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Why is it so difficult for God to do advice

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Why in the world Jesus would you want to go somewhere else

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when there’s a large crowd with many needs

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waiting right back at my house door

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and they’re already waiting and they’re already looking for you why do you wanna

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go somewhere else

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Welcome to Open the Bible with pastor Colin Smith. I’m David Pick

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glad you could be with us today and Colin we need to answer that question

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he says we have a ready made audience here and Jesus wants to go somewhere else

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Hey we’re in Mark’s Gospel in chapter 1, this is one of the most

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fascinating scenes to me Jesus has an audience

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because he healed the number of people. There have been miracles perfomed

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and now they bring out all of the sick

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and all these people with many needs and the disciples suddenly find that Jesus

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has skipped town. He’s gone away, he’s gone to a lonely place. Eventually they find

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him

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Everybody is looking for you and why in the world has he gone away

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This is what Jesus says. He says let us go on

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to the next towns that I may

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preach there also for this reason I came out

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He said now this is why I came into the world and it’s not first about

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miracles, it is not first about meeting

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that need that is first on a person’s mind or heart

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I have come to speak about that which is eternal

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and I’m going to do that and nothing will distract me from it. This is huge in

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terms of the centrality of the Word of God

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and the central places to have in our lives. So the miracles that Jesus

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was performing were to validate the word that he was preaching

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not to attract the crowd. And thank God for every miracle … thank God for

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every answer to prayer

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and yet the priority that Jesus places

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on the proclamation of the gospel and therefore the replication of gospel

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truth

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and you think of these people who were healed all died within what

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30-45 years and that is 2,000 years ago. What really matters is

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what was their eternal state. And the gospel addresses that issue and Jesus

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says for this purpose I’ve come into the world

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So we’ll continue to look at this in Mark chapter one so I hope you’ll

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join us in your Bible if you can. As we begin the message

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Jesus speaks with power. Here’s Colin

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we began our journey through the gospel last Sunday morning by asking two

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questions

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Remember first we asked who is Jesus and saw that Mark gives us the answer to

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that

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in two ways first Jesus is the Christ

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that is Jesus is the Deliverer. He is the Promised One who has come to

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confront what is wrong

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and to put it right and second Jesus is the son of God. He is everything that

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God

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is in the flesh and we saw that this is the

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unanimous witness of the New Testament. It is recognized everywhere in Heaven

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and in hell. It is the unambiguous declaration of Jesus about himself

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and it is the confession of every true Christian

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Jesus is the Christ Jesus

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is the Son of God. And then we asked

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a second question what is the Gospel

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and again we saw from the very first sentence in

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Mark’s book here that the Gospel is all about Jesus Christ

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That is Mark’s opening statement the Gospel about

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Jesus Christ and we saw that in Jesus Christ

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we find repentance and we find forgiveness and the gift of the Holy

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Spirit

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all these things are ours in Christ and none of them

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are ours apart from Him and

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it seemed to me that it took a little longer may have seemed to you that it

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took a little longer to say that last week but that is basically

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of what we learned during our time together

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beginning this journey. Now if you have your Bibles

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open at Mark chapter one we’re going to begin from verse 14

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and cover a fairly full section through to

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verse 39 and we’ve already noticed the marked is the kind of guy

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who likes to get on with things. He’s more interested in

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doing than in talking very interesting that Matthew and Luke’s Gospels

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record but the words of Jesus then mark dust

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marks particular focused though you’d accords many of the words of Jesus his

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special focus

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is on the actions of Jesus what did Jesus

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do. This will appeal to you especially if you are a result

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oriented kind of person. If you’re the sort of person who finds it very

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difficult to sit in a meeting

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listening to discussion for more than an hour

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Mark’s gospel

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is the gospel for you because Mark really likes to get on with it

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He’s the sort of guy who would always be sitting there saying

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yes yes but what are we going to do about it and if you find yourself

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thinking or speaking like that from time to time be encouraged

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you’re going to find a real connection very quickly

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with Mark’s gospel. Now when Mark tells us about Jesus’

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teaching we’re going to see in this first part of the gospel that he

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especially wants us to know that when Jesus spoke things

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happened. It wasn’t just talk.

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It wasn’t the kind of thing that people were used to hearing in the

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synagogue.

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When Jesus speaks things happen and we’re going to see this

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morning from the Scriptures what happens when Jesus speaks

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But I want us to notice first that Jesus was committed to the

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priority of preaching that is when Jesus speaks things

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happen It flows from His word and that is what Mark wants us

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to get hold off.

