With Man It Is Impossible — With God All Things Are Possible
Big Idea: We can neither earn eternal life nor live the Christian life by our own goodness; only a surrendered heart empowered by God can do what is impossible for us.
Overview
Drawing from Jesus’ encounter with the rich young ruler in , Pastor Mike compares mans effort with divine enablement. The young man’s outward obedience and wealth could not secure eternal life because “none is good but God.” Jesus’ call to sell everything and follow Him exposes the limits of self-reliance and introduces two foundational lessons: first, we must discover by experience that in ourselves we cannot keep God’s commands; second, we must learn that what we cannot do, God can accomplish in us when we yield completely. The pastor weaves his own 1979 conversion and Spirit-filled “Pentecost” moment into the text, urging listeners toward absolute surrender and trust in Christ’s life within them.
Key Scripture
- — The foundation of the whole message: the rich young ruler shows that self-effort cannot obtain eternal life.
- — The turning point of the narrative: those who leave all for Jesus receive reward when “the renewal of all things” comes.
- — The theological anchor: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Main Points
1. The rich young ruler: a portrait of respectable insufficiency.
- A wealthy, moral, influential young man runs, kneels, and asks, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
- Jesus lists only the horizontal commandments, then adds “love your neighbor as yourself,” exposing the heart issue.
- The final test—“Sell your possessions, give to the poor, then follow Me”—reveals the man’s attachment and he departs sorrowful. Outward rule-keeping cannot replace inward surrender.
2. Lesson One: “With man this is impossible.”
- Jesus’ reply, “None is good but God,” dismantles every form of self-confidence.
- True obedience to the greatest commands is beyond fallen human capacity ( echoes this).
- Wealth, ambition, or even religious diligence make surrender harder: the more we cling to, the harder to let go.
- The disciples themselves did not grasp this until repeated failure taught them their inability.
3. Lesson Two: “With God all things are possible.”
- The secret of the Christian life is Christ living in us (): what we cannot do, He can.
- The pastor’s own story (April 18, 1979) illustrates: deep, tear-filled surrender led to a personal “Pentecost” as the Spirit empowered a new life.
- Obedience (the “yellow” commands) drives us to admit our lack; faith (the “blue” promises) invites us to trust God’s power.
4. The call to absolute surrender and the coming reward.
- Peter reminds Jesus, “We have left everything to follow you.” Jesus promises thrones for the Twelve and hundredfold restoration for all who sacrifice for His sake.
- In the “renewal of all things,” many who seem first now (ambitious, platform-driven) will be last, and unnoticed servants will be first.
- True greatness is found in humble, child-like dependence, daily relinquishing possessions, ambitions, and relationships into Christ’s hands.
Application
The call: Lay everything—possessions, ambitions, relationships—at Jesus’ feet and rely on the Holy Spirit to live the life you cannot live on your own.
Head — Acknowledge that no good deed, moral record, or religious activity can earn eternal life; only God is good.
Heart — Let the recognition of your inability create holy sorrow that drives you to joyful trust in Christ within you.
Hands
- Identify one possession, habit, or ambition that competes with full surrender; prayerfully release it.
- Begin each day with a simple prayer: “Lord, I cannot, but You can—live Your life through me today.”
- Practice sacrificial generosity this week as a tangible step of loving your neighbor as yourself.
Reflection Questions
- Where do you still hope to “do” something that will make you feel worthy before God?
- What recent experience has shown you that, in your own strength, you cannot keep Jesus’ commands?
- How might wealth, success, or ambition be making surrender harder for you?
- What would it look like for you to leave “everything” and follow Jesus more fully this season?
Prayer
Father, we confess that in ourselves we are unable to keep Your commands or secure eternal life. Thank You that what is impossible for us is possible with You. We surrender our plans, possessions, and pride. Fill us afresh with Your Spirit so that Christ may live His life through us. Teach us to love You with all our heart and our neighbor as ourselves, resting in Your power, not our effort. In Jesus’ name, amen.