Message: Mark 10:23-31

Passage to Prepare Us for Worship: Galatians 6:11-17

 Watchword

(2 Kings 5.1-19a; Psalm 59; Matthew 6.1-18) 



They have turned their backs to me, not their faces. But in the time of trouble they say, 
”Come and save us!” Jeremiah 2.27 

 


We will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word. Acts 6.4

Psalm 17 

Hear a just cause, O LORD

Attend to my cry!

Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!

From your presence let my vindication come!

Let your eyes behold the right!

You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night,

You have tested me, and you will find nothing;

I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.

With regard to the works of man,

By the word of your lips

I have avoided the ways of the violent.

My steps have held fast to your paths;

My feet have not slipped.

I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;

Incline your ear to me; hear my words.

Wondrously show your steadfast love,

O Savior of those who seek refuge

From their adversaries at your right hand.

Keep me as the apple of you reye;

Hide me in the shadow of your wings,

From the wicked who do me violence,

My deadly enemies who surround me.

They close their hearts to pit;

With their mouths they speak arrogantly.

They have now surrounded our steps;

They set their eyes to cast us to the ground.

He is like a lion eager to tear,

As a young lion lurking in ambush.

Arise O LORD!

Confront Him!

Subdue Him!

Delver my soul from the wicked by your sword,

From men by your hand, O LORD,

From men of the world whose portion is in this life.

You fill their womb with treasure;

They are satisfied with children,

And they leave their abundance to their infants.

As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;

When I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.

Romans 11:36

Is there really anything else besides what God had done in Christ? The long gospel story, specifically as it culminates in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, must bring us to see God at the heart of it all and lead us to open our mouths and glorify Him!

Watchword(Nehemiah 2.1-10; Matthew 14.1-12) 



God said ‘Let there be light’ and there was light. Genesis 1.3 



I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. John 8.12

Proverbs 24: 9,10

Whoever plans to do evil

Will be called a schemer.

The devising of folly is sin,

And the scoffer is an abomination to mankind.

This proverb refers to “the adept planner who coldly effects strategies that are designed to further his own interest at the expense of the community.” (Waltke, 274)

This is the father who consciously leads his family down a path of foolishness or rebellion. Or even the deadbeat one who “just” lazily fails to lead them down the paths of wisdom. Or it refers to a mother who deliberately undermines the contentment and order of her home.

Or the kid who strategizes on how to make life difficult for his parents. And who sees their suffering at his wrongdoing and yet continues to rebel.

This proverb also refers to the Christian who knowingly lays himself open to wrongdoing. He makes it easy on himself to wander, to indulge in illegitimate desires.

Or, this is the person who thinks of how to hurt another: how to give them the silent treatment, or at least a calculated coldness; who plans NOT to fulfill his obligations; considers ways to out-perform a rival and let others know of his victory.

Such people get a bad name; they become known as schemers. “The loss of a good name and being saddled with a bad one reduce [such a person] to becoming a pariah.” – Waltke 274)

Instead of growing in strength and honor, this planning offends God and brings shame to the schemer. In other words, at the end of everything, scheming to do evil doesn’t work.

Instead, dear people: order your steps in godliness. Give up the complicated business of scheming, and instead expend yourself in serving one another. Make life easy! Find the path of honor.

Bible Reading: Romans 11: 34-35

Here are two quotations pulled from the Old Testament books of Isaiah and Job. What are the original contexts and how might those reflect on this passage?

“The quotation from Job 41:11 comes from one of the most astonishing biblical statements of the sovereignty of God over all creation. God is in nobody’s debt; nobody ever gives God a gift and stands back smug in the knowledge that God must now repay. All is of grace, and not only of grace; to think otherwise is not to forget merely some fine-tuned or subtle bit of theology, but rather to forget the meaning of the word ‘God’ in the biblical tradition” (Wright, 696)

Watchword

(Nehemiah 1.1-11; Psalm 64; 
Matthew 13.47-58) 



I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. Genesis 28.15

God, who never lies, promised eternal life before the ages began. Titus1.2

Proverbs 24:7

Wisdom is too high for a fool;

In the gate he does not open his mouth.

Sometimes you run into a wall, neither imaginary nor forgiving. I mean, a real wall. The first chapter of Proverbs refers to this: when one refuses to listen to wisdom’s counsel, disaster strikes! And despite all entreaties, “they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but will not find me.”

Another scary proverbial wall: “He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck/ will suddenly be broken beyond healing.”

Our proverb this morning is also a wall. In some situations a fool is completely outmatched. As much as his mind races, there is nothing for him to say. He lacks faculties to climb over complex situations.

“In the gate” is common biblical imagery referring to that place in the town where important decisions and vital transactions take place. Where various situations call for tact, a sophisticated sense of justice, the ability to foresee what’s coming down the road.

