Scripture: Mark 12:28-34; Psalms 146 and Acts 26:24-29
Title: Not far is too far
Proposition: It is possible to be very near to the Kingdom of Heaven and yet, never step into the Kingdom of Heaven.
INTRO:
Grace to you and peace in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior and LORD!
What a joy to have all of you here this wonderful Lord's Day!
Let's open our Bibles to Mark 12:28-34 where Mark has much to share with us this Lord's day. As you know Jesus has been on His way to Jerusalem to celebrate His final Passover. He has already enjoyed the Triumphal Entry as the crowds proclaimed Him Messiah, Son of David. However, in just a few more days, others will be crying out far different words - Crucify Him! Crucify Him! In the span of a week, the heavens will have heard both the praises and curses for Jesus of Nazareth.
Our passage takes us near the Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus is there with His disciples. He is teaching and sharing the Good News to all that will hear. As He is teaching, some teachers of the Law, some Pharisees and Sadducees approach Jesus. They have some questions that they would like to put before the young rabbi.
These men had been watching and seeing how people were drawn to Jesus teaching and they wanted it to stop. They wanted to see if they could put Jesus on the defensive. They wanted to see if they could trap Jesus with His own words. They wanted Him to look bad in the eyes of all who have been listening to Him. They wanted people to see Jesus as some buffoon rather than a man of great insight and wisdom.
These Pharisees and Sadducees believe in their hearts that they are far smarter, wiser and even closer to God than this so-called prophet from Galilee. And so they begin to probe Jesus with all kinds of sticky questions. They ask questions dealing with politics, with taxes and even with controversial theology. Each question was designed to trip Jesus up. Each question was designed to get Jesus to say something that will cause Him to look bad in the eyes of the Romans, the Herodians and the faithful followers of God. However, as Mark shares, Jesus answers each question with supernatural wisdom and grace. Instead of looking bad, Jesus comes away with more and more people amazed with His wisdom and grace.
In our passage, Mark 12:28 - 34, our writer shares with us an encounter that Jesus had with this one particular scribe. This individual scribe wanted to know what commandment Jesus thought was the most important commandment of all. Let's pause here and remember that for a faithful Jew there were some 613 individual commandments that they were to obey.1 What makes a good Jewish man or woman? One who is faithful to obey all 613 commandments.
Can you imagine? And so, this scribe was asking Jesus of the 613 commandments, which one is the most important. Which one is the greatest of them all? If you had to obey just one commandment which of the 613 has the highest priority?
In verses 29-31, Mark shares Jesus' response. What Jesus does here is amazing. Jesus does much more than what the scribe asks. Jesus takes all 613 of the commandments and reduces them to one single commandment. Jesus tells the scribe to simply love God, love oneself and love others. In essence, Jesus told the scribe that one can fulfill all the laws of the commandment by simply having a right relationship with God, a right relationship with oneself and a right relationship with all those around them. It is just that simple.
The scribe is impressed and applauds Jesus for his insight and wisdom. He fully understands what Jesus is sharing and agrees with Jesus. He believes Jesus has answered correctly.
Jesus quickly responds to the man's applause in a rather interesting way - in verse 34, Jesus tells the man that he too is wise in what he has understood. That the scribe has answered wisely. And then Jesus says these words in verse 34 that I would like for us to lift up this morning - "You are not far from the Kingdom of Heaven." YOU ARE NOT FAR FROM THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
Think about Jesus words this morning - You are not far - You are not far from the Kingdom of Heaven.
For the reality this morning is simply this:
+ Not far is still too far.
+Almost in is altogether to be both forever near but still lost.
+It is being in the Kingdom of God that saves our souls, not simply being near the Kingdom of Heaven.
+ Being near the Kingdom of Heaven is not a guarantee that one possesses the Kingdom of Heaven.
There is a great deal to like about this scribe. Look at how Mark describes him here in this passage. From what Mark shares here we can glean the following:
+The scribe possess a keen mind and was intellectually sincere.
+The scribe was a man who had studied God's Word and understood it.
