Cresson Baptist Church
Sunday, December 8, 2002
Scripture: Mark 1:1-8
Messenger of Peace
Introduction:
Advent is the season of preparation for the coming of Christ. We remember when Christ was born in this time of the year. It is more symbolic than literal.
When I was considering these 4 weeks before Christmas I began to think of preparation for when someone comes. It depends on who is coming – how much we prepare doesn’t it? If it’s a friend or someone who comes by all of the time, often we prepare very little. Maybe we’ll throw away a few pizza boxes or shove some laundry under the couch. From personal experience, I can tell you that shoving extra things lying around the house into the oven – bad idea. Trust me.
But what if a far away relative, or some important family, or some other person you’re trying to impress is coming? Often we’ll step it up several notches. The floors will be mopped, vaccummed. The house will get a shake down and cob webs are cleared, mirrors buffed and shined, trash taken far away, and toilets scrubbed.
But what if George W. Bush made a special arrangement to come by for a visit this year to your house? WOW! Can you imagine the cleaning job you’d do? You might even have to hire some help! I can imagine that some of you might even be doing some repainting and basic repairs that for years have gone to the wayside.
John the Baptist began preparing believers for someone more important that George W. Bush. John the Baptist came and announced the ministry of Jesus Christ! The same Christ that would save all who believed in him, and those He promised that when they physically die would not die but live again with Him.
Can you now imagine what kind of preparations we should do as we anticipate the coming of Christ? In this season it’s not so much about getting your house in order as it is about getting your heart right. We need to prepare ourselves in anticipation of the celebration of Christ’s birth. Today we have lit the candle of peace, to remind us that Christ is the peace we have. As we look at this text in Mark, we will find that John the Baptist began to prepare the way for all peoples to receive Christ. First, prophecy in the Old Testament told of John the Baptist.
I. The Prophecy of the Messenger (v. 2-3)
Mark 1:2-3
2 It is written in Isaiah the prophet:
"I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way"-
3"a voice of one calling in the desert, `Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’"
EXPLAIN
Isaiah prophecies that a messenger will come who will prepare the way for the servant of peace. This messenger says Isaiah will come to prepare the way for the Lord - in order that the paths might be straight for him.
Notice “It is written” or “As it is written” – This points to the scriptural basis for John’s baptism and preaching. He was not just another random man preaching or offering to cleanse sins – he was truly called of God to do so.
Verse 3 nearly perfectly recounts Isaiah 40:3. This is not a new idea, but rather an OLD prophecy (At least 300 years) that John the Baptist now fulfills.
ILLUS.
Most of us here can remember one key phrase from TV – “Here’s Johnny” - Ed McMahon would always introduce the host of The Late Night Show with that key phrase. It signaled the end of the evening news and time for Johnny Carson’s evening monologue.
Ed McMahon performed a vital role, but he himself was never the focus of the show. John the Baptist is similar in that he is not the focus of scripture’s message, yet at the same time he announces the entrance of Christ’s formal ministry.
II. The Messenger (v. 4-6)
Mark 1:4-6
4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
EXPLAIN
Who is this messenger? John the Baptist here is described as the messenger, preaching and baptizing.
This man was dressed in clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist and the food of his choosing? Locusts and wild honey! Not your typical person!
It says of this messenger that all the people of Jerusalem went to see him. They confessed their sin, and were baptized in the Jordan River. The word baptize here means to dip or submerge and so is similar to the baptism our church practices. A total immersion in the water. Further note he preaches a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
APPLY
This John was not a typical man, neither was his practice of baptizing those who were forgiven of sin typical. But John the Baptist had an important message for sinners: Christ is coming – Peace at last for the broken hearted!
III. The Message of Peace (v. 7-8)
Mark 1:7-8
7And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
EXPLAIN
The message of John the Baptist was that he was not the end. In fact, one was coming that would be much more powerful than him. The shoes of this one coming John says he would not even be worthy to untie.
John tells that he baptizes in water, but the one coming will baptize with the Holy Spirit.
These verses truly are the heart of what John the Baptist is trying to convey to his audience. He is not the message – but he is the messenger. And the message is that Christ is coming. Christ who will ultimately bring peace to all mankind. Not in this life but in the time to come.
ILLUS.
About four months ago, professors at the seminary handed me a Syllabus. Each class has a unique one. As I looked at each one I recorded the dates of exams, papers due, etc in my academic calendar. So for four months I have known that exams would be coming up on December 10th, 2002.
And now the time has come for me the prophecy of their messages to come true. In fact I will be taking finals this week. But you see I have 2 choices when I receive something like that. I can ignore it and say, “Ah well we’ll probably never really take the exam.” Or I can secondly realize the exam is coming, it will be difficult, and I only stand a chance with ample preparation.
APPLY
Maybe you’re in the same situation, but with our Saviour. John’s obvious call was for the people to repent and be baptized to PREPARE THE WAY for the coming of Jesus Christ.
Christ did come as the Savior who baptized in the Holy Spirit. Christ died, was resurrected, and today I preach much like John the Baptist. I preach a message of repentance, baptism acknowledging the forgiveness of sins, and that we should prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ – the second coming.
And when I preach this message you have 2 choices. You can say, “Ah well he’ll probably not come.” – As does most of the world. You won’t be ready when he comes, you won’t be able to make a last minute decision, and it will be too late then. Your own sin will keep you nailed to the floor as others around you go to meet Christ.
INVITATION
But today you have the choice to prepare the way for the coming of Christ in your heart. Come today and repent of your sinful life. Acknowledge Christ as Lord and Saviour and be baptized to show your new life in Christ. All of this to prepare the way for Christ. And in His second coming you will be ready, and though not perfect you will be received by Christ’s perfection.
