2017-12-06 Mark 1

Mark 1:14–15 CSB

After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

What is the Kingdom of God?

(CSB) 14 After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news,, of God: 15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

MINISTRY IN GALILEE

14 After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news,, of God: 15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

The Kingdom is God regaining his rightful place over this earth.

(CSB) 14 After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news,, of God: 15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Illus: Scripture is clear that this world sits under the domain of sin and darkness. This is why we see the depravity and brokenness of the world around us. This is how we understand death, wickedness and the way the world works. We know that this world is controlled by death.

That said, God’s plan in Christ was to do more than save us. It was to restore order. It was to take back what belongs to God. It is to bring God’s kingdom to this world.

We should constantly be asking, how can we be apart of establishing God’s kingdom in redeeming the world around us.

Here is the clearest picture of God’s kingdom in scripture:

Illus: (CSB) 22 As they were eating, he took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant,, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly I tell you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new, in the kingdom of God.”

(CSB) 22 As they were eating, he took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant,, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly I tell you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new, in the kingdom of God.”

THE FIRST LORD’S SUPPER

22 As they were eating, he took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant,, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly I tell you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new, in the kingdom of God.”

We should seek to establish God’s kingdom through God’s methods and not our own.

(CSB) 14 After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news,, of God: 15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Illus: Our temptation is to try to establish God’s kingdom in our power. In the crusades this was done by raiding the Holy Land, and attempting to force people to convert through putting a sword to their necks. They tried to force people to follow Jesus.

Though we do not force people through violence, we have other non biblical means in attempting to christianize the world. We face the temptation of thinking that if we pass the right laws, or elect the right president then our nation will be christian again.

We think that if we shout loud enough into the culture war, people will be won to Christ through our passion.

God was clear in the methods he intended to advance his kingdom. It is to be won through the gospel, and the sacrifice of his people.

Illus: (CSB) 37 They answered him, “Allow us to sit at your right and at your left in your glory.”

(CSB) 37 They answered him, “Allow us to sit at your right and at your left in your glory.”

37 They answered him, “Allow us to sit at your right and at your left in your glory.”

38 Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup I drink or to be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”

39 “We are able,” they told him.

Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with. 40 But to sit at my right or left is not mine to give; instead, it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

41 When the ten disciples heard this, they began to be indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them over and said to them, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. 43 But it is not so among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave to all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”,

Why is repentance so important?

(CSB) 14 After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news,, of God: 15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

The first throne that needs to be given to God is the throne of your life.

(CSB) 14 After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news,, of God: 15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Illus: I have noticed how easy it is here in Vidalia to be a cultural christian. We live with this idea that if we pray a prayer, and get baptized then all of our sins will be forgiven and we can live however we want.

Perhalps your not that bold, and you even live a good life, but you don’t really live for God’s kingdom. There is no specific intent of living for Jesus at home, no active devotional life. You don’t really share your faith at work. Truthfully, you live a good life but your faith ends there.

The bible calls Jesus both our Lord and savior. Who is really in control of your life?

Illus: (CSB) 46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things I say? 47 I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the river crashed against that house and couldn’t shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The river crashed against it, and immediately it collapsed. And the destruction of that house was great.”

(CSB) 46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things I say? 47 I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the river crashed against that house and couldn’t shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The river crashed against it, and immediately it collapsed. And the destruction of that house was great.”

THE TWO FOUNDATIONS

46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things I say? 47 I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the river crashed against that house and couldn’t shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The river crashed against it, and immediately it collapsed. And the destruction of that house was great.”

Repentance is more than turning away from your sin. It is turning away from your own authority.

(CSB) 14 After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news,, of God: 15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Illus: The word Lord in the early scripture was a direct rebuke to the the way people lived. When Caesar came to a town, people would show their allegiance to him by kissing his ring and saying “Caesar is Lord”. What they were doing is placing themselves under his rule and leadership.

When the early church began to say, “Jesus is Lord” it was a statement that they no longer lived for themselves. They were placing themselves under the authority of Christ alone.

We have many things fighting to be our lord. Money, pleasure, our phones, self esteem, tolerance, a desire to be loved, politics… I could go on and on.

That said, there is only one worthy to truly be Lord of our lives: Jesus Christ.

Illus: (CSB) 22 Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth. For I am God, and there is no other. 23 By myself I have sworn; truth has gone from my mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow to me, every tongue will swear allegiance.

(CSB)

22 Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth. For I am God, and there is no other. 23 By myself I have sworn; truth has gone from my mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow to me, every tongue will swear allegiance.

all the ends of the earth.

For I am God,

and there is no other.

23 By myself I have sworn; truth has gone from my mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow to me, every tongue will swear allegiance.

truth has gone from my mouth,

a word that will not be revoked:

Every knee will bow to me,

every tongue will swear allegiance.

Why is faith essential?

(CSB) 14 After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news,, of God: 15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Faith is understanding that there is a greater kingdom waiting for us.

Illus: Repentance is living for God’s kingdom today, faith is looking forward to the day where God’s kingdom is complete. While we live on this side of eternity we live by faith, but one day faith will not be necessary any more.

Illus: (CSB) 39 But we are not those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and are saved. 11:1 Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.

(CSB) 39 But we are not those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and are saved. 11 Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.

39 But we are not those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and are saved. 11 Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.

LIVING BY FAITH

11 Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.