TEXT: Mark 1:6-15
READING: Matthew 4:1-17
SUBJ: The entrance of Christ into His earthly ministry and the simple message with which He began.
AIM: To encourage the remembrance of simple truths and a faith based on them.
INTR: The thought of a Kingdom of God is in itself good news. We would attempt to review and relate to this basic account.
1. Consider that Mark refers to these events including John the Baptist as the beginning of the Gospel. In the unfolding of the New Testament Scripture the Gospel is fully revealed.
2. This account is briefer than that of Matthew. This text reveals the basics that thread through Matthew’s account as well.
3. We would see in this message, God willing, the beginning of the Gospel to us in its message and its method with the intent that we might be better equipped to present it to others.
THESIS: That basic message of Christ remains unchanged. Men must repent and believe the good news of the Kingdom of God and believe in it. And we cannot believe in the Kingdom if we do not believe the King.
I. The Introduction of Christ in the beginning (vv. 9-11)
1. We consider first, John the Baptist, his ministry, his message, and his recognition of Jesus.
2. This was not the introduction of Messiah that Israel had expected and that was of purpose.
3. Consider that the Holy Trinity is manifested here together showing their purpose in the plan of salvation.
4. The ultimate introduction and declaration come from the Father: “Thou art my beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased.”
1) The commendation/presentation: S.F. Psalms 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
2) All other approvals are subject to this one. No one is approved of God except through Christ our Lord.
5. The objection of John the Baptist answered as an explanation of why He was being baptized.
II. The Preparation (vv 12-13)
1. Why would we use the word “preparation?” In the same sense that His baptism showed His identity with us the temptation prepared Him for all that was to follow.
2. The same Spirit that descended now leads Christ into the wilderness.
3. Consider the stones, the pinnacle, and the kingdoms of this world. Christ will declare a Kingdom that subjects all the kingdoms of this world.
4. The reality of this fast and the temptation and the victory there. And the Angels ministered to Him. It was all for believers.
III. The initial message (vv. 14-15)
1. It is interesting to note that He begins when the John the Baptist is taken off the scene.
2. The time is fulfilled: the finality of an old kingdom set aside and a New and better one to be put in its place
1) Consider the offer of Satan in the wilderness (which would have left Satan in charge and that could not be)
2) Those things that men submit to and
3) Those things that they lay claim to (the kingdom of the heart).
3. The face-to-face message of Christ our Lord
1) The Word of God makes it “face to face.”
2) Repent! A change concerning self that is effected when one sees that it is the Lord who commands it.
3) Believe! Not just to believe it is so, but to believe in it to the saving of our souls.
4) The Gospel! Christ is the embodiment of the Gospel. His appearing is declared to Jew and gentile alike is the good news of a final redemption.
i. The Kingdom is at hand – good news
ii. From His appearance to: 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
iii. From Acts 17:30 to Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
5) And the Good News Just Keeps coming.