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So I want us to see the priority of preaching the

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priority of speaking the word of God in the ministry of Jesus

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and we begin there in verse fourteen where we read that

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John was put in prison Jesus went into solu and what was he

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doing.

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He was proclaiming the good news of God and Mark gives us a

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summary of Jesus’ message.

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In verse 15 the kingdom of God is neer to repent and believe

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the good news.

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Worth just noticing that this is exactly the same message as

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John the Baptist which of course it would be because there’s

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only one message in the Bible.

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John the Baptist has said prepare the way of the Lord

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you’re going to meet with God and therefore you have to come

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to repentance, you have to turn to the coming one whose way is

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now being prepared.

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And what does Jesus say?

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Well it’s exactly the same message, the kingdom of God is

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near, God’s reign, you’re going to meet with God, God’s rule is

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coming in, breaking in and so what are you to do?

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You need to repent and to believe the good news.

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Notice that this message is indiscriminate.

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You don’t have Jesus saying now we’re going to meet God, God is

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coming near, some of us need to repent.

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You don’t find Jesus saying that.

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This message is indiscriminate.

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Whoever you are, whatever your background, however good a life

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you think you have lived, the message of Jesus to you and to

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me is in the prospect of God coming near, you need to repent.

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I need to repent.

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You need to believe.

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I need to believe in Jesus Christ God’s son.

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That is the message of John the Baptist.

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It is the message of Jesus.

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It is the message of the Bible, and proclaiming this message was

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the priority of Jesus.

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So as you follow through, you’ll find there’s a pattern here.

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Verse 21, they came to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath

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came, Jesus went into the synagogue and what did he do?

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He began to teach because you see this is his priority.

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The people were amazed at his teaching because he taught them

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as one who had authority, not like the teachers of the law.

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Not the usual talk.

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Mark wants us to know this.

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Not the usual kind of thing that everybody heard.

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They found that when Jesus spoke, things happened, and we’re

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going to see what happened from the Bible this morning.

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Now, news about Jesus soon spreads in verse 28.

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Verse 28, so that by verse 32, if you’re following

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in your Bible there, the crowds of people are coming out

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to see Jesus, and the crowds now have many, many needs.

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Verse 32.

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That evening after sunset, the people brought to Jesus

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all the sick and all the demon possessed,

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and the whole town, the whole town of Capernaum,

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the towns coming out and gathering at the door

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of the house where Jesus is staying,

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and we’re told Jesus healed many.

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The wonderful thing is as we go through the Gospels,

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Jesus met many needs with his personal touch.

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The Gospels are peppered with wonderful examples

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of the compassionate and personal touch

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of Jesus Christ upon the needs of people.

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But if you can picture this big crowd coming,

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things are beginning to move now

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in the life and ministry of Jesus,

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the whole town of Capernaum has come

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and gathered outside the door of Simon’s house

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and there’s a response there’s a movement in the town

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but now we’re told that very early,

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verse 35 in the morning, what does Jesus do?

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The next morning very early on no ones looking,

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he just slips out the house and he goes away on his own.

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Now you can imagine what happened when the sun comes up,

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all the crowds the people of Capernaum are back

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at Simon and Andrew’s front door

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and they’re saying we want Jesus

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there are more needs were brought to Jesus

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and where’s Jesus and of course Simon

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and Andrew are embarrassed because they don’t know

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where he is he slipped away some place during the night.

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Eventually they go out and they find him

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and they say to him verse 37

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everyone’s looking for you

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and you can sense their astonishment in this

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and Jesus says what are you doing

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you know we’re getting a response now

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there’s a crowd now there’s a whole group of people

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they’re all looking for you

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and you’re out here on your own

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makes no sense now come on back to where the people

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with many many needs are looking for you

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because this is a tremendous opportunity

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and look at Jesus astonishing answer

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in verse 38 you really need to look at this a moment

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just to take it in

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it is so surprising

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the crowds they’re waiting

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and Jesus says verse 38

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let us go somewhere else

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you’re listening to Open the Bible

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with pastor Colin Smith

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and a message called

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Jesus speaks with power

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it’s part of our series

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the Gospel According to Jesus

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and if you ever miss one of the series

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don’t forget you can always come online

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to go back and listen again or catch up

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and that’s at openthebible.org.uk

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you can also find

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pastor Colin’s messages as a podcast

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and those are on all the major podcast sites

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search for Open the Bible UK

