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Tag: New Testament (Page 6 of 10)

Jesus Calls Sinners to Follow Him – Mark 2:13-17

March 28, 2023 /

Sermon Video

Today’s text answers a question. Who can and who cannot be forgiven by Jesus? That is, who can receive the grace of Jesus? Contrary to popular opinion, there are some people that Jesus will not forgive.

We are in the second of five controversies between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders (Mark 2:1-3:6).

Last week, we saw that Jesus, as the son of God, has authority to forgive sins. As you recall, in Mark 2:1-12, a paralytic, carried by his four friends, approached Jesus in faith, hoping that Jesus would heal him. Indeed, Jesus healed the man physically, but he also forgave his sins. Jesus was teaching those present (and us) at least two things:

  1. That we should approach Jesus in faith.
  2. That spiritual healing is more important than physical healing.

We see both of these truths again in today’s text.

Sermon Text: Mark 2:13-17

13 He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. 14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

15 And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jesus extends an invitation to sinners (13-15, 17)

In vv. 1-12, Jesus was teaching in a home. In v. 13, we see that Jesus was teaching the crowd by the sea. Jesus was just outside Capernaum along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. The crowd was listening to Jesus because they believed they could learn from him. Remember, Jesus taught as one who had authority, and not as the scribes (Mark 1:22).

14

As Jesus made his way back to the city, he saw Levi, a tax collector, sitting at his tax booth. To understand the significance of Jesus’ call to Matthew, you need to know some things about tax collectors.

Tax collectors were despised by Jews for two reasons. First, tax collectors worked for the Roman Empire. Second, they extorted their fellow Jews to pad their own pockets. They would often collect more taxes than were required and then skim some off the top. They were seen as traitors to their own people.

No one liked tax collectors. No one talked to him. No one named their kids after him. He was never invited to anyone’s wedding.

Jesus likened tax collectors to unbelievers:

Matt 5:46

For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

Matt 18:17

“If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.“

Matt 21:31-32

Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

Tax collectors were cast out from society. They were disqualified to serve as a judge or witness in court, were excommunicated from the synagogue, and were considered to be a disgrace to their families.[1]William L. Lane, The Gospel of Mark, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1974), 101–102.

In spite of all this, Jesus’ extends an invitation to Levi: “Follow me.”

For the reasons I just mentioned, Jesus’ act of inviting a tax collector to follow him was as scandalous as touching a leper.[2]Daniel Akin, Christ-Centered Exposition: Mark, 48. In fact, the religious leaders taught that tax collectors were unclean.

What does it mean to follow Jesus?

  • Learn from his teaching (v. 13).
  • Acknowledge your sinfulness.
  • Repent of sin and self-righteousness.
  • Trust Jesus.
  • Obey Jesus’ commands.
  • Be willing to count the cost and forsake everything (Luke 5:28)

Levi (Matthew) counted the cost of following Jesus and turned his back on his former way of life.

Also notice that Jesus called Levi while he was sitting in the tax booth. Some people think you have to clean up before coming to Jesus. This passage shows us that instead you come to Jesus and he cleans you up.

If you’re you’re waiting until you can quit watching porn, quit sleeping with your girlfriend, or quit cheating on your husband before you can come to Jesus, then you’re wrong. Come to Jesus and follow him and he will make you clean (1 Cor 6:9-11).

15

Luke 5:29

And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them.

It seems that Levi was ready to begin a new life with Jesus. He called all his friends and had a party at his house. This was no average dinner. It was a feast, probably even a celebration. The guests were not just sitting, but reclining at the table. Levi was the host and Jesus was the guest of honor.

There are three things for us to note here. First, Jesus spent time with tax collectors and sinners. Second, a shared meal is a great way to introduce people to Jesus. Third, following Jesus will make  you want to reconcile with those who have wronged you.

The company that Jesus kept often drew the ire of the religious leaders, but Jesus knew that it was the spiritually sick who needed to be tended to (v. 17). As Christians, our main friends should be other believers, but we should also seek to spend time with lost people in order to share Christ with them.

One great way to do this is by having a meal with someone. I think the very best way to get to know someone is by having them into your home. If you would rather start with a meal a neutral location, that is fine, too. Jesus often had meals with people in order to spend time with them and teach them. We should do the same.

