serm26

TEXT: Mark 12:28-34.

SUB: THE MAN WHO CAME CLOSE TO GOD'S KINGDOM

Intro: 1) Conversion between Jesus and a scribe.

2) Jesus Said to him: " you are not far from the kingdom of God."

3) That is being short of the goal.

I. WHAT CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS SCRIBE PLACED HIM NOT FAR FROM THE KINGDOM OF GOD?

A. He occupied a place of authority in the one true religion. He was a "scribe" (v.28), "a lawyer" of "the Pharisees" (Matthew 22:34f). Jesus said concerning his class, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do" (Matthew

23:2f).

B. He was very knowledgeable of the Holy Scriptures. He had observed Jesus' use of the Scriptures in silencing His former questioners: the Sanhedrin, the Pharisees with the Herodians, and the Sadducees (Mark 11:27-12:27). And he evidenced his own knowledge of the truth of God's Word by "perceiving that [Jesus] had answered them well" (12:28).

C. He acknowledged the truth concerning the nature of the one true God. After hearing Jesus quote Deuteronomy 6:4, "the LORD our God, the LORD is one" (v.29), he declared, "Well said, Teacher, You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He" (v.32). He was neither an idolater nor a polytheist.

D. He acknowledged the truth concerning obedience to the First and the Second Commandments. Jesus had identified them by quoting Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18:

E. Not only did this scribe declare that Jesus had here "spoken the truth," but he furthermore truthfully declared that to obey these two commandments "is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices" (v.33; cp. 1 Samuel 15:22). The truthfulness of his declaration was admitted by Jesus: "Jesus saw that he answered wisely" (v.34).

F. He treated Jesus with respect. He called Jesus "Teacher," and furthermore declared that Jesus had "spoken the truth" (v.32).

II. WHAT CHARACTERISTIC NOT EXHIBITED BY THIS SCRIBE WOULD HAVE PREVENTED HIM FROM ENTERING THE KINGDOM OF GOD?

A. He recognized the truth, but there is no indication that he submitted to it. Paul the apostle, in Romans 10:2-4, described this fallacy which was so common among the Israelites of that day: B. If he failed to see that this law of God condemned him -- which it surely did (Romans 3:10-20), and that all his own works of self-righteousness were but as filthy rags in the sight of God -- which they surely were (Isaiah 64:6), then all his zeal in religion was for nought.

C.Furthermore, it was not enough that this scribe treated Jesus

D. What a shame it would be to come so close to the kingdom of God, and yet not finally enter into it.

III. HOW MANY OF US, HAVING COME AS CLOSE TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD AS DID THIS SCRIBE, WILL NEVERTHELESS FAIL TO ENTER INTO IT?

A. This will be the lot like this. Matthew 7:21-23:

i) What a shame it would be to be acquainted with the one true religion.

ii) What a shame to even to be considered a zealous disciple of it -- but nevertheless fail to enter the kingdom of God!

iii) What a shame it would be to be a faithful member of a true church of Christ -- but nevertheless fail to enter the kingdom of God!

iv) What a shame it would be to know about God and His Scriptures and His Christ -- but nevertheless fail to enter into His kingdom!

B.Judas Iscariot is a prime example. As an apostle of Jesus Christ, he was commissioned by the Lord to preach the gospel, and granted the miraculous powers of exorcising demons and healing sicknesses and diseases (Matthew 10:1-4). But all these blessings only brought him close to the kingdom, and did not place him within it. Judas himself had to take the final step into the kingdom by submitting to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Judas was quite unwilling to do so, and consequently perished -- at the very threshold of the kingdom of God!

IV. WHAT WOULD HINDER YOU FROM ENTERING THE KINGDOM OF GOD? Jesus Christ has cited many reasons why many will not.

A. Some are unwilling to live according to the standard of superior righteousness which Jesus Christ requires (Matthew 5:20This superior standard of righteousness can be met only by those who have received by faith the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21-26).

B. Some are unwilling to render more than mere lip service to the Lordship of Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:21):

C.Some are unwilling to turn completely from the ways of the world and to stoop to the humility which Christ requires (Matthew 18:3):

D. Some are unwilling to forsake trusting in their riches (Matthew 19:23):

CONCL:What a shame it would be to perish at the very threshold of God's kingdom.

APPL. Are you within the kingdom of God?