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and subscribe to receive regular updates

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back to the message now

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we’re in Mark chapter one

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here’s Colin

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why in the world, Jesus

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would you want to go somewhere else

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when there’s a large crowd with many needs

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waiting right back

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at my house door

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and they’re already waiting

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and they’re already looking for you

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why do you want to go somewhere else

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Jesus says let us go somewhere else

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to the nearby villages

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so that I can preach

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that also for that is why I have come

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Now notice the priority of Jesus

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in this verse

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I have come to preach

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it’s what he says

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let us go to other villages

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so that I can preach there also

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for that is why I have come

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the priority of Proclamation

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now if we were to ask the question

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why did Jesus Christ come into the world

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and we were all to offer an answer

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there are many biblical answers

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that we could give

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because Jesus made several wonderful statements

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about why he came into the world

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if I was to ask you

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why did Jesus Christ come into the world

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some of us would say

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well he came into the world

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00:12:39,280 –> 00:12:40,479

so that we may have life

250

00:12:40,479 –> 00:12:41,719

and have it more abundantly

251

00:12:41,719 –> 00:12:43,719

that’s John 10 and verse 10

252

00:12:43,719 –> 00:12:44,719

that’s a wonderful truth

253

00:12:44,719 –> 00:12:46,719

he came to give us life

254

00:12:46,719 –> 00:12:50,080

some of us might think of Luke 19

255

00:12:50,080 –> 00:12:51,440

where Jesus says quite clearly

256

00:12:51,440 –> 00:12:54,679

I have come to seek and save the lost

257

00:12:54,679 –> 00:12:55,679

that’s a wonderful thing

258

00:12:55,679 –> 00:12:57,760

he came to do that

259

00:12:57,760 –> 00:12:59,799

or some of us might think of Mark’s Gospel

260

00:12:59,799 –> 00:13:01,659

in Chapter 10

261

00:13:01,659 –> 00:13:01,659

262

00:13:01,659 –> 00:13:03,799

I’ve come to serve

263

00:13:03,799 –> 00:13:05,580

and I’ve come to give my life

264

00:13:05,700 –> 00:13:08,820

as a ransom for many

265

00:13:08,820 –> 00:13:10,179

but I wonder have you ever

266

00:13:10,179 –> 00:13:12,299

really noticed this clear statement

267

00:13:12,299 –> 00:13:13,599

that’s put right up front

268

00:13:13,599 –> 00:13:15,059

at the beginning of Mark’s Gospel

269

00:13:15,059 –> 00:13:18,140

about why Jesus came into the world

270

00:13:18,140 –> 00:13:21,140

he says here

271

00:13:21,140 –> 00:13:23,020

let us go to the nearby villages

272

00:13:23,020 –> 00:13:24,340

so that I can preach there

273

00:13:24,340 –> 00:13:29,700

also for that is why I have come

274

00:13:29,700 –> 00:13:30,700

now I want to pause

275

00:13:30,700 –> 00:13:32,619

on this just for a moment

276

00:13:32,619 –> 00:13:35,200

because we live in an age

277

00:13:35,979 –> 00:13:38,080

that has largely lost confidence

278

00:13:38,080 –> 00:13:39,700

in preaching

279

00:13:39,700 –> 00:13:40,719

largely lost

280

00:13:40,719 –> 00:13:41,719

confidence

281

00:13:41,719 –> 00:13:42,719

in the power

282

00:13:42,719 –> 00:13:43,719

of the Word of God

283

00:13:43,719 –> 00:13:45,099

proclaimed

284

00:13:45,099 –> 00:13:46,159

to make a difference

285

00:13:46,159 –> 00:13:48,520

in people’s lives

286

00:13:48,520 –> 00:13:49,960

and we need to see therefore

287

00:13:49,960 –> 00:13:51,919

so that we don’t simply become

288

00:13:51,919 –> 00:13:53,320

blurred and conformed

289

00:13:53,320 –> 00:13:54,880

to our culture

290

00:13:54,880 –> 00:13:55,900

that this was indeed

291

00:13:55,900 –> 00:13:58,140

the priority of Jesus

292

00:13:58,140 –> 00:14:00,880

Jesus was committed

293

00:14:00,880 –> 00:14:01,840

to preaching

294

00:14:01,840 –> 00:14:04,640

he says so right here

295

00:14:04,679 –> 00:14:07,460

he had the power to heal

296

00:14:07,460 –> 00:14:09,400

but healing was not

297

00:14:09,400 –> 00:14:10,179

the great work

298

00:14:10,179 –> 00:14:13,200

that he came into the world to do

299

00:14:13,200 –> 00:14:14,719

when there was a large crowd

300

00:14:14,719 –> 00:14:15,539

drawn simply

301

00:14:15,539 –> 00:14:17,020

by the prospect of healing

302

00:14:17,020 –> 00:14:18,400

what did Jesus do?

