1 00:00:11,800 --> 00:00:16,600 Well, good afternoon, please meet me in the gospel of Mark 2 00:00:16,700 --> 00:00:23,200 and chapter. 1 Mark chapter 1. We are beginning. 3 00:00:23,200 --> 00:00:30,600 This journey in this new book and I'm eager to Join you on 4 00:00:30,600 --> 00:00:36,000 this endeavor, Mark chapter 1. And today by the grace of God, 5 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:37,800 we will. We will hear the Lord through 6 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:42,200 through the first three verses. And so let's read in verse 1. 7 00:00:42,900 --> 00:00:50,400 The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the son of God as 8 00:00:50,400 --> 00:00:53,800 it is written in Isaiah. The prophet behold I send my 9 00:00:53,800 --> 00:00:59,100 messenger before your face who will prepare your way the voice 10 00:00:59,100 --> 00:01:04,099 of one crying in the wilderness. Prepare the way of the Lord. 11 00:01:04,500 --> 00:01:08,600 Make his paths. Straight Lord. 12 00:01:08,600 --> 00:01:13,000 We bow before you in our hearts. Oh God. 13 00:01:15,200 --> 00:01:19,100 Lori tremble at your word. We believe that this is your 14 00:01:19,100 --> 00:01:22,800 word. Your Eternal Word, your 15 00:01:22,800 --> 00:01:26,900 sufficient word. It is like a fire. 16 00:01:28,300 --> 00:01:32,800 And it is like a hammer, it can convict and cut and it can 17 00:01:32,800 --> 00:01:38,000 comfort and bind up. Lord, as we come to this book. 18 00:01:39,100 --> 00:01:41,100 Grab us by the hand and lead us through it. 19 00:01:41,100 --> 00:01:45,500 Verse by verse and help us see the glories of your son. 20 00:01:45,500 --> 00:01:52,600 Jesus Christ, Lord do the miracle, That you've started at 21 00:01:52,600 --> 00:01:59,200 Salvation, in sanctification, mold ice melt us. 22 00:02:00,100 --> 00:02:05,000 Make us into the people that you have purchased for your own 23 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:07,500 possession. Lord Jesus. 24 00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:12,000 You assured us that it would be greater for you to go so that 25 00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:16,900 the spirit of God would be in us and with us now, would his 26 00:02:16,900 --> 00:02:20,100 ministry be known today as he makes much of you. 27 00:02:21,000 --> 00:02:29,300 We ask this in Jesus name, amen. You will benefit the most out of 28 00:02:29,300 --> 00:02:33,000 this series if you have a Bible, that's true of every single 29 00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:35,400 Sunday. But there will be times where 30 00:02:35,400 --> 00:02:37,300 this will be more of a teaching format. 31 00:02:37,600 --> 00:02:39,900 And there will be other times where this will be a preaching 32 00:02:39,900 --> 00:02:45,900 session and oftentimes it's a mixture of both but hold tight 33 00:02:45,900 --> 00:02:48,800 to your copy of God's word. As we come through these three 34 00:02:48,800 --> 00:02:52,100 first verses in this glorious gospel account. 35 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:58,200 What we just read is important. Mark says the beginning of the 36 00:02:58,200 --> 00:03:02,200 Gospel of Jesus Christ. And what's so important about 37 00:03:02,200 --> 00:03:07,200 that statement is that the word gospel is most used by this 38 00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:10,700 gospel writer and comparison to his companions. 39 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:15,500 The word gospel is brought up a total of eight times in this 40 00:03:15,500 --> 00:03:19,300 book and comparison to Matthew, brings it up four times and Luke 41 00:03:19,300 --> 00:03:22,600 and John actually don't mention it at all at least directly. 42 00:03:24,200 --> 00:03:28,800 But Mark seems to be very interested in this concept of 43 00:03:29,100 --> 00:03:30,900 the Gospel. It's right there. 44 00:03:30,900 --> 00:03:34,500 When we begin this text and it will be found in the closing 45 00:03:34,500 --> 00:03:39,300 words of his testimony. Now, what's so important about? 46 00:03:39,300 --> 00:03:42,200 That is when we understand what the word gospel means, you know, 47 00:03:42,200 --> 00:03:44,000 it you're familiar with it, aren't you? 48 00:03:44,900 --> 00:03:46,700 It simply means. Good news. 49 00:03:47,400 --> 00:03:51,300 Glad Tidings something to celebrate about something that 50 00:03:51,300 --> 00:03:53,800 brings about Glee, the light and Bliss. 51 00:03:54,500 --> 00:03:58,200 And what we see here is that the fact that it is brought up, not 52 00:03:58,200 --> 00:04:01,000 just in the beginning, but throughout this account, even to 53 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:05,500 the end, it says something about how the Holy Spirit wants to 54 00:04:05,500 --> 00:04:10,300 remind us and reinforce an Glorious truth about the core 55 00:04:10,300 --> 00:04:12,200 message of our faith and it is this. 56 00:04:12,600 --> 00:04:16,800 It's about Joy. It's about Joy. 57 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:21,100 And so, we can properly interpret. 58 00:04:21,100 --> 00:04:24,500 The first verse, the first part of it, at least the beginning of 59 00:04:24,500 --> 00:04:29,600 the good news. Good news of Jesus Christ, the 60 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:36,300 son of God, This news is good and the joy that it produces is 61 00:04:36,300 --> 00:04:40,000 glorious and this is something that we have to consider. 62 00:04:41,600 --> 00:04:43,200 Because there are a lot of Christians who aren't very 63 00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:48,400 joyful. This is exactly what the angel 64 00:04:48,400 --> 00:04:50,800 at least one, Angel of the Lord told those Shepherds on that 65 00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:52,500 Divine night. When they appeared with the 66 00:04:52,500 --> 00:04:54,300 glory of God shining around them fear. 67 00:04:54,300 --> 00:04:58,300 Not for behold, the angel says I bring you good news with great 68 00:04:58,300 --> 00:05:01,500 joy. With great joy. 69 00:05:02,800 --> 00:05:08,900 That will be for all people. Only those who have felt the 70 00:05:08,900 --> 00:05:11,600 shame of their sin, and the condemnation that they deserve 71 00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:17,500 because of it. Only those can testify about how 72 00:05:17,500 --> 00:05:21,100 this news about this purses in is indeed very, very good 73 00:05:22,100 --> 00:05:25,400 because that news to them. That's why you're here today. 74 00:05:25,400 --> 00:05:29,100 I hope was the announcement and the Declaration of their 75 00:05:29,100 --> 00:05:32,500 freedom. It liberated them, it 76 00:05:32,500 --> 00:05:36,200 transformed them. It rescued them and so it is 77 00:05:36,200 --> 00:05:38,500 indeed good. But I have to say at the same 78 00:05:38,500 --> 00:05:43,500 time, those same precious people who can tell you so beautiful. 79 00:05:44,100 --> 00:05:47,200 what that good news is from beginning to end and everything 80 00:05:47,200 --> 00:05:53,000 in between those same redeemed Saints who could even testify of 81 00:05:53,000 --> 00:05:59,100 when and how that good news, transform them have over time, 82 00:05:59,100 --> 00:06:05,200 become numb have over time become stale I hope you're not 83 00:06:05,200 --> 00:06:09,000 still this afternoon. I hope you're not indifferent to 84 00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:13,900 this, but it is so often the case that the very same people 85 00:06:13,900 --> 00:06:17,500 who have known the touch of God in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 86 00:06:18,700 --> 00:06:22,400 Become that way and live that way because the good news 87 00:06:22,400 --> 00:06:25,900 becomes old news. It becomes old news. 88 00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:29,600 I had a friend who was ministering in a nursing home 89 00:06:29,600 --> 00:06:33,000 back in Canada and had a chance to be there a couple of times 90 00:06:33,000 --> 00:06:35,300 and they had a small little chapel room with just a few 91 00:06:35,300 --> 00:06:37,200 chairs for some of these elderly people. 