Then Jesus Said, "Follow Me"

1-21-24

Hoonah-Hadley

Mark 1:14-20

Call to Worship Psalm 62

Daily Verse Mark 1:17

As time keeps on slipping into the future and most have abandoned their New Years resolutions within the first week, God’s word continues to do what only it can do, correct, rebuke, chasten, encourage, forgive, strengthen, and as a refiners fire and a launderer’s soap, inch by blessed inch, it removes the impurities, the burden, the weight, the sin that so easily entangles (ensnares) us, that we might run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.  Because God’s word is new every day, because He is faithful, because He is merciful, forgiving and slow to anger, we can rise up today knowing that meditating on one daily devotion of His Word will do us more good than a lifetime of unfulfilled New Years resolutions. His word is music to our ears.  As in His name and in His blood, there is power in His word. It is unfailing, unashamed, uncompromising in its promise. It addresses every fallen condition of the human heart, mind, and soul. It is the salve that heals a broken heart, the shield that goes before us, the fortress that protects us, the light that guides us, the water that quenches our thirst eternally, binds up our wounds, lifts the humble, cast the wicked to the ground, makes straight our path, brings down the high places and raises up the valleys.  He bridges the chasm, tears the veil, parts the sea, sends us a Helper, an Advocate, a Comforter.  God sent His Son to save us, transform us, love us, forgive us, bless us, fill us, and send us.  There is nothing He hasn’t done, can’t do or won’t do.  The one thing we need to do, follow Him.

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Mark 1:14 “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God.”  If there was ever a time to read “around” our lesson, today is the day.  This is the beginning of Jesus’ Galilean ministry, but even our Lord is not bid to begin His labors without first being tested.  One of the things we notice about life and God’s word is the progression of things, order, as they say, “one thing leads to another.”  The gospels are a prime example of Christ progression, out of the 4, Mark cuts to the chase.  John the Baptist prepares the way, He baptizes Jesus and before Christ enters His public ministry, He is tempted by Satan.  This is God’s order, His economy, and so it is with life. Few people if any become CEO’s while in elementary school during recess.  If God saw fit to send His Son into the wilderness for 40 days, being tempted by Satan and ministered to by angels (Ch.1:12-13), should we think He would set us on the mantel without earning our stripes? For those of you that are old enough, do you recall your wilderness wanderings? The temptations, trials, and tests life affords?  It is interesting to note, John the Baptist prepared the way, the other gospels give more details on their relationship, but truth be told, it is one of the dearest relationships ever, period.  There is a great lesson for us here, Jesus does not linger with the “preparer”, at once He is about “The Way”.  Each detail here can be further searched, not one of them is the beginning nor end of the matter, but in Marks undiluted gospel, the Son of God is on a mission trip, it doesn’t lend itself to lingering, He has an appointment with Calvary, an empty tomb and beyond, He must be about His Father’s business.  We’re not saying don’t visit loved ones in their affliction, but we are aliens, pilgrims, sojourners, cry in your milk, yes, but don’t linger there, the next thing is on its way, be about “The Way”, follow Him.

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Vs. 15 “and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.  Repent and believe in the gospel.’”  When Jesus was 12 years old and responded to his parent’s reprimand in Luke 2:49 “Don’t you know I must be about My Father’s business?”  Some 18 years later, we have before us that business. His clarity in whose business He is to be about suggests there is other business He has not time for.  In the temptation verses Satan makes an attempt to divert His attention to other business, risky business, fishy business, bad business, business that has 0 return, actually a negative return on its investment, a business that will surely lead any that partake in it to bankruptcy.  Luke 4:13 “Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.”  There is a lot of noise out there, endless opportunities, jobs, business, investments, entertainment, things we might invest our time and energies into.  As it was with Jesus, so it is with us, there is our Father’s business and then there is everything else. Jesus does not buy into the lie, puts the devil in his place, but know this, Satan wasn’t done with Jesus, and he’s not done with us, he’ll wait for an opportune time to return.  Proverbs 23:23 “Buy the truth and do not sell it.”  2 Cor. 4:4 “whose mind the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe…”  Satan is the father of lies and the master of deceit. It is the truth that sets us free or the lie that sends us to hell. Deuteronomy 30:19 “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses, therefore choose life.”  First things first, Jesus puts the tempter in his place, recognize the liar and do the same. But beware, he comes to us in endless ways, get up on your watchtower and when he shows up, tell him to get lost. Jesus is on a schedule, He does not have time for monkey business, get on His schedule, follow Him, buy the truth and do not sell it. Repent and believe.

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Vs. 16 “And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.”  This is a nice story, but if we could cut to the chase, Jesus “saw” Simon and Andrew, and He sees us. James Moose, pastor of Unity Church Greenfield Pa. said this, “Throughout the Old Testament, God called people with feet of clay: murderers, liars, adulterers, and unclean lips. Jesus called folks with rough hands, not the educated or sophisticated but those who knew a hard day’s work and the rough and tumble of the fish markets. Our world is full of walking wounded, broken people leading broken lives. What better voice to tell the Good News than one who by the grace of God has been called out of it, saved from it, ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven…”  There are several times God word says, “The kingdom of heaven is like…”  This quote from Brother James, that is what it’s like, Jesus uses broken lives as building blocks to build His kingdom, the kingdom of heaven.  Ephesians 2:20, Hebrews 3:6 “We are His house”, you and me, broken as we are. Mark 1:17 “Then Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’”  The bible is God’s word, His promise, His call is to us, it all applies to us. We have spoken about the “I will” statement before. If God say’s “I will,” trust Him, He will.  Despite our hiding in the bottom of the boat, the garden, closet, addiction, the gym, the golf course, the stock market or Las Vegas, God will, you can take that to the bank. He will “make” us. To make is to form or fashion. Who or what are we allowing to make or fashion us? What is it that we are walking, talking, living, breathing advertisements for? Have you read any bumper stickers lately? We have got to relinquish control and let Him “make” us. God’s order: baptism, temptation, repent, believe, “Then Jesus Said, ‘Follow Me’”.  What are you waiting for?

Amen.