The gospel is not just about being washed clean; it’s about being made new, empowered by the Holy Spirit’s personal presence within us.
Sermon Title: CLEARING THE WAY FOR JESUS
Sermon Text: MARK 1:1-8 (ESV)
Sermon Series: THE KING HAS COME: THE START OF SOMETHING NEW
By: PTR NESTOR SY
Sermon Notes:
MARK 1:1-8 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.”
I. The Proclamation
gospel | Greek: euaggelion
eu, (good” or “well”) + angelos (messenger” or “message“)
Christ | Greek: Christos
“Messiah, Anointed One”
Mark’s message is clear: The arrival of Jesus is the best news humanity has ever received.
“The gospel is not just the ABCs of Christianity, but the A to Z of Christianity.”
Tim Keller
We must see the gospel as far more than an introduction. It’s not just the foundation of our faith; it’s the framework for everything we do as followers of Christ.
II. The Preparation
John the Baptist’s role was not to be the focus, but to point others to Jesus.
LUKE 1:16-17 ESV
16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
2 KINGS 1:8 ESV
8 They answered him, “He wore a garment of hair, with a belt of leather about his waist.” And he said, “It is Elijah the Tishbite.”
What needs to be cleared away in our hearts so that we can receive the full work of God?
Self-reflection is not about self-condemnation but about humbly recognizing our need for God’s ongoing work in our lives.
III. The Power
1 CORINTHIANS 1:17 ESV
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
ROMANS 8:11 ESV
11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
ROMANS 8:14-16 ESV
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God
We don’t just depend on the Spirit for specific tasks; we walk with him every moment of our lives.
The gospel is not just about being washed clean; it’s about being made new, empowered by the Holy Spirit’s personal presence within us.