Mark 1:9-11

"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..."

"[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..."

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

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

"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."

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, 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..."

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.

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.