Pastor Tim Green's Message

Mark 10:17-34

1. (Vs. 31) "But many that are first shall be last; and the last first."

There is a crowing day coming. Those we see reigning as religious kings (by the glamor of religious heritage or the glory of denominational royalty) on this earth will be set aside and the faithful will be lifted up. This has always been a principle with God. When God sent Samuel to anoint a new king, Samuel saw Eliab and declared that he must be the one. But God said, "Look not on his countenance, or the height of his stature...for the Lord seeth not as man seeth, for man looketh on the outward appearance but God looketh on the heart."

Look not on the size of his church, quality of his staff, amount of mission's giving or depth of the budget. Look not whether his is director on some board, officer of some association or leader of some group. "For the Lord seeth not as man seeth, for man looketh on the outward appearance but God looketh on the heart." Faithful stewardship important to the Lord.

2. (Vs. 29-30) "...There is no man that hath left..."

God sees the proper motivation of sacrifice and rewards accordingly on this earth. We often dwell on the problems of ministry but if a pastor has invested into and loved his people there are earthly rewards that are available or given him. How many times has the pastor been blessed with cars he could not afford, houses he did not buy and perks for which he did not ask. Win the lost to Christ, disciple them and they will make the pastor an object of their love for Christ. They will be brothers and sisters that will have a stronger bond than any blood relative would be.

3. (Vs. 28) " Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee."

Abandonment is essential to the growth of the Lord's church. It is easy to settle into comfort zones that deny an amount of risk taking for Christ and His church. Many risks were taken for the glory of building and establishing the church but comfort zones limit God's ability to grow the work. What has been risked as of late for the cause of the church? Where is the reckless abandon that was instrumental in a church's beginning. Could it be that we have more to lose now and the comfort zones have replaced the "nothing to lose" attitudes of our beginnings?

4. (Vs. 22) "And he was sad at theat saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions."

This rich young ruler had come to the right person, had come in the right spirit, had asked the right question and had received the right answer from the Savior Himself yet left lost. Pastor, no matter how hard we may try, we will not win them all. We must remember that we are the tellers and not the savers. Not all of them will gladly receive the Word so do not grow weary in well doing, just keep doing well.

Hope this is helpful.

Tim