Cornerstone Sunday AM, August 8, 2021 Camels, Gates and Truth

In Mark 10:25–27, Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they (His disciples) were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” 27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for

• with God • all things • are possible.”

Look at verse 25. This image reflects a Jewish figure of speech for doing something impossible (a large animal going through a needle’s eye). The saying, a hyperbole, refers to a literal needle. (Those who think Jesus refers here to a gate in Jerusalem called the “eye of a needle” are mistaken, because that gate was built in medieval times.)

Keener, C. S. (1993). The IVP Bible background commentary: New Testament (Mk 10:25). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

A camel through a literal 'eye of a needle' is a miracle, not just a figure of speech. Jesus wasn't talking about a difficult thing...He was talking about an impossible thing!

That is Salvation! It is impossible...but with God, all things are possible…even when it looks hopeless! [Video: fumes-HD 720.mp4]

Even when things seem the most impossible, God is working in our situations. There is nothing too hard for him…no place too remote…no life too removed from meaning! 1 Peter 4:1–6 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

We have the most interesting life in the Lord, don’t we? We are dead…yet we live! We are judged according to the flesh, but we live according to God in the spirit!!

They think it strange that we don't live like them, and they speak evil of us. Yet THEY will give an account to God. God is our Savior, He removes sin...and yet there are those who love evil more than they love life: Look at John 3:19–21:

19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

God IS our Savior. We are our own worst enemies!! What do you choose to believe? Isaiah 43:25 says, “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.”

This is why there is no further sacrifice, no further effort that can make any difference in the forgiveness of sins and making me righteous. God Himself blots out my transgressions for HIS OWN SAKE!!

What could I possibly add to that?

Not one thing.

What could YOU add? Not one thing! Jesus said, “But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

To do the truth, you have to come to the light…you have to come clean! Even repentance is something that starts out “bad” but then, in the light, is seen as being done in God! There is a repentance that starts our adventure in Jesus…and then there is repentance “along the way”. Most of us have started out…but many of us forget the “along the way” repentances that mark our return to His pathway for us! I want to invite you to repent today, of anything that is taking you away from His pathway for you.

In Mark 10:25–27, Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they (His disciples) were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?”

27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for • with _____ • _____ things • are ______.”

A camel through a literal 'eye of a needle' is a ______, not just a figure of speech. Jesus wasn't talking about a difficult thing...He was talking about an ______thing!

1 Peter 4:1–6 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also ______, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he ______should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, ______.

They think it strange that we don't ______like them, and they speak evil of ___. John 3:19–21

Isaiah 43:25 “__, even __, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not ______your sins.”