January 21, 2024
LINK TO SERMON ON YOUTUBE
(Will expire after about 6 months)
TEXT: Mark 1:14-20
TOPIC: What is the Gospel?
SERMON SUMMARY:
Fr. Rob discusses Jesus's concise yet profound proclamation of the gospel in Mark after John's arrest. Jesus proclaimed the good news of God's kingdom breaking into the world. The time was fulfilled - God was acting to accomplish his ancient promises through Jesus. Though inaugurated in Jesus, God's dynamic reign was not yet fully revealed.
This kingdom demanded repentance and belief. Repentance means turning from sin to align with God. Belief means trusting God's faithfulness despite circumstances. Humanity constantly relies on false sources of security rather than believing God's promises.
Fr. Rob illustrates this through Abraham and Sarah's story. Despite waiting years for God's promised son, they continued trusting though it seemed impossible. Their life exemplified Israel awaiting God's revelation through Christ.
The kingdom advances mysteriously until Christ's return. We all struggle to trust and obey like Abraham and Sarah, failing yet picking ourselves up, called to lifelong repentance and belief. God still calls us to live into his kingdom today through repentance and belief amidst each circumstance, spreading light and redemption.
Jesus gave the perfect concise summary of the gospel. The time was fulfilled, God's kingdom was at hand, demanding repentance and belief from all. We must be able to simply present this good news - that God entered the world calling us to live in his ways as Lord. This transforms lives as we submit to Christ's lordship in all seasons, sharing the gospel through word and deed.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION & DISCUSSION:
God made many promises in the Old Testament, such as the promise that Abraham would give birth to a son whose descendants would become a nation. List as many promises as you can think of. How do you see these promises being fulfilled in Jesus Christ?
Share one or two examples of how you have seen the kingdom of God break into your life and lives around you over the years?
What is one area of your life right now where you are struggling to trust God? How might your answers to #1 and #2 above encourage you in trusting God with this area of your life?
In light of your answers to #1-3, how would you answer the question “What is the gospel?” How would you answer if someone asked you more specifically, “How has the gospel impacted your life?”
PRAYER: “Father, thank you for being a promise-keeper, for bringing life and salvation and restoration in Jesus Christ. Thank you for the ways we’ve seen your kingdom at work throughout human history and our own lives. (List specific examples here.) Help us trust that you are the same God now that you have been in the past. Give us grace to trust you in the areas where we haven’t seen you working as much as we would like, or in the ways we would like. We trust that you are at work in ways we don’t see, and that you are bringing your kingdom more fully even in the difficult areas of our lives.”
