So Near and Yet So Far

So Near, and Yet So Far

July 16, 2006

Introduction

How many times have you said of a situation, “So Near, and yet so Far!” Often times, it is a bad situation. Sometimes it is worse than others. In (Mark 12:34 NKJV) Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." But after that no one dared question Him.’ “Not far from the kingdom of God," but how far was he?

How is it we can be close, and yet not be there? What is it that can come between us and God, so that we are close, but not quite there? One other occasion comes to my mind. As Jesus talked with the one we often call the rich young ruler, we come to this point: (Mark 10:21-23 NKJV) ‘Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." {22} But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. {23} Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!"’

This morning, we focus our attention on worldliness as something that comes between us and God. How many ways does the Bible tell us that worldliness can easily come between us and God. What is worldliness? I think it come in several different forms, and is referred to by several different words: Jesus used Mammon on one occasion. In the case we just looked at, he used riches. John just uses the word “World,” and Paul uses the word “Flesh.” I think all of these relate to the same basic idea: That which is sensual.

Body

I. Jesus said that we cannot serve God and Mammon.

(Mat 6:24 NKJV) "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

A. But what is “mammon”?

1. It is basically an untranslated Greek word.

2. It basically means treasure, or riches.

(Mat 6:19-21 NKJV) "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; {20} "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. {21} "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

B. Where is our faith?

(Mat 6:30) "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? {31} "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' {32} "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. {33} "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

1. Our first concern should be for the spiritual aspects of our lives.

2. We need to make our relationship with God our first priority.

II. John states the problem as being a love of the World.

(1 John 2:15-17 NKJV) Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. {16} For all that is in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father but is of the world. {17} And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

A. A solemn warning: “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

B. What are the things in the world?

1. “The lust of the flesh.” -- The desires of the flesh.

a. “Creature comforts.”

(1) A fine home

(2) A nice car

(3) Great clothing

(4) Good food

(5) All needed things, but keep it in order of importance.

b. Sensual things: things that we enjoy

1) Even great church services that make us feel good.

2) Great works of art. Just beautiful things.

c. The sexual lusts of the flesh.

1) God provided marriage as a proper way so satisfy these desires.

2) But many chose to satisfy these desires in the wrong way.

(Gal 5:19 NKJV) Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,

2. “the lust of the eyes” -- some may duplicate what we have already said:

1) A beautiful home.

2) A beautiful car.

3) Beautiful clothing.

3. The pride of life—life’s accomplishments.

1) My “trophies at last I lay down.”

III. We need to build our lives on things that are eternal.

(I John 2:17} And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever

A. Jesus also affirmed that this world is temporary.

(Mat 24:35-39 NKJV) "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. {36} "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. {37} "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. {38} "For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, {39} "and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

B. Again, put your treasure in what is eternal.

(Mat 6:19-21 NKJV) "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; {20} "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. {21} "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Conclusion

I. With the events in Israel this past week, many are asking, “Is this it?” Are we heading for the final show down.

II. We need to always be ready. The final show down is coming. It may not be this week, this month, this year, but it is coming.

III. Where is your heart? Where is your treasure?

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