Make Room for Jesus

John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ arrival.  We must make room for Jesus in our own lives to join Him in His Kingdom work.

Mark 1:1-8

1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,

“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
    who will prepare your way,
the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
    ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight,’”

John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Sermon Notes

Be Ready (Mark 1:1-3)

  • The good news is that Jesus is the Messiah we’ve been waiting for and the God we’ve been longing for (Mark 1:1).
  • When God makes a promise, you never have to question if He will keep it (Mark 1:2).
  • Remove any obstacle in the way of you following Jesus (Mark 1:2-3).

Be Willing (Mark 1:4-6)

  • Being bold in ministry requires a confidence in God and not oneself (Mark 1:4).
  • The people prepared for Jesus through repentance, confession, and baptism (Mark 1:4-5).
  • You don’t have to look like the world in order for the world to look to you (Mark 1:6).

Be Humble (Mark 1:7-8)

  • Never get so caught up focusing on your kingdom that you neglect to prioritize God’s Kingdom (Mark 1:7).
  • A clear view of Jesus will never allow you to be prideful (Mark 1:7).
  • John cleared the path for Jesus; Jesus cleared the path for the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8).
    • God Outside Us – Father
    • God Beside Us – Son
    • God Inside Us – Spirit

There’s no better time to get right with God than right now.

  • Specifically, how do you need to make room for Jesus?

Next Week’s Sermon: Make Your Father Proud [Mark 1:9-13]