This sermon message was preached by Evangelist Ebenezer Udofia at Living Faith Apostolic Ministries. It has been adapted from the sermon portion of the video transcript into a detailed blog format for Bible study, Christian discipleship, local ministry outreach, and Google Ad Grants search visibility.

This sermon asked a piercing question: if Jesus stood before you today and said, “One thing thou lackest,” what would that one thing be?

The message drew from the account of the rich young ruler. He had religious seriousness, discipline, and a desire for eternal life. Yet Jesus revealed the place of surrender that was still holding his heart. He was told to sell all that he had, give to the poor, take up the cross, and follow Jesus.

The sermon made the point that Jesus did not ask for the old things, broken things, unwanted things, or leftover things. He asked for everything. Many people are willing to give God what is no longer valuable to them, but true surrender touches what we love, trust, protect, and cling to.

This message was not only about money. It was about anything that keeps a person from fully following Jesus. For one person, it may be pride. For another, unforgiveness. For another, lying, backbiting, sowing discord, bitterness, lust, fear, spiritual laziness, love of the world, or refusal to make things right. The sermon reminded believers that if the rich young ruler lacked one thing without having the Holy Ghost, then believers who have received the Holy Ghost should be willing to let God deal with every hidden area.

The sermon also called young people, longtime believers, new believers, and those drifting from the faith to return to the cross. Not merely with physical presence in a building, but with the heart. The Lord is not asking for empty performance. He is calling for repentance, sincerity, and a real return.

Philippians 3 speaks of “this one thing I do,” forgetting what is behind and pressing toward the mark. The Christian life requires focus. We cannot move forward while holding tightly to what God is asking us to release. We cannot follow Jesus while constantly looking back at what we gave up. The sermon emphasized that Jesus told the rich young ruler to settle the matter first, then come and follow Him.

This is a needed message for anyone searching for sermons on repentance, surrender, the rich young ruler, Christian discipleship, or returning to God. The gospel is not simply an invitation to add Jesus to an unchanged life. It is a call to follow Him.

At Living Faith Apostolic Ministries in Raleigh, NC, we believe Jesus Christ is still calling people to repentance, holiness, faith, and surrender. The Holy Ghost helps believers examine the heart, make wrong things right, and return fully to God.

Ask yourself honestly: what is the one thing? What keeps you from prayer? What keeps you from forgiving? What keeps you from serving? What keeps you from obeying? What keeps you from giving your full heart to Jesus?

Do not walk away sorrowful. Return to the cross. Lay it down. Pick up your cross. Follow Jesus.

The Lord is still calling.