The Gospel Project: The Savior is Baptized

Intro Option 2: Deserted Island

Ask: What three things would you bring with you to a deserted island? (give students a note card to write on)

John the Baptist = Seemingly unnecessary deserted island lifestyle

Perspective

Main Point: John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus.

The messenger prepares people for the Savior

Mark 1:1–6 (ESV)

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

2 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.

V.1: Jesus is the star of the show

“Christ” = Set apart and qualified

Not John

Ask: What do we learn from Mark’s example of making Jesus the star of his story?

Christ should be the star of our story

Knowing your role

True for Mark & John

John the Baptist preparing the Way

This is an example for us to live by.

Ask: What do we learn from John's example of living to prepare people to meet the Lord?

Our purpose

How we measure success

The importance of leading people to repentance

A change of direction

Main Point: John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus.

The messenger prepares people for the Savior

The messenger points people to the Savior

Mark 1:7–8 ESV

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.”

John knew their needs

They needed a Savior; not a celebrity

Ask: Why are we sometimes tempted to use our influence to draw attention to ourselves? How do we resist that temptation?.

Wanting love

Find in right place > humility

Humility = thinking about ourselves rightly in relation to God (not beyond or beneath what we are)

Not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.

Ask: Why do we become more secure in who we are when we know what God says about us?

Because God has the right perspective

God’s perspective is one of truth and love

John = secure in role

Illus. Moon

Its not about us

Main Point: John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus.

The messenger prepares people for the Savior

The messenger points people to the Savior

The messenger baptizes the Savior

Mark 1:9–11 ESV

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.”

The Star returns

Jesus’ baptism = the only person baptized mentioned by name

It all led to this

Ask: Why was it important for the people to shift their focus from John to Jesus?

Jesus is at the center

Spirit of God = more fully introducing hero

Ask: Why was Jesus’s baptism experience so different from all others?

His sinlessness

God identifying withs us

The HS baptizer gets baptized

Christ Connection:

Jesus obeyed God and identified with sinners by being baptized like sinners are baptized. His baptism points to His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave. For those of us who are in Christ, the words spoken over Jesus at His baptism are true of us; we are the Father’s beloved children with whom He is pleased.

Head: How does John’s brief but powerful part in God’s plan change the way we think about a life well-lived?

Not about greatness, but obedience

Discover His will for us + obey

Heart: What kind of life is most meaningful and satisfying?

We’re not created to be the stars of our own shows.

Jesus being the show satisfies bc people actually need Him

Eternal impact

Hands: What is a practical way we can use our influence to bring more attention to Jesus?

Don’t need millions of social media followers

Who has God placed in your life?

God can use anything He gives us for His plans.