Mark 1:9-20 - Christ's Ministry Begins

Opening Prayer

Theme: Mark 10:45

English Standard Version Chapter 10

45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Review:

Mark 1:1–8 ESV

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ ” John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus: Son of God

John the Baptist, the Forerunner

Message: Repent for the forgiveness of sins

Prepare for the Messiah and the Holy Spirit

Judea

Overview of Mark 1:9-20

Borrowed from J.C. Ryle - Expository Thoughts on he Gospels

As we discussed last week, the first part of Jesus’ ministry was to establish who He was - the Son of God who came to take away the sins of His people

This passage is packed with information about Jesus early ministry, quickly reporting on His baptism, His temptation in the wilderness, the beginning of His preaching and the calling of His first disciples - all in eleven verses.

The Sea of Galilee

Jesus’ Baptism, vv 9,10

Jesus did not have any sins to repent of or to be saved from - He was sinless

This we must do to fulfill all righteousness - His baptism was an example to us, and a lesson on salvation

The Voice from Heaven, v. 11-“There came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Ryle, J. C. (1859). Expository Thoughts on Mark (p. 6). London: William Hunt.The Nature of Christ’s Preaching, vv 14, 15

Voice was from God, the Father - declared the Father’s love for the Son

“The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand.” (John 3:35)

Ryle, J. C. (1859). Expository Thoughts on Mark (p. 7). London: William Hunt.

God declares His support for the Son in His mission to seek and save the lost

God the Father stands solidly behind His son, as Mediator, Substitutionary sacrifice, and His role as the guarantee of the New Covenant (the Covenant of faith)

We should be strongly comforted by these words:

In ourselves, we cannot please God, because of our sins

We are weak and far from perfect

God considers us part of the body of Christ, so He overlooks our faults and shortcomings and gives us credit for Christ’s goodness and merit

God accepts us in Christ, otherwise we would be rejected and condemned. Because of what Christ did, He is well pleased in us.’

Christ’s message: Repent ye and Believe the Gospel

From Noah to the present day, godly preachers have worked hard to preach this same message

Apostle Paul told the Ephesian elders to preach: “repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 20:21). Paul followed the example set by Jesus

Ryle, J. C. (1859). Expository Thoughts on Mark (p. 7). London: William Hunt.Jesus’ First Disciples, vv 17-20

Repentance and faith are the foundation of Christ’s ministry and must the the foundation of all ministries

This should be no surprise to us:

We are by nature children of wrath and need to repent, be born again and saved

Because we cannot help but sin, we need to repent daily

Do we understand our sins and seek to forsake them?

Do we believe in Christ?

We don’t need riches, , health, greatness or education to get into heaven - attending church and seeking forgiveness from a priest wont get us there either

We do need repentance and faith, a new heart and faith in Jesus, as our redeemer

The Office of the First Disciples - Fishers of men, v 17

They were fisherman. Theyswere not rich, or famous. Jesus saw their hearts, just as the Lord saw David’s heart when he was still just a shepherd

It is not the power of men that advances the Kingdom of God, but the power of the Spirit“not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” (Zech. 4:6.)

Ryle, J. C. (1859). Expository Thoughts on Mark (p. 9). London: William Hunt.

“Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” (1 Cor. 1:26, 27.)

Ryle, J. C. (1859). Expository Thoughts on Mark (p. 9). London: William Hunt.Capernaum

Nothing disgraceful about being poor/working with your hands

Moses was keeping sheep, when God appeared to him in the burning bush. Gideon was thrashing wheat, when the angel brought him a message from heaven. Elisha was ploughing, when Elijah called him to be prophet in his stead.

Ryle, J. C. (1859). Expository Thoughts on Mark (p. 9). London: William Hunt.

It is disgraceful to be covetous, or proud, or a cheat, or a gambler, or a drunkard, or a glutton, or unclean. But it is no disgrace to be poor.

Jesus promised to make them fishers of men

Fishers for souls - draw from darkness to light, from power of Satan

We are all called to this office - pray for opportunity

Conclusions

This text is packed with instruction

Jesus begins immediately by showing us and instructing us on how we should follow Him

This is what repenting is all about, turning from our life of sin and turning to our Saviour, and to a life pursuing righteousness

Christ does not seek those who are good enough, smart enough, righteous enough, rich enough, important enough, or religious enough - He seeks those who are ashamed of their sin and want to follow the path of righteousness

Questions/Discussion

Prayer