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Answering The Great Commandment And Commission

The Invitation: Believe in the Gospel (Word)

Sunday September 17, 2023 - Pastor Wungreiso Valui

Mark 1 - 2

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the Prophets: Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You. The voice of one crying in the wilderness. Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight... Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." Mark 1:1-3 & 14-15

THE MESSAGE

Jesus extends a welcoming invitation to experience His life by entering His home -God's intimate life and dwelling place. The ultimate purpose of Christ's earthly presence is to take you back to your eternal home, where you can reside with God eternally.

THE BIG IDEA:

God intends for humans to experience abundant life through a deep and meaningful relationship with Him. The answer can be found in following Jesus and fulfilling the Great Commandment and Commission.

THE BIG QUESTION:

How can we nurture our spiritual growth, strengthen our relationships with God and those around us, and embrace an abundant life- a rich, fulfilling, and meaningful life?

Solution In The Gospel of Mark

Answering The Great Commandment And Commission

Why This Series?

• Personal Crisis: I grapple with a pressing issue - the challenge of effectively sharing the good news.
• Christianity In Crisis: The influence of politics on church teachings.
• Theological Crisis: Jesus' teachings are invoked as mere political rhetoric.

Who Is Jesus: Revisiting Conventional Definitions of Jesus

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God v1a

"You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." v11b

1. One way to comprehend the essence of Jesus is to view Him through the lens of God's invitation. Scripture paints a vivid picture of God extending an invitation to His house.
2. The Lord as a place of refuge and dwelling John 1:1-4 John 14:3

Why Did He Come

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit v8b

1. The intertwining of spiritual gifts and forgiveness of sins with Jesus' name.
2. Exclusive authority of Jesus to grant forgiveness.
3. Jesus, as the sole administrator of the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

What Did He Preach

Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

What Is The Good News of The Kingdom:

1. Description of Jesus' revolutionary message in the Kingdom narrative
2. Reference to Matthew 5:3-11 as a challenge to conventional norms- "Blessed are the poor."
3. Transforming Marginalization and Challenges
4. Brokenness as a starting point for something new
5. Humility as a foundation for a new way of life
6. The Kingdom of God Within Reach

What Is The Kingdom of God

The whole concept of the kingdom is so novel that only those who are ready to make a new start can see it, let alone enter it -William Temple

Importance of understanding the dual nature of the Kingdom of God and its historical context

The Dual Nature of the Kingdom of God: "Now" and "Not Yet"

1. "Now" aspect - The Kingdom of God at Hand
2. Jesus' proclamation of the Kingdom's nearness and urgency
3. Evidence of the Kingdom through Jesus' works
4. The Kingdom is within reach in the present moment

"Not Yet" aspect - Future Realization of the Kingdom

1. The central message of Jesus' resurrection and enthronement in heaven
2. Hope in the future return of Jesus to inaugurate the Kingdom

The central message of the New Testament emphasizes that Jesus was resurrected and enthroned as king, not on Earth in Jerusalem, but in heaven. It's crucial to note that this often goes unnoticed.

Historical Context

That we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles." (1 Sam. 8:20).

Israel's request for a king (1 Sam. 8:20)

1. Desire for someone to judge them
2. Desire for a leader in battles

Theological Significance of "Kingdom"

1. God's concern for internal integrity
2. God's role in ensuring external security

Israel's Shift Towards Human Kingship

Logic To IIlogic: The Kingdom of God

"I will make you become fishers of men," declared Jesus.

1. Jesus' declaration: "I will make you become fishers of men."
2. Challenging conventional wisdom

Jesus' Actions Defying Norms

1. Miracles: Five loaves and two fish, water into wine
2. Sending unlearned disciples to confront elites
3. Ordinary individuals reshaping the world

The Impact of Jesus and His Disciples

1. Disruptors reshaping the world (Reference to Acts 17:6a)

How Is the Kingdom of God Manifested?

Matthew 12:28 (Also present in Mark 3:28-30): "But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you."

Manifestation of the Kingdom of God
The Kingdom manifested through Jesus' actions and teachings

• 1. Matthew 12:28 - Casting out demons
• 2. Mark 1:25-26 - Authority over unclean spirits
• 3. Mark 1:30-31 - Healing and restoration
• 4. Mark 1:41 - Compassion and cleansing

What Must We Do: A Call to Repentance and Transformation

Repent and believe in the gospel -Mark 1:4

A call to action for all individuals

Confession

1. Acknowledge your sins and wrongdoings
2. Repent to experience inner transformation
3. Teshuvah (Hebrew): Turning away from evil and towards goodness
4. Reorient and realign with devotion to God
5. Metanoia (Greek): Change Your Mind, Renew
6. Turn away from sin, as seen in Mark 1:4

Contrition

1. Being "contrite in spirit" goes hand in hand with this transformation.
2. Contrition touches the very core of our hearts, softening them and making them receptive to change.
3. Identifying with God's desire for reconciliation

Course Correction

1. Repentance recognizes the need for Course Correction
2. Repentance is a means to progress on the spiritual journey-drawing nearer to our ultimate goal and direction