What is the big idea of Christianity? Mark 1:14-15

What is the big idea of Christianity? 

Bible readings

 

Mark 1:14-20 

Daniel 2:36-45

 What is the big idea of Christianity?

1. ·         We ought to try harder at loving God and loving our neighbor
2. ·         Forgiveness from the past is ours through the death of Jesus?
3. ·         We have a home in heaven when we die through the resurrection of Jesus?
4. ·         God is nice and He likes you!

Each of these has a grain of truth in them but I don’t think any of them are the big idea.

When Jesus came preaching in Mark 1 he announced what he stood for – his big idea – That the Kingdom of God was present or at hand.  That the future the Jews had longed for was at hand – now is the time.  God is at work in a new way not sometime in the future but here and now in Jesus.

The right time has come,” he said, “and the Kingdom of God is near! Turn away from your sins and believe the Good News!”  Mark 1:15

Jesus was saying D Day had arrived.  God had established a beachhead with Jesus’ coming and the forces that apposed Justice and peace, the forces of selfishness and self-interest were coming under attack.  The insurgency had begun.

Jesus does not go deeply into what the Kingdom of God was like as Jews already had a good idea from the Old Testament.

The word kingdom is often used for the realm and reign of an earthly power.  The story from our Old Testament reading from Daniel speaks of 4 Kingdoms from the Babylonian, the Medo Persian, the Greek and the Roman, but also of a kingdom from heaven:  “the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed.”  Daniel 2:44

The Psalms and many other scriptures speak of the Reign of God (Kingdom of God.)

Eg  Psalm 97:1 The Lord Reigns, and the earth is happy. All the faraway lands are happy.

(See also 1 Chronicles 16:30-32,Psalm 9:7-8, Psalm 93:1, Psalm 96:10, Psalm 99:1-2 Isaiah 24:23

“The Lord is king Psalm 22:28 The Lord is king, and he rules the nations. Also Ps 103:19 Ps 145:11

The idea that the Messiah would institute God’s reign is also crucial to Old Testament ideas.  At Christmas we often read Isaiah 9:6-7  A child is born to us! …  And he will be our ruler. He will be called, “Wonderful counselor,”  “Mighty God,” “Eternal Father,”  “Prince of Peace.” ⁷ His royal power will continue to grow;    his kingdom will always be at peace. He will rule as King David's successor,   basing his power on right and justice, from now until the end of time.

We note that God’s reign is described as eternal, marked by Justice and righteousness, and peace.

When Jesus announced the Kingdom of God was at hand he was saying the realm of heaven and earth now overlapped.  As we pray in the Lord’s prayer “May our kingdom come and your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven.

And Jesus is the point of overlap  - the man from heaven. Who brings God’s presence and power and will to earth.

In Jesus the presence of God is displayed. The will of God is enacted. He is the embodiment of the Kingdom of God – he is God’s ruling presence.

This big idea of Christianity because it tells us two things summed up in Our response to repent and believe.  If it is true – that God is present and establishing his kingdom now then things can ever be the same. Peter and Andrew, James ad John were right to leave their nets and follow Jesus.

The response Jesus called for was to repent – which literally means change your thinking.

1.       God is not too far away to help us. Forgiveness, grace, wisdom is here in Jesus. We are now God’s Beloved Children and citizens of his Kingdom when we turn to him in with repentance and faith.

Last year Sue’s mother who is in her 90’s went to hospital and Sue felt powerless to do much because she was here but her mother was in Nelson.  She felt much better when she could be there to help.  The Story of Jesus in the gospels shows God healing the sick, feeding the hungry, giving acceptance and belonging to outcasts and sinners.  Even in Jesus death on the cross we see God helping us knowing that when we do our very worst Jesus still forgives.  Our new thinking starts by understanding our identity as citizens of God’s Kingdom, the children of God, or to use the Phrase Paul might say we are in Christ (2 Cor 5:17).  

