God Prepares A Way Series

* Beginning series, Look At Jesus, A Study of the Book of Mark.

* “God prepares a way”

* For a theologians, Mark is an important Gospel.

* Many call this the Gospel of Peter.

* Mark, the author, is John Mark.

* We first find John Mark in acts. Peter is released from jail goes to where the church was meeting at John Mark’s mother’s house.

* Next, he on a mission trip with Paul and Barnabas.

* He is Barnabas’ nephew.

* He turned back and Paul thought he betrayed them.

* Paul and Barnabas were going on another trip, Paul protested over bringing Mark.

* The argument over john Mark became heated, and Paul took Silas.

* Barnabas took John Mark.

* Later, Paul found John Mark valuable to him in his ministry, as recorded in 2 Tim 4.

* John Mark was, according to early writers, a writer for Peter.

* Early Christian writers state that the early believers wanted to hear again and again the stories of Jesus as told by Peter.

* Peter recognized the gift of writing in his protege, John Mark.

* By popular demand, John Mark was solicited to write the stories of Peter.

* You can see the influence of Peter in the book.

* Peter was a man of action and the Gospel of Mark moves rapidly.

* Mark is able to make a point with a few words.

* Only one parable is found in Mark. He writes a book of mostly action.

* Mark records that Jesus taught, but not the content of what He taught.

* Another reason for this style is the intended audience.

* Mark was written for Roman Christians, Gentiles.

* It contains no Genealogy, such would not impress Gentiles.

* J. V. McGee said, “A King needs resume, servant needs references.”

* The style of Mark is based more upon what Christ did than who He was to the Jews. * Jewish traditions are explained to the Gentiles for understanding.

* Mark presents Jesus as the Suffering Servant of God, not the King of the Jews.

* The question Mark answers is, “Can Jesus live up to the redemption requirements of sinful Gentiles?”

* Mark answers it with a resounding “YES”.

* Now, if you are not a theologian, if I have lost you, let's focus back.

* Blink out your glassy eyes and listen for a few minutes.

* Mark will give us a fresh look at this one named Jesus.

* Look at Jesus. God prepares the way. (Pray)

I. God prepared the Way.

Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

* Mark sets the pace of his style with a sentence fragment.

* HE simply states his title. The gospel of Jesus Christ, part one.

* That is where we must all begin. The Beginning of the Gospel.

* There are three theological beginnings in the scripture.

John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

* In eternity past, something we cannot grasp, there He was, Jesus Christ in the beginning.

* Since that is beyond the capability of mankind to grasp, we are ask to grasp this by faith.

Genesis 1:1 – In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

* In the infinity of eternity, God placed a peg.

* God marked His relationship with mankind by preparing a place for him.

* There we see Jesus Christ, the creator.

* John 1:3 tells us that Jesus was there, creating all things for mankind to live.

* But mankind fell, disobeying God’s command and relationship.

* God needed to place another peg for mankind to hang on to.

* Mark: The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

* Gospel means good news. The good news is Jesus Christ.

* Again, this beginning starts with Jesus Christ.

II. God prepared the Witness

Mark 1:2-11 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,'" 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." 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."