303

00:14:18,400 –> 00:14:20,640

he went away

304

00:14:20,640 –> 00:14:23,479

he went away

305

00:14:23,479 –> 00:14:26,020

astonishing

306

00:14:26,020 –> 00:14:27,280

now let’s pause for a moment

307

00:14:27,280 –> 00:14:28,719

to draw some real practical

308

00:14:28,719 –> 00:14:32,880

help from the example of Jesus

309

00:14:33,419 –> 00:14:35,679

whatever area of ministry

310

00:14:35,679 –> 00:14:37,880

we become involved in

311

00:14:37,880 –> 00:14:41,479

if God blesses your ministry

312

00:14:41,479 –> 00:14:42,340

it won’t be long

313

00:14:42,340 –> 00:14:45,280

before you feel overwhelmed

314

00:14:45,280 –> 00:14:47,580

by the needs of people around you

315

00:14:47,580 –> 00:14:49,580

anyone who’s got involved in ministry

316

00:14:49,580 –> 00:14:50,739

to any degree

317

00:14:50,739 –> 00:14:53,859

knows this to be the case

318

00:14:53,859 –> 00:14:55,140

if God blesses

319

00:14:55,140 –> 00:14:56,320

what you are doing

320

00:14:56,320 –> 00:14:57,119

you will quickly

321

00:14:57,119 –> 00:14:58,280

like Jesus here

322

00:14:58,280 –> 00:14:59,799

find yourself surrounded

323

00:14:59,799 –> 00:15:02,440

by overwhelming need

324

00:15:02,640 –> 00:15:03,840

and you will find yourself saying

325

00:15:03,840 –> 00:15:05,940

perhaps privately or to a friend

326

00:15:05,940 –> 00:15:07,200

you know I just can’t meet

327

00:15:07,200 –> 00:15:08,900

the needs of all these people

328

00:15:08,900 –> 00:15:11,359

and of course you can’t

329

00:15:11,359 –> 00:15:14,739

Only God can do that

330

00:15:14,739 –> 00:15:16,239

so what are you to do?

331

00:15:16,239 –> 00:15:19,239

You have to trust God

332

00:15:19,239 –> 00:15:22,840

to work through His word

333

00:15:22,840 –> 00:15:23,460

now you see

334

00:15:23,460 –> 00:15:24,140

that is why

335

00:15:24,140 –> 00:15:25,440

a church that is

336

00:15:25,440 –> 00:15:28,520

following the example of Jesus

337

00:15:28,520 –> 00:15:30,340

won’t plan its ministry

338

00:15:30,340 –> 00:15:30,840

by, you know

339

00:15:31,039 –> 00:15:32,640

sitting around a white board

340

00:15:32,640 –> 00:15:33,440

and saying

341

00:15:33,440 –> 00:15:33,940

well now what

342

00:15:33,940 –> 00:15:35,059

are people’s needs

343

00:15:35,059 –> 00:15:36,119

and how can we meet them

344

00:15:36,119 –> 00:15:37,859

let’s write it all up there

345

00:15:37,859 –> 00:15:38,840

a church that plans

346

00:15:38,840 –> 00:15:40,119

its ministry that way

347

00:15:40,119 –> 00:15:41,440

will simply be

348

00:15:41,440 –> 00:15:44,320

completely overwhelmed

349

00:15:44,320 –> 00:15:45,359

because there is no way

350

00:15:45,359 –> 00:15:47,340

that you, I, We

351

00:15:47,340 –> 00:15:48,159

can meet

352

00:15:48,159 –> 00:15:48,940

all of the needs

353

00:15:48,940 –> 00:15:50,359

of all of the people

354

00:15:50,359 –> 00:15:52,039

It simply cannot be done

355

00:15:52,039 –> 00:15:53,239

What do we have to do?

