WAYS YOU CAN LEAVE CHURCH
* INTRODUCTION
A. Ever notice how much emphasis is placed on Entrances? An “Entrance” is filled with anticipation, expectation, and potential.
1. Red Carpet and limousines
2. Boxing – entourage
3. Movie – 15 minutes of build-up
4. Road sign – “Enter Here”
5. Internet – Pop-ups, Spam
B. Exits do not get the emphasis of Entrances. But an Exit is a good way to understand if the Entrance led to impact.
1. Movie – “What did you think?
2. Restaurant
3. Doctor
C. You may have heard the song, “I Can Only Imagine” about entering into the presence of Jesus one day, but what about exiting from the presence of Jesus? Suppose Jesus walked in here today, never mind what you would do when He walked in, how would you LEAVE the church?
I. YOU COULD GO AWAY SAD
* Mark 10:17-22 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to Him and fell on his knees before Him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
18"Why do you call Me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone.
19 You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'"
20 "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."
21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," He said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then come, follow me."
22 At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth
A. The account begins just like “I Can Only Imagine” – a man sees Jesus, runs up to Him, falls on his knees, and praises Him.
B. His question reveals a problem immediately (Do you see it?) “What must I do?” Jesus understands this and will try to be redemptive with the man.
1. Ephesians 2:8-9
2. Titus 3:5
C. Works strangle Grace. (Galatians 4:22-31) Abraham’s 2 sons, one by his efforts and the other by God’s design. Contrary to each other.
D. Verse 21 – Jesus looks at him intently, the hammer is about to drop and He knows where this is about to go. He doesn’t give the man a list of things to do, just “one thing.”
E. Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is... The issue for the man was where his bank account was.
1. The man wanted Jesus as Savior, but not as Lord
2. When Jesus told him, "one thing you lack" He wasn't referencing something the man DIDN'T have, but something the man DID have. The Lordship of Jesus is compromised in my heart if I treasure anything above that which glorifies God.
F. Jesus never tried to attract fans, He wanted disciples. A disciple has counted the cost and is willing to follow where the Lord leads, regardless of preference, familiarity, sacrifice, etc.
G. Just 2 chapter earlier Jesus had said in Mark 8:34 "If any man will follow Me..." That is the net-dropping call of Jesus. What has following Jesus really cost you? If you can’t point out anything of value, then see if you are really following.
H. Identify the "one thing you lack" in your following of the Lord. Deal with it today before you leave the property. In verse 22 we see that "the man went away sad" - he did not not settle the issue of Lordship.
II. YOU COULD GO AWAY MAD
* II Kings 5:9-14 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha's house.
10 Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed."
11 But Naaman went away angry and said, "I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.
12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?" So he turned and went off in a rage.
13 Naaman's servants went to him and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, 'Wash and be cleansed'!"
14 So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.
A. Almost everyone here today can relate to Naaman's thoughts... “Well I thought... God could just wave His hand and fix everything... Let me tell you how to handle this God...”
B. Naaman was spoiled in his spiritual perspective. When things don't happen according to his expectation you can almost hear him saying like a little child, “I'm just going to take my chariot and go home!”
C. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose
1. How many times do we associate that verse with someone going through a difficult time?
2. It is a verse that sounds good when we are sitting in church, but not so good when we are lying in a hospital bed. From being in the ministry for 30 years I have had multiple occasions to see many people mad at God when circumstances don't match how they thought God ought to move.
D. Naaman was mad because he was myopic in his perspective; he thought the situation was about a "river.". The issue is not a river, it is if you are willing to flex your faith muscles!
E. If you try to go by your own opinions and preferences, you will miss what God desires.
1. Thief on cross – Luke 23:39-43
2. Abraham and Sarah – Genesis 16
3. Disciples failing to heal – Matthew 17:14-21
F. Don’t leave the presence of God because you don’t like His timing or methods – if you are going to trust Him with your Eternity, then trust Him with your Now.
III. YOU COULD GO AWAY GLAD
* Acts 3:1-8 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an gift.
4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, “Look on us.”
5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God
A. A lot of things don’t make sense. You may have heard about the university study of the honey bee. After noting the bee’s body had a rough texture, the wings were small for the body mass, and the bee’s body was not aerodynamically shaped... they concluded that the honey bee should NOT be able to fly.
B. Many days I sit down in the church office and convince myself I should not be doing what I am doing. I can see how Paul described himself and I can feel great relation to his words.
1. I Corinthians 15:9 I am the least of the apostles, not worthy to be called...
* 7 years later
2. Ephesians 3:8 I am less than the least of all the saints...
* 2 years later
3. I Timothy 1:15 Christ Jesus came to save sinners of whom I am chief.
C. The longer Paul was a believer he wasn’t feeling more spiritually superior, he was feeling more lowly and humbled. I have nothing to offer Jesus. Even my repentance needs to be repented of.
D. Like the beggar, I lie on the side of the road of life needing so much. On some days it feels like the road of my life is at a Dead End. Weak. Powerless. But then the Lord reminds me. “It is not about what you lack. Abide in Me and you can bear much fruit, but without Me you can do nothing.”
E. I realize I have not reached a dead end, it is actually a cul-de-sac where I can turn around, (As I complete my 180 degree turn, I notice some writing on the curb that says "The Prodigal Son was here.")
F. There is so much in the New Testament about "rejoicing" and none of it is dependent upon preferable circumstances. In Philippians 4:11-12 we see Paul even explaining that joy does not depend upon our life situation.
G. If you are here today and your life seems to be coming apart at the seems, if there is a relationship in your life that is in turmoil, if you have a health concern that worries you, if you are struggling in your finances, if you are in a barren place spiritually, there is good news. Walk away today Glad.
H. Psalm 5:11-12 But let all who take refuge in You be GLAD; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.
12 For surely, O LORD, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield.
* CONCLUSION
A. Of the three responses we talked about today: Sad, Mad, and Glad - where do you see yourself?
B. We will have our Prayer Team at the front of the church to meet with anyone who would like to be prayed for or who has a question about their spiritual condition.
