1 00:00:00,340 –> 00:00:03,640 Well please have your Bible open at Mark chapter 1 2 00:00:03,640 –> 00:00:05,860 as we begin this journey together 3 00:00:05,860 –> 00:00:10,260 that we’ve called the Gospel According to Jesus. 4 00:00:10,260 –> 00:00:12,160 Now it’s Mark’s style 5 00:00:12,160 –> 00:00:15,320 that he likes to get straight into the action. 6 00:00:15,320 –> 00:00:18,120 No background stuff, introductions, 7 00:00:18,120 –> 00:00:20,760 he wants to get on with it straight away. 8 00:00:20,760 –> 00:00:24,040 I picture in my mind that if Mark was a golfer, 9 00:00:24,040 –> 00:00:26,180 he’s the kind of guy that would put the T in the ground, 10 00:00:26,180 –> 00:00:27,980 the ball and the T stand up, take one look, 11 00:00:27,980 –> 00:00:29,559 and he’d hit it straight down the fairway. 12 00:00:30,219 –> 00:00:32,200 None of this standing for five minutes, 13 00:00:32,200 –> 00:00:33,980 kind of lining the thing up, 14 00:00:33,980 –> 00:00:36,560 and faking the shot, and all the rest of it. 15 00:00:36,560 –> 00:00:38,939 Mark likes to get straight to it. 16 00:00:38,939 –> 00:00:42,020 So I have reckoned that if Mark doesn’t need 17 00:00:42,020 –> 00:00:44,259 some long introduction to get started, 18 00:00:44,259 –> 00:00:46,020 I shouldn’t need that either, 19 00:00:46,020 –> 00:00:47,779 and that we should jump in straight away 20 00:00:47,779 –> 00:00:49,959 and do what Mark does and get on with it. 21 00:00:49,959 –> 00:00:51,840 Now notice where he begins. 22 00:00:51,840 –> 00:00:54,060 He wants us to know 23 00:00:54,060 –> 00:00:58,900 the beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, 24 00:00:58,900 –> 00:01:00,720 the Son of God. 25 00:01:00,720 –> 00:01:03,099 Now, straight away in the first sentence, 26 00:01:03,099 –> 00:01:06,919 Mark is taking us to two of the most important questions 27 00:01:06,919 –> 00:01:09,940 a person can ever ask. 28 00:01:09,940 –> 00:01:12,339 One is, who is Jesus? 29 00:01:12,339 –> 00:01:15,980 And the other, what is the gospel? 30 00:01:15,980 –> 00:01:17,680 Two of the most important questions 31 00:01:17,680 –> 00:01:20,260 that you or I could ever ask. 32 00:01:20,260 –> 00:01:22,400 And in a sense, the whole of Mark’s gospel 33 00:01:22,400 –> 00:01:25,059 is really taken up with answering these two questions, 34 00:01:25,059 –> 00:01:27,660 who is Jesus, what is the gospel? 35 00:01:27,660 –> 00:01:29,660 And Mark certainly has no intention 36 00:01:29,660 –> 00:01:32,260 of letting us wait until the end of the book. 37 00:01:32,260 –> 00:01:35,699 He gets straight into it and goes for it straight away. 38 00:01:35,699 –> 00:01:38,500 So these are the questions that are before us today. 39 00:01:38,500 –> 00:01:40,019 And we’re going to see how Mark 40 00:01:40,019 –> 00:01:43,099 answers these questions for us. 41 00:01:43,099 –> 00:01:46,680 Number one, then, who is Jesus? 42 00:01:46,680 –> 00:01:48,120 I want you to notice that Mark gives 43 00:01:48,120 –> 00:01:50,459 two answers to that question. 44 00:01:50,459 –> 00:01:55,459 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, 45 00:01:55,940 –> 00:01:57,699 the Son of God. 46 00:01:57,699 –> 00:01:59,580 So his first answer is, I want you to know, 47 00:01:59,580 –> 00:02:03,260 he’s saying, that Jesus is the Christ. 48 00:02:03,260 –> 00:02:05,500 Jesus Christ. 49 00:02:05,500 –> 00:02:08,860 Now, Jesus was a common name, 50 00:02:08,860 –> 00:02:12,020 in fact, quite commonly used among the Jews 51 00:02:12,020 –> 00:02:14,740 until about the beginning of the second century. 52 00:02:14,740 –> 00:02:16,720 Personal name, Jesus. 53 00:02:16,720 –> 00:02:18,539 Christ is different. 54 00:02:18,539 –> 00:02:19,940 Christ is a title. 55 00:02:19,940 –> 00:02:21,619 It isn’t a person’s name. 56 00:02:21,619 –> 00:02:24,339 It is a title that tells you what this particular 57 00:02:24,360 –> 00:02:26,779 person came into the world to do. 58 00:02:26,779 –> 00:02:27,899 So if you think of it this way, 59 00:02:27,899 –> 00:02:30,399 we might talk about Dave the Plumber, 60 00:02:30,399 –> 00:02:33,240 or we might talk about Dian the Teacher. 61 00:02:33,240 –> 00:02:35,279 One is a name and the other is a description 62 00:02:35,279 –> 00:02:36,740 of what the person does. 63 00:02:36,740 –> 00:02:38,919 When we say, Jesus Christ, 64 00:02:38,919 –> 00:02:40,979 Jesus as a name, Christ, 65 00:02:40,979 –> 00:02:43,820 is a description of what this person does. 66 00:02:43,820 –> 00:02:45,619 And the word Christ simply means, 67 00:02:45,619 –> 00:02:48,580 Messiah, or it means, Deliverer. 68 00:02:48,580 –> 00:02:50,220 We could put it this way, 69 00:02:50,220 –> 00:02:52,339 the one who has come into the world 70 00:02:52,339 –> 00:02:53,800 to confront what is wrong, 71 00:02:53,919 –> 00:02:55,899 and put it right. 72 00:02:55,899 –> 00:02:57,820 Jesus is the Christ, 73 00:02:57,820 –> 00:02:59,440 Jesus is the one who has come 74 00:02:59,440 –> 00:03:00,679 to confront what is wrong, 75 00:03:00,679 –> 00:03:01,520 to put it right, 76 00:03:01,520 –> 00:03:02,880 Jesus is the Messiah, 77 00:03:02,880 –> 00:03:05,539 Jesus is the Deliverer. 78 00:03:05,539 –> 00:03:08,600 Now the whole of the Old Testament 79 00:03:08,600 –> 00:03:12,419 tells us about the great human disaster, 80 00:03:12,419 –> 00:03:15,240 how our sinfulness has fouled up God’s world 81 00:03:15,240 –> 00:03:18,080 and keeps on doing it. 82 00:03:18,080 –> 00:03:19,820 And if any of us has the idea 83 00:03:19,820 –> 00:03:21,020 that in some way we’re able 84 00:03:21,020 –> 00:03:22,380 to make this world right 85 00:03:22,380 –> 00:03:24,100 in this generation 86 00:03:24,100 –> 00:03:26,220 at the beginning of a new millennium, 87 00:03:26,220 –> 00:03:28,059 frankly thousands of years 88 00:03:28,059 –> 00:03:29,779 of human experience recorded 89 00:03:29,779 –> 00:03:30,679 in the Old Testament 90 00:03:30,679 –> 00:03:32,539 just blow that apart. 91 00:03:32,539 –> 00:03:33,419 We’ve never been able 92 00:03:33,419 –> 00:03:34,419 to put the world right 93 00:03:34,419 –> 00:03:36,220 in all of human history. 94 00:03:36,220 –> 00:03:37,820 And the Old Testament records that. 95 00:03:37,820 –> 00:03:39,440 If anyone has the idea 96 00:03:39,440 –> 00:03:42,559 that in some way you have the capacity 97 00:03:42,559 –> 00:03:44,199 or any of us has the capacity 98 00:03:44,199 –> 00:03:45,460 to become the person 99 00:03:45,460 –> 00:03:47,000 that God calls us to be, 100 00:03:47,000 –> 00:03:48,820 well again, thousands of years 101 00:03:48,860 –> 00:03:50,100 of Old Testament history 102 00:03:50,100 –> 00:03:51,520 blow that apart. 103 00:03:51,520 –> 00:03:53,300 Human experiences 104 00:03:53,300 –> 00:03:56,460 that it simply does not happen. 105 00:03:56,460 –> 00:03:58,320 But in that story 106 00:03:58,320 –> 00:03:59,880 of the great human disaster 107 00:03:59,880 –> 00:04:03,039 God has made a wonderful promise. 108 00:04:03,039 –> 00:04:04,580 God has said and this is repeated 109 00:04:04,580 –> 00:04:05,199 throughout the whole 110 00:04:05,199 –> 00:04:07,660 of the Old Testament, 111 00:04:07,660 –> 00:04:10,179 I will send a Deliverer. 112 00:04:10,179 –> 00:04:12,460 Messiah will come. 113 00:04:12,460 –> 00:04:14,679 My servant will come. 114 00:04:14,679 –> 00:04:17,359 A savior will come. 115 00:04:17,359 –> 00:04:18,720 And mark right at the beginning 116 00:04:18,760 –> 00:04:20,899 of His Gospel is saying 117 00:04:20,899 –> 00:04:22,459 he has come. 118 00:04:22,459 –> 00:04:23,880 Christ has come 119 00:04:23,880 –> 00:04:25,679 and His name is Jesus. 120 00:04:25,679 –> 00:04:30,540 Jesus is the Christ. 121 00:04:30,540 –> 00:04:31,959 By the way if you ever hear 122 00:04:31,959 –> 00:04:32,839 someone saying 123 00:04:32,839 –> 00:04:33,980 in a fit of temper 124 00:04:33,980 –> 00:04:35,040 or frustration 125 00:04:35,040 –> 00:04:36,500 they blaspheme the name of Jesus 126 00:04:36,500 –> 00:04:38,899 and they say oh Jesus Christ, 127 00:04:38,899 –> 00:04:41,380 you might like to say to them 128 00:04:41,380 –> 00:04:43,980 do you know what you just said? 129 00:04:43,980 –> 00:04:45,019 You just confess 130 00:04:45,019 –> 00:04:47,480 that Jesus is the Promised Deliverer 131 00:04:47,480 –> 00:04:48,239 because that’s what it means 132 00:04:48,239 –> 00:04:48,579 isn’t it? 133 00:04:49,339 –> 00:04:51,179 He’s the name Jesus Christ 134 00:04:51,179 –> 00:04:52,640 and you might like to say to them 135 00:04:52,640 –> 00:04:53,980 is that what you believe? 136 00:04:53,980 –> 00:04:55,359 That He is the Promised Deliverer? 