92 00:06:38,500 --> 00:06:40,800 And he told me one time we were laughing about it in time of 93 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:43,000 Fellowship, where he came to the front and he said to these 94 00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:47,000 precious, you know, seasoned individuals. 95 00:06:47,800 --> 00:06:52,300 I've come to tell you today about how Jesus Christ came to 96 00:06:52,300 --> 00:06:55,400 die for yourself and one of those old ladies interrupted him 97 00:06:55,400 --> 00:07:05,000 and said, we already know that. and some of you today, you 98 00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:06,400 probably sink saying to yourself. 99 00:07:06,400 --> 00:07:10,000 I already know what you're going to say. and it doesn't move you 100 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:13,100 anymore, doesn't stir you anymore, doesn't does it remind 101 00:07:13,100 --> 00:07:17,100 you of how it delivered you We already know that preacher. 102 00:07:18,200 --> 00:07:19,600 We were, you know what? You're going to say. 103 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:24,800 And my question is, is that right? 104 00:07:26,600 --> 00:07:32,800 Is the good news of Jesus Christ depended upon the novelty of the 105 00:07:32,800 --> 00:07:39,400 news of our forgiveness. Is it just only for that period 106 00:07:39,400 --> 00:07:42,500 where that that news was fresh to us? 107 00:07:43,500 --> 00:07:45,600 Or is there something that it leads us to? 108 00:07:47,300 --> 00:07:50,900 I want you to know that the joy that comes from the good news is 109 00:07:50,900 --> 00:07:54,700 not a momentary Joy. It is a joy that we live in. 110 00:07:54,700 --> 00:07:59,300 It is a supreme happiness that you and I continue to experience 111 00:07:59,300 --> 00:08:03,400 as we walk with Jesus and I want to prove that to you with a 112 00:08:03,400 --> 00:08:07,000 verse that will Challenge and even contradict what you and I 113 00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:11,900 have probably become very comfortable living with And that 114 00:08:11,900 --> 00:08:14,300 is found in First Peter 1:18, IND. 115 00:08:15,200 --> 00:08:20,400 Please turn their because when you see this It will eliminate 116 00:08:20,400 --> 00:08:25,400 every type of justification for why our hearts would not know a 117 00:08:25,400 --> 00:08:29,200 joy that is feelable. And a real. 118 00:08:31,900 --> 00:08:34,900 Peter speaking to Christians and he says in First Peter 1829 119 00:08:38,400 --> 00:08:43,700 though, you had not seen him. You love him though. 120 00:08:43,700 --> 00:08:46,900 You do not now. See him you believed in him and 121 00:08:46,900 --> 00:08:50,500 rejoice with joy. That is inexpressible and filled 122 00:08:50,500 --> 00:08:53,000 with Glory. Obtaining the outcome of your 123 00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:57,900 faith, the salvation of your souls The gospel. 124 00:08:57,900 --> 00:09:02,200 This is not just produce a joy that is dependent upon the 125 00:09:02,200 --> 00:09:05,100 newness of that news when it comes to us. 126 00:09:05,600 --> 00:09:09,100 Because that same gospel that assures, you of redemption. 127 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:14,300 Also tells us of a purchase that has been made by Christ that 128 00:09:14,300 --> 00:09:19,300 gives every single sinner access to fellowship with the very 129 00:09:19,300 --> 00:09:25,100 person who died for you 2000 years ago. and so This Joy is 130 00:09:25,100 --> 00:09:29,900 not just in the Redemption, the joy is in the relationship that 131 00:09:29,900 --> 00:09:34,400 that Redemption purchased And that is a joy that you and I 132 00:09:34,400 --> 00:09:38,500 continue to know and it is a joy that is not Dependable on 133 00:09:38,800 --> 00:09:42,200 physical perception. That's what Peter says even 134 00:09:42,200 --> 00:09:45,500 though you don't see him, you don't need to see him to know 135 00:09:45,500 --> 00:09:49,200 this quality of happiness that floods your heart in a 136 00:09:49,208 --> 00:09:51,900 miraculous way. And that brings you to a 137 00:09:51,900 --> 00:09:56,100 category of Glee that is incomparable to any other 138 00:09:56,100 --> 00:10:00,500 horizontal relationship. You may need your eyes and your 139 00:10:00,500 --> 00:10:04,900 hands and your ears to know the joy of mutual friendship and 140 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:08,100 romance. But this joy that comes with 141 00:10:08,100 --> 00:10:10,700 knowing Christ does not need your eyes. 142 00:10:11,300 --> 00:10:14,200 It's something that the Holy Spirit does in you and the 143 00:10:14,200 --> 00:10:20,000 deepest parts of Who You Are. And Peter could have said that 144 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:24,600 you what believe in him and rejoiced past tense but he 145 00:10:24,600 --> 00:10:27,700 doesn't, he says you still are rejoicing. 146 00:10:28,400 --> 00:10:31,900 He's describing their current experience as he's writing this 147 00:10:31,900 --> 00:10:37,300 to them, you believe in him now and you love him now and because 148 00:10:37,300 --> 00:10:42,100 of that day by day, you know, a true Joy. 149 00:10:43,200 --> 00:10:46,800 And what I mean, Joy. This may this may cause some 150 00:10:46,800 --> 00:10:50,600 friction to some of you. I'm not speaking about just a 151 00:10:50,600 --> 00:10:53,700 theological idea. I'm speaking about you ready for 152 00:10:53,700 --> 00:10:59,300 this word feeling. Something that you actually 153 00:10:59,300 --> 00:11:05,200 experience something that is actually there, that's, that's 154 00:11:05,500 --> 00:11:08,700 feelable. It's a sensation, it causes you 155 00:11:08,700 --> 00:11:16,900 to sing, it makes you satisfied. It makes you happy in Jesus. and 156 00:11:16,900 --> 00:11:21,000 what Peter is saying to these Believers is that this Joy is 157 00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:27,400 ongoing, or at least it should be And this Joy is so strong. 158 00:11:27,900 --> 00:11:32,000 It is so profound that Paul even says that we can rejoice in our 159 00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:36,700 suffering you and I can actually rejoice in our suffering. 160 00:11:36,700 --> 00:11:38,500 Now, think about that for a moment. 161 00:11:38,800 --> 00:11:42,100 How realistic and honest is the Bible, it does not mean that we 162 00:11:42,100 --> 00:11:45,300 are immune to pain is. I mean that we will not know 163 00:11:45,300 --> 00:11:49,300 some kind of disappointment, but what it does mean is that 164 00:11:49,300 --> 00:11:54,100 there's this deep-seated work of the holy spirit that keeps you 165 00:11:54,200 --> 00:11:58,800 Curtin Christ, it's amazing, how suffering, propels us. 166 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:02,400 It's amazing how things in and events in life, that crush us 167 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:05,300 make us run two different saviors. 168 00:12:06,600 --> 00:12:10,000 To either numb us or Medicaid us or guide us. 169 00:12:10,400 --> 00:12:14,500 But what this Joy does, is that it keeps Us close to Christ. 170 00:12:16,400 --> 00:12:20,700 It keeps Us close to him. And what's so amazing, is that 171 00:12:20,700 --> 00:12:24,500 the standard of joy that Peter speaks about has no rival? 172 00:12:26,100 --> 00:12:29,200 Because the Holy Spirit, informs us about the grade of this 173 00:12:29,200 --> 00:12:32,300 happiness which stems from believing in him and daily 174 00:12:32,300 --> 00:12:35,200 applying a love to the invisible one. 175 00:12:35,700 --> 00:12:38,800 Who is still your savior? What does he say about this joy? 176 00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:44,800 That it is inexpressible and filled with glory inexpressible 177 00:12:44,800 --> 00:12:48,600 and what is inexpressible mean it means this Beyond human 178 00:12:48,600 --> 00:12:53,500 speech. Language cannot articulate. 