Sermon Tone Analysis

*“Discipleship 101”*

*Mark 1.14-28*

The word “discipleship” invokes different understandings for different people.

Many would perhaps think about a Bible study series or following the teachings of a popular or charismatic character.

Others may rightly note that the word comes from the example of Jesus and his first disciples found in the New Testament.

Some people like to follow their friends on Facebook and indicate that their religion is “follower of Jesus.”

Can’t go wrong with that one, right??

But what exactly do we mean by this statement?

He is no longer on earth, so how do we follow him?

Is it about his teaching?

Or following his moral lifestyle?

I believe that our text this morning addresses many elements regarding discipleship and will hopefully clear some things up.

We are going to look at a snapshot of discipleship this morning.

And we will call it *“Discipleship 101.” *You recall that we have seen just brief glimpses of the initiation of Jesus’ ministry as he was announced, acknowledged, anointed, and approved for ministry in the preceding verses.

Mark does not go into any account of the birth of Jesus or John the Baptist.

He also does not go into great detail regarding these events because he seems to be eager to dive into the rest of his ministry.

We left off last week with Jesus’ baptism and his temptation in the wilderness with Satan, wild animals and angels.

This has served as the launching point to Jesus’ ministry.

Today we will look at Mark 1.14-28.

Let’s read the text as we begin.

*READ.*

The first point of Discipleship 101 is *Discipleship Requires Repentance and Belief.

*So, we could say that the first step in “discipleship” is to become a disciple.

Mark begins rather curiously by merely saying, “now after John was arrested.”

That’s it.

He doesn’t fill in the details.

It is Luke who fills in some of the details including his reproving Herod for some of the evil he had done.

Perhaps Mark knew that his readers would have been familiar with this.

And I think that this is an appropriate introduction for a call to discipleship.

As John had prepared the way for Jesus, he is the forerunner of Jesus not only in his message but also his fate.

We know also from other accounts that John suffered and died because of his beliefs.

And we also know of what Jesus life consisted.

He would suffer and die as well.

If we are to be called disciples of Jesus, would we expect something different?

So I understand this not just as a few words of introduction to the next section, but setting the trajectory for discipleship.

Jesus said, “in this world you will have tribulation.”

There is something else that is significant in this little phrase.

The verb is a passive verb and literally means, “handed over.”

Commentators have correctly identified this as a divine passive.

I’ll explain this.

I believe the One that handed over was God.

In other words, John was arrested because God ordained and allowed it so that his plan would be carried out.

Consider some other places this verb is used: Romans 4.24-25, “It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 *who was delivered up* for our trespasses and raised for our justification.”

Romans 8.32, “He who did not spare his own Son but *gave him up* for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

And Galatians 2.20, “I have been crucified with Christ.

It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and *gave himself* for me.”

These passages, as well as our text in Mark, strongly suggest God’s sovereignty and his carrying out his plan.

So, I think for Mark, he indicates this abruptly as to point out that things are moving along just as they were ordained.

John was arrested and Jesus entered Galilee.

Jesus comes to Galilee and proclaims the Gospel of God, our text indicates.

He then declares that he has introduced a new age.

The things that were anticipated throughout history are now being realized in Jesus Christ.

Galatians 4.4-5 says, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”

And Ephesians 1.10 indicates that there was a plan in the fullness of time to unite all things in Christ.

At this point, it is the introduction of the kingdom of God.

But the kingdom is not what most people expected at this point.

Many had hoped that the Messiah would be a powerful and military figure.

And, as we know, he did not come to judge and destroy, but to redeem.

The sword comes later when he returns.

Jesus will spend so much time telling people what the kingdom is like and suggests that most people had misconceptions about it.

As one commentator indicates, “It is best to understand the expression ‘kingdom’ as referring to the reign of a king rather than statically as referring to the territory or realm over which a king rules.”

In other words, Jesus did not come */initially/* to establish this literal kingdom, but to call people to submit to his reign as king.

And this serves as a precursor to the millennial kingdom which will be established upon his return.

You would almost expect a “therefore” here.

There is an expectation and urgency for the listener and reader based upon this revelation.

Because events are being fulfilled, you need to repent and believe the gospel.

A response is required to the appearance of Jesus Christ.

And in order for one to become his disciple, he must repent and believe in the gospel.

In a nutshell, this is what it means to be a Christian.

We talked a bit about repentance last week when we looked at the ministry of John the Baptist who preached a baptism of repentance.

And we determined that people were being baptized on account of their repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

We talked about how “repentance” refers to a change of mind and a turning away.

This is understood as conversion.

When a person understands the good news of Jesus and his work on the cross on our behalf, we are convinced of its truthfulness and our need to act on that truth.

James Edwards adds, “

And it is important that these two imperatives are not separated.

In fact, they cannot be separated.

Wherever one of these terms is included in Scripture, the other is at least implied.

When a person understands their condition before God and are convinced of the truth of the gospel, this must leads to a complete and dramatic shift in belief and behaviour.

James Edwards adds, “Repentance and belief cannot be applied to certain areas of life but not to others; rather, they lay claim to the total allegiance of believers.”

The good news of God is that Jesus has come to save, or redeem people from their sins.

“To repent” is to /turn from/ and “to believe” is to /turn to/ the gospel.

The Christian life, the life of discipleship involves counting this cost.

It is not a promise of comfort and ease as some might believe and declare.

It is a dying to self and living for the King.

It involves a turning away from your sinful life and living for righteousness.

And it requires that you embrace the good news of Jesus Christ alone for salvation.

This is the first step in *Discipleship 101.

*

Next, *Discipleship Requires Sacrifice.*

There’s no easy way of saying it.

If you truly understand what is at stake, it will cost you everything.

I think that this concept is largely lacking in much North American preaching.

Many want to hear how Jesus will make your life, your earthly life more complete, more manageable, more healthy, more wealthy, how to have a happier family, success in business, and a host of other things.

The reality is Jesus calls you to hand it all over.

It is no longer about you at all.

In fact, the next section tells us this.

While Jesus is walking along the Sea of Galilee (likely very intentionally), he “sees” Simon and Andrew casting a net into the sea.

[Just as a side note, it is interesting to notice the life and ministry of Jesus and the fact that he “sees” people.

He sees them and it affects him.