TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:15
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Jesus introduces his disciples to God’s kingdom, not long before teaching them to pray. He reveals the kingdom they desperately wait for is already here. Jesus, God-in-flesh, has brought God’s kingdom near. The disciples long for a Messiah who will overthrow the Roman government and set up a new political and religious rule. Jesus’ kingdom looks nothing like they expected.
Pastor Aaron Buer defines God’s kingdom as the restorative reign of God in the world. Jesus models this powerful work throughout his ministry on earth. He brings physical restoration as he gives sight to the blind, heals disease and even raises the dead back to life. Jesus provides relational restoration as he welcomes moral outsiders like tax collectors and prostitutes into his circle and treats ethnic outsiders like Samaritans as equals. He ultimately extends spiritual restoration as he proclaims people’s sins are forgiven and then proves it through his death on the cross.
Jesus invites us to become citizens of God’s kingdom through repentance. To repent is to turn around and face the other direction. We repent as we turn away from our sin and selfishness toward Jesus and accept the restoration he offers through his life, death and resurrection. We become part of his “kingdom come” here and now as we believe in him and share his good news with others.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Thank Jesus for the restorative work of his kingdom. Pray, “Father, I desire for your kingdom to come in me and the world around me. Thank you for restoring my relationship with you through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. I’m grateful for forgiveness and a new life in you.” If you would like to know more about what it means to have a restored relationship with God through Jesus, please email us at btw@adabible.org. We would love to have a conversation with you.
40 DAYS OF PRAYER
Join us for 40 DAYS OF PRAYER where all of us will find a quiet space and slowly read The Lord’s Prayer. May forty days of praying like Jesus prayed, and desiring what Jesus wanted, make a big difference in our hearts and our communities.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever. Amen.
NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN
Join us this year as we read through the New Testament.
Today’s reading is John 14.
