Mark 1:1-20

Good morning church! Hills Alive is coming up, and we will be helping with the children’s ministry tent with several other churches. We’ll be making balloon animals, face painting, and making gospel bracelets. It’s a great time to serve, share the Gospel message, as well as come alongside other churches in the Great Commission!

Next week, Josh Brewer, the CEO of LifeLight, the company that is putting on Hills Alive will be here to speak with us. He’s going to give us his backstory, Here’s a short video with a little bit of info for you all here:

Josh is a pretty neat guy. I’m looking forward to getting to know him better, and I’m very thankful he is coming to visit with us. These last few months, we’ve been on a journey as a church, haven’t we? Many of you have been wondering where we’re going as a church, what vision we have for the future. Now that things are settling for our leadership team, we’re starting to get into our lane with that.

We are a Calvary Chapel, we teach the Bible chapter by chapter, verse by verse. With that in mind, we will teach the Bible. We’ve taught thru several books of the Bible since we started. Most of the Paul’s Epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy, Ecclesiastes, then we started Genesis, and we’re about 2/3 of the way thru Exodus now.

Our guiding verse is Psalm 119:105

Psalm 119:105 NKJV

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

As a church, we use this principle to teach you what the Word says, how it applies, and then it’s your job to take the Word outside these doors and let it light the way for you. We have been setting foundations over the past 2 years, grounding Genesis as fact and literal, and showing thru Exodus that God has a plan in everything He does, and Jesus is the common thread He uses to weave the love story of the Bible together.

We want each one of you, young and old, to understand the Scripture and be able to recognize the thread, whether it’s a geneology, or a set of circumstances, important numbers, 1, 3, 7, 10, 12, 40. To know that when the Bible repeats the same thing 3 times, it means God’s trying to hammer home a point.

It’s our mission to help you see the Bible clearly, and apply it to your heart and life properly. We want you to be able to rightly divide the Word of Truth, that means to not just know the difference between right and wrong, but the difference between right, and almost right. That’s where sin entered the world. With a “Did God really say...” Every day, we teter on the edge of sin. The Gospels say we should live as though we are not of this world.

The first and foremost thing we should all be doing as followers of Christ is delivering the Good News, the Gospel. There will always be one before us, to pave the way. There will always be those after us for us to pour into. Before Josh comes next week, to speak to us, I want to set our hearts to our first mission, evangelism. We were called to a purpose. Open your ears, not to what I’m saying, but what Christ is saying to you about what you should be doing for the Kingdom. Even the smallest among us has a purpose.

Sometimes, most times, it’s more profound than any one of us adults. You kids have the ability to speak a truth that is not corrupted by this world. It’s native to you. We adults learn how to skirt around it. We soften the blow. There are times when that’s the best path. Don’t be afraid to be different, or to stand out in a Godly way.

There was a man who did that. He did EVERYTHING he could do to be counter culture. That’s where we will start today. A man under authority. A man who knew that the Kingdom of Heaven was here, now. He started a ministry before Jesus was given His, and he walked alongside Jesus thru his ministry and it cost him his life. His name is John the Baptizer, and we’ll start here in Mark talking about him:

Mark 1:1–3 NKJV

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the Prophets: “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.” 3 “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’ ”

Now, when we read thru scripture, we, as disciples, have to ask questions. Paul speaks about these pesky people called Bereans, they would take every little thing Paul taught about and scour the old testament to make sure what he was teaching lined up with Scripture.

The book of Mark is believed to be considered Peter’s account of the Gospel, and it may have been written by John Mark, a traveling friend to Peter on his journeys. Ultimately, we don’t know who Mark is or who wrote it.

One thing that stands out to me, what do we know of Peter? Those of you who have an understanding of Scripture, what kind of a person is Peter? Is Peter a patient person? He’s not. One thing he IS though, is opportunistic. He knows how to cut to the heart of a matter and address it immediately. He can read the room and cut to the heart.

If you look at the other Gospel accounts, there are stories that tell a more full picture of Jesus life. Matthew and Luke tell of the genealogies of Jesus. John starts at Genesis. Peter starts with what he knows best, where it started for him. Who are John Mark and Peter talking to when the scholars think this Gospel was written? They’re in Rome, preaching to the pagans of pagans.

