"One Thing Thou Lackest."
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I. Introduction.
I. Introduction.
This Friday I asked God for a message.
Yous see, as Pastor of this church, I need to do more than simply preach general “One size fits all” sermons.
I am actually supposed to go to God for a Word that will minister to you and your life in the here and now.
So I asked God for a specific word!
And wouldn’t you know it, He doesn’t leave his children hanging!
He always comes through!
I believe the Holy Spirit is going to speak to each of us today, in a personal and powerful way.
I am asking that each of us be careful not to do anything that might distract anyone in this service.
(Exercise the authority of God and bind.)
(Exercise the authority of God and bind.)
Mark 10:13-22
Yesterday, we were so happy to celebrate with Bro Jerry, as He specifically entered into Covenant with Almighty God!
He was baptized in Jesus Name! And on his birthday too!
Happy Birthday Bro Jerry!
Mark 10:13, Hear now the Word of the Lord:
And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
Now folks, I’m not gonna shout or holler today, I’m still getting over this sinus stuff. But if you’ll hear me, I want to speak to you today from this title:
Now folks, I’m not gonna shout or holler today, I’m still getting over this sinus stuff. But if you’ll hear me, I want to speak to you today from this title:
“One Thing Thou Lackest.”
“One Thing Thou Lackest.”
II. Scripture Setting & Scripture Support.
II. Scripture Setting & Scripture Support.
A group of children are brought to Jesus. The language used here indicated that they were anywhere from infants to 12 years of age.
In that day, it was considered right and proper to bring children to the Rabbis who would then lay hands upon them and bless them.
As you can see, this doctrine of laying on of hands as a means of transfer and blessing, is not new!
So it is quite clear that the intention of those who brought the children was that they might be blessed by this Jesus.
It is also very apparent that the disciples have other ideas!
After all, they are quite important men now, aren’t they?
The gatekeepers, if you will.
“Oh, you wanna talk to Jesus? Okay we,ll see what we can do..” “For now, go a head and get in line.”
Kids were socially powerless. And things like infant mortality was so high, in some places, half of all children born did not live past 12!
Eager to get on with the business of setting up the kingdom, the disciples have little time for people who do not wield political power.
“Jesus does not have time for this!” So they say.
What’s up with that?
I mean, these guys were fisherman not long ago! Normal people!
But all of this exposure, this talk of a Kingdom they don’t fully understand, has really blown thier heads up and out of proportion!
And Jesus got mad!
This great God, He who was soon to rip a veil, 60 Ft HIgh and 4” thick, from top to bottom, in order that ALL might have access to Shekinah Glory, this God, was not impressed by the disciple’s attitude and lack of humility!
It reminds me about that old tale of Jumbo the Elephant and Flick the flea:
They were longtime friends.
They often walked and chatted together.
One day they were walking along a back country road when they came to a flimsy wooden bridge that spanned a deep gorge.
They walked across, side by side, the little bridge swaying and creaking under the weight of the elephant.
And when they were across, the flea asked his big friend, “Did you notice how we shook that bridge?”
(Pause and smile.)
Isn’t that just like us sometimes?
God heals, God delivers, God baptizes, God atones, saves, restores, anoints, all this He does by His own hand!
We of course spend time with HIm. We are His! But if you’re not careful, pretty soon you can think it’s your weight moving this thing...
Don’t do it! don’t ever think you’re the mover and shaker around here!
None of us folks, amount to a hill of beans!
Including me! Especially me!
We’d all do well to remember:
“Jesus is the Hero, and I am zero!”
“Take these kids away, Jesus has more important people to bless!”
The Scriptures tell us that when Jesus saw these goings on, He was much displeased!
The Greek verb used, indicates very deep and strong feeling.
Jesus is not impressed!
Why do we expect God to accept our prideful, haughty ways?
Those disciples were missing the point entirely!
Let me share some truth here today: “A man wrapped up in himself, makes a pretty small package.”
Listen, I’ve been on the wrong side of that equation before and likely will again. And folks, when you realize you’re wrong and you have a stinky attitude, and that Jesus is “Much displeased” with you, it’s not a nice feeling!
But it is an opportunity to change!