+The scribe was a man who was devoutly religious and a man of prayer
+The scribe was a man who had strong convictions.
+The scribe was a man who had carefully maintained a life of sacred habits - observing the Sabbath, faithful in worship and in stewardship.
+The scribe was a man who admired Jesus.
+The scribe was a man who open, receptive and teachable.
+The scribe was a man who truly understood the importance of one's spiritual walk with the LORD over merely being obedient to certain rituals/practices.
And yet, for all these great qualities, Jesus tells this scribe that as yet, he had not made it into the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus tells the scribe that he was close, he was very near, but he had not yet step into the Kingdom of Heaven.
This scribe reminds us of some other men who at one time were very close to the Kingdom of Heaven. Some of them scripture and history tell us took that final step while others of them did not take that final step. They were near but ended up eternally lost.
One of those that was very much like this scribe of course was the man we know as the Apostle Paul. Paul had everyone of these qualities that we see in this scribe. However, when Paul was given the opportunity to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, he did not hesitate. He accepted Jesus as Savior and LORD.
Another one of those who was very similar to this scribe was John Wesley. If you every have had the opportunity to read John Wesley's story, it is the story of a devoutly religious man. He was very much like this scribe.
In 1735, Wesley left England for Georgia to serve as a missionary to American Indians. The experience was a disaster; he had terrible conflicts with his colleagues, he almost died of disease, he failed to reach Indians, and he left defeated and in spiritual anguish. Back home he wrote, “I went to America to convert the Indians; but oh, who shall convert me?” John Wesley was devoutly religious, but there was a hole in his soul; something vital was missing. Like this scribe who questioned Jesus, he was extremely religious—but something was amiss; all was not well with his soul. Later on, John discovered exactly what the Apostle Paul did and came into the Kingdom of Heaven. He experienced the New Birth and Full Salvation.
Our reading in Acts (Acts 26) shares with us the story of King Agrippa. He too was very near the kingdom of Heaven but does not take that last step. And so, his story is of one who got near Heaven but stepped back from Heaven.
Another, more sad story is of course is the more modern story of Gandhi. Gandhi was so impressed and enlightened by reading the New Testament. Gandhi so much loved the story of Jesus He was so close to becoming a disciple of Jesus, but at the last moment turned away from the Kingdom of Heaven and rejected both the Church and Its Savior. He was near but never entered in the Kingdom of Heaven.
This morning, how can we then make sure that we do not make the same mistake as this young scribe? How can we make sure today that rather than just being near the Kingdom we are in the Kingdom? Let me share with you six quick little steps this morning that can help you or your friends be confident that they are not just near the Kingdom of Heaven but are a part of the Kingdom of Heaven.
I. First of all - we must continually listen to the full Word of God - we must hear God's Word.
Romans 10:17 plainly tells us: "So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ."
People do not come into the Kingdom of Heaven by mistake. They come because some one knows the Word and shares it with them. They come into the Kingdom of God because they open their ears and their hearts to receive God's Word. They come through faith and faith comes from hearing and receiving the WORD OF GOD.
II. Secondly, They begin to Believe - John 20:26-29
John 20:26-29English Standard Version (ESV)
26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
This young scribe, along with Gandhi and King Agrippa all heard the Word of God. They all had open ears and for a few moments had opened hearts.
But we all know that it takes more than open ears and hearts, it takes a heart that will believe. It take a heart that believes that Jesus is Savior. It takes a heart that believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
In John 20 we have the story of Thomas, Jesus doubting disciple. At first, Thomas doubts the validity of the Resurrection. He doubts that Jesus has really been raised from the dead.
He is near the Kingdom but not in the Kingdom. But then Jesus appears before Him and begins to speak to Thomas. No longer does Thomas remain skeptical, no longer does Thomas doubt. Thomas not only believes but is one of the first ones to call Jesus by His real title - My Lord and My God.
Thomas goes beyond just hearing Jesus. Thomas goes on to believe that Jesus is who He said He is - the Resurrected Son of the Living God.
