Mark 12:28-34 – You are Not Far from the Kingdom of God – audio

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Text: Mark 12:28-34 (Reading by Clark Perkins)

Introduction

A. A scribe was very impressed with the answers that Jesus had given to the Pharisees and Sadducees concerning the paying of taxes and the issue of resurrection.

B. As a result, he wanted to ask Jesus a question.

C. This was a very important question, and the answer would encourage him to be a part of the kingdom of God.

Body

I. What is the first commandment of all?

A. There are many commandments that come from God.

1) Perhaps the ones that are most familiar are those given to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:1-22).

2) In addition to these, the book of Leviticus is filled with specific instructions that God had given to the Levites for the priestly duties.

3) Knowing the challenge of learning all commands, the scribe wanted to know which was most important.

B. Jesus says that first one must know God, and love Him.

1) He reminds the scribe of what God told Moses to tell the Israelites (Deuteronomy 6:1-9) about the ONE and ONLY GOD!

2) Later, the Israelites learned what God required of them: to fear Him, walk in all His ways, love Him, serve Him with all their heart and soul, and keep His commandments and statutes (Deuteronomy 10:12-13).

3) Even Solomon said the conclusion of the whole matter is to fear God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

4) We show God we love Him by keeping His commandments (John 14:15; 1 John 5:3).

5) We love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).

C. Jesus even went further to answer the scribe.

1) As He Himself taught to go two miles with one that asked to go one (Matthew 5:41), Jesus gave a second commandment in addition to the first commandment.

2) The second commandment, like the first, was to love his neighbor as himself.

3) Again this commandment was given to the Israelites (Leviticus 19:18), as no doubt both were very familiar.

4) Even the apostle Paul commands Christians to keep many old laws, but all are summed up in this one: loving your neighbor (Romans 13:8-10).

5) On another occasion, Jesus was asked what to do to inherit eternal life. After reminding this person of the same two commandments, He was asked who his neighbor was. Jesus then went on to teach about the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25ff.).

II. There is only ONE God!

A. Again, the scribe insisted Jesus answered well and true. He then confessed that there is ONE God, and no other!

B. This is often confirmed in the Scriptures (Deuteronomy 4:39; Malachi 2:10; Ephesians 4:6).

III. Sacrifice is not the most important thing to God.

A. Again, the scribe points out that God requires so much more than just an offering or sacrifice.

1) Hosea prophesied, “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings (Hosea 6:6).”

2) Samuel, too, said: “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams (1 Samuel 15:22).”

IV. The scribe was not far from the kingdom of God.

A. Jesus knew the scribe had answered wisely.

1) As a result, Jesus knew he was not very far from the kingdom of God.

2) However, we are never told whether this person did enter the kingdom of God.

3) God does, however, teach us what to do to be a part of His kingdom.

B. The reality is that not everyone will be in the kingdom of God (Luke 13:23-29).

C. Jesus taught the Pharisees that the kingdom of God is within them (Luke 17:20-21).

E. Jesus taught Nicodemus he must be born again, of water and the Spirit, to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:3ff.).

E. The apostle Paul taught that the kingdom of God is “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).”

F. Paul praised the Thessalonian church for their faithfulness, and therefore they were worthy of the kingdom of God (2 Thessalonians 1:3-5).

Conclusion

A. The scribe was very close to the kingdom of God, but one can only guess as to whether he entered or not.

B. What about you? Are you in the kingdom of God?

C. You know how to enter, so will you do what God requires of you?