137 00:04:55,359 –> 00:04:56,700 In that case 138 00:04:56,700 –> 00:04:58,380 what is it that you feel right now 139 00:04:58,380 –> 00:05:01,899 that you need him to deliver you from? 140 00:05:01,899 –> 00:05:03,500 You see most people actually 141 00:05:03,500 –> 00:05:04,359 have no idea 142 00:05:04,359 –> 00:05:05,140 even what the name 143 00:05:05,140 –> 00:05:05,859 Jesus Christ 144 00:05:05,859 –> 00:05:06,559 actually means. 145 00:05:06,559 –> 00:05:07,739 The personal name Jesus 146 00:05:07,739 –> 00:05:10,660 and a title Christ 147 00:05:10,660 –> 00:05:12,959 the one promised Messiah 148 00:05:12,959 –> 00:05:14,019 the one who has come 149 00:05:14,019 –> 00:05:15,380 to confront what is wrong 150 00:05:15,380 –> 00:05:16,820 and put it right 151 00:05:16,820 –> 00:05:18,420 and as we go through 152 00:05:18,480 –> 00:05:20,739 we’ll find that the very center point 153 00:05:20,739 –> 00:05:21,579 of the Gospel 154 00:05:21,579 –> 00:05:23,000 one of the great high points 155 00:05:23,000 –> 00:05:25,739 in the story that he tells us 156 00:05:25,739 –> 00:05:28,700 comes in chapter 8 and verse 29 157 00:05:28,700 –> 00:05:30,880 when Jesus is asking the disciples 158 00:05:30,880 –> 00:05:33,779 now who do you say I am? 159 00:05:33,779 –> 00:05:34,940 what’s your conclusion about me 160 00:05:34,940 –> 00:05:37,339 who do you say I am? 161 00:05:37,339 –> 00:05:38,100 and Peter stands up 162 00:05:38,100 –> 00:05:39,000 and for all the rest 163 00:05:39,000 –> 00:05:40,540 he says 164 00:05:40,540 –> 00:05:42,820 You are the Christ 165 00:05:42,820 –> 00:05:44,019 you are the Christ 166 00:05:44,019 –> 00:05:45,519 I’ve walked with you for some time now 167 00:05:46,480 –> 00:05:48,299 have come to this very clear conclusion 168 00:05:48,299 –> 00:05:50,000 that you are indeed the one 169 00:05:50,000 –> 00:05:52,480 promised from the beginning of time 170 00:05:52,480 –> 00:05:53,619 by Almighty God 171 00:05:53,619 –> 00:05:56,059 the one who has come to confront what is wrong 172 00:05:56,059 –> 00:05:58,000 and to put it right 173 00:05:58,000 –> 00:06:00,140 Jesus Christ 174 00:06:00,140 –> 00:06:02,320 Jesus the Christ 175 00:06:02,320 –> 00:06:04,299 see even His name 176 00:06:04,299 –> 00:06:05,839 is full of hope 177 00:06:05,839 –> 00:06:09,739 even His name is full of promise 178 00:06:09,739 –> 00:06:11,959 and by announcing 179 00:06:11,959 –> 00:06:14,059 Jesus the Christ 180 00:06:14,059 –> 00:06:16,079 in the very first sentence of His gospel 181 00:06:16,079 –> 00:06:18,200 Mark’s drawing us in 182 00:06:18,200 –> 00:06:20,940 and surely, you will feel with me 183 00:06:20,940 –> 00:06:24,019 I want to know Him 184 00:06:24,019 –> 00:06:27,820 the Christ who can bring hope into my life 185 00:06:27,820 –> 00:06:29,980 I want to get near to Him 186 00:06:29,980 –> 00:06:31,880 I want to know Him 187 00:06:31,880 –> 00:06:33,660 I want to belong to Him 188 00:06:33,660 –> 00:06:34,500 so who is Jesus? 189 00:06:34,500 –> 00:06:36,399 Jesus is the Christ 190 00:06:36,399 –> 00:06:38,220 and Mark gives us a second answer 191 00:06:38,220 –> 00:06:40,140 right here in verse 1 192 00:06:40,299 –> 00:06:43,660 the beginning of the gospel, about Jesus Christ 193 00:06:43,700 –> 00:06:46,619 the son of God 194 00:06:47,160 –> 00:06:49,160 so the second thing he wants us to know 195 00:06:49,160 –> 00:06:52,660 is that Jesus is the Son of God 196 00:06:53,260 –> 00:06:55,200 now, what does that mean 197 00:06:56,640 –> 00:06:59,700 see, the way that we normally use the word son 198 00:06:59,700 –> 00:07:01,200 is like this 199 00:07:01,200 –> 00:07:02,779 if I can speak personally 200 00:07:03,019 –> 00:07:08,140 I am the son of George Robert Smith 201 00:07:08,679 –> 00:07:10,260 I’m his first son 202 00:07:10,260 –> 00:07:12,920 and so he became a father 203 00:07:12,940 –> 00:07:14,720 on the day that I was born 204 00:07:15,720 –> 00:07:17,720 but he was there before me 205 00:07:18,320 –> 00:07:20,059 and he would’ve continued to be 206 00:07:20,059 –> 00:07:22,059 even if I had never come along 207 00:07:23,720 –> 00:07:25,399 now, when the bible speaks about 208 00:07:25,399 –> 00:07:27,399 God the Father and God the Son 209 00:07:27,399 –> 00:07:29,600 it is clearly saying something quite different 210 00:07:29,600 –> 00:07:31,600 because the New Testament 211 00:07:31,600 –> 00:07:33,600 proclaims that God the Father 212 00:07:33,600 –> 00:07:35,260 was never without God the Son 213 00:07:35,260 –> 00:07:35,600 and God the Son was never 214 00:07:36,440 –> 00:07:37,839 without God the Father 215 00:07:39,000 –> 00:07:40,540 God did not gain a son 216 00:07:40,540 –> 00:07:42,540 when Jesus was born 217 00:07:42,600 –> 00:07:43,760 rather, the bible says that 218 00:07:43,760 –> 00:07:45,260 God sent his son 219 00:07:45,260 –> 00:07:47,260 who was already at the Father’s side 220 00:07:47,260 –> 00:07:48,640 into the world 221 00:07:49,459 –> 00:07:51,540 the Son shared the Father’s glory 222 00:07:51,540 –> 00:07:53,540 the Father’s life and the Father’s love 223 00:07:53,540 –> 00:07:55,540 and he came into the world 224 00:07:55,540 –> 00:07:58,100 in order to be our Christ 225 00:07:59,619 –> 00:08:01,480 the New Testament is full of 226 00:08:01,480 –> 00:08:03,220 remarkable statements about him 227 00:08:03,220 –> 00:08:05,220 for example, in Colossians 228 00:08:05,220 –> 00:08:06,679 and chapter 2 229 00:08:06,679 –> 00:08:09,359 we’re told that everything that is in God 230 00:08:09,359 –> 00:08:11,859 is in Jesus Christ 231 00:08:12,720 –> 00:08:13,380 now 232 00:08:14,200 –> 00:08:17,000 there’s a lot of my Father in me 233 00:08:17,459 –> 00:08:19,140 but nobody would say 234 00:08:19,140 –> 00:08:21,140 everything about George Roberts Smith 235 00:08:21,140 –> 00:08:22,480 is in Colin Stewart Smith 236 00:08:23,140 –> 00:08:25,140 they wouldn’t say that about your Father and you 237 00:08:25,140 –> 00:08:26,700 not everything 238 00:08:27,119 –> 00:08:29,519 the New Testament says, in the book of Hebrews 239 00:08:29,519 –> 00:08:31,519 that the Son is the 240 00:08:31,519 –> 00:08:34,659 exact representation 241 00:08:34,659 –> 00:08:36,659 of God’s being 242 00:08:37,640 –> 00:08:39,419 now I’m like my Father in a lot of ways 243 00:08:39,419 –> 00:08:40,859 but nobody has ever said 244 00:08:40,880 –> 00:08:42,539 you are the exact 245 00:08:42,539 –> 00:08:44,539 representation of His being 246 00:08:44,539 –> 00:08:45,820 clearly, i’m not 247 00:08:47,340 –> 00:08:50,000 Jesus said on one occasion to His disciples 248 00:08:50,219 –> 00:08:52,760 anyone who has seen me 249 00:08:53,419 –> 00:08:54,799 has seen the Father 250 00:08:55,520 –> 00:08:56,739 now you see a photograph of me 251 00:08:56,739 –> 00:08:58,619 you see a photograph of my Father 252 00:08:58,619 –> 00:09:00,159 there’s definitely some likeness there 253 00:09:00,159 –> 00:09:01,419 but nobody would say 254 00:09:01,419 –> 00:09:03,179 if you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father 255 00:09:04,479 –> 00:09:06,479 so quite clearly 256 00:09:06,640 –> 00:09:08,119 when the Bible speaks about 257 00:09:08,119 –> 00:09:10,140 Jesus being God’s Son 258 00:09:10,919 –> 00:09:12,340 it is talking about something 259 00:09:12,340 –> 00:09:14,119 quite different from our 260 00:09:14,119 –> 00:09:16,520 normal understanding of the relationship 261 00:09:16,520 –> 00:09:18,520 between a father and a Son 262 00:09:18,820 –> 00:09:20,140 it is not saying that 263 00:09:20,140 –> 00:09:21,739 He kind of come second 264 00:09:21,739 –> 00:09:22,440 or that He’s less 265 00:09:22,440 –> 00:09:24,780 or He’s derivative in some sense 266 00:09:24,780 –> 00:09:27,219 or that the father was there first 267 00:09:27,380 –> 00:09:28,520 and that the Son 268 00:09:28,520 –> 00:09:30,020 somehow came along later 269 00:09:30,020 –> 00:09:31,539 none of these things are being 270 00:09:31,539 –> 00:09:33,400 proclaimed to us in the new testament 271 00:09:33,400 –> 00:09:35,440 so what does it mean then 272 00:09:35,440 –> 00:09:37,500 to say that Jesus is the Son of God 273 00:09:38,200 –> 00:09:39,419 well 274 00:09:39,419 –> 00:09:43,119 I’ve been helped in trying to understand this 275 00:09:43,119 –> 00:09:45,640 by the writings of Don Carson 276 00:09:45,640 –> 00:09:47,140 who points out 277 00:09:47,140 –> 00:09:50,400 that in the ancient Jewish world 278 00:09:50,400 –> 00:09:53,359 names were very often used 279 00:09:53,359 –> 00:09:56,859 particularly to describe character 280 00:09:56,859 –> 00:09:58,780 and the language of Sonship 281 00:09:58,780 –> 00:10:00,619 was especially used in this way 282 00:10:00,619 –> 00:10:03,679 let me give you an example 283 00:10:03,679 –> 00:10:05,859 in the Acts of the Apostles 284 00:10:05,859 –> 00:10:07,080 we’re introduced to a guy 285 00:10:07,099 –> 00:10:09,140 called Joseph 286 00:10:09,140 –> 00:10:11,080 you know him better by a different name 287 00:10:11,080 –> 00:10:13,159 Barnabas 288 00:10:13,159 –> 00:10:15,580 that was a nickname given to him 289 00:10:15,580 –> 00:10:17,340 by the Apostles 290 00:10:17,340 –> 00:10:18,760 and barnabas means 291 00:10:18,760 –> 00:10:22,619 son of encouragement 292 00:10:22,619 –> 00:10:23,679 now 293 00:10:23,679 –> 00:10:27,080 heres why the apostles gave him that name 294 00:10:27,080 –> 00:10:29,200 Barnabas was just that kind of guy 295 00:10:29,200 –> 00:10:30,820 who whenever you rubbed up against him 296 00:10:30,820 –> 00:10:32,080 he had a kind word 297 00:10:32,080 –> 00:10:33,559 he encouraged you 298 00:10:33,559 –> 00:10:36,580 he made you feel strengthened 299 00:10:36,640 –> 00:10:37,979 and whatever it was you were doing 300 00:10:37,979 –> 00:10:40,219 he was just an encourager 301 00:10:40,219 –> 00:10:42,500 he was like encouragement itself 302 00:10:42,500 –> 00:10:44,580 he was like encouragement in the flesh 303 00:10:44,580 –> 00:10:48,239 he was like encouragement personified 304 00:10:48,239 –> 00:10:49,799 and so they gave him this name 305 00:10:49,799 –> 00:10:51,099 son of encouragement 306 00:10:51,099 –> 00:10:55,880 as if encouragement itself was his father 307 00:10:55,880 –> 00:10:58,840 Jesus uses son ship language in the same way 308 00:10:58,840 –> 00:11:00,080 when he says 309 00:11:00,080 –> 00:11:02,140 blessed are the peacemakers 310 00:11:02,140 –> 00:11:05,799 for they shall be called sons of God 311 00:11:05,799 –> 00:11:06,380 what is he saying 312 00:11:06,400 –> 00:11:08,239 well God is the great peacemaker 313 00:11:08,239 –> 00:11:11,580 so when you are successful in making peace 314 00:11:11,580 –> 00:11:13,599 you are in a particular way 315 00:11:13,599 –> 00:11:15,299 reflecting the character of God 316 00:11:15,299 –> 00:11:17,539 so it would be appropriate to describe you 317 00:11:17,539 –> 00:11:19,039 as reflecting that 318 00:11:19,039 –> 00:11:21,320 and thats what Jesus means 319 00:11:21,320 –> 00:11:24,479 when he says they will be called sons of God 320 00:11:24,479 –> 00:11:28,900 now lets put it this way 321 00:11:28,900 –> 00:11:31,440 Mark is telling us 322 00:11:31,440 –> 00:11:33,520 that Jesus is the son of God 323 00:11:33,520 –> 00:11:35,159 he is telling us 324 00:11:35,200 –> 00:11:40,159 that Jesus is everything God is in the flesh 325 00:11:40,159 –> 00:11:43,820 thats what this language means 326 00:11:43,820 –> 00:11:47,440 Jesus is everything that God is 327 00:11:47,440 –> 00:11:51,380 in the flesh 328 00:11:51,380 –> 00:11:54,359 now if you think you understand this 329 00:11:54,359 –> 00:11:57,520 let me promise you, you dont 330 00:11:57,520 –> 00:12:00,159 and neither do I 331 00:12:00,159 –> 00:12:01,700 we’re going to see in Marks gospel 332 00:12:01,700 –> 00:12:04,080 that the more of the disciples got to know Jesus 333 00:12:04,440 –> 00:12:09,039 the harder it was for them really to figure him out 334 00:12:09,039 –> 00:12:11,580 they just got to the point where they thought 335 00:12:11,640 –> 00:12:13,840 they had a handle on him 336 00:12:13,840 –> 00:12:16,260 and then they found he was much greater than the handle 337 00:12:16,260 –> 00:12:20,520 thats how it will always be for us 338 00:12:20,520 –> 00:12:23,099 whatever you have grasped of Jesus glory 339 00:12:23,099 –> 00:12:26,539 he is greater than what you have already grasped 340 00:12:26,539 –> 00:12:29,799 doctor Jim Packer says that Mark 341 00:12:29,799 –> 00:12:32,559 makes it clear that the more Jesus gave himself 342 00:12:32,820 –> 00:12:35,500 to his disciples the more of an awesome 343 00:12:35,500 –> 00:12:37,599 enigma they’ve found him 344 00:12:37,599 –> 00:12:39,739 the closer they came to him 345 00:12:39,739 –> 00:12:42,340 the less they understood him 346 00:12:42,340 –> 00:12:44,099 so you find as you move through Mark’s gospel 347 00:12:44,099 –> 00:12:46,340 the disciples thinking they knew about jesus 348 00:12:46,340 –> 00:12:47,760 and then they turn around and they say 349 00:12:47,760 –> 00:12:50,440 who is this? 350 00:12:50,440 –> 00:12:56,659 that even the winds and the waves obey him 351 00:12:56,659 –> 00:12:58,080 and their categories are blown again 352 00:12:58,080 –> 00:13:01,419 and they see that he’s even more glorious 353 00:13:01,500 –> 00:13:03,260 than they had thought before 354 00:13:03,260 –> 00:13:05,700 and you will find this as you move on 355 00:13:05,700 –> 00:13:07,179 through the christian life as I do 356 00:13:07,179 –> 00:13:10,900 you will puzzle how can god become man 357 00:13:10,900 –> 00:13:16,840 how can everything that is in god 358 00:13:16,840 –> 00:13:20,419 be in this one person 359 00:13:20,419 –> 00:13:21,979 the more you think about it 360 00:13:21,979 –> 00:13:25,739 the more staggering it gets 361 00:13:25,739 –> 00:13:27,380 but here is the great mystery 362 00:13:27,380 –> 00:13:29,059 and glory at the center of 363 00:13:29,059 –> 00:13:31,020 all true christian faith 364 00:13:31,020 –> 00:13:34,460 that jesus is the son of god 365 00:13:34,460 –> 00:13:36,099 the disciples didn’t pretend 366 00:13:36,099 –> 00:13:38,260 to understand that 367 00:13:38,260 –> 00:13:40,719 but they did believe it 368 00:13:40,719 –> 00:13:42,859 and they followed jesus 369 00:13:42,859 –> 00:13:46,200 with a faith that seeks understanding 370 00:13:46,200 –> 00:13:49,260 and that is how we must follow him too 371 00:13:49,260 –> 00:13:51,340 because that is the only way to follow him 372 00:13:51,340 –> 00:13:53,080 and that is how we will follow him 373 00:13:53,080 –> 00:13:55,280 through our journey in mark’s gospel 374 00:13:55,280 –> 00:13:58,979 faith seeking understanding 375 00:13:58,979 –> 00:14:00,659 all that is in god 376 00:14:01,659 –> 00:14:04,099 is in jesus 377 00:14:04,099 –> 00:14:07,840 in the flesh 378 00:14:07,840 –> 00:14:10,739 jesus is the son of god 379 00:14:10,739 –> 00:14:12,880 now before we move on from this 380 00:14:12,880 –> 00:14:14,780 it’s good for us to pause just a moment 381 00:14:14,780 –> 00:14:16,080 and say why does that matter 382 00:14:16,080 –> 00:14:18,299 does doctrine matter 383 00:14:18,299 –> 00:14:21,159 is this really of any importance 384 00:14:21,159 –> 00:14:22,520 you bet it is 385 00:14:23,739 –> 00:14:25,799 here’s why 386 00:14:25,799 –> 00:14:30,119 Jesus being everything that god is in the flesh 387 00:14:30,119 –> 00:14:32,820 means that there is no power 388 00:14:32,820 –> 00:14:35,479 no person 389 00:14:35,479 –> 00:14:37,679 no accountability 390 00:14:37,679 –> 00:14:39,080 that is above him 391 00:14:39,080 –> 00:14:43,080 no one to whom he looks up 392 00:14:43,080 –> 00:14:47,979 no one to whom he has to account 393 00:14:47,979 –> 00:14:52,460 nothing is impossible for him 394 00:14:52,520 –> 00:14:55,580 and that means 395 00:14:55,580 –> 00:15:01,219 if he saves you, you are safe 396 00:15:01,219 –> 00:15:03,359 if there was any power over any person above him 397 00:15:03,359 –> 00:15:08,619 then you would still have an ultimate question to confront 398 00:15:08,619 –> 00:15:12,099 but because he is everything that god is in the flesh 399 00:15:12,099 –> 00:15:16,719 if he saves you, you are safe 400 00:15:16,719 –> 00:15:22,239 Bishop Rile puts this I think very very wonderfully 401 00:15:22,739 –> 00:15:25,479 Let’s just read his pithy comment here 402 00:15:25,479 –> 00:15:28,619 he says let believers cling to this doctrine 403 00:15:28,619 –> 00:15:32,359 that Jesus is the son of God with jealous watchfulness 404 00:15:32,359 –> 00:15:35,859 because with it we stand on a rock 405 00:15:35,859 –> 00:15:38,760 without it we have nothing solid beneath our feet 406 00:15:38,760 –> 00:15:43,000 our hearts are weak and our sins are many 407 00:15:43,000 –> 00:15:46,960 we need a redeemer who is able to save to the uttermost 408 00:15:46,960 –> 00:15:50,000 he says, save completely, save utterly 409 00:15:50,960 –> 00:15:55,919 and we have such a redeemer in Jesus Christ 410 00:15:55,919 –> 00:15:59,219 you have nothing to fear before God 411 00:15:59,219 –> 00:16:02,400 if Jesus Christ is your saviour 412 00:16:03,619 –> 00:16:07,359 because all that is in God is in Him. 413 00:16:09,119 –> 00:16:11,099 Now let’s just pause one more moment 414 00:16:11,099 –> 00:16:13,599 before we move on from this first question 415 00:16:13,599 –> 00:16:15,619 who is Jesus, he’s the Christ 416 00:16:15,619 –> 00:16:17,260 the one that’s come to confront what’s wrong 417 00:16:17,440 –> 00:16:20,119 put it right, He’s the son of God 418 00:16:21,239 –> 00:16:23,859 now I could well imagine that some of us 419 00:16:23,859 –> 00:16:25,700 in our minds might just be saying 420 00:16:25,700 –> 00:16:28,739 well who says so, who says so? 421 00:16:29,960 –> 00:16:31,979 I mean here we’re beginning the gospel of Mark 422 00:16:31,979 –> 00:16:33,719 obviously Mark says so 423 00:16:34,559 –> 00:16:37,080 but isn’t that just Mark’s opinion? 