179 00:12:53,500 --> 00:12:57,100 The Delight that Christ brings to that soul. 180 00:12:58,600 --> 00:13:00,400 Even the Birds are singing about it. 181 00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:06,700 There is no expression or any full way of being able to 182 00:13:06,700 --> 00:13:11,800 communicate of being able to communicate, just what Jesus 183 00:13:11,800 --> 00:13:16,500 Christ brings to your heart. When he becomes, Lord of that 184 00:13:16,500 --> 00:13:20,600 heart. Now either Peter is lying 185 00:13:20,700 --> 00:13:25,100 exaggerating or there's something happening in us that 186 00:13:25,100 --> 00:13:27,000 is not lining up with the word of God. 187 00:13:28,300 --> 00:13:31,300 Now some might say brother, I have to be honest that I have 188 00:13:31,300 --> 00:13:35,300 known such a joy in this life. There have been moments in my 189 00:13:35,300 --> 00:13:39,400 life where I was. So stunned by either a love. 190 00:13:39,400 --> 00:13:42,600 That was brought to me or an event that I experienced or my 191 00:13:42,600 --> 00:13:45,400 love towards someone else. I mean, I wish you were there 192 00:13:45,400 --> 00:13:48,100 preacher. When my baby boy was born, I had 193 00:13:48,100 --> 00:13:50,500 no words. All I can do was just cry. 194 00:13:51,300 --> 00:13:55,500 Isn't that inexpressible? And brother, I love my wife. 195 00:13:55,500 --> 00:13:58,300 I love my husband so much that there are times where I can't 196 00:13:58,300 --> 00:14:01,300 even say those words. All I can do is embrace them and 197 00:14:01,300 --> 00:14:05,000 let them feel the warmth of my love, because my love towards 198 00:14:05,000 --> 00:14:07,100 them is inexpressible. And I know that their love 199 00:14:07,100 --> 00:14:11,200 towards me is beyond human, like Beyond poetry Beyond Hallmark 200 00:14:11,200 --> 00:14:14,200 cards. Beyond gifts, fair enough. 201 00:14:15,400 --> 00:14:18,900 But what do you do with the second characteristic that that 202 00:14:18,900 --> 00:14:23,400 Peter speaks of concerning this Joy filled with Glory? 203 00:14:26,700 --> 00:14:32,300 Filled with Glory Full Of Glory. Do you understand what Peter's 204 00:14:32,300 --> 00:14:37,600 trying to say? This joy in the Lord is in a 205 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:44,200 category all by itself? It transcends all other joys. 206 00:14:45,400 --> 00:14:50,700 It takes it to another level, it exceeds natural Euphoria and it 207 00:14:50,700 --> 00:14:55,100 is a contentment that cannot be found in this world. 208 00:14:56,400 --> 00:14:58,800 Full of Glory. Let me ask this again, please, 209 00:14:58,800 --> 00:15:00,900 please hear me. It's Peter lying. 210 00:15:02,300 --> 00:15:04,400 Is Peter is Peter just stretching? 211 00:15:04,400 --> 00:15:07,400 This is the holy spirit, just playing with us. 212 00:15:08,800 --> 00:15:11,100 Is this poetic license or is this real? 213 00:15:11,900 --> 00:15:17,400 Is it real? What did Jesus say? 214 00:15:18,100 --> 00:15:20,600 He said something so amazing before, his disciples, these 215 00:15:20,600 --> 00:15:24,000 things, I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you and 216 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:27,600 that your joy may be full. Do you know why this joy that 217 00:15:27,600 --> 00:15:30,100 Peter speakers, which is the same joy that Jesus speaks of 218 00:15:30,300 --> 00:15:32,500 this? The reason why it is full of 219 00:15:32,500 --> 00:15:35,800 Glory, it's because it's Jesus own Joy. 220 00:15:38,300 --> 00:15:43,600 It's a joy that he knows it's a joy that he enjoys and it's a 221 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:48,000 joy that he wants to share with those that belong to him. 222 00:15:50,100 --> 00:15:54,700 The joy that Jesus has can be your joy and mine. 223 00:15:57,400 --> 00:15:59,300 And do you know what Peter is doing? 224 00:16:00,700 --> 00:16:05,100 In these verses. He is displaying before us the 225 00:16:05,100 --> 00:16:07,700 standard of the Christian experience. 226 00:16:09,400 --> 00:16:14,600 The average Christian should know this inexpressible enjoyed 227 00:16:14,600 --> 00:16:18,400 that is full of glory. And I want to say that if you 228 00:16:18,400 --> 00:16:21,600 and I are, True Believers. Does this resonate with us? 229 00:16:22,100 --> 00:16:23,800 I'm not saying that Joy is in challenge. 230 00:16:23,800 --> 00:16:25,600 I'm not saying that we don't feel suffering. 231 00:16:26,500 --> 00:16:30,300 But what I am saying is how have there been moments and can you 232 00:16:30,300 --> 00:16:33,000 point to something perpetually throughout your walk with the 233 00:16:33,000 --> 00:16:35,800 Lord? That there is this satisfaction 234 00:16:36,100 --> 00:16:40,200 that settles your soul. And you're not looking and 235 00:16:40,200 --> 00:16:43,900 wanting for the newest toys and tricks and trinkets and life. 236 00:16:44,200 --> 00:16:47,300 There's something that Christ has done in you as you believe 237 00:16:47,300 --> 00:16:52,000 in him and love him, that keeps you calm with contentment? 238 00:16:54,300 --> 00:16:57,800 It's good news, not just because we're forgiven but because we 239 00:16:57,800 --> 00:17:02,300 know fellowship with him and I want to tell you today don't let 240 00:17:02,300 --> 00:17:07,099 Satan convince you of a lower standard of how you walk with 241 00:17:07,099 --> 00:17:10,700 the Lord Jesus Christ. And if you are in this place, 242 00:17:10,700 --> 00:17:12,300 you saying, brother. I got to admit. 243 00:17:13,300 --> 00:17:18,400 This is joy as foreign to me. I, I don't know if I can say 244 00:17:18,400 --> 00:17:22,599 that it's inexpressible. I don't know if I can, I can 245 00:17:22,599 --> 00:17:25,400 really say that it's been real in my life. 246 00:17:26,300 --> 00:17:28,800 The most joyous moment was when I came to Christ and it's been a 247 00:17:28,800 --> 00:17:34,800 downhill thing since then, then I had back in you If this is, if 248 00:17:34,800 --> 00:17:38,200 this is Christ standard for you and I then come before him in 249 00:17:38,200 --> 00:17:42,500 humility, say o God, renew the joy of your salvation and teach 250 00:17:42,500 --> 00:17:45,700 me to how to maintain it. As I walk day-by-day 251 00:17:45,700 --> 00:17:48,400 hand-in-hand with you, he will do it. 252 00:17:49,100 --> 00:17:51,300 He will do well. How will I know if I have it? 253 00:17:51,800 --> 00:17:53,300 It'll be inexpressible and full of Glory. 254 00:17:53,300 --> 00:17:56,300 That's how you'll know. You see? 255 00:17:57,800 --> 00:18:01,700 I'm scared sometimes. That in the pursuit of being 256 00:18:01,700 --> 00:18:04,800 theologians, it's all Blackboard Theology and it doesn't become 257 00:18:04,800 --> 00:18:09,100 experiential. The apostles who were the 258 00:18:09,100 --> 00:18:12,800 foundation of the church laying the foundation of the doctrine 259 00:18:12,800 --> 00:18:15,800 of the church experienced, what they preached. 260 00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:19,800 And the Holy Spirit has no different standard for you and 261 00:18:19,800 --> 00:18:23,100 I, how did we get here? Are we studying mark? 262 00:18:24,200 --> 00:18:26,000 What does this have to do with our studying these first three 263 00:18:26,000 --> 00:18:27,100 verses? Very simple. 264 00:18:27,100 --> 00:18:31,500 The first verse in the gospel account of Mark, is reminding us 265 00:18:31,900 --> 00:18:35,500 that the, the core message of our faith is good news. 266 00:18:36,800 --> 00:18:40,400 Good news. I heard a story of a man who 267 00:18:40,400 --> 00:18:42,100 evangelizing it came up to a person. 268 00:18:42,100 --> 00:18:44,900 And he said, do you believe in Jesus Christ? 269 00:18:44,900 --> 00:18:49,800 And he came so sour and somber and the person responded in this 270 00:18:49,800 --> 00:18:51,100 way. It almost a comical way. 271 00:18:51,200 --> 00:18:52,800 No, thank you. I have enough problems in my 272 00:18:52,800 --> 00:18:56,900 life. We are to be a joyful people. 273 00:18:56,900 --> 00:19:01,000 And here's why this is so important that as a collective 274 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:03,700 church family, where we believe that we must carry our cross 275 00:19:03,700 --> 00:19:07,000 daily and that we must suffer, we will suffer. 276 00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:08,700 And God is Sovereign over our suffering. 