356

00:15:53,239 –> 00:15:55,940

We have to trust God

357

00:15:55,940 –> 00:15:58,119

to work through His word

358

00:15:58,119 –> 00:15:59,359

Let me bring it down a level

359

00:15:59,359 –> 00:16:01,099

even closer to home

360

00:16:01,099 –> 00:16:03,460

those who are parents

361

00:16:03,460 –> 00:16:06,039

You cannot possibly

362

00:16:06,039 –> 00:16:08,260

meet all of the needs

363

00:16:08,260 –> 00:16:11,799

of your children

364

00:16:11,799 –> 00:16:13,719

or your parents

365

00:16:13,719 –> 00:16:15,400

or your neighbors

366

00:16:15,400 –> 00:16:16,700

or your friends

367

00:16:16,700 –> 00:16:18,340

those who come across your path

368

00:16:18,340 –> 00:16:19,799

You cannot possibly

369

00:16:19,799 –> 00:16:21,119

carry the burdens

370

00:16:21,119 –> 00:16:22,299

of all the people

371

00:16:22,299 –> 00:16:23,539

who cross your path

372

00:16:23,539 –> 00:16:24,840

If you try to do that

373

00:16:24,840 –> 00:16:27,320

you will simply sink

374

00:16:27,359 –> 00:16:29,799

Only God can do that

375

00:16:29,799 –> 00:16:32,179

We cannot meet the needs

376

00:16:32,179 –> 00:16:33,400

of the community

377

00:16:33,400 –> 00:16:34,340

of the city

378

00:16:34,340 –> 00:16:34,940

of the world

379

00:16:34,940 –> 00:16:38,500

How could we possibly do that?

380

00:16:39,299 –> 00:16:40,239

It’s been said

381

00:16:40,239 –> 00:16:43,659

and I think is a very helpful picture

382

00:16:43,659 –> 00:16:47,979

that if you give a man a fish

383

00:16:47,979 –> 00:16:50,460

you feed him for a day

384

00:16:50,460 –> 00:16:54,119

but if you teach a man to fish

385

00:16:54,119 –> 00:16:56,919

you feed him for a lifetime

386

00:16:57,020 –> 00:16:58,419

and in a similar kind of way

387

00:16:58,419 –> 00:17:00,559

if you can help meet a person’s needs

388

00:17:00,559 –> 00:17:03,380

you will help him for a day

389

00:17:03,479 –> 00:17:05,479

If you can help a person to become

390

00:17:05,479 –> 00:17:08,800

established in Christ

391

00:17:08,800 –> 00:17:10,439

you will help them

392

00:17:10,439 –> 00:17:12,079

and establish them

393

00:17:12,079 –> 00:17:13,479

for life

394

00:17:13,479 –> 00:17:15,959

and for eternity

395

00:17:15,959 –> 00:17:18,780

Now, Jesus would not allow himself

396

00:17:18,780 –> 00:17:20,280

to be drawn into ministry

397

00:17:20,280 –> 00:17:22,459

that would simply meet

398

00:17:22,459 –> 00:17:24,239

the immediate needs of people

399

00:17:24,239 –> 00:17:25,079

without bringing them

400

00:17:25,079 –> 00:17:26,680

into a long term relationship

401

00:17:26,680 –> 00:17:28,160

with God

402

00:17:28,160 –> 00:17:29,760

He is absolutely committed

403

00:17:29,760 –> 00:17:32,199

to the priority of proclamation

404

00:17:32,199 –> 00:17:34,119

and he says it quite clearly here

405

00:17:34,119 –> 00:17:38,400

THAT is why I have come

406

00:17:38,400 –> 00:17:40,000

So, if we are following

407

00:17:40,000 –> 00:17:41,280

the example of Jesus

408

00:17:41,280 –> 00:17:43,040

as a fellowship of believers

409

00:17:43,040 –> 00:17:44,699

as a church together

410

00:17:44,699 –> 00:17:47,380

then ministry at every level

411

00:17:47,380 –> 00:17:48,439

in the life of the church

412

00:17:48,439 –> 00:17:49,439

whatever we are doing

413

00:17:49,439 –> 00:17:50,739

will be centered

414

00:17:50,739 –> 00:17:52,839

in the word of God

415

00:17:52,839 –> 00:17:54,599

It will be centered in the gospel

416

00:17:54,599 –> 00:17:55,920

it will be centered in the call

417

00:17:55,959 –> 00:17:57,319

of the Lord Jesus Christ

418

00:17:57,319 –> 00:17:59,479

to repentance and faith

419

00:17:59,479 –> 00:18:02,040

One pastor who is a friend of mine

420

00:18:02,040 –> 00:18:03,239

puts it this way

421

00:18:03,239 –> 00:18:04,319

He says, what we need to do

422

00:18:04,319 –> 00:18:06,599

is get people velcroed

423

00:18:06,599 –> 00:18:07,880

to the word of God

424

00:18:07,880 –> 00:18:08,920

I like that

425

00:18:08,920 –> 00:18:10,479

get people velcroed

426

00:18:10,479 –> 00:18:12,040

to the word of God

427

00:18:12,040 –> 00:18:13,040

And surely that is what

428

00:18:13,040 –> 00:18:14,040

we are trying to do

429

00:18:14,040 –> 00:18:16,000

In worship, what are we doing?

