Mark 1:14-15 - Homiletics

The Divine Preacher.

Christ was known as a Prophet before he was manifested as the Priest and the King of humanity. He came preaching. In these verses is related the fact of a ministry in Galilee. The occasion was the cessation of John's ministry; the place, that northern province which had been foretold as the scene of the Messiah's labours, and in which he had passed the years of his youth. We have here put upon record the substance of the Saviour's preaching.

I. CHRIST WAS A PREACHER . This fact seems to imply three things.

1 . That Jesus regarded men as intelligent , responsible beings. He did not seek to awe or terrify them by portents. He did not attempt to cajole them by complying with their sinful tendencies and prejudices. He did not appeal to superstition. He treated men as beings having an understanding to be convinced, a heart to be affected, a moral nature rendering them susceptible to Divine motives and capable of willing obedience.

2 . That Jesus had confidence in his message. It was not with that assumption of authority which disguises conscious weakness; it was not with the hesitation which betrays suspicion of the weakness of the cause; it was with the confidence of one who speaks forth words of truth and soberness,—that the great Teacher spoke.

3 . That Jesus had the assurance that his message would be accepted. His was not a fruitless enterprise. He came with a Divine commission, which should not, could not, be frustrated. His words should not pass away; all should be fulfilled. And Christ's gospel is still to be promulgated in the same manner, in the same spirit. Christ's ministers are called upon to preach—to preach Christ crucified—to preach, whether men will hear or forbear. The religion of our Saviour is one which appeals to what is best and purest in human nature enlightened by the Spirit of God.

II. CHRIST , AS A PREACHER , MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT .

1 . An appointed time for a Divine visitation had now arrived. "Known unto God are all his works from the foundation of the world." There is a season for every step in the Divine procedure. That the advent of the Messiah, and the setting up of a spiritual kingdom, and the bringing in of an everlasting righteousness, were all foreseen and foretold, we are distinctly assured. This, the period of Christ's ministry, was "in the fullness of the time."

2 . The kingdom of God was at hand. Not that the Most High had abdicated his rightful throne; but he had long. suffered the rebellion of men, and had not interfered with the tyrant who had usurped dominion. The evils of this unjust tyranny had now been made apparent. It was time, according to the counsels of God, that rightful authority should be asserted and re-established. Little as the Prophet of Nazareth seemed, to ordinary eyes, the Prince who should defeat the foe of God and man, this was the character in which he came to earth, the work and warfare he came to accomplish.

3 . Christ preached the gospel of God. Good news for mankind: an amnesty for rebels, the favor of the Divine Sovereign, peace between heaven and earth, salvation for sinners, and eternal life for the dead,—such was the theme of this Messianic proclamation. In preaching the gospel our Lord could not but preach himself, for he not only brought the gospel—he was the gospel.

III. CHRIST ADDRESSED TO MEN AN EXHORTATION —A SUMMONS . A preacher has not only truth to state, good news to proclaim, but he has counsel to offer, a requirement to make. As here succinctly recorded, the preaching of Christ enjoined upon men two precepts.

1 . They were summoned to repentance. This is a universal condition of entering into the benefits of Christ's kingdom. This change of heart, of thought, of purpose, is a change indispensable to the highest privileges. It is the preparation of spirit which, on the Divine side, is regeneration. "Except a man be born again [afresh], he cannot see the kingdom of God." The condition of repentance is one binding through all time. There are flagrant and notorious sinners, who must be brought to penitence and contrition before they can receive the forgiveness which God has pro-raised and which Christ has secured. There are unspiritual professors of Christianity, who have the form of godliness without the power, who must be led to see the sandy foundation upon which they build before they can seek and find their foundation upon the Rock of Ages. There are backsliders, who have gone back religiously, who have lost their first love, and have ceased to do their first works, who must repent before they can enjoy the pleasures and privileges of religion. Christianity makes no compromise with sin , has no flattery for sinners. Her voice rings through the wilderness and the city, and her demand is this—Repent!

2 . They were summoned to belief of the gospel. This is a condition which respects the relation and attitude of the mind towards God. Those who credit God's promise alone can experience and enjoy its fulfillment. Faith is ever represented in Scripture as the means of appropriating what has been provided by Divine grace. A condition this both honorable to God and spiritually profitable to the believer. Faith is the Divine path to acceptance and pardon, to life and immortality. Christ demanded and deserved faith.

APPLICATION . This is a gospel for sinners. It is they who need a gospel, sunk as they are in sin, exposed as they are to condemnation and destruction. This is a gospel for you. W hoever you are, you need it; and, in your heart of hearts, you are well aware that it is so. God sent his Son that you might be saved. Christ gave himself for you. Unto you is the word of salvation sent. Christ has suffered that you might escape, has died that you might live. In him there is for you pardon for the past and strength for the present and hope for the future. " Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." This is a gospel from God. Only he could send news adapted to the case of sinners, and he has sent such news. Here is the expression of his deepest sympathy, his tenderest solicitude, his most fatherly love. Coming from him, the gospel cannot be an illusion; it may be trusted. It is the wisdom of God and the power of God unto salvation. Yet, what is this gospel to those who believe not? Good news to those who reject it is all the same as bad news. There is every reason, every motive, for believing it. Christ will be glorified, God will be rejoiced, angels will sympathize and sing with gladness, and you will be saved. The gospel is worthy of belief in itself, and it is exactly and perfectly adapted to you. Believe it, and believe it now!