Jesus Said...
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Introduction
Sermon Introduction
Good Morning Church.
Today I have a message to present to you called “Jesus Said...”
We will focusing on the first words spoken by Jesus that where recorded in Mark’s gospel.
Today’s text will continue our study in the Gospel of Mark.
So, please turn your Bibles to Mark chapter 1.
We will be focusing our study this morning on the verses 14 and 15.
From these passage we will have 3 key takeaways:
1) Jesus Said it is Time
2) Jesus Said to Repent
3) Jesus Said to Believe
Opening Prayer
Opening Prayer
Before we dive into the text, please join me in prayer...
Opening Illustration
Opening Illustration
The difficulty some have in entering the doorway to the kingdom of God is like the experience of the boy who got his hand caught inside an expensive vase.
His upset parents applied soap suds and cooking oil, without success.
When they seemed ready to break the vase as the only way to release the hand, the frightened boy cried, “Would it help if I let loose of the penny I’m holding?”
So it is all too often with us.
We cause others great anguish and risk the truly valuable because we will not let go of the insignificant things we possess today.
Again, our reading today will be from Mark 1:14-15:
Reading of the Text
Reading of the Text
14 Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching 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.”
Background
Background
Verse 14: Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God,
In the previous few verses before this, we saw that Jesus was baptised and spend 40 day and nights in the wilderness being tempted.
All the synoptic Gospels (that is Matthew, Mark and Luke) start Jesus’ ministry in Galilee.
However, John’s Gospel reveals to us that Jesus had an early Judean ministry that was actually concurrent with that of John the Baptist.
22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing.
23 John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being baptized—
24 for John had not yet been thrown into prison.
You see, Mark, along with Matthew and Luke, are being selective in their accounts and choosing to pass over certain events.
John openly admits this at the end of his gospel:
25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.
So, this is in no way a contradiction.
This is the author of the gospel, being lead by the Holy Spirit, choosing which events to record while keeping in mind the original readers and what they needed to know.
So, as Jesus starts building up His mission, John is nearing his mission’s end.
This should be a sober reminder to us that we are not out here focuses on expanding our mission.
Our chief end is His mission and the advancement of His Kingdom.
Our mission can end at anytime and, as in the case of John, it can cost us our lives.
But the high price to serve our God is nowhere compared to the sin debt that was on our heads.
The high price to serve our God is also nowhere near the value of the rewards we will enjoy once we are finally in His presence.
At this point in the Gospel of Mark, John is arrested.
“Arrested” or “handing over” in Greek is “paradidomi” which refers to both the adversities one is subjected to along with the ultimate will of God that is operating through the current situation.
We find more detail of this later in Mark’s gospel for the reasons why John was arrested.
17 For Herod himself had sent and had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because he had married her.
18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
At this point too, Jesus begins preaching and kicks off His ministry in Galilee.
Note that the stark contrast of the arrest of John and the beginning of Jesus’ ministry are intentional to remind us that the gospel is to always be proclaimed and known in adversity and suffering and not just in ease and comfort.
“Preaching” here is translated from the Greek word “kerysso” which means to announce, to make known, to proclaim aloud.
And Jesus was proclaiming a message to the crowds that includes an urgent and important message.
This message is broken down in three parts as we will see when we dissect the next verse.
And this also takes us to our first of three point:
1) Jesus Said it is Time
1) Jesus Said it is Time
Verse 15: and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand;
“Time” or in the Greek, “kairos” means a favorable, opportune, or significant time as opposed to just chronology.
The kingdom of God is “at hand” means the kingdom of God is “near” as we see with translations like the CSB and NIV.
So, what is the Kingdom of God or as Matthew’s Gospel calls it the Kingdom of Heaven in order to follow the Jewish tradition to not speak God’s name?
In first-century Judaism the Kingdom of God described a future, earthly kingdom in which God through Israel would rule over the nations.
Another way to describe the Kingdom of God is when the kingly authority of God is acknowledged and is upon us.
So, although God is always sovereign and rules over everything, we see from the Scripture that the Kingdom of God contains a future element of a “realm” or “reign” of salvation if you will.
We are accurate to say that the Kingdom of God has come in Christ.
So, the Kingdom of God is present.
