DCLM YOUTH STS LESSON 74 CHRIST BEGINS HIS MINISTRY

Memory Verse: “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15).

TEXT: Mark 1:1-45; 2:1-28

The good news (gospel) about Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was written by Saint Mark so that the church will have full comprehension of who He was on earth. In this study, he introduced John the Baptist as the messenger that was prophesied to come for the preparation of Christ’s ministry, which he did by preaching repentance from. sin and also baptizing those who believed. The writer also stated the baptism of Christ by John the Baptist was to launch Christ’s earthly ministry. He described Christ as the holy One of God that can heal all sicknesses, cure all diseases and cast out unclean spirits. In this text, Jesus faced opposition from the scribes and Pharisees, but He displayed the Omniscience of God by supplying the right answer to each confrontation.

Question 1: What helped Jesus to successfully start His ministry on earth?

Jesus Christ efficaciously started His ministry because the Spirit of the Lord came upon Him and God was well pleased with Him. Today, youths should know that the Spirit of the Lord only comes upon saved and sanctified believers. With the help of the Holy Spirit, they will be able to fulfil God’s plans and purpose for their lives. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you”(John 14:26)

1.THE EXPOSITORY ACCOUNT OF CHRIST’S MINISTRY

Mark 1:1-20; Matthew 3:1-17;4:11;Luke 3:2-16;21,22; 4:1-15;John 1:19-28

“As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee” (Mark 1:2). The ministry of Jesus Christ was heralded by the proclamations of John the Baptist. God promised through Prophet lsaiah to send a messenger before the first coming of Christ in order to arouse the mind of the people for the Messiah (Isaiah 40:3). John the Baptist baptized as many as came for repentance at River Jordan. “And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea and they of Jerusalem and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins”(Mark1:5). At the fulfilment of time, Jesus came out of Nazareth of Galilee to John the Baptist for water baptism at Jordan. “And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heaven opened, and the spirit like a dove descended upon him: And there came voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’’(Mark 1:10,11). The baptism of Christ was confirmed by the presence of the Holy Spirit and a voice from heaven. Receiving heaven’s affirmation is an important factor in ministry. Christian youths should always ensure that their lives please the Lord at all times to receive God’s affirmation.

Question 2: Why should a Christian youth be watchful and careful in his relationship with God?

Jesus was led to the wilderness by the Holy Spirit, so that He can be tempted of the devil. Sometimes, the Spirit of God permits His children to be tried of the devil. When they overcome, each victory helps them to win another till they reach their final goal. When John’s ministry was paused by his imprisonment, Jesus started His own ministry. “And saying, The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel”(Mark 1:15). Ministers must learn from Jesus here. He started His ministry by preaching repentance. As we go out to preach repentance must be the theme of our message. As He walked along the sea of Galilee, He called His first four disciples namely Simon, Andrew, James and John who were fishermen. In response to Christ’s call, they left their fishing occupation and followed Him.

Question 3: Who is a Christian youth?

A Christian youth is a person who has surrendered his life to Christ and become like Him in behaviour and heart (Acts 11:26). The youth who is Christ-like seeks the kingdom of God above worldly ambitions and keeps himself from the corruption of the world. He is heaven-minded and fully occupied in the business of his father-soul-winning and evangelism. Meanwhile, as he awaits his Lord’s coming, he engages his mind and hand to acquire knowledge and skill which will make him productive and relevant in life.

2.THE EMANCIPATION OF THE AFFLICTED THROUGH CHRISTS MINISTRY

Mark 1:21-45; Matthew 8:14-17; Luke 4:31-41

“And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught” (Mark 1:21). The Omnipotence of God was revealed in Christ’s ministry as He taught, preached and healed the sick. Jesus went to the synagogue in Capernaum to teach and there was
a man with an unclean spirit who was also in the temple. The uncle an spirit in the man cried out, that Jesus should leave them alone because they know that He is the Holy One of God. But Jesus knew that the voice was not the voice of man but an unclean spirit, therefore, He rebuked the spirit and cast him
out of the man.

Question 4: Can God’s power still liberate the afflicted today?

Furthermore, when Christ was come out of the synagogue, He entered into the house of Simon and Andrew. Simon Peter’s mother-in-law was sick of fever. Jesus came and lifted her up from her bed of affliction and immediately the fever left her and she ministered to them. “And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them”(Mark 1:31). Later in the evening, “…all the city was gathered together at the door” (Mark 1:33), so that He could heal them. Since with God, nothing shall be impossible, He emancipated the afflicted and brought the peace of God to their bodies. Jesus is still mighty to deliver today. We should pray and trust Him for great blessing. “And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them”(Mark 1:44). After the leper was healed, He charged him to present himself to the priest for a testimony. We must obey our Master and not be like this leper whose actions cost Jesus Christ His freedom of movement. “But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter” (Mark 1:45).

3.CHRIST’S CLARIFICATION ON THE PRACTICE OF RELIGIOUS STANDARDS

Mark 2:1-28; Matthew 9:1-17; 12:1-8;Luke 5:17-39;6:1-5

Question 5:Why could Christ confidently forgive sins?

“And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house”(Mark 2:1). Many people gathered unto Christ to hear the word of God. But there were these four men who carried a paralyzed man and tried to get to Jesus. Since all effort proved abortive, they decided to uncover the roof where Jesus was, because they were determined to see Him. When Jesus saw their faith, He told the sick man, “…Son, thy sins be forgiven thee” (Mark 2:5). This was what the scribes that were there regarded as blasphemy in their hearts. But wanting to prove to them that He and the Father are one said unto the paralyzed man, “I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thy house”(Mark 2:11). Christian youths should know that God has given Christ His Spirit without measure. Furthermore, in the house of Levi, the tax collector, He confounded their wisdom when He heard them contemplating on His feasting with the publicans and sinners. “When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Mark 2:17). In addition to this, they probed Him by asking why His disciples did not fast like other religious people did. But Christ replied that it was not the right time for His disciples to fast because He was still with them. He later added, when the Pharisees asked why His disciples ate corn on the Sabbath day, that the Sabbath was made for man and not vice versa and He is the Lord of the Sabbath. “Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath” (Mark 2:28). As Christian youths, the most important thing is to obey the word of God and not to condemn others.