One more thing. Did you notice the location of Levi’s tax booth? Levi was sitting at a tax booth that was somewhat close to the sea. Some of Levi’s tax revenue came from fishermen. Remember, Jesus’ first four disciples (Simon, Andrew, James, and John) were all fishermen (Mark 1:16-20). That means that it’s likely that Levi had extorted and wronged these men. I’m quite sure that these four fishermen were not thrilled with Jesus’ choice of Levi. However, when you follow Jesus, you are to seek to be reconciled with those who have wronged you.

Jesus loved sinners. Jesus loved them where they were, but he also loved them too much to let them continue to live in their sin (John 8:1-11).

You may remember Zacchaeus, who was more than a wee little man. He was not just a tax collector but a chief tax collector. Zacchaeus encountered Jesus and from that day forward was never the same (Luke 19:1-10). After meeting Jesus, Zacchaeus decided to give half of his money to the poor and to make amends to anyone he had defrauded.

In vv. 13-15, we see that Jesus extends an invitation to sinners. In vv. 16-17, we see that Jesus rejects the self-righteous.

Jesus rejects the self-righteous (16-17)

The scribes of the Pharisees were most likely outside the home, possibly looking through the windows. The religious leaders questioned Jesus’ credentials. In their minds, surely Jesus couldn’t have any religious authority, for he eats with sinners and tax collectors. Doesn’t he know what kind of people they were?

How could Jesus eat and fellowship with tax collectors? Jesus was eating with people whom the Jews considered political and economic traitors.

Sometimes that’s how church people can be as well. We might think, that person doesn’t look like us, dress like us, and uses colorful language. That person uses words that we don’t use.

All too often like these religious leaders, we can be self-righteous. At times, we lose our wonder at God’s grace towards us. The more we realize how indebted to Jesus we are for his grace, the more we will be able to extend grace to others.

We forget that God’s amazing grace has saved wretches like us.

We forget that God’s amazing grace has saved wretches like us.

Jesus rejected the Pharisees because they were trusting in their own righteousness. They trusted in their obedience to the law, their circumcision, and their Abrahamic lineage instead of trusting in him to save them.

What does this look like for us? At times, we think that God loves us or impressed by us because:

  • we faithfully attend church

  • we faithfully give to the church

  • we read out of a certain translation of the Bible

  • we abstain from alcohol

  • we have shared the gospel with this many people

  • we are better than the sinners down the street and don’t struggle with the same sins they do.

Self-righteous people desire other people’s praise more than holiness before God. They see the sins of others, but never their own. They judge others more harshly than they judge themselves. They trust in themselves and their behavior and look down on others.

Friends, the reality is that were it not for the grace of Christ we would be in hell with tax collectors, prostitutes, homosexuals, adulterers, terrorists, and any other sinner you can think of. We all deserve God’s wrath but there is grace. Look at v. 17.

17

You must know you are spiritually sick before you can be spiritually healed.

Matthew 5:3

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Have you ever been around someone that refuses to go to the doctor even when it’s obvious that they’re very sick? Unfortunately, I have a personal reminder of this. My grandpa had chest pain and didn’t go to the doctor. He eventually had a stroke in his early fifties and suffered for about 30 years before his death. It’s awful for someone to have a premature death or to suffer for many years because he or she refused to get help. Friends, it’s infinitely worse to refuse to seek spiritual healing and to be healed by Jesus.

Consider that when a person goes to the doctor, he is acknowledging that he has a disease that someone else must treat. In the same way, we can only be cured of the disease of sin when we go to the Great Physician.

Conclusion

As I come to a close, I want to ask you some questions.

Are you depending on your good works to save you like the self-righteous Pharisees?

Or, are you like Levi, well aware that you cannot be saved from your sin without Jesus?

When you consider your sinfulness, are you comparing yourself with other sinners or a perfectly holy God? It’s easy to measure up with your sinful friends and neighbors, but God is perfect (Matt 5:48).

Is there someone you know that needs Jesus but you have not shared the gospel with them because you thought they were too far gone? Remember, Jesus calling a tax collector was scandalous.

And finally, are you willing to eat with sinners so that you can bring them to Jesus’ table?

In today’s culture, relationships are so important in evangelism. I would encourage you to be hospitable and have people into your home. I would say shoot for at least once a month. Maybe, you could have a church family into your home one month and an unchurched family the next.

