THE KING IS CALLING

Mark 1:14-15 – “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.’”

Mark 1:14-15 (NIV) – “After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the Good News of God. ‘The time has come,’ He said. ‘The Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the Good News!’”

The Kingdom of God is the rule and reign of Jesus the King!

Matthew 12:28 – “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the Kingdom of God has come upon you.”

Jesus the King is inviting us to join Him in advancing His Kingdom.

1. Recognize the Time

Mark 1:15a – “…The time is fulfilled.”

Colossians 4:5 – “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.”

Colossians 4:5 (NLT) – “Live wisely among those who are not believers and make the most of every opportunity.”

Jesus is inviting us to step into this kairos moment at Joy Church.

2. Repent of Sin

Mark 1:15a – “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent.”

Matthew 4:17b (NLT) – “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

To repent – to think after, to change your mind

Repentance – a change of mind, that leads to a change of heart, that leads to a change of direction, that leads to a changed life

A. We repent of pride, self-centeredness, and selfishness.

Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

James 4:6b – “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

B. We repent of the lie that we are too unworthy or too insignificant to be useful to the King.

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) – “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.”

C. We repent of any racial prejudice toward any people group or ethnicity.

Ephesians 2:14 (NLT) – “For Christ Himself has brought peace to us. He unified Jews and Gentiles in one people when, in His own body on the cross, He broke down the wall of hostility that separates us.”

D. We repent of the fear of man.

Proverbs 29:25 – “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.”

E. We repent of lukewarmness and complacency.

Revelation 3:15 – “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.”

F. We repent of idolatry.

1 John 5:21 – “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”

G. We repent of sexual immorality.

1 Corinthians 6:18a – “Flee sexual immorality.”

1 Thessalonians 4:3 – “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that you should abstain from sexual immorality.”

H. We repent of dishonor in our homes.

Ephesians 6:2a – “Honor your father and your mother.”

Ephesians 6:1 – “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”

I. We repent of unforgiveness, resentment, bitterness, hatred, unrighteous anger, and strife.

Ephesians 4:31 – “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.”

J. We repent of gossip, slander, lying, a critical spirit, and all verbal abuse.

James 3:8 – “But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”

K. We repent of doubt and unbelief.

Matthew 13:58 – “Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”

3. Respond in Faith

Mark 1:15 (NIV) – “‘The time has come,’ He said, ‘The Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the Good News.’”

We can be forgiven.

Psalm 103:12 – “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

We can be set free.

Colossians 1:13 – “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the Kingdom of the Son of His love.”

We can be filled.

Ephesians 5:18b – “Be filled with the Spirit.”

His report says I am healed, His report says I am filled, His report says I am free, His report says victory.

The King is calling; will you step into this kairos moment?

Discussion Questions:

1. Would you agree that this is a kairos moment for our nation and for Joy Church? Why or why not?

2. The thought of partnering with Jesus to advance His Kingdom makes me feel: 1) afraid,

2) inadequate, 3) worried, 4) unworthy, or 5) excited?

3. Are there specific areas the Holy Spirit is calling you to repent of now? Are you willing?

4. Do you believe that you are forgiven, freed, and filled? Why or why not?