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Three Priorities of Jesus’ Ministry – Mark 1:35-45

March 14, 2023 /

Sermon Video

What are the priorities of a healthy church? Jesus said that he will build his church (Matt 16:18). It follows that if we believe Jesus is going to build his church and we want to be used by him, then we need to do what Jesus did. We need to prioritize what he prioritized.

In the last two posts, we’ve seen Jesus call his first disciples (Mark 1:14-20) and the authority of Jesus in his teachings, his healings, and his exorcisms (Mark 1:21-34).

The first thing we see in our text is that Jesus prioritized prayer.

Jesus Prioritized Prayer (35-37)

35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.”

Jesus prioritized prayer by eliminating distractions.

The text says, “rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he went out to a desolate place and there he prayed” (v. 35). Jesus got up before anyone else and he went to where no one else was (“to a desolate place”). Jesus knew that after the previous day that many people would be seeking him (v. 37). Remember, the “whole city” had come to Peter’s house the night before (vv. 32-33).

So, Jesus knew that to make prayer a priority, he needed to eliminate distractions. Personally, I have to get away from my computer and cell phone in order to pray well. Jesus prioritized prayer by eliminating distractions.

Jesus prioritized prayer by disconnecting from others.

Verse 36 says that Simon and the other disciples searched for him. The reason that they were looking for him was that Jesus had disconnected so to speak. If Jesus would have had a cellphone, he would’ve powered his off. Jesus knew that time with the Father was more important than checking Facebook, Instagram, or email.

Sometimes we need to disconnect with other people so that we can connect with God through prayer. It is okay to unplug from others. We sometimes think that we must be available to everyone 24/7. If we’re honest, some of us have a savior complex. A mentor of mine once said that a man that’s always available isn’t worth much when he is. The reality is that if the true Savior of the world had to disconnect from others to spend time alone with the Father, how much more do we need to?

Well, look what happens. When they find him, Peter and the disciples rebuke Jesus for ignoring the crowds (v. 37). Essentially, they say, “Jesus, what are you doing out here? Everyone is looking for you.”

In Peter’s mind, he wanted Jesus to return to Capernaum and capitalize on the excitement generated by the previous night’s healings.[1]John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Mk 1:37. We are often like Peter. We want crowds and numbers whereas Jesus was content to minister to one person at a time (as we will see in vv. 40-45). At this point in time, Peter didn’t understand the priority of prayer. And the reality is that many of us don’t value prayer as highly as we ought.

I thought about prayer this week and I think that one of the reasons that we don’t prioritize prayer is that we are not attempting anything supernatural. We are not attempting to further God’s kingdom. You don’t have to pray to eat a meal. You don’t have to pray to get dressed. You don’t have to pray to accomplish many of the things we do from day-to-day. But there are things in this life that you will never accomplish apart from prayer. Without prayer, you won’t understand parts of the Bible. Without prayer, you won’t be effective in evangelism. Without prayer, you will not be successful in overcoming temptation.

If the Son of God prioritized prayer, how much more should we prioritize prayer? We need to know the will of the Father. We need to be empowered by the Spirit.

For us as Christians, prayer should be like breathing. Just as breathing enables every activity that we do, so should prayer.

For Christians, prayer should be like breathing.

Prayer humbles us and reminds us that we need God’s help. Prayer reminds us that we don’t live for ourselves, but for God’s glory.

What if we started every day like Jesus? What if our prayers expressed the heart of Jesus?

Matthew 6:9-10

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.”

Here are some things we should pray for:

  • Your local church. Pray that your church will be faithful to the Great Commission. Pray for unity, your pastoral leadership, preaching of the Word, and physical and spiritual needs of other church members.
  • That specific lost people to come to faith in Christ.
  • Personal holiness, confession of sin, and repentance
  • Personal material and spiritual provision (our daily bread)

As a church, we must realize that we will not be effective without the fuel of prayer.

“Prayer is the pump at the gas station that connects us to the fuel for faithful evangelism.” (John Onwuchekwa)

When you go to the gas station, you fill up your vehicle with gas because without gas, it’s not going anywhere. The motor can’t run without fuel.

Similarly, when we pray, we get fuel for evangelism.

  • We connect our hearts with the heart of God and his love for the lost.
  • We feel empowered for the task because we understand it’s God’s job to save people, not ours.

In vv. 35-37, we see that Jesus prioritized prayer. In vv. 38-39, we see that Jesus prioritized preaching.

Jesus Prioritized Preaching (38-39)

38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Jesus prioritized preaching:

  • “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” (38)
  • “And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues.” (39)

What does Jesus mean by came out? Did he come out of the house, out of Capernaum, or did he come from God? Luke’s parallel (4:43) helps us see that this text means that Jesus came from God to preach.

Luke 4:43

but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent [from God] for this purpose.”

People were coming to Jesus for physical healing, but he came to bring spiritual healing. There is often a difference between what people want from Jesus and what they need from him. People want material blessings and physical healings but what they need the most is to have peace with God through the forgiveness that Jesus offers.

Today, churches do many things.

  • They share fellowship meals together.
  • They have men’s and women’s fellowships.
  • They give to the poor and needy.
  • They have special song services.

But friends, the church’s primary task is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus didn’t go town to town making friends. Jesus didn’t go around and hang out at community events and hope that people got saved. Jesus loved people, but he loved them so much that he told them they were dead in their sin and that they needed to follow Him.

In short, Jesus explained the Scriptures and preached the gospel!

Shared meals, fellowships, giving to the needy, and special singings can all be good things. But none of those things save people from God’s wrath. The only way for someone to be saved from God’s wrath is for us to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

This morning if you’re here and you’re not a Christian, you need to know that you are a sinner that is destined for God’s wrath because of your sin. Because God is perfectly holy, there is nothing you can do to earn God’s favor and forgiveness. You need a substitute to pay the penalty for your sin. That’s why Jesus came – to preach about the forgiveness of sins and then to become sin for us on the cross and die for our sins in our place so that we can be reconciled with God (2 Cor 5:21). The response that saves you from God’s wrath is to turn from your sin and put your faith in Jesus and his finished work.

Also, notice Jesus’ evangelism strategy. He went from town to town throughout the region of Galilee. Jesus didn’t invite the lost people to the synagogue. Instead, Jesus went to the lost. What if instead of inviting people to church we went from one area of Harrisburg (my local town) to another sharing the gospel? From area to area, person to person? We must, like Jesus, go to the lost (Luke 19:10).

It’s so tempting to think that if we have a nice building and the right programs that people will come. That used to be the case but it’s not any longer. Many people have a less than favorable view of Christianity and the church in general. Now, more than ever we must go to the lost.

When is the last time that you shared the gospel with someone?

When is the last time you shared a meal with a nonbeliever?

When was the last time you asked someone their name?

When did you last take cookies to your neighbor?

Are you, like Jesus, seeking to preach the gospel to the lost?

Jesus prioritized prayer. Jesus prioritized preaching. And finally, Jesus prioritized people.

Jesus Prioritized People (40-45)

40 And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” 45 But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.

40

Leprosy was a skin disease that in its worst form led to the loss of fingers and toes. Lepers were considered ceremonially unclean and unfit to worship God (Lev 13:3). Anyone who came into contact with a leper was also considered unclean. Because of this, lepers were to stay at least 50 feet away from others (think extreme Covid social distancing) and would cry out, “Unclean” if someone got too close.

Warren Wiersbe notes, When you read the “tests” for leprosy described in Leviticus 13, you can see how the disease is a picture of sin. Like sin, leprosy is deeper than the skin (Lev. 13:3); it spreads (Lev. 13:5–8); it defiles and isolates (Lev. 13:44–46); and it renders things fit only for the fire (Lev. 13:47–59). Anyone who has never trusted the Saviour is spiritually in worse shape than this man was physically.[2]Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 114.

This man had at least heard of Jesus’ healing power but had probably witnessed it as well.

Instead of the leper keeping his distance from Jesus (as the law directed), he came directly to Jesus, fell on his knees, and cried out for Jesus to make him clean. This man was full of faith. He was desperate and believed that Jesus could heal him. In the same way, we must come to Jesus as sinners who believe that he can cleanse us from our dirty sin.

41

If anyone else had the power to heal, he would have healed the man first and then touched him. But not Jesus. He knew this man had not felt human touch in a long time, so he reached out to touch him first.

In Luke 5 there is a parallel account of Jesus cleaning this leprous man. Luke wrote that this man was “full of leprosy” (Luke 5:12). It is reasonable to assume that he had not been touched by another person in years.

