1_14_2024 - Mark 1:9-11 - "Am I Ready?"

(Opening Prayer)

(Series Introduction)

Today we continue the gospel of Mark. We are planning to spend almost 2 years in the gospel of Mark. We are going to have mini-series to help break up our time in Mark and help us focus on the journey on both a macro and micro level. We want to understand what it truly means to “Build the Kingdom One Disciple at a Time.”

Today we begin our “Follow” series in the gospel of Mark.

(The Gospel of Mark Context)

Matthew, Mark, and Luke, make up what is referred to as the Synoptic Gospels.

The word Synoptic means “together they see.”

The Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are referred to in this manner because of their likeness, and similar content.

They record many of the same teachings, stories, and accounts from different perspectives.

Some have said that because of this these writings are unreliable.

Quite the opposite is true.

A difference of perspective is not a negative but rather a positive.

If each gospel recorded everything the exact same way we would question its accuracy and integrity in the same way that an investigator would question stories that record verbatim what happened at a crime scene.

The gospel of John is not considered a Synoptic Gospel primarily because it was written years later and recorded things that the other writers did not include.

The gospel of Mark is understood to have been written between 54-60 A. D. prior to the writing of Matthew, Luke, and John.

Scholars believe that Matthew and Luke used Mark as a guide as they wrote their gospels.

This is called the Priority of Mark.

The gospel of Mark was written by John Mark who was not one of the twelve disciples of Jesus.

However, it is believed that the Apostle Peter is the source for the material for the gospel of Mark as Peter discipled John Mark.

(Sermon Title)

Today we have entitled the sermon “Am I Ready?.”

We are in Mark 1:9-11.

Mark 1:9–11 (NLT)

9 One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River.

10 As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove.

11 And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”

(Synoptic Perspective)

One of the things that we will see over and over about the gospel of Mark is the “immediate” nature of his writings.

He is very matter of fact and to the point.

The great thing about the Synoptic Gospel perspective is that using the other gospels together can often answer our questions and bring clarity to what we may not fully understand otherwise.

However, sometimes we are left with more questions that lead us to press in to Jesus for the answer even more.

Using Mark as the signpost, Matthew consistently gives us a picture of another landmark that provides clarity to other important factors of the gospel narrative - Jesus was Jewish!

Matthew 3:13–17 (ESV)

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.

14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.

16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;

17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Matthew, “the Teaching Gospel” unpacks in greater detail one of the great questions of the baptism of Jesus: “If Jesus is sinless than why must He be baptized?”

In our western mindset, we immediately understand water baptism only through the lens of repenting of sin.

Although John the Baptizer was inviting people to repent and be baptized, we must understand that John understood that Jesus was being baptized for a different reason.

(Ralph Riggs Quote #1 - The Priesthood of Jesus)

Ralph Meredith Riggs was the 8th General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God (1953–1959).

The Christ who had been “made under the law” Gal. 4:4), conformed to the law as to the year in which He began His priestly ministry (Num. 4:30; Lk. 3:23).

Although [Jesus] was not of the tribe of Levi, He was nevertheless a priest and conformed to the priestly pattern in this regard.

Thirty years of age was legal maturity for those who served in the tabernacle/temple.

It also represented maturity of His own development and training in preparation for His great ministry.

(Riggs, 1968, The Life of Christ, pg. 41)

(The Confirmation of the Ministry of The Rabbi)

John was the son of Zechariah from the tribe of Levi, the tribe of priests.

Zechariah was one of the priests of the Temple (Luke 1).

Jesus was from the tribe of Judah.

Before a Rabbi could begin his ministry he had to be set apart through mikveh baptism.

John had to confirm the ministry of Jesus for Him to truly walk as a Teacher of the Law.

In the very literal sense, John the Baptizer, was born to prepare the way for the ministry of Jesus.

1. Jesus Surrendered to the Father’s Will

Matthew 3:15 (ESV)

15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.

(Ralph Riggs Quote #2 - The Pattern of Jesus)

When Jesus presented Himself for baptism, apparently as one of John’s converts, John immediately recoiled.

He knew this was no convert but was indeed the very Son of God.

He declined to baptize Jesus...

