Fresh Start: Baptism and Early Teachings
Notes
Transcript
Overview
Overview
Big questions:
Why don’t we experience lasting change? B/c we change our activities and not our identities. In Mark 1:16-20 Jesus comes not just to change their vocation, he came to change them.
b/c comfort keeps us safe. The idol of comfort is the enemy of change.
Main point: If we want to experience lasting change we need to commit to leaving and following.
New Outline
New Outline
New Years goals…
New Years goals…
I want to look more like jesus
intro new series: journey from galilee to jerusalem
why did Jesus come?
Salvation & transformation
there’s a desire for change
We are able to identify problems or areas of growth in our life and desire change, but what keeps it from lasting?
Read Passage
Read Passage
16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
“Follow me”
two questions come to mind
two questions come to mind
What keeps me back from following Jesus?
How can I be sure, I’m a disciple?
1. What keeps us back
1. What keeps us back
1. we don’t see Him rightly
Mark 1:7 “7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.”
Great
12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.
>> satan
Mark 1:14–15 “14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.””
King
Some of y’all are like, no I know who He is, I see Him rightly.
You know He’s a God of forgiveness and grace, but then you abuse it and keep sining b/c you’ve neglected His justice.
Others of you know obedience pleases Him, but then you try to earn His approval through good works and not faith.
Others of you are curious and you have no idea - you’ve maybe had a follower of Christ demonstarate a poor potrayal of who He is but you’re curious. Lean in, listen read along with us!
Our actions will testify of how we view God.
Asalan
Asalan
In a scene from C.S. Lewis’ spiritual allegory, The Chronicles of Narnia, a young girl named Lucy is sent on a great mission by the Christ figure, Aslan, the lion. As she travels by night, she notices the great beast sitting on a hill, illumined by a full moon. Excitedly, Lucy runs to him and throws herself into his soft, silky mane. Aslan rolls over, and Lucy finds herself laying between his paws, looking up into his large face.
“Aslan, you’re bigger,” says Lucy. The majestic creature answers, “That is because you are older, little one.” Lucy, confused by this remark, asks, “Not because you are?” Aslan assures her, “I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”
In this new year, God wants to change our view of Him, He wants to transform our life. Our year has changed, there is a desire for change. But what keeps the change from lasting?
Stats on short goals
Stats on short goals
Maybe some of you said, i’ma read my bible this year, go to church, etc. what’s holding you back from following Jesus?
53% of goals dont make it past 3months
only 1% make it to month 12.
What keeps us from lasting change
2. The Idol of comfort is the enemy of change.
2. The Idol of comfort is the enemy of change.
16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets.
What are you finding comfort and security in?
What are you finding comfort and security in?
For me - my testimony Jesus has called some of you to be a pastor, But Dr is profitable
Jesus has asked you to give, but you keep, horde, withold because you value money, and material possessions more than Jesus
Jesus has asked you to share your faith, but silence is comfortable.
Jesus has asked you to apologize, but your ego isn’t willing to admit you’re wrong - it’s uncomfortable
Jesus has asked you to forgive, but you’d rather harbor resentment as some false sense of power and control over the one who offended you and you jus being petty.
Jesus asked you to serve - but that neighborhood is too far, its too cold
Jesus asked you to love - but that person doesn’t fit your approval rating their too different (skin tone, political view, fitness level, sexual orientation)
Jesus has asked you to walk in purity, but pornogrophy is convient
2. How do you know you’re a disciple of Jesus?
2. How do you know you’re a disciple of Jesus?
are you willing to answer the call to 1. leave and follow.
18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him.
20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
Our willingess to LEAVE and FOLLOW is synonomous to our willingess to REPENT and Beleive
15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
As disciples of Jesus we never stop responding to the gospel.
Action: are you willing to leave behind that which is comfortable? in 2024 Are you willing to leve behind your misconceptions of who God is?
End benediction: Heb 12:1-3
End benediction: Heb 12:1-3
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
why did these four men leave? chance at purpose, chance for recognition, chance to become like the rabbi - honor to be asked
Mark 1:1. New Life
Mark 1:14-15 Jesus’ message gospel of the Kingdom repent and Believe
New Authority
and Mark 1:16-20 Leave & follow
New identity.
