Behold my servant, Video preaching

The ministry of John the Baptist, Pt1

Scripture: Mark 1:2-11

Sermon notes 

Behold my servant #2: The ministry of John          Mark 1:2-11

The beginning of the gospel of Christ involves the ministry of a preacher. There is a wonderful juxtaposition of the work of the Son of God and the work of a man. The Lord is pleased to advance the cause of Christ through the work of men. Cp 1Cor 1:21. This same connection of ideas is seen in v2-3 where the scene in v2 is a heavenly conversation between Father and Son; while the scene in v3 is that of a wilderness on earth. The gospel brings both together!

I  HIS MINISTRY WAS DEFINED BY SCRIPTURE.

Two passages from the prophets are joined together here in a Biblical definition of John’s ministry. Cp Is 40:3, Mal 3:1. While these terms apply specifically to John’s work as an important piece of the evidence for Christ’s claims, they are also true of all who will speak for Christ and specially the gospel preacher. John came to rely on these words as he explained his ministry, John 1:19-23.

1. He was the messenger of God. John is spoken of here in terms of the Father’s gift to the Son, v2. Cp Luke 1:14-116, 76-80. He was sent by God, John 1:6. No man can act as a messenger for God unless he is sent. Cp Romans 10:13-17. The mark of a man who is sent by God is obedience and a simple declaration of God’s word. Here is the role of the preacher of Christ. Cp 2Cor 5:20. This is what the Scripture demands of him!

2. His calling was to prepare the way for Christ, v2-3. His ministry was a means of preparation in that it was an announcement of the imminent arrival of the Messiah as well as a declaration of what His work would be. The burden of John’s ministry was to make Christ known so that when He came His cause would rapidly advance. He called on men to the work of preparation, v3, that was necessary for them to be part of that advance and not a hindrance to Him.

3. A voice…crying in the wilderness, v3. What John had to say was the important thing. The ‘sound’ of his words, his message, was everything. Cp John 10:41. In a sense he was like a disembodied voice/sound/echo in the wilderness. This also indicates that he preached in a hostile environment. Even where he was to preach was defined by the word of God! Could he have expected a larger audience in a less difficult place? No doubt! Yet it was here he was sent to preach. It was here God made his ministry effective.

II  JOHN’S PREACHING MINISTRY.

1. He preached the baptism of repentance, v4. His message centred on the doctrine of sin’s pollution cleansed away through confession which was made with a believing view of the coming Saviour. As a Levitical Priest, John knew well the means of remission of sins. Cp Heb 9:22, John 1:29. The baptism that he administered was a modified Levitical cleansing/washing rite. Cp 7:4, 8, Heb 9:10. This would have been linked to the water of purification produced by the sacrifice of the red heifer, Numbers 19 (:13, 18). This is a primary matter for men to consider in order to meet the Messiah! It is a critical component in the faith that accepts what Scripture teaches about Christ. This doctrine is what must be preached in order to prepare men for Christ’s coming.

2. A glorious response, v5. A great many people came to see their sin under John’s ministry and turned from it. Here is an evidence of the work of Divine grace and power. People came to hear! They went to the wilderness to hear a message naturally unattractive to the human heart and they humbly believed it!

3. John’s simple lifestyle, v6. John was a plain man. He dressed simply, severely and plainly. His very appearance testified to the nature of his ministry. Cp 2Kings 1:8, Zech 13:4. He was a prophet and his chief interest was proclaiming the message God had given him. Fine clothes and food were not his focus. The wilderness was not an attractive place or one associated with the comforts or luxuries of life! Cp Matt 11:7-9. It was an environment not associated with fickleness but an iron will/gritty determination. It was not associated with luxury and comfort but plainness and practicality. Such a mindset must ever mark the faithful Christian in this world.

(To be continued in Part 2)

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