A Popular Christ The Gospel of Mark 08/19/2007 Dr. Dane Boyles

A Popular Christ Introduction –Every once in a while, a personality will bubble to the surface of history and break upon the world; –a powerful, charismatic, dynamic personality that captivates other people and changes the course of history. Introduction –Every once in a while, a personality will bubble to the surface of history and break upon the world; –a powerful, charismatic, dynamic personality that captivates other people and changes the course of history.

A Popular Christ –History is punctuated with personalities like this: Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great, Shakespeare, Churchill. –The first chapter of Mark introduces us to the greatest personality of all time. –Jesus. –History is punctuated with personalities like this: Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great, Shakespeare, Churchill. –The first chapter of Mark introduces us to the greatest personality of all time. –Jesus.

A Popular Christ –Mark tells us what this man was like and how he affected others. 14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. (Mark 1:14, NIV) –Mark tells us what this man was like and how he affected others. 14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. (Mark 1:14, NIV)

A Popular Christ 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15, NIV)

A Popular Christ The Power of Jesus. –He had a powerful message (1:14-15). 21 “You have heard that it was said…, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. (Matt 5:21-22, NIV) The Power of Jesus. –He had a powerful message (1:14-15). 21 “You have heard that it was said…, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. (Matt 5:21-22, NIV)

A Popular Christ 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matt 5:27-28, NIV) 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matt 5:27-28, NIV)

A Popular Christ –He had a strange power over people. 16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. (Mark 1:16, NIV) –He had a strange power over people. 16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. (Mark 1:16, NIV)

A Popular Christ 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him. (Mark 1:17-18, NIV) 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him. (Mark 1:17-18, NIV)

A Popular Christ 19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. (Mark 1:19, NIV)

A Popular Christ 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. (Mark 1:20, NIV)

A Popular Christ –He had power over evil (1:21-26). 21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. (Mark 1:21, NIV) –He had power over evil (1:21-26). 21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. (Mark 1:21, NIV)

A Popular Christ 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, (Mark 1:22-23, NIV) 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, (Mark 1:22-23, NIV)

A Popular Christ 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-the Holy One of God!” (Mark 1:24, NIV)

A Popular Christ 25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. (Mark 1:21-26, NIV)

A Popular Christ –He had power over sickness. 32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, (Mark 1:32-33, NIV) –He had power over sickness. 32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, (Mark 1:32-33, NIV)

A Popular Christ 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. (Mark 1:34, NIV)

A Popular Christ –People reacted differently to the powers of Jesus Some people were captured by his personality. Others were amazed by his teaching. Most were flabbergasted by his healings and exorcisms. –People reacted differently to the powers of Jesus Some people were captured by his personality. Others were amazed by his teaching. Most were flabbergasted by his healings and exorcisms.

A Popular Christ The Priorities of Jesus. –Mark gives us insight into the mission of Jesus Preaching the good news of the kingdom (1:14-15) Making disciples, fishers of men (1:16- 20) The Priorities of Jesus. –Mark gives us insight into the mission of Jesus Preaching the good news of the kingdom (1:14-15) Making disciples, fishers of men (1:16- 20)

A Popular Christ Confronting the forces of evil (1:21-26) Comforting the sick and afflicted (1:29- 34) Confronting the forces of evil (1:21-26) Comforting the sick and afflicted (1:29- 34)

A Popular Christ –Jesus makes evident what his priorities are. 35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (Mark 1:35, NIV) –Jesus makes evident what his priorities are. 35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (Mark 1:35, NIV)

A Popular Christ 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” 38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else-to the nearby villages- so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” (Mark 1:36-38, NIV) 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” 38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else-to the nearby villages- so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” (Mark 1:36-38, NIV)

A Popular Christ 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. (Mark 1:39, NIV) Jesus came for the purpose of preaching (vs. 38). 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. (Mark 1:39, NIV) Jesus came for the purpose of preaching (vs. 38).

A Popular Christ –A conflict of interests arises. 40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” (Marl 1:40, NIV) –A conflict of interests arises. 40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” (Marl 1:40, NIV)

A Popular Christ 41 Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. (Mark 1:41-42, NIV) 41 Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. (Mark 1:41-42, NIV)

A Popular Christ 43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44 “See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” (Mark 1:43-44, NIV) 43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44 “See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” (Mark 1:43-44, NIV)

A Popular Christ 45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere. (Mark 1:45, NIV)

A Popular Christ Conclusion  What lessons do we take away from this chapter? –We must recapture a sense of the living, breathing Lord who amazes us by his presence and affects us as no other personality we know. Conclusion  What lessons do we take away from this chapter? –We must recapture a sense of the living, breathing Lord who amazes us by his presence and affects us as no other personality we know.

A Popular Christ –We must decide how we want to react to Jesus. Like the disciples Like the Synagogue worshipers Like the crowds –We must decide how we want to react to Jesus. Like the disciples Like the Synagogue worshipers Like the crowds

A Popular Christ –We must accept the priorities of Jesus as our own. Preaching, discipling, confronting evil, comforting. Having the courage to keep priorities straight. –We must accept the priorities of Jesus as our own. Preaching, discipling, confronting evil, comforting. Having the courage to keep priorities straight.

A Popular Christ The Gospel of Mark 08/19/2007 Dr. Dane Boyles