We see this recorded in Luke’s gospel:
20 Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed;
21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
Yet we are also accurate to say the fullness of the Kingdom of God or when the Kingdom of God is consummated that it will take place when Jesus Christ returns.
So, the fullness of the Kingdom of God is still to come.
We see this again in Luke’s Gospel:
18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.”
Mathew’s Gospel even records in a parable how the Kingdom will grow starting from Jesus’ first appearing in the flesh and to the eventual fullness with His second coming:
31 He presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field;
32 and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”
The coming of the Kingdom of God was mentioned in the Old Testament in regards to Jesus coming in flesh:
6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.
5 “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; And He will reign as king and act wisely And do justice and righteousness in the land.
6 “In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell securely; And this is His name by which He will be called, ‘The Lord our righteousness.’
The Kingdom of God will be eternal as seen in Daniel’s book:
44 “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever.
Regarding the Kingdom of God, Jesus said the gospel message or the good news of the kingdom will reach the ends of the world as recorded in Matthew’s gospel:
14 “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.
Jesus also refers to the Kingdom of God coming into power relates it to Him as His full divinity was on display with the tranfiguration.
Jesus gave a preview of His fully divine nature and how He will appear during the second coming.
1 And Jesus was saying to them, “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”
2 Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them;
3 and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
4 Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus.
5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
6 For he did not know what to answer; for they became terrified.
7 Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!”
Romans records (referencing to Isaiah 45:22-23) the future consummation of the Kingdom of God when every knee will bow, every tongue confess: Romans 14:11
11 For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall give praise to God.”
And Revelation records the complete and utter defeat of our adversary, the Evil One:
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.
2) Jesus Said to Repent
2) Jesus Said to Repent
Verse 15: repent
The call to repentance was central to Jesus’ mission.
Remember His words in Luke:
32 “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
Repentance is crucial because penalty of sin is death.
Sin brings God’s wrath and judgment.
Fellowship with God is only made possible through full surrender and sincere repentance.
God, throughout all of Scripture with His his servants and prophets have called for people to repent over and over again.
Genuine repentance, which is always accompanied by genuine faith, is the only way to escape the full wrath and judgment of God due to the way that was made possible due to the perfect work of Christ on the cross.
So, by repenting and believing, we receive the forgiveness of our sins and receive restoration.
Coupled with the command to repent is the command to “believe.”
So, if repentance denotes that which one turns from, belief denotes that which one turns to—the gospel.
Additionally, both verbs in the Greek are present imperatives.
That means, believers are to enjoin living in a condition of repentance and belief as opposed to just momentary acts.
The reality is that repentance and belief cannot be applied to just certain areas of life but not to others.
Repentance and belief must claim total allegiance from believers if they are genuine.
In other words, genuine faith always involves genuine repentance, and vice versa.
We just need to look at Acts and see the words of Peter to confirm this truth:
38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”
And also see Acts 20:20-21:
20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house,
21 solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
But you may be wondering, what genuine repentance looks like?
Lets go to the original language.
"Repent” is translated from the Greek word “metanoeo” which means to change one’s mind or to change one’s way.
It means to be converted and to feel remorse.
So, what are we called to repent of?
We are to repent of our sins, our wickedness.
A life of carnality and wickedness does not show evidence of repentance.
Humility is required.
We must abandon our worldly ways.
We must turn our life around.
We must humble ourselves:
14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
21 “But if the wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed and observes all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall surely live; he shall not die.
22 “All his transgressions which he has committed will not be remembered against him; because of his righteousness which he has practiced, he will live.
23 “Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord God, “rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?
To live in open rebellion to God is the biggest error you could ever make.
To live in open rebellion to God is true foolishness.
It is important to note hear that even with genuine repentance, it may not remove the effects of human sin.
Scripture has many examples of this:
The Israelites’ repentance could not prevent the 40 years of wandering that resulted from their refusal to enter the promised land.
Saul’s repentance (whether it was genuine or not) was too late to escape God’s judgment on his kingship.
David’s repentance, although by all accounts it did seem to be truly sincere, didn’t stop his son that he conceived sinfully with Bathsheba from dying.
Esau’s repentance did not bring back the birthright he had sold away to Jacob.
We also need to remember that we should never take advantage of God’s mercy.
Yes, God is kind when you don’t deserve it.
