Faith Series

INTRODUCTION

- Faith, what is it?

- When we speak of faith, what are we speaking of?

- When we speak of faith, are we speaking of only believing something?

- As Mark Moore states in our Core 52 reading, "A rational recognition that Jesus died and rose from the dead doesn't always translate into a life transformed. After all, even the demons believe that (James 2:19)."

Moore, Mark E E. Core 52: A Fifteen-Minute Daily Guide to Build Your Bible IQ in a Year (p. 187). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

- Belief is reasonable, but it misses the essence of what Jesus means when He speaks on the subject.

- Reducing faith to a feeling or even to personal experience misses the point of what Jesus meant when He spoke on the subject.

- Today, we are in week two of our series within Core 52, A Guide to Greatness, from the Gospel of Mark.

- Mark begins his Gospel by talking about the ministry of John the Baptist.

- Mark then moves to the ministry of Jesus.

- Our focus is on Mark 1:15, a verse that encapsulates the essence of Jesus' inaugural message as He began His public ministry.

- This single verse is packed with power and purpose, offering us timeless truths that are just as relevant today as they were two thousand years ago.

- In our passage, Jesus calls us to a response to the Gospel Mark speaks of in verse one.

- Let's examine the all-important message from Jesus that marked the beginning of His public teaching ministry.

- Today, we will be covering. Mark 1:15.

Mark 1:15 (NET 2nd ed.)

15 He said, “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the gospel!”

SERMON

I. The fulfillment of time.

- As we examine the first point, let's consider the profound significance of Jesus' proclamation, "The time is fulfilled."

- This statement marks a pivotal moment in the history of God's redemptive plan, signifying that the long-awaited promises and prophecies were coming to fruition in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ.

- John had paved the way for the Messiah, and now Jesus picked up the mantle.

- When Jesus speaks of the time being fulfilled, He harkens back to the Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming Messiah!

- The arrival of the Messiah had been foretold for centuries.

- Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel spoke of a coming Savior who would redeem Israel and bring hope to all nations.

- Isaiah 7:14 prophesied the virgin birth, which was fulfilled in Jesus.

- Isaiah 9:6-7 foretold His eternal reign. Micah 5:2 predicted His birth in Bethlehem.

- All these prophecies and more were fulfilled in Jesus, confirming He is the promised Messiah.

- Jesus alludes to God's sovereignty and timing!

Galatians 4:4 (NET 2nd ed.)

4 But when the appropriate time had come, God sent out his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

- The fulfillment of time also signifies the arrival of the Kingdom of God. With Jesus' incarnation, the Kingdom was no longer a distant promise but a present reality.

- The King had come to establish His rule and reign on earth.

- Jesus' declaration marked the beginning of a new era in God'sJesus' redemptive plan.

- Through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, the Old Covenant was being fulfilled, and a New Covenant was being established.

Hebrews 1:1–2 (NET 2nd ed.)

1 After God spoke long ago in various portions and in various ways to our ancestors through the prophets,

2 in these last days he has spoken to us in a son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he created the world.

- The beginning of Jesus' ministry was a planned event from our sovereign God!

- God's timing was perfect, and we can rely on God's timing in our lives, too!

- Jesus calls us to live with an awareness of God's timing and purposes for our lives.

- The fulfillment of time also signifies the arrival of the Kingdom of God.

- With Jesus' incarnation, the Kingdom was no longer a distant promise but a present reality.

- The King had come to establish His rule and reign.

- - Jesus begins His ministry by telling us what we have been waiting for is here!

- It is time to get serious; it is time to make some changes in your life.

Mark 1:15 (NET 2nd ed.)

15 He said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the gospel!”

II. The call to repentance.

- Because the Kingdom was near and is here, the first thing Jesus calls to is repentance.

Repentance is a central theme in Jesus' teachings and is crucial for entering the Kingdom of God.