The Heavens Opened - Mark 1:9 - 13

Introduction:

Illustration:

Have you ever pealed back something in order to reveal something else?

(a) a banana peel

(b) wall paper

(c) carpet with wood floors underneath

Years ago, when I was still the youth pastor, we were renovating an office, and when the carpet was peeled back, there was another color carpet underneath. It was red.

Whenever something is revealed, there is typically a response.

(a) a bruised banana - eat it or throw it out

(b) wallpaper - remove it or paint over it

(c) carpet - cover it or remove it

As we consider the passage before us, the heavens are going to be opened and there will be 4 distinct revelations. I am going to urge to you accept what is revealed and respond according.

Jesus Revealed [The Character & Nature of]

This Jesus came to submit himself to the baptism of John.

He is humble - This shows us something of the character and nature of Jesus.

He is faithful to the Father - This is a clear identification that his heart is towards God.

He is pleasing - The Father speaks in clear terms TO Jesus. The Trinity is in view here.

He is Spirit-controlled - The Spirit of God drives Jesus into the wilderness to be tested.

Does this not reveal to you what is the epitome of mankind? These are all qualities that we should have and must have.

Illustration:

When I was in college, I made a list on a 3 x 5 card of all of the things that I wanted in a wife, and I would pray for those things before bedtime each night. The list was posted right above my head, within the springs of the bed above me.

In like manner, here Mark lists some attributes about Jesus, and who can help but think that this is a perfect man and that he is divine, and something inside of us should draw us to say, “I want to be like Him!”

Application:

How many husbands could not benefit from have a spirit of humility?

How many wives could not benefit from Christlike submission?

How many teens could not benefit from seek to please the Father?

How many young couples could not benefit from seeking to be led by the Spirit of God?

Transition:

The character and nature of Jesus is revealed.

Why is the story telling us this about Jesus?

Man Revealed [The Character and Nature of]

What really is striking here is how these two particular activities of Jesus reveal the character and nature of man. In order to understand this, you must understand what Jesus is fulfilling and why these two activities are chosen.

Illustration:

Let’s imagine: if you were God and you wanted to prove something to mankind, how would you do it? Wouldn’t we be likely to choose things that are more eye-opening or cataclysmic? For example:

Why not some kind of worldwide devastation?

Why not send in an army of 10 foot angels?

Why not a worldwide earthquake?

Why choose (1) baptism (2) wilderness trial?

The reason this is what is chosen is because there is a greater fulfillment and Jesus is showing forth how He is accomplishing what man failed at in the past.

#1) Israel failed in spite of being God’s firstborn -

#2) Israel failed in spite of the Red Sea baptism - ,

#3) Israel failed in the midst of the wilderness temptation -

The coming of Jesus is a biblical fulfillment that reveals the failure of Israel, truly the failure of all man kind.

Illustration:

Over the course of our couple’s retreat, we enjoyed thoroughly the fellowship that we had. As Catrina and I were on our way home, we talked over how wonderful the unity was, and how we wished we could transplant that kind of happiness and unity back home — just take it back with us. What makes us consider this to be such a sweet time? Why do we think that what we experienced there was so much better than a typical day at home? It is not that we don’t have unity, but that what we experienced was taken up a notch. There were no people complaining. There were no disappointments. Things were just better.

In the same fashion, when Jesus Christ came, He is showing forth how much better he is than what had come before. In so doing, he is revealing the failure of mankind.

What exactly had Israel (and all mankind) failed in?

Perfect humility

Perfect faithfulness

Perfect pleasure of the Father

Perfect endurance in temptation

Application:

While it is good to be humble, faithful, pleasing, and persevering…none of us could do this sufficient for the Father.

We are selfish, unfaithful, self-seeking, temptation-loving sinners.

Romans 1:29–32 KJV 1900

Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

You may think that you have some resemblance of good in you, but when we see Jesus, we are made to admit that we are not good.