This reference to the Prophets is to Isaiah 40:3, and if you have time, I would suggest reading Isaiah 40 in it’s entirety. It’s beautifully pointing to Jesus and His ministry. We just read about God telling Moses that He would send a messenger before the people to prepare the promised land for them as well. Thruout Scripture, the Lord would send a forerunner to prepare the way. Just like Jesus would prepare the way for the Holy Spirit to come upon us.

This also fits with Roman culture, before an important person would arrive there would be a herald, someone to tell of the coming person. Just as Peter would be the herald to the Romans. Who was this herald that Peter was talking about? Let’s continue on:

Mark 1:4–5 NKJV

4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5 Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

Peter knew John the Baptist. His older brother Andrew was a disciple of him.

Was this any practice that the Jews ever did? When was the first recorded baptism in the Bible? In all of scripture? Baptism for the remission of sin?

Genesis 7. What happens in Genesis 7? The flood. Kids, what did Noah do while he was building the Ark? He told people, a flood is coming! Did anyone listen? Sin covered the whole earth, didn’t it? This is the first Baptism in the Bible. It’s symbolic of the Christian when we get Baptized, right?

All of our sin is washed away with the water, when we stand, we stand alone now. We are now the fish going against the stream, aren’t we? Baptism was foreign to the Jews. They would ritualistically clean themselves, dab here and there...but they would follow the law and take their sacrifices for temple, right? That covered their sins. That goat, or sheep, or dove would take away their sin for them. This was so foreign to them...who was this John guy?

What do you know about John the Baptist?

Mark 1:6–8 NKJV

6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. 8 I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Camel’s hair, leather belt, locusts and wild honey. This would make me uncomfortable. Camel hair is not soft, it’s prickley, would be like wearing a carpet. The leather belt had to be something strange too, but I couldn’t find anything specific on it. Locusts and wild honey. Gross.

John was to live a life that pointed to Elijah. John would refute that is who he was, but he was to be a reflection of him. What did God want people to do when they saw or encountered John? REMEMBER, right? Remember what you’ve been taught. Remember my promises. Look for Me!

This whole thing would be nonsense to everyone! Unless you were a disciple of John, you’d be out of the loop. These people, however, were being baptized and then following John. John was preparing to launch his disciples toward another man, a greater Man. The Man.

Mark 1:9–11 NKJV

9 It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. 11 Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

This man, Jesus, knew He had to be baptized by John the Baptist. Not to wash away His sins, but to be the symbol of the Baptism. A foreshadow of the grave that awaited, and the rising of the Messiah out of that grave conquering sin and death.

God gave a sign to the people that day, there were Pharisees present that day, other Gospel accounts say that John addressed them harshly that day. They would all see Jesus, the Son, the Holy Spirit descend upon Him, and the voice of the Father. No doubt this would shutter the heart of the people. It would terrify the religious leaders from that day foreward. Pride is a harsh mindset to hold onto though.

Something strange happened though right after this event, let’s read it and we’ll discuss:

Mark 1:12–13 NKJV

12 Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. 13 And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.

Who drove Jesus into the wilderness? The Spirit did. Why would the Spirit do that? That same thing happened to the Israelites in the Exodus, didn’t it? Who lead them around? The Spirit did? Why would the Spirit do this?

It did it for Jesus, because He had a task to complete. Hebrews says that Jesus was the last Adam. Sin entered the world thru one man, Adam. Eve was deceived, but Adam knew better. Adam, however, chose his wife over obedience to God. He decided to not correct her, but to accept the same punishment as her and be banished from the Garden forever.

Jesus needed to be lead into the wilderness because He needed to be tempted in all the ways we are tempted. Did you know He was faced with everything you are? Everything you struggle with, He conquered? He’s the only one who was strong enough to do that.

Mark here, also says angels ministered to Him in the wilderness when he was being attacked by the enemy. Which makes me think...what do you think they were thinking while Christ was being tried, beaten, and crucified? These mighty angels were held at bay. It wasn’t just humanity that witnessed Jesus’ death and resurrection, it was the spiritual realm also. Angels minister to us as we struggle in the wilderness also, did you know that? They do. We don’t ever know when we’re among them.

IMMEDIATELY after Jesus was baptized, the attacks started. Did that happen with you? With any of you? Ever wonder why, as you grow in faith and knowledge, that hardship after hardship keep coming to you? That your family seems to turn their backs on you? Fighting all the time? Spiritual battles are real, and they are essential to the Christian life. We need to learn how to fight right. We need to learn what to fight for, and who we’re fighting against.

