It is Possible

“Is there anything too hard for God?” is a rhetorical question. All things are possible with God. If I have learned anything in my life it is that God makes it possible. When you are up against insurmountable odds God’s power makes the odds in your favor. When you don’t have resources, God will be your supply. When you don’t know how, God know, while you’re trying to figure it out God has already worked it out.

The problem is that we have the tendency to limit God. And we limit God, not because we are convinced that God “can’t ever”, we limit God because we are convinced that we “always can.” (elaborate)

But search the scriptures and history and you will see that those who’s names are mentioned as doing great things will in some way have an attachment to the power of God.

Sarah...Israel...Moses couldn't’…but God, Joseph couldn't…Elijah…Daniel....3 Hebrews…Mary…Peter (water)…Paul…Timothy…Harriet Tubman…Fredrick Douglass…Fanny Lou Hammer…Tell you story. It is Possible!

1. Recognition of a Good God(v.18-21)

The rich young ruler, approaches Jesus and calls Jesus “Good Teacher” a polite gesture. He was simply honoring the title. But Jesus calls to the mans attention the his loose usage of descriptive goodness. Jesus says, “why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” Jesus is in no way denying deity, he didn’t even deny being a the good teacher. He is not rebuking the man for associating him with the goodness of a good God. But, instead Jesus wants the man to understand who he is talking to. “Good teacher” Jesus says, “Why do YOU call me good?”

“Doc” culture illustration. Put some respec on my name, “why do you call me doc when its Dr.” “What you need is a physician we all doc’tahs”

But knowing that Jesus is a good teacher means that whatever Jesus says would be good advice. And if Jesus is God whatever Jesus says, is “God’s spoken word”

2. Reveals the error of self-reliance (v.22-26)

Jesus reveals the error of self-reliance between verses 22-26. But the error itself happens in verse 18 when the man says, “…what must i DO...” What must i do? his error was in his thinking that there was something, some deed he could do to earn a right to eternal life? And what is more he probably believed he could purchase it.

“One thing you still lack.” What was it that this young brother lacked? He didn’t lack materials. He didn’t lack a sense of moral rightness or religious piety. What was it that he just did not have or just did not get? The answer is in his response to Jesus command to sell everything. You see, his heart isn’t revealed because he didn't do the deed of selling, but his heart is revealed because he couldn't part ways with his riches. And, he could not stand to see his worth distributed to the poor. He would rather maintain his wealth, than to exchange it for treasure in heaven. And to make matters worse, he could leave his money to follow Jesus. His greed and hubris kept him from Jesus, treasures in heaven, and helping his community.

exegete v.24

exegete v.25

3. Recompense for the Righteous (v.27-30)

The disciples question as to who can be saved is good question because they associated wealth and piety with godliness, even though the wealth and piety of the pharisees was oppressive. They don’t understand if they rich young ruler can’t get in then its not looking good for anyone. And that’s when Jesus gives us the answer, “What is impossible with man is possible with God” ( exegete and preach)

I can hear the words of David in Psalm 27, “I would have perished if i had not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” I’m so glad to day that God is not just concerned with rewards in heaven, and paying us back later. But God is blessing us right now.

The expectation is that if you follow Jesus you are going to forsake the world. “do not love the world...” but when you leave the evil, oppressive, wicked, adulterous, structures of the world, you will enter into liberating, righteous, loving, faithful, community household of faith.

There is nothing nor anyone in the connected to worldly empire that God will not replace with something or someone better in the kingdom of God.