All or Nothing
Marcus Peters
Midland SDA Church
October 29, 2011
Opening: Mark 12:28-34 & Deuteronomy 6:4-5
· Jesus: Love the Lord with all the heart, soul, mind and strength
· OT: Love the Lord with all thine heart, soul, mind and might
· Scribe: Love the Lord with heart, understanding, soul and strength
· The call is to love the lord with all we have (emotional, mental, physical, spiritual)
· The issue is not whether we love God but do we love Him with all that we have
Sign of the Times: Isaiah 4:1
· Woman symbolic of a church (2 Corinthians 11:2)
· Bread represents the Word of God (Matthew 4:4)
· Clothing or apparel represents righteousness (Isaiah 64:6)
· Watered down Christianity today wants to be associated with Christ but no commit to Christ.
· It wants to be called by His name (Christians) but seeks to be saved on its own terms.
· So Jesus says "why call ye me Lord, Lord and do not the things that I say?" Luke 6:46
· A partial surrender is no surrender at all.
· If we're not fully surrendered to Christ he cannot claim us as His own
Test of Discipleship (Social, Service, Substance): Luke 14:25-27, 33
Social Ties (vs 26)
· "Hate not his mother and father" means to love less e.g. (Jacob and Leah Gen 29:30, 31)
· Again the question is not whether we love God but do we love Him more than anyone else in this world. Do we love him supremely?
· Our love for God is a test of our discipleship
· If anything or anyone in our lives has greater prominence that God we cannot be his disciple.
· Discipleship is not measured by behavior; by being a "good Christian."
· Not because one doesn't smoke, drink or cheat on their wives they automatically become a disciple of Christ.
· It's indicated by who has the heart
"It is true that there may be an outward correctness of deportment without the renewing power of Christ. The love of influence and the desire for the esteem of others may produce a well-ordered life. Self-respect may lead us to avoid the appearance of evil. A selfish heart may perform generous actions. By what means, then, shall we determine whose side we are on?
Who has the heart? With whom are our thoughts? Of whom do we love to converse? Who has our warmest affections and our best energies? If we are Christ’s, our thoughts are with Him, and our sweetest thoughts are of Him. All we have and are is consecrated to Him. We long to bear His image, breathe His spirit, do His will, and please Him in all things." SC 58
Service (vs 27)
· True discipleship will bear the fruit of service. Service to God and service to man.
· Each of us has our own cross to bear.
· We don't have an unemployment crisis today. The crisis is a lack of laborers (Matthew 9:37).
· Many of us serve God with a backup plan.
· "If time permits," "once I finish my degree," "when the kids get older," "when I retire".
· God's expectation is Matthew 6:33
· Is furthering the kingdom of God the #1 priority in your life?
· Typical goal: when I grow up want to go to college... get a good job... get married... travel the world... have 1.5 kids... retire with dignity... die
· Where are the Christians who're planning:
o To lead at least one soul to Christ every year.
o Win back 5 backslidden members to Lord.
o To go on a mission trip before they die.
· Sad result is that we rob the world of service by our apathy, indifference and our "business as usual" attitude.
· Every soul who has been touched by Christ should have bold plans for the Lord.
"So utterly was Christ emptied of self that He made no plans for Himself. He accepted God's plans for Him, and day by day the Father unfolded His plans. So should we depend upon God, that our lives may be the simple outworking of His will." DA 208
Substance or Possessions (vs 33)
· To be a disciple of Christ; a follower of Jesus we need to surrender all our possessions to Him.
· The clothing in our closet.
· The food in our refrigerator (1 Corinthians 10:31).
· The programs on our television (Psalms 101:3)
· We need to forsake anything that separates our soul from the Savior (Rich Young Ruler)
God gave all: John 3:16 & John 15:13
· God demonstrated is love by giving: not an angel or a throne but all.
· He gave his only Son.
· Jesus gave it all
Jesus' example in the Garden of Gethsemane: Matthew 26:36-42
· The sins of the world were laid upon him. Couldn't see through the portals of the tomb.
· (vs 39) "Nevertheless not my will but thy will be done" Christ doesn't always call us to do what's convenient. He calls us to be obedient!
· (vs 40) "Could you not watch with me one hour?" Repeats the same question to the sleeping Church today.
· Explore implications regarding our devotional life and Sabbath observance.
Jesus' example at the Cross: Matthew 27:46
· "My God, My God why hast thou forsaken me?"
· Jesus experienced separation from the Father that we might enjoy communion with Him.
· Christ was forsaken by the Father and so he has the right to ask us to forsake our sins.
· "Even one wrong trait of character, one sinful desire, persistently cherished, will eventually neutralize all the power of the gospel." SC 34
Appeal: Jesus' example in Heaven: Hebrews 7:25
"He ever liveth to make intercession for us."
His every waking moment he has you and I on his mind; seeking to save that which was lost
Jesus is looking for a complete surrender. And he's asking you today.
Just like he asked Felix 2000 yrs ago (Acts 24:24-25)
Don't put off for tomorrow the decisions you should be making today.
Dangers of neglect Hebrews 2:3 & 2 Timothy 3:7
Jesus says Today if you hear my voice harden not your hearts (Hebrews 3:15).