Committed to passionately. . .Live like Jesus lived,

Do what Jesus did, andAdvance His kingdom

together.

MARK’S GOSPELTHE SIMPLICITY AND POWER OF JESUS

IntroductionMark the PersonMark’s Gospel

SUMMARY: Jesus’ life is presented in simplicity and power

The Gospel IntroducedMark 1:1 (ESV) The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Gospel• NT euangelion – “good news”• OT besorah – “news” (favorable,

good)

Jesus – Jehovah who SavesChrist – the Anointed One, MessiahSon of God

John the Baptist Prophesied

Mark 1:2–3 (ESV) As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, 3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ ”

John’s Character, Work, and Message

Mark 1:4–8 (ESV) John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 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. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 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. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

John’s Character, Work, and Message

John’s Environment – Judean Wilderness

John’s Character, Work, and Message

John’s Environment – Judean WildernessJohn’s Ministry – message and baptism of repentance

John’s Character, Work, and Message

John’s Environment – Judean WildernessJohn’s Ministry – message and baptism of repentanceJohn’s Person – humility and set apart life to God

Hebrews 11:24–26 (NLT) It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward.

John’s Character, Work, and Message

John’s Environment – Judean WildernessJohn’s Ministry – message and baptism of repentanceJohn’s Person – humility and set apart life to God• John’s life-style was a protest against

godless and self-serving materialism of his day.• John was fearless in his life and message.• John in humility was without selfish

ambition.• John was totally devoted to God and His

Kingdom.

John’s Character, Work, and Message

John’s Environment – Judean WildernessJohn’s Ministry – message and baptism of repentanceJohn’s Person – humility and set apart life to GodJohn’s Message. . .• was a straight-forward and uncompromising

call to repentance from sin resulting in a demonstration of baptism.• pointed to Jesus and promised a second

baptism by Him with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus’ Baptism

Mark 1:9–11 (ESV) In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Jesus’ BaptismThe heavens were torn open . . .• The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus

Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with theHoly Spirit and power, and how He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil. . .• God the Father audibly spoke

Why was Jesus baptized?• To associate with sinful people . . . to place

Himself among guilty sinners.• He was baptized not for His guilt but for

ours.

Applied

1. John lived in significance and security in God’s purpose for Him.

2. John lived in humility in God’s purpose for him.

3. John lived in light of eternity in God’s purpose for him.

4. John’s was a life of true righteousness.

Committed to passionately. . .Live like Jesus lived,

Do what Jesus did, andAdvance His kingdom

together.