Day 1 – Jesus’ Public Ministry

Day 1 – Jesus’ Public Ministry Mark 1:14–15 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.”

Why does God allow evil to exist within his kingdom? Day 1 – Jesus’ Public Ministry Mark 1:14–15 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.” Why does God allow evil to exist within his kingdom?

Weeds, Seeds and the Nature of the Kingdom Expectation – what they expected. Reality – what they received. Reason – why the gradual nature? Decision – how will you respond?

The Kingdom of God The sovereign rule of God, initiated by Christ’s earthly ministry and to be consummated when “the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ” (Rv 11:15). According to the testimony of the first three Gospels the proclamation of the kingdom of God was Jesus’ central message. Ladd, G. E. (1988). Kingdom of God (Heaven). In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 2, p. 1269). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.

What the disciples expected…

What the disciples expected… Before the cross – Luke 7:18-19 “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”

What the disciples expected… Before the cross – Luke 7:18-19 “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” After the cross – Acts 1:6 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

Reality – what they received

Reality – what they received Matthew 13:31–33 Mustard seed and Leaven – The Kingdom of God starts small and grows gradually large.

Reality – what they received Matthew 13:31–33 Mustard seed and Leaven – The Kingdom of God starts small and grows gradually large. Matthew 13:24-30 Weeds and Wheat - Good and evil coexist together even as the kingdom grows.

Servants assumption – Purge the Evil Reasons – Why so gradual? Matthew 13:27–28 27 And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ Servants assumption – Purge the Evil

Master’s Understanding – It is too early to purge. Reasons – Why so gradual? Matthew 13:29–30 29 But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ” Master’s Understanding – It is too early to purge.

'It's a pity Bilbo didn't kill Gollum when he had the chance.' Frodo’s Complaint: 'It's a pity Bilbo didn't kill Gollum when he had the chance.' J.R. Tolkien

Gandalf’s Response: 'Pity? It's pity that stayed Bilbo's hand. Many that live deserve death. Some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them, Frodo? Do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment. Even the very wise cannot see all ends. J.R. Tolkien

Reasons – Why so gradual? Matthew 15:18–19 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.

Reasons – Why so gradual? Ephesians 2:1–3 1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Reasons – Why so gradual? 2 Peter 3:8–9 8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Decision – How will you respond? John 3:3–5 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

Decision – How will you respond? 1 Peter 1:23–25 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.