Introducing The Servant.
Title: Introducing the Servant
Text: Mark 1:1-8.
CIT: Jesus (the servant) is introduced, along with John.
Theme: Introducing you to Jesus.
Purpose: Salvation/Discipleship.
Introduction
An unbelieving lecturer gave people an opportunity to reply after his speech, and he was expecting that some rashly zealous young men would rise to argue for Christianity, which he was quite prepared, by hook or by crook, to battle with or laugh down.
Instead, an old lady carrying a basket, wearing an ancient bonnet, and dressed in a fashion that marked both her age and her poverty, came up on the platform. She began by saying, “I paid to hear of something better than Jesus Christ, and I have not heard it. Now, let me tell you what Christ has done for me. I have been a widow thirty years, and I was left with ten children. I trusted Jesus in the depth of poverty, and he comforted me, and helped me to bring up my children. The Lord has been there every time I needed Him.”
This little old lady spoke from experience and introduced Jesus to the unbeliever and his audience. Like her, Mark is speaking from his personal experience and that of Peter as he introduces us to Jesus, the Servant Messiah. I want us to see three major thoughts, as we examine our scriptures. First,
I. The Introduction of the Servant Messiah (Mark 1:1).
"The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God."
In this verse, Mark tells us how it all began. Have you noticed that each gospel writer starts at a different point in the gospel story?
Matthew: Matthew begins with the ancestry and birth of long awaited Messiah.
Luke: Luke begins with the birth of John the Baptist.
John: John goes back before the beginning of time.
Mark: Mark’s beginning is at the ministry of John the Baptist.
This is a point later than all the other gospels writers. As we read this verse, it is important to see:
A. The Servant’s Testimony.
The Message was the “gospel” “the good news.” The word Mark uses here is “euangelion.” This word was in common use in the first century for “good news” of any kind. The Romans used this word to proclaim the accession of a new Roman emperor. The Holy Spirit appropriates this word to announce that the long awaited Savior had come. This was indeed “good news.” Why? Because the Savior would be both Sovereign or King and Servant.
B. The Servant’s Title.
Mark gives the long awaited Messiah a proper title — “Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Look first at the word Jesus. It is a transliteration of the Hebrew word “Jehoshua” which means “Jehovah saves.” Second, find the word “Christ.” This is a transliteration of a Greek word which means “Anointed One.”
In the first name we have the deity, humanity, and atonement of our Lord, in the second, the fact that He is the Anointed of God, Israel’s Messiah.
Israel needed some “good news.” For four hundred years God had been silent. These had been terrible years. The Promise Land had dwindled in size and importance. It was nothing more than a small and despised province in a vast alien empire. The land was ruled from of all places Caesarea, a Gentile city and its ruler was a pagan. This had been all bad news to the Israelites.
“Good news” had come at last. The Messiah was on His way. God had invaded planet earth and things would never be the same.
We live in a world of bad news, Mark has some “good news” for us today. God has invaded the planet earth and if you turn from sin and self and receive His Son, Jesus Christ, you will never be the same. Second, I want you to see:
II. The Introduction of the Servant’s Messenger (Mark 1:2-6).
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, Who will prepare Your way;
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight.’”
John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey.
A. The Person of the Messenger.
John the Baptist was born to be a priest and was the son of Zacharias and Elizabeth. Early in his life, spurred most likely by the wonderful circumstances of his birth and the leadership of the Holy Spirit, John decided that what Israel needed was not another priest after the order of Aaron but another prophet after the order of Elijah.
John became what the prophets called “the voice of one crying in the wilderness.” He wore clothing of “camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.” John was not a person to seek out the cities, rather, he sought out the solitary places that were off the beating path. He hung out around the river.
That’s who John was. Now, lets look at:
B. The Preaching of the Messenger.
John’s call to action was “Prepare
. . . prepare.” This word was used in the papyri with reference to the visits of a Roman officials. This verb means, “to furnish, equip, prepare, make ready.” The Israelites were to “get ready” and “make His paths straight.”
The roads in Israel were normally winding, twisting, and steep. Like the roads, the hearts of Israel were twisted and often filled with the ups and downs of life. John was saying, “straighten the roads to your heart and level them out so it will be easy for the Messiah to come in.” “How do you do that?” The folks would ask, and John would reply,
“Repent and be baptized for the remission of sin.”
John told them to clear away all moral, religious and ethical obstacles that might hinder the King of glory from coming. John had a high and holy mission.
Preaching hasn’t changed much but the message is somewhat different. There is still the preaching of repentance, turning from sin and self to Christ. But, there is also a receiving. When you receive Christ, you are literally “Born Again.”
Then, the goal of life is to become a Christian. You might say, “Hold on there preacher, once you accept Christ you become a Christian.” No, you become “Born again.” The word “Christian” means to be Christ like. Many folks are “Born again” but make no effort to be like Christ. Christ wants us all to be “Born again” and all to disciple our lives to become Christians. Are you “Born again this morning? Are you discipling your life to be like Christ and be a Christian?” The preaching of the Messenger. Next,
C. The Popularity of the Messenger
John preached and the people came. The rich, the poor, the learned and the unlearned, the cultured and the common people, they all came. Many were convicted of their sins and joined those who were waiting and watching for the Messiah.
Jesus has come and we have the record of that in the Bible. Because He has come, salvation is available to all who would believe. Something else, the Bible informs us He is coming again. Are you ready? What if it were today, are you ready? The popularity of the messenger. Last, see,
D. The Promise of the Messenger.
John said, “There is a greater one coming, I am not Him! I am not even worthy to stoop down and untie His shoes.” John promised something greater. A greater messenger, a greater message, a greater baptism. The messenger was Jesus, the message was one of repentance, grace, mercy, and love. The baptism was of the Holy Spirit and regeneration. Those who believed became new creatures.
Conclusion
The Messiah and His message has never changed. God is still in the business of forgiving sin, regeneration, and adoption of sinners into the family of God. How about you this morning, “Are you Born Again?” If not why not? Do folks look at you and say, “He or she is like Christ, a Christian?” Isn’t it time that you started being the Christian God has always wanted you to be? Are you a member of the local militia for Christ, the church? If not, I want to invite you to come this morning and join up. The battle is raging and God is looking for a few good folks to join the battle right here in Wilson, AR.
Invitation
In a moment we will be singing a song of invitation, it is your invitation to come as God give you leadership and strength to come. Won’t you come as we sing?
FBC, Wilson, AR 08/21/05