The Main Event

Mark 1:36-39 - Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!" 

Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else--to the nearby villages--so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

Simon and the gang were looking for Jesus. This comes the next morning, after healing so many the night before. There were lots of needs in the city, and guess what? The next morning there were just as many! Another crowd gathered, and Simon went to get Jesus so he could get back to the ministry.

Dear brothers and sisters,

Thank you very much for all your prayers. One more disciple was baptized today in our church here in Albania. Her name is Majlinda, she is a mother of two teenage children, and she is a very humble and faith-filled woman.

The good news is that her daughter is studying the bible, and recently even her son is coming to church. Please keep praying specially for her husband to want to visit the church, and God willing to start studying the bible as well.

We have even more people interested. God has been good, and faithful--we feel even more privileged to be in his awesome kingdom. After two students, Fatjon and Kamela, Majlinda is our third baptism so far for this year!

Who knows what God will do between now and the end of the year? Please keep remembering us in your prayers.

Vangjel and Marsela Kojku 

Recharge

Mark 1:35-37 - Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"

Don't you love the snooze button? "If I could just sleep a little more, it would change my life!" "Just another 20 minutes, that would recharge me!" Ever have a couple days where you sleep until you wake up on your own, but you are still tired? It happens to me. Do you know why?

It's because you are a spiritual being. The spiritual is actually more real than the physical! The physical is temporary. The spiritual is permanent. 

Change is Contagious

Mark 1:32-33 - That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.  The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

Imagine you've just come home from a long day's work. You are tired, hungry and ready to sit in front of the TV and do nothing. Just unplug and rest. Now imagine the whole neighborhood showing up at the door, wanting your help. What would you do? 

Have you ever wanted to join in with the crowd, just because they were the crowd? Having people around us that all seem to want the same thing has a strong impact on our confidence and sense of belonging.

Back On Our Feet

Mark 1:29-31 - As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

Here we find Jesus and the guys, going to hang out after church. They decide to go to Simon and Andrew's house for lunch. Simon's mother-in-law is sick, but Jesus goes in, takes her by the hand, and she is miraculously healed! She gets up and waits on them. Wow!

Have you ever met someone and thought, "I should serve this person," but you couldn't find the strength to do it? Have you ever asked someone to serve, and they just didn't seem to want to do it?

It's a War!

Mark 1:23-28 - Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evi spirit cried out, "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-the Holy One of God!"

"Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!" The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching-and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him." News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

Just Do It!

Mark 1:21-22 - They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.

Finally, Jesus entered the synagogue and began to teach. Can you imagine? Imagine standing in the room, and listening to Jesus preaching!

People were amazed, because he taught as one who had authority. Authority implies that it expects submission. Jesus taught as though he expected complete submission to God's word. This amazed people!

So What Does That Look Like?

Mark 1:18-20 - At once they left their nets and followed him. When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Jesus came with an announcement. The time has come! The kingdom of God is near! Repent and believe the good news!

Wow, what a series of declarations! So what does that look like? When Jesus says "repent and believe," what does he mean by that? Well, the phrase means to turn away from one object of trust, and to commit yourself completely to another--Jesus and the good news!

Who Saved You?

Mark 1:17-18 - "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him.

I have an unusual question. Who saved you? I am guessing there might be four answers out there:

• God. God Saved us! God so loved the world, that he sent His Son! God loved us, and saved us!
• The Father. The Father saved us! Jesus was just obeying the Father! It was clearly His will to save us!
• Jesus. Jesus died for my sin! Faith in the blood of Christ saved me at baptism! If Jesus did not die for me, I would not have a chance to be forgiven!
• Dale. Dale? What? Who is Dale? Well, Dale is the person who invited me to church.

First Things First

Mark 1:16-18 - As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him.

There are many reasons to become a Christian. Lets think back. Now why did I become a Christian? Write it down right now on a piece of paper. The top three reasons you wanted to be a Christian--a follower of Jesus!

Maybe you wrote down, "I want to go to heaven." That is a good one! Maybe you wrote down, "Because God loves me and I want to respond to his love and follow his Son." Excellent! Maybe you wrote down, "I was so tired of this empty life." Maybe, "I saw a group of people who had real relationships!"