430

00:18:16,000 –> 00:18:17,959

Well, we are seeking to sing

431

00:18:17,959 –> 00:18:19,839

and to pray and to preach

432

00:18:19,839 –> 00:18:21,099

the word of God

433

00:18:21,099 –> 00:18:23,000

In children’s and youth ministry

434

00:18:23,000 –> 00:18:24,319

and family ministry

435

00:18:24,319 –> 00:18:25,719

what are we trying to do?

436

00:18:25,719 –> 00:18:27,520

Well, we are trying to partner with parents

437

00:18:27,520 –> 00:18:29,500

to raise and to reach young people

438

00:18:29,500 –> 00:18:30,920

through the word

439

00:18:30,920 –> 00:18:32,959

In missions, what are we trying to do?

440

00:18:32,959 –> 00:18:34,680

We are trying to send people out

441

00:18:34,680 –> 00:18:35,800

so that the word of God

442

00:18:35,800 –> 00:18:36,939

will penetrate areas

443

00:18:36,939 –> 00:18:38,520

where it is not known

444

00:18:38,520 –> 00:18:39,859

In recovery ministry

445

00:18:39,859 –> 00:18:41,160

what are we trying to do?

446

00:18:41,160 –> 00:18:42,239

We want to help people

447

00:18:42,239 –> 00:18:43,380

face their struggles

448

00:18:43,380 –> 00:18:44,699

and then Claym

449

00:18:44,699 –> 00:18:45,920

the promises of God

450

00:18:45,920 –> 00:18:47,160

in His word

451

00:18:47,160 –> 00:18:47,959

In small groups

452

00:18:47,959 –> 00:18:49,880

what we would we try to accomplish

453

00:18:49,880 –> 00:18:51,319

to bring people together

454

00:18:51,319 –> 00:18:52,819

around the word of God

455

00:18:52,819 –> 00:18:54,599

Following the example of Jesus

456

00:18:54,819 –> 00:18:56,439

means that we are committed

457

00:18:56,439 –> 00:18:57,959

to the priority

458

00:18:57,959 –> 00:18:59,959

of proclamation

459

00:18:59,959 –> 00:19:01,959

Now, I want us

460

00:19:01,959 –> 00:19:02,979

to see

461

00:19:02,979 –> 00:19:04,739

what happens

462

00:19:04,739 –> 00:19:06,880

where the word of God

463

00:19:06,880 –> 00:19:08,500

is proclamed

464

00:19:08,500 –> 00:19:09,959

And I don’t just mean from a pulpit

465

00:19:09,959 –> 00:19:11,260

in this kind of setting

466

00:19:11,260 –> 00:19:13,219

whenever God’s truth

467

00:19:13,219 –> 00:19:14,160

is communicated

468

00:19:14,160 –> 00:19:14,979

whether it be

469

00:19:14,979 –> 00:19:15,739

one-to-one

470

00:19:15,739 –> 00:19:17,760

or in a small group environment

471

00:19:17,760 –> 00:19:19,180

in a brief conversation

472

00:19:19,180 –> 00:19:19,920

or whatever

473

00:19:19,920 –> 00:19:20,780

What happens

474

00:19:20,780 –> 00:19:22,300

when God’s word

475

00:19:22,300 –> 00:19:22,979

penetrates

476

00:19:22,979 –> 00:19:23,660

a person’s life

477

00:19:23,739 –> 00:19:25,920

a person’s life

478

00:19:25,920 –> 00:19:26,760

And Mark shows us

479

00:19:26,760 –> 00:19:27,459

two things

480

00:19:27,459 –> 00:19:28,959

that happen

481

00:19:28,959 –> 00:19:30,479

The first is

482

00:19:30,479 –> 00:19:33,719

when Jesus speaks

483

00:19:33,719 –> 00:19:35,719

ordinary people

484

00:19:35,719 –> 00:19:36,979

follow HIm

485

00:19:36,979 –> 00:19:37,640

Now, you’ll see that

486

00:19:37,640 –> 00:19:40,000

in verses 16 to 20

487

00:19:40,000 –> 00:19:41,099

When Jesus speaks

488

00:19:41,099 –> 00:19:42,060

ordinary people

489

00:19:42,060 –> 00:19:42,780

