Mark 1:1-11

The sequence of grace — serving before saving! Phil Ware shares insight on the beginning of Mark's gospel and how salvation is preceded by service, serving comes before saving, and the gospel always begins with a servant.

"Dear Servant of God, I love the way Mark begins his good news story about Me:This is the beginning of the good news of Jesus, the Anointed One, the....."

"One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens..."

"This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began just as the prophet Isaiah had written: "Look, I am sending my messenger..."

"[When John the Baptizer was proclaiming the coming of Jesus], Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. The moment he came out..."

Jesus emphasized that the greatest in the Kingdom of God is a servant, and then defined his personal mission as serving those who are lost. Phil Ware continues his reflections on his gospel studies and shares how we can become JesuShaped by becoming servants like John the Baptizer and four friends.

"[John the Baptist's] clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey. ..."

"John announced: "Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am... I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!""

'Prepare Him room': Inviting Jesus to reign in our hearts is how the strange beginning of the Gospel of Mark fits into the Advent season. Phil Ware shares how Mark's gospel, which doesn't even mention the birth of Jesus, fits into the Advent season.

"One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River."

"All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan..."

"This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God."

"And a voice from heaven said [to Jesus following his baptism], "You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.""

"[John the Baptizer:] "I baptize you with water, but [Jesus] will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.""

"And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.""

"The moment [Jesus] came out of the water, he saw the sky split open and God's Spirit, looking like a dove, come down on him."

"As Jesus came up out of the water [after his baptism], he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove."

"This messenger [to prepare the way for Jesus] was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that...."

Inspirational illustration of Mark 1:11 -- And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love, with you I am well pleased."

"Dear Friend of God, Today, I AM asking you to do something important. I know you are busy with all your Christmas plans, but there is one important....."

Why does Jesus' ministry begin with John? Phil Ware continues his series on The Story and reminds us that we can all be John the Baptist, the baptizer, to people around us.

"Dear Friend, My cousin John the Baptist "appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins" (Mark 1:4 NIV)......"

"Dear Friend, My earthly ministry began with My baptism by My cousin, John the Baptist, in the Jordan River (Luke 3:21-23). The heavens were ripped..."

First Stage of Jesus' Ministry First stage of Jesus' ministry.