Advertise on podcast: Trinity Baptist Church Sermons

It’s easy for us to assume that stress and pressure were invented in the modern world, along with cars, television, and more recently, social media. But people in the ancient world faced high demands and stressful situations as well. This was certainly true of Jesus. To this point in Mark’s telling of his life, Jesus has begun to exercise his authority as God’s Son—casting out demons and healing people. These miracles made Jesus suddenly popular, and now he is the most sought-out person in the region.How will Jesus act under this kind of pressure? This episode in Mark’s gospel shows us how Jesus maintained three essential priorities.I. Prayer: Jesus Prioritized Communion with His Father. - 1:35 II. People: Jesus Prioritized Caring for Others. - 1:36-39 III. Preaching: Jesus Prioritized Communicating the Good News. - 1:38-39

To this point in Mark’s gospel, Jesus has declared the good news that God’s kingdom has drawn near (1:14-15) and started to gather followers (1:16-20). But how are people to know whether Jesus’ claims are real? If he is this world’s true King, what kind of authority does he have? On one remarkable Sabbath day, Jesus demonstrates his authority, showing that, with his coming, God’s kingdom really has arrived.Jesus has the authority to speak God’s truth. - 1:21-22Jesus has the authority to defeat God’s enemies. - 1:23-28Jesus has the authority to heal God’s people. 1:29-34

Mark 1:16-20 After announcing the good news that God’s reign is getting close, Jesus begins gathering followers, and he starts with four fisherman on the lake. This simple episode raises important question: Why these people? Why did they so readily follow Jesus? And what did Jesus intend for them? Mark gives presents this scene to begin to show his readers what it means that Jesus, the King, summons people to follow him. I. The Called - Who is being summoned? II. The Caller - Who is summoning? III. The Calling - What is he summoning them to do?

Mark 1:14 - Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” In this passage, Mark tells us that Jesus comes announcing that the kingdom of God has drawn near. But if Jesus is the rightful King and we are rebels against His rule, why is that good news? Mark 1:14–15 begins to answer that question and shows us how sinners must respond to the King who has come. Here we see two announcements, and one summons: 1. The Appointed Time Has Come 2. The Kingdom Has Drawn Near 3. Repent and Believe

At Jesus’ baptism, God publicly declared, “You are my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” This raises the question: What happens to God’s beloved Son now? Where does he go, and who does he encounter? The next episode gives us an startling answer. Instead of receiving a royal reception, God’s beloved Son goes into the wilderness to meet God’s adversary. I. Where the King Goes: The WildernessII. Who the King Faces: God’s AdversaryIII. Why this MattersThis episode shows us that Jesus triumphs where we fail so that through him we too can triumph.

What is so important about the baptism of Jesus? It marks the official beginning of his ministry as the Christ, the King. It also means that the three events of his baptism—heaven being torn open, the Spirit descending, and the Father’s speaking—apply not only to Jesus, but also to all those who are trusting in Jesus. This is why we can declare that . . . I. In Christ, we find heaven open. - 1:10a II. In Christ, we receive God’s Spirit - 1:10b III. In Christ, we enjoy God’s delight. - 1:11

The gospel of Mark presents Jesus as the King (Messiah, God’s Son) who has come to rescue his people. But what must be done to prepare for the coming of this King?Ahead of Jesus, God sends a prophet: John the baptizer. John’s style and methods were unconventional, but his message was clear: this coming King will bring people out of the exile of their sin, so that they can come home to the life-giving presence of God.Although Jesus’ coming took place over 2,000 years ago, John’s message remains relevant for us today. This will become clear as we consider . . . I. The Moment: What happened?II. The Meaning: What does this mean?III. The Message: What does this mean for us? We still need: A. A prophetic voice B. The offer of forgiveness C. A call to repentance D. A high view of Christ E. The Spirit of God

Mark 1:1-3 In a world riddled with evil and pain, it’s easy to develop a cynical, despairing attitude about nearly everything. Even when things seem to be good we wonder, “What’s really behind this? or, “We’ll just see how long this lasts.” Is there anything so solidly good that it’s worth believing, celebrating, and sharing with others? Mark certainly thought so, and wrote a book about it. The opening few verses of Mark’s gospel gives us three reasons this news is so good. I. This message is good because of who it’s about. II. This message is good because of how it came. III. This message is good because of where it lands.

