True spiritual accomplishment for God requires an "inside" relationship with Him, not just external efforts. Using the parable of a child struggling to button a coat from the outside, it illustrates how many in the church attempt to serve God without being born again. The core lesson emphasizes that loving God with one's whole being, as taught in Mark 12:28-31, is the first and greatest commandment, and that true understanding of God's kingdom comes from this internal transformation. The closing application stresses that the new birth is not optional but imperative for entering God's kingdom.
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Moments of Melody, a program to put a song in your heart. Some youngsters in school were given the assignment of tying their shoes and buttoning their coats. Mary came through the test with flying colors. But little Johnny had quite a struggle. Finally, the teacher said, Mary, why don't you help Johnny get his coat buttoned? The child went cheerfully to the boy's assistance and struggled for a while without success. Looking up at the teacher in despair, she exclaimed, Well, I could do it if I was on the inside, but I'm on the outside.
You know, that's the whole problem in many churches today. Men are attempting to accomplish things for God without first getting inside his family. Search me, O God, and know my heart today. Find me, O Savior, though my thoughts I pray.
if there be a wicked way in me let it be of every king and every king. And now we're going to open the sacred scriptures to the gospel according to St.
Mark chapter twelve. Reading the translation of Monsignor Ronald Knox. Which is the first commandment of all? One of the scribes asked him. Jesus answered him, The first commandment of all is this. Listen, Israel, there is no God but the Lord thy God, and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with the love of thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and thy whole mind, and thy whole strength. This is the first commandment, and the second is like this. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is no other commandment greater than these.
And the scribe said to him, Truly, Master, thou hast answered well, there is but one God, and no other beside him. And to love him with the love of the whole heart, and the whole understanding, and the whole soul, and the whole strength is a greater thing than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices. Then Jesus, seeing how wisely he had answered, said to him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. Not far from the kingdom of God.
Are you all some spiritually Fumbling to put on a coat of righteousness apart from the new birth, remember to miss heaven even by a hair, is still to perish eternally. O weary soul, the gate is near, in sin why still abides. Both peace and rest are waiting here, and you are just outside. Closing thought, the new birth is not optional. It's imperative.