Follow The Leader - Mark 1:12-20

Mark 1:12-20 Follow the Leader 2019-08-04 Jesus is leading God’s kingdom; follow him I learned something this July that I had never before known. Do you know the first food eaten on the moon, and the first liquid drank there? Two men, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, were men on a mission. America was determined to be the first nation to put a man on the moon. We’re familiar with Neil Armstrong’s words as he stepped out of the lunar landing module. “One small step for man; one giant leap for mankind.” Indeed, landing on the moon was a momentous mission and showcases the hard work and ingenuity of mankind. But what about the first food eaten and liquid drank? I was surprised to learn that they were the elements of the Lord’s Supper, brought into space by Buzz Aldrin, who was an ordained elder in his presbyterian church in Texas. He read from John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” He poured the wine into a small silver chalice he had been given by his church, and partook of the elements. He recalled later that the mission to the moon transcended electronics and computers and rockets. Even as man reached out into the universe, God was there too. Psalm 139:7–10 “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.” Scripture Passage: Mark 1:12-20 As we come to our Scripture passage this morning, we see that Jesus was a man on a mission. Mark is deliberate and pointed in presenting him this way. Remember v.1, that this is the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God? Mark is showing us, unfolding to the reader, that this is a triumphant announcement of a new King. That’s what “gospel” would have communicated to the first readers. “Gospel” was used to announce the birth of a new king or a new caesar, the ascension to the throne, or a great victory in war. So Mark says this is “gospel”. Not a new emperor, but One greater. This is Jesus, a man on a divine mission, promised by God, approved by God, who is taking his rightful place. He is the ruler, he is the king, he is the victory. We see Jesus, on mission, taking his place as king and leading God’s kingdom, and we see what our rightful response should be. Jesus is leading God’s kingdom; follow him. The Temptation (vv.12-13) 1. v.1 “The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.” - Immediately following the commencement of Jesus’ earthly ministry, the Holy Spirit, having just descended upon Jesus, thrusts Jesus out into the wilderness where he will be tempted by Satan. If Jesus will reign, he must show his power over Satan. There’s no time to waste. Jesus is on mission. 1. The rule of mankind isn’t undisputed. Satan is even called “the ruler of this world” by Jesus (John 12:31; 16:11). Jesus is challenged by Satan, yet is victorious. 2. He is tempted, yet without sin. Tempted in every way as we are tempted, yet without sin (Heb. 4:15). 1. Hear this, young women. Hear me, future men. Don’t be defeated as soon as temptation presents itself. The temptation itself is not failure. Giving heed to the temptation, allowing the temptation to root itself down and bear sinful fruit is the failure. The temptation to gossip, to speak unkind or untrue words, to take what isn’t yours; these are all temptations, and are to be overcome. Think about the good that God has promised you and the blessings he has graciously provided for you. Why would you give up such treasure for such trash? 1. James 1:12–15 “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” A crown of life, or death? Transition: Mark is showing that Jesus is the rightful King. He overcomes Satan’s temptations, and next he begins announcing his kingdom. The Kingdom (vv.14-15) 1. v.14 “Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God…” - Now, remember, that the word gospel found broader use during the time of Mark’s writing than it does today. It wasn’t a Christian word, but was used by the Romans to announce a new emperor or heir, or even announce victory in battle. Jesus returns from battle with Satan and is victorious, so he is announcing God’s gospel, proclaiming the good news of triumph, of victory, heralding the arrival of a new era. 2. v.15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel.” - The outworking of God’s plan is being fulfilled. The history of redemption has reached this momentous occasion, so that now the Messiah is revealed, the anointed One who will accomplish the will of God and establish the reign of God, providing salvation for all who repent and believe. 1. Jesus proclaimed, “the time is fulfilled.” The word for time here isn’t chronos, which would be like us saying the time is 11am, or time is ticking away. Instead he uses the word kairos. It’s a significant difference. RC Sproul, in his commentary on Mark, says this is like the difference between something being historic and something being historical. My waking up in the morning is something historical, but not something historic. Man walking on the moon is historic. History from that point forward is changed, is different. So too, Jesus arriving and heralding God’s gospel is historic. The time is fulfilled. 