Romans 3:9–12 KJV 1900

What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Transition:

The baptism reveals the character and nature of Jesus

The baptism reveals the character and nature of mankind (his need)

God Revealed - v. 10 opened [The Character & Nature of]

In the Old Testament, the opening of the Heavens meant something specific -

In the New Testament, Mark connects the coming of Jesus with the “rending” of the heavens

In the New Testament, the same writer makes a point with the same word -

Illustration:

The Wild Boars team members, most of whom were not identified during Wednesday's interview, left soccer practice with their coach and entered the Tham Luang cave June 23 -- just before heavy rains flooded the caverns and cut off their way out.

Estimates that the group are around 1.2 miles into the cave and around 0.6 miles below the surface. But other estimates put the boys as far as 2.5 miles into the caves.

The boys said they took turns digging a cave wall, alternating shifts to find clear drinking water after they felt water coming from the walls inside the cavern.

After a 10 day search, divers found the group huddling on a spot of dry ground deep inside the cave. An international team of rescuers using diving equipment and pulleys were then able to extract the 12 boys and coach through a lengthy process that included traversing tight, flooded passageways. It took three days to get everyone to safety. [Fox News Reports]

After a 10 day search, divers found the group huddling on a spot of dry ground deep inside the cave. An international team of rescuers using diving equipment and pulleys were then able to extract the 12 boys and coach through a lengthy process that included traversing tight, flooded passageways. It took three days to get everyone to safety.

In like manner, the condition of mankind was such that he was trapped beneath the wrath of God — and rightfully so. Jesus Christ entered into our place, and it took Him 3 days to complete the destruction of death.

What’s the point?

God has brought his presence to us and made a way for us to go to Him. God is revealed in the person of Jesus Christ!

Holy Spirit Revealed [the character and nature]

Now, the Spirit of Christ resides in those who have Jesus.

We are led by the Spirit of God as Christ was led -

We cry to our Father in Heaven, as Jesus cried to His Father

This is all possible because of the torn veil - , ,

Ephesians 6:18 KJV 1900

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Transition:

Transition:

Jesus revealed

Man revealed

God revealed

Holy Spirit revealed

Conclusion:

So, do you want this standing with God? If you will bring pleasure to God, it does not begin with what you do, it begins with receiving the One who is the beloved Son.

C. I. Scofield

Many years ago in St. Louis, a lawyer visited a Christian to transact some business. Before the two parted, his client said to him, “I’ve often wanted to ask you a question, but I’ve been afraid to do so.”

“What do you want to know?” asked the lawyer.

The man replied, “I’ve wondered why you’re not a Christian.”

The man hung his head, “I know enough about the Bible to realize that it says no drunkard can enter the kingdom of God; and you know my weakness!”

“You’re avoiding my questions,” continued the believer.

“Well, truthfully, I can’t recall anyone ever explaining how to become a Christian.”

Picking up a Bible, the client read some passages showing that all are under condemnation, but that Christ came to save the lost by dying on the cross for their sins. “By receiving Him as your Substitute and Redeemer,” he said, “you can be forgiven. If you’re willing to receive Jesus, let’s pray together.”

The lawyer agreed, and when it was his turn he exclaimed, “O Jesus, I am a slave to drink. One of your servants has shown me how to be saved. O God, forgive my sins and help me overcome the power of this terrible habit in my life.” Right there he was converted.

That lawyer was C. I. Scofield, who later edited the reference Bible that bears his name.

Source unknown

Galaxie Software. (2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.

In similar fashion, maybe you’re waiting on someone to ask you. Won’t you come today?

Christian,

Now that you have this standing with God, how is your life characterized? What nature and character do you now reveal?

Some of you reveal a character of pride rather than of humility. You are not submitted to God’s Spirit in this matter.

Some of you reveal unfaithfulness rather than faithfulness. You are devoting yourselves to idols -

Some of you live as though you could never please God. You are not believing the standing you have in Christ.

Some of you live under constant temptation, never taking the way of escape.

Won’t you confess your sins today, and trust the power of God to guide you in these matters?