A Kingdom with Power! - Mark 9:1-10
A Kingdom with Power! - Mark 9:1-10
By Pastor Lee Hemen
June 6, 2010 AM
In our day and age we can be connected 24/7 and do at home what only folks dreamed of doing a few years ago. With personal computers, cell phones, iPads, iPods, and other electronic devices we can contact, process, bank, pay bills, and do a myriad of things. If you are on vacation, you can even turn off the lights at home, use a printer there, or monitor your house through a web camera. It all works great until the power goes off or your battery goes dead. Power is great until you run out of it. Then, after all of the electronic devices are dead, they become just fancy paperweights.
What does power mean for you? For some politicians it means being able to control the lives of people from the womb to the tomb. For others it is seen in the government getting out of the way and allowing individuals to garner wealth and success on their own without governmental interference. Power in this life however is temporary. Here in Mark’s gospel we see God showing his kingdom’s power through Jesus. God displayed Jesus for his disciples in a whole new light. Jesus was establishing a kingdom with power. Let’s see how…
READ: Mark 9:1-10
There is one very important thing we can never forget when we speak about the kingdom of God. Mark shows us that it is a kingdom with power because…
I. God’s Kingdom is established by Jesus! (Vv. 1-7)
1. We are to “listen to Jesus” if we want to be a part of God’s kingdom! This is command of God (v. 7) and God told them, “This is my Son, whom I love.” However, when is the kingdom of God? Jesus told his disciples, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.” Six days later, Jesus gives his disciples a lesson concerning it. As we look at what occurs we must remember several things. 1) This statement was said to all of his followers. 2) It is an affirmative contrast to his previous comment, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38) 3) Jesus emphatically states that, “some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come in power.” So, was Jesus referring to his resurrection, the coming of the Holy Spirit, the destruction of Jerusalem, his transfiguration, the coming church age, or his second coming? Jesus simply referring to his transfiguration does not make sense. It was a startling event, filled with wonder and awe, but it is extremely odd Jesus would say that “some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power,” and then wham, he does the transfiguration. Did Jesus mean some were going to immediately die? I don’t think so. Jesus’ resurrection was full of the power of God as was the coming of the Holy Spirit. Both however are far more important than the transfiguration. The church age was wonderful, but it does not compare to the resurrection or the Holy Spirit’s coming. And while the destruction of Jerusalem was a national tragedy, it does not compare to Jesus’ Second Coming. But his return cannot be what Jesus is referring to unless somewhere right now several disciples are still alive! Peter was confused as well by the dazzling white clothes, Elijah and Moses’ appearance, and in a confused state relates, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” All of these things, from Jesus’ birth to his resurrection, prove that God’s kingdom is established by Jesus!
EXAMPLE: In Bible times, the sons of Samuel used their appointments as judges of Israel to take bribes, pervert justice, and accumulate personal wealth. Later, God’s choice for the first king of Israel, Saul, abused his power in an effort to kill the man chosen to be his successor. When David became king, he misused the authority of the throne of Israel to commit adultery with the wife of one of his officers. Then David conspired to have Bathsheba’s husband killed. Centuries later, a little-known church leader named Diotrephes, to elevate himself he misused his position by denouncing others. He was so protective of his own position that he would not even welcome the apostle John into his congregation (3 John 1:9-10). We have politicians who misuse their authority all the time. To me it is comforting to realize that Jesus is in complete control of his kingdom. He rules and reigns. Jesus is the one “who sits on the throne… who lives forever and ever.” (Revelation 4:10). Amen.
