The Revolution’s First Set-back

Matthew 4:12–17; Mark 1:14–15; Luke 4:14–15

We are called by Jesus to affirm the truth of our faith by living that truth. This is why John and Jesus both preached repentance and belief. Repentance and faith are nothing without the other. To “repent” is to turn away from whatever you currently put your trust in and to “have faith” is to trust in something new. It is in Jesus Christ that we trust.

But, despite the gospel being clear and the way of Christ being modeled for us in scripture, many people have tried to bring about the kingdom on their own and all have failed. I am going to tell you about one of those failures: Girolamo Savonarola’s "New Jerusalem" (Florence, 1494–1498)

During the height of the Italian Renaissance, when atheism was at a high, , a charismatic Dominican friar decided that Florence was too corrupt and evil. So, he began preaching and prophesying that God was going to purge Italy. So, when the French army invaded and the Medicis fled, many of the citizens considered this to be the fulfillment of Savonarola’s prophecies and they gave him control of the city.

He declared Florence to be the Christian “Democratic Republic" and the beginning of God's global kingdom. This was followed by laws where everything from gambling, swearing, and types of clothing were banned. This eventually culminated in a famous event that most of us have heard of and yet most cannot define: the Bonfires of the Vanities.

In order to usher in the kingdom, the citizens were pressured to throw priceless works of art, books, instruments, make-up, cards and board games, as well as other luxury items into bonfires but the kingdom did not come. A famine hit and Savonarola was eventually arrested, tortured, hanged, and burned in the exact same square as his bonfires. 

God’s kingdom will not come through political coercion or man-made laws. Jesus himself rejected all of these methods. He chose the humble path of love and sacrifice. Jesus began his revolution with repentance and faith, not violence or a vote.

¹² When He heard that John had been arrested, He withdrew into Galilee.

Matt 4:12

Here the revolution suffered its first loss: John the Baptist was imprisoned. This led Jesus into a ‘tactical withdrawal’ where he changed location and tactics as he moved from baptizing to sending his men directly into the battlefield, 2-by-2, to preach and heal people. 

¹³ He left Nazareth behind and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali.

Matt 4:12-13

This was no doubt a strategic choice because Capernaum (map) was a busy and wealthy community of around 20,000 people. It was located near a political border, had a tax office, customs station, and also served as an outpost for Herod’s troops. It had everything Jesus’ men would need to plan, prepare, and execute the next stage of his mission.

Capernaum was also known as the “Galilee of the Gentiles” which Matthew believed fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy. So he quotes, This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

¹⁵ Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, along the sea road, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles! ¹⁶ The people who live in darkness have seen a great light, and for those living in the shadowland of death, light has dawned.

Matt 4:14-16

As a side note: the gospel writers and Jesus, often summarized bible verses rather than quote them word-for-word but here is extra special because Isaiah 9:1–2 here has a big difference: Isaiah said the people “walked” in darkness, but Matthew says they were now living in it.

¹⁷ From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!”

Matthew 4:12–17

…news about Him spread throughout the entire vicinity. ¹⁵ He was teaching in their synagogues, being acclaimed by everyone.

Luke 4:14–15

¹⁵ “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the good news!”

Mark 1:14–15

So what do we know about the good news so far?

1. The Offer: The Active Presence of God

The Good News is that God’s reign is already actively present for those who repent and trust in him. Once a person has repented (changed their mind and turned back) they are forgiven and the kingdom of God becomes their new reality. This is how the saints past and present were and are able to endure pain, suffering, persecution, and executions. God’s Holy Spirit guides us.

We see John the Baptist, the disciples, and Jesus himself all proclaiming this offer: forgiveness from sin, the ability to conquer evil, and a place in heaven. 

This was the new starting-point for us as Jesus offered forgiveness, washed away sins, and gave us the opportunity to become citizens of heaven but this new kingdom comes with expectations. 

