What were some of the most important and perhaps even, shocking features of the first Advent of Jesus The Messiah? Just how important of a thing is it to become a “disciple of Jesus Christ”? If you were intending to impact the world with the greatest message it had ever received, what would have been your choice of methods? As we return to our latest study in the gospel of Saint Mark, please listen in as Pastor Landis teaches a thought provoking lesson explaining God’s choice in calling the world to become “Disciples of God”. Grab a spot of tea and a crumpet, and come along as we celebrate the beginning of the greatest and most impacting discipleship ministry the world has ever known and find out where you fit in this scenario.
Old Testament Scripture Reading: Isaiah 54:5 – 13 (KJV)
Isa 54:5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
Isa 54:6 For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.
Isa 54:7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
Isa 54:8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.
Isa 54:9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.
Isa 54:10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.
Isa 54:11 O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.
Isa 54:12 And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.
Isa 54:13 And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
New Testament Scripture Reading: Mark 1:14 – 22 (KJV)
Mark 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Mark 1:16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. Mark 1:17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. Mark 1:18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. Mark 1:19 And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. Mark 1:20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him. Mark 1:21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. Mark 1:22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
Transforming Power Statements:
#1) After the imprisonment of John, the forerunner of Messiah, Jesus went about preaching the good news that God has prepared a Kingdom and that all who are willing to repent could now be justified to enter into the family of God to be taught by Him.
#2) Discipleship is God’s method of revealing the truth that makes people free, and should therefore, be at the top of the list of important pursuits of the church.
#3) It could be said that there are only two divisions of people on earth: 1) Disciples of Christ or 2) The enemies of Christ. Which one are you?