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	TEXT: Mark 12:28-34. SUB: THE MAN WHO CAME CLOSE TO GOD'S KINGDOM Intro: 1) Conversion between Jesus and a scribe. 2) Jesus Said to him: " you are not far from the kingdom of God." 3) That is being short of the goal. I. WHAT CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS SCRIBE PLACED HIM NOT FAR FROM THE KINGDOM OF GOD? A. He occupied a place of authority in the one true religion. He was a "scribe" (v.28), "a lawyer" of "the Pharisees" (Matthew 22:34f). Jesus said concerning his class, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do" (Matthew 23:2f). B. He was very knowledgeable of the Holy Scriptures. He had observed Jesus' use of the Scriptures in silencing His former questioners: the Sanhedrin, the Pharisees with the Herodians, and the Sadducees (Mark 11:27-12:27). And he evidenced his own knowledge of the truth of God's Word by "perceiving that [Jesus] had answered them well" (12:28). C. He acknowledged the truth concerning the nature of the one true God. After hearing Jesus quote Deuteronomy 6:4, "the LORD our God, the LORD is one" (v.29), he declared, "Well said, Teacher, You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He" (v.32). He was neither an idolater nor a polytheist. D. He acknowledged the truth concerning obedience to the First and the Second Commandments. Jesus had identified them by quoting Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18: E. Not only did this scribe declare that Jesus had here "spoken the truth," but he furthermore truthfully declared that to obey these two commandments "is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices" (v.33; cp. 1 Samuel 15:22). The truthfulness of his declaration was admitted by Jesus: "Jesus saw that he answered wisely" (v.34). F. He treated Jesus with respect. He called Jesus "Teacher," and furthermore declared that Jesus had "spoken the truth" (v.32). II. WHAT CHARACTERISTIC NOT EXHIBITED BY THIS SCRIBE WOULD HAVE PREVENTED HIM FROM ENTERING THE KINGDOM OF GOD? A. He recognized the truth, but there is no indication that he submitted to it. Paul the apostle, in Romans 10:2-4, described this fallacy which was so common among the Israelites of that day: B. If he failed to see that this law of God condemned him -- which it surely did (Romans 3:10-20), and that all his own works of self-righteousness were but as filthy rags in the sight of God -- which they surely were (Isaiah 64:6), then all his zeal in religion was for nought. C.Furthermore, it was not enough that this scribe treated Jesus D. What a shame it would be to come so close to the kingdom of God, and yet not finally enter into it. III. HOW MANY OF US, HAVING COME AS CLOSE TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD AS DID THIS SCRIBE, WILL NEVERTHELESS FAIL TO ENTER INTO IT? A. This will be the lot like this. Matthew 7:21-23: i) What a shame it would be to be acquainted with the one true religion. ii) What a shame to even to be considered a zealous disciple of it -- but nevertheless fail to enter the kingdom of God! iii) What a shame it would be to be a faithful member of a true church of Christ -- but nevertheless fail to enter the kingdom of God! iv) What a shame it would be to know about God and His Scriptures and His Christ -- but nevertheless fail to enter into His kingdom! B.Judas Iscariot is a prime example. As an apostle of Jesus Christ, he was commissioned by the Lord to preach the gospel, and granted the miraculous powers of exorcising demons and healing sicknesses and diseases (Matthew 10:1-4). But all these blessings only brought him close to the kingdom, and did not place him within it. Judas himself had to take the final step into the kingdom by submitting to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Judas was quite unwilling to do so, and consequently perished -- at the very threshold of the kingdom of God! IV. WHAT WOULD HINDER YOU FROM ENTERING THE KINGDOM OF GOD? Jesus Christ has cited many reasons why many will not. A. Some are unwilling to live according to the standard of superior righteousness which Jesus Christ requires (Matthew 5:20This superior standard of righteousness can be met only by those who have received by faith the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21-26). B. Some are unwilling to render more than mere lip service to the Lordship of Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:21): C.Some are unwilling to turn completely from the ways of the world and to stoop to the humility which Christ requires (Matthew 18:3): D. Some are unwilling to forsake trusting in their riches (Matthew 19:23): CONCL:What a shame it would be to perish at the very threshold of God's kingdom. APPL. Are you within the kingdom of God? Back to Sermons Back to Samsermons