Life's More Than A Coincidence Series

Life’s More Than a Coincidence

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

Introduction - Coincidence

John Thomas Oaks is musician in NYC. On a chilly November, in Manhattan, he was playing at the Starbucks Café on 51st & Broadway. Others had said it was the most lucrative Starbucks in the world; tips were good if you played your tunes right. John was playing tunes from the ‘40’s to ‘90’s on his keyboard, and doing back up singing with his partner. He noticed a lady in chair swaying & singing along with “If You Don’t Know Me By Now.” Afterwards, she apologized for singing. John asked if she would like to sing the next selection. She asked if he knew any hymns. John picked His Eye Is on the Sparrow. Everyone in Starbucks listened attentively as they sang: "I sing because I’m happy, sing because I’m free. For His eye is on the sparrow & I know He watches me." The people in Starbucks gave her thunderous applause. She turned to John and said, “It’s funny you picked that hymn. It was my daughter’s favorite. She was 16. She died last week of a brain tumor. I’m gonna be OK. I keep trusting the Lord & singing His songs.” Was all this just a coincidence of time, place, people, and a hymn? Hardly, if you believe in how God intervenes in our lives at just the right moment.

God has been arranging encounters in human history since the beginning of time. No coincidence He found just right place for us to land. Even for a grieving mom in Starbucks, a struggling musician, & coffee drinkers.

Life seems to be full of coincidences. I really believe that life is full of God-cidences. That is where God reveals Himself to us through His mighty works, marvelous wisdom and matchless ways.

Let’s continue our study in the Book of Mark today by witnessing three aspects of God-cidences. We will discover the Son’s identification, the Spirit’s consecration and the Father’s confirmation.

First, let’s look at…

THE SON’S IDENTIFICATION (9)

As we discover the Son’s identification, you will notice His Association. He came from Nazareth of Galilee. He identified with the sinners of the area. Galilee was a known gentile community. It wasn’t on the “right side of tracks” so to speak. Jesus was the unknown commodity because after all “what good thing comes out of Nazareth of Galilee?” (John 1:46) Then we notice His Inauguration. His baptism was the beginning of His earthly ministry. It was His official unveiling. Jesus coronation will come later when everything is completed. We also notice His Representation. He represents both man and God. As man, He becomes sin but as God, he redeems sinners. Both in our state capital and national capital, we have those who represent us. Or we would like for them too. In Jesus, we have someone who truly does represent us. Through His representation we have His Demonstration. As our baptism does not save us, His baptism is a sign of His ministry and His mandate for us. Our baptism is a step of obedience as His baptism is submission to the Father. He came to accomplish all that God required to save sinners like us.

Illustration – A Great Message

A gentleman was on an elevator with Billy Graham when another man in the elevator recognized him. He said, "You’re Billy Graham, aren’t you?"

"Yes," Billy said.

"Well," the man said, "you are truly a great man."

Billy immediately responded, "No, I’m not a great man. I just have a great message."

Harold Myra and Marshall Shelley, The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham

We only have a great message when we can identify a great Savior as Billy Graham does!

Second, not only do we discover the Son’s identification but we also discover…

THE SPIRIT’S CONSECRATION (10)

Here we find the Spirit’s consecration in three ways. There is a Powerful Mission. This mission is made possible as the Son of Man responds to the Spirit of God. His mission was to do the will of the Father by dying for mankind. He revealed this through the picture of baptism. In this, we have a Powerful Message. The Holy Spirit came out of heaven to rest upon the Son. Jesus obediently followed the Father’s every movement as an orchestra follows the maestro. Every instrument must be in perfect synchronization as the conductor leads them. So did the Son as He perfectly followed the plans of the Father. This leads us to a Powerful Moment! It is here we hear the Father speaking, witness the resting of the Spirit on the holy Son of God.