Introduction

Gentleness, despite its importance in the kingdom of God, may seem foolish in today’s competitive and brutal world, especially in big cities. Society teaches us that aggression is necessary to navigate life successfully, but in the kingdom of God, gentleness is the path that heals the world. Paul’s discussion of the fruit of the Spirit, particularly gentleness, outlines a way of life that bears witness to and contributes to the healing of the world.

Introduction The focus is on the word "fruit" and its significance in the Christian life. God uses the concept of "fruit" to explain what knowing Him produces in believers' lives. Paul, in Colossians 1:10, emphasizes the importance of bearing fruit in every good work, which aligns with God's will. "Fruit" represents the outcome of a believer's experience with God. God desires that the fruit produced by believers is consistent with His character and purpose. Christians are called to be fruitful disciples, contributing to the advancement and glory of God's will.

Introduction

The letter to the Philippians, written by Paul, radiates joy despite his imprisonment, underscoring the theme of working out salvation with fear and trembling. This theme emphasizes the believer’s active participation in their spiritual journey, balanced with a deep reverence for God's sovereignty and grace (Philippians 2:12-13).

Introduction - Recap

Introduction In our previous sermon from Acts 9, we learned that Saul was on his way to Damascus with the intent of persecuting Christians. However, as he neared the city, a brilliant light shone around him, blinding him. He was then instructed to go to Damascus, where he would receive further instructions. Guided by divine intervention, Ananias came to Saul, prayed for him, and healed his blindness. Ananias revealed that Saul was chosen by God to preach about Jesus. With both his physical and spiritual sight restored, Saul was baptized. This sermon continues from this pivotal moment, exploring what happened next in Saul’s journey.

Introduction

The book of Ephesians was written around 62 AD by Paul while he was in prison. This is of course beyond the last chapter of the book of Acts. Paul established the Corinthian church with Priscilla and Aquila (Acts 18) and they would arrive in Ephesus (Acts 18:19) where Paul would leave them to continue the ministry while he went ahead to other churches to strengthen them. At the beginning of Acts 19, Paul returns to Ephesus a year later to firmly establish the Ephesian church and he would spend the next 2.5 years preaching in Ephesus and through Asia Minor. This is also where Paul would run into trouble with an angry mob led by a silversmith named Demetrius who was unhappy because Paul was persuading people away from their pagan gods – Demetrius and many others made their profit from selling idols.

            Ephesus was a portside city in the province of Asia Minor, which is modern day Turkey, and it was a center of transportation and commerce. It was also the location of the Temple of Artemis, which is one of the seven wonders of the world. This temple also served as a bank and so much of life in Ephesus revolved around this temple. Ephesus was also keen on magic, the occult, and pagan worship rituals of their pagan gods.

            The first half of book of Ephesians is more theological, while the latter half is more practical. Ephesians can be summarized as “living the Christian life in a manner worthy of the calling by God to faith in Jesus Christ (Eph. 4:1).” This brings us to Ephesians 5:18 because we cannot live the true Christian life without being filled by the Spirit.  

Introduction

Paul's journey on the road to Damascus took a dramatic turn when he encountered the light and voice of Jesus. According to verse 9, Paul was blinded for three days and refrained from eating or drinking during this period. The significance of these three days of darkness echoes a recurring theme in the Bible, symbolizing a time of deep introspection, repentance, and preparation for profound transformation.

1) in the Exodus account, darkness lasted for three days before the final plague, which marked God's judgment on disobedience but also the redemption of those who obeyed, leading to their liberation from Egyptian slavery; 2) Jonah spent three days in the belly of the fish as a period of repentance and readiness to fulfill God's command; 3) Jesus was in the tomb for three days before His resurrection, symbolizing the ultimate triumph over death and the promise of new life. During Saul's three days of blindness, recounted in Acts 26, he underwent a transformative experience.

1.     Identity as God’s servant and witness (verse 16).

2.     Task to proclaim what he has witnessed about Jesus (verse 16).

3.     Audience: both Jews and Gentiles (verse 17).

4.     Purpose: to turn people from darkness to light through faith in Jesus (verse 18).

Paul’s blindness may have enhanced his concentration, akin to closing one's eyes during prayer to focus solely on God. This period was a rigorous deconstruction of Paul's former identity and understanding, followed by a reconstruction of his new identity and purpose in Christ.

