John the Baptist | CatchForChrist.net

Mark 1:15 Commentary | The Kingdom of God Has Come; Repent & Believe!

February 29, 2020 @DannyScottonJr 0

Jesus announces the inauguration of the prophesied, inbreaking kingdom of God — which has come at God’s appointed time. The kingdom has come because the King has come. The kingdom is here “already” but “not yet” fully consummated — not until the Second Coming. In the meantime, Jesus commands people to repent and believe the Good News of the kingdom. We must turn from our sin and turn to Christ the King in loving, loyal obedience.

Get Ready for Christmas; Celebrate the Presence | Lk 1:5-17 Sermon [Video, Text+]

December 23, 2019 @DannyScottonJr 0

What Does It Mean to Get Ready for Christmas? Too often, in our American society it means preparing to celebrate the presents… instead of celebrating the Presence (of the Lord). John the Baptist’s mission was to prepare his people for the Presence of the Lord. Before they could follow the Way (cf. Jn 14:6), they had to stop going their own way. They had to turn around, to turn back… to repent.

Mark 1:14 Commentary | Given Over, Gospel Given

November 24, 2019 @DannyScottonJr 0

After John the Baptist is handed over — to be arrested and eventually killed, Jesus begins His public ministry in Galilee. Christ proclaims the Gospel in a cosmopolitan region that will apparently be more receptive than the holy city of Jerusalem.

John the Baptist is Jesus’ forerunner in ministry and in (brutal) death. Proclaiming the Gospel often leads to persecution.

Mark 1:7-8 Commentary: The Coming, Stronger One’s Greater Baptism

November 12, 2019 @DannyScottonJr 0

John the Baptist proclaimed the coming of the Stronger One — one of whom he was not even worthy of being a slave. John’s repentance-baptism paved the way and prepared people for the greater baptism of Jesus Christ — who would metaphorically immerse believers with the Holy Spirit, whom Christ would send (cf. Jn 15:26, 16:7, 12-15 cf. Jn 14:26).

Mark 1:5-6 Commentary: John the Baptist, Elijah, Jordan

November 12, 2019 @DannyScottonJr 0

John the Baptist has a popular ministry of repentance-baptism in the wilderness at the Jordan River, a location with a rich Old Testament history. The people of Jerusalem were coming out in droves, confessing their sin.

Moreover, John is dressed like a prophet — likely the prophet Elijah, who was prophesied to come before the coming of the LORD Himself (as John comes before the Lord Jesus).

Mark 1:4 Commentary: John the Baptizer, the Prophesied Wilderness Prophet

November 11, 2019 @DannyScottonJr 0

John the Baptizer appears in the wilderness as the prophesied messenger of the LORD who would prepare His way (cf. Mk 1:2-3) — a way for a new exodus, a new divine encounter, a new deliverance via the LORD the King.

This preparation for the way of the Lord Jesus entails the proclamation of a preparatory baptism for those who had turned away from sin and turned to God (i.e., repentance) for the purpose of the forgiveness of sins (by God). This forgiveness will ultimately be made possible through the work of Christ on the cross.