follow Him

490

00:19:42,780 –> 00:19:44,699

It’s a wonderful story

491

00:19:44,699 –> 00:19:45,540

As Jesus walked

492

00:19:45,540 –> 00:19:46,219

verse 16

493

00:19:46,219 –> 00:19:47,579

by the sea of Galilee

494

00:19:47,579 –> 00:19:48,380

he saw Simon

495

00:19:48,380 –> 00:19:49,359

and his brother Andrew

496

00:19:49,359 –> 00:19:50,099

casting a net

497

00:19:50,099 –> 00:19:51,180

into the lake

498

00:19:51,180 –> 00:19:53,219

for they were fishermen

499

00:19:53,219 –> 00:19:53,939

So here’s two guys

500

00:19:53,939 –> 00:19:55,780

running a small business

501

00:19:55,780 –> 00:19:57,339

ordinary people

502

00:19:57,339 –> 00:19:59,339

ordinary lives

503

00:19:59,339 –> 00:20:01,239

And Jesus speaks

504

00:20:01,239 –> 00:20:02,260

to them

505

00:20:02,260 –> 00:20:03,479

the word comes to them

506

00:20:03,479 –> 00:20:05,540

the word of Christ

507

00:20:05,540 –> 00:20:06,459

And Jesus says

508

00:20:06,459 –> 00:20:07,400

come

509

00:20:07,400 –> 00:20:08,760

follow Me

510

00:20:08,760 –> 00:20:10,359

and I will make you

511

00:20:10,359 –> 00:20:12,939

fishers of men

512

00:20:12,939 –> 00:20:15,839

It’s a wonderful promise

513

00:20:15,839 –> 00:20:16,699

You follow me

514

00:20:16,699 –> 00:20:17,680

says Jesus

515

00:20:17,680 –> 00:20:19,520

I will make something

516

00:20:19,520 –> 00:20:21,780

of your life

517

00:20:21,819 –> 00:20:24,160

and I love the order

518

00:20:24,160 –> 00:20:24,939

It’s not

519

00:20:24,939 –> 00:20:26,540

Hey! make something of your life

520

00:20:26,540 –> 00:20:28,199

and then you can think about

521

00:20:28,199 –> 00:20:29,420

coming to follow me

522

00:20:29,420 –> 00:20:30,479

It’s not that way round

523

00:20:30,479 –> 00:20:31,020

It’s

524

00:20:31,020 –> 00:20:32,780

now you come and follow me

525

00:20:32,780 –> 00:20:35,060

and I will make something

526

00:20:35,060 –> 00:20:35,939

of your life

527

00:20:35,939 –> 00:20:36,900

I will make your life

528

00:20:36,900 –> 00:20:39,819

what God intended that life

529

00:20:39,819 –> 00:20:40,319

to be

530

00:20:40,319 –> 00:20:41,560

It’s a wonderful promise

531

00:20:41,560 –> 00:20:43,180

of Jesus

532

00:20:43,180 –> 00:20:46,219

And notice the response

533

00:20:46,359 –> 00:20:48,479

At once, verse 18

534

00:20:48,479 –> 00:20:51,739

they left their nets

535

00:20:51,739 –> 00:20:53,680

and they followed him

536

00:20:53,680 –> 00:20:54,660

See, this isn’t just words

537

00:20:54,660 –> 00:20:55,739

When Jesus speaks

538

00:20:55,739 –> 00:20:57,739

something happens

539

00:20:57,739 –> 00:21:00,459

and when he calls Simon and Andrew

540

00:21:00,459 –> 00:21:01,579

to follow him

541

00:21:01,579 –> 00:21:03,459

at once

542

00:21:03,459 –> 00:21:04,619

they left their nets

543

00:21:04,619 –> 00:21:05,420

and followed him

544

00:21:05,420 –> 00:21:06,459

When Jesus speaks

545

00:21:06,459 –> 00:21:09,800

ordinary people follow him

546

00:21:09,800 –> 00:21:11,760

and Mark reinforces that

547

00:21:11,760 –> 00:21:12,920

by telling us that

548

00:21:12,920 –> 00:21:14,420

it happened a second time

549

00:21:14,420 –> 00:21:15,719

straight away

550

00:21:15,719 –> 00:21:17,099

Now there are three men

551

00:21:17,099 –> 00:21:18,180

