The Gospel of Mark Part 1 | Repentance & Good News
The Book of Mark – Part 1
[Mark 1:1 NKJV] 1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
The meaning of the word Gospel in Greek, which appears in the New Testament approximately 100 times, from Matthew to Revelation, is euangelion [yoo-ang-ghel’-ee-on], meaning “good tidings” or “good news.”
New Testament usage:
The gospel of Jesus or Christ – 11x
The gospel of the kingdom – 3x
The kingdom of heaven – 32x
The gospel of the kingdom of God – 2x
The gospel of the grace of God – 1x exactly, and 20x together in other verses
The gospel of God – 7x exactly, 96x gospel + God together
In this message, we focus on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, a message of grace and the Kingdom of Heaven (also called the Kingdom of God). The Kingdom of Heaven is referenced 32 times directly in Matthew.
Jesus Preaches Repentance
[Matthew 4:17 NKJV] 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
I had never given much thought to why Jesus and John were telling the Hebrews to repent. After all, they had the oracles of God. But repentance is central to the Gospel of grace.
Repentance in Greek is metanoia, meaning “to change one’s mind.” To repent is metanoeō, meaning to turn from sin and turn back to God. In Hebrew, repent is šûḇ [shoob], meaning “to turn back (to God).”
Israel’s History of Idolatry
Throughout Israel’s history, the people worshiped idols—beginning with the Golden Calf in Exodus 32, then Baal, Chemosh, Moloch, the Queen of Heaven, and more.
[Judges 2:12 NKJV] 12 and they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; and they followed other gods… and they provoked the LORD to anger.
[1Kings 11:4 NKJV] 4 For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods…
[Jeremiah 7:18 NKJV] 18 “The children gather wood, the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead dough, to make cakes for the queen of heaven…”
Legalism and Tradition
During Jesus’ time, the people had turned to a different form of idolatry — legalism and the traditions of men.
[Matthew 15:1-9 NKJV] 1 Then the scribes and Pharisees… “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?” … 8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth… But their heart is far from Me.’
The Gospel of the Kingdom
The Gospel of the Kingdom proclaims God’s rule over all creation and calls people to repentance.
Matthew 4:17: “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news of salvation through faith in Him as Messiah and Savior.
John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…”
Jesus Sends Out the Disciples
[Matthew 10:5-15 NKJV] 5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them… 7 “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'”
[Luke 10:1-3, 9-12 NKJV] 1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others… 9 “And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.'”
Jesus Preaches Isaiah 61
[Isaiah 61:1-2 NKJV] “The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon Me… To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”
Israel’s Rejection and Our Need
The Jewish people were offended by the preaching of the Kingdom because they were not truly following God. Israel was meant to be a light to the Gentiles.
[Acts 13:47 NKJV] 47 “For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles…'”
Bigotry is demonic — whether in Israel’s day or ours. The Church today must beware of syncretism, compromise, and rejecting God’s truth.
Today’s Church and Syncretism
Recent studies show 62% of American adults identify as Christians, but only 6% have a biblical worldview (Arizona Christian University, 2024).
Many churches embrace syncretism, mixing Christianity with New Age, Wicca, and secular ideologies. We must return to sound doctrine.
[2 Timothy 3:1-7 NKJV] 1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…
[2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 NKJV] 1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ… 3 Let no one deceive you… unless the falling away comes first…
The Gospel of Grace
Jesus preached the Gospel of Grace — the only way of salvation. It is still needed today.
[Romans 1:16 NKJV] 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation…
[1 Corinthians 15:1-4 NKJV] 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel… 3 that Christ died for our sins… 4 that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day…
Benediction
[Romans 16:25-27 NKJV] 25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel… 27 to God, alone wise, [be] glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
