HOW CLOSE IS CLOSE ENOUGH?
Mark 12:32-40
Sermon Objective: To persuade those who are delaying to embrace Christ as Savior.
Supporting Scripture: Isaiah 53; Mark 1:16-20, 2:14, 8:29; John 5:39, 10:9, 14:6; Galatians 3:11; Ephesians 2:8; 2 Corinthians 6:2
INTRO
Have you ever gotten close?
• Maybe you were in need of a certain score on a test and you came soooo close but missed it by a few points. Even though you were close it changed everything.
• Maybe it was a huge fish you were trying to get in the net; you saw it as thrashed in the water and you wanted so bad to reel it in but at the last minute it got off … you were left with nothing but an empty hook.
• Maybe it was a promotion you were hoping for. You did everything you could to secure it but, in the end, it went to someone else.
• Maybe it was a competition you were involved in. This win would put you in the playoffs or even the championship and yet, in the end, you were denied.
In Tom Hanks’ movie “The Terminal” Hanks plays Viktor Navorski a man from a fictional country called Krakozhia. While Hanks is flying from his home country to the U.S., there is a coup in Krakozhia and the government is overthrown. The U.S. refuses to acknowledge the new government and, as a result, Hanks can neither enter American soil (even though he is at JFK airport) nor return “home” because he no longer has a valid passport. Hanks can look out the windows of the airport and see New York City. When doors open he can hear sounds of car horns, but, as close as he is, he cannot enter. He is stuck in the terminal … so close to his destination but, yet, so far away.
Almost everyone has experienced the disappointment of "coming close." In most of life’s anecdotes we get over it, learn from it, and move on; but sometimes coming close is the difference in life and death.
• People have frozen to death right outside of shelter …hypothermia got the best of them.
• People have died of smoke inhalation while trying to make it to the window … some have been found with their fingers on the ledge.
My objective is not to be morbid it’s just to remind us that that sometimes “close” has no consolation prize.
The Gospel story today illustrates the seriousness of coming close … it illustrates the chasm that exists between being a citizen of the Kingdom and being on the outside looking in. As we will see, there is no consolation prize.
32"Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
34When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
We have looked at the beginning of this story all summer. We discovered the power for good that loving God and loving our neighbor can have. We discovered God’s core values and a new paradigm for living. But the story ends on a sour note … it ends not with a neatly packaged “happy ending” (like Hanks movie “The Terminal”) but with a fellow earth traveler who … GETS CLOSE BUT NOT IN.
Sometimes “close” is good enough … sometimes you might as well be a million miles away.
Jesus said, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." I am glad that it was Jesus who said these words rather than some disciple or someone else. Had it been someone else we would probably have objected strongly to them. In fact, in chapter 10, the disciples do try and differentiate. They do try and classify some as “in” and others as “out.” The difference is that the disciples were trying to keep people out … Jesus was trying to persuade anyone and everyone to come in.
There is a welcome sign hanging at the entrance to the Kingdom … but, as Jesus knows, one must still choose to enter.
Like you, I have asked myself some hard questions after reading Jesus’ words. Questions like:
WHAT CLASSIFIED THIS GUY AS “NEAR” THE KINGDOM BUT NOT YET IN THE KINGDOM?
There are some admirable qualities about the scribe that put him close … even at the door. In fact, some of these qualities are so admirable that we would look at someone who possesses them and classify that person as a citizen of the kingdom and not merely near the kingdom.
To begin with, THE SCRIBE HAS A DEEP RESPECT FOR THE WORD OF GOD.
The Scribe knew the Hebrew Bible front and back. His profession required him to be thoroughly familiar with it.
In his case familiarity did not breed contempt – it bred respect.
But knowing (or even loving) God’s Word will not get you in the Kingdom. The Bible cannot save you. It can point you to the Savior but it cannot save you.
Knowing the Word of God is a very noble and important trait for anyone who wants to know God. In fact, you cannot know God without studying His Word. It points one to Jesus.
Jesus Himself said “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39, KJV)
The truth of the matter is, however, that when it comes to ENTERING the Kingdom, knowing the Bible can only get you close. It cannot get you in.
Other things classify the scribe as very very close … for example, THE SCRIBE WAS INTELLECTUALLY SINCERE AND SEEKING TRUTH.
Seeking truth is to be applauded and encouraged in all humankind. Some of you, here today, are on a quest for truth. You are observing Christianity and learning of Christ because you want to know if he is the truth. You admire Jesus … but admiration is not enough.
This morning’s Children’s sermon reminded us that Jesus himself claims to be the truth and the only entrance into the Kingdom. Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6).
You will never go wrong by investigating the truth and looking at Jesus. You will find Him to be everything he claims and capable of doing everything he claims.
But … at some point seeking, observing, and admiration must end. Studying the truth will get you close to the Kingdom but it will not get you in the Kingdom.
At some point you must act upon the knowledge that you have and trust God. It is called faith. The Bible explains faith as more of an action verb than it does a noun. Two key Scripture passages that come to my mind are:
• Galatians 3:11 …But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
• Ephesians 2:8 … For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.