Thank God for an opportunity to change!
Friends, this would be a rotten world, if we couldn’t change!!!!!
I am so glad, and I have learned, that when I am willing to make things right, He is always there to help me!
So there in verse 14, we see how that Jesus Christ sets things right and He does indeed bless the children.
But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
“Of such is the Kingdom of God!”
The disciples had such a biased and partial view of the Kingdom of God, they didn’t recognize the fabric of it!
Hunger! Desire! open hearts and minds, Simple faith!
But Jesus tries the reigns of our hearts.
He sees the real you.
“He took them up in His arms and blessed them!”
I am so glad to serve a God who does not hold us off at arms length!
No, He doesn’t do that at all!
He meets mankind at the point of our need and there he is willing to be close and to bless us!
Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save;
Neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
Jesus was very upfront about things: He told them! “If you can’t recieve the Kingdom of God as a little child, you’re not gonna!”
So that’s what’s going on in the first portion of our text, but then notice this next man who comes to Jesus in Vs. 17:
Presumably one the disciples consider good enough, and fancy enough and of a sufficent social standing to talk to the master.
He seems to have no problem getting past the “gatekeepers.”
He is known as the “rich young ruler.”
And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
Here comes this young man, running to Jesus.
He reaches Jesus and kneels.
I’d say that’s a pretty good start!!!!!
“Good master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
Scholars point out that he calls Jesus “Good Master.” Not a common title for any Rabbi.
So clearly, he respects taht Jesus is more than some local teacher.
And yet, here is missing the revelation that Peter had been given: “I say thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God!”
Had this young man known that, how easy it might have been to obey and go all it!
And many there are who come so close, only to lose everything because they simply do not recognize The Mighty God in Christ!
“What shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
So that is what he’s after, Eternal life.
And for a man who likely inherited at least a portion of his wealth, it is interesting to hear how he poses his question:
“What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
That is his goal. or at least he says it is.
In today’s way of speaking, Jesus might have responded: “You know the score: Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.”
The Rich Young Ruler responds: “Master, all these have I observed from my youth.”
“I’m acutally a pretty good guy.”
“I’m decent.” (LOL)
“The other rich young rulers are clubbing at present, but I am here, kneeling at your feet!”
“I’m not wasting the family funds in Vegas and Dubai!”
No riotous living here Jesus, give me some credit!
“What shall I do to inherit eternal life?
And that is where Jesus says it!
And His Words burn their way across the fleshy tables of our heart like a surgical laser:
“One thing thou lackest.”
“Young man, you are missing something:”
“You’re not getting it!”
You’re not picking up what I’m putting down!”
“I know you’re a stand up guy.”
“I know you’ve followed the law from your youth!”
“Well and good. But one thing thou lackest.”
This is some tough love happening right here!
I mean it’s not like the guy is a sinner per se!
He’s not doing the prodigal thing!
He’s not turned his back on Mom and Dad!
He’s not left Isreal for the fleshpots of Egypt!
I mean, he could have!
Here’s a guy who has honored the law.
He goes to church!
He’s ontime everytime!
He’s not cheating and fooling around while his wife is visting friends,
He’s never gotten drunk at the bar, and killed another man in anger!
Hey, it can happen real easy folks! Push someone, they fall and hit their head on a pool table or a sink!
Not this guy, he’s squeaky clean!
He’s never stolen anything!
Man, I remember being a little kid. Folks, I’m not proud of it, but I walked into my parents walk-in closet one day, and I took some cash that was on a shelf there.
I gave all of it to a little blond girl at school, cause I liked her!
She gave it to her mom, who called my mom about all this money and folks, the result was not pretty.
I’m not a bad man.
But once upon a time I took something that did not belong to me.
Not this guy.
He seems to have all his stuff together!
Never perjured himself!
The kind of guy you’d want on a jury!
City council!
Ostensibly walking the straight and narrow!
Perhaps not much different than some of us here today.
Now get this:
Folks, the first or six times I read this yesterday, I completely missed the grace of verse 21:
But then, I read it in my paper Bible and verse 21 jumped out!
This is what it says:
“But Jesus, beholding him, loved him.”
When I finally SAW that, it really got ahold of me!
