From Glory to Glory - Wow
Wow. What a way to start. ‘Go BIG or go home’, they say.
As we read through Mark chapter 1, God speaks directly and dramatically to us in a number of ways, with some specific things to focus on in our walk with Him.
Mark opens with, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.“
1) The Promise
It’s ultimately what humanity has always needed, and, still needs. A redemptive Saviour.
Our God orchestrates that a messenger, John the Baptist, begins by proclaiming the need for forgiveness of sin, and, then identifying Who is coming to atone for that sin in each of us.
THIS is the gospel that we need to declare and live out daily. Each of us accepting our own personal representation of John’s message of hope, reconciliation, and, equipping of Holy Spirit Power to live a redeemed life.
Let us never forget that.
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2As it is written in the Prophets: “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.”
3“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’ ”
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6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
7And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.
8I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
9It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
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14Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
2) The Search for Truth
People really are looking for truth and redemption. It’s the internal cry of our heart and souls to know God, whether we realize it or not.
If people search for the Truth with all their heart, they shall indeed find it. We need to be there for them.
This can happen on an individual basis, or, en masse as messengers proclaim the Good News.
Be encouraged. Not everyone is called to be an evangelist. However, when God truly begins to take up His residence in our hearts, and our lives change tangibly by the Power of the Holy Spirit, others are going to notice. The searchers will find us to find out more.
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4John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
5Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
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32At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed.
33And the whole city was gathered together at the door.
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35Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
36And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him.
37When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.”
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45However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.
3) The Authority of Christ
Sin, sickness, disease, demon oppression/possession, whatever the issue is, Jesus IS the Answer. He backs it up with His Authority and is recognized for Who He IS.
Spend time with Jesus. Learn of Him and His Ways. Let Him consume you. Day in and day out.
We need not be afraid of what the enemy can throw at us, for Christ and His Authority live IN us.
As we learn that surrendering every atom of our entire being to Him, and walking with Him to do His will daily, we shall undoubtedly have opportunities to share the truth of Who Jesus IS, and, to set the captives free.
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22And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
23Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,
24saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”
26And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.
27Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”
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34Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.
38But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.”
39And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.
4) The ‘Immediately’ of God
When God does His work, whether it is calling us, equipping us, or using us, He oftentimes does it immediately.
What an exciting and fruitful way to live. In fact, it’s the ONLY way we should live.
God does not want us to be hesitant when He asks us to do something.
God is the God of action.
So let us set our hearts to be prepared for, be engaged with, and act with, the ‘immediately’ of God.
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10And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove.
11Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
12Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness.
13And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.
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16And 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.
17Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
18They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
19When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets.
20And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.
21Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught.
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28And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.
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29Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
30But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once.
31So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.
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40Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”
41Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”
42As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.