424 00:16:38,179 –> 00:16:40,320 I mean can you imagine someone asking that question 425 00:16:40,320 –> 00:16:42,080 these days in our post modern culture 426 00:16:42,080 –> 00:16:44,580 I mean isn’t this just Mark’s opinion 427 00:16:44,580 –> 00:16:45,900 and we all have our opinions 428 00:16:45,960 –> 00:16:47,659 we’re all gotta come to our kinda assessment 429 00:16:47,659 –> 00:16:49,260 and so forth and so on 430 00:16:49,260 –> 00:16:50,859 well I want you to understand 431 00:16:50,859 –> 00:16:55,179 that this confession that Jesus is the son of God 432 00:16:55,179 –> 00:16:57,739 is much more than Mark’s opinion 433 00:16:58,739 –> 00:17:02,219 who says so, who says that Jesus is the son of God? 434 00:17:02,219 –> 00:17:03,619 Five answers very quickly 435 00:17:03,619 –> 00:17:08,619 number one, the whole of the new testament says so 436 00:17:08,760 –> 00:17:10,680 it is the unanimous confession 437 00:17:10,680 –> 00:17:12,660 of the entire new testament scriptures 438 00:17:12,660 –> 00:17:14,300 that Jesus is the son of God 439 00:17:14,300 –> 00:17:17,579 Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul 440 00:17:17,579 –> 00:17:19,579 the writer of the book of Hebrews 441 00:17:19,579 –> 00:17:22,619 and John of course writing the book of Revelation 442 00:17:22,619 –> 00:17:26,339 check it out it is the unanimous confession 443 00:17:26,339 –> 00:17:29,540 of the entire new testament scriptures 444 00:17:29,540 –> 00:17:31,839 let me just quote to you one sample 445 00:17:31,839 –> 00:17:35,680 from John’s gospel in chapter 20 in verse 31 446 00:17:35,680 –> 00:17:37,260 John says that these are written 447 00:17:37,260 –> 00:17:38,920 that is the gospel is written 448 00:17:38,920 –> 00:17:41,500 that you may know that Jesus is the Christ 449 00:17:41,500 –> 00:17:43,660 the son of God and that by believing 450 00:17:43,660 –> 00:17:46,699 you may have life in His Name, John 20 31 451 00:17:46,699 –> 00:17:48,300 by the way notice the combination 452 00:17:48,300 –> 00:17:50,500 see John saying exactly the same as Mark 453 00:17:51,979 –> 00:17:53,680 what you need to know about Jesus 454 00:17:53,680 –> 00:17:56,959 is he’s Christ and son of God 455 00:17:56,959 –> 00:17:58,560 that’s who he is 456 00:17:58,560 –> 00:18:00,900 he’s the Christ he’s the son of God 457 00:18:00,900 –> 00:18:02,859 and John says my gospel is written 458 00:18:02,859 –> 00:18:05,339 so that you may know that Jesus is the Christ 459 00:18:05,339 –> 00:18:07,219 and that you may know that he is the son of God 460 00:18:07,219 –> 00:18:10,160 and that by believing you may have life in His Name 461 00:18:10,160 –> 00:18:13,959 so if you confess that Jesus is the son of God 462 00:18:13,959 –> 00:18:17,680 you are in line with the unanimous confession 463 00:18:17,680 –> 00:18:20,300 of all the New Testament scriptures 464 00:18:20,300 –> 00:18:22,819 if you do not confess that Jesus is the son of God 465 00:18:22,819 –> 00:18:26,939 you are out of line with the unanimous testimony 466 00:18:26,939 –> 00:18:30,040 of the New Testament scriptures 467 00:18:31,439 –> 00:18:35,239 second, who says so? 468 00:18:35,239 –> 00:18:36,859 Heaven says so 469 00:18:37,880 –> 00:18:39,560 now we find that right in our passage here 470 00:18:39,619 –> 00:18:42,199 if you look at Mark chapter one and verse nine 471 00:18:42,199 –> 00:18:44,680 Mark tells us that Jesus came from Nazareth 472 00:18:44,680 –> 00:18:47,000 and he was baptized by John in the Jordan 473 00:18:48,060 –> 00:18:50,459 and then as Jesus was coming up out of the water 474 00:18:51,520 –> 00:18:53,319 he saw heaven being torn open 475 00:18:53,319 –> 00:18:56,199 and the Spirit descending on him like a dove 476 00:18:57,680 –> 00:19:01,599 and a voice came from heaven 477 00:19:01,599 –> 00:19:04,160 one voice from heaven 478 00:19:04,599 –> 00:19:09,040 that said, you are my son 479 00:19:10,079 –> 00:19:13,500 whom I love with you I am well pleased. 480 00:19:14,920 –> 00:19:18,520 Now, maybe you have said it sometime in your life 481 00:19:18,520 –> 00:19:21,000 you know, it would be much easier for me to believe 482 00:19:21,000 –> 00:19:22,359 I heard a voice from heaven. 483 00:19:23,400 –> 00:19:25,199 Well, there was a voice from heaven 484 00:19:25,199 –> 00:19:27,040 on the day that Jesus was baptized 485 00:19:27,040 –> 00:19:29,180 an audible voice heard by John the Baptist 486 00:19:29,180 –> 00:19:31,800 heard by Jesus and if there were any other people there 487 00:19:31,800 –> 00:19:33,239 they would have heard it too. 488 00:19:34,540 –> 00:19:38,359 And the voice from heaven heard by John the Baptist 489 00:19:38,359 –> 00:19:40,560 heard by Jesus and recorded by Mark 490 00:19:42,239 –> 00:19:47,239 said to Jesus, you are my son. 491 00:19:48,400 –> 00:19:50,479 Now, here’s a fascinating thing. 492 00:19:50,479 –> 00:19:52,760 Alongside the confession that comes 493 00:19:52,760 –> 00:19:54,839 with one voice from heaven 494 00:19:54,839 –> 00:19:57,040 you also have to put the confession 495 00:19:57,040 –> 00:20:00,180 that comes with many voices from hell. 496 00:20:00,180 –> 00:20:02,680 If you turn over to Mark’s gospel chapter three 497 00:20:02,939 –> 00:20:04,640 in verse 11 you will see this clearly. 498 00:20:04,640 –> 00:20:08,640 It’s very striking evidence of the confession, 499 00:20:08,640 –> 00:20:11,060 the recognition of who Jesus Christ 500 00:20:11,060 –> 00:20:13,839 is even in hell itself. 501 00:20:14,939 –> 00:20:16,739 Mark tells us chapter three in verse 11 502 00:20:16,739 –> 00:20:20,420 that whenever the evil spirits saw him. 503 00:20:20,420 –> 00:20:22,619 We’re talking here about demons 504 00:20:22,619 –> 00:20:24,920 that had in some way attached themselves 505 00:20:24,920 –> 00:20:26,680 to particular people making their lives 506 00:20:26,680 –> 00:20:30,420 absolutely wretched and horrific. 507 00:20:30,420 –> 00:20:33,780 And when these evil spirits in particular people 508 00:20:33,780 –> 00:20:36,619 saw Jesus, what happened? 509 00:20:36,619 –> 00:20:41,619 They fell down before him and cried out, 510 00:20:41,660 –> 00:20:46,479 you are the Son of God. 511 00:20:47,819 –> 00:20:51,579 Now this happened again and again whenever, 512 00:20:51,579 –> 00:20:54,079 notice that word, whenever the evil spirit saw him. 513 00:20:54,079 –> 00:20:57,140 And this was heard by many, many people in large crowds 514 00:20:57,140 –> 00:20:58,339 when Jesus was preaching 515 00:20:58,839 –> 00:21:00,880 and someone who was possessed by a devil, 516 00:21:00,880 –> 00:21:04,500 convulsed in this way, it was heard this confession 517 00:21:04,500 –> 00:21:07,319 with many, many demonic voices from hell 518 00:21:07,319 –> 00:21:08,939 throughout the ministry of Jesus, 519 00:21:08,939 –> 00:21:12,020 whenever Jesus confronted evil spirits, 520 00:21:12,020 –> 00:21:14,000 Mark says, this was what happened 521 00:21:14,000 –> 00:21:18,020 the evil spirits shrieked out, you are the Son of God. 522 00:21:18,020 –> 00:21:20,939 Now that’s compelling evidence heard by many people 523 00:21:22,140 –> 00:21:24,180 that whatever the difficulties 524 00:21:24,180 –> 00:21:25,920 that men and women on earth had 525 00:21:25,920 –> 00:21:29,280 in figuring out who Jesus was and is, 526 00:21:29,280 –> 00:21:33,319 there is no confusion about his identity in hell. 527 00:21:34,640 –> 00:21:36,339 And they’re not saying this in hell 528 00:21:36,339 –> 00:21:38,239 as an ascription of praise, 529 00:21:38,239 –> 00:21:41,000 they’re shrieking it out as an ascription of terror, 530 00:21:41,000 –> 00:21:42,619 an expression of terror. 