How do we have lasting change?
Leaving our idols of comfort.
Follow Jesus
Intro:
Intro:
Intro: It is a New year, new semester and many of us have renewed energy to attack our goals and plans for this new year.
Share 1 or 2 of my goals for the new year.
what are you’re goals do you have for this new year?
Share stats on New Years resolutions completions. (Show data on graph)
Graph 1: most goals revolve around physical health and wealth
it’s great to have goals but often we neglect that which is spiritual because we’re so consumed by that which is tangible.
Graph 2:
53% of goals dont make it past 3months
only 1% make it to month 12.
I believe many of the goals people set are the result of a genuine desire to change. To lose weight, to eat healthier, to grow spiritually, to get better grades. So if there’s a desire for change, why does our attempt to change seem so short-lived? Or perhaps a better question how do we experience lasting change?
Further, what keeps us from experiencing lasting change? We’re gonna look a this question today
but there is an even bigger question we’re going to look at in the coming months and that is WHO IS JESUS?
We are launching a new series called Journey to Transfomation
Our view of Him is going to change and as it does we are going to need to ask the quesrtion how does this create change in me?
In a scene from C.S. Lewis’ spiritual allegory, The Chronicles of Narnia, a young girl named Lucy is sent on a great mission by the Christ figure, Aslan, the lion. As she travels by night, she notices the great beast sitting on a hill, illumined by a full moon. Excitedly, Lucy runs to him and throws herself into his soft, silky mane. Aslan rolls over, and Lucy finds herself laying between his paws, looking up into his large face.
“Aslan, you’re bigger,” says Lucy. The majestic creature answers, “That is because you are older, little one.” Lucy, confused by this remark, asks, “Not because you are?” Aslan assures her, “I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”
What is Lewis trying to teach us in that scene? His lesson is that as we mature in our faith, the object of our devotion appears to grow along with us. This happens not because Christ has changed, but because our consciousness of Him has expanded. Pastor R. Kent Hughes suggests, “Expanding souls encounter an expanding Christ.”
I believe Mark 1:16-20 will give us insight into this question today. Before we dive in, let me provide some background context for you all.
At this point also explain that we will be in a the gospel of Mark for our new series called Journey to Transformation from now until Easter.
Background - I def. won’t say all of this, still thinking through what of this I’ll cut
Background - I def. won’t say all of this, still thinking through what of this I’ll cut
Who was Mark? John Mark cousin of Barnabas & disciple of Peter, telling this gospel through the account of Peter.
The Lexham Bible Dictionary John Mark
JOHN MARK Son of Mary (Acts 12:12), cousin of Barnabas (Col 4:10), and missionary companion of Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:5). According to church tradition, John Mark was the author of the Gospel of Mark.
In first-century Palestine, it was common for a man to have two names: a Hebrew name (e.g., “John”), by which he was known to friends and relatives, and a Greek or Roman (Roman Christian) name (e.g., “Mark”), by which he was known in the business world (Barclay, Introduction, 151; Acts 12:12, 25). “Mark” appears to have been a common name in the first century. Consequently, it is difficult to know whether the person mentioned in Acts and Colossians is the “Mark” named elsewhere in the New Testament (2 Tim 4:11; Phlm 24; 1 Pet 5:13; compare with John Mark in Acts 12:12, 25; 13:5, 13; 15:37, 39; Col 4:10).
The Lexham Bible Dictionary Mary, Mother of John Mark
MARY, MOTHER OF JOHN MARK (Μαρία, Maria). The mother of John Mark who owned a home where the church in Jerusalem met (Acts 12:12).
NOT Mary - Jesus’ mom nor is it Mary Magdalene.
Mark was writing this epistle while in Rome and the intended audience was the Romans.
Each of the gospels has a slightly diff goal/emphasis.