Yes, God is tolerant when you don’t deserve it.
Yes, God is patient when you don’t deserve it.
But God is kind when you don’t deserve it so you will repent.
But God is tolerant when you don’t deserve it so you will repent.
But God is patient when you don’t deserve it so you will repent.
As it says in Romans:
4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
God’s mercy and grace lead to our repentance.
So, a genuine repentance in a fruit of God softening a stone heart.
Genuine repentance is the sign of genuine faith and a genuine relationship with God.
Yes, a genuine relationship with God comes from a genuine belief.
And this takes us to our final point:
3) Jesus Said to Believe
3) Jesus Said to Believe
Verse 15: and believe in the gospel.”
Scripture without a doubt stresses that fallen human beings are completely cut off from God on account of their sin.
We are totality depraved and He is absolutely Holy.
In order to be saved, it is required that we enter into a new relationship with God.
Salvation can never be the result of human achievement, privilege or wisdom, but instead totally depends upon the grace of our loving God.
The came at the cost of the cross when Jesus took our place and paid our sin debt, experiencing the full wrath of God.
One must respond in both repentance and faith if they are to benefit from God’s offer of salvation in Christ.
We talked about repentance; what about belief?
What does genuine belief look like?
Again, we must go to the original language.
“Believe” is translated from the Greek word “pisteuo” which means to be confident about, to trust or entrust, and to rely on.
This truth is crucial in understanding saving faith.
This truth is crucial in understanding what is required to have a relationship with God.
Remember what James says, even the demons believe.
19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
But their belief is just that God actually exists and that He is real and even that His title is Lord of all.
But, Satan and his demons do not have confidence about God.
They do not trust God.
They do not rely on God.
So, you have to ask yourself, “If your belief in God any different than the fallen angels?”
Do you have confidence in God?
Do you have confidence in His Word?
Do you have confidence in His ways above your ways?
Do you really put your trust in Him above the trusting you put on yourself?
Do yo trust in His faithfulness and His goodness?
Do you still have confidence and trust in Him when your world is falling apart around you?
Do you rely on Him?
Do you rely on His teachings?
Do you rely on His commands?
Do you rely on His ways?
If you really don’t have confidence in Him.
If you really don’t trust Him.
If you really don’t rely on Him.
What makes you any different than a fallen angel?
What are you depending on to make it into heaven?
Is it your good works?
Remember what it says in Romans 4:1–3:
1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found?
2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Good works won’t save you.
You need to believe in the saving message in the the gospel or as other translations say the “good news.”
What is it good news?
What is the gospel message?
This is the good news of salvation that is both about God and from God.
So, the gospel is the good news of the fulfillment of God’s promises from the Old Testament.
The promise of the coming of the Messiah that would save those who place their trust in Him from the penalty of sin and the Father’s wrath.
For He took our place at Calvary on the cruel cross.
And when God shows grace, grace we don’t deserve, He soften one’s stone heart.
Yes, while we where His enemies He showed us the greatest act of love.
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
He calls forth our name like Lazarus's name was called fro the grave.
And our dead and dry ones come alive.
For no reason other that His mercy are we able to see this truth and appreciate all that Jesus did for His own.
With soften hearts we surrender to our personal Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
And we are made brand new.
We are regenerated and Born-Again.
What we need to do on our part is summed up perfectly in Romans 10:9-10:
9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
And that is very good news.
Closing Illustration
Closing Illustration
Now please consider this:
George Whitefield mentioned in his journal that during his first voyage to Georgia, the ship’s cook had a bad drinking problem.
When the cook was reproved for it and other sins, he boasted that he would be wicked until the last two years of his life, and then he would reform.
Whitefield added that within six hours of the time the cook made his boastful statement, he died of an illness related to his drinking.
Closing of Service
Closing of Service
I beg you, do not delay.
Do not follow in the foolishness of the cook who though he had plenty of years left in his life.
If you have not responded to the Good News of God, today is the day.
If you have not put your trust in Him, today is the day.
If you have not surrendered to Him, today is the day.
If you have not relied on Him, today is the day.
If you have been waiting to repent tomorrow, know that tomorrow is not guaranteed.
And today is the day.
To trust Him.
To surrender to Him
To rely on Him.
Yes, today is the day.
All the Glory to God.
Amen.