Can you imagine not embracing your spouse or children for years? This man longed for human touch.

Jesus was moved with pity. Jesus cared for people.

When was the last time you were “moved with pity”?

When was the last time you prayed for someone?

When was the last time you shared the gospel with someone and told them that “Jesus can make you clean”?

42

Notice what happens. When Jesus touched the leper, Jesus did not become unclean. Rather, Jesus made this man clean.

This is exactly what happens in salvation. We bring our dirty sin to Jesus, but he doesn’t become dirty. Rather, he gives us his righteousness and makes us clean (2 Cor 5:21).

2 Cor 5:21

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

In this context, Jesus physically healed this man. Even if we cannot physically heal someone, we can share the good news of Jesus who makes people clean! When someone is born again, this is the greatest miracle!

43-45

“See that you say nothing to anyone”

Jesus did not want people to love him for his miracles. He wanted them to embrace his teachings and his call for them to deny themselves and follow him. Many people want God’s blessings, but they don’t want to embrace the cross that Jesus calls them to carry (Luke 9:23-24).

Jesus told the cleansed leper to do “what Moses commanded.” This refers to two sacrificial offerings. After the offerings, the diseased individual would be considered clean and could be reintegrated into the community (Lev 14). Though Jesus had already cleansed the man, the priest would directly examine him to certify that the source of uncleanness was gone.

As I’ve said, to touch someone with leprosy violated OT law and rendered a person unclean. Nevertheless, Jesus reached out his hand and touched him, and healed the man immediately.

When Jesus makes you clean, it should be easily recognized by others! No one that truly encounters Jesus can leave unchanged. Notice what happens. Even though Jesus commanded this man to keep quiet he could not keep the good news to himself (v. 45).

This morning, if you’re here and you are not a Christian, you need to cry out to Jesus, “If you are willing, You can make me clean.”

Leprosy was a condition that defined someone. Some of you in this room feel like sin and shame defines your life (user, addict, alcoholic, divorce, pornography, abortion, etc.). Here’s the good news of this passage. After this man encountered Jesus, that’s what defined him.

Conclusion

Through prayer, Jesus communed with the Father and stayed focused on His mission.

Through his preaching, Jesus proclaimed the message that saves for all of eternity.

Through his miracles, Jesus displayed his power and showed his care for people.

References

References
↑1 John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Mk 1:37.
↑2 Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 114.

Jesus has Authority – Mark 1:21-34

March 7, 2023 /

Sermon Video

Last week, we looked at what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Jesus called his first four disciples in Mark 1:16-20. In our text today we will see that Jesus has authority. The world rebels against authority. Before following Jesus, I enjoyed listening to rock music (I still do, but there are many songs I won’t listen to anymore).

Rage Against the Machine was a band that railed against government authority. Metallica had a song called, “Don’t Tread on Me.” I certainly would love it if the federal government would be less obtrusive. The point I’m trying to make is that in our natural state, we rebel against authority–especially God’s authority.

As we turn to our text, I want you to think about what source of authority is loudest in your life. Some people live according to reason. They base their thinking on their own knowledge and value scientific, observable evidence. Others live according to their feelings–if it feels good, do it. Still others live according to tradition (this is what I’ve always done). Followers of Jesus should live according to God’s special revelation given in God’s Word.

As we look at Mark 1:21-34 I want you to consider these two questions:

Why should Jesus have absolute authority in your life?

Are you submitted to Jesus’ authority in your life?

Sermon Text: Mark 1:21-34

The first thing we see in this text is that Jesus has authority in his teaching.

Jesus has authority in his teaching (21-22, 27)

21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”

After calling his disciples while they were fishing, Jesus and his four disciples go back to Capernaum. Capernaum was a fishing town with a population between 1,000-2,000 people.[1]Craig S. Keener and John H. Walton, eds., NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2016), 1685.

Jesus taught in the synagogue on the sabbath (v. 21). The synagogue was a local place of worship for the Jews. Synagogues began to be used after Solomon’s temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC. Communities of all sizes had synagogues as long as there were 10 Jewish men in the area.

Synagogues had to be located close enough for faithful Jews to attend without breaking the sabbath by exceeding the distance the rabbis allowed one to walk on the sabbath day. Jesus regularly taught in synagogues, and he often encountered opposition. The modern-day equivalent of a synagogue would be a local church building.

The text says that Jesus taught on the sabbath. The sabbath was the day when all work ceased. It was a time for sacred assembly and the worship of God. The fourth commandment is to keep the sabbath holy (Exod 20:8-11). The sabbath took place from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday.

As Jesus taught, those present were “astonished” at his teaching, for he taught as one who had authority, in contrast to the scribes (v. 22).

Scribes were men trained in writing skills. They recorded events and decisions. Eventually, scribes became the experts in God’s written word, copying, preserving, and teaching it. Most scribes became Pharisees (Mark 2:16) and interpreted the law, taught it to disciples, and were experts in cases where people were accused of breaking the law of Moses.

While scribes relied on the work of previous scribes, Jesus, as the authoritative son of God, had no reason to do this. Jesus had authority in his teaching. His words confronted the congregation with the absolute claim of God upon their lives.

It’s important that you are very careful about what kind of teaching you place yourself under. There are many false teachers within the church today. Jesus told us how to identify false teachers in Matthew 7:15-20 – by evaluating the fruit of their words and the fruit of their lives. If you think that every person that is a preacher is speaking the truth, then you are disillusioned. We should make sure that every person’s teaching that we listen to lines up with Scripture (Acts 17:11).

So, Jesus has authority in his teaching. Second, he has authority over demons.

Jesus has authority over demons (23-28, 32-34)

In vv. 23-28, Mark refers to demons as unclean spirits. In vv. 32-34 he uses the word demon. So, what is a demon (or unclean spirit)? They are fallen angels that joined Satan in his rebellion. They have some authority and work to promote disunity, disseminate false doctrine, inflict disease, and  hinder Christian growth. They may oppress (but cannot possess) Christians.[2]Daniel Akin, Christ-Centered Exposition: Mark, 27.

23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

In v. 23, we read that a man with an unclean spirit was in the synagogue. Of all places, the demon-possessed man was in a synagogue! We don’t think of demon-possessed people in church, but there he was. We know that Satan and his demons will always seek to thwart the church’s mission of making disciples (1 Pet 5:8).

In Jesus’ early ministry, the demons recognized Jesus before anyone else. They knew who he was (vv. 24, 34). The demon recognized both Jesus’ humanity (“of Nazareth”) and Jesus’ deity (“the Holy One of God”). The demon recognized that Jesus was a threat to his authority and power.

Some people are like this demon-possessed man. They attend church, but they don’t want Jesus to have any authority in their lives.

Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian. Demon-possessed people can attend a worship service and even affirm who Jesus is. You can come to church every week and look good. You might even smell good if you wear perfume and brush your teeth. You can even know who Jesus is. But if you do not live in submission to the authority of Jesus then you are not living like a disciple. You are living like a demon.

If you do not live in submission to the authority of Jesus then you are not living like a disciple. You are living like a demon.

There is a difference between someone who merely professes faith in Jesus and someone who actually possesses faith in Jesus. The difference is one of authority. Those who merely profess faith never really submit to Jesus’ authority. In contrast, those who truly possess true faith gladly submit to Jesus as the supreme authority of their lives.

Do you want to know if you are really a Christian? If you are truly in Christ, your life will not just be marked by a profession of faith, but a faith that is willing to obey Christ in every area of your life for the rest of your life.

Do you want to know if you are really a Christian? If you are truly in Christ, your life will not just be marked by a profession of faith, but a faith that is willing to obey Christ in every area of your life for the rest of your life.

A simple test for judging your faith: how do you respond when shown that you are living in disobedience to the Word of God? Do you conform to God’s Word or rebel against it? A child of the devil consistently rebels against God’s Word (John 8:31-47). In contrast, a child of God obeys God’s Word (Rom 12:1-2).

Interestingly, though demons hate Jesus, they must submit to Jesus’ authority when commanded to do so (vv. 25-26, 34). In biblical times, people often tried to expel demons through incantations or strong odors. In contrast, Jesus spoke and the demon came out. Just as God spoke creation into existence in Genesis 1, Jesus spoke and the demon had to obey. This was extraordinary and invited amazement (v. 27).