Matthew, Jesus is Messiah // King of Jews - written to Jews
Mark, Jesus is Son of Man// Servant - written to Romans
Luke,
John, Jesus is God - written to world
The book of Mark can be divided into 3 parts. (Bible project)
Part 1: Mark 1-8a Who is Jesus, Occurs in Galilee
Part 2: Mark 8b-10 What does it mean for Jesus to be the Messiah? Occurs on the way from Galilee to Jerusalem
Part 3: Mark 11-16 How Jesus becomes Messiah, Occurs in Jerusalem
As we work our way through this book, and follow the footsteps of Jesus ask yourself who is and what change is he asking you to make as a follower of Him? How does being a disciple of Jesus impact your life?
My hope is that through reading through the Gospel of Mark together, we would better discover who Jesus truly is. For many of you who have grown up in the church, this will be a great opportunity to assess who truly is this Jesus that I’ve committed to following? For those of you who maybe haven’t grown up in the church or know very little about what the Bible actually says, this is a great opportunity for you to discover for the first time who is Jesus? It is my hope that all of us will discover the true Jesus.
Continuing from Christmas J/C came to earth to establish something new. John was preparing the way for him. Just as John prepared the people for Jesus first coming so we are to prepare the world for His second coming.
Mark 1:1 “1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”
In Mark 1 the word “gospel” appears 3x, this word in Greek is Euaggelion. This word is means both messenger and message. Thus the good news is both a message that comes to us and also a message that is meant to change us at our very core. We are to become herders of this great news.
What is the good news? What is the Gospel Jesus preached?
Gospel of the Kingdom
Gospel of the Kingdom
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Preach gospel of the kingdom idea.
The way in which we get to be a part of this grand metanarrative is through Jesus. The condensed gospel by grace through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus, becomes our onramp into the larger narrative of the gospel of the Kingdom.
As of 7 days ago, all of us entered a new year. Jesus’ desire for us is not simply to enter a new year, but exp new life. All of Mark 1:1-15 emphasizes this.
Word gospel 3x, repentance 2x, forgiveness 1x, baptism (a symbol of new life) 6x.
Primary Content
Primary Content
If you’ve recieved the gospel, if you’ve experienced salvation, how is Jesus trying to sanctify, to create change in you today?
Further, if the objective of Jesus’ gospel message is not just salvation but transformation, then we must revisit the original question, what keeps us from experiencing lasting change?
16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
One reason we don’t exp lasting change is because the idol of comfort is the enemy of change.
First disciples called Simon (Peter), Andrew, James and John (all fishermen).
Jesus approaches them “casting their net into the sea”.
All of us are trying to achieve, to provide, to deliver. Whether grades, finances, or results we all are work hard to see the fruit of our labor, to see our nets and efforts filled with fish.
Why? because for many of us our significance is found in what we do. Our approval from friends and family members is found in what we do.
Mark 1:20 “20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.”
Maybe expound on how radical this was Luke 14:25-26
25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
Jesus’ invitation to them wasn’t coming the them simply to change their job but to change their life. If Peter, Andrew, James and John wouldn’t have been willing to sacrifice their career as fishermen, their finances, the approval of their father, in other words if they weren’t willing to sacrifice their security and comfort for Jesus than they wouldn’t have experienced the lasting change He wanted to produce in them.
This is my testimony with leaving med school - I was chasing a degree in the hopes of providing, what kept me pursuing a career over a calling was the approval of my friends and family.
When Jesus came to them, they were “casting their net into the sea”, they were fishing. He then said to them “follow me”
17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
The second reason we don’t exp lasting change is because we change our activities not our identity.
But Jesus comes to change our identity.
It is not sufficient to make a goal for the year to serve more, give more, workout more etc. We have to understand who God is and who we truly are if we’re to live out the life He’s called us to live.
The question is not do you evangelize to non-believers. The question is do you believe Jesus has made you a fisher of men?
If so, then we are going to reach this campus with the power and hope of the gospel!
Action step
Action step
Leave your nets
Follow Jesus
benediction Heb 12:1-3
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
New year, new season, new life. We cannot truly have a new life without repentance. We cannot have re-vival without repentance. New year isn’t about doing more of what we’ve always done but being willing to leave that which we’ve always done to live diff. & wil exp remptation too (Jesus wilderness)
Adversity amidst new life, new living
Want to see Jesus in a new way, you have to be willing to do something new.