Don’t neglect the work of the wilderness in your life. It’s where you’re made. It’s the forged fire. It’s the intended pressure. It’s the quenching water. It’s those things that make a sharp sword or a useful tool. Jesus didn’t have to be refined, He needed to endure. His endurance is the substance of our refinement. We are His workmanship, and He’s not done with any of us yet. For God’s sake, let the Lord work in your life.

Mark 1:14–20 NKJV

14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” 16 And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 They immediately left their nets and followed Him. 19 When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. 20 And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.

Open book question, how many chapters are in the book of Mark? 24. How many verses did the author of Mark declare the Gospel? 15 verses. The first verse, he tells you “I have good news.” He’s not speaking to Jews, but to Gentiles. Gentiles are people who weren’t Jews. Anyone who was not a jew was a Gentile. The Jews knew a Messiah was coming, and He would save them. They thought to save them from bondage of their oppressors. What they got wrong was that they were in bondage to THE OPPRESSOR! Their savior would save them from the consequence of their sin, the perfect lamb that would take away their sins.

What does that meant to the Roman, to the Pagan, to the Gentile, to the American? We don’t understand the concept of sin, do we? We in this room do, but this world doesn’t.

Did the author here need a big speech? A 3 point sermon? A list of do’s and don’ts? He will go on from here, but my point today is that our story before the cross took us time to get there. Every nitty gritty detail doesn’t need to be put on display to get to the point. When you have your encounter with Christ, that’s where our lives begin. What happened before that point has a place and a time. What matters is that the call was made to you, while you were doing your day-to-day events, and you heard His voice and followed Him.

Andrew, Peter, James and John didn’t stop fishing. Thruout the Gospels, they would still fish. They would use that practical knowledge to further the Gospel. Andrew knew John the Baptist. He had heard of what happened with Jesus. He played an important role, bringing Jesus’ 3 most trusted servants to meet the Messiah.

Andrew knew what it was like to be a disciple. Andrew recognized the Messiah. Andrew answered the call and brought his friends along with him. They were not educated, they were not important, they were obedient. Those 4 men would change the course of history with Jesus as their guide. They had a hunger to bring people to Jesus, to teach His principles everywhere they went.

They would all be lead by the Spirit into the wilderness. It would teach them how to endure, how to instruct, how to have compassion for the lost. Many of us have been thru the wilderness. Some of us are still there now. Stop fighting the wilderness and let it do it’s job. These men, when Jesus came to them, they were called to service. They were called to take on big tasks and there’s no doubt in my mind that it was stressful on them. I’m sure in those 3 short years, there was little rest. Constantly being asked to go here, do this, sit and pray, teach. Being uncomfortable is a big part of the Christian life.

Josh Brewer will be speaking to us next week about his story, and what Christ has done thru Him and why He wants to make Heaven crowded. Do you feel the same way? We were gifted a little church here. It’s your church, we want to serve you with it. We have a community around us though that is dying in their sin. If we’re going to reach them, it’s going to take you.

Your Word is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path...a light can do nothing but shine. If the Light is in us, why would we hide it? Faith without works is dead. If you have faith Jesus can save, why would you not want to serve?

A friend told me a story of a man who had stopped going to church for whatever reason. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a big chair near the fireplace and waited. The pastor made himself comfortable but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the play of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet fascination. As the one lone ember's flame diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and "dead as a doornail." Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. Just before the pastor was ready to leave, he picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it. As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said, "Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday."

Some of us, in this room, are those coals flickering, alone. In need of fellowship, discipleship. Some of the people in this community need the same thing. A hot coal to come alongside them and fan that flame back. This is not about church, it’s about the work of the church. It’s your work.

Jesus said it was His joy to endure the Cross for us. He worked hard for us, should we not work hard for Him? We have ministry coming up with Hills Alive. I encourage you to set aside your differences and setbacks and boldly step out and serve. As you drive out from here, drive around this neighborhood. Walk around if you like, and pray. Make your face known to the community here. Look for things we can do to serve them and be prepared to serve.

Some of us deal with church hurt. Believe me, I know that cuts deep. The enemy wins when we stay in our shells. We become callous and distant. Becoming fishers of men is the work of EVERY Christian. EVERY Follower. It’s not about our backstory, it’s about what our Savior has done with a wretch like you, and me. Let’s stand and pray as the worship team comes up.

John 13:31–35 NKJV

31 So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. 32 If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. 33 Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”