2. A Good Story Passion and drama Irony and unexpected twists
Love and kindness
Hope

3. Mark 10:17-22 As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

4. And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good
And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.

5. “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.’ ”

6. And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.”

7. Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

8. But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.

9. A Significant Event All three synoptic gospels contain it
Foundational in its truth
Salvation version of previous interaction with Pharisees (a religious checklist)

10. Two Rights and a Wrong Jesus…RIGHT! Eternal Life…RIGHT!
What must I do…WRONG!!!

11. Two Rights and a Wrong What must I do…WRONG!!! A Herculean Task
A quest to be a “Hero”
Obstacles to overcome
Confidence in personal ability

12. Two Rights and a Wrong Jesus…RIGHT! Eternal Life…RIGHT!
What must I do…WRONG!!!
Jesus ignored the right and addressed the wrong

13. It matters not that we seek Jesus and desire eternal life as long as we hold to a wrong understanding of our own goodness and ability.

14. Let’s talk about “GOOD”
What is good? – God. Only God.
Good is not a ratio
Good is not a comparative analysis
Goodness is the perfection of God

15. Are you good? The commandments Not a path A gracious verdict
You are not good!

16. “Jesus’ unexpected counter-question intends to move the man beyond confidence in his moral rectitude…” (Edwards, pg. 311)

17. Are you good?
Yes, I am!
Bad answer!!!
It is an impossible standard

18. Here’s Eternal Life Love and mercy of Jesus
Intervening grace in the face of idolatry
Jesus giving Himself for sin
His riches for the man’s poverty
His life for the man’s idolatry

19. Here’s Eternal Life
Follow Jesus
It is exclusive
It is non-negotiable

20. A Picture Provided More children! The man was a striking contrast
The disciples needed to be children

21. A Picture Provided Camels and needles Not a legendary gate
A genuinely impossible situation

22. A Picture Provided To come to Jesus…
We must acknowledge our complete inability
We must come as children
We must accept Christ’s substitute

24. Don’t Miss the MARK Our goodness will never be enough
Sadness is the only result from coming to Jesus on terms other than His.