At the edge of town, the fool is at his wits end. He makes no valuable contribution. He’s not worthy of voicing his opinion. Useless.

“I have my rights!” “Hey, what about free speech!” “Isn’t everyone equal?” “Just because I can’t express myself as well as you, or think so clearly…still I have something to say!”

No, in some situations, the fool is rightfully told to sit quiet. It is appropriate for him to regret wasted time of pursuing un-wisdom. In the pivotal times, we only have time for the advice of the wise, for those who fear God and hate evil.

Bible Reading: Romans 11:33

A good verse to memorize. But now you’ll know what it refers to.

Watchword

(Ezra 10.1-17; Matthew 13.31-46) 



Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34.14 



Agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 
2 Corinthians 13.11

Proverbs 24: 5,6

A wise man is full of strength,

And a man of knowledge enhances his might,

For by wise guidance you can wage your war,

And in abundance of counselors there is victory.

Here, another proverb that will teach us how to live in strength. Here it is: Borrow it! Don’t rely solely on your wit, your understanding of the situation – gather counselors around you.

What alarms me about some people is that they are living without counselors. Smart people tend to do that – perhaps as they grew up people were wowed by their intellect, their accomplishments, their initiative. They were stellar without any extra help.

But that was then! On your own, you’re not strong enough for grown-up life! You need outside perspective.

Of course, this is an advantage to having a spouse, provided that in the home there is a culture of free speech including openness to receiving criticism.

But it’s wise also to have counselors outside of your family. Are your friendships filling this function? Well not necessarily. Some friendships are too glib, too dependent on flattery, to really be a source of wise counsel.

What we need are people that will disagree with us, people with this unusual combination of courage and tact.

Why not pray for these sort of people in your life? And for these people to fill our church? Strength is good.

Bible Reading: Romans 11: 30-32

This is deep. This has to be one of our answers for why the world is as it is. God has allowed all – Gentiles and Jews – to be stamped by disobedience, so He could have mercy “on all.” Why the fall? Why continual sin? So God could have mercy.

I know there is more to say about this, and it doesn’t at all answer everything, but it is at least part of it.

Watchword

(Ezra 9.1-15; Matthew 13.24-30) 



Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come, and the years draw near when you will say, ‘I 
have no pleasure in them’. Ecclesiastes 12.1 

 


Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct,
in love, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4.12

Proverbs 24: 3,4

By wisdom a house is built,

And by understanding it is established;

By knowledge the rooms are filled

With all precious and pleasant riches.

This proverb would give us the building blocks of a solid and beautiful house: wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. “House” is an oft-used biblical metaphor that encompasses the foundation, passages, and shelter of our existence. It denotes who we are, but more: it describes what we are making of our time here.

Of course we are always making decisions, little and big. Part of the task of Proverbs is to cajole us to choose wisdom. For a small example, today you could eat a bunch of sugar at mid-day and in the afternoon….forgettaboutit! That’s a small choice, and Proverbs says to us: choose wisdom! Don’t eat as to become sleepy. Order your lunch menu with understanding.

Another example: you could choose to not be a learner. “Just enough to get by and live comfortably for me. All that book stuff isn’t for me; I’m just a regular guy.” But Proverbs pipes up and directs you to knowledge: this is what makes a life valuable and even beautiful. Don’t be a dud!

Do you see? Proverbs is giving us a way of life. Diligence rather than laziness. Tempering your speech instead of running your mouth. Planning rather than knee-jerk reactions. Knowledge of the world rather than gazing at your navel. Saying no to outbursts of anger and s l o w i n g down your reactions. Here is a way.

And now the words of Jesus: “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on the house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”

Jesus too is giving us a way – a way not opposed to the wisdom of Proverbs but with an increased knowledge. Whatever else you get, get that wisdom!

Bible Reading: Romans 11: 28b, 29

Watchword

(Leviticus 19.1-2, 9-18; 1 Corinthians 3.10-11, 
16-23; Matthew 5.38-48) 



I am going to teach the nations my power
and my might, and they shall know that my
name is the Lord. Jeremiah 16.21 



The Spirit has now revealed to his holy
apostles and prophets that the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Ephesians 3.5-6

Proverbs 24: 1,2

Be not envious of evil men,

Nor desire to be with them,

For their hearts devise violence,

And their lips talk of trouble.

In this proverb is not advice on how to be good, but rather how to be safe and at peace. Safety and peace come by avoiding evil people, and not agonizing over the fact that you’ve been excluded from their company.

This proverb implies that there is a reason why one would want to be with evil people. Simply put: they’re interesting. But avoid them because they’re interesting for all the wrong reasons, namely, they’re always in the middle of some controversy.

Lay low! Do the work in front of you! Stay quiet! Don’t look over the fence and wish that you life could be as dramatic as the Robinsons.

And whatever we do let us not be people always in a ruckus. This is the look of evil! Are malicious thoughts plaguing you? Is your mind given over to criticism? Does your time pass in idle gossip? Are you constantly trying to provoke?

