Grace Unmeasured
lass=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'>1 ) 7-5-09…AM…SBC 2) “Grace Unmeasured”
Mark 10:13-34
Introduction: John Newton was quoted as saying the following,
“If I ever reach heaven I expect to find three wonders there: first, to meet some I had not thought to see there; second, to miss some I had thought to meet there; and third, the greatest wonder of all, to find myself there.”[1]
1- The word “grace” in biblical terminology means the unmerited favor of God toward man.[2]
2- Jesus never used the word for “grace,” but his teaching is full of the unmerited favor of God.[3] - God’s disposition to exercise goodwill toward his creatures. – the parables of the prodigal son
· In that parable grace is extended to one who has no basis upon which to be shown that grace
3- By its very definition, this grace is fully accessible to all humans with no other precondition than a repentant desire to receive it (Ti 2:11–12).[4]
Transition: We find in today’s text three significant demonstrations of God’s favor/grace upon us
Let’s look first of all at…
1) A Receiving Savior v13-16
Ø This beautiful and moving story about Jesus’ love for children has been a favorite throughout the centuries. The main concern of the account, however, is not children as such but the kind of people the children represent - who may enter the kingdom of God.[5]
A- Jesus reprimands the disciples for hindering the children from coming to him and states that the kingdom of God belongs to them and those like them
1- The expressions certainly include older people who in their relationship to God possess childlike characteristics.[6] – insignificance, weakness, helplessness and dependence
B- Jesus goes on to explain that God’s kingdom is not gained by human achievement or merit; it must be received as God’s gift through simple trust by those who acknowledge their inability to gain it any other way [7]
Ø The ultimate focus of the passage is not only on the attitude with which one comes to Jesus but on coming to Jesus, the object of one’s faith.[8]
Application: What is this section of verses teaching?
1- The first thing we learn here is that Jesus is the object of the life of faith – John 14:6 (3 circles)
2- The second thing we learn from this text is that entrance into God’s kingdom is not gained by human achievement or merit; it must be received as God’s gift through simple trust by those who acknowledge their inability to gain it any other way [9]
Ø no amount of goodness on your part will get you into heaven – goodness is no guarantee
Ø the bible teaches you more about your sinfulness then it does about your inherent goodness
Ø in order to get into heaven on your own you must be as good as God is because He is the standard – the bible teaches that you can’t be good enough
Ø the text teaches that to gain entrance into God’s heaven one must accept Christ and His grace on their behalf for salvation
Ø Are you here today without Christ?
Transition: Secondly, see God’s grace demonstrated through a…
2) Rewarding Savior v17-31
A- This man was a man that had everything except eternal life – He wanted eternal life but was unwilling to give up everything else to get it
1- This was clearly a good man—Jesus challenged him that his goodness was not enough v18
2- The one necessary thing he lacked was unrivaled allegiance to God, since wealth was his god (v22).[10]
3- The man went away with his millions but never possessing eternal life v22
B- Jesus then used that encounter to confront the disciples with the demands of God’s Kingdom
Humorous Example: It is easier by comparison for a camel, the largest animal in Palestine at that time, to go through the eye of a common sewing needle (the smallest opening) than for a rich man who trusts in his riches to enter God’s kingdom.[11]
1- In v26 the disciples respond with the question, “Who then can be saved?”
2- Jesus says that if salvation is based on human merit and human achievement then salvation with never be possible
3- Salvation is only possible by the gracious hand of God – (insert) Ephesians 2:8-9
C- In v28 Peter arrogantly reminded Jesus that all the disciples left everything in order to follow Him
1- Jesus affirms that there must be a break with old ties if one is going to have allegiance to Christ
2- Jesus goes to affirm that to all who show unrivaled allegiance reward will waiting in heaven
Summary: Not only are we offered salvation by God’s grace but He is also going to graciously reward us for this
Transition: Lastly, we find in this text…
3) A Resurrected Savior v32-34
A- The passage ends with yet another foretelling of the suffering of Jesus, this time in even more detail, and this is another illustration of the truth about sacrifice. [12]
B- The one who teaches on sacrifice will lead in sacrifice and offers us hope by His Resurrection
What kind of disciple are you? (Parade illustration) 1) out of the parade 2) close to the side 3) up front and waving
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[1] Hughes – Great Stories and Quotes
[2]Elwell, Walter A. ; Elwell, Walter A.: Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Baker Book House, 1997, c1996 (Baker Reference Library; Logos Library System)
[3]Elwell, Walter A. ; Elwell, Walter A.: Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Baker Book House, 1997, c1996 (Baker Reference Library; Logos Library System)
[4]Elwell, Walter A. ; Comfort, Philip Wesley: Tyndale Bible Dictionary. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 2001 (Tyndale Reference Library), S. 551
[5]Brooks, James A.: Mark. electronic e. Nashville : Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1991 (Logos Library System; The New American Commentary 23), S. 159
[6]Brooks, James A.: Mark. electronic e. Nashville : Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1991 (Logos Library System; The New American Commentary 23), S. 160
[7]Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 2:150
[8]Brooks, James A.: Mark. electronic e. Nashville : Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1991 (Logos Library System; The New American Commentary 23), S. 160
[9]Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 2:150
[10]Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 2:150
[11]Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 2:151
[12]Carson, D. A.: New Bible Commentary : 21st Century Edition. 4th ed. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, Ill., USA : Inter-Varsity Press, 1994, S. Mk 10:17