531 00:21:44,479 –> 00:21:46,160 It’s rather fascinating, isn’t it? 532 00:21:46,160 –> 00:21:47,760 The one voice from heaven, 533 00:21:47,760 –> 00:21:49,339 the many voices from hell, 534 00:21:49,339 –> 00:21:53,040 the one thing on which heaven and hell agree, 535 00:21:53,099 –> 00:21:54,699 heaven to its joy declares, 536 00:21:54,699 –> 00:21:56,180 Jesus, is the son of God, 537 00:21:56,180 –> 00:21:57,979 hell agrees to its horror 538 00:21:57,979 –> 00:22:02,359 and exclaims, You are the son of God and cowers. 539 00:22:04,459 –> 00:22:08,160 So, if you confess that Jesus is the son of God, 540 00:22:08,160 –> 00:22:09,339 you are coming into line 541 00:22:09,339 –> 00:22:11,660 with the reality that is acknowledged 542 00:22:11,660 –> 00:22:13,640 in all of heaven and in all of hell, 543 00:22:13,640 –> 00:22:16,319 you’re just lining up with reality. 544 00:22:16,319 –> 00:22:19,699 We’re not talking about Mark’s personal opinion. 545 00:22:20,680 –> 00:22:23,119 There’s three answers. 546 00:22:23,119 –> 00:22:28,119 Fourth answer, Jesus is the son of God who says, 547 00:22:28,640 –> 00:22:30,359 so Jesus himself says so. 548 00:22:30,359 –> 00:22:33,719 Mark chapter 14 and verse 61 and 62, 549 00:22:33,719 –> 00:22:35,439 you might like just to turn forward to it. 550 00:22:35,439 –> 00:22:40,439 Mark chapter 14 and verse 61 and 62, 551 00:22:40,599 –> 00:22:44,680 and here we have the time when Jesus 552 00:22:44,680 –> 00:22:48,280 is standing before the high priest 553 00:22:48,300 –> 00:22:51,060 representing all of the religion of his day. 554 00:22:52,760 –> 00:22:55,719 This will lead soon after to Jesus being condemned 555 00:22:55,719 –> 00:22:57,520 and crucified and then rising again 556 00:22:57,520 –> 00:22:59,180 on the third day from the dead. 557 00:23:00,359 –> 00:23:04,719 But the high priest in this hastily convened court 558 00:23:04,719 –> 00:23:06,939 asks Jesus a question. 559 00:23:06,939 –> 00:23:10,300 Mark 1461, are you the Christ, 560 00:23:10,300 –> 00:23:13,339 the Son of the Blessed One? 561 00:23:14,280 –> 00:23:16,079 By the way, notice that combination again. 562 00:23:16,079 –> 00:23:18,219 It’s what Mark’s been telling us right from the beginning. 563 00:23:18,459 –> 00:23:19,300 Who is Jesus? 564 00:23:19,300 –> 00:23:20,280 What do you need to know about him? 565 00:23:20,280 –> 00:23:23,699 He’s the Christ, and he’s the Son of God. 566 00:23:24,680 –> 00:23:27,500 And the high priest knows that these are the key issues, 567 00:23:27,500 –> 00:23:31,040 and so he asks the question straight to Jesus, 568 00:23:31,040 –> 00:23:34,020 face to face, he asks him straight out. 569 00:23:34,020 –> 00:23:39,020 Tell me, are you the Christ? 570 00:23:39,099 –> 00:23:43,319 Are you the Son of the Blessed One, the Son of God? 571 00:23:43,859 –> 00:23:48,260 And Jesus said, I am. 572 00:23:50,479 –> 00:23:52,540 You can’t get clearer than that, can you? 573 00:23:54,060 –> 00:23:59,060 And so, if you confess that Jesus is the Son of God, 574 00:23:59,380 –> 00:24:01,660 you’re lining yourself up with Jesus. 575 00:24:03,339 –> 00:24:06,180 And if you do not confess that Jesus is the Son of God, 576 00:24:06,180 –> 00:24:09,219 you are distancing yourself from Jesus. 577 00:24:09,219 –> 00:24:12,140 You are coming to a disagreement with him, 578 00:24:12,160 –> 00:24:16,739 a different conclusion from his own glorious affirmation, 579 00:24:16,739 –> 00:24:17,680 I am, I am. 580 00:24:21,040 –> 00:24:24,979 And then, fifthly, who says, so this is the confession 581 00:24:24,979 –> 00:24:28,140 of all true Christian believers, 582 00:24:28,140 –> 00:24:29,780 if you know the Gospel of Mark a little bit, 583 00:24:29,780 –> 00:24:31,339 you’ll know that one of the high points 584 00:24:31,339 –> 00:24:33,359 that comes toward the end of the story, 585 00:24:33,359 –> 00:24:35,719 when the Lord Jesus Christ is crucified, 586 00:24:35,719 –> 00:24:38,560 he’s been hanging on the cross for six hours 587 00:24:38,560 –> 00:24:41,319 and eventually in triumph, 588 00:24:41,319 –> 00:24:43,280 he lays down his life. 589 00:24:44,239 –> 00:24:46,239 And there was a Roman centurion, 590 00:24:46,239 –> 00:24:48,640 someone who really must have been pretty hard bitten, 591 00:24:48,640 –> 00:24:50,680 having seen many, many crucifixions, 592 00:24:50,680 –> 00:24:52,719 executions over the years. 593 00:24:52,719 –> 00:24:55,160 And he had been superintending the cross 594 00:24:55,160 –> 00:24:58,000 and guarding the cross throughout these 595 00:24:58,000 –> 00:25:00,380 gonizing hours for the Lord Jesus. 596 00:25:00,380 –> 00:25:03,880 And then, Mark records for us, in chapter 15, in verse 39, 597 00:25:04,760 –> 00:25:08,739 when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, 598 00:25:08,739 –> 00:25:11,839 heard his cry and saw how he died, 599 00:25:12,819 –> 00:25:17,160 he said, surely this man was the Son of God. 600 00:25:18,380 –> 00:25:21,979 And in making that confession, 601 00:25:21,979 –> 00:25:24,900 he begins the line of all true Christian believers 602 00:25:24,900 –> 00:25:27,859 who have made that confession ever since. 603 00:25:27,859 –> 00:25:32,859 For this is the mark of authentic Christian faith. 604 00:25:32,959 –> 00:25:34,900 So let me just ask this question, 605 00:25:34,900 –> 00:25:36,420 what then do you say 606 00:25:37,300 –> 00:25:40,680 if you confess that Jesus is the Son of God 607 00:25:40,680 –> 00:25:43,780 you are coming into line with the unanimous witness 608 00:25:43,780 –> 00:25:45,979 of the New Testament scriptures, 609 00:25:45,979 –> 00:25:48,459 you are lining yourself up with the one reality 610 00:25:48,459 –> 00:25:51,420 that is commonly recognized by the one voice in heaven 611 00:25:51,420 –> 00:25:53,560 and the many voices in hell, 612 00:25:53,560 –> 00:25:56,579 you are agreeing with the testimony of Jesus about himself 613 00:25:56,579 –> 00:25:58,060 and you are identifying yourself 614 00:25:58,060 –> 00:26:00,939 with the faith of every true Christian believer. 615 00:26:00,939 –> 00:26:03,640 If you do not confess that Jesus is the Christ, 616 00:26:03,640 –> 00:26:06,199 you are distancing yourself from all these things. 617 00:26:07,339 –> 00:26:11,260 And this is what Mark proclaims to us 618 00:26:11,260 –> 00:26:14,040 at the very beginning of his gospel. 619 00:26:14,040 –> 00:26:14,939 Who is Jesus? 620 00:26:14,939 –> 00:26:19,939 Jesus is the Christ, Jesus is the Son of God. 621 00:26:23,859 –> 00:26:28,020 Now that’s the first question, who is Jesus. 622 00:26:28,020 –> 00:26:31,219 And when we see who he is, I think we’ll be drawn 623 00:26:31,219 –> 00:26:33,540 to say we really do want to know him 624 00:26:34,160 –> 00:26:38,040 and to belong to him and to take our stand with him. 625 00:26:39,540 –> 00:26:42,140 Now, here’s the second question that Mark gets us 626 00:26:42,140 –> 00:26:45,060 in to write from the very first sentence. 627 00:26:45,060 –> 00:26:46,380 Who is Jesus? 628 00:26:46,380 –> 00:26:48,859 What is the gospel? 629 00:26:48,859 –> 00:26:50,619 And look, one more time with me, please, 630 00:26:50,619 –> 00:26:52,780 at chapter one and verse one. 631 00:26:52,780 –> 00:26:54,739 You’ll see now why it’s gonna take us 22 weeks 632 00:26:54,739 –> 00:26:57,900 to get through Mark’s gospel at the rate that we’re going. 633 00:26:57,900 –> 00:26:59,619 But this stuff is so foundational, 634 00:26:59,619 –> 00:27:03,099 it’s good for us to ponder it well together. 635 00:27:03,099 –> 00:27:06,300 The beginning of the gospel, 636 00:27:06,300 –> 00:27:11,300 about Jesus Christ, the son of God. 637 00:27:12,400 –> 00:27:14,060 Now, what is the gospel? 638 00:27:14,060 –> 00:27:19,060 Mark’s orienting us to this right from the very beginning. 639 00:27:20,780 –> 00:27:25,380 We’re going to see four answers very simply to that question 640 00:27:25,380 –> 00:27:29,380 but in a sense they really boil down to one answer 641 00:27:29,380 –> 00:27:32,099 that you find there right in the beginning 642 00:27:32,099 –> 00:27:32,939 at verse one. 643 00:27:33,719 –> 00:27:34,859 This question itself. 644 00:27:35,979 –> 00:27:38,900 The beginning of the gospel. 645 00:27:38,900 –> 00:27:40,900 Now look at what it says there 646 00:27:40,900 –> 00:27:42,900 and tell me what is the gospel about? 647 00:27:42,900 –> 00:27:44,439 What does Mark say the gospel is about? 648 00:27:44,439 –> 00:27:48,500 The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ. 649 00:27:48,500 –> 00:27:49,339 That’s right. 650 00:27:50,280 –> 00:27:53,420 The very plain statement, we mustn’t miss this. 651 00:27:53,420 –> 00:27:55,300 It’s so obvious we easily skip over it 652 00:27:55,300 –> 00:27:57,699 but if we skip over it we miss the very central thing. 