John’s Baptism And The Coming Of The Holy Spirit
Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF (University Bible Fellowship) ChristianfamilyonChristsmission.com
Mark 1:1-11   Key verse 1:11-12  Waterman Presbyterian Church 1/8/2012
“As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

What an honor and a privilege it is to be here to preach in this beautiful and historical church, a church where several of my friends have grown up and worship. I am eager to see them. Who am I and who is my family that I could be so blessed to stand in this pulpit where so many great servants of God have stood before? For example, I was here 1 ½ years ago when Dr @Prahbakar came to speak about his missionary work in India. Who remembers that day? @Jenn Kallas@ told me that there are families who have historically worshipped here for several generations. That makes me feel like you have included me in your family, by inviting me to preach. That is special to me and my family. It is also a privilege to preach at the beginning of the year. That is a pretty prestigious slot in my books. New Year’s is a time of new beginnings and new hopes for a fresh start. I was wondering what should I preach on? I asked Jenn, “what are the prescribed readings for this Sunday?” and she gave me a list. The passages were wisely chosen and a great choice for a New Year’s message!

In this passage we will talk briefly how Jesus’ Gospel ministry began, first through God’s promises and then through the ministry of John the Baptist. We will think about what John’s Baptism is and the importance of John’s baptism and its relationships to Jesus’ baptism of the Holy Spirit. I pray that 2012 may be a year where God can bless us with a spirit of repentance and brand new relationship with God with new beginnings in him, through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Let’s see.

Part l: The Gospel Began With Prophecy (1-3).

Mark takes us to the beginning of Jesus’ Gospel ministry in verse 1. It reads, “The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” “Gospel” literally means “good news.” This world is filled with bad news that saps us of strength. But good news fills us with joy, life, and hope. We all want good news. We all need good news. Especially at the beginning of the year! This good news is about Jesus Christ the Son of God.

“Jesus” means “Savior.” Our Savior, Jesus, came into this world as a tiny, baby in the manger, to save us from our sins (Mt 1:21). “Christ” means the “anointed king.” Jesus is descended from David, was anointed with Holy Spirit, and authority and power, to reign over all God’s people forever and ever, with peace and love. What a great king we have! “The Son of God” means that he is the promised Savior, sent by the Father, who can completely save all who put their faith and trust in him. Those who receive Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as their savior King, receive the forgiveness of sins, adoption as children of God, new hope, a glorious mission, the promised Holy Spirit as well as eternal life. What a great package deal. This is the Gospel. This is our Christ! How wonderful it is to learn about the Gospel this New Year! And so let’s see how this gospel began.

God prepared the peoples’ hearts for centuries. Look at verses 2-3. “It is written in Isaiah the prophet: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way’–‘a voice of one calling in the desert, “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him’.” Though Mark mentions only Isaiah, this verse is actually a quotation of both Malachi and Isaiah. (Mal 3:1; Isa 40:3) Isaiah was the most prominent prophet in the Old Testament and Malachi was the last Old Testament prophet. Malachi wrote around 430 B.C. He proclaimed the Messiah’s coming. But before the Messiah would come, God would send “his messenger”. (Mal 3:1). Isaiah wrote around 700 B.C. He foretold that God’s messenger would live in the desert and preach a message of repentance. (Isa 40:3-5) John the Baptist precisely fulfilled these prophecies. Jesus came according to prophecy. Only God, who knows the end from the beginning, can do this. This gospel is not some “man-made” story. The gospel is the truth from God supported by historical facts. This sets Christianity apart from all other religions. You can build your life and stake your future on the Jesus and the Gospel.

Part ll: The Baptism of John – A Baptism of Repentance (4-8).

Isaiah said that God’s messenger would “Prepare the way for the Lord.” This did not mean that John was going to finance the building of an expressway from Nazareth to Jerusalem. No. He was referring to the Lord entering into the peoples’ hearts in a spiritual sense. Jesus started his ministry when he was 30 years old. For this great work to begin, peoples’ hearts needed to be prepared. That’s where John the Baptist comes in.

Luke refers to the nature of John’s ministry in Luke 3:4-6, “As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: ‘A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. 5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 6 And all mankind will see God’s salvation.’” Peoples’ hearts were not prepared to accept the Savior. Some peoples’ hearts were like valleys made impassable by self condemnation. Some peoples’ hearts were like mountains and hills, made impassable by varying levels of pride. Some peoples’ hearts filled with crooked ways, too crooked for God to navigate his way into them. Others had rough paths hindering God’s approach. And so thousands of people, with different hearts, came to John the Baptist, some self condemning, some proud, some crooked and rough. But despite of the varying condition of hearts, they all had one thing in common. They submitted to John’s baptism of repentance. They were attracted to his message. To be certain, they were tired of living without God and without hope and they wanted to see God’s Messiah. And so they humbly came to John.