David Garland writes, “Jesus’ healing miracles do not simply remedy human physical maladies; they represent a war against demonic forces.”[3]David E. Garland, Mark, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996), 71. Jesus’ exorcisms were proof of the truth in Mark 1:15 – that indeed the kingdom of God had come near. Jesus’ authority over the demon reinforced the authority of his teaching (vv. 27-28).

Jesus has authority in his teaching. He has authority over demons. Third, he has authority over sickness and disease.

Jesus has authority over sickness and disease (29-34)

29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

We see in vv. 29-31 a couple of things. First, contrary to the prosperity gospel, even Jesus’ disciples are affected by sickness (vv. 29-30). Peter has just committed to following Jesus. He just got home from church. And we see that his mother-in-law was “ill with a fever.” This was probably a severe fever, perhaps even life-threatening. Following Jesus does not mean that our lives will be without trouble.

Following Jesus does not mean that our lives will be without trouble.

Second, we see the appropriate response to Jesus’ grace (v. 31). Peter’s mother-in-law did nothing to earn Jesus’ healing. Out of gratitude for what he had done she went about serving him. In the same way, we did nothing to earn our salvation, but out of gratitude for the salvation we have because of Christ, we serve him in loving obedience!

We see that Jesus cares for the sick. Notice that a distinction is made between those who were sick and those who were demon possessed (v. 32). All sickness and disease is a result of sin as a consequence of the Fall in Genesis 3, but not all disease and sickness is the result of a demonic attack or someone’s sin (John 9:1-2).

We see in this text that Jesus is not detached and distant. Jesus is willing to love the unlovables and touch the untouchables in society. We have a tendency to build privacy fences and seal ourselves off from the world. It is much more comfortable for us to quarantine ourselves from the world rather than engaging the darkness as Jesus did.

I want to wrap up with a few words on healings. I want us to notice some things about Jesus’ healings:

  • Jesus did not ask for money.
  • Jesus did not have to promote himself – people came to him.
  • Jesus did not do the miracles in a showlike atmosphere. No tickets were sold.
  • Jesus was not seeking selfish gain.
  • Jesus’ power was not thwarted because of anyone’s lack of faith (this does not undermine the importance of faith).

Contrast Jesus’ techniques with modern-day “faith healers”[4]See God, Greed, and the Prosperity Gospel by Costi Hinn.:

  • Faith healers ask for money.
  • Faith healers advertise and promote their events.
  • Faith healers “perform miracles” to make money.
  • Faith healers seek selfish gain.
  • When faith healers are questioned because the miracle failed, they blame the victim’s lack of faith.

Conclusion

In our text today, we have seen that:

  • Jesus has authority in his teaching.
  • Jesus has authority over demons.
  • Jesus has authority over sickness and disease.

Together, these three manifestations of Jesus’ authority provide a glimpse of Jesus’ absolute authority over all of creation.

Every person that was healed during Jesus’ ministry is now physically dead. Sickness, disease, and death remind us of our own mortality and our need to seek healing that will last beyond our time here on earth.

Like those who were diseased and demonized, our only hope is to come to Jesus.

As you read this, you have a choice. You can continue to live as if you are your own authority. If you do, you will incur God’s wrath for all of eternity (John 3:36). Or, you can acknowledge that Jesus is who he says he is – the perfect Son of God that came to give his life so that we could be reconciled to God and spend eternity with Him.

To be reconciled with God, you must turn from your sins and place your faith in Jesus and his death, burial, and resurrection and follow him as Lord. For more, click here.

For those of us who have trusted in Jesus, I also want to ask you a question: Is there an area(s) of your life are you not willing to submit to Jesus?

If so, repent and give this area of your life to Jesus.

References

References
↑1 Craig S. Keener and John H. Walton, eds., NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2016), 1685.
↑2 Daniel Akin, Christ-Centered Exposition: Mark, 27.
↑3 David E. Garland, Mark, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996), 71.
↑4 See God, Greed, and the Prosperity Gospel by Costi Hinn.

True Disciples Follow Jesus – Mark 1:14-20

February 27, 2023 /

Unfortunately, there is no sermon video due to technical problems.

So far in Mark, we’ve looked at Mark’s introduction to Jesus. Mark introduced us to John the Baptist, who himself pointed to Jesus. Where John baptized with water, Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8).

Jesus was baptized by John. Jesus’ baptism was a kind of commissioning service. The Spirit descended on Jesus, a sign that the Spirit would empower Jesus during his ministry. The Father declared his approval of the Son.

Immediately after Jesus’ baptism, the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to do battle with Satan. While in the wilderness for 40 days, Jesus overcame Satan where those before him had failed. Jesus proved to be the new and better Adam – the true Son of God (see Rom 5:12-21).

In our text today, Mark tells us that John has been arrested (Mark 1:14). We know from Matthew 4:13 that Jesus is living in Capernaum.

Jesus’ Early Ministry – from the ESV Study Bible

Sermon Text: Mark 1:14-20

Mark 1:14-15

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

These verses are a summary of Jesus’ ministry. Verse 15 is the core message that Jesus preached during his earthly ministry; that the kingdom of God is at hand and to repent and believe in the gospel.

The kingdom of God is the new age that began when Jesus came. While the Jews were expecting a Messiah who would liberate them from the rule of the Romans, Jesus came as a preacher. Later in his ministry, Jesus would say that his kingdom was not of this world.

The kingdom of God represents God’s rule on earth. It was started when Jesus came, and it will be consummated when he returns. Jesus gave us a glimpse of what the kingdom of God looks like during his ministry. He healed the sick, delivered the demonized, and brought the dead back to life.

In the present dimension of God’s kingdom, we are called to repent of sin and believe in the person and work of Jesus. In the future dimension of God’s kingdom, we will live with Jesus in the New Creation after he comes again.[1]Robin Sydserff, Teaching Mark: From Text to Message, 145-46.

In my first sermon in Mark, I said that Mark wants us to know who Jesus is, why he came, and what that means for us. Today’s message focuses on who Jesus is and what that means for us.

Mark 1:16-20

16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

I live in the southern part of the United States. If I was to talk to someone in my community that professed to be a Christian and ask them how they know that they are a Christian, I might get answers like this:

  • I have been baptized.
  • I am a member of a church.
  • I regularly attend church and faithfully give.
  • I believe in God.
  • I believe in Jesus.

Of course, all Christians should be able to affirm those statements. I will argue later that if belief merely constitutes intellectual assent (believing a fact to be true) then that does not constitute saving faith. In America, we usually use the words Christian or believer to describe a Christ follower. Those are okay words to use, but by far the most popular word in the New Testament to describe a follower of Christ is the word disciple.

In his book Spiritual Discipleship, J. Oswald Sanders notes that the New Testament knows nothing of a Christian that is not a disciple. The word disciple is used 269 times while the word Christian is only used three times, and the word believer only twice![2]J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Discipleship, 8.

What is a disciple? A disciple is a learner, follower, or apprentice. In our culture, we think of prospective doctors working a residency, a student teacher spending time with a veteran teacher, or an aspiring plumber working under a master plumber.

Something that is interesting about Jesus’ call to these first disciples is that he called them. In biblical times, it was normally the students that would choose a rabbi to follow. Instead, Jesus called his disciples. Notice that he does not call them to a vocation or a particular teaching. Rather, the disciples were called them to model themselves after Jesus himself. It should be noted that this was not the first time that these men had encountered Jesus (see John 1:35-51).

In today’s post, I want to talk about what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus. The bottom line is this: true disciples follow Jesus!

Disciples of Jesus recognize the true king (15)

The first mark of a disciple is that they recognize the true king. They recognize Jesus as the true Son of God. Sure, at this time these early disciples didn’t fully understand who Jesus was. But by the end of their time spent with him, they knew that Jesus was truly God in the flesh. A true disciple of Jesus must recognize him for who he is – the perfect Son of God who became a man in order to save his people (John 1:14; Matt 1:21).

Disciples of Jesus practice repentance (15)

What is repentance? Repentance is not just feeling bad or guilty about our behavior. Rather, repentance is a reorientation of worship from our idols to God. An idol is something you cannot be fulfilled without. It could be money, other’s opinions, security, comfort, children, sports, or many other things.

1 Thess 1:9

For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.

That’s what repentance looks like. Disciples turn from worshiping themselves and idols to worshiping God. God gives us a new heart, resulting in a transformed life. Paul Washer says it this way: when you become a Christian, you hate the sin you once loved and love the righteousness you once hated.

