Why You Can’t Work Your Way into Heaven

Mark 10:17–31

 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him . . . Mark 10:17

“Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Mark 10:17b

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him . . . Mark 10:21a

Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Mark 10:22

23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”  Mark 10:23-25

And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Mark 10:26

I. To Enter Heaven, You Must be Good Like God

And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Mark 10:17

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.”  Mark 10:18

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48

“Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” Mark 10:20

II. Salvation Involves a Real Change, in which a Person becomes Good Like God

III. This Change is Impossible with Man

26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:26-27

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”  Mark 10:21

What Jesus is Not Saying

What Jesus is Saying

IV. This Change is Possible with God

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. Mark 10:18

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

When you come to faith in Jesus Christ, you receive forgiveness for His death, but you also receive righteousness through His life for you.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27

Christians are people who count on God to do what we can’t.