2. New International Version - UK (NIVUK) John the Baptist
prepares the way 1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the
Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:I
will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way 3 a
voice of one calling in the wilderness, Prepare the way for the
Lord, make straight paths for him. 4 And so John the Baptist
appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for
the forgiveness of sins.5 The whole Judean countryside and all the
people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they
were baptised by him in the River Jordan. 6 John wore clothing made
of camels hair, with a leather belt round his waist, and he ate
locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: After me comes
the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not
worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he
will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. 3. The baptism and testing
of Jesus 9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was
baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out
of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit
descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: You
are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased. 12 At once the
Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the
wilderness for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the
wild animals, and angels attended him. Jesus announces the good
news 14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee,
proclaiming the good news of God. 15 The time has come, he said.
The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!
4. He never wrote a song. But more music had been composed about
Him than any other person. He never traveled more than two hundred
miles from His home but today you can find His followers in every
area of the globe. Who is this man? He never attended college. But
more colleges and universities, including Oxford, Cambridge,
Harvard, and Yale, have been founded than any other person. He
never wrote a book. But more books have been written about Him than
any other person. 5. He never held a political office. But He has
yielded more power than all the kings of this world combined. He
never married. But His treatment of woman and children led them to
join His movement in record numbers. Who is this man? He only
taught three years. But His teachings have lasted 2,000 years. He
never owned a watch or a calendar. But every time you date a check
you are reminded that this mans life has become a dividing line in
history. 6. No one knows what He looked like. But He has been the
subject of more art, and movies, than anyone in the world. John
Ortberg writes, It is in His name that desperate people pray,
grateful people worship, and angry people swear. In fact, Mark can
be divided into two sections, chapters 1-8 focus on the King, and
chapters 9-16 focus on the cross. (I would highly recommend Tim
Kellers The Kings Cross and John Ortbergs Who is this Man? for
further study) 7. First Lines "When Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End
announced that he would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first
birthday with a party of special magni- ficence, there was much
talk and excitement in Hobbiton." J.R.R. Tolkien. The Lord of the
Rings * Once there were four children whose names were Peter,
Susan, Edmund and Lucy. This story is about something that happened
to them when they were sent away from London during the war because
of the air-raids. -C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Here is Edward Bear, coming downstairs now, bump, bump, bump, on
the back of his head, behind Christopher Robin.- A.A. Milne, Winnie
the Pooh When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold. My
fingers stretch out, seeking Prim's warmth but finding only the
rough canvas over the mattress. Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games *
All children, except one, grow up. J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan 8. The
beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah the Son of God
(Mark 1:1) Mark takes great pains to help his readers understand
who Jesus is and the significance of His life, death, and
resurrection. 9. The Wait is Over as it is written in Isaiah the
prophet: I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare
you way a voice of one calling in the wilderness. Prepare the way
for the Lord, make straight paths for him. (Mark 1:2-3) Im not
Worthy 4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness,
preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5
The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went
out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the
Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camels hair, with a
leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7
And this was his message: After me comes the one more powerful than
I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and
untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the
Holy Spirit. (Mark 1:4-8) 10. The difference between his baptism
and the Jesus baptism will be the difference between a spark and a
consuming fire. Who does John the Baptist say this man is? Behold
the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world! (John 1:29)
Johns baptism affects the outside. Jesus baptism will change people
from the inside out. Jesus is the promised King! 11. A Voice from
Heaven 9At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was
baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 As Jesus was coming up out of
the water, he saw haven being torn open and the Spirit descending
on Him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: You are my
Son, whom I love, with you I am well pleased. Mark 1:9-11) The
Trinity is on display here: God the Father blesses, God the Son
obeys, and God the Holy Spirit empowers the Son to do the Fathers
will. Who does God say Jesus is? God the Father says Jesus is the
King. 12. Lets Get Ready to Rumble! 12 At once the Spirit sent Him
out into the desert, 13 and He was in the wilderness for forty
days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the
angels attended Him. (Mark 1:12-13) The Kingdom Come 14 After John
was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good
news of God. 15The time has come, he said. The kingdom of God has
come near. Repent and believe the good news! (Mark 1:14-15) Jesus
is the King, not only of the Jews but also for all mankind. 13.
Jesus said, Who do you say that I am? Peter answered for the
twelve, You are the Messiah! (Mark 8:29) In other words, Peter
acknowledges Jesus as King. Is He your King? Have you bowed the
knee to His rule and reign in your life? Have you repented of your
sins and cried out for God to save you? Have you put your trust in
the good news that Jesus loved you so much that He would rather die
than live with you? His body was broken for you. His blood was
spilled for you. As we close in prayer this morning, the question
still rings out today who do you say this man is?