Growing in knowledge of Him transformed by Him sharing Him with others
Continuing from Christmas J/C came to earth to esatblish something new. John was preparing the way for him. Just as John prepared the people for Jesus first coming so we are to prepare the world for His second coming.
HOW DO YOU VIEW JESUS? LORD?
Who is Jesus? Rabbi?
Potential Outline for series:
New life, new adversity
New Authority
New wine
New
Intro:
When I was in college I had a friend named Jazz, she like many other classmates had a full-time course load taking 15credits, she went to church regularly, she listened to sermons, she was interested in serving at church, she didn’t have any sins that were super noticeable from the public eye. She was a super nice person, kind and respectful to everyone, no one questioned wether or not she knew Jesus. But in talking with her, it was clear she never had an encounter with Jesus. She always talked about Jesus as if he were a distant relative she’d never met. I remember asking her what he’d been teaching her lately and she had no answer. I remember asking her, what she loved about Him, and she seemed to make up an answer on the spot, one she thought aligned with something she’d heard in church. Seeking to understand her heart further, I asked how has knowing Jesus changed her life?
To which she simply said, “well, I try not to do bad things anymore”
How would you answer the question? How has Jesus changed your life? How IS Jesus changing your life?
Life change isn’t something reserved for New Years or the moment of Salvation, it is a continuous process in the life of Jesus’ followers.
This year, we are going to be walking through the Gospel of Mark from now to Easter we will be going chapter by chapter through the Book. For many of you who have grown up in the church, this will be a great oppertunity to assess who truly is this Jesus that I’ve comitted to following? For those of you who maybe haven’t grown up in the church or know very little about what the Bible actually says, this is a great opportunity for you to discover for the first time who is Jesus? It is my hope that all of us will discover the true Jesus.
Further, it is my hope that in studying this book, we all begin to see more clearly, how do we relate to Him? Are we true disciples of Jesus?
A disciple is someone who is committed to following Jesus, being changed by Him, and living on mission with Him.
In the midst of this new year season, how are you being changed by Jesus?
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,
“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way,
3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’ ”
4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
Mark 1:1-8.
“In the beginning” the gospel of Jesus began not with Jesus but his forerunner. Mark 1:4
4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
New life in Christ is symbolized by baptism. (plug baptism if anyone is interested)
New life is made evident through repentance of sins. Define repentance. What sin is the Lord asking you to turn from?
7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.
Someone greater has come: Jesus.
Mark begins his gospel by skipping right to Jesus’ preparation for ministry, Jesus is baptized, he spends 40days fasting and praying in the wilderness and then he begins his public ministry.
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Gospel of the Kingdom. Describe the gospel of the Kingdom
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Belief in the gospel and that Jesus is king is made evident by repentance.
15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
The way Jesus seeks to advance the gospel, isn’t just through His preaching but through calling disciples to follow Him.
16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
This is where we are going to spend the main portion of our time today.
Mark 1:16 (ESV)
16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
we are casting nets.
17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
Observations from the txt:
Their gifts/talents are repurposed. Fishermen —> fishers of men
Career vs calling - career is an end in itself, calling is a means to fulfill a greater end. Calling has a directionality to it that a career does not. Calling requires the response not only of hearing but following. (calling has two responses: 1. hear 2. Obey)
v18 immediately left their nets. What is the thing Jesus is calling you to leave behind? It’ll be something that’s a part of your regular, everyday life. What is the thing you’re scared to let go of because you find security in it? Fishermen’s job security was in their ability to catch fish.
v20 maybe the thing you need to let go of isn’t a thing, or a task, but a person. Maybe theirs a relationship that is holding you back from wholeheartidly following Jesus.
Following Jesus means we give Him our time, our talents, our relationships.
Jesus change’s the Disciples identity fishermen—> fishers of men and therefore changes their activity. If Jesus has changed you’re identity, their should be a change in your activities, what you do, how you live. How does Jesus want to change you’re life?
vs 16 Jesus sees them fishing/working, Jesus’ invitation is to spend time with Him v17 “follow me” its a beckoning away from their work into His presence.