Courageous Responders

Mark 1:14-20

Thank you for attending this special First Responders Appreciation Sunday. A special thanks to the families of First Responders as well. I know you are left at BBQ’s and social events from time to time as your family member is helping others who are in crisis or emergencies. We thank you for sharing your family member with us.

Today as you leave, we want you to be first in line for a Taco lunch. Also if you are on duty, please go directly to get your food so you won’t leave without your lunch should you get called out. There are tables and chairs next door in Moffitt Hall where you can sit down and relax as you eat.

When you think of First Responders, courage is the first quality that comes to mind. Where does that courage come from? How do you have the courage to fulfill your responsibility?

In the first century during the time of Christ, there were also come very courageous people who were like a First Responder. These were asked to take tremendous risks to answer a calling from Jesus. The disciples were to answer a calling from Jesus to help people who were trapped in a world filled with violence, with abuse, and with much injustice. Since this world was ruled by Roman Kings who were narcissistic and control freaks, they sought a freedom from all these things. Most of these disciples in this passage died courageously for the message they proclaimed. The message they delivered went against the currents social and political trends.

There is only one Person who could give them complete freedom: Jesus Christ. John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

As I have been out with you on ride alongs and call outs, I have personally seen some very heroic acts of service by you. You may have removed someone out of danger just in time, you may have rescued someone from a fire or a violent scene. What you see regularly in your line of work, very few will see in their lifetime. Thank you. Let’s think a few minutes about first century First Responder.

Jesus gave the disciples an unpopular message to deliver that could mean a certain death for them. What was this message?

There are three simple components to the message.

I. There is urgency v. 15

The time is fulfilled. Jesus is reminding us that life is short and is going quickly. James 4:14 “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

Our lives are like the smoke that comes off an exhaust pipe. We don’t know how long we have in this life. There are not guarantees or lease on life.

Here is what Jesus is saying.

(Illustrate rope with a red line) This rope illustrates a time line of our lives. The red line represents the length of our present life. The white line represents eternity. Interesting how many live only for the present life.

Since our lives are moving rather quickly, we need to think of where we stand with God.

There is an urgency to turn to Jesus. If you wait until later, you might miss the opportunity. These men were to carry the message to a pagan world who wanted nothing to do with Jesus Christ. Yet, they had the courage to be a First Responder to Jesus’s call to give out the message. They were urging folks to be a follower of Jesus. To accept Him as their personal Savior.

What Jesus is stressing is the urgency of personal reconciliation.

D. A. Carson

II. There is a command: Repent

Repent means a change of mind. We decide or we choose to turn from our sin and turn unto Jesus. This means we turn from living for ourselves and in our sin to Jesus Christ as our Savior. It is a U-Turn we make in our spiritual life.

These early First Responders had a message that would literally change the lifestyle of the First Century. Jesus offers to mankind new life filled with peace and joy and meaning. If you think about it, churches partner with First Responders in giving a life changing message. However, everyone must individually choose to accept the message. They were jailed and beaten for sharing the message. They were called by Jesus, on the front line messengers and witnesses of this wonderful truth.

However, it seems many would rather have their sinful lifestyle than have Jesus as their Savior. He gives new meaning and new purpose.

Those in the first century like we in the 21st century believe our greatest need is physical or financial or emotional; however Jesus comes to meet man’s greatest need. Man needs a relationship with Jesus Christ who through that relationship offers abundant life and a home in heaven. God gives us a peace that we can have nowhere else.

III. There is a Deliverer

The ultimate First Responder is Jesus Christ.

Jesus tells us to believe the Gospel. The gospel is that Jesus died for our sins. He paid a debt we could not pay. He went to the cross suffering for the sins of the whole world. Your sin and mine. He died and was buried. Three days later He arose from the dead. His resurrection proves that what Jesus did for us by dying on the cross, assures us of acceptance with God as a child of God.

Most of you are familiar with court trials. The Bible presents that image in a few passages. In Bible court, God the Father is the judge, and we are the sinner guilty of breaking the law of God. Jesus is the lawyer who stands on our side and says, he or she is guilty. We did break God’s law. Jesus says, “even though he or she broke the law, I paid the price for the sinner. Those who accept the payment will be pardoned from their sin.

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior? By that I don’t mean you are a good person or a Baptist or some denominational label, but there was a time in your life when you turned from your sin and accepted Christ as your Savior. If you have not done that, you can today? I will be happy to talk to you or we will have some folks with a red lanyard that says altar worker. They will be happy to talk with you. Maybe you just need someone to pray with. We are here for you. We just want to serve those who serve us. We are totally available.

If you need prayer, we invite you to come to the front for prayer. Thank you and God bless you.