John knew that there was only one way to prepare any heart. Let’s read verses 4 and 5, “And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.” John knew the eternal truth that hearts need to be changed in order for God to dwell there. God is holy and can not co-exist with sin. God is the powerful, almighty Creator. He opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6b) He is the King of the Universe and will not dwell amidst challenges to his lordship. But yet this holy, powerful, Creator God really wants to come and dwell among his people, personally. But how is it possible? Our own efforts could never produce a suitable pathway. But God did not give up. He has shown us the way. Look at verse 5b, “…Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.” It is the way of humble confession and repentance. (James 4:5-6)

John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. (Mk 1:4) Repentance is such a heavy word. Some pastors have been sued for using this word. But I feel safe around you all. To put it simply, to repent means to turn from sin and the world towards Jesus and his kingdom. It is a condition of heart, involving changing one’s mind about something and dedicating oneself to the amendment of one’s life. (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repent) In a word, to repent is to acknowledge one’s sin before God and to ask for his forgiveness and then chart a new course.
Repentance is a good thing and a pre-requisite for receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. When Peter was addressing the crowds in Acts 3:19-20, he said, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.” Most people live in this world, loaded down with guilt, regrets and vague feelings of condemnation and failure. We don’t know how to unburden our hearts. But when we repent of our sins and come to Jesus, our hearts are strangely refreshed. The Lord forgives all of our sins. We are made right with God, by his grace, and have true peace. We experience the love of God. We can make a brand new beginning with new strength to follow the truth and to follow Jesus. With repentance we can become the happiest people in the world. Repentance is indeed a refreshing, healing balm to our souls.
There are different classes of repentance. First-class repentance is willing, and it is done with godly sorrow, recognizing the pain we have caused God and others. Second-class repentance may be done without emotional contents, simply as a matter of principle. Third-class repentance is the most reluctant, simply because we want to avoid punishment. Sometimes, our hearts are too hard to repent at all. It is never easy to repent. I will never forget one episode of Happy Days when Author Fonzerelli, better known as “The Fonz” had to say he was sorry. He stumbled and stammered and tried to force out the words, “I am sorry” and was barely able to do it.  Repentance requires great humility. Mostly we must ask God for a spirit of repentance and when we do God will tenderize our hearts and help us.

People really want to hear the word, “repent”. The response to John’s preaching was phenomenal. Look at verse 5. “The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.” This teaches us that deep down inside people really want to repent. They want times of refreshing and power to change. They want to find a solution to their spiritual problems. They just need to know the way.

John was an excellent instrument for God to reach the peoples’ hearts. Look at verse 6. “John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.” John lived a pure and poor life, studying the Old Testament and praying in the desert. He wore humble camel hair clothes and ate humble food, like grasshoppers. He lived the message that he preached. When a servant of God is like this then the words he/she speaks are very powerful and people will listen.

Part lll: Jesus’ Baptism – The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-7; Mark 1:7-8)

Repentance must not be half way. We need to follow through and come to Christ, receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist also knew secret of following through repentance unto faith. He did not want to leave the crowds pummeling themselves with self condemnation. Let’s see how he helped them in verses 7-8, “And this was his message: ‘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.’” John explained that his water baptism was merely a first step in coming to God. It alone could not solve their sin problem. They needed forgiveness and to be changed in their “inner person”. In short, they needed the baptism of the Holy Spirit that only Jesus could give.

We see this same principle at work in Acts 19:1-7, Here Paul finds twelve new disciples who had only taken repentance half way. Let’s read verses Acts 19:1-3 together, “While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ They answered, ‘No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.’ 3 So Paul asked, ‘Then what baptism did you receive?’ ‘John’s baptism,’ they replied.” These 12 disciples looked incomplete. They only received John’s baptism, which is a baptism of repentance. They admitted they were sinners. They knew they deserved God’s righteous judgment. But they did not know the marvelous grace of Jesus Christ or the work of the Holy Spirit. They remind us of people who always look grumpy and condemned, even after believing in Jesus.

Paul could not leave these young disciples in their misery. In Acts 19:4, Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance.” He told the people to believe in the one coming after John the Baptist, that is, Jesus. Then, on hearing these words from Paul, they were baptized into the name of the Lord. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them. They were filled with power and joy. They could speak about God and his marvelous work. They could see the coming of the kingdom of God. It was the beginning of God’s great work in Ephesus.
Let’s think why this baptism of the Holy Spirit so important? There are many reasons. Countless books have been written on the subject…but let’s think of six of them in order to wet our appetites for the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

First, Jesus’ baptism with the Holy Spirit transforms our inner person. The Holy Spirit is God himself who comes to dwell in us. Where God dwell’s, nothing stays the same for the Holy Spirit is the power of God and the wisdom of God. Through the work of the Holy Spirit we die to sin and rise to newness of life with Christ (Ro 6:4). We are transformed.