277 00:19:08,800 --> 00:19:12,200 When we are even preparing ourselves spiritually, for the 278 00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:16,200 greater persecution, that's coming to this nation, we must 279 00:19:16,200 --> 00:19:18,400 not forget. Also that we are a people of 280 00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:21,500 joy. We are. 281 00:19:23,100 --> 00:19:25,800 A joy. So rich that it helps us Suffer 282 00:19:25,800 --> 00:19:30,300 Well a joy. So rich, that that Joy itself is 283 00:19:30,300 --> 00:19:32,800 somewhat of a testimony of the goodness of this gospel. 284 00:19:33,900 --> 00:19:37,100 The core message of our faith is good news and listen, the 285 00:19:37,100 --> 00:19:40,400 Christian experience as a consequence of responding to 286 00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:43,400 that good news is filled with inexpressible. 287 00:19:44,500 --> 00:19:47,900 And glorious Joy. So why be ashamed of the Gospel? 288 00:19:50,100 --> 00:19:52,500 Why be ashamed of the good news of Jesus Christ, why blush? 289 00:19:53,600 --> 00:19:59,400 Why shrink why let your voice Tremor and Quake when we have 290 00:19:59,400 --> 00:20:01,500 something that is shores of serves? 291 00:20:01,500 --> 00:20:05,800 As of Man rescue that brings us unmatched relief that promises 292 00:20:05,800 --> 00:20:09,300 reward in this life and the next to those who respond to the 293 00:20:09,300 --> 00:20:10,600 demands of this. Good news. 294 00:20:10,600 --> 00:20:18,400 Why be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. no need It's good 295 00:20:18,400 --> 00:20:20,300 news and it produces good things. 296 00:20:21,600 --> 00:20:23,900 Let's consider further what we see here in Mark 11. 297 00:20:25,100 --> 00:20:27,500 The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 298 00:20:27,900 --> 00:20:29,900 Although that word gospel is a broad term. 299 00:20:30,100 --> 00:20:33,400 It carries specific significance to an ancient Jewish audience 300 00:20:33,400 --> 00:20:36,500 and even to a gentile audience who lived under some kind of a 301 00:20:36,508 --> 00:20:38,800 monarch or with an emperor over them. 302 00:20:39,100 --> 00:20:41,600 What do I mean by that? Listen to this is so important, 303 00:20:41,900 --> 00:20:45,700 the idea of someone heralding, good news to the General Public. 304 00:20:46,800 --> 00:20:50,000 Was often associated with the announcement of some kind of 305 00:20:50,000 --> 00:20:52,300 military Victory or political Triumph. 306 00:20:53,500 --> 00:20:55,300 So there was a word association there. 307 00:20:55,600 --> 00:21:00,100 This this idea of good news was linked to an event and 308 00:21:00,100 --> 00:21:02,700 specifically an event that was heralded by somebody. 309 00:21:03,000 --> 00:21:06,400 When it came to some Conquest that was accomplished by their 310 00:21:06,400 --> 00:21:10,200 government or by their military. And you see that in first 311 00:21:10,200 --> 00:21:14,300 Samuel, you see it in the book of Kings where somebody was 312 00:21:14,300 --> 00:21:16,400 designated to run back to the hometown. 313 00:21:16,400 --> 00:21:20,800 Say victory has been brought, we have conquered the enemy. 314 00:21:21,700 --> 00:21:25,100 Our King triumphs, we move forward. 315 00:21:26,200 --> 00:21:28,200 And we even see it in the prophets. 316 00:21:28,400 --> 00:21:31,500 We even see the idea of good news, especially in Isaiah and 317 00:21:31,500 --> 00:21:34,100 what's amazing is the way Isaiah uses? 318 00:21:34,100 --> 00:21:38,900 It is in the way in which God himself brings about some kind 319 00:21:38,900 --> 00:21:41,000 of Deliverance. God himself brings about 320 00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:45,000 salvation or God himself is reminding and reassuring. 321 00:21:45,000 --> 00:21:48,000 His people that he is ruling and reigning in their favor. 322 00:21:48,000 --> 00:21:52,000 Again and one of the most famous ways that we see that played 323 00:21:52,000 --> 00:21:55,300 out, is an Isaiah 52. And the Old Testament, we see in 324 00:21:55,300 --> 00:21:59,500 verse You know, it how beautiful upon the mountains? 325 00:22:00,600 --> 00:22:04,700 Are the feet of him, who brings good news who publishes peace, 326 00:22:04,800 --> 00:22:07,500 who brings good news of Happiness, who publishes 327 00:22:07,500 --> 00:22:11,900 salvation, who says, to Zion your god reigns? 328 00:22:12,700 --> 00:22:15,600 So, what is the essence of the good news here, proclaimed by 329 00:22:15,600 --> 00:22:19,800 the prophet, your God rings. Your God rules. 330 00:22:20,900 --> 00:22:25,900 He is exalted, he is upon his throne and because he is upon 331 00:22:25,900 --> 00:22:29,100 his throne actively in your favor, he will bring about 332 00:22:29,100 --> 00:22:32,500 Redemption for his people. He will destroy the oppressor, 333 00:22:32,500 --> 00:22:35,700 he will rescue, he will bring peace, he will bring 334 00:22:35,700 --> 00:22:39,200 righteousness. Once again, when Isaiah said, 335 00:22:39,200 --> 00:22:42,700 these words, it had an immediate application to the Jewish people 336 00:22:42,700 --> 00:22:46,900 of the time, but Paul by the spirit borrows the same words 337 00:22:47,200 --> 00:22:50,500 and uses it in relation to gospel Ministry. 338 00:22:50,800 --> 00:22:54,800 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings 339 00:22:54,800 --> 00:22:57,600 good news? You know, this is a side thing 340 00:22:57,600 --> 00:22:59,500 but I believe that's one explanation. 341 00:22:59,500 --> 00:23:04,700 To why Believers feel a sense of Attraction and appreciation for 342 00:23:04,700 --> 00:23:09,000 gospel preachers. How beautiful are those feet 343 00:23:09,000 --> 00:23:12,000 that have dedicated their lives to preach and to declare the 344 00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:15,500 goodness of God, there is a sense of Love towards them and a 345 00:23:15,508 --> 00:23:19,500 specific type of adoration, not worship but appreciation. 346 00:23:20,500 --> 00:23:23,000 But what we see here is so important because it's ultimate 347 00:23:23,000 --> 00:23:25,500 fulfillment is when those beautiful feet who have been 348 00:23:25,500 --> 00:23:28,300 pierced on our behalf. Well, land on the Mount of 349 00:23:28,300 --> 00:23:31,500 Olives and where Jesus Christ will rule and Reign on the 350 00:23:31,500 --> 00:23:32,400 earth. Subduing. 351 00:23:32,400 --> 00:23:35,000 The nation's by his authority and his righteousness. 352 00:23:36,300 --> 00:23:41,000 All to say that an Isaiah good news has the connotation of some 353 00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:44,500 kind of enthronement that there is something taking place. 354 00:23:44,500 --> 00:23:48,000 Somebody has been raised up who will rule and assured 355 00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:51,000 Deliverance to those who are under their Authority, it's an 356 00:23:51,000 --> 00:23:53,300 Isaiah 40. Also if you read that chapter as 357 00:23:53,300 --> 00:23:55,800 well. And so this is important to 358 00:23:55,800 --> 00:23:59,300 understand because when Mark says the beginning of the Gospel 359 00:23:59,300 --> 00:24:03,600 of Jesus Christ, it is very likely that those who are yes, 360 00:24:03,600 --> 00:24:06,500 Jews. But even Gentiles in Reading or 361 00:24:06,500 --> 00:24:09,900 hearing these very words would say to themselves were about to 362 00:24:09,900 --> 00:24:15,500 hear about a king. We're about to find out about a 363 00:24:15,500 --> 00:24:19,300 king. And if you paid attention last 364 00:24:19,300 --> 00:24:22,300 week, which I hope you did, perhaps there would be an 365 00:24:22,300 --> 00:24:26,500 objection saying, but I thought you said that Mark was about 366 00:24:26,800 --> 00:24:31,400 Jesus being a servant the suffering servant is in the 367 00:24:31,400 --> 00:24:33,900 King, Jesus reserved for Matthew. 