Introduction

Good morning, beloved family in Christ. It is once again a joy and a privilege to stand before you today, not because of any merit of my own, but because of the grace that has been so lavishly poured out upon us by our loving Heavenly Father. It's a grace that calls us together, not as strangers or mere acquaintances, but as a family united under the banner of Christ's love.

As we gather in His name today, we find ourselves standing at the threshold of a profound reflection. It's a reflection that takes us to the heart of the Christian life, a life that is not merely about following a set of rules or ticking off a checklist of good deeds. It is a life that is, in every sense, a Kingdom life.

In the words of the great preacher, Charles Spurgeon, "Our faith is a person; the gospel that we have to preach is a person; and go wherever we may, we have something solid and tangible to preach, for our gospel is a person. If you had asked the twelve Apostles in their day, 'What do you believe in?' they would not have stopped to go round about with a long sermon, but they would have pointed to their Master and they would have said, 'We believe him.' 'But what are your doctrines?' 'There they stand incarnate.' 'But what is your law?' 'There sits it.' 'But what is your hope?' 'There it is. Can you not see him? Our hope is a living person. It is Christ Jesus.'"

Reflecting on Kingdom Life

As we look at the life of Jesus, we see a life lived in the fullness of the Kingdom. From His baptism in the Jordan to His ministry in Galilee, His life was a living testament to the reality of God's Kingdom here on earth. His life was not one of comfort and ease, but of sacrifice and service. He was not swayed by the temptations of this world, but was steadfast in His commitment to the will of His Father. This is the life that we are called to reflect on, a life that is not centered on our own desires, but on the will of God.

The first aspect we need to consider is the baptism of Jesus. This was not just a ritual or a symbol, but a declaration of His identity and mission. When He came up out of the water, the heavens were torn open and the Spirit descended on Him like a dove. A voice from heaven declared, "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." This was a divine affirmation of Jesus' identity as the Son of God and His mission to bring the Kingdom of God to earth. As followers of Jesus, we too have been baptized into this identity and mission. We are not just individuals living our own lives, but we are children of God, called to live for His Kingdom.

The second aspect is the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. Immediately after His baptism, the Spirit led Him into the wilderness where He was tempted by Satan for forty days. Despite the harsh conditions and the relentless temptations, Jesus did not give in. He stood firm in His faith and resisted the devil. This shows us that living the Kingdom life is not without challenges and temptations. We will face trials and tribulations, but we are not alone. Just as the Spirit was with Jesus in the wilderness, so too is the Spirit with us, giving us the strength to overcome.

The third aspect is the ministry of Jesus in Galilee. After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. He did not retreat in fear or despair, but boldly carried on the mission. He went about preaching the Kingdom of God, healing the sick, casting out demons, and showing compassion to the outcasts. This shows us that the Kingdom life is not just about words, but about actions. It's about living out the love of God in practical ways, serving others, and making a difference in the world.

The final aspect is the proclamation of Jesus. He said, "The time has come. The Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" This was not just a message for the people of His time, but for all of us. The Kingdom of God is not a distant reality, but a present reality. It is here and now. We are called to repent, to turn away from our sinful ways, and to believe in the good news of Jesus. This is the heart of the Kingdom life, a life of repentance and faith.

Reorienting Our Focus

As we immerse ourselves in the narrative of Mark 1:9-15, we are drawn to the moment when Jesus emerges from the waters of the Jordan ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO