Mark 1:4

"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...."

"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....."

'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.

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 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 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....."

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.

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.