I believe, concerning the kingdom of God, that Jesus was referring to all of the things I mentioned before. It is a kingdom with power because…
II. The kingdom of God is now! (Vv. 8-10)
1. We are not to build monuments to commemorate God’s kingdom! Either we are a part of it now or we are not. Notice Mark relates that, “Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.” This is significant because it tells us whom we are to focus on. We are not to be building monuments, doing pilgrimages, or worshipping on hillsides. The kingdom of God was here with the coming of Jesus, but its full potential and power had not yet been demonstrated by his resurrection. Contrary to what some think, I do not believe the Second Coming is the establishment of his kingdom, because it is already established. Jesus rules and reigns now. The Second Coming will be the fulfillment and culmination of God’s promise through Jesus, not God’s kingdom coming in power. In Revelation, we find John describing the birth of Jesus and the past war in heaven where the “great dragon” and his minions were defeated. Then John hears a voice say, “Now have [“is” in most translations] come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.” (Revelation 12:10). He is describing a past event that is a fulfillment of God’s promise to mankind. John explains it was “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” (Revelation 12:11) Paul wrote, “God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” (Philippians 2:9-11) Jesus continually taught, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is near,” meaning: “Right now.”(Matthew 3:2; 4:17; 10:7) Jesus was not talking about the end times to his disciples. Matthew 4:27 relates, “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom.” He related, “"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs IS the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) Not “will be,” it was now. He meant for them right then at that time; literally, that it was occurring, would occur, and would be fulfilled in the disciple’s lifetime. Notice, “Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.” He did this because he knew folks would believe the wrong things about whom he was and why he had come. The kingdom of God is not about some earthly ruler. His resurrection was the important thing here, not the transfiguration. The kingdom of God is now for all who believe.
EXAMPLE: In 1977, 15-year-old Kevin Baugh and a teenage friend decided to create their own country, just for fun. The Republic of Molossia began as they drew a map, created paper money, and made a flag. Today, Mr. Baugh continues his micro-nation the same way it began—just for fun. When Chicago Tribune reporter Colleen Mastony toured his 1.3 acre kingdom in the Nevada desert, Baugh assured her he still pays US taxes, which he calls “foreign aid.” “It’s always tongue-in-cheek,” Baugh admits. “I’m doing this for the pleasure and enjoyment of having my own country.” Not many of us will create our own nation, but we all have a kingdom of the heart where we decide who will rule. Either we are part of God’s kingdom or we are not.
Conclusion:
So, what does this mean for us today? The disciples still did not understand it for themselves. Mark relates that “They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what ‘rising from the dead’ meant.” (Mark 9:10) We should ask ourselves two important questions: 1) “What is the kingdom of God?” Answer: It is a kingdom established by God, where Jesus is the authority. 2) “When is the kingdom of God?” Answer: Right now, for all who believe. Do you believe?
----
Pastor Lee Hemen has been the outspoken pastor of the same church for 25 years in Vancouver, WA. He writes regularly on spirituality and conservative causes and maintains several web blogs. This article is copyrighted © 2010 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission. You now have my permission…
By Pastor Lee Hemen
June 6, 2010 AM
In our day and age we can be connected 24/7 and do at home what only folks dreamed of doing a few years ago. With personal computers, cell phones, iPads, iPods, and other electronic devices we can contact, process, bank, pay bills, and do a myriad of things. If you are on vacation, you can even turn off the lights at home, use a printer there, or monitor your house through a web camera. It all works great until the power goes off or your battery goes dead. Power is great until you run out of it. Then, after all of the electronic devices are dead, they become just fancy paperweights.
What does power mean for you? For some politicians it means being able to control the lives of people from the womb to the tomb. For others it is seen in the government getting out of the way and allowing individuals to garner wealth and success on their own without governmental interference. Power in this life however is temporary. Here in Mark’s gospel we see God showing his kingdom’s power through Jesus. God displayed Jesus for his disciples in a whole new light. Jesus was establishing a kingdom with power. Let’s see how…
READ: Mark 9:1-10
There is one very important thing we can never forget when we speak about the kingdom of God. Mark shows us that it is a kingdom with power because…
I. God’s Kingdom is established by Jesus! (Vv. 1-7)
1. We are to “listen to Jesus” if we want to be a part of God’s kingdom! This is command of God (v. 7) and God told them, “This is my Son, whom I love.” However, when is the kingdom of God? Jesus told his disciples, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.” Six days later, Jesus gives his disciples a lesson concerning it. As we look at what occurs we must remember several things. 1) This statement was said to all of his followers. 2) It is an affirmative contrast to his previous comment, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38) 3) Jesus emphatically states that, “some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come in power.” So, was Jesus referring to his resurrection, the coming of the Holy Spirit, the destruction of Jerusalem, his transfiguration, the coming church age, or his second coming? Jesus simply referring to his transfiguration does not make sense. It was a startling event, filled with wonder and awe, but it is extremely odd Jesus would say that “some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power,” and then wham, he does the transfiguration. Did Jesus mean some were going to immediately die? I don’t think so. Jesus’ resurrection was full of the power of God as was the coming of the Holy Spirit. Both however are far more important than the transfiguration. The church age was wonderful, but it does not compare to the resurrection or the Holy Spirit’s coming. And while the destruction of Jerusalem was a national tragedy, it does not compare to Jesus’ Second Coming. But his return cannot be what Jesus is referring to unless somewhere right now several disciples are still alive! Peter was confused as well by the dazzling white clothes, Elijah and Moses’ appearance, and in a confused state relates, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” All of these things, from Jesus’ birth to his resurrection, prove that God’s kingdom is established by Jesus!
