"Go over to the other side"
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| Rev Dr Kow Shih Ming |
This blog will unpack Sketchnote of sermon "Go over to the other side"
by Rev Dr Kow Shih Ming, 14 July 2013,
Wesley Methodist Church, Singapore.
But to understand the passage fully we need to go back to Genesis 12:2-3
Abram is made a PROMISE
“I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”
Bible principle: Behind every PROMISE is a PREMISE
If you do ABC
God will do XYZ.
What is the premise for Abram?
Gen 12:1
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
Abram has to leave country, peope, father's household
and Go to unknown destination.
Abram was obedient
He did go
His name was changed to Abraham
He begat Isaac
Isaac begat Jacob
Jacob begat 12 sons
Each son grew into a tribe
Later the twelve tribes were reduced to two tribes
Israel was waiting for restoration.....
Jesus is born
Jesus begins his ministry
Good News
The kingdom of God is here
The kingdom of God is me (Jesus)
Jesus ministers to the people of Israel
Mark 4:35 is a pivotal point:
it marks a shift of focus
"Let us go to the other side"
What lay on the other side of Lake Galilee?
It was the region called Decapolis
There were 10 cities there
Seven nations were represented
They were pagans
They worshiped the pig
(most unclean animal for the Israelites)
There were demonic forces
There was oppression
The Roman powers were there
The Roman Legions were there
The insignia for the Roman Army was a Boar's head
In obedience the disciples set forth in a boat
The boat was in a storm
Jesus was asleep
The disciples were in panic
They awoke Jesus.
He calmed the storm.
Jesus reaches the other side
On the home side he had been accompanied by crowds
On "the other side" he was greeted by no one
almost no one
He was greeted by one demon possessed individual
"What is your name: Jesus asks the evil spirit.
"My name is Legion, for we are many"
This evil name speaks of spiritual power and political power,
a tribute to the might of the Roman Legions.
Jesus directs the spirits into a heard of 2000 pigs who rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
A demon possessed man had been healed.
He could be seen dressed and in the right mind.
In response to his miracles in Israel, other sick people were brought to Jesus for healing.
But in the Decapolis, the response to his miracles was fear.
They sent Jesus away.
They feared his power, for He came from the "wrong side".
Rather than welcoming Jesus they chased Him away.
Vs 18
The man who had been healed attempts to follow Jesus.
In His previous ministry Jesus had said "Come follow me".
But despite the healed man begging and pleading to be allowed to follow Jesus,
Jesus says "No".
Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
Don't follow me
Stay here
Go and tell your story
Tell others how much Jesus has done for you.
Did that man obey and what was the result?
Look at the next trip to Decapolis as recorded in Mark 7:31
31 Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis.[h] 32 There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him.
This time a group of people came to Jesus
And they brought a deaf mute.
They expected Jesus could heal.
There was a crowd
(first trip there was only the demon possessed to greet Jesus).
Rather than chasing Jesus away, they welcomed Him.
WHY was there a difference in response between the first visit of Jesus to Decapolis and his second visit?
This was because one man shared his testimony
Mark 5:20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
Comparing and contrasting
the feeding of 5000 in Galilee (Mark 6:30-44)
the feeding of 4000 in Decapolis (Mark 8: 1-9)
Feeding of 5000 in Galilee (Mark 6:30-44) 5 loaves 2 fish, 12 baskets of left overs
Three days of teaching : By first evening, disciples were concerned that the crowd had nothing to eat: Mark 6:35. The 12 baskets of left overs are symbolic that the 12 tribes of Israel would be sustained.
Feeding of 4000 in Decapolis (Mark 8: 1-9) 7 loaves, few fish, 7 baskets of left overs.
Three days of teaching : By third evening, disciples had yet to show any concern that the crowd of Decapolis had nothing to eat! Jesus had to remind them (Mark 8:2)
The 7 baskets of left overs are symbolic that the 7 nations of the Decapolis would be sustained.
APPLICATION
Jesus says to you as he said to the healed demonic man:
I want you to go tell your people what I have done for you.
Where do you go to?
Where is your "other side"?
Jesus had compassion
Where is your other side?
Migrant workers?
Domestic helpers?
Yi people?
Nong Bua Lampu?
You are called to be witnesses:
A witness tells others what you have seen
Think of your favouriteplace to eat.
Tell the person sitting next to you about it.
You have experinced it.
It is real to you.
It is easy to tell others about it.
Witnessing is telling others of your relationship with Jesus.
It should be real
It should be current
Describe the present work of Jesus in your life
(Not the fossilised account of something that happened 10 years ago)
God says"I miss you"
"You come to me only when you are in trouble"
"Come to me"
We are called to a relationship with God
Christianity is not so much a "religion" or a "set of beliefs".
Christianity is a relationship with God
We are called to witness
A) to Oikos, to family
B) to Community
C) to the regions beyond
We are called to GO.
What is holding you back?
Lack of talents?
We are all given many many talents:
Physical talents
Spiritual talents
Age?
Too old? Never too old!
Too young? Never too young!
A mission trip will change your world view.