Introduction - Recap

In last week's sermon, we delved into how God intricately orchestrated the life of Saul, transforming him into the Apostle Paul for a profound purpose at the appointed time. Saul's journey from Tarsus, a city steeped in both Jewish tradition and Hellenistic culture, laid a crucial foundation. His upbringing in this cosmopolitan center equipped him with fluency in Hebrew and Greek, pivotal for his later ministry in writing New Testament epistles and communicating effectively with diverse audiences. Moreover, Saul's Roman citizenship afforded him legal privileges and facilitated his missionary journeys throughout the Roman Empire, ensuring he could spread the gospel unhindered by political barriers. Despite Saul's initial ignorance of God's overarching plan, his life experiences and background uniquely prepared him to become a pivotal figure in early Christianity.

Introduction - Recap

In last week's sermon, we delved into how God intricately orchestrated the life of Saul, transforming him into the Apostle Paul for a profound purpose at the appointed time. Saul's journey from Tarsus, a city steeped in both Jewish tradition and Hellenistic culture, laid a crucial foundation. His upbringing in this cosmopolitan center equipped him with fluency in Hebrew and Greek, pivotal for his later ministry in writing New Testament epistles and communicating effectively with diverse audiences. Moreover, Saul's Roman citizenship afforded him legal privileges and facilitated his missionary journeys throughout the Roman Empire, ensuring he could spread the gospel unhindered by political barriers. Despite Saul's initial ignorance of God's overarching plan, his life experiences and background uniquely prepared him to become a pivotal figure in early Christianity.

Introduction - Context of the Passage

In this passage, we witness a tumultuous moment in Paul's life as he faces persecution from a mob in Jerusalem. Accused of defiling the temple by associating with Gentiles, Paul is attacked by the angry crowd. Amidst the chaos, a Roman official intervenes, allowing Paul to address the crowd and defend himself. This pivotal moment offers insight into Saul's life before his transformation into the apostle Paul.

Introduction: In reflecting on the Parable of the Sower, the disciples likely experienced a range of emotions, including potential discouragement. Jesus' teaching that only one type of soil would truly receive the Word might have left them feeling disheartened and questioning their understanding of His message. The disciples, accustomed to more traditional forms of teaching, might have found Jesus' use of parables challenging, especially as they grappled with the deeper spiritual truths hidden within them. This shift in teaching style may have intensified the pressure they felt to comprehend and apply Jesus' teachings accurately.

Introduction

In the midst of His extensive ministry, Jesus seeks a moment of solitude in the region of Tyre and Sidon, away from the crowds that constantly surround Him (Mark 7:24). This shift in location signifies the human aspect of Jesus, demonstrating the need for rest and reflection even amidst divine mission. Despite His intention for seclusion, His presence is soon discovered by a Gentile woman, leading to a profound encounter that reveals the depth of faith. The entrance of the Gentile woman into the narrative introduces a significant shift in focus. Despite cultural and religious barriers, her determination to seek Jesus out demonstrates not only her desperation but also her unwavering faith in His ability to heal. Her immediate response upon hearing of Jesus' presence indicates her profound belief in His power and authority, setting the stage for a remarkable exchange between them.

Persistent Faith of the Mother Upon encountering Jesus, the woman presents her plea for her possessed daughter with humility and persistence. Despite initial hesitation from Jesus, who emphasizes the priority of His ministry to the Jewish people, the woman's steadfast faith remains unshaken. Her acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord and her willingness to accept even the smallest blessing display a depth of faith that transcends societal norms and expectations. Ultimately, her persistent faith leads to the miraculous healing of her daughter, illustrating the transformative power of unwavering belief in Jesus.

Introduction: In reflecting on the Parable of the Sower, the disciples likely experienced a range of emotions, including potential discouragement. Jesus' teaching that only one type of soil would truly receive the Word might have left them feeling disheartened and questioning their understanding of His message. The disciples, accustomed to more traditional forms of teaching, might have found Jesus' use of parables challenging, especially as they grappled with the deeper spiritual truths hidden within them. This shift in teaching style may have intensified the pressure they felt to comprehend and apply Jesus' teachings accurately.