Disciples of Jesus believe the gospel (15)

What is belief or faith? Biblical faith is not just intellectual assent to facts. For example, there are many people that would affirm that Jesus is the Son of God and he has died for their sins. Biblical faith doesn’t just mean knowing something with your head. It means that you know it in your heart – so much so that you’re willing to build your life upon the words of Jesus (Matt 7:24-25).

By way of example, if I asked you to go skydiving with me, you can say all day long that you believe in parachutes. But the moment that you truly show your belief to be true is when you jump out of the plane! At that moment, you are trusting in that parachute to keep you alive. It’s the same with biblical faith. When Jesus says that we must believe in the gospel, he means that we are trusting in his life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor 15:3-4) rather than our good works.

True faith will be evidenced by a continuing obedience to the words of Jesus (John 8:31-32; Jam 1:22; 1 John 2:3-6). Jesus doesn’t say that we should trust a prayer, a baptism, or church membership as evidence of true faith. Rather, true faith is evidenced by a life of obedience (Jam 2:14-17).

Disciples of Jesus are from every walk of life (16, 19)

Jesus was living in Capernaum (Matt 4:13). In verses 16 and 19, Jesus calls his first disciples. These disciples were fishermen. But Jesus also called a tax collector (Mark 2:13-14) and a zealot (Luke 6:15). Tax collectors were seen as traitors to their own people while zealots were Israelite patriots who resented the Romans. However, Jesus brings them together. You see, Jesus calls rich people and poor people to follow him. He calls the blue collar and the white collar. He calls people from cities and the hills. He calls black people, white people, Hispanics, and Asian people. He calls people from every tribe, nation, and tongue to follow him (Rev 5:9; 7:9).

Disciples of Jesus count the cost of following Jesus (14, 18, 20)

Disciples realize that they must count the cost to follow Christ. Jesus only began his ministry after John was arrested (v. 14). Simon and Andrew “left their nets and followed him” (v. 18). James and John “left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.” James and John left a profitable business (they had hired servants) that they stood to inherit from their father. And yet, these disciples recognized that following Jesus was ultimate.

This text and other texts such as Luke 9:57-62 and Luke 14:25-33 indicate that Christ demands that being his disciple is the primary commitment in one’s life. Following Christ is more important than our family and our vocations. This doesn’t mean that our families or jobs are unimportant. It means that we must be loyal to Christ even if our families reject us. We are to be loyal to Christ even if means that we are persecuted for our beliefs (for instance, read this article about Jack Phillips, a Colorado cake baker).

Several years ago there was a study done to see what Christians in America believed. The findings were summarized in a term called moralistic therapeutic deism. In short, most people believe that (1) God exists, (2) God wants me to be a good person, (3) God makes me feel good about myself, (4) God is not really involved in my life.

This is not biblical Christianity. Christianity is not something we just tack on to our lives. Jesus demands that we follow him with everything (Mark 8:34-36). We worship Him above all else. We are given a new identity (2 Cor 5:17). Jesus doesn’t just make us nice people. He makes us new people! We abandon our life without Jesus for a life with Jesus.[3]Robin Sydserff, Teaching Mark, 146.

Jesus doesn’t just make us nice people. He makes us new people!

Disciples of Jesus make disciples (17)

From the beginning of his call, Jesus intended to mold his disciples for the mission. Notice, he says to his first disciples: “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Jesus called these men for a purpose – to follow him and to make more followers.

Jesus made this even more explicit in the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20). Jesus told his followers to go with the gospel, baptize those who respond, and teach them to obey him in all of life for the rest of life.

The message has not changed in 2000 years. We preach Christ and him crucified (1 Cor 2:1-2). When we fish, it kills the fish. When we fish for men, we are seeking to hook them with the gospel. We want to see people die to their sins and become alive to Christ and his mission.

This passage describes Christianity in a nutshell – King Jesus has come, and he demands that we turn from our sin and believe in him, and follow him. But it doesn’t stop there – we are also to help others know and follow King Jesus.

As you read this post, I want you to consider – are you living as a disciple of Jesus?

  • Have you recognized Jesus as your true king? Is he the lord of your life?
  • Do you practice repentance? Do you hate your sin?
  • Do you believe the gospel – not just with your mind but your heart?
  • Are you dying to yourself and following Jesus?
  • Are you seeking to make disciples and to fulfill the great commission? 

Being a Christian is not just attending a service and believing the right facts about God. Being a Christian means that I am a slave to Christ that seeks to honor him with my whole life (1 Cor 6:19-20).

References

References
↑1 Robin Sydserff, Teaching Mark: From Text to Message, 145-46.
↑2 J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Discipleship, 8.
↑3 Robin Sydserff, Teaching Mark, 146.

Baptized and Tempted – Mark 1:9-13

February 22, 2023 /

Sermon Video

Last week’s post introduced the Gospel of Mark. I would encourage you to read it before reading this post.

Sermon Text: Mark 1:9-13

The Baptism of Jesus was a Declaration of Sonship (9-11)[1]I’ve borrowed my outline from Daniel L. Akin, Christ-Centered Exposition: Mark, 10.

Jesus comes to John in the middle or latter days of John’s ministry. Jesus’ baptism was a significant event; it is one of the few that is recorded in all four Gospels.

Why was Jesus baptized? We know that baptism is a picture of a cleansing from sin. It’s an outward act that is symbolic of an inward transformation. However, we know from the testimony of Scripture that Jesus was perfect and had no need to be cleansed. Matthew’s Gospel tells us that John was hesitant to baptize Jesus. John told Jesus, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” (Matt 3:14). Jesus told John that his baptism was, “to fulfill all righteousness” (Matt 3:15). What does Jesus mean that his baptism was “to fulfill all righteousness”?

Let’s answer that question by looking at the significance of the baptism of Jesus. The first thing we notice is that Jesus’ baptism inaugurated his ministry.

Jesus’ Baptism Inaugurated His Public Ministry (9)

The text says that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee (v. 9). Nazareth was a small town in the middle of nowhere. Nazareth was so small that it didn’t even have a Dollar General. Galilee was a region that was despised by the religious leaders because of its distance from Jerusalem and the presence of many Gentiles.

Jesus was a nobody from nowhere. When Jesus came to be baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, he effectively stepped onto the public stage. He had grown up in Nazareth in obscurity but that was about to change.

Also remember that John was baptizing in the wilderness (v. 4). We’ll talk more about that later. So first, Jesus’ baptism inaugurated his public ministry. Second, Jesus’ baptism identified him with sinful humanity.

Jesus Baptism Identified Him with Sinful Humanity (9)

By being baptized, Jesus identified himself with lowly sinners. Remember, those being baptized by John the Baptist were repentant sinners who were preparing themselves for God’s coming kingdom (vv. 4, 7-8). However, we know that Jesus was perfect. He didn’t have to confess his sin or repent of it because he had no sin (2 Cor 5:21). But in his baptism, Jesus identified with sinful people.

Third, Jesus’ baptism associated him with John’s ministry.

Jesus’ Baptism Associated Him with John’s Ministry (9)

Jesus was not ashamed of John the Baptist—far from it! Jesus was not concerned about John’s appearance or the fact that the religious leaders didn’t approve of him. Instead, Jesus praised John for he was faithfulness even in the face of death. By being baptized by John, Jesus showed his approval for John’s ministry.

Next, Jesus’ baptism was a supernatural act of God.

Jesus’ Baptism was a Supernatural Act of God (10)

When Jesus came up out of the water (which means he was immersed by the way), the text says that Jesus “saw the heavens being torn open” (10). This was not an ordinary event. The only other time the word translated torn open is used in Mark is when the temple curtain was torn from top to bottom (Mark 15:38). Clearly, at Jesus’ baptism God was at work in a supernatural way. As we will see in v. 15 next week, the kingdom of God had come in the person of Jesus.

Not only was Jesus’ baptism a supernatural act of God, but it revealed the triune God.

Jesus’ Baptism Revealed the Triune God (10-11)

As Christians, we believe that there is one God who exists in three persons – Father, Son, and Spirit. In verses 10-11, we clearly see all three persons of the Trinity. Jesus, the perfect Son of God in human flesh was being baptized. When he came up out of the water, the heavens were torn open and the Spirit descended on him like a dove. In verse 11, the Father spoke from heaven and said, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” The baptism of Jesus gives us a glimpse into the nature of God. He is the great Three in One. Verse 11 also clearly identifies Jesus as the divine Son of God.

Jesus’ Baptism Demonstrated His Dependence Upon the Holy Spirit (10)

Remember from verse 8 that John the Baptist said that his baptism was of water but that the one coming would baptize with the Holy Spirit. In v. 10, the text says that the Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove. The Spirit was not literally a dove but in gentleness and purity came to rest within Jesus. As the Spirit entered Jesus, he was prepared and equipped for ministry. Consider these verses from Isaiah:

Isaiah 42:1

Behold my servant, whom I uphold,
     my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my Spirit upon him;
     he will bring forth justice to the nations.

Isaiah 11:2

And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
     the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
     the Spirit of counsel and might,
     the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

Jesus’ ministry would be empowered by the Spirit of God. And finally, Jesus’ baptism was a declaration of his Messiahship (11).

Jesus’ Baptism was a Declaration of his Messiahship (11)

In v. 11, the Father speaks to the Son from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am will pleased.” This announcement combines three important Old Testament texts.

The phrase “You are my Son” comes from Psalm 2, which I recently preached. By referring to this Psalm, the Father is declaring that Jesus is the Messiah-King and the Son of David who will rule the nations.

The Father adds the word “beloved.” This is a reference to Genesis 22 when Abraham was called to sacrifice his beloved son. In contrast to Abraham, God the Father would go through with his son’s sacrifice.

And finally, the Father says that he is well pleased with the son. This phrase comes from Isaiah 42:1, which starts a section in Isaiah that culminates in Isaiah 53 where the suffering servant lays down his life.[2]Robin Sydserff, Teaching Mark, 129.

All three of these phrases from the Old Testament are fulfilled in Jesus. He is the beloved Son. He is the Messiah-King. He is the suffering servant who will give his life as a ransom for many.

In Jesus’ baptism, we see that the Father declared him as the Son. He will be empowered by the Spirit. Now, it is time for Jesus to go to war with the evil one.

The Temptation was a Declaration of War (12-13)

If you’ve read the New Testament, you are familiar with Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. While Mark’s account is much shorter than Matthew and Luke’s, we can still see the importance of this event even in these two short verses.

In the previous verses, we saw that Jesus’ baptism was a declaration of his sonship. We might say that Jesus was commissioned for ministry. Often, after God calls someone to ministry there is a time of testing. Here, Jesus does battle with Satan in the wilderness. The first thing we notice is that “the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness” (12). We again see that Jesus was led by the Spirit.

Jesus was Led by the Spirit (12)

The word translated “drove” is the same word that Mark uses to describe when Jesus cast out demons. Jesus’ encounter with Satan was no accident. Jesus embraces the leading of the Spirit and embraces the test.

Jesus was led by the Spirit, but he was also engaged by Satan.

Jesus was Engaged by Satan (13)

Verse 13 tells us that Jesus was in the wilderness 40 days and that he was tempted by Satan during this time. This was the deep wilderness. This was like Bear Grylls in Man vs. Wild. The conditions were grueling and it would have been easy to give up. Matthew and Luke tell us that Jesus had no food during the 40 days.

The 40 days remind us of the time that Moses spent on the Mount Sinai before receiving the Law (Deut 9:9). During that time, Moses neither ate nor drink.

The 40 days in the wilderness also remind us of Israel. After succumbing to their fears about taking the Promised Land, they were condemned to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. Where Israel crumbled in fear, Jesus would be victorious. Jesus was the true Israel, and he would not fail.

Jesus is also the second Adam. Consider how Jesus overcame where Adam had failed:

  1. Adam met Satan in a perfect garden, but Jesus met Satan in the wilderness.
  2. Adam had Eve but Jesus was alone.
  3. Adam had access to food, but Jesus was hungry.
  4. Adam was at peace with the animals in the garden, but Jesus was with the wild animals in the wilderness.

Mark’s Gospel is the only account that includes the statement about the wild animals. Why does he mention them? Remember, Mark is writing to a Roman audience. The Romans, especially later under Nero would used animals to torture Christians.

Despite these stacked odds, Jesus overcomes Satan.

He is the second Adam. He is the true Son of God.

He is greater than Moses. Moses delivered the people of Israel but Jesus would deliver people from every tribe, nation, and tongue.

He is the true Israel. He overcame where Israel failed. He will lead his people into an even greater Promised Land.

He is greater than the Roman emperors. These emperors used wild animals to torture Christians but Jesus overcame them even in the deep wilderness. Jesus, not the emperor is the true King.

Jesus’ conflict in the wilderness with Satan shows us that Jesus has come to destroy Satan’s dominion in this world and over humanity. Jesus has declared war on Satan.

1 John 3:8b

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

Satan won a victory in the Garden. Humanity sinned and sin, sickness, and death entered creation. But Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil and to restore us to our Creator.

Conclusion

Christian, I want to encourage you. Jesus knows what you are going through. Jesus did battle with the devil and overcame him. One day, Satan will be thrown into the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:10). Like Jesus, we can be victorious in temptation through the power of the Spirit. Perhaps God’s angels will come to our aid as well (v. 13).

Jesus would battle Satan throughout his life. Likewise, we are in spiritual battle. Even if we lose some battles, we know that ultimately, we will win the war if we are on Jesus’ side for he has already won it through his death and resurrection.

Last week, we saw that John the Baptist spoke of Jesus. Today in vv. 9-13 we’ve seen Jesus commissioned for ministry through baptism and tested in the wilderness. Jesus has come to represent humanity in a way that all others before him had failed.

Next week we’ll see the in-breaking of the Kingdom of God and the king who calls people to enter into it.

References

References
↑1 I’ve borrowed my outline from Daniel L. Akin, Christ-Centered Exposition: Mark, 10.
↑2 Robin Sydserff, Teaching Mark, 129.

Mark’s Introduction – Mark 1:1-8

February 15, 2023 /

Sermon Video

Who is Jesus? Everyone has an opinion, and everyone wants Jesus in their corner. Many agree that Jesus was a moral teacher. Some would call him a philosopher. Social justice activists claim that Jesus would support their causes. Politicians claim Jesus would support their policies. Recently, Gavin Newsom, governor of California, said that providing abortions is a way to love your neighbor and quoted from Mark 12:31.

But who is Jesus, really? Today, we begin a new sermon series through the Gospel of Mark. If you would, go ahead and turn there. As Christians, we should get our picture of Jesus from the culture. We should not learn of Jesus from liberal churches and pastors who don’t really believe the Bible. Instead, we should go straight to the original sources.

That’s what the Gospels are. The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) are historically accurate records of the life of Jesus Christ. More specifically, the Gospels are carefully constructed narratives that proclaim the gospel message of Jesus.[1]Robin Sydserff, Teaching Mark: From Text to Message, 91. Collectively, the Gospels give us his lineage, his birth narrative, his ministry, and his teachings. They tell us about his death on the cross for sin and his resurrection and that one day he will return in glory to judge the nations.

There is no more important question that you will ever answer than, “Who is Jesus?” Thus, we will spend a little over 50 Sundays answering that very question by walking through the Gospel of Mark.

I’ve provided an overview of Mark in your bulletin. I’m not going to read that to you, but I do want to hit some highlights.

Overview of Book

The Gospel of Mark was written by John Mark. Mark served with Paul and was also a close companion of Peter. In fact, Peter provides the source material for Mark. In Mark, the details of the stories are vivid and there are often more details provided than the other gospel accounts. This is because Peter was the leader of the disciples, and he provided an eyewitness account.

The Gospel of Mark was probably written in Rome and for Gentile Christians in Rome. It seems Mark was writing to Gentiles because he took time to explain Jewish customs in addition to translating Aramaic expressions and using Latin terms and measurements.

Mark does not provide a purpose statement for his gospel like Luke or John but there are at least four purposes for his writing.

  1. To demonstrate to non-Christians that Jesus is the Son of God because of his authority over nature, demons, death, and sickness.
  2. To provide an apologetic that in spite of his crucifixion, which was a death reserved for criminals and slaves, that Romans should follow Jesus even though many Jews had rejected him.
  3. To show that Jesus, not Caesar, is the true Son of God, Savior, and Lord.
  4. To teach Christians about the nature of discipleship.

There are a lot of opinions about what it means to be a Christian. Mark writes for us the words of Jesus so that we can know what it means to follow Jesus as his disciple.

The structure of Mark can be broken down several ways but I want to give you two. One way is to look at the geography of Jesus’s ministry. Another way is to basically cut the book in two halves with the first teaching us about who Jesus is and the second teaching us why Jesus came.