“Jesus Beholding him, loved him!”
And here is the motivating factor isn’t it?
Every time Jesus heals the withered hand, the blinded eyes, the son on his way to the grave, the daughter deceased and barely cold...
He does it out of love!
And what we are about to hear Jesus say, is something that Jesus actually does quite often to those he loves.
In fact, why don’t we leave Jesus there with that stellar young man, and look at another verse real quick, don’t worry we’ll come back.
But check out Hebrews 12:6-11 first.
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Listen to it again in the MEV:
Hebrews 12:6-11
6 for whom the Lord loves He disciplines,
and scourges every son whom He receives.”[a]
7 Endure discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons. For what son is there whom a father does not discipline? 8 If you are without discipline, of which everyone has partaken, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers, and they corrected us, and we gave them reverence. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed disciplined us for a short time according to their own judgment, but He does so for our profit, that we may partake of His holiness. 11 Now no discipline seems to be joyful at the time, but grievous. Yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness in those who have been trained by it.
This is what happens, when Jesus looks at this fine young man.
Jesus confronts Mr Perfect with these words:
“One thing thou lackest.”
“Go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
“Take up the cross” Jesus said! Can you imagine what that cost him?
In his case, the rich young ruler was not willing to surrender his natural wealth for spiritual treasures.
In his case, the rich young ruler was not willing to surrender his natural wealth for spiritual treasures.
But I wonder, what is it that you lack?
But I wonder, what is it that you lack?
What is the one thing perhaps holding you back?
Yes, you’ve got it together, but Jesus says the 99% is not enough for you to gain the Kingdom!
What is the one thing thou lackest?
You know, each of us is unique!
And I know you enough to know that you are good people!
Fine, upstanding! Christian men and women.
But have you ever considered, there may be one thing thou lackest?
III. Application.
III. Application.
Maybe you have committed your heart to God, but you’re not willing to part with firstfuits.
Maybe you’re good on all the money stuff, but you have a hard time giving your time to God.
Every Apostolic leader I’ve ever known was willing to spend hours around the things of God!
Time flies when your heart is right!
Or maybe, while you’ve got things 99% nailed down, some certain consecration is lacking.
You know, God will ask you for certain things:
Maybe it’s the music you listen to...
A habit perhaps?
Some certain behavior.
An attitude!
Perhaps the company of certain friends.
You know they’re not good for you! What fellowship hath light with darkness?
Maybe it’s the way you spend your free time, some appetite that captures your imagination and desire to an unhealthy degree.
If the Holy Ghost is grieved by your affections, you will know it!
He’ll challenge you!
Because he loves you!
He corrects us for our profit, that we may partake of His holiness!
Perhaps it is some sin that easily besets.
You do pray, you do kill certain sins, but maybe there’s one that you’ve allowed to live!
Just like King Agag, of the Amalekites, that sin has somehow convinced you to let it live!
Maybe you killed lust!
Maybe you killed pride!
Put them on the altar and killed em!
But you didn’t get em all!
And that one sin, old Agag cowers before you and says: “Surely the bitterness of death is past.”
I’ve come today to tell you: One thing makes all the difference!
Can we be honest enought to admit: I need the help of a gracious God!!!!
“One thing thou lackest!!!”
Jesus said that one thing can keep you out of His Kingdom!
One thing can rip you from the realm of grace, into darkness and death!
One thing!
“It’s just a little wedge of Gold Aachan! Just a babylonish garment!
It’s just a bad attitude pastor!
Did you know a bad attitude can send you to hell!
If you don’t repent and make things right!
“But I’m right, and everyone else is wrong!”
“I’ll get my day in court, and you’ll see I was right!”
Folks, let me give you something that will help you in your walk with God.
You need to establish a dashboard indicator on worship!
Every single one of us!
If you can’t worship freely, there needs to flash a warning sign, a check engine sign in your spirit!
If I cannot worship freely, there is a reason!
Perhaps there is one thing! Just one thing!
Maybe you’ve got ought against someone.
Some offense, some difficulty. And that thing keeps you from worshipping freely!
The BIble tells us to go and make things right!
And when you do, you’ll be able to worship freely!