368 00:24:35,600 --> 00:24:38,000 And you would be right. The theme is Jesus being the 369 00:24:38,000 --> 00:24:40,300 suffering servant but he is no less of a king. 370 00:24:41,100 --> 00:24:44,700 He is no less royalty. He is a specific type of king 371 00:24:44,700 --> 00:24:47,400 one who humbles himself and comes to serve his. 372 00:24:47,400 --> 00:24:50,000 So even though the following events and Records will. 373 00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:54,400 So Jesus serving people and suffering, even for his people, 374 00:24:54,700 --> 00:24:58,600 he is still a king. And I wonder if the Holy Spirit 375 00:24:58,600 --> 00:25:02,300 knew that that would perhaps be some kind of obstacle in the 376 00:25:02,300 --> 00:25:10,800 mind as they see a king. Going hungry, a king being hated 377 00:25:10,800 --> 00:25:15,400 a king, being shoved around, a king being crucified. 378 00:25:18,700 --> 00:25:23,100 Being very specific with the words, kind of solves it because 379 00:25:23,100 --> 00:25:28,100 the Holy Spirit through Mark, says the beginning of the Gospel 380 00:25:28,600 --> 00:25:33,500 of Jesus Christ, meaning why? This is not the complete story. 381 00:25:35,300 --> 00:25:36,700 This is just the beginning of it. 382 00:25:37,700 --> 00:25:40,300 The purpose of his writing is just to bring us the first phase 383 00:25:40,300 --> 00:25:42,200 of this Kings. Redemptive plan and purpose on 384 00:25:42,200 --> 00:25:45,100 the earth. You know, know what's going to 385 00:25:45,100 --> 00:25:48,800 happen when it comes to the return of this king and the way 386 00:25:48,800 --> 00:25:51,600 that Mark, introduces us to the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus 387 00:25:51,600 --> 00:25:53,800 Christ. Just the first steps of what 388 00:25:53,800 --> 00:25:56,900 this King will do, before he comes to bring, everything to 389 00:25:56,900 --> 00:26:01,100 its completion is really interesting because she doesn't 390 00:26:01,100 --> 00:26:05,200 speak about the birth of Christ. He doesn't begin with the To 391 00:26:05,200 --> 00:26:08,000 describe as human lineage. None of that. 392 00:26:08,400 --> 00:26:12,100 What he does is he actually goes to a prophetic prediction, that 393 00:26:12,100 --> 00:26:14,500 doesn't even directly deal with Christ. 394 00:26:14,500 --> 00:26:17,700 But speaks of his Forerunner in John, the Baptist. 395 00:26:18,700 --> 00:26:22,700 Why? Why is John the Baptist showing 396 00:26:22,700 --> 00:26:25,800 up in the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? 397 00:26:27,000 --> 00:26:28,900 Because it was common in ancient times. 398 00:26:28,900 --> 00:26:33,000 That if there was a true king prepared to come that there will 399 00:26:33,000 --> 00:26:37,000 be a Harold that would go forth before his face and he would 400 00:26:37,000 --> 00:26:41,400 prepare the people and even the physical aspects of that City, 401 00:26:41,800 --> 00:26:45,300 so that the king can come and the people would be ready for 402 00:26:45,300 --> 00:26:48,600 his arrival. And that is exactly who John the 403 00:26:48,600 --> 00:26:53,800 Baptist is. that is exactly why he is, brought up, but notice 404 00:26:53,800 --> 00:26:58,900 also, if I were to Tell you the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus 405 00:26:58,900 --> 00:27:02,400 Christ. Where would I start? 406 00:27:04,000 --> 00:27:06,400 What again, what I start with his birth, what I start with his 407 00:27:06,400 --> 00:27:10,900 suffering, I mean the answers very, but Mark starts in the Old 408 00:27:10,900 --> 00:27:15,400 Testament. Mark goes 100 years hundreds of 409 00:27:15,400 --> 00:27:18,800 years rather before even Jesus incarnated and came in the 410 00:27:18,800 --> 00:27:21,000 flesh. And the reason why the Holy 411 00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:24,400 Spirit also wants to do that, this should excite you, is 412 00:27:24,400 --> 00:27:27,300 because the reader should understand that the person and 413 00:27:27,300 --> 00:27:31,300 Ministry of Jesus Christ, did not just appear out of nowhere. 414 00:27:32,400 --> 00:27:36,000 Didn't just show up. Jesus did not just interject 415 00:27:36,000 --> 00:27:39,500 into history unannounced. Jesus did not just come without 416 00:27:39,500 --> 00:27:44,300 notice his life, his death, his resurrection his ministry. 417 00:27:45,600 --> 00:27:48,700 Was the Fulfillment of an ancient expectation that was 418 00:27:48,700 --> 00:27:52,700 built up as God raised up one man, after the other to give 419 00:27:52,700 --> 00:27:56,700 another prediction after the next creating this expectation. 420 00:27:56,700 --> 00:27:59,200 When will he come? When will he arrive? 421 00:27:59,900 --> 00:28:06,000 And what we see here is that our faith, this Jesus his message, 422 00:28:06,000 --> 00:28:13,000 his ministry, his mission was predicted long ago, It's not 423 00:28:13,000 --> 00:28:16,900 detached from Redemptive history again, it's not random. 424 00:28:17,700 --> 00:28:20,200 It's something that is part of a greater plot. 425 00:28:20,700 --> 00:28:23,700 It's something that's been told of it's something of a greater 426 00:28:23,700 --> 00:28:27,400 screenplay even from the beginning of time and that truth 427 00:28:27,400 --> 00:28:31,900 alone silences the skeptic, who would say Christ is some kind of 428 00:28:31,900 --> 00:28:35,600 a concept that was brought up from a band of delusional men. 429 00:28:37,200 --> 00:28:41,100 Not so. Everything about Jesus Christ 430 00:28:41,100 --> 00:28:44,100 was in total, accordance with God's blueprint from eternity 431 00:28:44,100 --> 00:28:48,100 past. We have a solid faith. 432 00:28:49,200 --> 00:28:56,500 Credible, reliable, weighty, true heavy, and part of that 433 00:28:56,500 --> 00:29:00,200 divine plan that God had instituted was that there would 434 00:29:00,200 --> 00:29:02,800 be a forerunner. And would, you know, it he was 435 00:29:02,800 --> 00:29:05,800 predicted hundreds of years before his time as well. 436 00:29:07,000 --> 00:29:10,900 And that's what we see here. As it is written in Isaiah. 437 00:29:10,900 --> 00:29:15,500 The prophet behold I send my messenger before your face, the 438 00:29:15,500 --> 00:29:17,100 voice of one crying in the wilderness. 439 00:29:17,100 --> 00:29:22,500 Prepare the way of the Lord make his paths straight Please 440 00:29:22,500 --> 00:29:25,000 understand. There's even this is why we're 441 00:29:25,000 --> 00:29:27,800 staying on just 12 verses today because there's so many reasons 442 00:29:27,800 --> 00:29:30,800 are so many layers for this. Yes, we want to see that. 443 00:29:30,800 --> 00:29:33,900 Jesus is a king, even in the fact that there's a forerunner. 444 00:29:34,200 --> 00:29:37,200 Yes, we want to see that our faith is connected to Deep 445 00:29:37,200 --> 00:29:40,700 Roots. Credible roots. 446 00:29:42,900 --> 00:29:46,100 But also, there is something to be said about the person of 447 00:29:46,100 --> 00:29:50,800 Jesus Christ, not just that he's King, not just in the position 448 00:29:50,800 --> 00:29:54,600 that he will occupy. But listen, the very nature that 449 00:29:54,600 --> 00:29:59,700 he possesses, Mark through this even though he is speaking about 450 00:29:59,700 --> 00:30:03,200 John the Baptist, even through those prophecies about John, the 451 00:30:03,200 --> 00:30:09,200 Baptist is saying something about who Jesus is and you know 452 00:30:09,200 --> 00:30:10,700 what? Mark believes what you should 453 00:30:10,700 --> 00:30:12,800 believe. If you are a Christian this 454 00:30:12,800 --> 00:30:18,100 King, this servant this predicted a messiah was in fact, 455 00:30:18,100 --> 00:30:22,600 God himself. God himself. 456 00:30:23,600 --> 00:30:30,400 Coming into our world. God himself as king instituting 457 00:30:30,400 --> 00:30:35,800 and establishing a kingdom. Saying, how is that true? 458 00:30:37,400 --> 00:30:38,800 Any student of the Old Testament? 459 00:30:38,800 --> 00:30:41,800 Would know that well Mark is saying here from Isaiah. 460 00:30:41,800 --> 00:30:45,600 The prophet is not actually just from Isaiah the prophet, right? 461 00:30:46,500 --> 00:30:51,000 He actually is quoting Malachi and Isaiah and he's merging them 462 00:30:51,000 --> 00:30:55,100 as one prophecy. And that was a common practice. 463 00:30:55,100 --> 00:30:59,000 In this time when there were similar predictions and 464 00:30:59,000 --> 00:31:02,700 prophecies with the same theme that were saying the same thing. 