This morning, it is important that we hear and that the message of God is shared. It is also important that we believe that Jesus is the Messiah, that Jesus is Lord and Savior. That Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
III. Thirdly, we must confess and repent of our sins - Acts 2:37-38
Acts 2:37-38English Standard Version (ESV)
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Hearing and believing will get us near but still not in the Kingdom of Heaven. It get us near but if we simply stay there we will still be too far to experience true and full salvation.
In Acts 2:37-38 is crystal clear. We could not say it any better. In order to get into the Kingdom of Heaven we must repent of our sins. We must fall down before Jesus and pour out our hearts. We must repent of our sins before the LORD JESUS CHRIST. There is no salvation without confession and repentance. There is no other way to the Kingdom of Heaven but through the acknowledgement of our sins. We must confess that we are sinners in need of a Savior and that Savior is Jesus Christ.
IV. Fourthly, we go from repentance and we go to baptism - Acts 2:37-38. Matthew 28:18-20.
Acts 2:37-38 English Standard Version (ESV)
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:18-20English Standard Version (ESV)
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
We hear the Word of God. By grace through faith we believe that Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord. We confess our sins. We repent of our Sins. We are Born Again and are made a whole new creation and we are baptized. For in baptism we tell the world that something has happened in our lives. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward work. Baptism is the way we share that we have been born again.
I can't tell you how important it is to obey the scriptures here at this point. While we all know just dipping a body in water does not equate salvation the truth is also that if we have not received baptism this morning we are not in full accord with God's truth. If we are saved this morning, if we have heard the word, believed in Jesus Christ as Savior and LORD, if we have confessed and repented of our sins and have been born again, then the next step we take is Christian Baptism.
Jesus gave us explicit instructions this morning on the importance of baptism. He tells us in Matthew 28 that it is the responsibility of the Church to go out and share the Word. It is the responsibility of the church to go out and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. What that means is simply this - today if you know Jesus as Savior and LORD and have not been baptized why are you being cross grained to the LORD? Why are you not taking full advantage of His grace and mercy? Why are you living in disobedience?
You mean if I am not baptized I am in disobedience? You mean if I have been born again and have not been baptized that I am in disobedience to God and His Word. Yes, Yes and Yes. Today, if you have heard His Word, if you believe in Jesus Christ as Messiah, as Savior and Lord, if you have confessed your sins and you have not experience the joy and wonder of baptism you are cheating yourself and you are not in full accord with Jesus Christ. As quickly as you can you should experience Christian Baptism.
V. Fifthly, we then publicly begin witnessing for Jesus - Matthew 10:32-33
Matthew 10:32-33 English Standard Version (ESV)
32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 20:32-33 lets us know that there is no such thing as a non-confessing, non-witnessing Christian. There is no such thing as a non burning light Christian.
If we have been touched by the blood of Jesus the Bible tells us that we will confess His name among our friends and family. If we have been redeemed by Jesus it will show not just in our walk but in our talk.
Jesus words here in Matthew chapter 10 are pretty plain and don't need a great deal of commentary.
There are no silent witnesses. Confessing Jesus is Lord is more than just what we say at an altar. In Romans 10:10 Paul points out that confessing Jesus as Lord is both an altar event and a everyday life event. For when we confess Jesus as Lord we are being saved.
Romans 10:10 English Standard Version (ESV)
10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
And after all, if we have been made into a new creation why would we keep silent? Only the Devil and the demons of Hell want us to keep silent. All of Heaven is on our side when we confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior. All of Heaven rejoices when we join them in proclaiming Jesus as Savior and LORD.
So, this morning, let all of us share with the people we know who Jesus is in our lives. Let them know that as for you and your house you are going to serve the LORD. Let them know that the LORD Jesus Christ is your shepherd. Let them know that Jesus Christ has saved and sanctified you and you are not going to back up from being a witness for Jesus. Let them know that you are Heaven bound not because of anything you have done but because of the cross of Jesus Christ. Proclaim it loud and be proud of the fact that you have His Holy Spirit living in you.
