The meaning of the Kingdom

Mark 1 v 16-34
Introduction
I. Kingdom of God is near
A. Who is this king? Peter Faulk, Colombo, Jesus identified, but slowly revealed by Mark
B. Nature of the kingdom what is it, how do we enter it?
In v 16-20, what do we learn about the kingdom?
I. It means coming under Jesus’ authority
A. v 16-17, authority extends to work life
B. v 19-20, authority extends to family life
II. It means drawing others into the kingdom too
A. Fishers of men v 17, metaphor for Christian discipleship
III. it means decision
A. at once they left v 18, without delay they left v 20
B. world torn open, ruptures status quo
C. Makes people choose
D. Kingdom requires a decisive act of commitment
What do vs 21-22 teach about the Kingdom of God?
I. Jesus exercises his intellectual authority
A. We must submit our ideas, philosophies, ideologies and opinions to him
B. Beliefs shape practice
II. Mark explicitly uses the term authority v 22
A. “out of the original stuff” He was brand new!
B. Teachers “thus saith the Lord” Jesus “but I say to you”
C. Amen, Amen, usually afterwards, Jesus uses to start
D. No one else ever did this, not kings, priests, prophets
What do vs 23-28 teach us about the kingdom of God? Despite modern prejudices against the idea of demon possession how does the existence of evil spirits help us explain what goes on in the world?
I. Jesus exhibits authority over demons
A. not simply a claim to authority, this is proof
B. This is exhibition of power and authority never seen before
C. No incantation, just “shut up and get out”
D. No call on higher power, he is higher power
II. Our sceptical culture
A. Fair enough for an atheist, but not consistent for a believer to believe in a good God and refuse to believe there is evil supernatural beings
B. Demonic forces explain complexity of psychological problems, many causes, moral, physiological, psychological, demonic
C. Demonic forces can explain systematic social evil. Apartheid, Rwanda

III. Misery and evil not simply because of sinful choices
C. But Jesus can heal
D. His exorcism shows how the kingdom works, not simply rule giver, but liberator and healer, he brings in the new realm of the kingdom
IV. There is an alternative to having Jesus as master
E. Not everyone possessed like this man v 23, 24
F. Ephesians 6- principalities
G. Anything we make an ultimate value becomes a master and exercises enslaving power over us (career idolatry)
H. Jesus comes in as Saviour and therefore King, as we submit, priorities change, kingdom comes in, you become new
Over what areas of life do v 29-34 show his authority? What do we lean about the kingdom here?
I. Jesus is king over the physical world
A. Teaches and heals, word and deed
B. Christians to do likewise, fishers of men from injustice
People today struggle with the idea that we must absolutely submit all of our thinking and practice to the Lordship of Christ. How can we answer a person who struggles like that?
I. we need a king, even though democratic human rights say different
A. We want someone to help us, love us, not rule over us
B. Reason for democracy not because of goodness, but reverse, no power in the hands of one
C. We no longer honour the monarchy, we honour others
D. Wear equality with others, but undress before God, C.S. Lewis
II. If Jesus is not your king, something else will be, it is how we are built
Summary, what have we learned?
I. The kingdom is comprehensive, extending over every part of life and reality
II. The kingdom of God brings healing and wholeness to any area that comes under the king’s authority
Remembering the big picture
I. Who Jesus is
A. he is the king, Christ and the Son of God, B. he is as powerful as John the Baptist said (v7), C. he has supernatural authority
II. Why Jesus came
A. To establish a new kingdom B)He holds the power over the spiritual and physical world
III. How should I respond?
A. Apathy? B. Everyone who meets him is amazed. C. The demons were violently opposed to him