2.       God is not too far away to understand us.   I have to admit I do not understand some Americans refusal to wear masks or take this virus seriously and socially distance.  Or why people in NZ would break out of quarantine.  I do not understand the turmoil in Hong Kong or even what my sister is going through in Melbourne at the moment.  However, if I was there and listened I would understand.  If heaven has invaded earth in the presence of Jesus, we know God understands – not just because he is God but because he is here with us. He is not only understanding but also full of wisdom and power – If Jesus is the King and he knows what I am facing – then I can ask him anything, and follow the leading of his Spirit.  If I am a citizen of the kingdom then I have access to the King, and the king will direct me to respond as he sees fit as he understands situations far better than I do. 

The story is told of the famous tightrope walker Charles Blondin crossing the Niagara River in 1859. He walked across blindfolded, another time with a wheelbarrow and another time with his manager on his back. Apparently he asked if anyone believed he could take someone across inside his wheelbarrow but why everyone cheered saying they believed he could they were not willing to risk their own lives by being the one to get in the Barrow.

The announcement that the Kingdom of God is present in the person of Jesus – is not just a call to change our thinking but also to believe – which means not intellectual assent to the idea but getting in the barrow. 

We are not only beloved Children & citizens of the kingdom but also empowered agents of the Kingdom.  We are little Christ’s – embodiment's of the kingdom, little intersections of heaven and earth.

Where we submit to God and show love - there is the kingdom of God, when we speak God’s word of forgiveness and grace – there is the Kingdom.

When we act for peace and justice – not because these are causes but because these are the overflow of our faith our response to the kingship of Jesus then there is the Kingdom.

There is a video on youtube that introduces the idea of the kingdom of God really well

 

There is also a couple of songs we will sing on sunday

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

Living Lord

Worship for Sunday 5th July - I get by with a little help from my friends

I get by with a little help from my friends

(1 Cor 10:16-17,  1 Peter 2:4-5)

Lynne McGee writes

“It all began when the dental hygienist, who was scraping tartar off my teeth, asked, “Do you spend about four minutes each time you brush your teeth?” With a gurgling tube hanging from my lip, I responded, “A liddle lessth than that.”

“You really should,” she said, “or you will lose your teeth.” I vowed to myself that I would floss, pick, brush and rinse as instructed.

“At my annual physical examination the doctor asked,” How often do you exercise?” “Do you limit your salt intake?” and “Does your diet contain much cholesterol?” I thus began an intensive fitness program, which I checked off on the daily “Personal Maintenance Schedule” on the refrigerator door.

 “I soon learned personal maintenance was not all that I had to worry about. At the appliance-repair shop, the clerk examining my coffee maker asked, “Do you run white vinegar through it each month?” This began my “Home Maintenance Schedule,” which took its place next to my personal maintenance schedule.

“Several other appliances, too, began demanding my attention. When I discovered that the Video recorder also required cleaning, the Air conditioner filters needed washing and so many more.

I wondered how long I could keep up this rigorous program of persona and household maintenance. I was sleeping four hours a night, had lost touch with my husband and children, and had no social life, not to mention no room left on the refrigerator door.

“It all came crashing down one night when I was reading an article entitled: “Are You Endangering the Lives of Your Loved Ones by Failing to Dust Your Smoke Alarms Regularly?”

“I ran to the refrigerator and tore the schedules to shreds. In their place I have established a policy in which I respond to all questions about my behaviour not answering on the grounds I might incriminate myself

Sometimes Church feels like that – just add one thing to your list – Prayer bible reading attending church, being kind to your neighbours…

Yet the bible is more about our identity than our doing – It is more about who we are (whose we are) than anything else. 

What does it mean to say you are a Christian – is you answer Do words – like a believer or a follower

Or are they BE words – like a Child of God or One with Christ

                Or using the words of 1 peter – a living Stone built on the foundation of Jesus

So a Christian is not just someone who is forgiven or has a home in heaven when they die it is something I AM – it is my identity.

Our redemption does not just depend on what Christ did, but on who he is in the depths of his being—one with God and one with us.

                        Gary Deddo

1 Cor 10:16f talks about this using the word communion or Fellowship or koinonia

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?       I Corinthians 10:16

• ·         Greek   - Koinonia
• ·         GNT   - a sharing in
• ·         NIV    - A participation in..
• ·         ISV      -  our fellowship in

Paul is saying we have a shared Christian experience of grace and forgiveness but more than that we have the deepest of bonds. 

