<< Previous | Index | Next >>"THE GOSPEL OF MARK" The Preaching Ministry Of Jesus - I (1:14-15) INTRODUCTION 1. In Mk 1:14-15, we read of the beginning of Jesus' public ministry in Galilee... a. Which followed the imprisonment of John the Baptist - cf. Mk 6: 17-18 b. Which began at Capernaum, on the edge of the Sea of Galilee - cf. Mt 4:13 2. His public ministry involved "preaching"... a. "...preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God" - Mk 1:14 b. The word "preach" (Gr., kerux) means "to herald, to proclaim" [But what was the message Jesus proclaimed? Is it a message we should be preach today? From our text (Mk 1:14-15) we first see that...] I. JESUS PREACHED THE KINGDOM OF GOD A. WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD...? 1. That kingdom of God foretold in book of Daniel a. A kingdom which shall never be destroyed - Dan 2:44 b. A kingdom, along with glory and dominion, given to the Son of Man - Dan 7:13-14 2. The kingdom of God involves four interrelated concepts a. God's kingship, rule, or recognized sovereignty 1) The term "kingdom" as used by the Jews often stressed the abstract idea of rule or dominion, not a geographical area surrounded by physical boundaries 2) basileia - royal power, kingship, dominion, rule; not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom - Thayer b. This rule of God is spiritual in nature 1) It is not a physical kingdom - cf. Jn 18:36 2) But one that is spiritual - cf. Ro 14:17 c. Its visible manifestation today is in the form of the Lord's church 1) For the church is that community of souls in whose hearts God is Sovereign 2) That the church constitutes the kingdom of God on earth, consider: a) The term "church" and "kingdom" used interchangeably - Mt 16:18 b) Comments made to those who were in the church - Col 1: 13; 1Th 2:12 c) The description of those in the churches of Asia - Re 1:4,6,9 d. It has a future element as well as a present one 1) Future aspect as spoken of by Jesus - Mt 25:34 2) Future aspect as spoken of by Paul - 1Co 15:50; 2 Ti 4:18 3) Future aspect as spoken of by Peter - 2Pe 1:10-11 3. Thus the kingdom of God is both present and future a. In the present sense: 1) It is found wherever the sovereignty of God is accepted in the hearts of men 2) It is a spiritual kingdom, for God rules in the hearts of men 3) Its outward manifestation today is the Lord's church 4) This rule or kingdom of God was "inaugurated" on the Day of Pentecost (Ac 2) b. In the future sense: 1) The rule or kingdom of God will be "culminated" with the coming of the Lord 2) It will involve that "news heaven and a new earth in which righteousness dwells", described by Peter and John - 2Pe 3:10-13; Re 21-22 3) It will be experienced only by those in the church who are submitting to God's will today! - cf. Mt 7:21-23; 2Pe 3:13-14 -- The kingdom of God involves good news (gospel)! B. DOES THE KINGDOM OF GOD NEED TO BE PROCLAIMED TODAY...? 1. Most certainly! a. Philip "preached the things concerning the kingdom of God" - Ac 8:12 b. The apostle Paul in his preaching and teaching: 1) Spoke of the challenges in entering the kingdom in its future sense - Ac 14:22 2) Reasoned and persuaded with people concerning the kingdom - Ac 19:8 3) Had gone among the Ephesians, "preaching the kingdom of God" - Ac 20:25 4) Solemnly testified of the kingdom of God to the Jews in Rome - Ac 28:23,30-31 c. In his epistles, Paul wrote of: 1) The nature of the kingdom - Ro 14:17 2) Those who will not inherit the kingdom - 1Co 6:9-10; Ga 5:21; Ep 5:5 3) Jesus giving the kingdom to God when He returns - 1Co 15:24-26 4) How flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom - 1Co 15:50 5) How we are in the kingdom now - Col 1:13 6) His companions as fellow workers for the kingdom - Co 4:11 7) How we might be counted worthy of the kingdom - 2Th 1:5 8) God calling us into His kingdom and glory - 2Th 2:12 9) Jesus judging us at His appearing and His kingdom - 2 Ti 4:1 10) The Lord preserving him for His heavenly kingdom - 2 Ti 4:18 d. Hebrews refers to our receiving a kingdom which can't be shaken - He 12:28 e. James described the faithful poor as "heirs of the kingdom" - Jm 2:5 f. Peter wrote how we might have an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom - 2Pe 1:10-11 g. John was a brother and companion in the kingdom of Jesus Christ - Re 1:9 2. Yet there is an important difference in our message today a. John the Baptist, Jesus, His disciples in the Limited Commission...all proclaimed the kingdom "at hand" (drawing near) 1) For the rule of God as foretold by the prophets was about to be manifested - cf. Mk 1:14-15; Dan 2:44; 7:13-14 2) During Jesus' earthly ministry that kingdom (reign) was yet future 3) That was the "good news" (gospel) of the kingdom then: it was near! b. After the ascension of Christ, the preaching of the kingdom proclaimed it both present and future 1) The rule of God is now being fully manifested through Jesus Christ - cf. Mt 28:18; Ep 1:20-22; 1Pe 3:22 2) Those who "gladly receive" the message are added by the Lord Himself to His church or kingdom (i.e., the community of believers who submit to His authority) - cf. Ac 2:36-41,47; Col 1:13; Re 1:9 3) Those who persevere to the end inherit the heavenly and everlasting kingdom of our Lord - Ac 14:22; 2Pe 1:10-11 -- This is the good news (gospel) of the kingdom today: it is both now and coming! CONCLUSION 1. Thus "The Preaching Ministry Of Jesus" involved proclaiming the kingdom of God... a. The coming rule or reign of God b. As proclaimed by prophets like Daniel c. Was now "at hand", for "the time is fulfilled"! 2. But Jesus did more than just announce the coming of the kingdom of God... a. He called on people to repent b. He called on people to believe - Mk 1:15 We will examine His call for repentance and faith in our next study. In the meantime, we do well to ask ourselves, "Are we in the kingdom of God today?" The answer lies in whether we submit to the rule of God now manifested in the person of Jesus Christ... - cf. Mt 28:18-20<< Previous | Index | Next >>
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