Mark 10:23
The key to salvation is to trust in God, with God all things are possible.
Chuck Smith addresses the question 'Who can be saved?' by reflecting on the story of the rich young ruler who lacked a true center in his life. He emphasizes that trusting in riches, good works, or personal merit cannot lead to salvation, as it is impossible for man to achieve this on his own. Instead, Smith highlights that true salvation comes from trusting in God, who makes the impossible possible. He encourages believers to shift their focus from their own limitations to God's limitless power and grace.
Text
"WHO CAN BE SAVED?"
Intro: Rich young ruler has just departed. He lacked one thing, a true
center for his life.
I. HOW HARD IT IS FOR THOSE WHO TRUST IN RICHES TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF
GOD.
A. You don't have to be rich to trust in riches.
1. Many people put their trust in money.
a. Ironic that engraved upon our money the
phrase, "In God we trust."
b. Probably more people who use it trust in money
more than God.
B. Time of economic depression can reveal a lot of truth.
1. Someone said, "It's easy to trust in God when you have a good
job and money in the bank."
2. We can see just how much we do trust God.
C. "Easier for camel to go through the eye of a needle."
1. Some say that He was referring to a small sub gate.
a. Unload camel, push and pull.
2. Man has always liked to think that with some heroic action or
arduous work.
a. The rich young ruler had just asked, "What good
thing shall I do?"
b. Jesus in essence told him it is not so much in
what you do, but in who you trust.
3. Context reveals that Jesus was referring to something
impossible.
a. If it was a sub-gate, it was too small to
possibly get a camel through it.
b. "With man it is impossible."
II. "WHO THEN CAN BE SAVED?"
A. Here was a young man that seemingly had everything going for
him.
1. When Jesus flashed the law before him, he confessed his
observance from youth.
a. No rash boast.
b. Jesus looked at him and loved him.
2. If keeping the law could save, then he would have been
saved.
Who? B. No one who is trusting in his own good works.
1. 1 care not how good a person you are; moral, honest,
loving.
2. Are you perfect?
3. Then you are asking a perfect God to accept
imperfection.
a. If He accepts any imperfection, then He must
accept all imperfection.
Who? C. No one who is trusting in riches.
1. You can't buy your way into heaven.
2. Even had he sold all and given to the poor, that would
not have done it until he came, took up his cross and
followed Jesus.
Who? D. "With man it is impossible."
1. If your hope for salvation is resting in anything you
have done, you are on the wrong track.
2. It is impossible for man to be saved apart from God's
work.
III. "WITH GOD, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE."
A. Our only hope is to trust in God.
1. He is the God of the impossible.
a. Some of you have been looking over your
situation this week and you have concluded it's
impossible.
1. That I can ever be well again.
2. That I can pay my debts.
3. That I can live a life in victory.
b. These conclusions have been made because you
have been looking at yourself, your resources,
your record. Trusting in yourself.
2. Trust in God, with God "All things."
Sermon Outline
- How Hard It Is For Those Who Trust In Riches To Enter The Kingdom Of God
- Who Then Can Be Saved?
- With God, All Things Are Possible
- A points: - Our only hope is to trust in God - He is the God of the impossible
- B points: - No one who is trusting in his own good works - You must be perfect to be saved
- C points: - No one who is trusting in riches - You can't buy your way into heaven
- D points: - With man it is impossible - It is impossible for man to be saved apart from God's work
Key Quotes
“It's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.” — Chuck Smith
“With man it is impossible.” — Chuck Smith
“With God, all things are possible.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- You must trust in God, not yourself, to be saved.
- It is impossible for man to be saved apart from God's work.
- Our only hope is to trust in God, with God all things are possible.