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
Read: Mark 1:1-15
Listen: Mark 1
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Mark tells us Jesus preaches a message of repentance. Repentance means a change in direction or a change of mind. Jesus calls his listeners to go a different way. He wants them to stop trusting in themselves and trust in him. He’s telling them there is a better way to live. It’s the way they were created to live. That’s what he means by the kingdom of God—where people live the way God intended them to, and God is loved. Jesus asks them to turn (repent) from their current thinking and start living based on his teachings. To seek life through what God offers instead of trying to find life elsewhere. Jesus begins his ministry by calling people to make a personal decision.
Jesus asks the same of us today. He calls us to make a decision. The most famous verse in the Bible makes this clear. John 3:16 tells us that whoever believes in Jesus has everlasting life. To believe in Jesus requires repentance. It requires a change in our thinking and what we trust. Only when we make this turn can we find real life. When we choose to follow Jesus, life is available to us now. We grow and experience this life when we regularly decide to turn to God and away from self. It’s often a daily choice and for many of us multiple times a day. It’s a continual commitment to God and asking him to help us choose the way of Jesus. We recognize that by default, we go our own way instead of doing what we’re created for. The Christian life is many personal decisions to repent, to stop going one way and go the way of Jesus.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
If you’ve never believed in Jesus, it simply requires repentance. To acknowledge that your way of life isn’t working and to accept the life Jesus offers through his death and resurrection. If you’re interested in learning more or discussing what it means to follow Jesus, email us at btw@adabible.org. If you’ve already made the decision to follow Jesus, think about where in your life you need to repent and go a different way. Ask God to help you choose the way of Jesus instead of your own way.
2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.
April is CONFESSION. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
