Sermons

The message of the Gospel of God and its ‘breaking-in’ of God’s Kingdom is clearly disclosed here. The sickness as a consequence of the Fall and the subjugation of the demonic are shown. Importantly, four of those called to follow Jesus witnessed this ‘in-breaking’ first hand. Bundled in this account is Christ’s subtle example of early morning prayer, wherein sleeplessness is made use of for Divine communion.

John Mark recorded the teaching from Peter that describes the transition from John the Baptist’s ministry of repentance and preparation to Jesus’ ministry of the Gospel. John’s ministry of water baptism diminished as Christ’s ministry that brought the baptism of the Spirit increased. John the Baptist’s imprisonment and murder by Herod marked a major transition point from repentance to God’s offer of radical spiritual transformation. An explanation of this radical change is found in the Gospel that follows.

John Mark, a disciple of Paul and Peter, writes an account of the works and words of Jesus according to the teachings that he heard from Peter. His account explains the change of mind that prepares a person to experience living victoriously in the face of trials and, in so doing, to lay hold of the hope and joy of eternal salvation. The book is called “a beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ” in that the disciples are to continue living out the story of the Gospel and reveal God’s Kingdom that is breaking into the world through the power and leading of the Spirit (cf.