We must seek to introduce people to Jesus. We must speak of Jesus. We need to quit being so self-absorbed. We need to create some time in our schedules. The only way that we can change Harrisburg (my town) and the world is to introduce people to Jesus and that takes time and sacrifice.

Are you willing to introduce sinners to Jesus?

Are you willing to associate with people that don’t look like you, talk like you, or shop in the same places you do?

BIG IDEA: Jesus calls sinners to follow him but he rejects the self-righteous.

References

References
↑1 William L. Lane, The Gospel of Mark, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1974), 101–102.
↑2 Daniel Akin, Christ-Centered Exposition: Mark, 48.

Desperate People Desperately Need Jesus – Mark 2:1-12

March 19, 2023 /

Sermon Video

Desperate times call for desperate measures. What do you do in times of desperation? Where do you turn? In our text today we see a man that was desperate. In his desperation, he and his friends resorted to desperate measures.

As I’ve said previously, Mark is building the case for his readers that Jesus has authority. Jesus is the authoritative Son of God.

  • 1:14-15 – Jesus preaches that the kingdom of God has come near.
  • 1:16-20 – Jesus calls his first disciples.
  • 1:21-28 – Jesus teaches with authority.
  • 1:29-34 – Jesus heals the sick and delivers the demonized.
  • 1:35-39 – Jesus was sent to preach by the Father.
  • 1:40-45 – Jesus cleanses a leper without being made unclean.

Mark 2 begins a section of five controversies between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders (Mark 2:1-3:6).

Sermon Text: Mark 2:1-12

1

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home.

Jesus is back in Capernaum after preaching throughout the region of Galilee (1:39). See this map.

2

And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them.

The house was filled to capacity. The crowd gathered around Jesus like Black Friday shoppers trying to get in Walmart. They were gathered because Jesus was “preaching the word to them.” As I mentioned last week, Jesus came to preach the gospel (Mark 1:38, 15). While Jesus healed the sick and exorcised demons, his primary purpose was to save people from their sins through his preaching and his death on the cross.

Luke 19:10

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

Mark 10:45

For even the Son of Man came…to give his life as a ransom for many.

Jesus’ miracles served as evidence that he had authority to forgive sin, as we will see in v. 10. In other words, Jesus’ miracles were not the focus of his ministry. Rather, they reinforced his preaching ministry.

Jesus’ miracles were not the focus of his ministry. Rather, they reinforced his preaching ministry.

So, Jesus is in the house preaching the word and people are hanging on every word.

3-4

And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.

Four men show up carrying a paralytic so that the man can be healed by Jesus, but they cannot enter through the door (v. 2). So, they climb up on the roof by using the stairs on the side of the house. The roof was made from wood beams and cross laid with branches and packed with a thick layer of grass, mud, and clay. Such roofs were stable enough for walking, but one could break through them by digging. These men literally dug through the roof and showered those under the hole with dirt and sticks. Then they lowered him through the roof.

This man was desperate. The paralytic was desperate because he recognized the seriousness of his physical condition.

Many people today recognize have physical conditions and they are often defined by them (paralysis, blindness, deafness, cancer, chronic pain).

Oftentimes, however, people fail to recognize the seriousness of their spiritual condition. While physical problems are not to be minimized or ignored, our biggest problem is that in our natural condition our hearts are desperately wicked, and we are spiritually dead. We are all sinfully sick and we need heart surgery; what we need most is a new heart.

In verse 5, Jesus addresses the paralytic’s greatest need.

5

And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

When Jesus saw the faith of the paralytic and his friends, he forgave the paralytic’s sin. This man needed physical healing, but Jesus saw the bigger need – spiritual healing. As I’ve already said, Jesus came first and foremost to preach the gospel and to forgive sin. That was his primary mission (Mark 1:15, 38).

As you read this, if you’re not a Christian, that is, you’re not a follower of Jesus, then any physical condition that you have doesn’t come close to your grim spiritual condition. While your physical condition may bother you the rest of your life, your spiritual condition will affect you for eternity.

Physical maladies are not as important as spiritual ones. Physical maladies make for a difficult life. An unrepentant heart makes for a difficult eternity in hell.

When Jesus said, “your sins are forgiven,” this would’ve shocked his listeners. And we see that in vv. 6-7.

