Text: Deuteronomy 8:11-18 and Mark 10:23-31<\/p>\n

Last week, Pastor Lee from Women at the Well shared with us part of the story of the rich, young, ruler in Mark\u2019s gospel.
\nThis morning, we hear the second half of that story\u2026 the response of the disciples\u2026 our response\u2026 to the invitation Jesus offers this faithful follower.<\/p>\n

Will you pray with me?<\/p>\n

Over these last few weeks, we have been hanging out with the gospel of Mark and the challenging ways that Jesus calls us to follow.
\nAre we able to take up our cross and drink the cup of suffering?
\nAre we able to stand up for our selves or others?
\nAre we able to embrace difference and let others lead?
\nAre we able to see the vulnerable around us, especially children, and to see their gifts along with their needs?
\nAre we able to hear the truth about that one darned thing in our lives that keeps us from saying, \u201cYES\u201d with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength?<\/p>\n

And after walking with Jesus through these chapters, I\u2019m not surprised if we, like the disciples find ourselves frustrated when he tells us, \u201cChildren, it\u2019s difficult to enter God\u2019s kingdom!\u201d
\nWhatever happened to, \u201cMy yoke is easy and my burden is light?\u201d
\nWhere are the promises that we will led beside the still waters and into green pastures?
\nLike James and John and Matthew and Andrew we cry out \u2013 \u201cThen who on earth can be saved, Jesus?\u201d<\/p>\n

Because as must as we try, we find it awfully difficult to sacrifice our own well-being for the sake of others.
\nFear keeps us from standing up for others or for ourselves.
\nOur need for control and stability gets in the way of our willingness to embrace and celebrate the differences among us.
\nWe worry about what will happen if we let the kids run amok in our midst.
\nWe are comfortable\u2026 oh so comfortable\u2026 with that one blasted thing that keeps us from standing in the life-giving stream of God\u2019s love and grace and power.<\/p>\n

Who can be saved?
\nWho is able?
\nCan anyone among us truly say, \u201cYES?\u201d<\/p>\n

And then Jesus looks at us carefully. The Greek word here, emblepo<\/em>, indicates that he is looking searchingly\u2026 clearly\u2026 directly into our very hearts\u2026.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith human beings it\u2019s impossible.\u201d
\nWe can\u2019t do it.
\nThere is nothing we can do or give or accomplish that will earn us a spot in God\u2019s kingdom.
\nWe are not able.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s why the second half of Jesus\u2019 words are so important:
\n\u201cbut\u2026 All things are possible with God.\u201d<\/p>\n

You see, our ability to be saved, our ability to enter God\u2019s kingdom, our ability to follow Jesus, our ability to provide for ourselves or our families\u2026 none of it comes from us.
\nNothing we are and nothing we have is the result of our own effort or striving or accomplishment.
\nIt is all because of God.<\/p>\n

As the early Hebrew community was told as they were being led out of Egypt, we need to remember, we need to never forget that it was God who rescued us from Egypt.
\nIt was God who led us through the desert.
\nIt was God who made water flow out of rock and sent mana from heaven.
\nIt was God that led some people from Burns UMC out to a farmhouse on 49th Street to start a new faith community.
\nIt was God that helped us lay the cornerstone for a new church to meet a growing worshipping congregation in 1968.
\nIt was God that gave us the ability to build and pay for Faith Hall a decade ago.
\nIt was God that has formed the faith of generations of children\u2026 who in turn have brought their children and grandchildren back to this place.
\nIt was God that gave us the very breath of life and it is God that gives us the ability to work and to serve and to love and to follow.<\/p>\n

Moses tells those Israelites in the desert \u2013 when you look around at your houses and your tables set full of food and when everything around you is thriving, don\u2019t you dare think that it was your own strength or ability that accomplished these things.
\nRemember your God.
\nGod is the one who has given us strength.
\nGod is the one who has made us able.
\nGod is the one who calls us\u2026 and then God equips us to answer, to follow, to say YES.<\/p>\n

You know\u2026 I look out at the world on a week like this when evil and hatred and violence seem to be winning and I almost want to give up.
\nI don\u2019t think I have the ability to stand in the gap.
\nI don\u2019t have the energy to keep speaking out for the way of love and hope.
\nI don\u2019t know how to change the hearts of others.<\/p>\n

Do you ever feel that way?<\/p>\n

But then, I come to worship.
\nI come to this place.
\nI hear these words of scripture.
\nI see your faces.
\nI sing with all of my heart these songs.<\/p>\n

And I remember that it\u2019s not all up to me.
\nIt\u2019s not my ability or skills or talents that will change this world.
\nBut God can.
\nAnd God will.
\nIf I just open up my life a little bit to let God use me.
\nIf I set my fear and hesitation and need for control to the side and let God work through me.
\nIf I place these gifts in God\u2019s hands\u2026
\nIf I turn to others gathered here\u2026
\nIf we start with the things God has already given us the ability to do\u2026
\nIf we allow ourselves to be pulled, stretched, called\u2026
\nIf we count all of the blessings God has poured out into our life and if we just let go and trust\u2026
\nGod is able.
\nAnd God makes us able.<\/p>\n

Able to give back.
\nAble to reach out in love.
\nAble to shine light in darkness.
\nAble to offer hope in the midst of despair.
\nYes, Lord, We are Able\u2026
\nAnd it is all because of You.
\nThanks be to God\u2026 Amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Text: Deuteronomy 8:11-18 and Mark 10:23-31 Last week, Pastor Lee from Women at the Well shared with us part of the story of the rich, young, ruler in Mark\u2019s gospel. This morning, we hear the second half of that story\u2026 the response of the disciples\u2026 our response\u2026 to the invitation Jesus offers this faithful follower.…<\/span><\/p>\n

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