2. Mark chapter 1 12 [Immediately] The Spirit then compelled [pushed] Jesus to go into the wilderness, 13 where he was tempted [tested] by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him. 14 Later on, after John was arrested [handed over], Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News. 15 “The time [kairos] promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” 16 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 17 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 18 And they left their nets at once and followed him. 19 A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. 20 He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.

3. Why does God test us? chronos – measured of time kairos – special opportunity

4. How would you respond if Jesus came to Palmerston North this week, as a human being, and called you to drop everything and “come follow me”? Would you: say No thanks Im too busy? say Ive got too many responsibilities? say I can’t leave my friends be too scared to make such a radical change? say I’d like a 90 day trial period? be very excited to go with him?

5. Rational belief [believing in God with our minds], is dry and powerless if it does not lead to a trust that affects the way we live. To be a disciple of Jesus means we not only have to repent and believe the gospel but we must also be willing to leave and follow.

6. “One can conclude from all this that becoming a disciple of Jesus is more of a gift than an achievement…. They have been caught in the nets of God’s grace….” Have you been caught up in the nets of God’s grace? Are you allowing your life to be transformed in the way of the Kingdom of God? Have you said a total YES to following Jesus wherever he leads?

7. Present Age Age to come Kingdom of God Day of the Lord JUDGEMENT DAY The Kingdom of God in the Old Testament before Jesus came.

8. Day of the Lord JUDGEMENT DAY The Kingdom of God before & after Jesus Kingdom of God First coming of Jesus Second coming of Jesus Present Age Year 0 OVERLAP ? Year 20015+ The kingdom is here now but not yet fulfilled