Fourth in a series on the Gospel of Mark by Pastor Craig Diestelkamp
Scripture: Mark 1:14-21
Having overcome the temptations in the wilderness Jesus begins His a ministry in the power of the Spirit. Mark demonstrates clearly how Jesus shows His power and authority. Jesus has power over Satan, therefore He is able to cast out demons. He has power over sickness and disease and he heals people of their afflictions. He has power over sin and so He forgives and cleanses from sin. One of the first things that Mark shows us is that Jesus has power over men’s hearts – and to demonstrate that Jesus calls, Peter, Andrew, James and John to leave everything and follow Him.
The Call of God is Different
Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying,”The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15 NKJV)
The kingdom of God calls us to a different way to live life; a different reality of worship and a different way to do relationships.
The Kingdom of God is the realm of God’s rule and the environment of His ethic.
The Call of God is Drastic
Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him. (Mark 1:17-18 NKJV)
What did Jesus mean by “unless you hate…” (Luke 14:26)?
- We are not called to “hate” actively but comparatively.
- We are called to love Jesus so much more!
Jesus has the right to call us to abandon all for Him by virtue of the fact He is both Creator and Redeemer.
The Call of God is a Discovery
“Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” (Mark 1:17 NKJV)
Jesus calls us into a process of change and discovery. When Jesus first called the disciples they had little clue what it meant to follow Jesus. They thought He was headed for the throne and had no idea His destination was the Cross. it was the process of following that caused them to discover what it meant to be a “fisher of men”.
Jesus comes with authority which means He is the author of our story and our destiny (Mark 1:21-22)
