Good News
Mark 1: 14 - 20
Intro: One Sunday morning the Bubba Schmidt family was driving home from church where Bubba had preached a “great” sermon. His 9 year old son, Jon said, “Dad, when I grow up, I’ve decided to be a preacher. Bubba thought that perhaps his message had touched his son. Bubba responded, “Well Jon, last week I thought you wanted to be a football player.” “I know,” said Jon, “but during church today I realized that I’m going to be going to church every Sunday for the rest of my life and that’s a long time. So, I decided that it would be more fun to be stand shouting that just sitting and listening!”
I Suddenly Bubba’s bubble burst. His son’s revelation wasn’t exactly the “good news” Bubba had anticipated.
A I want you to think this morning about what would be the best news that you could receive? (inherit a huge fortune – won the lottery – won the Publisher’s Clearinghouse grand prize?)
B I have “Good News” for you this morning! The word at the end of Vs. 15 translates into “Good News” or “Gospel” is EUANGGELION which carries many nuances of meaning in the life of Jesus.
C Euanggelion can include: TRUTH, HOPE, PEACE, PROMISE, IMMORTALITY, SALVATION because all of these things are included in the life and teachings of Jesus.
II Look at VS. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
A The calling of fishermen should remind us that Christ Jesus first invites ordinary people to join him as friends, companions, and co-laborers.
B Look closely at that passage and you will see that Jesus doesn’t just say FOLLOW. It is a personal invitation that says, “follow ME!”
C Jesus didn’t call people to read, study, or just sit in a pew absorbing his teaching and example.
III VS. 18 – “at once they left their nets and followed him.” Is there a difference between discipleship as a task and discipleship as an identity or vocation?
A Leaving does not always involve departing a place. It can mean many other things.
B Leave behind: 1) prejudices, 2) apathy, 3) reluctance to follow, 4) resisting change, and 5) disliking the different.
C The decision to follow Jesus is to be lived out in fidelity, service, and even sacrifice.
Concl: Living as a disciple isn’t something you do. It is something you are. This passage highlights the call of the gospel, the cost of following Jesus, and the challenge God’s kingdom represents to our everyday lives.
GOOD NEWS is a declaration of God’s victory, an announcement of wondrously new state of affairs breaking into the present. Becoming a faithful disciple of Christ Jesus takes both a moment and a lifetime.
