Mark 1:1-11 { His Beloved

 

Mark is the shortest of the four Gospels, only 16 Ch.

 

B) It’s a fast-moving, hard-hitting presentation of the life of Christ — and that’s appropriate, for Mark’s primary audience was the Romans.

 

C) This explains why there are only two Old Testament references in his entire Gospel.

 

D) Contrast this with Matthew’s account — written primarily to the Jews in which we find numerous Old Testament references.

 

Luke’s Gospel was written for the Greek mindset, John’s for the world in totality.

 

But because Mark writes to the Romans, we don’t see an abundance of sermons and discourses in his Gospel.

Instead the emphasis is upon the works rather than the words of Jesus. { Ministry with People

 

John Mark – God of 2nd Chances { RD v.1-8

 

 

 

Mark’s Gospel begins with John the Baptist

A) Character – he was the cousin of Jesus – 31yrs old at this time

 

B) Voice of one crying in the wilderness – He was God’s mouthpiece –

1) After 400 yrs no Prophet – John was a Fresh voice

 

C) Do you realize that you also have the opportunity to be God’s mouthpiece –

1) You can be the voice of God – speaking somewhere

 

D) School / Work / Friends / Church Circle

1) Speak with your actions – and with your Words

 

E) So John was God’s Mouthpiece

 

QUTIE A SIGHT – Camel’s skins – leather belt

A) Weird Diet – Main Course – Locust

   Desert – Honey

 

B)  His diet makes the Atkins diet sound good !!!

1) Best of both worlds – Protein in Locust

   Carbs in the Honey – Market this

 

Consider John’s Message: Prepare the way of the Lord and make his Path’s straight !!

A) To understand this statement it is important that we understand a bit of the landscape of the day

 

B) The Highways of Israel consisted of many winding twisting Rds

1) Travelers would be forced to climb steep hills- work their way thru windy roads thru valleys

 

C) The Roads were always bending around some obstacle

 

Well when the Romans came into Power they scoffed at these Archaic Rds

A) And since they had Might, Man power and Means they made new roads – Straight roads – straight paths

 

B) They wanted Straight paths for their Caesars & their armies

1) So their travel would be mostly Unobstructed – no barriers or obstacles in the way !

 

C) Well this is the idea behind John’s message: There is a King who is coming

1) A King who’s Sandal strap I am not even worthy to lose

 

D) And He wants to have a Straight Path into your heart

1) No obstructions / no barriers / no obstacles in the way

 

E) Nothing that would hinder Him from working in your life – He has a great plan for you

 

 

 

Now the Caesars took territory by Force !!

A) They would Knock out and over throw whoever Got in their way of their reign

 

B) Jesus also wants to reign in men’s lives – Not by Force – but by love

1) He is not going to force His way into anyone’s life

 

C) He seeks an open heart – a heart that would respond to his love

 

D) That is what John was preaching – the King is coming – prepare your hearts

 

Along with his Preaching – John Baptized people

A) It was a symbol of repentance – turning from Sin and turning to God

 

B) God hates sin – He knows the affect it has on people’s lives

 

C) SO John is out doing his thing – when Jesus shows up  RD v.9-11

 

It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.10 And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove.11 Then a voice came from heaven,"You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Now why did Jesus get Baptized ?

A) If  Johns baptism was a baptism of Repentance

Jesus hadn’t sinned why did he need to do this

 

B) In fact John recognizes this fact as it’s recorded in Matt. Gospel Ch 3 says in v.14  And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?"

 

C) The Greek verb for prevent is in the imperfect tense and suggests a continued effort by John-“he kept trying to prevent Him.”

1)  And there was intensity in his voice.

 

D) John’s statement - "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?"   speaks of his bewilderment that Jesus would come to Him.

 

 

So why did Jesus come to be baptized by John?

A) We are given the reason in v. 15 of Matt. Gospel - 15  But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness."

 

B) The answer is simple it was in keeping w/ the Fathers plan for His life .