if you can picture this

552

00:21:18,180 –> 00:21:19,099

walking on the beach

553

00:21:19,099 –> 00:21:20,099

there’s Jesus

554

00:21:20,099 –> 00:21:21,060

and there’s Simon

555

00:21:21,060 –> 00:21:22,300

and there’s Andrew

556

00:21:22,560 –> 00:21:23,839

And verse 19

557

00:21:23,839 –> 00:21:25,719

they walk a little bit further

558

00:21:25,719 –> 00:21:28,180

and Jesus sees another pair of brothers

559

00:21:28,180 –> 00:21:30,560

who also have a fishing business

560

00:21:30,560 –> 00:21:31,760

and their names are James

561

00:21:31,760 –> 00:21:32,260

and John

562

00:21:32,260 –> 00:21:34,219

and they are the Sons of Zebedee

563

00:21:34,219 –> 00:21:35,719

So, I guess these guys

564

00:21:35,719 –> 00:21:37,180

are the local business

565

00:21:37,180 –> 00:21:38,680

competition, right?

566

00:21:38,680 –> 00:21:40,599

Two pairs of brothers

567

00:21:40,599 –> 00:21:41,920

just a short distance apart

568

00:21:41,920 –> 00:21:42,599

and they’re both in the

569

00:21:42,599 –> 00:21:44,180

fishing business

570

00:21:44,180 –> 00:21:45,140

So, I guess if you lived

571

00:21:45,140 –> 00:21:46,099

on that side

572

00:21:46,099 –> 00:21:47,719

of the Lake of Galilee

573

00:21:47,719 –> 00:21:49,520

you either got your fish

574

00:21:49,520 –> 00:21:51,880

from Simon and brothers

575

00:21:51,880 –> 00:21:53,760

or you got it from Zebedees

576

00:21:53,760 –> 00:21:56,180

It seems that the Zebedees

577

00:21:56,180 –> 00:21:56,859

were not doing as well

578

00:21:56,859 –> 00:21:57,300

as the Simon Brothers

579

00:21:58,099 –> 00:21:59,300

on this particular morning

580

00:21:59,300 –> 00:22:00,400

because Simon and Andrew

581

00:22:00,400 –> 00:22:02,140

were casting their net

582

00:22:02,140 –> 00:22:03,140

but the Zebedees

583

00:22:03,140 –> 00:22:04,640

were still getting

584

00:22:05,060 –> 00:22:06,359

the net prepared

585

00:22:06,359 –> 00:22:08,140

But Jesus calls them two

586

00:22:08,520 –> 00:22:09,719

Marx says verse 20

587

00:22:09,719 –> 00:22:11,020

that they left their father

588

00:22:11,020 –> 00:22:12,260

Zebedee in the boat

589

00:22:13,140 –> 00:22:14,680

with the hired men

590

00:22:15,479 –> 00:22:17,640

and they followed him

591

00:22:17,760 –> 00:22:19,640

so a very simple point here

592

00:22:20,020 –> 00:22:21,599

Jesus is committed

593

00:22:21,599 –> 00:22:23,560

to this ministry of proclamation

594

00:22:24,060 –> 00:22:25,180

It’s not just talk

595

00:22:25,180 –> 00:22:26,640

because when Jesus speaks

596

00:22:26,640 –> 00:22:28,099

things happen

597

00:22:28,099 –> 00:22:29,560

and as he speaks first

598

00:22:29,560 –> 00:22:30,979

to Simon and Andrew

599

00:22:30,979 –> 00:22:32,400

then James and John

600

00:22:32,719 –> 00:22:33,839

the response is that

601

00:22:33,839 –> 00:22:35,180

ordinary people

602

00:22:35,979 –> 00:22:37,260

follow him

603

00:22:37,260 –> 00:22:37,900

it’s what happens

604

00:22:37,900 –> 00:22:38,760

when God’s word

605

00:22:38,760 –> 00:22:40,760

penetrates a person’s life

606

00:22:41,479 –> 00:22:42,260

We have to pause

607

00:22:42,260 –> 00:22:43,180

the message right there

608

00:22:43,180 –> 00:22:44,339

but we’ll be back

609

00:22:44,420 –> 00:22:46,180

with the