Power to Endure

Intro

Mark 1:7–13 NASB 2020

And he was preaching, saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to bend down and untie the straps of His sandals. I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And 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 from the heavens: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” And immediately the Spirit brought Him out into the wilderness. And He was in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild animals, and the angels were serving Him.

Truth

I. Jesus brings a greater baptism

II. Jesus models perfect obedience

Hebrews 4:14–16 NASB 2020

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let’s hold firmly to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.

By His perfect obedience, the one Man without sin reverses the disobedience of the first man who lead us all into sin.

Christ’s example of obedience to the Father even in humilitating situations for Him, shows us what the truly Spirit lead life looks like.

III. Jesus’ baptism grants us power to endure

Acts 14:21–22 NASB 2020

And after they had preached the gospel to that city and had made a good number of disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “It is through many tribulations that we must enter the kingdom of God.”

After the Spirit landed upon Christ, the first thing He did was take Him into the winderness to test Him.

Many Christians today cannot fathom the idea of God putting us into difficult circustances. But if God sent Christ into the wilderness, we should not be shocked if He sends us into wilderness places from time to time also.

The wilderness is a place of testing us and of building us up.

In the wilderness, our identity and our resolve are both solidified.

God’s chief concern for his children is not our happiness, but rather our holines.

No doubt, God has a happy future planned for us but we will never get there unless we are delivered from sin and then we must be refined into people who actually bear the image of the Son in truth.

God will never waste any wilderness experiance for His children.

We gain confidence when we are able to resist sin and follow God when it is difficult.

Our resistance to sin is a clear sign of the Spirit’s presence in us and a sign for us that we truly belong to God.

Gospel Application

Challenge