INTRODUCTION: Read Mark 1:1-8
1. Concerning the text.
1) “the Baptist” is just a title referring to what he did what he did; John the Baptistace or literally, John the one who baptizes or immerses in water. Like Paul, John’s main objective was not just to baptize or immerse people for the remission of sin.
2) When we think of John we should think of preparation. His duty or his purpose was to prepare the nation of Israel to receive the Christ.
3) He did this by preaching, by conversion, and by example of a godly life.
4) It’s important for us to study what this text says about his job of preparation, because we to have a work of preparation of our own to do.
5) Jesus is coming again!
2. Tonight, I would like for us to examine the elements of John’s work of preparation and see how to apply it to us as Christians today with Christ’s second coming in mind. We all have the responsibility of preparing the world for His second and final coming and we need to be prepared. So, let’s look at the text and see how…
DISCUSSION:
I. JOHN PREPARED THE PEOPLE BY PREACHING. 1-3
1. John’s message was to: “prepare yourself the King is coming.”
1) vs. 2 messenger=angelos in the Greek, the word angel can be applied to men, because it just means messenger; this messenger or angel was prophesied in Malachi 3:1
2) vs. 3 was prophesied in Isa. 40:3
2. His preaching involved the identification of sin. Luke 1:77 is own father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied that he would preach the knowledge of salvation of sin. Before someone can accept they need salvation from sin, they must first accept or admit that they have sin (I John 1:5-10)
3. He called the people away from the influence of the religious leaders of that day. [Matt. 3:7-10]
II. JOHN PREPARED THE PEOPLE BY CONVERSION. 4,5
1. John’s preaching was to result in the remission of sins.
2. He preached baptism coupled with repentance.
3. The people confessed or admitted their sins. (Matt. 3:6; they came confessing their sins)
4. When they responded by faith to John’s preaching they left prepared to receive the coming Messiah.
III. JOHN PREPARED THE PEOPLE BY EXAMPLE. 6-8
1. He was an example of consecration. Separated from the world. Ex.: His clothes, he lived in the wilderness
2. He was an example of humility. [John 3:26-30]
3. He was an example of zeal. Luke 1:17 (Mal. 4:5 “I am sending you Elijah”; Jer. 20:9 “Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.”)
4. He was an example of greatness. [Matthew 11:7-11].
IV. JESUS IS COMING AGAIN.
1. He cometh with the clouds. Rev. 1:7
2. We shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2
3. He shall descend from heaven with a shout. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.
1) It will be quick, in the twinkling or blink of an eye…
4. We must be ready. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9.
1) If we live our lives in such a way that we are worshiping every day, then we will be prepared. Whether that is remembering every thing God has don for us (including sending his only begotten son to die for all) but also praying and repenting when we do sin, so that we might always be pure in his sight. It doesn’t matter if we think we are pure and right, we must be pure and right according to his will and his word.
V. THE CHURCH MUST PREPARE THE WORLD BY PREACHING.
1. The Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46,47
2. God chose preaching as his approved form of delivering the Gospel. Not wearing t-shirts with scripture or cleaver phrases or putting bumper stickers on our cars but preaching. He wants us to talk to others about Him, His Son, and His Word. [1 Corinthians 1:18-21]
3. Paul ready to preach the Gospel, power of God. Romans 1:15-16
1) Greek for ready: ready, willing, prepared, and able
2) Armor of God: feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel. We have studied and we are walking out to take the Gospel to the world, because we know it is the power (dunamis) unto salvation unto all that have obedient faith.
4. Preach the Word. 2 Timothy 4:1-4
VI. THE CHURCH MUST PREPARE THE WORLD BY CONVERSION.
1. The only way to meet the righteous judge favorably is by being prepared.
2. Remaining in our sins is being unprepared.
1) We have all sinned. Romans 3:23
2) Our sins separate us from God. Isaiah 59:2
3) Wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23
3. The only remedy of sin is the blood of Christ. Matthew 26:28 (for the remission of sins)
4. Peter announces the way to contact that blood is by repentance and baptism. Acts 2:38 (by the remission of sins)
5. The one having contacted the blood is converted. From darkness to light, from life to death, from a child of Satan to a child of God.
6. Only the converted are prepared when Jesus comes.
VII. THE CHURCH MUST PREPARE THE WORLD BY EXAMPLE.
1. We have an obligation to be salt and light. Matthew 5:13,14.
2. Timothy was taught to be an example. 1 Tim. 4:12.
3. We are to be examples of humility as John was. Luke 17:10
4. We are to reject worldliness as John says. 1 John 2:15 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
5. We are to keep ourselves unspotted from the world. James 1:27; I Peter 3:16 “Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation (manner of life, behavior, righteousness, God approved behavior) in Christ.”
CONCLUSION:
1. John the immerser was a magnificent example of a man of God. It is no wonder that the Lord commended him so highly.
2. John had (in essence) the same job that we do, namely, preparation.
1) He prepared the way for the first coming of Christ and we are to prepare for the second coming.
3. He used preaching, and we are commanded to do the same.
4. He preaching led to conversion, and this is our goal.
5. He left a great example; we are to shine as examples in this world.
6. Invitation