465 00:31:02,700 --> 00:31:05,200 They would be there were brought forth together and then the 466 00:31:05,200 --> 00:31:08,500 author would credit the most prominent messenger, the most 467 00:31:08,500 --> 00:31:13,100 prominent profit and Isaiah is that man, Isaiah is the one who 468 00:31:13,100 --> 00:31:17,400 has brought forth, though, Malachi is still recognized in a 469 00:31:17,400 --> 00:31:20,100 veiled way. And what's so important about? 470 00:31:20,100 --> 00:31:24,100 What we see here is that if we do the work in dice, Setting 471 00:31:24,100 --> 00:31:27,600 this prophecy which is really two in one you and I will 472 00:31:27,600 --> 00:31:30,600 recognize something that would make Our Hearts Leap. 473 00:31:31,600 --> 00:31:36,200 If we care about who Jesus is, of course, well, Marcus saying 474 00:31:36,700 --> 00:31:41,000 from the beginning, through this, this Jesus, this Jesus. 475 00:31:41,500 --> 00:31:44,200 He's God. He's God. 476 00:31:45,500 --> 00:31:49,200 I want to show you that turn with me to Malachi 3:1 and let's 477 00:31:49,200 --> 00:31:51,400 look at this verse together, which is the first part of what 478 00:31:51,400 --> 00:31:54,600 Mark is saying, behold, I send my messenger before your face 479 00:31:54,900 --> 00:31:59,400 that's in Malachi. 3:1 let's read Malachi's writing on it. 480 00:32:00,600 --> 00:32:04,300 In Malachi 3:1 just a few pages back. 481 00:32:05,900 --> 00:32:09,800 Behold I send my messenger. And he will prepare the way 482 00:32:09,800 --> 00:32:14,100 before me, and the Lord whom you seek will, suddenly come to his 483 00:32:14,100 --> 00:32:17,100 Temple and the messenger of the Covenant, in whom you Delight. 484 00:32:17,100 --> 00:32:19,400 Behold he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 485 00:32:20,400 --> 00:32:23,700 There's so much that can be said about this one verse, but let's 486 00:32:23,700 --> 00:32:27,500 look at the part that Mark uses. The very first thing that we 487 00:32:27,500 --> 00:32:29,700 have to establish is that it is God himself. 488 00:32:29,700 --> 00:32:33,200 Who is speaking in this text? When it says behold I send my 489 00:32:33,200 --> 00:32:35,600 messenger. That's not Malachi speaking. 490 00:32:35,600 --> 00:32:40,300 That's Yahweh speaking I send my messenger and he will prepare 491 00:32:40,300 --> 00:32:44,800 the way before me, the essence of the message is this that 492 00:32:44,800 --> 00:32:47,300 there is one going forth. There is one who is going to be 493 00:32:47,300 --> 00:32:51,700 sent out and he's going to prepare the A and he's not going 494 00:32:51,700 --> 00:32:54,500 to be sent out to prepare the way for a human King like David 495 00:32:54,800 --> 00:32:57,100 or for a mighty man of God like Moses. 496 00:32:57,500 --> 00:33:01,600 It's so explicitly obvious that what God is saying is that this 497 00:33:01,600 --> 00:33:06,500 messenger who is going forth, is preparing the way for me. 498 00:33:06,600 --> 00:33:14,400 God, Yahweh, I myself will appear in my temple. 499 00:33:14,400 --> 00:33:19,500 Sound familiar, I myself will arrive, but before I arrived, My 500 00:33:19,500 --> 00:33:23,800 Messenger is going forth to prepare the way and more than 501 00:33:23,800 --> 00:33:27,100 just removing rocks and stones and Paving out red carpet 502 00:33:27,100 --> 00:33:31,700 preparing the way in the hearts of people to realize that Yahweh 503 00:33:31,700 --> 00:33:35,500 is on his way. He will prepare the way before 504 00:33:35,500 --> 00:33:39,500 who before me and all you have to do is break this down. 505 00:33:39,500 --> 00:33:43,100 Logically to see the argument that is being made and it is 506 00:33:43,100 --> 00:33:46,300 glorious one. Whoever the messenger is, his 507 00:33:46,300 --> 00:33:49,200 mission will prepare the way of the coming of God. 508 00:33:50,500 --> 00:33:54,200 To, we know that in multiple references, this messenger in 509 00:33:54,200 --> 00:33:57,600 the New Testament is John the Baptist 3. 510 00:33:58,300 --> 00:34:01,000 What we also know is that John the Baptist prepared the way for 511 00:34:01,000 --> 00:34:04,200 the person of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. 512 00:34:04,500 --> 00:34:07,300 Her go. Jesus is Yahweh. 513 00:34:09,600 --> 00:34:13,800 He is God in human form. The very Lord that Malachi was 514 00:34:13,800 --> 00:34:18,400 speaking of. And coming to his own and his 515 00:34:18,400 --> 00:34:21,699 own Temple. Now, what's so amazing is when 516 00:34:21,699 --> 00:34:25,300 you compare Malachi's version of it to Marks there's a 517 00:34:25,300 --> 00:34:27,400 difference. Did you notice a difference? 518 00:34:27,699 --> 00:34:30,300 Go back to Mark. 1 verse 2 and notice the difference. 519 00:34:31,699 --> 00:34:34,900 Behold I send my messenger. Remember I told you the bible 520 00:34:34,900 --> 00:34:38,900 really help you here. Behold, I send my messenger 521 00:34:38,900 --> 00:34:44,800 before your face. Every translation says it that 522 00:34:44,800 --> 00:34:48,000 way. When you go to Malachi, doesn't 523 00:34:48,000 --> 00:34:50,900 say that behold. I send my messenger and he will 524 00:34:50,900 --> 00:34:57,900 prepare the way before me. Haha, contradiction mistake 525 00:34:57,900 --> 00:34:59,400 error. Yeah, your Bible is filled with 526 00:34:59,400 --> 00:35:00,200 error. Hold on. 527 00:35:02,100 --> 00:35:05,300 What's Happening Here? When you read it carefully, 528 00:35:05,300 --> 00:35:08,500 you'll realize that there is a very obvious difference. 529 00:35:08,900 --> 00:35:14,200 Malachi says, before me Mark says before your face. 530 00:35:15,900 --> 00:35:18,800 Before we get too nervous, maybe it will Comfort us a little bit 531 00:35:18,800 --> 00:35:23,100 to know that when Jesus Christ himself quotes Malachi, he 532 00:35:23,100 --> 00:35:25,400 quotes it in the same way that Mark does. 533 00:35:26,700 --> 00:35:29,300 Proof you have your Bible, right? 534 00:35:30,000 --> 00:35:33,700 Matthew when he gives tribute and chapter 11 to John the 535 00:35:33,700 --> 00:35:37,400 Baptist and verse 10. Look at how he says it. 536 00:35:37,700 --> 00:35:39,500 Look at the language that he uses. 537 00:35:40,000 --> 00:35:44,400 He says in Matthew 11 10. This is he of whom it is written 538 00:35:44,400 --> 00:35:49,100 behold I send my messenger before your face. 539 00:35:50,900 --> 00:35:54,200 Who will prepare your way before you? 540 00:35:56,900 --> 00:36:03,200 We're teaching today. In Malachi 3:1, you have two 541 00:36:03,200 --> 00:36:09,500 persons present it in that verse Yahweh who says I send a 542 00:36:09,500 --> 00:36:15,500 messenger before me so you have God and you have the messenger. 543 00:36:17,100 --> 00:36:21,100 And Matthew and Mark in referencing Malachi, you don't 544 00:36:21,100 --> 00:36:25,600 have two persons. You have three You have behold, 545 00:36:25,600 --> 00:36:30,800 I send that God, my messenger, that's John the Baptist and now 546 00:36:30,800 --> 00:36:34,500 we're left with the question. Who is before your face? 547 00:36:36,700 --> 00:36:42,100 We have three. Now, we have three. and when we 548 00:36:42,100 --> 00:36:45,500 look at this, we think, well if we understand what, before your 549 00:36:45,500 --> 00:36:48,000 face means and we understand, I mean that much closer who were 550 00:36:48,008 --> 00:36:50,200 speaking about before your face doesn't speak before an 551 00:36:50,200 --> 00:36:57,000 audience, it means to go before one Before your face, I send my 552 00:36:57,000 --> 00:37:01,500 messenger before your face somebody's going to go before 553 00:37:01,500 --> 00:37:03,200 you. Well who's that guy? 554 00:37:04,000 --> 00:37:09,600 Who are we speaking about here? and what's amazing is when we 555 00:37:09,600 --> 00:37:14,400 look at this, all Matthew and Mark are doing because they are 556 00:37:14,400 --> 00:37:17,300 inspired by the Holy Spirit. Jesus is speaking. 557 00:37:18,500 --> 00:37:22,300 There are making a distinction, there are making a distinction 558 00:37:22,300 --> 00:37:24,800 within the godhead so that people would better understand 559 00:37:25,000 --> 00:37:26,500 that. Though, the Messiah does share 560 00:37:26,500 --> 00:37:30,600 the same nature as Yahweh. He is a distinct person. 