This is a problem for some people because obviously salvation is by grace alone. It a free gift from God and that is true but, if you want it to actually make a difference in your life and the life of your family, you must, as Jesus said, “produce fruit consistent with repentance” because repentance is not the end, it is simply the beginning of a new way of life. 

This is why Jesus calls us sojourners on a journey to the promised land. This is why God never wanted a temple, he asked for a tent. And God never wanted a king, he wanted to lead us himself but this means submitting to the “rule, reign, and authority” of Jesus Christ.

The fact is that the good news is just information until it is activated through faith and repentance. This is why when we offer people the opportunity to accept Christ we must never pretend it will be easy. It is not. This is why Jesus said, 

 ²⁷ Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

Luke 14:27

Well what does that mean? It means that if you want to follow Jesus you must begin to slowly but surely change your life to a life of sacrifice.

2. There is a Cost

²⁸ “For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? ²⁹ Otherwise, after he has laid the foundation and cannot finish it, all the onlookers will begin to make fun of him, ³⁰ saying, ‘This man started to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

…In the same way, therefore, every one of you who does not say good-bye to all his possessions cannot be My disciple.

Luke 14:27-33

There is nothing wrong with stuff. The point is you should be willing to sacrifice all your stuff, and even your life if need be, for your faith. Jesus called his followers to leave behind their old lives in order to follow him. We must change our priorities and, if that wasn’t enough, we are expected to also offer others this same opportunity to change their lives as well.

“Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” 

1 Pet. 2:21

But we are not expected to grow overnight. We are told that new believers are like babies in the faith but, like real babies, we are expected to slowly wean ourselves off of the milk and start eating real food meaning we must accept the harder truths of scriptures. Hebrews tells us,

"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."

Hebrews 5:12–14

The point is that as you serve and sacrifice, you grow and you change. This is also part of the blessing that the gospel offers. Like Jesus, you can have your victory over Satan and you can have your real freedom from sin which reminds us,

3. There are Real Rewards

Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.

Heb 11:6

The way of the cross is a life that is seen as a journey of sacrifice but we are also promised joy. The life of discipleship is to give your life over to the service of your king and, with every victory in your life, God reigns on earth a bit more and as the HS gains a foothold. Joy follows.

In fact, there are many benefits that come with salvation and spiritual growth. 

First there is Peace with God & The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit: Eph 1:13–14, Rom 5:1

Access to a church Family: John 1:12

A change in Nature as you become a new creation: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Break the cycle of sin in your life: sin will have no dominion over you. Rom 6:14

The ability to conquer fear: “not of fear but of power, love, and self-control.” 2 Tim 1:7 

Emotional change as the fruit of the spirit grow. he fruit of the Spirit… Gal 5:22–23

The ability to do actual good in this life: Eph 2:10

Eternal Security through the Resurrection: John 10:28

This is the message of the gospel and the offer we give people. It begins with Jesus and it is a journey that lasts a lifetime which is why Jesus said, 

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."

Matthew 7:13–14

This is why your life, your progress, your love, and your sacrifice is so important because, though few find the gate, no one enters it alone. Every bit of your progress is not just good for you, it is testimony to others. You are expected to invite people to walk with you.

Every step of faith you take involves a bit more sacrifice which means giving Jesus a bit more of your life. When you act on faith you are not just being freed from the burdens that weigh so many people down, you are also finally able to be a real help to others and you’ll want to help them because, when you act in obedience, the HS changes you from the inside out. 

Over time, you will not just give of yourself, your time, your money, and your effort; you will receive joy by imitating the sacrifice of Jesus. The way of salvation is narrow and many miss it but the benefits far out way the costs. 

If you want to join Jesus’ revolution, ask yourself, 

What is God asking me to do with my walk? 

What is he asking me to sacrifice?

What is my next step on this journey?

If you are here this morning, he is moving in your life, the result depends on whether you continue to do what you are doing and hope for a different result or you actually try something different and watch God move. 

It is up to you.