653 00:27:57,699 –> 00:28:02,699 The gospel is about Jesus Christ. 654 00:28:03,880 –> 00:28:05,560 That’s what he’s telling us. 655 00:28:07,439 –> 00:28:12,199 If you know Jesus Christ, you have got the gospel. 656 00:28:12,199 –> 00:28:15,680 The gospel is about Jesus Christ. 657 00:28:15,680 –> 00:28:18,920 Now, we’re going to see in these next moments 658 00:28:18,920 –> 00:28:23,920 from this passage that in Christ we find repentance, 659 00:28:24,459 –> 00:28:27,060 we find repentance, forgiveness, 660 00:28:30,979 –> 00:28:34,439 and the wonderful gift of God’s Holy Spirit. 661 00:28:35,680 –> 00:28:38,180 But the big thing that I want you to notice this morning 662 00:28:38,180 –> 00:28:43,040 is that these things are all found in Christ 663 00:28:43,040 –> 00:28:46,500 because the gospel is all about Him. 664 00:28:47,719 –> 00:28:48,839 You have Christ. 665 00:28:48,839 –> 00:28:50,800 You have everything that is in Him. 666 00:28:50,800 –> 00:28:51,959 You do not have Christ. 667 00:28:51,959 –> 00:28:53,839 You do not have anything. 668 00:28:54,479 –> 00:28:57,119 That is found in Him now. 669 00:28:57,119 –> 00:29:00,359 To help us think about that a little more clearly, 670 00:29:00,359 –> 00:29:05,119 I brought along with me today a Russian doll 671 00:29:05,119 –> 00:29:08,439 and I think you’ll see as we just go through these things 672 00:29:08,439 –> 00:29:11,020 how this little picture might help us 673 00:29:11,020 –> 00:29:14,280 to think more clearly about the gospel 674 00:29:14,280 –> 00:29:17,180 which is about Jesus Christ. 675 00:29:17,180 –> 00:29:19,160 Let’s start then with verse one. 676 00:29:19,160 –> 00:29:22,359 The gospel is about Jesus Christ 677 00:29:24,260 –> 00:29:26,839 Jesus announced the good news 678 00:29:26,839 –> 00:29:31,140 but he himself also is the good news. 679 00:29:31,140 –> 00:29:34,040 He is the teacher that brings the gospel 680 00:29:34,040 –> 00:29:36,280 but he is also the gospel that is brought 681 00:29:36,280 –> 00:29:39,260 by his own teaching, it is about him. 682 00:29:40,520 –> 00:29:44,300 Now that is one of the ways in which we know 683 00:29:44,300 –> 00:29:47,760 that Jesus is more than a prophet. 684 00:29:47,760 –> 00:29:49,760 If you’re ever speaking with a Muslim 685 00:29:49,760 –> 00:29:51,920 who will acknowledge that Jesus was a prophet, 686 00:29:51,920 –> 00:29:54,880 you might like to follow this line of conversation, 687 00:29:54,880 –> 00:29:56,479 you might find it helpful. 688 00:29:56,479 –> 00:29:59,479 How do you know that Jesus is more than a prophet? 689 00:29:59,479 –> 00:30:03,199 Simply this, a prophet has a message 690 00:30:03,199 –> 00:30:05,500 but he cannot fulfill it, 691 00:30:05,500 –> 00:30:07,540 he always has to point to some one else 692 00:30:07,540 –> 00:30:10,979 or something else that will do that. 693 00:30:10,979 –> 00:30:12,760 But Jesus is more than a prophet 694 00:30:12,760 –> 00:30:15,380 because he points to himself. 695 00:30:15,380 –> 00:30:17,619 He announces the gospel but he himself 696 00:30:17,619 –> 00:30:19,599 is the gospel that is announced. 697 00:30:19,640 –> 00:30:23,219 He brings and fulfills everything that he speaks, 698 00:30:23,219 –> 00:30:26,719 it isn’t someone else who does that, he does that. 699 00:30:27,719 –> 00:30:30,640 The gospel is about Jesus Christ. 700 00:30:30,640 –> 00:30:34,359 Now that is very important for us 701 00:30:34,359 –> 00:30:36,560 as we set out on this series. 702 00:30:37,660 –> 00:30:41,099 You see, in this journey through Mark 703 00:30:41,099 –> 00:30:42,680 we’ll learn many things 704 00:30:44,459 –> 00:30:46,920 but what’s most important is 705 00:30:46,959 –> 00:30:51,260 that we come to know this Jesus Christ. 706 00:30:52,680 –> 00:30:55,439 That is why the resurrection is central 707 00:30:55,439 –> 00:30:57,459 to all Christian faith. 708 00:30:58,640 –> 00:31:02,160 You can learn about a figure of history 709 00:31:02,160 –> 00:31:03,520 but you cannot know them. 710 00:31:04,699 –> 00:31:08,219 But if somebody is living, you can meet them, 711 00:31:09,199 –> 00:31:10,400 you can know them, 712 00:31:11,780 –> 00:31:13,780 you can share a meal with them, 713 00:31:13,780 –> 00:31:16,520 you can invite them to your home. 714 00:31:16,520 –> 00:31:19,739 If someone is living, you can 715 00:31:19,739 –> 00:31:24,020 engage in a direct personal relationship with that person 716 00:31:24,020 –> 00:31:26,380 assuming that they are willing to engage 717 00:31:26,380 –> 00:31:28,400 in that relationship with you. 718 00:31:30,520 –> 00:31:33,780 Now, when you read Mark’s gospel, 719 00:31:34,819 –> 00:31:36,640 you won’t be saying, 720 00:31:36,640 –> 00:31:40,060 well what a fascinating person Jesus was 721 00:31:40,060 –> 00:31:42,119 and I would have liked to have known him. 722 00:31:42,939 –> 00:31:47,579 You will be recognizing that in Mark’s gospel 723 00:31:47,579 –> 00:31:51,339 you are learning about Jesus Christ the Son of God 724 00:31:51,339 –> 00:31:55,680 who right now is at the right hand of the Father. 725 00:31:56,619 –> 00:31:58,219 And so whatever you’re reading here 726 00:31:58,219 –> 00:32:00,619 and learning about him in Mark’s gospel, 727 00:32:00,619 –> 00:32:03,239 you’re going to be saying, I can come to him. 728 00:32:04,339 –> 00:32:06,680 I can come to this Jesus 729 00:32:07,780 –> 00:32:09,420 who came into the world for me, 730 00:32:09,459 –> 00:32:11,680 he died, and rose, ascended, 731 00:32:11,680 –> 00:32:14,739 and now is at the right hand of the Father. 732 00:32:14,739 –> 00:32:17,920 The living Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, 733 00:32:17,920 –> 00:32:20,319 I can come to him. 734 00:32:21,239 –> 00:32:22,319 I can know him 735 00:32:23,219 –> 00:32:28,219 and all the blessings that are to be found in him. 736 00:32:28,219 –> 00:32:32,359 Now what happens when you come 737 00:32:33,280 –> 00:32:36,020 to Jesus Christ 738 00:32:36,020 –> 00:32:37,739 as one who believes? 739 00:32:40,040 –> 00:32:42,359 Well, the answer that Mark is making clear to us, 740 00:32:42,359 –> 00:32:44,260 the whole Bible makes clear to us, 741 00:32:44,260 –> 00:32:47,260 is that in Christ 742 00:32:48,459 –> 00:32:49,719 you will find 743 00:32:51,020 –> 00:32:52,219 repentance. 744 00:32:53,699 –> 00:32:55,020 You’ll find it in Christ. 745 00:32:55,020 –> 00:32:58,579 When you draw near to Jesus Christ, 746 00:32:58,579 –> 00:33:03,099 this becomes yours 747 00:33:03,099 –> 00:33:07,819 because it is hidden in him. 748 00:33:07,819 –> 00:33:11,319 You have him, you find repentance. 749 00:33:11,319 –> 00:33:13,959 Now let’s see this right here in Mark’s Gospel. 750 00:33:13,959 –> 00:33:18,300 Notice after introducing Jesus, Mark says verse two, 751 00:33:18,300 –> 00:33:19,579 prophecy from Isaiah, 752 00:33:19,579 –> 00:33:21,760 I will send my messenger, God is saying, 753 00:33:21,760 –> 00:33:24,680 ahead of you to prepare your way. 754 00:33:24,680 –> 00:33:26,619 A voice of one calling in the desert. 755 00:33:26,619 –> 00:33:29,260 Prepare the way of the Lord. 756 00:33:29,260 –> 00:33:32,260 And this then was the message of John the Baptist, 757 00:33:32,260 –> 00:33:35,060 a very simple message, prepare the way of the Lord. 758 00:33:35,060 –> 00:33:36,900 In other words, the Lord’s coming. 759 00:33:36,900 –> 00:33:38,160 Or if I can put it this way, 760 00:33:38,160 –> 00:33:39,979 I think this is the burden of John’s message, 761 00:33:39,979 –> 00:33:41,400 what he was really saying was this, 762 00:33:41,400 –> 00:33:42,719 you’re gonna meet God. 763 00:33:44,199 –> 00:33:47,199 God in the flesh is coming, prepare His way. 764 00:33:48,500 –> 00:33:50,439 You are going to meet God. 765 00:33:51,699 –> 00:33:53,040 That’s a powerful message. 766 00:33:55,020 –> 00:33:58,359 And it’s true, it’s true for every one of us here. 767 00:33:58,359 –> 00:34:01,959 You are going to meet God. 768 00:34:02,880 –> 00:34:07,880 We will see Him, you will stand before Him, 769 00:34:08,959 –> 00:34:13,020 you will give an account of your life to Him. 770 00:34:14,600 –> 00:34:17,219 Now I wonder how you react to that message, 771 00:34:17,219 –> 00:34:19,000 how would you have reacted if you heard it from John, 772 00:34:19,000 –> 00:34:20,959 how do you react as you hear it today? 773 00:34:22,439 –> 00:34:24,820 Well, there are some people who’d say, 774 00:34:24,820 –> 00:34:26,360 I’m going to meet God, good, 775 00:34:26,360 –> 00:34:28,979 I’ve got some questions to ask Him, right? 