Second, Jesus’ baptism of the Holy Spirit, enables us to live a new life in the holiness of God bearing good fruit (Gal 5:22) for his glory.

Third, the Spirit gives us a burning passion to seek God and serve God. After Jesus’ ascension into heaven, when the apostles gathered to pray together in Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit came upon them in power. Their fear vanished and they became bold witnesses of Jesus Christ (Ac 2:4).

Fourth, the baptism of the Holy Spirit fills our hearts with power, love and self discipline. Young Timothy was willing to serve God together with Paul. But he was timid and weak. Paul believed he would be changed into a spiritual leader, by the Holy Spirit. That is why Paul said to him, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline” (2 Tim 1:7).

Fifth, the baptism of the Holy Spirit sets our minds free from the gravity of sin and enables us to think of heavenly things. Romans 8:6 says, “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”

Sixth, the Holy Spirit gives a confirmation of the love of God. Verse 11. “And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’” We will talk more about this in the upcoming section.

Wow! This sounds really great! The baptism of the Holy Spirit is good news for all people. Where can we get this Holy Spirit? Do they sell it at Walmart? God really wants to give us the Holy Spirit. Jesus explained that even human fathers, know how to give good gifts to their children. Then Jesus said, “…how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Lk 11:13) God really wants to give us the Holy Spirit. He really wants to dwell in hearts. All we need to do is ask. Have you asked? If you have asked, you can ask again for God to come and dwell in your heart newly. As we begin this New Year, let each of us ask God for the Holy Spirit.

Part lll: God Anointed Jesus As Christ (9-11).

To inaugurate his ministry, Jesus humbly submitted to John’s baptism. Look at verse 9, “At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.” John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. But Jesus did not need to repent for he was sinless. Still, Jesus made sure he was baptized. Why? Jesus’ baptism by John was a time of decision. Jesus, was committing himself to God’s holy purpose to take up his cross and live and die as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. (John 1:29) This reveals that there is more to baptism than repentance. Baptism is also a decision of commitment.
After Jesus humbly submitted to John’s baptism, something amazing happened. Look at verse 10. “As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.” As Jesus was praying, the Holy Spirit descended on him (Lk 3:22), physically represented by a dove. This was literally God the Father, breaking through the darkness of the world, and anointing Jesus, his Son, with the Holy Spirit. What does this mean?
God’s great work always begins with a movement of the Holy Spirit. This is consistent throughout the whole Bible. Genesis 1:1-3 reads, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” There was a time, when this world was formless, empty and dark. Not much was going on. The earth was without beauty, without life, and with meaning. But God was there. His spirit was hovering over the waters. That formless, dark and empty world was ready to be changed into a world full of life, light, beauty and meaning.

Think about the beginning of the Christian church. 120 followers of Jesus gathered in the upper room. The Holy Spirit came upon them as the Risen Jesus promised. They were all transformed and powerful Christian church was born. God’s work always begins with the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus’ anointing is unique. Being without sin, Jesus could receive the Holy Spirit without an atoning sacrifice on his behalf. Being without sin, Jesus could live in absolute obedience to the Holy Spirit all the days of his life. The Spirit was Jesus’ source of power and love. Jesus, in turn can baptize his disciples of all ages, with the Holy Spirit. Again, all we need to do is ask.
Another interesting event occurred in this passage. God the Father, declared his love for and his approval of his Son, Jesus. Look at verse 11. “And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’” God confirmed Jesus’ identity as the Son of God. God, the Father said, “…whom I love.” Jesus treasured his Father’s confession of love in his heart and lived in assurance that he was God’s beloved Son all the days of his life. Jesus always called God, “Father” even in his passion when he was suffering and dying on the cross. Jesus shares this love relationship, through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, with all who come to him in faith.

In today’s passage we learned about the baptism of John. John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. Repentance is a turning away from sins and a turning to God for forgiveness and newness of life. It is a necessary pre-requisite to receive Jesus’ baptism of the Holy Spirit. This New Year’s let’s enter into John’s baptism through humble repentance making a clear path for Christ to enter into our hearts. Let us pray newly for the indwelling of the holy spirit of God. We will enter into a new, life giving relationship with Jesus Christ. We will be enlightened to see new hope and new possibilities.

Let’s read the key verse together…
Key verse 1:11-12
“As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”