The Baptism of Jesus and preaching the Gospel

Scripture Reading:

Mark 1:9–20 NASB95

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; and a voice came out of the heavens: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” Immediately the Spirit impelled Him to go out into the wilderness. And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him. Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.

I. Introduction

a. We spoke about how the Gospel of Mark is strictly about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Which is delclared in Mark 1: 1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

b. Its purpose is to show and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As described in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

1 Corinthians 15:1–4 NASB95

Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

c.. We have learned that Mark, whose name is John Mark was the cousin of Barnabas, traveled with Paul on his first missionary trip and was mentored by the Apostle Peter.

d. We then learned that it was fulfillment of prophecy that Elijah the prophet is to return to prepare the way of the Lord. Which was fulfilled in John the Baptist.

e. We learned that John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin, was approximately 6 months older than Jesus and he showed similarities to the prophet Elijah in appearance and in his message he preached.

d. Now we begin when Jesus comes on the scene.

II. The Baptism of Jesus

a. now the gospel is completely described when Jesus was baptized.

b. Matthew 3:13-17 Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him. After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”

c. Lets take what Paul described in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Jesus died, John baptizes, Jesus goes into the water

Buried, once under the water signifies burial

Raised again, then when coming up out of the water raised again

Romans 6:1–11 NASB95

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

iv. Ascension, Holy Spirit descends like a dove, being baptized with the Holy Spirit, John 16:5-7

John 16:5–7 NASB95

“But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ “But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.

v. That is why Jesus told John the Baptist, ““Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Because Jesus was demonstrating what the gospel means that in Him, you have been crucified, buried and raised to newness of Life.

vi. Then Jesus is driven by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil

III. Preaching the Gospel

a. When He returns from the wilderness it just clearly states in the Gospel of Mark:

Mark 1:14–15 NASB95

Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

b. It is real simple:

Repent, turn from your trust in oneself or in anything else

Turn and trust in Jesus and what He did for you in His death, burial and resurrection.

IV. We are called to be fishers of men

a. The Mark quickly states that Jesus called Simon Peter and Andrew then He found James and John, sons of Zebedee.

b. But this is significant for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that is we as His disciples are called to be fishers of men, that is share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.