Peter shrank from letting the Lord wash his feet, but Jesus insisted on washing Peter’s, explaining to him, “What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter” (John 13:7).

Likewise, John the Baptist did not understand the significance of Christ’s baptism at his hand.

But Christ knew that although He had no sins to wash away, He had come to be the great pattern for His people.

He took His place with them and identified Himself as one of them, walking ahead in the pathway that they should follow.

(Riggs, 1968, The Life of Christ, pg. 42)

Jesus modeled again and again the importance of yielding to what His Father wanted.

Many are the desires of a man’s heart but God desires that we place Him in first place.

His position as first, determines everything else in our lives.

Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

In many ways, the baptism of Jesus was the first “Gethsemane” moment for Jesus.

Jesus knew what He was sent to earth to do.

He knew the task ahead of Him and set out to dedicate Himself to what His Father had called Him to accomplish.

Jesus was determined surrender the God’s will.

The followers of Jesus must be willing to follow Him in His dedication to surrender to the will of the Father.

Are we willing to surrender to God’s will?

2. Jesus Listened for the Father’s Voice

Mark 1:11 (ESV)

11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

(Ralph Riggs Quote #3 - The Voice of the Father)

A wonderful thing happened at this time.

The One who had sent John and who had given him the signal concerning the identity of Jesus was now on hand to fulfill that sign.

He was also there to give an audible witness.

At this moment the Spirit of God descended upon Jesus and remained upon Him (Mt. 3:16; John 1:33).

Here were all three members of the Trinity: the Father speaking from heaven, the Holy Ghost descending from heaven, and Jesus the Son receiving the Holy Ghost and having His Father’s blessing pronounced upon Him.

(Riggs, 1968, The Life of Christ, pg. 42)

There is great importance in listening to the voice of God.

The heart of God is to lead us to Himself and to teach us Who we are and Who we are suppose to be.

Those who follow Jesus will learn to position themselves to hear the Father’s voice.

If we want to follow Jesus, we must recognize the importance of the Father’s voice in our lives.

Jesus only did what His Father told Him to do.

How can we become like Jesus if we neglect the importance of the Father’s voice in our lives.

To follow Jesus is an invitation to hear the voice of the Father.

Are we listening for His voice?

3. Jesus Yielded to the Holy Spirit

Matthew 3:16 (ESV)

16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;

(Ralph Riggs Quote #4 - The Power of the Spirit)

[The] visitation of the Holy Ghost upon Him was His equipment for public ministry and signaled the beginning of that ministry.

John the Baptist explained that God had given the Holy Spirit unto Jesus without measure (John 3:34).

The fullest possible anointing and infilling was needed and was bestowed for the tremendously important ministry that followed.

(Riggs, 1968, The Life of Christ, pg. 42)

Jesus modeled for us the importance of having the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

Just before Jesus ascended to Heaven, He spoke to His followers about the importance of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:1–8 (NLT)

1 In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach

2 until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.

3 During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.

4 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before.

5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

6 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”

7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know.

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

(Instrumental Music)

He baptized His followers with the Holy Spirit so that they might follow Him the way that He intended them to follow Him.

There is great importance in yielding to the Holy Spirit.

Those who follow Jesus will learn to yield themselves to the work of the Holy Spirit.

If we want to follow Jesus, we must recognize the necessity of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives.

Jesus relied on the Holy Spirit to work and we should too.

How can we become like Jesus if we neglect the partnership of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

To follow Jesus is an invitation to hear the yield to the Holy Spirit.

Are we yielding to the Holy Spirit?

(Closing Tension)

Are we ready to follow Jesus yet?

If so, can we say with honesty:

I am ready to surrender to God’s Will.

I am ready to hear the Father’s voice.

I am ready to yield to the Holy Spirit.

(Sermon Recap)

Am I Ready?

Jesus Surrendered to the Father’s Will

Jesus Listened to the Father’s Voice

Jesus Yielded to the Holy Spirit

(Response Card)

(Closing Challenge)

(Response)

(Invite Altar Team)

(Closing Blessing)

Numbers 6:24–26 (ESV)

24 The Lord bless you and keep you.

25 The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.

26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.