I’m ecstatic to begin Mark today and I hope and pray it will be a blessing to our church. I pray it will help us to know Jesus, to love Jesus, and to follow Jesus in all of life for the rest of life.

Sermon Text: Mark 1:1-8

The Gospel is the Fulfillment of Old Testament Scriptures (1-3)

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,

“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
    who will prepare your way,
3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
    ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight,’”

1

At the time of Mark’s writing, Jesus had been crucified, dead, buried, resurrected, and ascended probably about 25 years.

Mark’s very first words: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

The rest of the Gospel sets out the facts. Jesus is the Messiah (Christ) and he is the Son of God. The word gospel means “good news.” Thus, Mark has set out to explain the good news about who Jesus is, what he came to do, and what it means to follow Him.

First, who is Jesus?

“Jesus” is the Greek name for the Hebrew Joshua: “Yahweh (God) is salvation.”

“Christ” is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew Messiah: “the anointed one” or “the anointed king.”

Initially a title, “Christ” became part of the name of our Lord. But not only is Jesus the Messiah.[2]Daniel Akin, Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Mark, 5. Jesus is the very Son of God. He is the eternal Son of God who took on human flesh to save his people from their sins.

Second, what did Jesus do?

Jesus did a number of things during his ministry, but of course the main reason that he came according to Mark was not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).

Third, what does it mean to follow Jesus?

During Jesus’ ministry, he called people to follow Him. Throughout Mark, we get a picture of what it means to follow Christ as his disciples.

In today’s times, Mark’s message would be something like this: I want you to know and trust that Jesus is indeed the Messiah and the Son of God and to follow Him.

In today’s times, Mark’s message would be something like this: I want you to know and trust that Jesus is indeed the Messiah and the Son of God and to follow Him.

This is really the aim of this sermon series. During our time in the Gospel of Mark I want you to get to know Jesus more fully so that you will trust and follow him more passionately. If you’re reading this and you’re not a Christian, I want to encourage you to examine the message of the Gospel of Mark and to trust in Jesus Christ and His life, death, and resurrection as the atoning sacrifice for your sins.

2-3

By referencing the Old Testament, Mark is making it clear that Jesus’ coming is a fulfillment of Old Testament promise and a continuation of God’s saving activity. In simple terms, the Old Testament Scriptures point to Jesus (John 5:39).

Mark’s quote in vv. 2-3 combines material from Exodus 23:20, Malachi 3:1, and Isaiah 40:3. Why does Mark only mention Isaiah? In New Testament times, it was customary to refer to the more famous source, which here is Isaiah.

Exodus 23:20 is God’s promise to send his messenger before the Israelites on their exodus through the desert to the Promised Land.

Malachi 3:1 warned that God would send a messenger to prepare the way for the Lord who comes in judgment. The Lord Jesus would judge his people to refine and purify them.

In contrast, Isaiah 40 is a message of hope and comfort. Isaiah 40:3 spoke of a messenger preparing the way for God who was coming to restore his people by bringing them back from Babylon to the Promised Land.

Putting these texts together, John the Baptist is the “messenger”, “the voice calling out in the wilderness” who prepares the way for the Lord who is coming to bring judgment and salvation.[3]Sydserff, Teaching Mark, 122.

Thus, the blended citation to these Old Testament Scriptures is meant to draw attention to the messenger, the Lord, and the wilderness.[4]William L. Lane, The Gospel of Mark, The New International Commentary on the New Testament, 46.

Remember, there is a 400-year gap between Malachi (the end of the Old Testament) and the early events of the New Testament. The Old Testament anticipated a Messiah and the Israelites were looking for him. Here, these verses signal a new exodus and deliverance, which is exactly what’s needed when you’re suffering like the Roman Christians were.

John the Baptist serves a messenger/forerunner of Jesus (4-8)

4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Why does the Gospel of Mark begin with the story of John the Baptist rather than Jesus’ birth? Here are three reasons:

  1. Mark portrays Jesus as a servant.
  2. Mark is writing to a Gentile audience. Genealogies were more important for Jews than Romans.
  3. Mark is writing to a Roman audience. In Roman culture during biblical times, Roman officials were always preceded by a herald. Thus, Roman Christians would have perceived that Jesus was important because he had a messenger who prepared the way.

4-5

John was baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

John was not teaching salvation through baptism, but rather that his baptism was preparation for the forgiveness of sins that Christ would accomplish through his death and resurrection.[5]Akin, Exalting Jesus in Mark, 8.

We cannot miss the radicalness of these Jewish people being baptized. While the Jews did practice ceremonial washings, they were not immersed. The only time that immersion was practiced was when a non-Jew converted to Judaism. Therefore, to tell Jewish people that they had to be baptized and to repent like non-Jews would have been offensive. Craig Keener writes, “Most Jewish people thought that if they were born into a Jewish family and did not reject God’s law, they would be saved; John told them instead that they had to come to God the same way that non-Jews did. The point of John’s baptism is that everyone has to come to God on the same terms.”[6]Craig Keener, The IVP Bible Backgrounds Commentary: New Testament, Mark 1:4-5.

The Jews were now being asked to do something they had never done before in their history! The idea of Jews being baptized was unheard of and was a radical departure from Jewish custom! To call all Israel to baptism implies that in some way all Israel is defiled. This was why John was called “The Baptizer.” There had never been anyone like him.

John was baptizing in the Jordan River, the very river where Israel entered the promised land after spending 40 years in the wilderness. All of this was meant to symbolize that a new exodus had arrived. Just as Israel had been delivered from slavery to the Egyptians, Jesus would set his people free from the bondage of slavery to sin.

6-8

I would venture to say that if I had been dressed like John the Baptist I would not have been called by my church to be their pastor! Note the following characteristics about John.

  • John’s residence: in the wilderness
  • John’s wardrobe: clothing made of camel’s hair and a leather belt
  • John’s diet: locusts with honey for dessert

John lived in the wilderness and dressed like Elijah (2 Kings 1:8), a prophet who called his people to repentance. John’s lifestyle contrasted starkly with the religious leaders of the day who lived in luxury and loved positions of authority.

John’s message (7-8)

John’s baptism was preparation for the forgiveness Christ would accomplish by his death and resurrection. It was a washing signifying that the baptized were ready for the coming kingdom of God.

John: “After me comes someone who is much greater than I. I am not even worthy to take his shoes off.” Removing one’s shoes was something done by servants and slaves. It was behavior seen to be beneath a free Jew. And yet, John said he was not worthy to even remove Jesus’ shoes.

John: I have baptized you with water, but he will Baptist you with the Holy Spirit. I don’t have the power to do this, but he does!

John was saying the water he baptized with will clean the outside. It would prepare them for the baptism to come but when Jesus baptized them with the Spirit, he would clean the inside.

You see, when you receive the Holy Spirit, He permeates every part of you.

We need more Christians like John the Baptist. He was not concerned with fame, money, position or looking good. There are a lot of Christians (and pastors) that are more concerned with having a clean appearance than having a clean heart. Churches are should not seek to grow bigger and bigger to pat ourselves on the back.

There are a lot of Christians (and pastors) that are more concerned with having a clean appearance than having a clean heart.

Rather, our focus should be like John – we should humble ourselves and point people to Jesus as we recognize that only he can save us from our sins through His death and resurrection. In turn, our lives will be changed as we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

John had one message (John 3:30) – I am not worthy. Jesus is worthy. Follow him.

John was not a man that was afraid of death but told his audience they were a brood of vipers and called them to bear fruit in keeping with repentance (Matt 3:8). He was beheaded because he challenged King Herod and called him out for his sexual sin with his brother’s wife (Mark 6:14-29).

God, give us more Christians and pastors like John the Baptist

Conclusion

Mark’s message: “Behold, the son of God!”

  • Jesus was anticipated by the OT
  • John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus

We’re told in Matthew’s gospel that the religious leaders argued with John the Baptist. They did this because they were more concerned with appearances than having their hearts cleansed by Jesus.

What about you? Are you more like the religious leaders who cared more about looking spiritual than being spiritually cleansed? I pray that we would like John the Baptist who truly wanted to decrease so that Christ might increase.

Maybe you’re reading this and you have been baptized with water but you’ve never had your heart penetrated and permeated by the Holy Spirit. If so, repent and trust in Jesus.

May we be like John the Baptist. If so, you will know you were completely unworthy of God’s goodness, but because of Jesus you have had your life changed and now you want to point others towards him.

