Coney Hill Baptist Church
Demonstrating God’s Love Together
21st September 2008
Wanting to Say, Wow!
Mark 1:16-34
Intro
Moving on from last week, the seeking of something bigger than ourselves, the answering of our biggest questions is definitely one driving force for what we do here at church, but it’s only the beginning. When you find that something, get some answers to those questions, then you’re bound to make a response.
To be moved, excited, challenged or, in any other way, affected – to be caused to exclaim … wow! - that is the essence of worship. It might be an expression of pure wonder, heartfelt gratitude, genuine appreciation but its always a response to, a recognition of, God at work.
All through the Gospel story you can see that recognition and response, as people see Jesus and are affected. … the word most commonly used in our translations is a dramatic one, amazed!
Take Mark for example, 12 times in the 16 chapters of his gospel he has people ‘amazed’. Clearly, he wants to emphasise that meeting Jesus was not an average or ‘common-or-garden’ experience. An encounter with him wasn’t dull or routine. It made an impact, one that went beyond being surprised or impressed, and shook the very foundation of people’s lives, so that they were never the same again.
A good example is at the beginning. When Jesus first appears, immediately he makes an impact. And he does so in a number of ways:
People are Amazed at His Authority (v.22):
At first the big thing that seems to mark Him out, and effect them, is the difference between Him and other similar leaders and teachers. They describe it as his authority. He seemed to have a confidence and clarity, not an arrogance, but just a way with simple expression that showed He was passionate about what He said. This wasn’t mere religion with Him it was real.
Today we suspicious of peoples claims to authority, but we still desire someone we can trust, depend on, follow, serve. Someone who inspires, not with hectoring brashness but with gracious simplicity. That someone is Jesus still.
People are Amazed at His Power :
Secondly, and obviously, they were stunned not only by what he said but by what he did. Here were words backed up with deeds. Talk matched with action. One without the other, then and now, would seem either dry or dangerous. But He seemed to be able to offer a new source of hope, a new well-spring of strength. And the people responded.
People are Amazed at His Identity (v’s. 24, 27, 34):
Lastly, and probably for Mark, most importantly people responded in amazement to exactly who he was. At the end of the day the authority and power were but signposts pointing out the truly exciting thing – who he was!
It’s the key to the story, so Mark kind of keeps us in suspense about it. It’s what he wants us to know, and be amazed by too. This Jesus; is Messiah, is God, is alive and real, is here, is for you.
Conc.
… becoming a worshipper means developing the capacity for amazement, putting aside the suspicion, cynicism and self-consciousness – to let yourself say wow! again. The start of worship, is to accept His authority, receive His power, but most of all, to know who He is. Then you will have something to sing about, and no-one will be able to stop you.
Office Address:
Coney Hill Road
West Wickham
Kent
BR4 9BU