561 00:37:34,100 --> 00:37:37,800 When Mark does this? And Matthew also does this, this 562 00:37:37,800 --> 00:37:40,700 is what we have to understand. Yes, they're inspired by the 563 00:37:40,700 --> 00:37:43,800 Holy Spirit and how they would often quote Old Testament 564 00:37:43,800 --> 00:37:46,600 references varied sometimes in the New Testament have 565 00:37:46,600 --> 00:37:49,100 word-for-word quotations with the Hebrew. 566 00:37:49,600 --> 00:37:51,800 Sometimes they would go to Septuagint, the Greek 567 00:37:51,800 --> 00:37:56,600 translation of the Hebrew Bible. Few hundred years before Jesus 568 00:37:56,600 --> 00:37:58,300 came. There was a Greek translation of 569 00:37:58,300 --> 00:38:00,900 the Hebrew Bible and at worded differently, sometimes they 570 00:38:00,900 --> 00:38:04,700 would quote from the Septuagint. Have you as anybody has ever 571 00:38:04,700 --> 00:38:06,800 noticed that you read the New Testament, you look at a quote, 572 00:38:06,800 --> 00:38:08,900 you go that's different from when I go to the verse. 573 00:38:09,200 --> 00:38:15,900 Yes. No Maybe and there are times 574 00:38:15,900 --> 00:38:20,400 like what we see in mark, where the Holy Spirit leads the 575 00:38:20,400 --> 00:38:24,600 writers to interpret, what the Old Testament verses speaking 576 00:38:24,600 --> 00:38:27,100 about and that's what's Happening Here. 577 00:38:27,500 --> 00:38:31,500 Mark is interpreting what Malachi is saying? 578 00:38:31,500 --> 00:38:34,400 And the way he's interpreting, it is so glorious. 579 00:38:34,900 --> 00:38:39,500 It's so wonderful by quoting by quoting it in this way. 580 00:38:39,500 --> 00:38:43,300 What he's saying is, yes, God himself is coming. 581 00:38:43,300 --> 00:38:45,900 Malachi said before me, he is coming. 582 00:38:46,400 --> 00:38:50,000 But when Mark quotes it he points to Jesus, as a separate 583 00:38:50,000 --> 00:38:53,600 person to show a distinction within the godhead. 584 00:38:53,600 --> 00:38:56,800 We are trinitarians. We believe, God is one in 585 00:38:56,800 --> 00:39:03,000 essence by has three persons. Co-equal and Divinity and value 586 00:39:03,000 --> 00:39:06,100 and worth and worthy of worshipped and attributes. 587 00:39:06,500 --> 00:39:09,600 So when he says before your face, he's saying before the 588 00:39:09,600 --> 00:39:13,300 face of Christ and when you marry those things together, you 589 00:39:13,300 --> 00:39:17,400 realize yes it is God, who is coming but it is God, the son 590 00:39:17,800 --> 00:39:21,700 and particular who is coming. Andrew John, the Baptist is 591 00:39:21,700 --> 00:39:24,400 preparing for its not God, the Father who is coming. 592 00:39:25,500 --> 00:39:29,100 The message that was sent out before the face of God, the son 593 00:39:29,100 --> 00:39:32,700 who is coming the second person of the Trinity will enter this 594 00:39:32,700 --> 00:39:37,000 world with flesh. I hope that makes sense. 595 00:39:39,400 --> 00:39:42,600 And then he just solidifies it. When he quotes, Isaiah and verse 596 00:39:42,600 --> 00:39:44,500 3, the voice of one crying in the wilderness. 597 00:39:44,500 --> 00:39:46,600 Prepare the way of the Lord make his paths. 598 00:39:46,600 --> 00:39:50,500 Straight Isaiah says, prepare the way for our God. 599 00:39:52,000 --> 00:39:57,800 And then Mark says the way of God is his his path. 600 00:39:58,100 --> 00:40:00,500 This Messiah this Jesus Christ as well. 601 00:40:02,000 --> 00:40:04,800 And so what we are understanding from this is that the the Gospel 602 00:40:04,800 --> 00:40:08,500 of Jesus Christ. Who is a king. 603 00:40:08,600 --> 00:40:12,800 He's not a king that comes from a human lineage necessarily, but 604 00:40:12,800 --> 00:40:16,300 he is a king that comes from eternity past. 605 00:40:17,100 --> 00:40:22,500 He is God, And I think here is a good place to understand 606 00:40:22,500 --> 00:40:25,200 something that is that is quite important when it comes to 607 00:40:25,200 --> 00:40:27,400 understanding the deity of Jesus Christ. 608 00:40:28,300 --> 00:40:31,300 The deity of Jesus Christ. You know many people have asked 609 00:40:31,300 --> 00:40:34,600 me this some of you might be thinking about it right now, why 610 00:40:34,600 --> 00:40:37,400 so complicated. Well, why not? 611 00:40:37,400 --> 00:40:42,300 Just have just just one verse where the Incarnate Christ. 612 00:40:42,300 --> 00:40:46,100 Just just said, I am. God worship me, you want proof. 613 00:40:46,100 --> 00:40:49,600 Here's some miracles. That would kill a thousand 614 00:40:49,600 --> 00:40:52,600 arguments. That would put the death, a lot 615 00:40:52,600 --> 00:40:56,700 of debate. Why not just do that? 616 00:40:57,600 --> 00:41:00,000 Why make these connections and why? 617 00:41:00,100 --> 00:41:04,600 Why does Jesus make these claims that to us seem ambiguous at 618 00:41:04,600 --> 00:41:09,400 first at least That seemed unclear A seem like they're open 619 00:41:09,400 --> 00:41:11,000 for interpretation. They're not when you really 620 00:41:11,000 --> 00:41:15,000 understand the scriptures. Wouldn't it make it more clear? 621 00:41:15,000 --> 00:41:16,800 Wouldn't there? Be less confusion? 622 00:41:17,000 --> 00:41:19,900 I argued that actually, if Jesus would have come, it says, I am 623 00:41:19,900 --> 00:41:22,500 God worship me. There would be more confusion. 624 00:41:24,300 --> 00:41:27,300 Potentially. Have you ever thought about 625 00:41:27,300 --> 00:41:30,700 that? And the reason why I believe 626 00:41:30,700 --> 00:41:34,100 that is because he understood his immediate audience and his 627 00:41:34,100 --> 00:41:37,900 immediate audience were Jews and to those Jews, a majority of 628 00:41:37,900 --> 00:41:40,000 them who had a limited understanding of the scriptures. 629 00:41:40,400 --> 00:41:43,100 Do they have the knowledge? The interpretive skill wasn't 630 00:41:43,100 --> 00:41:45,400 very much their Jesus rebuked, the whole school of religious 631 00:41:45,400 --> 00:41:49,100 people because of that. When they heard God, they 632 00:41:49,100 --> 00:41:51,500 identified it with the father, Isaiah speaks of God as a 633 00:41:51,500 --> 00:41:54,000 father, that's not a new testament concept. 634 00:41:54,300 --> 00:41:57,900 God one who occupies Heaven. God, the one who is Sovereign 635 00:41:57,900 --> 00:42:02,000 over all the universe. God, the one who cannot be seen 636 00:42:02,700 --> 00:42:05,600 God. And so here's Jesus Christ. 637 00:42:05,600 --> 00:42:08,300 He comes on what we wanted to do is say say, say it just say it, 638 00:42:08,500 --> 00:42:10,600 your God worship you. Okay, tell us. 639 00:42:11,300 --> 00:42:15,200 And yet that could be more of an obstacle than anything else if 640 00:42:15,200 --> 00:42:17,600 he just said it so plainly. Because there would that would 641 00:42:17,600 --> 00:42:20,100 leave those who are hearing it with an understanding of 642 00:42:20,100 --> 00:42:24,000 backdrop of who God has to say. So you're the, you're the one 643 00:42:24,000 --> 00:42:27,000 who's supposed to be in heaven. Who is supervising the universe? 644 00:42:27,400 --> 00:42:29,500 You're the one that we cannot see and hear you are. 645 00:42:29,500 --> 00:42:33,300 We know you're from Nazareth. Do you see how this can become 646 00:42:33,300 --> 00:42:35,700 an issue? You see how this can become more 647 00:42:35,700 --> 00:42:40,000 of a problem than of a benefit. And so, what Jesus does, as you 648 00:42:40,000 --> 00:42:41,900 will see throughout this gospel, as you see, throughout the 649 00:42:41,900 --> 00:42:45,500 gospels, is that he meets his people, where they're at with 650 00:42:45,500 --> 00:42:48,900 their understanding. And what he does, is he shares, 651 00:42:49,100 --> 00:42:52,400 and he declares that he shares the same nature as the father as 652 00:42:52,400 --> 00:42:54,400 God. And the prerogative is that he 653 00:42:54,400 --> 00:42:58,400 possesses, but at the same time wants to teach them that though 654 00:42:58,400 --> 00:43:01,000 he does share them, he is distinct. 655 00:43:01,800 --> 00:43:05,600 He is not the father. He is God, the son. 656 00:43:06,700 --> 00:43:11,100 And some believed it some realized it While others were 657 00:43:11,100 --> 00:43:16,500 ready to Stone him because of such blasphemy Jesus is the best 658 00:43:16,500 --> 00:43:21,000 evangelist, Jesus knew how to explain these things. 