EXAMPLE: In Bible times, the sons of Samuel used their appointments as judges of Israel to take bribes, pervert justice, and accumulate personal wealth. Later, God’s choice for the first king of Israel, Saul, abused his power in an effort to kill the man chosen to be his successor. When David became king, he misused the authority of the throne of Israel to commit adultery with the wife of one of his officers. Then David conspired to have Bathsheba’s husband killed. Centuries later, a little-known church leader named Diotrephes, to elevate himself he misused his position by denouncing others. He was so protective of his own position that he would not even welcome the apostle John into his congregation (3 John 1:9-10). We have politicians who misuse their authority all the time. To me it is comforting to realize that Jesus is in complete control of his kingdom. He rules and reigns. Jesus is the one “who sits on the throne… who lives forever and ever.” (Revelation 4:10). Amen.
I believe, concerning the kingdom of God, that Jesus was referring to all of the things I mentioned before. It is a kingdom with power because…
II. The kingdom of God is now! (Vv. 8-10)
1. We are not to build monuments to commemorate God’s kingdom! Either we are a part of it now or we are not. Notice Mark relates that, “Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.” This is significant because it tells us whom we are to focus on. We are not to be building monuments, doing pilgrimages, or worshipping on hillsides. The kingdom of God was here with the coming of Jesus, but its full potential and power had not yet been demonstrated by his resurrection. Contrary to what some think, I do not believe the Second Coming is the establishment of his kingdom, because it is already established. Jesus rules and reigns now. The Second Coming will be the fulfillment and culmination of God’s promise through Jesus, not God’s kingdom coming in power. In Revelation, we find John describing the birth of Jesus and the past war in heaven where the “great dragon” and his minions were defeated. Then John hears a voice say, “Now have [“is” in most translations] come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.” (Revelation 12:10). He is describing a past event that is a fulfillment of God’s promise to mankind. John explains it was “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” (Revelation 12:11) Paul wrote, “God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” (Philippians 2:9-11) Jesus continually taught, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is near,” meaning: “Right now.”(Matthew 3:2; 4:17; 10:7) Jesus was not talking about the end times to his disciples. Matthew 4:27 relates, “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom.” He related, “"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs IS the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) Not “will be,” it was now. He meant for them right then at that time; literally, that it was occurring, would occur, and would be fulfilled in the disciple’s lifetime. Notice, “Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.” He did this because he knew folks would believe the wrong things about whom he was and why he had come. The kingdom of God is not about some earthly ruler. His resurrection was the important thing here, not the transfiguration. The kingdom of God is now for all who believe.
EXAMPLE: In 1977, 15-year-old Kevin Baugh and a teenage friend decided to create their own country, just for fun. The Republic of Molossia began as they drew a map, created paper money, and made a flag. Today, Mr. Baugh continues his micro-nation the same way it began—just for fun. When Chicago Tribune reporter Colleen Mastony toured his 1.3 acre kingdom in the Nevada desert, Baugh assured her he still pays US taxes, which he calls “foreign aid.” “It’s always tongue-in-cheek,” Baugh admits. “I’m doing this for the pleasure and enjoyment of having my own country.” Not many of us will create our own nation, but we all have a kingdom of the heart where we decide who will rule. Either we are part of God’s kingdom or we are not.
Conclusion:
So, what does this mean for us today? The disciples still did not understand it for themselves. Mark relates that “They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what ‘rising from the dead’ meant.” (Mark 9:10) We should ask ourselves two important questions: 1) “What is the kingdom of God?” Answer: It is a kingdom established by God, where Jesus is the authority. 2) “When is the kingdom of God?” Answer: Right now, for all who believe. Do you believe?
----
Pastor Lee Hemen has been the outspoken pastor of the same church for 25 years in Vancouver, WA. He writes regularly on spirituality and conservative causes and maintains several web blogs. This article is copyrighted © 2010 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission. You now have my permission…
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