Becoming a Stronger Disciple

Mark 1:1-8

WHERE A DISCIPLE STARTS

The life of a disciple begins with the Gospel.

(Mark 1:1-8) The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way” “a voice of one calling in the desert ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside & all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: “After me will come One more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

1. The PROPHECY of the Gospel

(2-3) I will send my messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way – a voice of one calling in the desert, “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.”

A. This 700-year old prophecy describes John the Baptist announcing the coming of Jesus.

B. There are 300 Old Testament messianic prophecies fulfilled by Jesus.

C. Chance of Jesus fulfilling 60 of them – 1 / 1 (895 zeros)

D. Chance of Jesus fulfilling 40 of them – 1 / 1 (157 zeros)

E. Chance of Jesus fulfilling 8 of them – 1 / 1 (17 zeros)

F. If I want to be a strong disciple I need to embrace the miraculous prophecy of the Gospel.

2. The PREACHING of the Gospel

(4-5) “And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.”

A. ADMIT sinfulness. (confess)

B. ADJUST lifestyle. (repent)

C. ACCEPT forgiveness.

D. ANNOUNCE publicly. (baptized)

3. The PERSON of the Gospel

(3) “Prepare the way for THE LORD, make straight paths FOR HIM.”

(7-8) “After me will come One more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

A. Being baptized with water symbolized being baptized with the Holy Spirit.

B. Ultimately, I begin my life as a disciple only after the Holy Spirit moves into me.