Plan to make a mission trip within the next 12 months.
by Rev Dr Kow Shih Ming, 14 July 2013,
Wesley Methodist Church, Singapore.
The primary bible text is Mark 4:35- 5:20
Abram is made a PROMISE
“I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”
Bible principle: Behind every PROMISE is a PREMISE
If you do ABC
God will do XYZ.
What is the premise for Abram?
Gen 12:1
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
Abram has to leave country, peope, father's household
and Go to unknown destination.
Abram was obedient
He did go
His name was changed to Abraham
He begat Isaac
Isaac begat Jacob
Jacob begat 12 sons
Each son grew into a tribe
Later the twelve tribes were reduced to two tribes
Israel was waiting for restoration.....
Jesus is born
Jesus begins his ministry
Good News
The kingdom of God is here
The kingdom of God is me (Jesus)
Jesus ministers to the people of Israel
Mark 4:35 is a pivotal point:
it marks a shift of focus
"Let us go to the other side"
What lay on the other side of Lake Galilee?
It was the region called Decapolis
There were 10 cities there
Seven nations were represented
They were pagans
They worshiped the pig
(most unclean animal for the Israelites)
There were demonic forces
There was oppression
The Roman powers were there
The Roman Legions were there
The insignia for the Roman Army was a Boar's head
In obedience the disciples set forth in a boat
The boat was in a storm
Jesus was asleep
The disciples were in panic
They awoke Jesus.
He calmed the storm.
Jesus reaches the other side
On the home side he had been accompanied by crowds
On "the other side" he was greeted by no one
almost no one
He was greeted by one demon possessed individual
"What is your name: Jesus asks the evil spirit.
"My name is Legion, for we are many"
This evil name speaks of spiritual power and political power,
a tribute to the might of the Roman Legions.
Jesus directs the spirits into a heard of 2000 pigs who rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
He could be seen dressed and in the right mind.
In response to his miracles in Israel, other sick people were brought to Jesus for healing.
But in the Decapolis, the response to his miracles was fear.
They sent Jesus away.
They feared his power, for He came from the "wrong side".
Rather than welcoming Jesus they chased Him away.
Vs 18
The man who had been healed attempts to follow Jesus.
In His previous ministry Jesus had said "Come follow me".
But despite the healed man begging and pleading to be allowed to follow Jesus,
Jesus says "No".
Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
Don't follow me
Stay here
Go and tell your story
Tell others how much Jesus has done for you.
Did that man obey and what was the result?
Look at the next trip to Decapolis as recorded in Mark 7:31
31 Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis.[h] 32 There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him.
This time a group of people came to Jesus
And they brought a deaf mute.
They expected Jesus could heal.
There was a crowd
(first trip there was only the demon possessed to greet Jesus).
Rather than chasing Jesus away, they welcomed Him.
WHY was there a difference in response between the first visit of Jesus to Decapolis and his second visit?
This was because one man shared his testimony
Mark 5:20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
Comparing and contrasting
the feeding of 5000 in Galilee (Mark 6:30-44)
the feeding of 4000 in Decapolis (Mark 8: 1-9)
Feeding of 5000 in Galilee (Mark 6:30-44) 5 loaves 2 fish, 12 baskets of left overs
Three days of teaching : By first evening, disciples were concerned that the crowd had nothing to eat: Mark 6:35. The 12 baskets of left overs are symbolic that the 12 tribes of Israel would be sustained.
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| Carol the flutist: Fish head curry at Sakunthala |
Three days of teaching : By third evening, disciples had yet to show any concern that the crowd of Decapolis had nothing to eat! Jesus had to remind them (Mark 8:2)
The 7 baskets of left overs are symbolic that the 7 nations of the Decapolis would be sustained.
APPLICATION
Jesus says to you as he said to the healed demonic man:
I want you to go tell your people what I have done for you.
Where do you go to?
Where is your "other side"?
Jesus had compassion
Where is your other side?
Migrant workers?
Domestic helpers?
Yi people?
Nong Bua Lampu?
You are called to be witnesses:
A witness tells others what you have seen
Think of your favouriteplace to eat.
Tell the person sitting next to you about it.
You have experinced it.
It is real to you.
It is easy to tell others about it.
It should be real
It should be current
Describe the present work of Jesus in your life
(Not the fossilised account of something that happened 10 years ago)
God says"I miss you"
"You come to me only when you are in trouble"
"Come to me"
We are called to a relationship with God
Christianity is not so much a "religion" or a "set of beliefs".
Christianity is a relationship with God
We are called to witness
A) to Oikos, to family
B) to Community
C) to the regions beyond
We are called to GO.
What is holding you back?
Lack of talents?
We are all given many many talents:
Physical talents
Spiritual talents
Age?
Too old? Never too old!
Too young? Never too young!
A mission trip will change your world view.
Plan to make a mission trip within the next 12 months.
TAKE HOME MESSAGE
IF you find that your relationship with God has been lost,
REKINDLE it today.
IF you hear the call to go,
GO!
If you hear a call to full time ministry,
RESPOND with "Here I am Lord, send me".
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