Scripture Reading: Matthew 19:23-30
With God All Things Are Possible
Intro.
1. One who trusts in riches will not be saved, Matt. 19:23-25. Since the prevailing attitude was (still is) that the materially prosperous has God’s approval, the disciples concluded salvation is impossible for all.
2. Jesus reassures that nobody saves himself, but God is able to save the sinner, since all things are possible with God, 19:26.
3. Consider things that are impossible for man yet possible for God.
I. GOD IS ABLE TO SAVE MAN FROM HIS SINS.
A. God’s Grace, Eph. 2:1, 4-9; Acts 15:11; 2 Tim. 1:9; Tit. 2:11.
1. Through the redemption found in Christ, Rom. 3:24; Eph. 1:6-7; Heb. 2:9. (Adequate sacrifice for sin, cf. Isa. 53:4-6, 10-11)
2. Grace is greater than sin, Rom. 5:20-21; cf. 1 Tim. 1:12-15.
B. Our Responsibility toward God’s Grace:
1. Faith: This is how we access God’s grace, Rom. 4:13-16; 5:1-2.
2. We must not fall back from God’s grace – We must have an active faith, Heb. 12:14-15; Gal. 5:4.
3. The gospel builds up those who live in it, Acts 20:32.
II. GOD IS ABLE TO BUILD A CHURCH.
A. Man cannot Build a Body of Saved People.
-He has tried – thousands of churches of men exist, but invalid.
B. Christ Can and Has Done so, Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:41, 47; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4; 5:23.
C. Your Responsibility: Be a Member of His Body, 1 Cor. 12:13; Acts 2:47.
III. GOD IS ABLE TO PROVIDE US WITH AUTHENTIC TRUTH BY WHICH TO LIVE.
A. Man Is Incapable of Correctly Directing His Life, Jer. 10:23; Prov. 14:12; 1 Cor. 1:21.
B. Truth Comes From God (Jesus Christ), Jno. 1:14, 17; 14:6.
1. Inspired Scripture, Jno. 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Pet. 1:22-25.
2. All things that pertain to life and godliness, 2 Pet. 1:3-4.
a. As we obey truth we partake of the divine nature.
b. Here is the application of Jesus’ promise we must make, Jno. 8:31-32.
IV. GOD IS ABLE TO KNOW AND JUDGE THE HEARTS OF MEN.
A. Why is it that Men Continually Try to Judge the Hearts of Others? Matt. 7:1-2; 1 Cor. 2:11
1. Such unrighteous judging causes strife, jealousies, divisions, all manner of evil, cf. Gal. 5:13-15.
2. The only judgments we can make are those based upon the fruit of one’s life and teachings, Matt. 7:15-20; Jno. 7:24.
3. Upon that basis we reach conclusions about such matters as fellowship, what our teaching approach should be, etc., Gal. 6:1-2; 1 Cor. 5:1-3; Eph. 5:11; 2 Jno. 9-11.
B. God, on the Other Hand, Sees and Judges Our Hearts as well as Our Actions, Heb. 4:13; 1 Cor. 4:5.
C. So, We must Purify Our Hearts, Jas. 4:8; Matt. 15:18-20.
Conclusion
1. Our God is able to save us from our sins, to add us to His church, to instruct us in the truth, and to know and judge our hearts and our lives.
2. These are profound incentives for us to humble ourselves before Him, obey His gospel and purify our hearts.
3. Since you cannot save yourself, to whom else can you turn but the Lord?
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: March 13, 2014