How many people identify as Christian? In the U. S. the number is estimated around 235 million, and worldwide it’s 2.3 billion. But of these many people, how many truly understand who Jesus is? The gospel of Mark was written to answer that question both for people in the ancient world, and for us today. In this introductory message on the book of Mark, we will consider how Mark unfolds this theme, and what it means for us today.I. What Kind of Book Is the Gospel of Mark? A. It is very early B. It is true C. It is structured D. It is personalII. What Does the Gospel of Mark Teach? III. What Can We Expect from the Gospel of Mark A. To be confronted by the person of Jesus B. To consider the primary work of Jesus C. To be taught what it means to be a follower of Jesus

Without self-control, all the other qualities will crumble to pieces. Self-control is like the skin that protects and contains the other organs of the body. But when it comes to self-control, we face two major challenges. First, it’s hard to achieve. Second, even when we achieve it, we tend to use it for self-centered purposes. So what does it mean to have self-control as a fruit of God’s Spirit? Simply stated, self-control is the Spirit-given power to say “no” to sin and “yes” to God. 1. The Meaning of Self-Control 2. Our Need for Self-Control 3. The Secret to Self-Control 4. The Practice of Spirit-Controlled Living

The word rendered “gentleness” is hard to translate into English, and this quality tends to be misunderstood. It is not merely treating other with tenderness, and it is certainly not weakness or softness. Rather, it is a deep and settled strength in God that overflows in gracious spirit toward others. 1. The Meaning of Gentleness 2. Our Lack of Gentleness 3. The Source of Gentleness 4. The Practice of Gentleness

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). I. The Meaning of Faithfulness II. The Problem of Unfaithfulness III. The Solution to Unfaithfulness IV. The Practice of Faithfulness

According to the Bible, kindness is not just being nice and polite. It’s love acting with sacrificial generosity to meet a real need for someone else. The ultimate source of kindness is God himself. He showed us his kindness in the most radically generous way possible: sending his Son to rescue us from the misery and penalty of our sin. Only by accepting this kindness—as the Bible puts it, “tasting that the Lord is kind”—can we have the ability and motivation to show kindness to others (1 Peter 2:3). This is why kindness is not something we can manufacture by sheer will-power. It is what God’s Spirit produces in the lives of those who abide in Christ. I. The Meaning of Kindness II. The Gift of God’s Kindness III. The Practice of Kindness

Patience is not a glamorous quality. It probably wouldn’t feature as the standout trait of the world’s most influential people. But it’s one of the qualities God proclaims about himself, and it’s the first proof of genuine love (Exodus 34:6; 1 Corinthians 13:4). Without patience, the other qualities—love, joy, peace, etc.—would quickly fizzle out. Patience is the quality that enables love to last long, joy to persist in trials, and peace to overcome conflict. Such a quality is not something we can manufacture. Rather, it is what God’s Spirit produces in the lives of people who abide in Christ. I. The Meaning of Patience II. The Gift of Patience III. The Practice of Patience

Peace is not merely the absence of conflict: it is the presence of whole-life flourishing. It is when all the pieces fit together like they should. In our broken world, everyone is trying to put the pieces back together without a clear idea of what they are putting together. The Bible teaches us that genuine peace begins with a restored relationship with God, which flows into restored relationships with others—and with ourselves. Such peace is not something we can manufacture. Rather, it is what God’s Spirit produces in the lives of people who abide in Christ. I. The Absence of Peace II. The Essence of Peace III. The Source of Peace IV. The Life of Peace