2. Jesus proclaimed, “the kingdom of God is at hand.” This doesn’t mean a castle is getting ready to drop out of the sky. The kingdom of God is the reign of God, the rule of God in the hearts and minds of people. Yes, it is manifest physically, but that manifestation is through the change in hearts, in behavior, in motive, in loving action. 3. Jesus proclaimed, “repent and believe the gospel.” Gospel preaching involves a call to both believe and repent. In fact, Jesus put repent before he said believe. 1. Repentance involves a true sorrow for sin. Not sorrow that you were caught in sin, but sorrow as you know sin breaks your communion with God and grieves God, and sin welcomes the discipline of God. 2 Corinthians 7:10 “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” Repentance is a turning away from sin, a change of mind, of heart, and of behavior. To hate the sin that causes such death and to turn toward God who graciously gives life. In fact, without repentance there is no salvation. 1. The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks “What doth God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse due to us for sin? A: To escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin, God requireth of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption.” Transition: Jesus is victorious over Satan in the wilderness and preaches the gospel. Lastly this morning we see his calling of men, and we see what our rightful response should be. The Calling (vv.16-20) 1. vv.17-18 “And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him.” - First Jesus calls Simon (Peter) and Andrew. They were fishing, not as a hobby but as an occupation. Their response? They immediately follow Jesus. 2. vv.19-20 “And going on a little farther, he saw James…and John his brother… And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.” - Going a little farther Jesus sees James and John and calls them. They leave their father and the servants and follow Jesus. 1. Was Jesus calling them to abandon families, jobs, investments, to forsake all to follow him? Was this a calling like the calling on the rich young ruler, who was told to go and sell all that he had, then to follow Jesus? The rich young ruler loved his wealth and it was what controlled his life. Jesus won’t share the throne. So the call for the ruler was to give up what he had, because what he had was occupying the throne of his heart. But the calling of these four disciples is different. 1. It’s a decisive call. They couldn’t continue on their fishing boat and follow Jesus. Jesus must be first priority. Above family, above occupation, above investments and wealth and even personal health. But that doesn’t necessarily mean he calls us to abandon or forsake those things. In fact, Peter, who is called as a disciple here, is seen later in this chapter hosting Jesus in his home and Jesus heals his mother-in-law. So Peter still had his family and followed Jesus. The call is to follow Jesus. The call to be a disciple of Jesus is a call to be a servant of Jesus, following his orders and commands wherever they lead you and however hard they may be. 2. It’s a transformative call. He calls them to become something they aren’t. They’ll learn, they’ll serve, they’ll be stretched, and they’ll grow. They’ll become fishers of men, followers of Jesus that are magnetic, strangely attractive as they’re transformed by Christ. Conclusion: Have you heard the words of the King, calling you to follow? The question isn’t, “Have you responded?”, but “How have you responded?” Have you responded in faith, going after Jesus as your first priority? Jesus is leading God’s kingdom; follow him. Jesus is on mission, and he is working to accomplish and fulfill that mission still today through followers of him who are transformed by him. Have you heeded the call? y l i m Fa 23-25 Table Talk August 4, 2019 GOD’S TRUTH Jesus is leading God’s kingdom; follow him! Family Discussion 1. Have you ever been sent on a mission? Maybe to find your lost shoe or missing hat? To bring firewood up to the house or bring some goodies to a neighbor? What other missions can you think of that you’ve been sent on? Were you successful? 2. Jesus had a mission while he was on earth. Read Mark 1:15. What was it? 3. Talk with your family about this mission. What “time” was Jesus talking about. What kind of kingdom is “the kingdom of God”? What does it mean to repent? Read the Scriptures in the Table Reading to help with understanding these things. 4. Are you on this same mission? What can you do today to carry out the mission of sharing the gospel? 5. Read Ephesians 3:14-21. Be encouraged by the power of the Holy Spirit to follow Jesus and share the gospel! Key Verse “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15 ESV TABLE READING Lead your kids into God’s Word... • Daniel 9:25; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:7-10; John 18:36-37; Romans 14:17; Mark 1:4 Scripture Memory: Mark 10:45 “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” - Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (ESV)