Put anger and entrapping and slander aside and put on, as God’s chosen and loved, “compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.”

Bible Reading: Romans 11: 28aPaul summarizes: Unbelieving Jews have become enemies of God because they have aligned themselves against the Gospel – which is the news of God’s saving power through Jesus. But this enmity is “for your sake.” Their enmity was the historical mechanism that drove the events of the Gospel! Take a peak at v. 33!

Message: Mark 10:17-31 – Why people choose to not have eternal life, and why it’s a wrong choice

Passage to Prepare Us for Worship: Read Psalm 16 again!

Watchword: (2 Kings 5.1-19a; Psalm 59; Matthew 6.1-18) 



They have turned their backs to me, not their faces. But in the time of trouble they say, 
”Come and save us!” Jeremiah 2.27 

 


We will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word. Acts 6.4

Psalm 16

A David michtam.

Guard me, O God,

For I shelter in You.

I said to the LORD,

“My Master You are.

My good is only through You.”

As to holy ones in the land

And the mighty who were all my desire,

Let their sorrows abound-

Another did they betroth.

I will not pour their libations of blood,

I will not bear their names on my lips.

The LORD is my portion and lot,

It is You who sustain my fate.

An inheritance fell to me with delight,

My estate, too, is lovely to me.

I shall bless the LORD Who gave me counsel

Through the nights that my conscience would lash me.

I set the LORD always before me,

On my right hand, that I not stumble.

So my heart rejoices and my pulse beats with joy,

My whole body abides secure.

For You will not forsake my life to Sheol,

You won’t let Your faithful one see the Pit.

Make me know the path of life.

Joys overflow in Your presence,

Delights in Your right hand forevermore.

I have a commentary on Psalms by James Mays, a mid 20^th century professor teaching at a liberal seminary. But, in spite of his poor unions (a pun for the learned), the commentary is very valuable to me, one of, if not the best, on Psalms that I have read. His comments on the 16^th psalm are especially precious. This morning I’ll quote extensively from those:

“The psalm teaches that trust is not merely a warm feeling or a passing impulse in a time of trouble; it is a structure of acts and experiences that open one’s consciousness to the LORD as the supreme reality of life.”

“Trust is first of all the relationship that determines all else about a person. The psalmist confesses, ‘You (YHWH) are my lord.’ The reverse of that confession is ‘I am your servant.’ The psalmist knows himself as a person who belongs to another.”

“Trust is monotheistic, not pluralistic. The psalmist’s commitment to the LORD is exclusive (vv.3-4). He enacts the first commandment in his life. For him, there is no other God. The holy and mighty deities whom others in the land worship are a source of troubles, not joy, and he does not recognize them or participate in their worship.”

“Trust takes the very relation to God itself as the greatest benefit of the LORD’s way with the servants of God (vv. 5-6).”

“Trust concentrates the mind on the LORD (vv.7-8). Through praise the psalmist keeps the LORD in the center of his attention, practices the presence of the LORD. In this way he is open to the instruction of the lord that comes to him through the guidance of his conscience in the still hours of the night.”

“Trust is confidence of life in the face of death (vv.9-11). All three dimensions of the psalmist’s being – heart, soul, and body – participate in this joyous security. It infuses his entire being. The exuberance of his confidence arises from the knowledge that the LORD will not surrender his faithful one to Sheol and the Pit, the realm of death. Death in the thought world of the psalms is not only the polar opposite of life, the loss of one’s own vital existence. It is also the loss of the presence of God and the pleasures of that presence. It is God that is lost in death.”

“Two features about this psalm have always impressed its readers. The first is the way in which the LORD fills the personal horizon of the psalmist. Every one of the prayer’s lines in all their variety says in one way or another, ‘The LORD is everything to me.’ The LORD is my lord, my God, my destiny, my counsel, my vis-à-vis, my security. The whole confesses, ‘The LORD is my life.’ That is why the psalmist is confident of life. It is this focus on God, absorption in God, identity with God, the LORD who is the source of life, that gives faith a confident hold on life.

“The second is the way the confession ‘I have no good apart from you’ (v.2) echoes through the song in its references to pleasant places, goodly heritage, complete joy, and pleasures forevermore. The psalm is full of joy in the LORD. Life and joy go together. Life is consummated in joy. Where death is removed as threat, life is finally free for complete joy in the presence of God, who alone can deliver from Sheol.”

From this psalm, can we not learn something about what it means to believe in Jesus?

Bible Reading: Romans 11: 25-27

Paul summarizes his argument to this point: Gentile Christians cannot afford to be smug in the face of what has happened. What has happened? Part of Israel, God’s historical people, have been hardened to God as they rejected the news of the Gospel – the Messiah dying and risen again.

V. 26 has produced a lot of debate, and I’m not going to get into that today.