Mark (27)

Introduction: can you imagine… Worship little… because our god is little.

Four Gospel truths clarifying entrance into the kingdom of God.

God is good. (17-18)

Before you spout off some flippant salutation about me being good, you had better consider the implications of what that means. God is good… and since that is true, entrance into His kingdom is on His terms.

How could we ever to think that we can run up to a good God by our own merit and self effort? Nothing we could ever do will entitle us to approach a good God. If He is less than good, then he is not God.

Transition: This young man is about to discover that in His zeal to do something to inherit eternal life He was defaming the goodness of God and delighting in his own ability rather than God.

God’s law is good (19-22)

The heart of God’s commandments reveals we cannot do enough to be good.

Eternal life is received not achieved. By faith, trusting in what Jesus has done, not what we do.

What the young man lacked was the total trust and self sacrificing dependence. What he lacked was faith, like a child. Jesus’ lovingly exposes our sinful idolatry. Self justification, Self preservation, Self satisfaction.

This young man was guilty of breaking God’s law, especially His 1st commandment.

What is it that I'm not willing to give up? That’s an idol.

God saves. (23-27)

Especially seen in Christ who according to II Cor 8:9 …

2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

God satisfies (28-31)

Jesus is repeating the point he made in 9:42-50. He is explaining the positive consequences of sacrifice. He made the same point using the negative consequences. Jesus is better! The costly sacrifice involved in following Jesus is not worth it because the return is more stuff, rather because the return is Himself. When we get Jesus, we get everything. Jesus will so thoughtfully satisfy our soul that the gain we have in Him will not ever register as to what we have left behind. True treasure is trusting/following Jesus receiving His life now and eternally.

He is also revealing that idolatry isn't just in money or possessions. Rather as He has disobedience at the end of chapter 8 about the cost of following Him, anything that we hold tighter than God is an idol.

He redefines reward. He changes our hearts affections to love what He loves. The glory of God becomes such a priority for followers of Christ that everything else is a stepping stone to give Him praise.

Lelia (Mrs. C.H.) Morris (1862-1929)

1 Nothing satisfies but Jesus, Bread of life to mortals giv'n; May His presence now refresh us Like the morning dew from heav'n!

Chorus: Give me Jesus (Give me Jesus,) give me Jesus, (give me Jesus,) Take the world, but give me Jesus, To satisfy with ev'ry blessing, His love and peace my soul possessing; To all beside, my heart replies: There's naught but Jesus satisfies!

2 Since I heard the voice of Jesus, Since mine eyes behold the King, All my love, my heart's affection, All I have, to Him I bring. [Chorus]

3 With His joy my heart is thrilling, All my hope in Him I see; Doubt, and gloom, and fear dispelling, Christ is All in all to me. [Chorus]