Who then can be saved?

Sermon notes from 27 March 2017

Mark 10 verses 17 - 27

"Who then can be saved?"

Amazing this question was asked by the disciples.  We are thinking of this young man who came to Christ.  He had everything going his way.  Morality, youth on his side, a ruler, a little bit of religion mixed in.  He had everything as far as the world was concerned.  One thing he was missing.  He wants to put a notch on his belt.  "Good Master what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"  Jesus replied "why callest thou me good, there is none good but one, that is God."  We read of many different biographies of individuals saved by the grace and mercy of God.  Rich and poor men from all kinds of backgrounds.  Can read in Luke 19 of Zacchaeus a man who had plenty of wealth, or in Acts 16 of a rich woman by the name of Lydia a seller of purple yet gets saved.  Religious men getting saved - Nicodemus how he is challenged and born again of the spirit of God.  The apostle Paul a wicked man who wanted nothing to do with God yet on the Damascus road his life and name is transformed and goes out to preach the gospel.  In Mark 5 we read of a demonic man living amongst the tombs, couldn`t be controlled, tore the chains asunder yet when he meets with Christ his life is changed.  People like Stephen who must have been 35 years of age when he was martyred.  When it comes to this man he doesn`t get saved this time.  The disciples are surprised and asked "who then can be saved".  

There is certain criteria to be saved - he recognised first of all that he is a sinner.  This young man asked the right question and was told there was no God but one.  He refused to recognise he is a sinner.  Jesus points to the commandments - "all these have I observed from my youth."  He was full of pride.  He doesn`t realise he is a sinner.  "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" the Bible tells us (Romans 3 verse 23).  Taking alcohol, gambling, stealing from neighbours doesn`t make you a sinner.  We are all sinners, born in sin.  You might be a church goer, pay 100 pence in the pound, you can even look back to when you helped everyone, helped this charity or that, all these things are good and right, might even read little bits of the bible.  The bible says you are a sinner.  The God of heaven says that we need to recognise we are sinners.  Stephen admitted he had sin and had done wrong things. (Acts 6 and 7)  Think of the prodigal son.  He spent his father`s money on riotous living.  One day he decided to go back home and tell him he had sinned.  You might have offended your neighbour or others.  David when he had committed sin with Bathsheba repented of his sin "against thee and thee only have I sinned". (Psalm 51 verse 14) David confessed his sin.  The prodigal son confessed  his sin.  The publican confessed his sin before the Pharisee, wouldn`t even lift up his eyes unto heaven and said "Lord be merciful to me a sinner." (Luke 18 verse 13)

The removing of all hindrances.  Many things hinder us from getting saved.  For this young man he was proud of all his achievements.  He had plenty of possessions.  There are some times when it will cost us when it comes to salvation.  Salvation is absolutely free.  Paid for and paid in full.  There is nothing to pay to get salvation.  Still there might be a cost for you.  Can you imagine telling a Muslim you can get saved and everything will be rosy.  For the early Christians to trust the Lord meant they could be put in the arena with the lions.  There was a cost.  No matter what cost it will be worth it all.  Might cost you your favourite sin, the thing you enjoy the most in life.  You might have to turn your back on it.  The biggest hindrance to people getting saved is not just possessions.  People can also be a hindrance.  If God were to speak suddenly the fear of man takes over.  What would the person next door think of me.  The fear of man becomes a hindrance.

A need to rely on Christ alone.  He says to take up the cross and follow him.  He was asked to sell everything he had not to get salvation but to rely on Christ and Christ alone.  It has got to be that way.  In grace alone.  In faith alone in Christ.  Not Christ plus going to church.  It is Christ alone who keeps.  To rely on Christ is simply to trust him with everything I have, to put everything in his hands.  "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." (2 Timothy 1 verse 12)  Christ made the ultimate sacrifice.  Salvation is about Christ from beginning to end.  Those who receive Christ have salvation, trusting in him.  The price paid reflected the debt that is owed.  It took the death of Jesus Christ on Calvary`s cross to save us for all eternity.  It is taking up the cross daily and following him.  God sometimes speaks quietly with that still small voice.  Speaking, tugging at our very hearts.  Sense it in our meeting.  Feel him striving with you.  Some times God speaks loudly.  God speaks because he loves you, wants you to be saved, to trust him.  Sometimes people will say "if I wanted to get saved I could get saved any time."  A man will only get saved when the spirit of God speaks into his life.  No man cometh unto the father unless the spirit draws him.  You can only get saved when the spirit of God is striving.  If you are willing no matter what the cost you can be saved.  We need to depend on God.  "Behold now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6 verse 2)  Maybe this is the criteria for you tonight.

Recognise you are a sinner

Remove anything that will hinder you from getting saved

Go for God out and out, trust Christ, rely on Christ alone.  If God is seeking that is the time to get saved.  God is love.  God is mercy.  He pleads with you tonight.  He longs that you might come and trust him.  Are you willing to respond to his voice.  God wants to save you.  He has done everything he can to save you.  John 3 verse 16