November 3, 2024
Paving the Way for Christ #
Mark 1:5-8
I. The Multitude – (5) #
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People are essential to ministry, you cannot minister to people you do not have.
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People are not central goal of the ministry!
- We do not compromise truth to get people in or to keep people in
A. Coming from #
1. Judaea - was the area surrounding Jerusalem. #
- Word spread, and people traveled.
- Travel was not easy in Bible times... they did.
2. Jerusalem - #
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
3. We are responsible to get the Gospel to our Jerusalem, Judaea, and Samaria, Massillon, Stark County, Ohio, and the entire world! #
B. Coming for #
1. Preaching (truth) (4) #
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John didn't hold a music concert to draw people in
- Is it wrong to have events so people come and we preach? No, but our main thing is to be
2. Confessing their sins 4, 5 #
3. Baptism 4, 5 -- Stirring of God #
Matt. 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
II. The Man (6) #
- God uses people to reach people!
- You (as a person) are useful to God! - Never underestimate that!
A. Clothing #
1. Statement of clothes #
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There is mention of John's dress, because it stood out.
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The Clothes you wear, speak about who you are.
- Uniform... policeman, military, nurse, firefighter,
2. John's dress was Old School #
- Old time prophet of God!
2Kings 1:7 And he said unto them, What manner of man was he which came up to meet you, and told you these words? 8 And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.
3. What does your appearance say about you? #
- We live in a perverse society, popularity, accentuate the sensual.
- As Christians, we are not to draw the attention of sensual. - Ladies - caution, God made you attractive to men, you don't need to highlight that.
1Pet. 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
B. Consumption #
- Locusts, much like grasshoppers
1. Simple man - didn't need sophisticated. #
2. Strong man - wilderness #
3. Sincere man - #
III. The Message (7) #
- John's message was not about his church, building, people, activities, etc.
- From the pastor to the pew, the message is the same
A. Christ #
1. Superiority of Christ "mightier than I" #
- Jesus must be the primary focus of our message
- Jesus must be exalted in our message
2. Saving power of Christ! #
- It is not about what we can do for you, it is about what Christ can do for you!
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
B. Confession of sin #
1. Sin must be confessed to God! #
Rom. 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
2. Same message Christ commissioned his disciples #
Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
C. Change - repentance #
1. Repentance - not a desire to continue in that sin #
- repentance - Bible repentance means a turning to God and a change of mind toward God that results in a change of life