Sermon Preached on 2012-10-14 at GBC-Eldoret by Pastor Naphtally Ogallo

MARK 10:26-27

SALVATION – IMPOSSIBLE WITH MAN

Introduction Many people are religious but they have lost focus of true Christian religion. They have lost or don’t know the fundamental Biblical teaching of [1] the total depravity of man [2] salvation by God’s grace alone. Those who teach and preach these truths are despised and ridiculed. Churches where these truths are preached remain generally small and considered out of touch. I encourage both those who preach these truths that we must continue to stand and be counted. Anything less will not result into genuine conversion experience for sinners. In this passage, our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us that salvation is impossible with man but only possible with God. Consider these three points albeit it summary.

1.       Wrong thoughts about salvation: Some people claim that man is getting better and that just a little religion in his system is enough. But this claim has been disproved as wrong. A few illustrations will suffice: [1] The post election violence that rocked Kenya after the last General Election (2007-2008) is a fitting demonstration of this. Kenya is said to be over 75% Christians. If this is to be believed then either the violence was carried out by the 25% “none Christians” or we must believe the hard fact that so many among the 75% are actually not true Christians! [2] Our New Constitution is certainly much better than the previous one but if we care to admit, the New Constitution alone will not save Kenya unless hearts are changed. [3] Some people think that being a Christian is avoiding sins and doing good; Christ is only seen as an example to follow.

2.       Christ and the question of salvation: Christ declared “with man this is impossible, but not with God...”  (10:26). In another place Christ said “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” But who really is able? The answer is ‘No one.’ Thus “with man this is impossible...”

In Mark 10:15 our Lord Jesus uses the practical illustration of children to teach the lesson of entering into the kingdom of God. “...anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” This does not mean that all children will go to heaven! But the lesson we learn that we must have attitude of a child if we will be saved. Some illustrations will do: A child has the attitude of dependence. [1] When a child is given a painful discipline (like smacking) by the parent he or she while crying will run back to the very parent! [2] When a child is sees a wild dog approaching he or she will cling to the parent. A child has not learnt many evil tricks that adults have learnt and hidden in their hearts over the years. For adults to learn to put off those evil tricks or hatred in the heart is like expecting a leopard to change its spots. It is in a child to easily trust another greater than he or her. Our Lord Jesus says, just as a child trust another greater that he or she you are to trust God the same. Do we find this easy? The Lord Jesus declares “with man it is impossible...”

In Mark 10:17ff the rich young ruler asked “...what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Upon the Lord Jesus challenging him to recognize that his hope of eternal life must be in God alone, the man spoke sincerely but ignorantly of the fact that God’s law requires heart obedience not just outward performance. The subsequent words of our Lord and the man’s action reveal that this man was still far from entering the kingdom of God. Before we can enter the kingdom of God, one must give up himself and everything. But can it be done? No wonder the disciples asked and we too ask the same question “who then can be saved?”  The Lord Jesus declares that “with man it is impossible...” This is what bothered Nicodemus (cf. John 3:1ff).

3.       Salvation is by God’s grace alone! “...all things are possible with God!” God saved Paul! Manasseh! Christ does not ask us to do the impossible; but that we allow God to do the impossible for us. The Pharisees weren’t happy with Jesus because He raised standard of entering God’s kingdom so high. But the tax collectors, drunkards and sinful women who felt wicked saw hope in Jesus. The God who saved Saul of Tarsus and Manasseh son of Hezekiah has no changed.

Ø  I point you to God through the Lord Jesus Christ alone. He gives power and strength to helpless and hopeless sinners; give yourself to Him!

Ø  We too were once helpless and hopeless but God changed us. It is impossible to change yourself; but with God all things are possible. O that you would pray, look and cry to Him today!