1_28_2024 - Mark 1:14-15 - "Repentance”

(Opening Prayer)

(Sermon Introduction)

Today we continue the gospel of Mark. We are planning to spend almost 2 years in the gospel of Mark. We are going to have mini-series to help break up our time in Mark and help us focus on the journey on both a macro and micro level. We want to understand what it truly means to “Build the Kingdom One Disciple at a Time.”

Today we begin our “Follow” series in the gospel of Mark.

(The Gospel of Mark Context)

Matthew, Mark, and Luke, make up what is referred to as the Synoptic Gospels.

The word Synoptic means “together they see.”

The Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are referred to in this manner because of their likeness, and similar content.

They record many of the same teachings, stories, and accounts from different perspectives.

Some have said that because of this these writings are unreliable.

Quite the opposite is true.

A difference of perspective is not a negative but rather a positive.

If each gospel recorded everything the exact same way we would question its accuracy and integrity in the same way that an investigator would question stories that record verbatim what happened at a crime scene.

The gospel of John is not considered a Synoptic Gospel primarily because it was written years later and recorded things that the other writers did not include.

The gospel of Mark is understood to have been written between 54-60 A. D. prior to the writing of Matthew, Luke, and John.

Scholars believe that Matthew and Luke used Mark as a guide as they wrote their gospels.

This is called the Priority of Mark.

The gospel of Mark was written by John Mark who was not one of the twelve disciples of Jesus.

However, it is believed that the Apostle Peter is the source for the material for the gospel of Mark as Peter discipled John Mark.

(Sermon Title)

Today we have entitled the sermon “Repentance.”

(Repentance Definition)

The word repentance means to think differently, to reconsider, to change one’s mind.

In the coaching world we call reframing and realigning.

3340. μετανοέω mĕtanŏĕō, met-an-ŏ-eh´-o; from 3326 and 3539; to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (mor. feel compunction):— repent.

The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words (mĕtanŏĕō μετανοέω)

We are in Mark 1:14-15.

Mark 1:14–15 (NLT)

14 Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News.

15 “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”

(Synoptic Perspective #1)

The gospel of Luke records an interesting transition from the previous story of the temptation of Jesus and His message of repentance.

Luke 4:14–15 (ESV)

14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country.

15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

Luke records that Jesus was “full of the Spirit” and was “led” into the wilderness to be tempted by satan (Lk. 4:1), and came out of the wilderness into a message of repentance in the “power of the Spirit” (Lk. 4:14).

1. Repentance Partners with the Holy Spirit

John 6:44 (ESV)

44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

John 16:7–9 (NLT)

7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.

8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.

9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.

2. Repentance Acknowledges What Is Revealed

(Synoptic Perspective #2)

The gospel of Matthew records an interesting transition from the previous story of the temptation of Jesus and His message of repentance.

Matthew 4:12–17 (NLT)

12 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee.

13 He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali.

14 This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah [9:1-2]:

15 “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali, beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River, in Galilee where so many Gentiles live,

16 the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.”

17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

Luke records that Jesus was “full of the Spirit” and was “led” into the wilderness to be tempted by satan (Lk. 4:1), and came out of the wilderness into a message of repentance in the “power of the Spirit” (Lk. 4:14).

John 16:13–15 (NLT)

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.

14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.

15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’

1 John 1:5–10 (NLT)

5 This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.

6 So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth.

7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.

9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

10 If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

3. Repentance Is Submitting to the King of the Kingdom

(The Kingdom of God/Heaven)

Both Matthew and Mark record that Jesus preached repentance in view of the Kingdom of God/heaven.

Jesus said that the Kingdom of God/heaven was “at hand” (Mk. 1:15; Mt. 4:17).

First, we must realize that Matthew and Mark are both talking about the same thing. Matthew refers to the Kingdom of heaven as opposed to the Kingdom of God due to the great honor that the Jewish people gave to the name of God. The Jewish people often refer to the kingdom of God by the place of God’s throne: heaven.

Second, the only thing that changed is that Jesus has shown up on the scene. But the language of Jesus infers that a seismic shift has taken place. That can only mean one thing: Jesus is the embodiment of the Kingdom! Jesus arrives and proclaims that the kingdom is “at hand” (Mk. 1:15; Mt. 4:17). In effect He says, “I am here and so is the kingdom!”

Third, Jesus preaches repentance knowing that He is present and has brought the door of His kingdom to the door of our heart and bids us to enter into it.

(Instrumental Music)

(Perspective of John - Samaritan Woman)

The gospel of John, although not a Synoptic Gospel, records a beautiful story of repentance along the way from the Judean countryside to Galilee.

To get from Judea (southern-central Israel) to Galilee (north-central Israel) you had to go through Samaria (central Israel), or go all the way around the east side near Jordan and Syria.

On the way, John, one of the disciples of Jesus, later records that Jesus stopped in the Samaritan town of Sychar. John records the story this way:

John 4:4–26 (NLT)

4 He had to go through Samaria on the way.

5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

6 Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime.

7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.”

8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.

9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”

10 Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”

11 “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water?

12 And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?”

13 Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again.

14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

15 “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.”

16 “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her.

17 “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband—

18 for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!”

19 “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet.

20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?”

21 Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem.

22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews.

23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.

24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

25 The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

26 Then Jesus told her, “I Am the Messiah!”

Romans 2:4 (NLT)

4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

(Sermon Recap)

“Repentance”

1. Repentance Partners with the Holy Spirit

2. Repentance Acknowledges What Is Revealed

3. Repentance Is Submitting to the King of the Kingdom

(Closing Tension)

The Holy Spirit is speaking, are you hearing His voice lead you to repentance?

What are you hearing the Holy Spirit say to you?

As we read the words of Jesus did you hear Him say, “Come?”

What is He revealing in you with His marvelous light?

How willing are you to acknowledge the truth that He is revealing?

Is the King knocking on your door and offering you the door to His Kingdom?

Will you walk through the door?

Repentance is how we enter through the door that leads us on the pathway to His kingdom.

How are you going to respond?

(Connection Card)

(Response)

(Invite Altar Team)

(Closing Challenge)

If you want to know more about repentance, water baptism, or the baptism in the Holy Spirit, please connect with us.

(Closing Blessing)

Numbers 6:24–26 (ESV)

24 The Lord bless you and keep you.

25 The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.

26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.