776 00:34:29,020 –> 00:34:31,020 There are other people who’d say, 777 00:34:31,020 –> 00:34:32,800 I’m going to meet God, good, 778 00:34:32,800 –> 00:34:34,459 I really could use some help, 779 00:34:34,459 –> 00:34:36,939 I’ve got a list of things I want Him to do for me. 780 00:34:38,580 –> 00:34:40,580 There might be some other people more passive 781 00:34:40,580 –> 00:34:44,419 who sort of yawn and say, who cares, 782 00:34:44,419 –> 00:34:45,520 what will be, will be. 783 00:34:46,939 –> 00:34:48,439 I want you to notice that these people 784 00:34:48,439 –> 00:34:50,820 who heard John’s message 785 00:34:50,820 –> 00:34:53,800 didn’t react in any of these ways, 786 00:34:53,800 –> 00:34:55,899 notice how they did react, verse five, 787 00:34:56,260 –> 00:34:57,560 they did react, verse five, 788 00:34:59,060 –> 00:35:02,100 the whole Judean countryside and the whole community 789 00:35:03,919 –> 00:35:05,000 and all the people of Jerusalem, 790 00:35:05,000 –> 00:35:07,840 that’s city-folks, country-folks in their droves 791 00:35:07,840 –> 00:35:11,159 went out to him, that’s John, 792 00:35:11,159 –> 00:35:13,679 confessing their sins, 793 00:35:15,080 –> 00:35:17,340 they were baptized by Him in the Jordan River. 794 00:35:19,179 –> 00:35:21,300 See, John said you’re gonna meet with God 795 00:35:22,239 –> 00:35:27,060 and these people responded by confessing their sins, 796 00:35:28,719 –> 00:35:29,979 why did they do that? 797 00:35:30,959 –> 00:35:35,320 Well, these folks knew enough about the God of the Bible 798 00:35:35,320 –> 00:35:37,300 to realize that if the God of the Bible 799 00:35:37,300 –> 00:35:39,860 were actually to come near to them, 800 00:35:39,860 –> 00:35:43,439 they had some confessing and some repenting to do 801 00:35:45,800 –> 00:35:47,840 and when they heard John’s message 802 00:35:47,840 –> 00:35:49,260 and they were convinced that it was true, 803 00:35:49,260 –> 00:35:52,919 the Lord himself is about to come on the scene, 804 00:35:52,919 –> 00:35:56,379 their immediate response was, I got some confessing, 805 00:35:56,379 –> 00:35:59,159 I got some repenting to do and I better do it quick 806 00:36:00,820 –> 00:36:04,500 and they went out in their droves to respond in this way. 807 00:36:04,500 –> 00:36:07,419 I have to tell you, I would have been among them, would you? 808 00:36:09,260 –> 00:36:11,540 If you knew that you were going to stand 809 00:36:11,540 –> 00:36:15,179 before the eternal God before today is done, 810 00:36:16,500 –> 00:36:17,979 would you not feel right now 811 00:36:18,020 –> 00:36:20,100 that you’ve got some confessing to do 812 00:36:20,100 –> 00:36:22,780 and some repenting to do and you better do it quick? 813 00:36:25,260 –> 00:36:29,199 Now, that is exactly how they responded to John’s message 814 00:36:29,199 –> 00:36:34,120 and you see, they were discovering this reality 815 00:36:34,120 –> 00:36:38,340 that when Jesus Christ really comes near to you, 816 00:36:39,520 –> 00:36:41,239 you find repentance. 817 00:36:42,419 –> 00:36:46,820 In fact, the first evidence that you are drawing near 818 00:36:46,820 –> 00:36:50,379 to Christ, or that Christ is drawing near to you, 819 00:36:50,379 –> 00:36:52,760 the first evidence that He’s really working 820 00:36:52,760 –> 00:36:56,840 in your life, will be that you become much more aware 821 00:36:56,840 –> 00:36:59,060 of your own sinfulness, your own need to confess, 822 00:36:59,060 –> 00:37:00,860 your own need to repent, 823 00:37:01,860 –> 00:37:04,020 because you find that in Him, you see, 824 00:37:05,300 –> 00:37:07,360 your pride will start to fall away. 825 00:37:07,360 –> 00:37:08,979 It will start to look very toddlery. 826 00:37:08,979 –> 00:37:11,219 You’ll begin to say, I feel now, 827 00:37:11,219 –> 00:37:14,540 that I fall much further short than I realized before. 828 00:37:14,540 –> 00:37:17,620 I see my need to change more deeply and further 829 00:37:17,620 –> 00:37:19,379 than I used to see it. 830 00:37:21,540 –> 00:37:25,419 That’s the effect of Christ drawing near. 831 00:37:25,419 –> 00:37:26,320 It was the effect then, 832 00:37:26,320 –> 00:37:28,179 it’s the effect now, it always is. 833 00:37:29,979 –> 00:37:31,659 Because in Christ is repentance. 834 00:37:31,659 –> 00:37:32,860 If you’re getting near to Him, 835 00:37:32,860 –> 00:37:35,260 that’s one of the things you’ll discover in Him. 836 00:37:36,739 –> 00:37:39,439 In Christ, you find repentance. 837 00:37:41,060 –> 00:37:43,280 In repentance, 838 00:37:43,919 –> 00:37:46,000 you find forgiveness. 839 00:37:47,959 –> 00:37:49,100 It’s a wonderful thing. 840 00:37:51,020 –> 00:37:52,600 And Mark makes it very clear here, 841 00:37:52,600 –> 00:37:55,879 right at the beginning of his Gospel. 842 00:37:55,879 –> 00:37:56,760 Verse four, 843 00:37:56,760 –> 00:38:00,879 John was preaching a baptism of repentance 844 00:38:00,879 –> 00:38:05,300 for the forgiveness of sins. 845 00:38:06,719 –> 00:38:09,159 See, when you come near to Jesus Christ, 846 00:38:09,159 –> 00:38:11,399 He will show you your need, 847 00:38:12,340 –> 00:38:14,679 but He will not leave you in despair. 848 00:38:16,219 –> 00:38:19,320 He will show you your need so that in Him, 849 00:38:19,320 –> 00:38:23,500 in Him you will find forgiveness, 850 00:38:23,500 –> 00:38:27,939 which is the very reason that He has come into the world. 851 00:38:28,840 –> 00:38:31,479 And John was baptizing people. 852 00:38:31,479 –> 00:38:35,340 Baptism is a wonderful, wonderful picture 853 00:38:35,340 –> 00:38:38,679 of what happens to you in Jesus Christ. 854 00:38:38,679 –> 00:38:40,439 You come to Jesus Christ in faith, 855 00:38:40,439 –> 00:38:42,600 you become aware of your own sinfulness. 856 00:38:42,600 –> 00:38:47,600 You see that you are a sinner and Jesus Christ washes you. 857 00:38:47,760 –> 00:38:50,239 The Son of God forgives you, 858 00:38:50,239 –> 00:38:52,159 and if the Son of God forgives you, 859 00:38:52,159 –> 00:38:54,199 who’s going to condemn you? 860 00:38:54,199 –> 00:38:57,239 You are forgiven, you are washed. 861 00:38:57,239 –> 00:39:00,320 And baptism, because we find this so hard to take in, 862 00:39:00,320 –> 00:39:02,860 is a wonderful ceiling of this. 863 00:39:02,860 –> 00:39:05,260 When a person comes to be baptized, 864 00:39:05,260 –> 00:39:07,860 it is a wonderful way of you saying, 865 00:39:07,860 –> 00:39:11,840 I am a sinner who needs to be washed. 866 00:39:11,840 –> 00:39:13,560 I need to be forgiven. 867 00:39:13,560 –> 00:39:16,800 I see the wrongness of so much that is in my life, 868 00:39:16,800 –> 00:39:18,899 and in being baptized in the water, 869 00:39:18,899 –> 00:39:20,879 Jesus Christ is saying to you, 870 00:39:20,879 –> 00:39:24,679 and I am the Savior who forgives you and washes you, 871 00:39:24,679 –> 00:39:26,320 and you are washed in me. 872 00:39:26,320 –> 00:39:27,639 And never forget it, 873 00:39:27,639 –> 00:39:29,320 because in this way, 874 00:39:29,320 –> 00:39:33,360 you can move forward into newness of life. 875 00:39:34,340 –> 00:39:37,580 Now you see, all of this is the Gospel in Jesus, 876 00:39:37,580 –> 00:39:38,419 you see. 877 00:39:40,080 –> 00:39:41,459 It’s about Jesus Christ, 878 00:39:41,459 –> 00:39:43,580 and in Christ you will find repentance. 879 00:39:43,580 –> 00:39:45,719 It’s the first sign that you’ve come near to him 880 00:39:45,719 –> 00:39:47,360 or that he’s come near to you. 881 00:39:49,000 –> 00:39:50,820 And as you find repentance, 882 00:39:50,820 –> 00:39:52,100 you will find forgiveness. 883 00:39:52,100 –> 00:39:54,020 Don’t ever separate these two things, 884 00:39:54,020 –> 00:39:56,179 they’re both together in Christ. 885 00:39:57,199 –> 00:39:59,139 The forgiveness isn’t just saying a quick prayer, 886 00:39:59,139 –> 00:40:00,580 it’s really coming to the conclusion, 887 00:40:00,580 –> 00:40:03,139 I have to change. 888 00:40:03,139 –> 00:40:04,800 I have to let go of that old way 889 00:40:04,800 –> 00:40:08,000 and by the strength of Christ begin to move in a new way. 890 00:40:09,459 –> 00:40:11,739 In Christ, repentance. 891 00:40:11,739 –> 00:40:14,580 In repentance, forgiveness. 892 00:40:16,139 –> 00:40:17,560 And in forgiveness, 893 00:40:18,979 –> 00:40:20,659 the gift of the Holy Spirit. 894 00:40:22,260 –> 00:40:24,719 That’s what John identifies here in his ministry 895 00:40:24,719 –> 00:40:26,959 recorded by Mark, look at Verse Eight. 