[1]  #273, Dead Center, Sunday 03-25-2007

Theme: If you’re going to know God, you’ve got to face and deal with any obstacle between you and God.

Text: Luke 18:18-27

Introduction

1. Log jams.
   
   1. They usually start with one log getting stuck, “the obstacle” It doesn’t move off dead center
      
2. One day a young man ran up to Jesus and fell on his knees.
   
   1. Who was he? What did he want? Could Jesus help him?
      
   2. He was burdened by a “log jam”, an obstacle.
      
3. If you’re going to know God, you’ve got to face and deal with any obstacle between you and God.
   

Text: Luke 18:18-27

1. Deep down we feel these obstacles. (v18)
   

3. 1. This young man had everything (almost)
      
   2. He was young, successful.
      
   3. He was moral, well-respected.
      
   4. He felt no real assurance, peace with God.
      
   5. He didn’t even know what the problem was.
      
   6. There was something inside that was dead.
      
   7. Have you felt this way?
      

2. 1. Jesus was available for the young man.
      
   2. Jesus didn’t reject him.
      
   3. Jesus didn’t require him to have it all together.
      
   4. We think we have to fix our log jam first.
      
   5. “I’ll untangle it and then Jesus will help me.
      
   6. The message of the Gospel is “come as you are”, but it isn’t “stay as you are”
      

   1. He will probe us with questions.
      
   2. Example: “Why do you call Me good?”
      
   3. He will lead us to the problem.
      
   4. Jesus held up the mirror of the law
      
   5. He quoted five commandments.
      
   6. The young man gave himself an A
      
   7. The water is fine, the logs are fine …
      
   8. He will point out the “log.”
      
   9. “You still lack one thing” (v 22)
      
   10. Exodus 20:17 “You shall not covet.” (one of the ten commandments) The young man’s money and wealth separated him from God.
       
   11. God revealed my log …
       

   1. The man’s question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (v 18)
      
   2. Jesus gave the man something to do.
      
   3. “Sell everything you have … give to the poor … come, follow me.” (v 22)
      
   4. This challenge is what he needed to be set free.
      
   5. The command to sell all is not a universal one.
      
   6. Salvation is by grace, but we are involved.
      
   7. His grace is not “irresistible.”
      
   8. We are told to repent. “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near.” (Matthew 4:17)
      
   9. We must be willing to get off “dead center.”
      

   1. The young man became very sad.
      
   2. He had a “near life” experience but walked away.
      
   3. Very few times did people leave Jesus disappointed, but he did.
      
   4. He had great wealth.
      
   5. Great wealth had him.
      
   6. What keeps you from life? What’s the obstacle?
      
   7. Fear of the opinion of others?
      
   8. Unwillingness to consider giving up a habit?
      
   9. Lack of faith to believe God can control your life?
      
   10. Afraid that you may lose a relationship?
       
   11. With all these obstacles it’s amazing that anyone gets saved!
       

3. Jesus welcomes us, obstacles and all.
   
4. Jesus will lovingly reveal the obstacle. (v 19-22)
   
5. Jesus will show us the way to life. (v 22)
   
6. The final choice is ours. (v 23-24)
   

Conclusion:

• Where is this young man now?
• Where is his wealth?
• If he could go back and choose over, what do you think he would do?
• What holds you back?
• Jesus says, “Come follow me.”