Today’s Message

Date:               January 22, 2006

Speaker:          Pastor Steven Thomas

Title:                The Beloved Son of God

Text:                Mark 1:9-13

9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, 13 and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

Introduction:  Mark finishes his prologue with the crisp brevity characteristic of his writing.  He introduces Jesus, the main character of his drama, at the inauguration of his public ministry.  Then he leaves the reader breathless as he quickly moves from Jesus’ baptism to a divine pronouncement and a wilderness trial.  He compresses these great scenes into five short verses, but in them he teaches us that:

Today’s take-home truth:  Jesus, God’s own Son, came to stand with us; and if he is for us, who can be against us?

At the beginning of his public ministry, Jesus was:

I.          Baptized by John.  9

A.        Through baptism, Jesus confirmed John’s message.

B.        Through baptism, Jesus identified with sinners.

II.        Affirmed by the Father.  10-11

A.        The heavens were “torn open,” identifying Jesus as God’s anointed one.

B.        The Spirit descended, empowering Jesus as God’s anointed one.

C.        A voice came from heaven, declaring Jesus to be God’s anointed one.

III.       Tempted (tested) by Satan.  12-13

A.        Jesus faced temptation for a divine purpose.

B.        Jesus faced temptation that was severe.

C.        Jesus faced temptation but emerged victorious.