* 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."
* Mark starts, not with a Genealogy, but with references.
* He shows that for Jesus to bring redemption, there had to be a connection with God’s original plan.
* He does this by quoting Isaiah and Malachi, not about Jesus, but about the forerunner of the Messiah. A witness.
* We are quickly introduced to John the Baptist.
* We see his message, method and Messiah. (another sermon).
* John taught repentance.
* Jews taught Gentiles that to be part of God’s kingdom, they had to be baptized. (Proselyte).
* John said, “for you Jews to prepare for the Messiah, YOU have to repent.”
* Many Jews knew in their hearts they were failing God’s standard, thus they needed to repent.
* Baptism was a sign to the world that they had repented.
* For them, baptism was a foreshadowing of the death, burial and resurrection of the Messiah.
* John ask them if they were ready for the Messiah, really ready?
* This served as a witness that Jesus was the redeemer.
* Jesus came and said, “Baptize me.”
* John said, “I am not worthy. Of what would you repent?”
* Matthew tells us that Jesus' baptism identified him with mankind.
* Now our baptism identifies us with redemption (the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus).
* God made this witness possible.
* Look at the witnesses to Jesus Christ.
* The prophecies testify of John the Baptist.
* John testifies of Jesus Christ.
* John’s baptism testifies of Jesus death, burial and resurrection.
* Jesus baptism testifies of His unity with mankind.
* God’s Spirit testifies of Jesus life. (Dove)
* God’s voice testifies of Jesus deity. (Voice of God)
* There is enough witnessing to your life for you to know God’s call.
* God has made a witness.
III. God Made a “Win”
Mark 1:12-13 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.
* The Spirit of God drove him out to the wilderness to be tempted.
* He was there 40 days, all along being tempted by Satan
* Yet, He was tempted without sin. Hungry, no food, no pleasures, no comforts.
Heb 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
* Why did God send Jesus to be tempted?
* Because God had prepared a victory for Him. He was ready.
* Thus, God works in your life.
God Prepares the Way
* God sent Jesus Christ to make a way for you.
Rom 5:6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
* If you have never accepted Christ, Jesus died for you.
* You are not worthy of His love or salvation, but He offers at as a gift.
Rom 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (invitation)
* If you have trusted and called upon Jesus, rejoice today, because God made a way for you.
* Whatever you are facing, God has prepared a way.
1Co 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
God Prepares the Witness
* God has shown you enough to believe in Him.
* He has shown you enough for you to trust Him.
* There is someone in your life, not perfect, but an example of trusting Christ.
* You have seen the hand of God in that life.
* You have looked at nature with an eye of wonder.
* You have escaped ruin and tragedy, only by the hand of God.
* There is reason enough. You sense the call of God. You must just simply surrender.
* And I can give this assurance, for those who surrender to God…
God Prepares the Win
* Just as Jesus was able to survive His terrible testing, God has prepared everything for you to win.
* All of your failures are founded in your attempts for self-sufficiency, avoidance, Control, Manipulate, or Ignore.
* I could ask, “How is that working for you?”
* But I know the answer.
* Yet, I promise, in Christ Jesus, God has prepared a victory.
2Ti 1:7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (sound mind).
1Jn 5:4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.
* To insure your victory, connect with a winner; Jesus Christ.
(Ill) As a young man growing up, my family enjoyed TV sports. Part of the fun was choosing a team and cheering for them. What maximized the fun was having someone in the family pick the other team, and it became personal.
My brother hated to lose. He was noted for changing teams mid-game to keep from picking a loser.
When heat about this got to hot, he simply delayed his choice until halftime.
Some of my most fun games to watch were those in which my team was behind at halftime, but rallied for the win.
My brother hated those games, but those were the wonderful victories.
* Right now, you may be feeling like God’s team is behind.
* It may seem like a loss in your life right now.
* How can the good guys ever pull this one out?
* Was that not predicted?
Mat 24:37-39 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
* It certainly looks like we are losing now.
* In your life, you may sense that there is no hope for your situation.
* Your trials may seem overwhelming and hopeless.
* In due time, Jesus comes and changes the game.
* Now is the time to attach to a winner.
* This can be your new beginning as God has prepared for you a way.
* God is showing you, despite the chaos, His way is The Way.
* God has prepared in your life a witness.
* Now it is time for you to let go and let God.
* That is the way to the win that God has prepared for you.