Introduction: Mark’s Gospel chronicles the extraordinary ministry of Jesus Christ, who boldly proclaims the gospel of the kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15) and demonstrates its reality through miraculous healings and deliverances. As multitudes flock to witness these remarkable acts, Jesus seizes the opportunity to impart profound spiritual truths through the medium of parables—engaging stories that convey heavenly realities through earthly analogies. In this context, Jesus introduces the Parable of the Sower, laying the groundwork for deeper understanding of the mysteries of God's kingdom and discerning the receptivity of human hearts.

Introduction - Recap of Part 1

Last week, we began to explore the question: Why did Jesus teach in parables? Jesus’ sudden change in teaching method of parables without the explanations left many people including his disciples confused. His disciples questioned Jesus’ method, which reflects how we also question God and His methods when we don’t’ understand His ways. We learned last week that we must accept that God does not owe us an answer. However, God can choose to reveal the answer to us immediately or at a later time in retrospect, or He can choose not to reveal the answer within this lift time. We must also acknowledge that there are some things God chooses not to reveal to us because we would simply not understand. Accepting this is part of submitting ourselves humbly to God. Therefore, the first reason why Jesus taught in parables was to use it as an instrument of judgement against stubborn unbelievers who refused to believe and rejected the gospel by concealing the truth from them. Jesus was giving them over to their hardened hearts that trampled over the gospel.

Introduction

Is there significance to understanding why Jesus taught in parables? Clearly there is because the Holy Spirit, through the authorship of Mark, records and preserves a conversation between Jesus and his disciples around that very question. Understanding this question will allow us to peek into the intricacies of God’s ways.

Introduction

Introduction

The biblical understanding of Holy Communion (Lord’s Supper) entails 4 parts: 1) the Historical Context of Communion; 2) Who should take the Communion? 3) What are we doing in Communion? and 4) How (with what attitude) should we take it?

Introduction

“For Christ also suffered[a] once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit (v.18).”

Today’s passage fixes our gaze to the pivotal moment in human history, the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. On Good Friday, we celebrated his selfless act of sacrifice, Jesus Christ the sinless Son of God, bore the weight of our sins and he has paved the way for our reconciliation with God. However, Easter is the ultimate triumph of love over darkness. It is the ultimate triumph of redemption over sin because Jesus emerges victorious from the tomb, opening up a new reality of hope and salvation for all humanity. Jesus’ resurrection extends beyond a mere historical event and has practical implications for us today – one of them being our baptism.

Introduction

The core message of Palm Sunday is about our inability to solve our problems. We consistently have to face the reality of our powerlessness and our inability to change our situations that bring us harm, suffering and pain. Our powerlessness becomes even more evident when it comes to global issues such as wars or cultural and political agendas that attempt to sexualize and indoctrinate our children. In our powerlessness, our only response is anger and grief and despair. Another thing Palm Sunday does is to help us recognize our tendency to seek control of the world around us.

Introduction

A leper, a paralytic, and Jewish scribes encountered Jesus, but what was their response to their encounter with Jesus? The leper and the paralytic responded with happiness, but the Jewish scribes and Pharisees with anger. As modern readers, this is a reasonable response, but for the first century readers, the encounter with the leper and the paralytic was scandalous. These were the outcasts of the community, and you were not to touch nor be around them (especially the leper). It was the scribes and Pharisees who were highly honoured and respected and the elite of Jewish society. What’s surprising is that it was not the so-called elite religious leaders, but the outcasts and marginalized who responded to the kingdom of God with happiness. Why is it so?

Introduction

If you took a poll from both people who attend church regularly and those who do not, and ask what the central message of Jesus is about, the vast majority will say that the answer is love – love God, love others, love your enemy, and so forth – while true, surprisingly teaching about love doesn’t come up much in comparison to other things. It is hard to believe that Jesus’ teachings about love would stir up such a strong (hostile) response form the Jewish leaders. Jesus spoke most frequently about “The Kingdom of God/Heaven” (121 times in the gospels). One may say that the good news of Jesus is all about the kingdom of God.

This central theme is placed at the beginning of the book, with verses 14-15 serving as a summary of Jesus’ teachings, which is reflected in how Mark does not provide us the content of Jesus’ preaching, only that he did here and there. We are to understanding that whenever Jesus went somewhere, his message was “the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” What does this mean and how should we respond to this message?