VI. Finally, we continue to live faithful the rest of our lives
- Revelation 2:10
Revelation 2:10 English Standard Version (ESV)
10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
It is not how you start your life here on earth, life but how you finish life is what matters. It is how faithful you are your whole life is what matters. Not possessions. Not power. Not position. Faithfulness.
Jesus tells His church that there will comes times of persecution, trials and temptation. That is not the time to find someplace to hide and be silent. That is not the time to be decide to put your spiritual light on pilot. Rather, it is at that time that we must be found faithful. For it is that time that Jesus needs us the most.
Our faithfulness must continue up to the point of our death.
I fear this morning that are far too many people banking on some kind of artificial spiritual promissory note. They did something years ago, got a piece of paper for it and now think that everything is sealed. There is nothing else to do. Those people have not read God's Word completely.
Over and over, God makes it clear that we need to be talks about the need to be faithful up to the very end. Not just being faithful for a few years or when it is convenient. Jesus did not die on the cross for what Dietrich Bonheoffer called cheap grace. Cheap grace meaning that there is no repentance, there is no death to sin or full surrender. Cheap grace meaning that we simply backslide and hope for the best. In 1943, Bonheoffer was arrested and imprisoned for his faith. Two years later in 1945, he died at the hands of the Nazi's for his faith. Dietrich Bonheoffer understood fully what it meant to be faithful up to the end. He not only got near the Kingdom, He got in the Kingdom of God.
The Devil does not quit lying to us and tempting us because we get beyond our teenage years. The Devil does not quit once we become an adult. He will lie to us and tell us that we can slide, that we can be half committed and still experience everlasting life. He tells us that we God will just over look it all. He tells us that God does not require us to remain faithful and surrendered. But this morning whether we are 20 - 40 - 60 - 80 - 90 the reality is the same, we are to be found faithful. We are to never, never turn our back on God or become complacent or lukewarm.
I love the fall of the year. I love what all the leaves do. It is almost like they know that in just a few days they will be off the tree and begin to decay. Life for them is almost over. But what do they do - they take that last little bit of life and burst out in color.
If tomorrow they are blown off the tree and have to lay on the ground - they are going to do it with a splash of color. They are going to go out in a blaze of color and glory. They are going to go out with people remembering them for their glory and majesty.
This morning, they show us the way to live the last years of our lives. We may very well feel at times that we are getting ready to disconnect from this life, but let's not do it without a blaze of Christ glory. Let us make our last days ones in which people will be amazed at the way our light for Christ shines. Let us make in such a way that we don't slink into Heaven but we are greeting with open arms and with Heaven rejoicing.
Because in the end the truth is this morning, we can keep quiet, we can put our lights away, we can backslid and become non-committed and think we are safe. We can do that because that is what the Devil tells us. But He is a liar and if we live that way the truth is we were only near the Kingdom but not yet in the Kingdom.
As we come to a close this morning, let me invite you to make sure today you are still in the Kingdom of Heaven.
+Today make sure that you read and hear the Word of God.
+Today make sure that you believe Jesus is Messiah - Savior and LORD
+Today make sure that your have repented of all yours sins and they are under the blood of Jesus Christ
+Today make sure that you have taken advantage of Christian baptism - if not, let's do it as soon as possible
+Today, make sure that you witness for Jesus - not just at church, but at home, at work and with friends and family.
+Today, make sure that you are up to date in your relationship with Jesus. Don't be like the Church of Ephesus that got close - but lost its first love or like the Church of Laodicea who allowed its relationship to get lukewarm. They both started well, they got close but in the end if they did not repent they would not be a part of the Kingdom of Heaven.
This morning as we stand and turn to our hymn of invitation # 134 - MY JESUS, I LOVE THEE
Our altars are open as we sing - if you would like to come down and pray then as we sing simply step out and spend some time with the LORD.
1 see http://www.jewfaq.org/613.htm or http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/756399/jewish/The-613-Commandments.htm
for a list of all 613 commandments.