Truth itself will get you close but it won’t get you in the Kingdom. You must ACT upon that truth. That is what Biblical faith is … acting upon (trusting) revealed truth.
There is another quality that qualifies that seeker as close to the kingdom; THE SCRIBE WAS A RELIGIOUS MAN WHO WANTED TO PLEASE GOD.
The Scribe makes it clear in his response to Jesus’ answer that he really wants to be pleasing to God. He had no doubt sought to please God in the same way that other members of his group had … by religious ceremony, keeping fasts and special days, tithing, and synagogue attendance.
Being religious can be a good thing but it will not get you into the Kingdom. In fact, God expects His followers to do many religious things like Bible reading, prayer, fellowship, etc. But they were never designed to get one into the Kingdom … they are designed to make you good citizens of the Kingdom once you are in!
Sadly, many who people attend church or do religious acts are hoping that somehow God will be pleased and appeased. They will hear the words of Jesus that this man heard; "You are not far from the kingdom of God."
But how close is close enough? When it comes to eternity there is no consolation prize. You are either in the Kingdom … or out.
So that leads me to another question:
HOW DOES SOMEONE BECOME A CITIZEN OF GOD’S KINGDOM?
To answer this question I want to refer you back to earlier portions of Mark’s Gospel.
• Mark 1:16-20 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
• Mark 2:14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. "Follow me," Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.
Or maybe this well known story from chapter eight will help:
Mk 8:27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”
Mk 8:28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”
Mk 8:29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.’”
Maybe the story following this story in chapter 12 will help too. He is talking about this man and the group this man belonged too. Look at Mark 12:35-40.
While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, “How is it that the teachers of the law say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: “The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.” David himself calls him “Lord.” How then can he be his son?”
You get it don’t you?
With all the respect this scribe afforded Jesus, there is a word others used that the man could not / would not use … King. Lord.
Jesus talked of a KINGdom. This man could not give Jesus the title of “King.”
That is what set this man apart from the disciples of Jesus who were around him. In many respects these rag-tag disciples were inferior to the Scribe but they were citizens of the Kingdom because they had bowed the knee and acknowledge Jesus as King.
They did what was required to be “in” and not just “near.” With all their faults and incomplete knowledge the one thing they had going for them was …. THEY FOLLOWED JESUS.
For Mark and his Roman Church (to whom he was writing) there was a motto. It often cost them their life but it was a motto they would not recant … “THERE IS NO KING BUT JESUS.”
This motto made all the difference in the first century Roman church. It placed them at direct odds with Rome. Rome said, “No King but Caesar” and many Christians died because they would not / could not say this. Many Christians that Mark was writing to probably died because of this … as possibly did John Mark himself.
Admiration for God’s word, truth, and even Jesus are not enough. Admiration comes short of a loyal and obedient faith.
Right in front of this man’s face was the One who said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man comes to the Father but by me.” The Way isn’t religion, or goodness, or church membership, or anything else you can do; the Way is Jesus!
WRAP-UP
Are you close or are you in?
THE NEARER A MAN COMES TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD, THE MORE SOLEMN HIS RESPONSIBILITY – THE MORE AWFUL AND CRITICAL HIS DECISION.
Some of you are close but not in. You lack only one thing … to bow to Christ as King. Acknowledge Him as Lord. And to trust his work on the cross to wash away your sin.
Can you say today … REALLY SAY … “There is no King in my life but Jesus?”
Instead of being content with your nearness, why not regard your closeness as the reason you should come without delay? The Bible says “Behold now is the acceptable time, behold, today is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)
Jesus says I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9)
I don’t want you to merely be close … I want you to come in!
He who has ears to hear
Let him hear.
This sermon is provided by Dr. Kenneth Pell
Potsdam Church of the Nazarene
Potsdam, New York
www.potsdam-naz.org
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CHILDREN’S SERMON
“Finding the Right Way”
Sermon Objective: To remind the children that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven.
Props: A map
Hi everyone! It is great to see you today. Whew! I was worried! I was worried that maybe you wouldn’t be here today … I was afraid that you might get lost or not know how to find the church!
Did any of you get lost on your way to church this morning? Did the people you were riding with make a wrong turn or anything? No. I know you didn’t get lost. Your families had no problem at all getting here. In fact if your mom and dad were to ask you, many of you could actually give them directions on how to get here because you know the way so well.
Well, not everyone knows the way they are supposed to go. In fact, some of you took vacations this summer and you had to use a map, similar to this one, to help you find your way. In some cases there was only one way to get to your destination and the map showed you EXACTLY which road to take. That’s what maps are for.
How many of you know that there in only one way to Heaven? Just like there are some places on earth that have only one way in so, Heaven has only one access point.
Do you know what that ONE WAY is?
Listen to this verse from the Bible. It will show you the ONE WAY. Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)
The Bible tells us that the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ. Some people think being good can get them to Heaven but the Bible says that only Jesus can get us there.
Let’s thank God that Jesus can get us to heaven.
This Children’s Sermon is provided by Dr. Kenneth Pell
Potsdam Church of the Nazarene
Potsdam, New York
www.potsdam-naz.org
