Thursday, June 16, 2011

Your gospel is too small

Series The gospel of Mark
Dentist £60

What Gospel not
I. Instruction
II. Biography
III. History
IV. Legend or myth
What the gospels were
I. Not teaching or record but news
II. Angel was a messenger
III. Gk Evangels- victory or new King etc
IV. Inscription- beginning of the gospel of Caesar Augustus
V. Heralds of good news
VI. Important? Other religions spoke of illumination, knowledge, instruction, teaching, wisdom, Gospel is chosen
VII. Because gospel is news of what God has done for you, not instruction or advice.
VIII. Gospel is about historical events, if Jesus came it means something for everyone
1. Isaiah 40 v 3-5 compared with Mark 1 v 1-4, What is Mark telling us about Jesus?
I. Christ, anointed one, messiah anointed one
II. Son of God, divinity, angelic being?
III. John B, Isaiah 40, the Lord, Yahweh, no higher claim possible for Jesus
IV. Mark roots Christianity in Israel, fulfilment of Judaism, Gen 3 v 15
2. How does John pave the way for the Lord? What do verses 4-8 tell us about the Messiah? How is the King to be received?
A. Repentance seen in call to be baptised and newness, not just for gentiles, everyone
B. v7 Baptism with the Spirit is the way to meet the King
I. Shows you have met with the King
II. Water baptism is only a symbol
III. Baptism of the Spirit is when you receive and join with Jesus; you become part of the body.
C. v 7-8 attitude of submission and recognition of Messiah
I. John and sandals
II. Our obligation of service must be as radical, he is our absolute Lord and we must acknowledge him as such
3. What do verses 9-13 tell us about what “baptism of the Spirit” means and brings to us?
A. it is a spirit of sonship
I. Power yes, but more! Jesus knew he was loved by and pleasing to the Father
II. Same for us Rom 8 v 15-16, Spirit witnesses to us, we are children of God
III. We need that desperate assurance, the Spirit gives it, floods us!
B. Makes the wilderness a place of growth
I. Spirit sends Jesus into the desert to be tried and tested
II. Not an accident, not a devastation, or weakening, it is empowering
III. We can expect suffering as children of God, but we rejoice in our sufferings, for it brings hope (romans)
IV. Jesus with the wild animals
4. v 14-15 tell us the essential message of the King
A. essential message
I. Something has happened in history
II. The King has entered into history
III. The way to relate to the king is not great deeds or worthiness, but by admitting your sin and believing in the King
B. Mystery
I. Who is the King? We know but will be revealed
II. Why only near? Something has to happen
5. Mark’s narrative is breathless, abrupt, what is he trying to do?
I. World has been torn open by God, his style conveys this
II. Jesus’ coming requires decisive action
III. You need to act, repent and believe, neutral not an option!
6.Remembering the big picture
A. Who Jesus is!
I. Christ, the good news God has promised
II. Good news of victory
III. Gospel is all about Jesus
B. Why Jesus came
I. Solve the problem of sin from the fall, v 4, v 13, v 15
C. How should I respond?
I. Not opposition v 14
II. Repentance and faith v 15
III. Mark’s gospel demands commitment and change, that is God’s eternal call
7. What is the gospel?
I. We are saved by his work, not ours
II. We can through faith and repentance be sons and daughters of God
III. The Kingdom of God, the freeing, liberating power of God has come!

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