person eventually has to answer: "What must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Mark tells us that he ran to Jesus, knelt before Him, and asked with genuine sincerity. He had everything most people spend their lives chasing—wealth, influence, morality, and respect—yet he still knew something was missing.
The man had faithfully kept God's commandments, and Jesus didn't challenge his sincerity. Instead, He exposed the one place in his life that had never been surrendered.
"You lack one thing."
Jesus wasn't saying the man needed one more good deed. He was revealing the one thing that had become greater than God in his heart.
For this man, it was his wealth.
Jesus told him to sell what he owned, give to the poor, and follow Him. The invitation wasn't ultimately about money; it was about lordship. The man was willing to admire Jesus as a teacher, but he wasn't ready to surrender to Him as Lord.
That is still the question Jesus asks each of us.
Most of us won't be asked to give away everything we own, but all of us are called to surrender everything we are. Sometimes the greatest obstacle to following Jesus isn't something obviously sinful; it can be a career, a relationship, our future plans, our comfort, or anything else we trust more than Him.
Jesus isn't interested in competing for a place in our lives. He asks for our whole hearts.
After the man walked away grieving, Jesus turned to His disciples and said how difficult it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God. They were stunned. If someone as successful and outwardly righteous as this man couldn't save himself, who could?
Jesus answered with the hope that sits at the center of the Gospel: "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God."
Salvation has never been something we earn through our goodness, generosity, or effort. It is only possible because of what Christ has done for us. Following Jesus has never been about partial surrender—it has always been about trusting Him with everything.
The question isn't whether Jesus is worthy of following. The question is whether there is anything we are still unwilling to place in His hands.
Scripture References
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About Radiant Church
Founded in 1996, Radiant Church has grown into a multi-location church committed to biblical teaching, discipleship, and mission.
At Radiant Church, there is an invitation to grow in your spiritual journey, build meaningful community, and truly get connected. We are passionate about helping people grow in faith, encounter the Presence of God, and become part of a church grounded in Spirit and truth.
Here's a 5-day devotional guide based on this sermon:
Day 1: Who Do You Believe He Is?
Mark 10:17–18 | John 14:6
The rich young ruler called Jesus "Good Teacher." Jesus pressed him on it: only God is truly good. If that is true, who do you believe I am? He was not debating an adjective. He was asking the question that changes everything. Before we can give Jesus anything, we have to settle who He actually is. If He is only a teacher, total surrender is unreasonable. If He is God, it is the smallest thing He deserves.
Day 2: You Lack One Thing
Mark 10:19–22 | Luke 9:23–24
The man had kept the commandments since he was a boy. Jesus did not dispute it. He looked at him with love and said, "You lack one thing." Not ten things. One. For this man, it was his wealth. For someone else, it may be a relationship, a plan, a reputation, or a desire they have kept hidden even from themselves. The invitation to follow Jesus always costs the one thing we are least willing to give.
Day 3: When Money Wants to Be Your Master
Mark 10:23–25 | Matthew 6:24
Jesus said it plainly: "You cannot serve both God and money." Money is not neutral. By its very nature, it competes for your trust, your attention, and your security. It promises to take care of you. It asks you to arrange your life around it. The question is not whether you have money. The question is whether money has you. Naming that honestly is often the first step toward freedom.
Day 4: Impossible, but Not with God
Mark 10:26–27 | Romans 8:26
When the disciples heard that wealth made entering the kingdom harder, they asked, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man it is impossible, but not with God." Total surrender is not something we can manufacture through willpower. Every time we have tried, we have failed. But God can do in us what we cannot do ourselves. The prayer is not try harder. It is, "Lord, do in me what I cannot do."
Day 5: The Man Who Had Nothing Gained Everything
Mark 10:28–31 | Acts 12:12
Peter said, "See, we have left everything and followed You." Peter was not a remarkable man by the world's standards. He was ordinary, uneducated, and brash. He had nothing to offer except total surrender. And Jesus built His church through him. The rich young ruler had everything and walked away with nothing. Peter had nothing and gained everything.