896 00:40:28,580 –> 00:40:30,399 John’s pointing to Jesus, saying, 897 00:40:30,979 –> 00:40:32,080 That after me will come someone 898 00:40:32,080 –> 00:40:34,320 much more powerful than me. 899 00:40:35,080 –> 00:40:38,179 I baptize you with water, 900 00:40:38,179 –> 00:40:43,179 but he, Jesus, will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. 901 00:40:45,159 –> 00:40:48,399 Now, here is an amazing promise. 902 00:40:48,399 –> 00:40:51,600 God’s presence, God’s power, 903 00:40:52,840 –> 00:40:56,840 God’s Spirit will come into your life 904 00:40:57,479 –> 00:41:00,360 when you are in Jesus Christ. 905 00:41:03,219 –> 00:41:07,320 This too is an unpacking of the Gospel, 906 00:41:07,320 –> 00:41:11,860 an unfolding of all that is yours in him. 907 00:41:13,939 –> 00:41:15,639 And, you’re probably thinking, 908 00:41:15,639 –> 00:41:18,600 how could the Holy Spirit of God 909 00:41:18,600 –> 00:41:20,580 live in the life of a person like me? 910 00:41:21,979 –> 00:41:24,080 And, the answer is, because you’re forgiven. 911 00:41:24,080 –> 00:41:26,139 The answer is, you’re forgiven. 912 00:41:26,139 –> 00:41:28,179 Because you are in Christ. 913 00:41:29,840 –> 00:41:31,080 Because you’re in Christ, 914 00:41:31,080 –> 00:41:33,939 God’s spirit comes to live within you. 915 00:41:35,399 –> 00:41:39,520 See, don’t sell the Gospel short 916 00:41:39,520 –> 00:41:44,219 just at repentance and forgiveness. 917 00:41:44,219 –> 00:41:45,679 Don’t sell the Gospel short. 918 00:41:45,679 –> 00:41:47,820 A lot of people have the idea that the Gospel is simply 919 00:41:47,820 –> 00:41:50,199 that I say sorry for my sins and I’m forgiven. 920 00:41:50,199 –> 00:41:51,639 That’s the extent that they’ve imagined. 921 00:41:51,840 –> 00:41:54,659 They’ve never understood that in Christ, 922 00:41:54,659 –> 00:41:56,760 the power and presence of the Holy Spirit 923 00:41:56,760 –> 00:41:59,719 comes to you to make you a new man. 924 00:41:59,719 –> 00:42:01,179 And a new woman. 925 00:42:01,179 –> 00:42:02,879 And to give you a new birth. 926 00:42:02,879 –> 00:42:04,439 And to give you a new power 927 00:42:04,439 –> 00:42:07,560 and new ability to engage in the war and temptation. 928 00:42:07,560 –> 00:42:09,020 A new kind of a dynamic. 929 00:42:09,020 –> 00:42:11,500 A new love, a new heart to worship, 930 00:42:11,500 –> 00:42:14,080 a new peace, a new joy, a new power. 931 00:42:14,080 –> 00:42:17,320 All this is in Christ. 932 00:42:18,320 –> 00:42:19,800 And when Christ comes near to you, 933 00:42:19,800 –> 00:42:21,120 you come near to Christ. 934 00:42:21,120 –> 00:42:23,139 However you put that, 935 00:42:23,139 –> 00:42:25,699 in him you will find repentance. 936 00:42:25,699 –> 00:42:29,260 That’s the first sign that you’re near to Jesus. 937 00:42:29,260 –> 00:42:32,139 And coming near to Jesus in repentance, 938 00:42:32,139 –> 00:42:33,379 you find forgiveness. 939 00:42:33,379 –> 00:42:36,179 And in this wonderful relationship, 940 00:42:36,179 –> 00:42:38,239 he imparts his Holy Spirit. 941 00:42:38,239 –> 00:42:40,260 It’s more than just being baptized 942 00:42:40,260 –> 00:42:41,080 and being sorry 943 00:42:41,080 –> 00:42:42,659 and more even than being forgiven, 944 00:42:42,659 –> 00:42:47,659 he will baptize you with his Holy Spirit. 945 00:42:48,540 –> 00:42:51,520 These things found together in Christ. 946 00:42:53,399 –> 00:42:54,919 Now I think that we can put together 947 00:42:54,919 –> 00:42:56,899 in this very last moment 948 00:42:56,899 –> 00:42:58,439 the marks of a true Christian 949 00:42:58,439 –> 00:42:59,840 and just measure ourselves 950 00:42:59,840 –> 00:43:02,399 and say if this is what a real Christian is 951 00:43:02,399 –> 00:43:04,199 where does that leave me 952 00:43:04,199 –> 00:43:06,520 and how do I bring myself 953 00:43:06,520 –> 00:43:09,699 before what we’re learning from the Bible today. 954 00:43:10,919 –> 00:43:11,760 From what we’ve learned 955 00:43:11,760 –> 00:43:13,080 from the beginning of Mark’s gospel, 956 00:43:13,080 –> 00:43:14,580 we can surely say this. 957 00:43:14,820 –> 00:43:18,260 That if you are a true Christian 958 00:43:18,260 –> 00:43:21,139 then you will be a person 959 00:43:21,139 –> 00:43:24,939 who believes that Jesus is the Christ, 960 00:43:24,939 –> 00:43:26,120 the Son of God. 961 00:43:26,120 –> 00:43:27,040 Believe that? 962 00:43:28,419 –> 00:43:30,899 And if you are a person 963 00:43:30,899 –> 00:43:32,340 who holds to that faith, 964 00:43:32,340 –> 00:43:34,340 you have trusted Jesus as the Christ, 965 00:43:34,340 –> 00:43:36,060 the Son of God. 966 00:43:36,060 –> 00:43:37,580 You will also in him 967 00:43:37,580 –> 00:43:39,459 be a person who knows 968 00:43:39,459 –> 00:43:41,100 that you are a sinner 969 00:43:41,100 –> 00:43:44,100 and repent of your sins. 970 00:43:45,100 –> 00:43:46,219 Not just once many years ago 971 00:43:46,219 –> 00:43:47,820 but you will be aware now 972 00:43:47,820 –> 00:43:49,159 that your life to this day 973 00:43:49,159 –> 00:43:51,739 falls short of God’s great calling 974 00:43:51,739 –> 00:43:53,699 and that you are seeking 975 00:43:53,699 –> 00:43:57,020 to bring yourself as best you know 976 00:43:57,020 –> 00:43:58,699 and with the help of God’s grace 977 00:43:58,699 –> 00:43:59,739 and by his Spirit 978 00:43:59,739 –> 00:44:01,340 more and more into line 979 00:44:01,340 –> 00:44:02,379 with his purpose for you. 980 00:44:02,379 –> 00:44:04,439 You’re a repenting person 981 00:44:04,439 –> 00:44:05,899 if you are a real Christian. 982 00:44:05,899 –> 00:44:07,080 Don’t know what that is? 983 00:44:07,080 –> 00:44:09,419 Don’t confuse yourself 984 00:44:09,419 –> 00:44:11,020 by thinking you are a Christian. 985 00:44:12,340 –> 00:44:13,580 If you are a real Christian 986 00:44:13,580 –> 00:44:16,139 you will know at the same time 987 00:44:16,139 –> 00:44:17,379 that you are forgiven. 988 00:44:19,260 –> 00:44:20,520 Know that I’ve lived this 989 00:44:20,520 –> 00:44:22,060 marvelous perfect life 990 00:44:22,060 –> 00:44:23,860 that I am going to present to God. 991 00:44:23,860 –> 00:44:25,560 My life is short in so many ways 992 00:44:25,560 –> 00:44:26,739 but by his grace 993 00:44:26,739 –> 00:44:27,780 and through his blood 994 00:44:27,780 –> 00:44:29,860 I am forgiven, I am washed 995 00:44:29,860 –> 00:44:31,540 and that is how I am able to move forward 996 00:44:31,540 –> 00:44:33,000 into this coming week. 997 00:44:34,560 –> 00:44:35,879 And if you are a true Christian 998 00:44:35,879 –> 00:44:40,280 you know that the Holy Spirit lives in you. 999 00:44:41,820 –> 00:44:42,939 All these things 1000 00:44:43,239 –> 00:44:45,439 are found in Christ. 1001 00:44:47,060 –> 00:44:48,739 If you are in Christ 1002 00:44:48,739 –> 00:44:51,139 these things are true of you, 1003 00:44:52,040 –> 00:44:53,340 that’s the gospel. 1004 00:44:55,260 –> 00:44:56,080 And if these things 1005 00:44:56,080 –> 00:44:57,159 are not true of you 1006 00:44:58,179 –> 00:44:59,199 you need to come 1007 00:44:59,199 –> 00:45:00,820 to Jesus Christ 1008 00:45:00,820 –> 00:45:03,179 and believe in Jesus Christ 1009 00:45:03,179 –> 00:45:05,419 and turn to Jesus Christ 1010 00:45:05,419 –> 00:45:07,860 and you will find these things, 1011 00:45:07,860 –> 00:45:09,340 they will become yours 1012 00:45:10,419 –> 00:45:11,239 in him. 1013 00:45:13,260 –> 00:45:14,239 Let’s bow before God 1014 00:45:14,239 –> 00:45:16,840 in prayer together. 1015 00:45:19,459 –> 00:45:20,840 Lord Jesus, we thank you 1016 00:45:20,840 –> 00:45:22,760 that you are the Christ, 1017 00:45:23,840 –> 00:45:25,020 come to deliver us 1018 00:45:25,020 –> 00:45:27,100 and that you are the son of God 1019 00:45:28,260 –> 00:45:29,979 for whom nothing is impossible. 1020 00:45:32,300 –> 00:45:33,699 Thank you that in you 1021 00:45:33,699 –> 00:45:35,399 we find repentance, 1022 00:45:36,679 –> 00:45:38,040 forgiveness, 1023 00:45:39,379 –> 00:45:41,300 and the gift of the Holy Spirit 1024 00:45:43,239 –> 00:45:44,979 Now, strengthen our faith, 1025 00:45:46,260 –> 00:45:48,320 deepen our repentance, 1026 00:45:49,500 –> 00:45:51,899 assure us of your forgiveness, 1027 00:45:53,280 –> 00:45:55,699 and empower us by your Holy Spirit 1028 00:45:57,260 –> 00:45:59,139 so that as we follow you 1029 00:46:00,419 –> 00:46:01,399 and trust you, 1030 00:46:03,100 –> 00:46:04,639 we may know you more and more 1031 00:46:04,639 –> 00:46:05,800 as our savior, 1032 00:46:07,239 –> 00:46:09,080 our redeemer, 1033 00:46:09,080 –> 00:46:10,340 our master, 1034 00:46:11,260 –> 00:46:12,419 and our lord. 1035 00:46:13,659 –> 00:46:14,600 Hear our prayer, 1036 00:46:16,100 –> 00:46:16,939 Amen.