The Incomparably Great News
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Behold the Glory of God
Mark 1:1-13 (ESV)
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 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,’”
4 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.”
9 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.”
12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.
Sermon Outline
Mark begins his message about Jesus by signaling the incomparable greatness of the one we will be reading about (v7).
1. The Greater Message
v1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2. The Greater Witness
v2 “As it is written in Isaiah the prophet…”
v7 “After me comes he who is mightier than I…”
v11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
v13 “the angels were ministering to him.”
3. The Greater Work
v10 “he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.”
v12 “The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.”
v8 “I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Prayer of Confession
Our great God, we are not worthy to come before you, yet you invite us to. We come humbly admitting we need forgiveness. We barely grasp how great you are. We set our hopes and aspirations on the things of this world, not on you. We have become so focused on what is seen that we fail to discern your presence. We are slow to believe the Scriptures. We recognize Jesus came to rescue us because our need is great and we are unable to save ourselves. Forgive all of our sins. May the gracious working of your Spirit cleanse us and show us your glory in the face of Christ. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What is “the gospel”? Why is it important to stay focused on the person of Jesus?
If you will be attending Emmanuel throughout the Mark sermon series, what are some things you hope to gain from this study in Mark? What questions do you have? What interests you? What do you feel like you need right now?
Why is it necessary to have numerous people who bear witness to God and His actions in history? What if we only had one? Do you see Jesus as creating coherence between the various writers/books of the Bible? Does it all make sense and tell one story?
John says the one he is preparing the way for is incomparably greater than he is. What are some things that make Jesus uniquely great?
What difficulties do you have seeing the greatness of Jesus?
What is the significance of the contrast of John baptizing with water, but Jesus baptizing with the Holy Spirit?
How does an egotistical desire for greatness undermine our own happiness?
What is it about Jesus that produces humble confidence in his followers?
What is one aspect of Jesus in this passage where you something of God’s glory? How can you “behold” that this week?