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Pastor Lud Golz
Pastor Lud Golz

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  Home | Transcript Archive | May | May 14, 2014

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

In our last visit we began to answer some questions based on the first 9 verses of Mark 1. We answered the Who? and What? questions. Now let’s answer the Why? question. It’s clear that John the Baptist’s ministry of preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins was to fulfill the Old Testament prophecy in Isaiah 40 that there would be a messenger sent ahead of the Messiah to prepare the way for his introduction and ministry. The location where he did this was a desert region by the Jordan River. This took place just before Jesus was baptized and began His public ministry. That answers the Where? and When questions. Now let’s answer the How? question. John’s lifestyle was simple. He was genuinely humble as seen in his message in Mark 1:7-8: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” He was faithful to his calling and with conviction was clear in his message: “Repent and be Baptized!” It’s hard to be faithful when you know up front that your ministry will be short lived, a brief opening act that the crowds will forget when the featured act begins. I was especially touched by his confession of being unworthy to even untie the thongs of Christ’s sandals. He felt unworthy of being even a lowly servant of the Master. I asked myself, “Is that my heart attitude as I serve the Lord?” Water baptism at best merely cleanses the outside. The baptism of the Holy Spirit transforms the whole of life from the inside. John’s ministry set the stage for Jesus Christ’s life and ministry. Never despise the seemingly insignificant or transitory when done in obedience to God.

 

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