TITLE: In the Borderland of the Kingdom

TEXT: Mark 12:28-34

PROPOSITION: Some are not far from the kingdom of God.

QUESTION: What?

KEY WORD: Lessons

READING: Same

INTRODUCTION:

                1. Our focus is on the statement about a man who was not far from the kingdom.

                2. There are several important lessons to learn.

1. The Fact of the Borderland.

                A. Degrees of distance - Far, Farther, Farthest

                B. Borderland is better than far away.

                                1. Man can see the difference.

                                2. God can see the difference.

                C. Others in NT - not far.

                                1. Rich young Ruler – Mark 10:21 – One thing you lack

                                2. Felix – Acts 24:25 – trembled, more convenient time

                                3. Agrippa – Acts 26:28 – Almost persuaded

2. The Meaning of the Borderland.

                A. This man is different from others in the crowd.

                B. Different from Pharisees, Sadducees.

                C. Different from the worldly - greed, lust, selfish

                D. TODAY THERE ARE SOME IN THE BORDERLAND.

                                1. Good habits                     2. Good disposition

                                3. Caring, loving                       4. Morally good - honest

3. The Tragedy of the Borderland.

                A. In LIFE they are difficult to convince.

                B. In DEATH it is too late.

                C. In ETERNITY - only two classes:

                                1. Saved or Lost                   2. Sheep and Goats

                                3. Right or Left                    4. "Come" or "Depart"