Mark’s words should pierce us this morning. They remind us that Jesus came and obeyed God perfectly because we couldn’t. We should repent of our sins, trust Him in all of life, be baptized, and then point others to Him. This is our mission as a church and our mandate as followers of Jesus!

References

References
↑1 Robin Sydserff, Teaching Mark: From Text to Message, 91.
↑2 Daniel Akin, Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Mark, 5.
↑3 Sydserff, Teaching Mark, 122.
↑4 William L. Lane, The Gospel of Mark, The New International Commentary on the New Testament, 46.
↑5 Akin, Exalting Jesus in Mark, 8.
↑6 Craig Keener, The IVP Bible Backgrounds Commentary: New Testament, Mark 1:4-5.

The Humiliation and Exaltation of Jesus – Philippians 2:5-11

June 22, 2022 /
Philippians

This blog is based on a sermon from Philippians. Unfortunately, the sermon was not recorded. I previously preached this sermon at another church, when you can view here.

We’ve been walking through Philippians, which is a letter that Paul wrote from prison to a church that he loved very much.

In the last two posts, we’ve seen:

First, that we should live worthy of the gospel in the face of external opposition (1:27-30).

Second, that our church should be marked by unity and we should practice humility, and service (2:1-4).

We cannot achieve unity in our church simply by me preaching on it. I agree with Tony Merida:

“Unity is a result of people adoring and emulating Jesus. The more we behold His glory and imitate His character, the more unified we will be as a church.”

tony merida

In simple terms, we should adore Jesus and live like Jesus.

Our text today is one of the most famous passages in the New Testament and is one of the foremost Christological passages. It is sometimes referred to as the humiliation and exaltation of Jesus.

Sermon Text: Philippians 2:5-11

BIG IDEA: The humiliation and exaltation of Jesus should lead us to follow Jesus’ example and to worship Him as Lord of all.

We are to have the attitude of Christ (5)

v. 5 – “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,”

The ESV says “mind”. The NIV says “mind-set.” Most translations say “attitude.”

We are to think like Jesus, and value what he values. In this context, we see that Jesus values humility and service more than self-exaltation.

The attitude of Christians should reflect the attitude of their master, Jesus Christ.

When Paul says that we are to have the mind or attitude of Christ, he is saying that we should not be prideful and selfish, but rather that we should be humble and selflessly serve others.

In this passage, we see the attitude of Christ. First, we see his humility:

“did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped” (6)

“emptied himself” or “made himself nothing” (7)

We also see his service:

“took the form of a servant” (7)

“became a man and died on the cross” (8)

The world lives to get and get and get—more pleasure, more praise, more money. What Paul is saying to us is that as Christians, we are to imitate Christ, who came to give and give and give.

As we look at Philippians 2:6-11 this morning, I want you think about these questions:

  • Do you seek to get, get, and get, or to give, give, and give?
  • Do you have the mind/attitude of Christ?
  • Are you humbly seeking serve others within the church as well as those outside the church?

We are to have the attitude of Christ. We are also to learn humility from Christ.

We are to learn humility from Christ (6-8)

Jesus’ Humble Renunciation (6)

“who, though he was in the form of God”

The phrase “form of God” doesn’t mean that Jesus “had some Godlike qualities or appearance, but that he was of the same nature or essence.”

Jesus was the true and exact nature of God. This phrase means that Jesus was and is equal with God.

Biblical Christianity says is that there is one God who has eternally existed in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus is the eternal Son of God. He was not created. There was never a time when the Son of God did not exist.

“We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father.  Through him all things were made.”

Council of Nicea (325 AD)

John 1:1-3

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 17:5

And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

“did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped” (6)

This means that although Jesus was God, He did not use his high position for His own advantage but chose to serve and to give. Jesus deserved the praise of every person He encountered but He lived open-handedly and provided an example for all of us to follow.

So often, we live exactly the opposite of how Christ lived.

  • We want to exalt ourselves, but Jesus made himself nothing and submitted to the will of the Father.
  • We want to be in charge, but Jesus took the form of a slave.
  • We reject God’s Word in sinful disobedience, but Jesus perfectly obeyed God’s Word.
  • We so often give in to temptation, but Jesus always overcame temptation.

What are you grasping for? What are you holding onto?

Are you living for pleasure?

Are you seeking power and position?

Are you living for money?

Have you bought into the lie of the prosperity gospel? Do you think that if you come to church and give that God will make you happy, healthy, and wealthy?

Christians are not immune to pride and selfishness.

We see it in the SBC with denominational politics – pastors promoting themselves and slandering others on social media.

We see women seeking to be pastors when God has forbidden it.

In many churches, there are some people who want all the power in the church but don’t want to serve in any way.

In our marriages, are we seeking to serve or be served?

Friends, Paul is calling us to live like Jesus, who, rather than grasping for a position of power, took on the form of a servant.

How can we do this? We need the gospel, as Paul shows us in the next verses.

Jesus’ Humble Incarnation (7)

“but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” (7)

Jesus did not cease to be God when he took on human form but rather gave up his rights. He rightfully deserved to remain at the right hand of God, but He took on the form of a servant and was born as a baby.

Jesus, the perfect Son of God, took on human flesh. John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…”

Norm Geisler writes, “Jesus’ incarnation was not the subtraction of deity, but the addition of humanity.”

A.W. Tozer said, “Jesus veiled His deity but He did not void it.”

Jesus took on the form of a servant.

Have you noticed in the Gospels that Jesus is always serving others and not the other way around?

While American Christianity says to live your best life now, to become a better you, to love yourself, and to slay your giants, Jesus exemplified true greatness by serving and dying.

Imagine what would happen in the church if we all followed the example of Jesus and sought not to grasp for power and position but to seek to humbly serve one another.

Jesus’ Humble Crucifixion (8)

“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death…”

Jesus’ whole life was marked by humility:

  • He was not born in Rome, Athens, or Jerusalem, but Bethlehem.
  • He lived 30 years in relative obscurity in Nazareth.
  • In his earthly ministry, he was known for loving the unlovable.
  • At this death, he was nailed to a cross between two criminals.

Notice that the text says that Jesus humbled himself. No one humbled Jesus.

“No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

Jesus, John 10:18

“…even death on a cross.”

In the Roman empire, crucifixion was the cruelest form of official execution. Depending on who you read, some say that Roman citizens could not be crucified. Others say that Roman citizens could only be crucified if they were convicted of high treason. Certainly, crucifixion was commonly reserved for the lower classes, especially slaves.

The Jews believed a person was cursed if he died by crucifixion. And yet, Scripture says that Jesus became a curse for us (Galatians 3:13).

Christ went from the highest position imaginable (the right hand of the Father) to the lowest (crucified between two criminals) because of His love for His people. His selfless love was an expression of His deity.

Even Hollywood understands what a powerful story the gospel is.

In the live action Lion King movie, Mufasa tells Simba this: “While others search for what they can take, a true king searches for what he can give.”

In The Dark Knight Rises, Batman (who is billionaire Bruce Wayne) fights to save Gotham and its people when he could’ve lived for pleasure and himself. Instead, he serves the city of Gotham by putting his life on the line every night.

Because of the gospel, we should be marked by service and love to others.

As Christians, we are to have the attitude of Christ. We are to learn humility from Christ. Finally, we are to bow the knee and exalt Jesus Christ.

We are to bow the knee and exalt Jesus Christ (9-11)

Jesus’ Exalted Position (9)

Jesus humbled himself, and God has highly exalted Him.

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, (9)

The phrase “the name that is above every name” refers to Lord (see v. 11). The Father has given Jesus a new name – “Lord” (Phil 2:11; cf. Isa 45:23-24). This name that is above every name is Lord. The Greek word is kurios, which was the word used to translate Yahweh into the Septuagint (the Greek version of the Old Testament).

Look at one verse from the Old Testament:

Is 42:8
I am the Lord; that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to carved idols.

Yahweh (Lord) is the awesome covenant name of the God of Israel – “the name that is above every name.”

Our Adoration and Confession (10-11)

 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Notice that Paul mentions heaven, earth, and under the earth.

Every part of creation will bow. No part of creation is exempt:

  • In heaven, the angels will bow.
  • On earth, humanity will bow.
  • Under the earth, the demons and Satan will bow.

Every creature will bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Every creature will bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

In New Testament times, Christians were persecuted and could be killed for saying that “Jesus is Lord” rather than Caesar.