659 00:43:21,300 --> 00:43:26,000 And Jesus is infinitely wise, and we see it even here and we 660 00:43:26,000 --> 00:43:29,300 see it even with his text like this, or we are invited to see 661 00:43:29,300 --> 00:43:33,000 that Christ is distinct, but he is the same as God, and here's 662 00:43:33,000 --> 00:43:34,800 the point as we bring it to a close. 663 00:43:37,400 --> 00:43:42,000 That this whole introduction is to remind us Christians that we 664 00:43:42,000 --> 00:43:46,300 have good news. And this good news was planned 665 00:43:46,300 --> 00:43:51,300 and prepared and predicted long ago and although many Heralds 666 00:43:51,300 --> 00:43:53,900 have gone down throughout history to announce the coming 667 00:43:53,900 --> 00:44:00,300 of a new king. There is no King like this King. 668 00:44:01,700 --> 00:44:08,800 Because this king is God himself. who wrapped himself in 669 00:44:08,800 --> 00:44:15,900 flesh, entered into this world, not to be served but to serve 670 00:44:17,000 --> 00:44:20,500 There is no King like him. And if he is not King of your 671 00:44:20,500 --> 00:44:29,100 life, what are you waiting for? I have good news for you today. 672 00:44:32,400 --> 00:44:37,700 That Jesus Christ, the son of God came into this world to save 673 00:44:37,700 --> 00:44:40,900 you. To rescue you. 674 00:44:43,100 --> 00:44:44,800 Some of you know this already, right? 675 00:44:46,100 --> 00:44:49,800 Yeah. But I'll tell you that there is 676 00:44:49,800 --> 00:44:52,300 something healthy going on, in your spirit, when you can hear 677 00:44:52,300 --> 00:44:56,000 the gospel over and over again, and it makes you come alive. 678 00:44:58,600 --> 00:45:02,500 Christ died. And Jesus Christ. 679 00:45:02,500 --> 00:45:06,400 Had you in mind when he died. And as he hung there upon the 680 00:45:06,400 --> 00:45:10,100 tree, he received the full account of your sin that lays 681 00:45:10,100 --> 00:45:13,800 upon your shoulder today, if you are not connected to his saving 682 00:45:13,800 --> 00:45:19,700 power, And you will have to pay for every single sin that you've 683 00:45:19,700 --> 00:45:23,700 committed as you stand before. God, when he bids you to come 684 00:45:23,700 --> 00:45:26,700 before him. And you give up your final 685 00:45:26,700 --> 00:45:28,100 breath. That is not the end of your 686 00:45:28,100 --> 00:45:29,600 existence. That's just the beginning of 687 00:45:29,600 --> 00:45:32,500 one. That is much more real and as 688 00:45:32,500 --> 00:45:36,700 you stand before, God, Though you may have been able to bury 689 00:45:36,700 --> 00:45:39,600 your sin, from your parents barrier Sin, from your boss, 690 00:45:39,600 --> 00:45:43,900 bury your sin from your pastor and hide it and live on as 691 00:45:43,900 --> 00:45:47,700 though you were something and someone good, all of it will 692 00:45:47,700 --> 00:45:52,100 surface up before the most holy atmosphere that you've ever 693 00:45:52,100 --> 00:45:55,900 stepped foot in. And God will be there with a 694 00:45:55,900 --> 00:46:00,200 trillion of his angels as they behold you there in that moment, 695 00:46:00,600 --> 00:46:03,500 asking you to give an account for all that you've done against 696 00:46:03,500 --> 00:46:06,500 his law. All Times that you violated your 697 00:46:06,500 --> 00:46:08,700 conscience all the times that you have harmed. 698 00:46:08,700 --> 00:46:12,000 Somebody else who was created in the image of who he is, what 699 00:46:12,000 --> 00:46:15,200 will you do? What will you say? 700 00:46:17,400 --> 00:46:20,600 I've heard many people say I will stand before God and I have 701 00:46:20,600 --> 00:46:23,700 a list of questions to ask God. Oh really? 702 00:46:24,800 --> 00:46:26,800 I have a feeling you're not even going to be able to look at your 703 00:46:26,800 --> 00:46:31,600 list. As you stand before his blazing 704 00:46:31,600 --> 00:46:35,800 holiness. That will make your bones feel 705 00:46:35,800 --> 00:46:38,700 like they're Jello because you can't stand in such glory and 706 00:46:38,700 --> 00:46:44,000 your corrupt state. Yet, at the same time. 707 00:46:45,400 --> 00:46:49,200 For those who are in Christ, what would be so fearful and 708 00:46:49,200 --> 00:46:53,400 intimidating. the scripture promises we can come before with 709 00:46:53,400 --> 00:46:58,200 great joy and security what Jesus does for that appointment 710 00:46:58,200 --> 00:47:02,300 that you have with this king who is also judge is that as you 711 00:47:02,300 --> 00:47:06,600 stand before him you have nothing to account for. 712 00:47:08,000 --> 00:47:12,600 If anything the Bible says, you will be crowned for a Perfection 713 00:47:12,600 --> 00:47:15,200 of life that you have never lived but that you put your 714 00:47:15,200 --> 00:47:17,100 trust in the person of Jesus Christ. 715 00:47:18,500 --> 00:47:21,900 And all God will see and all those angels will see in that 716 00:47:21,900 --> 00:47:27,300 moment is a life free from sin free from any violation of God's 717 00:47:27,300 --> 00:47:32,300 law because the scripture uses a term, you are clothed in Christ. 718 00:47:33,300 --> 00:47:37,400 You are clothed in Christ and he invites, you into his presence 719 00:47:37,400 --> 00:47:40,900 forever and you enjoy his Fellowship, unfiltered, 720 00:47:40,900 --> 00:47:43,500 unhindered forever, and ever and ever. 721 00:47:43,500 --> 00:47:47,200 Do you want that? I'm not just saying you, if you 722 00:47:47,200 --> 00:47:51,600 want it, you need that. And I just call you as I close. 723 00:47:51,600 --> 00:47:55,000 Now, to run to the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ, while you 724 00:47:55,000 --> 00:47:58,700 still have breath. And let the eyes of your heart. 725 00:47:58,700 --> 00:48:01,600 Not these physical eyes, but the eyes of your heart, see his 726 00:48:01,600 --> 00:48:04,700 Beauty, and his majesty and don't turn away from it. 727 00:48:04,700 --> 00:48:06,200 Let it be. The very reason why you run 728 00:48:06,200 --> 00:48:08,100 towards him and surrender, do it. 729 00:48:09,300 --> 00:48:12,100 Do it. His arms are still open. 730 00:48:12,600 --> 00:48:15,900 His blood still has power and there is no sin too great for 731 00:48:15,900 --> 00:48:17,100 him. Not to forgive. 732 00:48:17,100 --> 00:48:19,700 Oh, would you come to him? Come to this King. 733 00:48:20,300 --> 00:48:38,500 Let's pray. Well, thank you for the news of 734 00:48:38,500 --> 00:48:41,500 the arrival of Jesus Christ through mark. 735 00:48:42,900 --> 00:48:44,900 Low. We pray that you would help us. 736 00:48:46,000 --> 00:48:49,400 With this joy that this good news produces low. 737 00:48:49,400 --> 00:48:52,000 We pray that if it was a spark for a few months, when we came 738 00:48:52,000 --> 00:48:54,800 to know you originally oh Lord make it a fire again. 739 00:48:56,600 --> 00:48:59,400 Bring us to that place where it is inexpressible and full of 740 00:48:59,400 --> 00:48:59,900 glory. Lord. 741 00:48:59,900 --> 00:49:02,700 We want to taste it. We want to know it. 742 00:49:04,500 --> 00:49:05,500 Lori. Thank you. 743 00:49:05,500 --> 00:49:08,100 How rich your word is, how deep it is. 744 00:49:11,700 --> 00:49:15,000 We worship you today. For the person in here, who 745 00:49:15,000 --> 00:49:18,800 doesn't know Christ. Although would your Holy Spirit 746 00:49:18,800 --> 00:49:20,900 convict? For the one. 747 00:49:20,900 --> 00:49:24,800 Who knows Christ. Who is lost this Joy? 748 00:49:26,200 --> 00:49:27,600 Only you can bring it back again. 749 00:49:28,900 --> 00:49:31,900 Well, we're so dependent on you and so we pray. 750 00:49:32,900 --> 00:49:37,000 Help us help The Sinner. Help the saint. 751 00:49:37,500 --> 00:49:39,500 We need you. In Jesus name. 752 00:49:40,000 --> 00:49:42,000 Amen. We stand and Worship the Lord 753 00:49:42,000 --> 00:49:30,300 together. Well, we're so dependent on you 754 00:49:31,100 --> 00:49:35,200 and so we pray. Help us help The Sinner. 755 00:49:35,900 --> 00:49:38,200 Help the saint. We need you. 756 00:49:38,600 --> 00:49:40,400 In Jesus name. Amen. 757 00:49:40,900 --> 00:49:42,400 We stand and Worship the Lord together.