It means you humble yourself beneath the mighty hand of God!
“Brother, if I have offended you, sister, If I have somehow offended you, I apologize! How do I make this right?”
First be reconciled to your brother, then come offer your gift!
Did He not give us the gift of reconciliation?
I cannot claim to be reconciled with a Holy God if I refuse to reconcile with my brother!
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
Maybe I’m preaching to a bunch of perfect people today!
Maybe you’ve never sinned and fallen short of the glory!
But I have!
And folks, I’m scared of losing out with God!
I’m scared of a devil’s hell!
Broad is the way that leadeth to destruction!
And even though you think you’ve got your stuff together, you might just be on that broad path!
Because of one thing!
How about pride?
Did you know that some people are willing to serve God, but only as His consultant!
Only, it doesn’t really work that way!
You don’t tell God how things are gonna go down, He’s the one that tells you!
Don’t ever think you’re so Holy and everyone else is wrong!
You have got to evaluate yourself sometimes!
Evaluate your motives and your actions!
Let me tell you what I’ve learned in the business of living:
Your halo only has to slip a few inches to become a noose!
Sometime when you’re feeling important,
Sometime when you’re ego’s in bloom,
Sometime when you take it for granted,
That you’re the best qualified in the room,
Sometime when you think your going,
Would leave an unfillable hole,
Just follow this simple direction,
And see how it humbles your soul.
Take a bucket and fill it with water.
Put your hand in it up to the wrist,
Take it out and the holes that’s remaining,
Is a measure of how you’ll be missed.
You may splash all you wish as you enter,
You may stir up the water galore,
But stop- in just a minute,
It looks much the same as before.
Now the moral of this little lesson,
Is to try to improve yourself and not worsen,
Be proud of yourself but remember:
There is no indispensable person!
Not me, Not you, nobody!
I told you last week, we are fighting a spiritual battle right now!
Against voices of distraction, voices of deciet and voices of disunity.
Now God will never fail. But we can.
If we do not pray enough, If we do not submit, if we are not properly aligned, it is very easy to fall victim to voices of distraction, deceit and disunity!
Satan wants to steal our revival!
He’d love nothing more than to spread strife and confusion in this assembly!
But I’m not gonna let him!
And neither are you!
That’s why we need to spend time at the altar!
Let me share something with you:
I do not fully trust anyone that I’ve never seen truly broken before God.
What’s that look like?
It’s the altar experience!
When it doesn’t matter how I look!
Snotting and crying into the carpet, who cares!!!!!!!
It doesn’t matter if people think less of me, I am going to get right with God!
I will abase myself and I will repent!
Hey, we are talking about the Kingdom of God here!
I’ve known many men and women over the years. They wanted to lead!
Up front and center!
But it didn’t happen! Because they were never willing to be broken before God!
The greatest lesson you can learn in your walk with God and your Christian ministry brothers and sisters, is how to be broken before God!
Listen, everyone is trusted to participate. But if you want do more, be more, nobody will ever trust you unless you are willing to be broken before God!
I’m telling you the altar of repentance is the safest place to be!
Live at the altar!
Submit at the altar!
Grow in the altar!
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
I don’t know what your one thing is.
I know what my one thing is!
But yours?
That’s between you and God!
I don’t even need to know!
All I care, is that you get it fixed!
Cause we’ve got a revival in the making here!
God is moving people and places and things and before you know it, we will be in that harvest field, reaping a harvest for God!
I need every one of you here, in fighting shape!
Outreach! Bible Studies! Discipleship!
make sure you are a fit man!
A fit woman!
Why don’t you just err on the side of safety?
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour:
But a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
A man’s pride shall bring him low:
But honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good;
And what doth the Lord require of thee,
But to do justly, and to love mercy,
And to walk humbly with thy God?
ON and on the Holy Scriptures guide us to a lesser place, a place where pride has got to go!
“ONe thing thou lackest.!”
IV. Conclusion
IV. Conclusion
Now here’s the good news:
If you’ve already got yourself 99% submitted, 99% aligned, 99% Humbled, 99% purified, then one measly percent ought to be easy!
Okay, let’s talk to Jesus.