Every week, we gather as Christians to declare that Jesus is Lord – not Caesar, not President Biden, and not anyone else on earth.

Romans 10:9 says, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

To be saved, we must repent and believe the gospel.

At Christ’s exaltation, Jesus will be acknowledged by all creation as Lord of all Creation.

  • Every one of us will bow the knee.
  • Some will bow before Him and confess Him as Lord with great joy.
  • Others will bow before Him and confess Him as Lord with despair and anguish.

How would you answer these questions?

  • Have you bowed the knee to Jesus?
  • Do you have the attitude of Jesus?
  • Are you serving others like Jesus?
  • Are you seeking to exalt yourself or to exalt Jesus?

Gospel Unity – Philippians 2:1-4

June 21, 2022 /
Philippians

This blog is based on a sermon from Philippians. You can listen to the sermon here (unfortunately, some of the sermon was not recorded).

Sermon Text: Philippians 2:1-4

If you’ve been a part of a church for a while, you’ve probably experienced or witnessed conflict within the church.

Why is it that so many churches seem to have so much conflict?

Of course, no church will never be able to eradicate all conflict because every church is made up of sinful people.

But what if there is some way that we can minimize conflict within the church? Our text this morning speaks to this issue.

Last week, as we finished Philippians 1, Paul began giving instructions to the Philippian church.

Paul told the Philippians to “live worthy of the gospel” by:

  • Being unified around the gospel (27)
  • Not fearing those who oppose the gospel (28)
  • Being willing to suffer for the sake of Christ and the gospel (29-30)

In last week’s text, Paul was addressing external opposition. In today’s text, we see Paul focusing on how to have unity within the church.

BIG IDEA: Our church will have unity as we practice Christlike humility and service.

Our church should be marked by unity (1-2)

We see in verse 2 Paul’s command to have unity. But before he gives the command, he provides the basis for Christian unity and fellowship in verse 1.

The basis of unity and Christian fellowship (1)

Phil 2:1 – So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,

Paul uses the conditional statement “if” to get the Philippians to consider whether these qualities are present in their lives.

  • Encouragement in Christ – nothing should lift our spirits more than knowing that we are in Christ. Paul is encouraging these believers when he himself is in prison.
  • Comfort from love – because we know the love of Christ, we are to love others. See 1 John 4:19.
  • Participation (or fellowship) in the Spirit – since all who are in Christ have the Holy Spirit within them, this should bring unity.
    • If the Holy Spirit truly lives within us, then we will be united around the Bible, which is breathed out by the Holy Spirit (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20-21).
    • If someone in the church consistently causes division, this text implies that they do not have the Holy Spirit living within them.
  • Affection and sympathy – affections and sympathy (or mercy) towards others flows from our union with Christ.

Because we are in Christ, we should be encouraged and comforted, knowing that we are loved by him.

Furthermore, because we are indwelt by the same Holy Spirit, we should have unity and love one another.

In other words, Paul is saying if we have truly come to know Christ, then as true believers, we will be progressing in the faith.

These qualities will be increasingly present in our lives. Remember, Paul said in Phil 1:6 that where God has begun a work, He will bring it to completion.

So, our union with Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit within our hearts is the basis for unity in the church.

We see the basis for unity in verse 1. We see the command for unity in verse 2.

The command for unity (2)

Phil 2:2 – complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Paul says to the Philippians, since the things from verse 1 are present in your lives, “Complete my joy”, or “Make my joy complete”.

How could the Philippians complete Paul’s joy?

First, by “being of the same mind” – As Christians, our minds should be in tune with God’s Word.

Second, Paul says, “Having the same love” – We should love Christ as well as other Christians.

And finally, “being in full accord and of one mind” – We should be in agreement about the purpose of the church – to make disciples of Jesus (Matt 28:18-20).

Each of these phrases Paul uses in verse 2 point to unity. Paul, who is imprisoned for the sake of the gospel, says that his joy would be complete if the Philippians would live in unity. This shows us how important unity is in the church.

Why is Paul so concerned with unity?

If believers cannot live in unity, the transformative power of the gospel comes into question and the gospel message loses credibility among unbelievers.

If believers cannot live in unity, the transformative power of the gospel comes into question and the gospel message loses credibility among unbelievers.

How can we say we believe the gospel and have been transformed by the gospel if we are unwilling to forgive one another and to serve others (see Matt 6:14-15; 18:21-35)?

Just as a house divided against itself cannot stand, neither can a divided church. A divided church will be spiritually weak and no threat to the kingdom of darkness.

What are some ways we can cultivate unity?

  • By assuming the best of others’ motives.
  • By listening in order to understand the perspective of others.
  • Be refusing to speak ill of our Christian brothers and sisters.

We should practice Christlike humility and service (3-4)

Phil 2:3 – Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Remember from Phil 1:15 that Paul said some people were preaching out of envy and rivalry.

Some people, in their selfish ambition, join a church for the wrong reasons. They think it will increase their stature in the community – perhaps to win a vote or to market their business.

Others will leave a church and join another church if they are not given a certain position within the church. A person who is conceited believes he is always right and expects others to agree with him. He is only happy when he gets what he wants. I’ve heard it said that you see someone’s spiritual maturity (or the lack of it) when they don’t get their way.

Both those who are driven by selfish ambition and those driven by conceit are not seeking to make much of Christ, but to make much of themselves. They are seeking to advance their own agenda rather than that of Jesus.

This attitude is totally different than that of Jesus, who took emptied himself, took on the form of a servant, and humbled himself to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Notice that Paul continues in v. 3: “but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”

Paul wants us to see that selfish ambition will ruin a church, but humility helps build it.

Selfish ambition will ruin a church but humility helps build it.

When Paul wrote Philippians, humility was not considered a virtue. There were likely many retired Roman soldiers who were members of the Philippian church. These were proud men of position, but Paul told them to have humility.

Paul says that rather than being motivated by selfish ambition or conceit, we as Christians should walk in humility by counting others more significant than ourselves.

In verse 4, Paul shows what it looks like to put others first.

Phil 2:4 – “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

I’ve heard it said that humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less. A humble person thinks of others while a selfish person thinks only of himself.

In a culture that is all about me, myself, and I, Paul says that we should seek to put others first.

Many people in America attend a worship service to get something (a good message, good music, God’s blessing) for themselves rather seeking to serve their fellow church members and exalt Jesus.

In reality, church is not a service you attend but a people to belong to – other baptized Christians who are seeking to further the kingdom of God.

Conclusion

So, Paul’s argument in vv. 1-4 is this: if we are truly Christians, then we should be unified. The problem is that in our flesh we are driven by selfish ambition and conceit. But we are to put off those things and grow in humility and service.

As we grow in humility and service, we will grow in unity.

First, how can we grow in humility?

1. We can grow in humility by reflecting on the cross (see Phil 2:6-8).

There is no room for pride when we realize that we deserve nothing but God’s wrath and eternal punishment.

2. We can grow in humility by reflecting on the glory of Jesus (see Phil 2:9-11).

Rather than making much of ourselves, we should bow the knee to King Jesus.

3. We can grow in humility through prayer.

When we refuse to pray, we are pridefully refusing to acknowledge that we need God’s help. We should also pray to God for humility, asking him to help us love others more than ourselves.

4. We can grow in humility by serving others (Mark 10:45)

Mark 10:45 – For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

As we serve others, we are reminded that we are not the center of the universe.

Second, what are some practical ways we can look to the interests of others within the church?

  • Pray for one another.
  • Show hospitality by having church members into your home, especially those that you don’t know well.
  • Invite someone to your Sunday school class.
  • Take someone a meal when they have a baby or are sick.
  • A younger Sunday school class might give up the nicer classroom on the first floor to the senior adults who have a hard time climbing the stairs.
  • Older members can serve younger members by being okay with adding an instrument or two to the church music (so long as the congregational voices are still featured).
  • Serve in the nursery even when you don’t have kids.

The important thing to remember is this – we should look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others.

We should not think in terms of “us vs them” but instead “let’s make much of Jesus together.”

When Christians are controlled by humility and love, they will be genuinely united in spirit and will not allow small differences to divide them or hinder their service for the Lord.

Why do many churches have so much conflict? Because of of pride and selfishness.

How can we avoid conflict within the church? Through humility and service.

As a church, are we united?

Are we humble?

More personally:

Has your life been changed by the gospel?

Are you walking in a manner worthy of the gospel?

Do you promote unity within the church?

Is your life marked by humility and service?

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