The Kingdom of God Has Come Near

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

The Kingdom of God Has Come Near

Date: Jan. 18, 2016

Passage

Mark 1:14-20 (ESV)

14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 1:15

and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

First, The kingdom of God is near (14,15). According to Mark's gospel account, Jesus began his public ministry after John the Baptist was put in prison. Now the way was completely prepared. Now Jesus went into Galilee and declared two things. He said, "The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near." The coming of Jesus was the coming of the kingdom of God to all who were prepared through repentance. Jesus also said, "Repent and believe the good news." The kingdom of God was near. Our response must be repentance and belief in the good news.

Second, "Come, follow me" (16-20). As Jesus proclaimed the good news, he began to call disciples. His first disciples were fishermen. To Simon and Andrew, he said, "Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people" (17). A short time later, Jesus called two more fishermen-brothers, James and John. He also called them to follow him. The response of both pairs of brothers was to immediately drop everything and follow Jesus. When Jesus calls us, we must be willing and ready to follow immediately.

Prayer: Lord, help us to repent, believe, and follow Jesus wholeheartedly.

One Word: Repent, believe and follow

The Songs of Moses and of the Lamb

Revelation 15:1-8

Key Verse: 15:4

  Who will not fear, O Lord,
    and glorify your name?
  For you alone are holy.
    All nations will come
    and worship you,
  for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

Today's Question

What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?

See answer and references