I was thinking about going to a rugby game .  You can all be at the same game but your experience can be very different – if your side wins or loses, if you are in the rain or in the stands.  Koinonia is about sharing more than a common experience of grace but a joining together in deepest intimacy – the closest bonds.  Some people are like that with schools – the bonds they shared and the common experience forged a bond that time can never erase.     Catching up after many years sees the time fade away and it was like it was yesterday.

In 1 Cor 10 Paul talks about a participation or sharing in the blood of Jesus.  This means we all share a common experience of grace and forgiveness but deeper than that, we share in or participate in the death of Jesus. so Paul could say in Gal 2:20 – “it is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me.”

The same is true for the Body – represented in the bread.  “The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” but he goes on to say “ Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.”  I Corinthians 10:16-17  This means our bond is not just with Christ but one another.  There is a upward and an outward dimension.

This is illustrated in  2 Peter 2:4-5

⁴ As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— ⁵ you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house

 I like the idea that as we come to him the living stone we ourselves become living stones that are being built together.

It is this sense of identity that is both up and out – with Christ and with each other.

Our belonging to Christ means we belong to each other.  WE are not just fellow beleivers but brothers and sisters.

This is important because Peter was writing to a people under pressure – the world was definitely  against them. And Peters solution was to strengthen not their prayer life but their sense of identity with Chirst and as the people of God together.

I used the illustration of the resilience Donut a few weeks ago.  It is a model that says if you want to build resilience you have to look at your identity (I have, I am, I can) but also the other factors. You will see that 4 our of the 7 factors in the colored segments are relational

• ·         Parents or Partners
• ·         Peers
• ·         Family
• ·         Community  

The other 3 are Education, skills and money (resources)

Lynn Worsley says of you want to have resilient people you need to have 3 strong factors out of the seven.

Peter would say our connection with Jesus cuts right to the core – Our Sense of identity who I am as well as giving us a community and peers and a family to belong to.

The Beatles were right all along – I get by with a little help from my friends.  But if Christ  if your friend – you more than Get by you discover a new identity. I like the way Paul in 1 Cor 1:30 talks about all the riches of Christ which are ours in Christ Jesus   

God has brought you into union with Christ Jesus, and God has made Christ to be our  wisdom. By him we are put right with God (our Righteousness); we become God's holy people (our Holiness) and are set free (our redemption).
                                                                1 Cor 1:30

 

 Opening prayer

 Dear God, we come to you with thanksgiving today. 

We  are grateful for who you are. A great God, the God of Majesty and power. The God of creativity and colour, reflected in the things you have made. You are a God who is full of compassion and loyal to your people. 

You never turn us away and long for everyone to return to you and be saved.

God, knowing you, we have confidence to come before you today, to seek your blessing and help. More than you want to be with you, to you know you more.

We need more of your father's love, we need more of the Grace that Jesus gives, we need more of the Spirit's power and wisdom and guidance. 

On this day we honour you.

 This is our prayer through Jesus amen.

Prayers of the Faithful

For the Church – that we will find meaningful ways to live lives of faithfulness and reflecting your love and to speaking the good news of your Kingdom in today’s world.

 

For government  and city leaders – that they have clear understanding of what is right, discern between good and evil and always act in the best interests of their communities. WE think especially of the response to the carona virus and economic upheaval.

 

For parents who are unable to provide for their family  – that they will be patient in their struggles, not become embittered by their hardship, will be supported by family, friends, and community, and able to receive with grace what is offered to them.

 

For youth and young adults – that they will do what is good, choose what is right, and be attentive to the calling of the Spirit within their own hearts. We pray especially for families as they start the school holidays this week and for the Holiday program at St Columba’s.

 

For our world, still tortured by covid-19 – that those in refugee camps and other cramped living spaces will be protected, the sick healed, the grieving consoled and the pandemic ended. We think especially for people in Melbourne and places where there is little medical care available.

 

For our family and friends – that they would know your love and care.  Help them seek the wisdom and strength you offer.  May they discover your grace and love in every aspect of their lives. 

This is our prayer – offered in Jesus Name. Amen