IT IS IMPOSSIBLE

MARK 10:23-27                    

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR MEN TO KNOW A PERSON’S HEART

 

1. We cannot even know our own heart [Jer. 17:9-10]

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

 

2. We can only look on outward appearances [1 Sam. 16:6-7]

And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him. But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

 

3. We are forbidden to judge other’s motives [Mt. 7:1, Jn. 7:24, 1 Corinthians 4:3-5]

- JUDGE not, that ye be not judged.

- Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

- But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

 

II. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE PEOPLE

 

1. There are “complainers” [1 Cor. 10:10]

Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

 

2. There are “takers” [Pr. 27:20, Hab. 2:5, John 6:25-26]

- Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

- And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

 

3. There are “critics” [Mt. 9:3, 11, 14, 34]

- And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.

- when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?

-Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?

 

It’s contagious-the disciples joined Judas in criticizing the woman for wasting ointment. Fortunately, we need not try to please men- we must seek to please God [Gal. 1:10, 1 Th. 2:4, Heb. 11:6]

III. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SAVE YOURSELF OR OTHERS

 

1. We can’t pay sin’s wage [Rm. 6:23, Rev. 20:14]

- For the wages of sin is death

- And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

 

2. We can’t save others when we ourselves are sinners [Heb. 7:22-28]

By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

 

3. We can’t save ourselves or anyone else but God can & does [Mk. 10:23-27]

And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.