Tunstall Apo Pm 15 May 07 What Shall You Give.
Place: Tunstall Apo. Date: PM Sunday, 13th May 2007.
Text: Mark 8:37. Theme: What shall YOU GIVE?
Introduction: Reading: Mark 10:17-22.
“What will a man give in exchange for his soul?”
We have all seen those films where the devil offer’s some great reward for a person’s soul, it maybe money, fame or some great love, (In the film the human always out wits the devil, which is not true in life).
For some, do you remember the TV programme “Take your pick?” Where you would win a key to a box, and then be offered money for that key. Take the money or open the box!
In each case there was a price to pay. “What will a man give in exchange for his soul?” They say everyone can be bought for a price! How much have YOU sold out for? “What have YOU given in exchange for YOUR soul?” Here is one who sold out:
1ST POINT: THE RICH YOUNG RULER, Mark 10:17-22.
“Now as He was going out on the road, one came RUNNING, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and WALKED away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”
Note, He came RUNNING to Christ, which was an indication of his humility; he also manifested his earnestness; he ran as one in haste. He had now an opportunity of speaking to Jesus, like you have tonight, he would not let this opportunity slip away.
He was young, well mannered, well educated, and well-off. He was sincere, honest, and above reproach. Maybe he also had an engaging personality and a pleasant smile. Certainly Jesus found him likable; He was the man who had everything, except eternal life. And he could have had that, too. All he had to do was get rid of his money and follow Jesus.
But it was not to be! Elsewhere Jesus had said that no one can serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). Here was living proof of that principle. In coming to Jesus, the rich young ruler came to a fork in the road. He had to choose which one he would serve, money or Jesus. It seems that he chose money.
Jesus never condemned people for being rich. Nor does Scripture condemn the possession or the increase of money. But Jesus warned people about what He called “the deceitfulness of riches” Mark 4:19. He understood the deadly attraction of money as a substitute for God. The man was placing far too much value on his wealth. So Jesus told him to give it away, to free himself from its bonds.
Jesus is not teaching salvation by works, i.e., by giving money to the poor. He is pointing out the need to admit and deal with self-righteousness and self-dependence so that trust may be transferred entirely to Christ.
He tried to say to Jesus “How much can I keep.” The rich young man was looking for a bargain, the best of both worlds; but he was doomed to failure. At Calvary, there was no bargaining, just Jesus giving His all. We have the idea today that money can buy everything. Someone has written these lines about money that we do well to think over:
Money will buy a bed, but it will not buy sleep.
Money will buy food, but it will not buy an appetite.
Money will buy medicine, but it will not buy health.
Money will buy a house, but it will not buy a home.
Money will buy a diamond, but it will not buy love.
Money will buy a church pew, but it will not buy salvation.
This was too much for this man; he WALK away sorrowful. One must remember that prior to the acceptance of the gospel a man needs to recognize his need. Jesus was aware of the man’s self-righteous attitude, trusting in his own set of rules. Men and women must be aware of their sin and guilt before they can be ready for “good news.”
The Lord took the man back to the Ten Commandments to produce conviction of sin. The rich man’s unwillingness to share his possessions showed that he did not love his neighbour as himself. He should have said, “Lord, if that is what is required, and then I am a sinner. I cannot save myself by my own efforts. Therefore I ask You to save me by Your grace.” But he loved his property too much. He was unwilling to give it up. He had sold out to money.
What of YOU? Are you looking for a bigger house, a better car, a swimming pool, a better job, always looking for things, doing it you own way. Jesus said, sell all, and follow Me. “What will YOU give in exchange for YOUR soul?”
CONCLUSION:
There is a night specially planned for each one of us, an appointment to meet with our Maker. Yet, tonight we all have the opportunity to make sure that the God we are to meet with is OUR SAVIOUR rather than OUR JUDGE, otherwise we are the FOOLISH ONES, for not having plans for the future ahead of us!
Will YOU take the money or open the box to ETERNAL LIFE?
JUDAS took the money; he sold out JESUS for thirty pieces of silver! If YOU leave this building tonight without JESUS as your Saviour, you are following in the footsteps of Judas who went out and hanged himself!