Where do I go from here?
Mark 1:1-8
April 15/16, 2023
Daniel Im, Lead Pastor

Background Information about the Gospel of Mark:

· About the author:
o Mark wasn’t one of the twelve disciples of Jesus
o Mark was an integral part of the early church (Acts 12:12, 25; Acts 13:4, 13; Acts 15:36-41; Philemon 24; Colossians 4:10)

· Why did he write this gospel?
o To help the Roman Christians learn to stand firm in their faith because of the persecution that they were facing following the great fire of Rome in A.D.64

John was a messenger of hope, proclaiming a message of hope, to a world desperate for hope.

1. John was a messenger of hope because he was the one that was prophesied to come.
- He fulfilled prophecies from Exodus 23:20, Malachi 4:5-6, and Isaiah 40:3.
- As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight! (Mark 1:2-3 CSB)
- John came baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. John wore a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. (Mark 1:4-6CSB)
- “To speak of the gospel of Jesus is to speak of the good news which began with John." - William L. Lane

2. John was proclaiming a message of hope that the best was yet to come.
- He proclaimed, “One who is more powerful than I am is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:7-8 CSB)

3. John was a in world desperate for hope.
- Just as Moses led the people of God out of Egypt through the waters of the Red Sea to repent, John is leading the people of God through the waters of the Jordan River to repent.
- After this I will pour out my Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will have dreams, and your young men will see visions. I will even pour out my Spirit on the male and female slaves in those days. (Joel 2:28-29 CSB)