Mark 1:1-8 Sermon Notes

Announcements and Housekeeping

The bathroom in the sanctuary hallway is experiencing issues; attendees are asked to use the restroom in the back of the gym. Today's offering is for communion, with envelopes available in the back. Offerings can be placed in the drawers or compartments in the back or in the gray boxes on the walls. Andrew and his family are welcomed to the church.

Prayer for Offering

A prayer is offered to thank God for the opportunity to give back and to be good stewards of tithes and offerings.

Communion Reflection

During Easter shopping, a coupon was found that read:

Jesus paid it all:

  • Your sin paid.

  • Shame and regret paid.

  • Lies and deceit paid.

  • Immorality, pride, and envy paid.

  • Anger and hate paid.

  • Total due: zero, paid in full on the cross.

This reflection connects to the old country song "No Charge," about a son who presents his mother with a bill for his chores, but the mother counters with a list of all the things she's done for him without charge, leading him to simply say, "Mommy, I love you". The attitude is to have gratitude for Christ's sacrifice. The focus is on Christ, the cross, and communion.

Communion Prayer

A prayer is offered in gratitude for Christ's sacrifice and the love that led to it.

Communion Scripture

Matthew 26:26-29 is recited:

Matthew \, 26:26-29

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.

Graduate Recognition

The church honors five graduating seniors: Drew, Tyler, Tate, Cammy, and Maddie.

  • Drew: Graduating from Decatur Central High School, Drew participated in marching band, jazz band, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He will attend Indiana Wesleyan for youth ministry. He'll miss hanging out with friends, and his favorite youth group memory is worship. He plays guitar for the youth group and runs slides on Sundays. A memory shared is when Craig, the former youth minister, was called to another church, Drew supported his decision.

  • Tyler: Graduating from Plainfield High School, Tyler participated in cross country, swimming, track, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and National Honor Society. He will attend Purdue to study mechanical engineering. He'll miss his friends, and his favorite youth group memory is white water rafting. Tyler has been in the youth group since kid zone (3rd or 4th grade) and has always been mature and a man of his word.

  • Tate: Graduating from Decatur Central High School, Tate participated in tennis, diving, volleyball, marching band, winter percussion ensemble, ACE mentor program, NTHS, National Honor Society, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He will attend Rose Hulman Institute of Technology to study civil engineering. He'll miss his extracurricular activities, and his favorite youth group memory is bonfire worship night. He is dating the leader's daughter. He is recognized for being a leader in FCA.

  • Cammy: Graduating from Plainfield High School, Cammy participated in the National Honor Society. She will attend Indiana Wesleyan University to study medical technology. She'll miss her favorite principal, Spanish, and art class. Her favorite youth group memory is the first fall retreat. She is recognized as easygoing and laid back and always participating in games.

  • Maddie: Graduating from Decatur Central High School, Maddie participated in National Honor Society and was a leader for FCA. Maddie is going to be studying sonography at the Ascension Saint Vincent sonography program. She'll miss her friends and teachers, and her favorite youth group memory from youth group is CIY with her best friend. She and the leader's daughter are great friends. She is also a worship leader.

The graduates and their parents are invited to come forward for a prayer. The group stepped up to keep the youth group going when the former youth minister left. The church is challenged to emulate their dedication to Jesus.

A prayer is offered for the graduates, asking for protection, wisdom, and discernment. They are reminded to return to Jesus when they make mistakes and that everything has been paid for already.

Introduction of New Lead Pastor

Andrew Philbeck is introduced as the new lead pastor, and he expresses his excitement to be there.

Volunteer Request for Vacation Bible School

There is a need for 12 crew leaders for Vacation Bible School (VBS) during the week of June. A training meeting will be held on June at 6:00 PM. Those interested can find Tanya in the lobby after the service.

Sermon Introduction: A Journey Through Mark

The sermon series will be a journey through the Gospel of Mark, not a verse-by-verse study. There will be breaks and shorter series inserted along the way. The decision to study Mark was made to focus on scripture and spend time with Jesus. The goal is to have messages grounded in the word of God.

Theme: Jesus is the Hope of the World

The underlying theme is that Jesus is the hope of the world, and the church provides hope by providing Jesus. The passage for today is Mark 1:1-8. It is read from the New Living Translation.

The Gospel of Mark: Servant Savior

Mark is a unique gospel written with a Roman audience in mind. The theme is the "Servant Savior", highlighting Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” There is no genealogy in Mark. Matthew presents Jesus as king, while Mark presents Him as a servant. Mark focuses on Jesus's actions and moves quickly from event to event.

Hope Promised (Mark 1:1-3)

The first three verses of Mark's gospel serve as a prologue, drawing from the Old Testament prophets Isaiah and Malachi to connect the Old and New Testaments and reveal God's plan. This section connects the events at the River Jordan and John the Baptist to God's plan. The connection between the Old and New Testaments shows that the plan is not impulsive, but has been built towards throughout human history. Isaiah 40:3 says, “Listen, it’s the voice of someone shouting, ‘Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!’” Malachi 3:1 says, “‘Look, I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,’ says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” The verses reference a second Exodus and an ultimate deliverance for God's people. All of this points to Jesus. Hope is a person, and His name is Jesus.

Hope Prepared (Mark 1:4)

John the Baptist prepares the way, preaching repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins in the wilderness. The wilderness is a desert, an empty place that cannot sustain life. John wants people to remember their history and the stories of being set free from slavery in Egypt. He wants them to remember wandering in the wilderness and then crossing the Jordan River. He draws people back to the Exodus, crossing the River Jordan. Jason Meyer says, it was not just a river. It was a border between the wilderness and the promised land. He mentions those that got baptised were converting to Judaism and now all people need the Messiah. The people came to him in droves. Mark 1:5 says, “All of Judea including all the people of Jerusalem went out to see and hear John.”

Hope Proclaimed (Mark 1:7-8)

John proclaims that someone greater than him is coming, who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. Citing the book 12, Unlikely Heros, “Though his story is told in the gospels, John was the last of the Old Testament prophets. As such, he was given the privilege responsibility of both announcing the Messiah’s coming and declaring his arrival. Like his predecessors, John faithfully pointed people forward to Christ but unlike the other Jewish prophets, he lived to see the fulfillment of his work”. Despite his unusual appearance and lifestyle, people were drawn to John because of Jesus. God's measuring stick is different than the world's and He calls everyone to recognize that they need to have Jesus. Matthew 11:11 says, “I tell you the truth of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist.”

Application

Two key points:

  1. I will always need Jesus.

    • The characters in Mark 1:1-8, John the Baptist, and the people understood that they needed a savior.

    • Spend time every day with Jesus through prayer, Bible study, conversations about faith, and consistent service attendance.

  2. The people I know need Jesus.

    • Be like Jesus and point people to Jesus.

    • In the world's eyes, John was a nobody, but he changed the world because of Jesus.

Closing

Do you need hope this morning? The people present are given a chance for people to come up so that they can pray with you.