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.
Illustration – Counting the Cost
It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; who does actually try to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.
Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.
Theodore Roosevelt, speech before the Hamilton Club, Chicago (April 10, 1899)
This was a moment in time that was marked before the beginning of time. The Holy Spirit sealed the baptism of Jesus as an event which would lead Jesus to the cross. He submitted willingly that we might respond positively.
We now move from the Spirit’s consecration and the Son’s identification to…
THE FATHER’S CONFIRMATION (11)
One can almost sense the pride of the Father as He watches His Son respond in obedience to the call. It is here we sense His Veneration. He displays His love for His one unique Son as found in Psalm 2:7 and Isaiah 42:1. But we also understand His Humiliation when we read Isaiah 53. The Father is pleased because He knows what the Son will accomplish! Because of Jesus’ obedience we can appreciate His Exaltation! The Father is well pleased because Jesus is obedient, even unto death! Wow, what a Savior!
Illustration – ARTURO KINCH – NO QUITTER
Just prior to the 2002 Olympics, a trainer was asked by Arturo Kinch of Costa Rica to coach him in Cross Country skiing. This wasn’t Arturo’s first Olympics or ski experience. In fact, the trainer realized that this former missionary kid, who hadn’t even seen snow until he was 19, was somewhat of a folk hero in Norway.
Years ago, when Arturo was just begining to enter the world of ski competitions, he raced in the famed Hollenkollen ski festival’s 50km event. It didn’t go so well. Part way into the race he fell and broke his tailbone, but he continued on determined not to "DNF". As the winners breezed through in about 2.5 hours, Art was still struggling away on the course trying just to finish in under 5 hours.
In the Hollenkollen, the king of Norway sits in a special box in the middle of the stadium. The winners of the race get to approach the box and shake the hand of the king. In that year’s race the winners had long ago finished, met the king and put their warm, dry clothes on. The king of Norway though, decided to pay his respect for the hapless skier from Costa Rica who was giving his all that day. The king remained in his box waiting patiently for Arturo. Because of this, none of the over 60,000 spectators in attendance dared leave the stadium either.
When Arturo finally came into the stadium, he’d assumed everyone would have left, the banners be taken down, etc. Though absolutely exhausted, delerious and somewhat confused, Arturo heard the most unbelievaby loud cheer from this massive crowd when he entered the stadium.
So too, will be our entrance into Heaven for those that persevere. You may not be a champion in the World’s eyes, but Jesus is waiting for you to give you the "well done good and faithful servant" to those that finish in faith!
Jesus completed the work of salvation for you. The Father and Son wait on the throne for you to finish your race. Your spiritual race is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep the faith! Stay the course! Be faithful unto the end! Emulate your Savior no matter how many times you may fall or stumble! He is still waiting on you!