1) See This is what Jesus was most interested in - the Fathers will - plan - way - Heart -&  Fathers time.

 

C) Jesus modeled for us - submission to the Father - He modeled a life of obedience to the will of God.  Fulfill Plan Fulfill prophecy

 

D) by it Jesus was identifying w/ sinful humanity

1) Baptism actually, means identification, / and Isaiah had prophesied in Isa. 53:12 that He would be numbered with the transgressors

 

That was the first act of His ministry, the first step in the redemptive plan that He came to fulfill.

A) He who had no sin took His place among those who had no righteousness.

 

B) He who was without sin submitted to a baptism for sinners. In this act the Savior of the world took His place among the sinners of the world.

 

The sinless Friend of sinners was sent by the Father we are told in  

(Rom. 8:3);He came “in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering  for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh”

 

D) and in 2 Cor. 5:21 He “made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him”

 

 

Also Picture of the Trinity – Son Baptized

Father speaking / Spirit descending

 

Now there is one last thing that I want us to note about what took place at the Baptism of Jesus. 

A) Father says V.11"You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased."

 

B) God the Father looks at God the Son & says you are my much loved Son & I am so pleased w/ you !

1)  That was the Fathers heart toward Jesus- /

 

C) Now perhaps you are thinking why wouldn’t it be Jesus was perfect.

1) Of Course the Father would love Him in that way .

 

Guys listen because that is His heart for you here today - who know Him! Those of you are in Christ

A) You are His beloved Sons & daughters & it has nothing to do w/ what you have done this past week - yesterday - this morning

 

B) See it has everything to do w/ what Jesus did.

1) We have been placed IN CHRIST -

        Father sees us in His Son) Beloved

 

C) Paul in Ephesians 1:6 Praise be to the glory of His grace , by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved.

 

D) You are God’s Beloved -

 

 

 

Now It is interesting to trace that word thru the Bible to see how often the Lord refers to us in that fashion.

A) For instance - In Song of Sol. In a passage - which speaks symbolically of the Lord’s relationship w/ the Church - we read I am my beloveds & He is mine His banner over me is love

 

B) 1John 3:1,2 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2  Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

 

C) JN writing under the inspiration of the H.S. says we are God’s beloved Kids

 

Because we are His Beloved – Because He cares about us DEEPLY

(1 Cor 4:14)  I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved  children I warn you.

 

 

 (1 Cor 10:14) Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

 

 

(2 Cor 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

 

Notice the Lord doesn’t say if you do those things you will be my Beloved - No opposite -

A) Because you are already my beloved I want you to stay away from that stuff

 

B) Because you are already my beloved I warn you - to avoid those things that are going to hurt you .

1) Amanda - Hot stove - Amanda - out of the street - she gives me that look but dad it looks like so much fun.

 

C) Guys when a believer gets a hold of this truth - it revolutionizes their whole walk w/ the Lord - their service to Him/ Worship of Him.

1)  When they realize that because I am in Christ I am beloved of God

 

D) Suddenly their life is no longer a serious of events where by they are trying to get God to Love them & be proud of them.

1)  Nor are they trying to prove their love for God by doing certain things and following certain task. Not at all

 

E) Nor are they questioning why God would say to avoid this and stay away from that –

1) I am my beloved’s & He is mine his banner over me is Love !!!! 

 

F) Father Knows Best

 

Listen Jesus was totally & completely secure in His Fathers love

A) His life was a living example of living in response to His fathers love

 

B) He lived His life the way that He did not because He was seeking for the  Father to be well pleased but because He knew the Father was well pleased.

 

C) Guys that is how He wants us to Live - Resting in our Fathers Love –

1) Knowing we are His beloved - and responding to it. 

 (MOTIVATION)

 

 

 

Are You His Beloved

A) Straight Path into your heart tonight

 

B) Because you are his beloved – are you giving him the opportunity to reign in your life

 

 

 

Not given him your heart or walked away