Jesus is God’s plan for the World

Jesus is God’s plan for the world and we get to make him known. (Mark 1:1-11)

Introduction to Mark

Mark was a coward and he gave up in the past but God still used him.

Application: Are we much different? How to share Jesus with others (v1-3)

is the beginning of Good news

He is the true glad tidings we have been waiting for. He is the true fulfillment of the Prophets. Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God

Application: this is the simple message we share, and it works.

Possible Jehovah’s Witness evangelism tool here, as well as Jewish tool and spiritual neighbor tool. John is like you and me (V6-7)

He was a bit strange. He was possibly formally aligned with a group of zealots who lived in the wilderness. He had taken a nazarite vow.

Application: We are very much the same kind of people but if John can do it, so can you. John’s ministry and ours’ (V4-8)

John’s baptism and call to repentance did not remove sin, but faith in God did. This baptism was unusual because Jews where doing it, being God’s people they had reserved this for Non-Jewish believers John’s ministry pointed to Jesus.

Application: A great method for those who are lost, tell them they are in sin, and that sin leads to death. All they need to do is believe that belief will lead to a repentance of their sin and then tell them to get baptized to obey God. Jesus was baptized because he came to identity with you and me. (Matt 3:13-17)

Baptism was a picture of his death and resurrection It Prefigured the importance of Christian Baptism Baptism marked his public identification with those whose sins he would bear. It was a public affirmation of his Messiahship (Matt 3:17, Mark 1:11)

Application: Jesus also showed his gospel in the small act that he did, when we do likewise in baptism and sharing the faith God will do big things.