Mark 1
JOHN
THE BAPTIST PREPARES THE WAY
4 This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.5 All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.6 His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.
7 John announced: "Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I'm not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals.8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!"
THE BAPTISM AND TEMPTATION OF JESUS
9 One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River.10 As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove.11 And a voice from heaven said, "You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy."
12 The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness,13 where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him.
14 Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God's Good News.15 "The time promised by God has come at last!" he announced. "The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!"
4 This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.5 All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.6 His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.
7 John announced: "Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I'm not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals.8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!"
THE BAPTISM AND TEMPTATION OF JESUS
9 One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River.10 As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove.11 And a voice from heaven said, "You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy."
12 The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness,13 where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him.
14 Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God's Good News.15 "The time promised by God has come at last!" he announced. "The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!"
There are a few things that stands out that I wish to
share with you this morning. To begin I would like to look at John the Baptist.
He preached in the wild and wore clothes of camel hair with a leather belt.
What a sight this must have been and yet he baptised many people and he was the
messenger that prepared the way for Jesus. If you think about this are you not
more equipped to spread the good news and be God’s messenger. We are indirectly
preparing the way for the return of Jesus. And in this section Jesus made it
very clear: "The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the
Good News!"
Then I would like to focus your attention on God. How
great is the God that we worship and do we remember who He is? John said: "Someone is coming soon who
is greater than I am—so much greater that I'm not even worthy to stoop down
like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. I baptize you with
water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!"
He is not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and
untie the straps of His sandals. This is the messenger chosen by God. Yet we
personalize Jesus into who we need Him to be.
This is what Isaiah wrote about God:
Isaiah
2
12 For the LORD of
Heaven's Armies has a day of reckoning.
He will punish the proud and mighty and bring down everything that is exalted.
13 He will cut down the tall cedars of Lebanon and all the mighty oaks of Bashan.
14 He will level all the high mountains and all the lofty hills.
15 He will break down every high tower and every fortified wall.
16 He will destroy all the great trading ships and every magnificent vessel.
17 Human pride will be humbled, and human arrogance will be brought down.
Only the LORD will be exalted on that day of judgment.
18 Idols will completely disappear. 19 When the LORD rises to shake the earth, His enemies will crawl into holes in the ground. They will hide in caves in the rocks from the terror of the LORD and the glory of his majesty.
20 On that day of judgment they will abandon the gold and silver idols they made for themselves to worship.
They will leave their gods to the rodents and bats, 21 while they crawl away into caverns and hide among the jagged rocks in the cliffs. They will try to escape the terror of the LORD
and the glory of his majesty as he rises to shake the earth. 22 Don't put your trust in mere humans.
They are as frail as breath. What good are they?
He will punish the proud and mighty and bring down everything that is exalted.
13 He will cut down the tall cedars of Lebanon and all the mighty oaks of Bashan.
14 He will level all the high mountains and all the lofty hills.
15 He will break down every high tower and every fortified wall.
16 He will destroy all the great trading ships and every magnificent vessel.
17 Human pride will be humbled, and human arrogance will be brought down.
Only the LORD will be exalted on that day of judgment.
18 Idols will completely disappear. 19 When the LORD rises to shake the earth, His enemies will crawl into holes in the ground. They will hide in caves in the rocks from the terror of the LORD and the glory of his majesty.
20 On that day of judgment they will abandon the gold and silver idols they made for themselves to worship.
They will leave their gods to the rodents and bats, 21 while they crawl away into caverns and hide among the jagged rocks in the cliffs. They will try to escape the terror of the LORD
and the glory of his majesty as he rises to shake the earth. 22 Don't put your trust in mere humans.
They are as frail as breath. What good are they?
God is big, He is bigger and greater than we can ever
imagine. This is the God that looks over you today. Place your trust in Him and
let Him guide your every step.
We are here to worship and glorify His great glory.
To God be all the glory.