The religious leaders knew that only God could forgive sin (6-7)

6-7

Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

The scribes (Mark 2:16) are of course right that only God can forgive sins. We know this because when we sin it’s God’s law that we’ve broken. We have violated his perfect standard. Even when we do something that hurts another person, ultimately, it’s God we’ve sinned against. It is his law that has been transgressed.

In Psalm 51, David penned a psalm of repentance after his adultery with Bathsheba and subsequent murder of her husband, Uriah. He wrote in Psalm 51:4, “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.” Of course, David had sinned against Bathsheba and Uriah, but this verse shows us that sin is first and foremost against God.

Mark 2:7 is a verse to remember when considering the Catholic idea of  the priesthood. Priests have no authority to forgive sin. Only God can do that, and he does it based on what Christ has done for us on the cross and our response to Christ’s atoning work.

The scribes assert that Jesus is guilty of blasphemy, which was punishable by death (Lev 24:16). They are correct when they said that only God could forgive sin, but they are in error when they assert that Jesus is blaspheming. Of course, if Jesus wasn’t God, then they would be correct. But, as they did not realize yet, Jesus is God and thus has  the authority to forgive sins.

John 5:27

And he [the Father] has given him [Jesus] authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.

Jesus demonstrated his authority to forgive sin (8-11)

8

And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts?

Jesus knows the thoughts of the scribes (v. 6) and asked them why they are questioning these things in their hearts. To know someone’s thoughts is itself an act of God. I rarely know what my wife is thinking much less a total stranger. Friends, this is a frightening thought—that God knows our hearts. God doesn’t just know what we do or say. God knows our very thoughts and we will be judged for them. You can fool your spouse and family. You can fool the preacher. But you will not fool God. If you have not trusted in Jesus and submitted to his authority, then you need to do that.

The scribes believe Jesus is guilty of blasphemy and Jesus knows what they are thinking. Look at verses 9-11.

9-11

Jesus said to the scribes:

Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.”

To prove he has authority, Jesus asks the scribes, “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? He then proves his divinity and thus his authority to forgive sins by showing his authority over paralysis and disease. He tells the paralytic to “rise, pick up your bed, and go home.”

Jesus is showing the scribes that because he can do the visible miracle of healing the paralytics that this is evidence that he also has the power to do the invisible miracle of forgiving sins.

Jesus is showing the scribes that because he can do the visible miracle of healing the paralytics that this is evidence that he also has the power to do the invisible miracle of forgiving sins.

Also notice a phrase in v. 10. Jesus says that he has authority “on earth” to forgive sins. When we believe in Jesus, we have forgiveness here and now. Our forgiveness is based on what Jesus accomplished through his death and resurrection. There is nothing for us to do to earn our salvation. We don’t have to be anxious about losing our salvation. Jesus’ death on the cross and our faith in his completed work is all that is necessary for salvation. Yes, should take up our crosses and follow Christ, but that is a result of salvation, not the cause. If you have trusted in the person and work of Jesus, then you can have full assurance this morning.[1]Robin Sydserff, Teaching Mark: From Text to Message, 158.

In verse 12, we see the response of those present.

12

And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

“We never saw anything like this.”

That’s because there was never anyone like Jesus before and there hasn’t been anyone like him since. Jesus is the Son of God who came in the flesh, lived a perfect life of obedience to God’s commands, and died a substitutionary death on the cross. We respond by repenting of our sin and trusting in the finished work of Christ (John 19:30).

Conclusion

In Mark 1, we saw Jesus’ authority in his teaching, Jesus’ authority over demons, and Jesus’ authority over disease. In our passage today, we have seen we see Jesus’ authority to forgive sins. Soon, we’ll see Jesus’ authority over nature (Mark 4:35-41).

We should do four things in response to our text today:

  1. We should recognize that only Jesus has the authority to forgive sin (Mark 2:5).
  2. We should submit to Jesus’ authority in all of life.
  3. We should seek to bring desperate people to Jesus who can forgive their sins and make them clean (Mark 2:5; 1:41).
  4. We should bring people to Jesus in faith, believing he can make them clean. (Mark 2:3-5).

BIG IDEA: In your desperation, trust in Jesus, the one who has authority to forgive your sins.

References

References
↑1 Robin Sydserff, Teaching Mark: From Text to Message, 158.

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.
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