Voices from the Wilderness

Sermon given at Evans United Methodist Church
December 10, 2017

John the Baptist lived in the wilderness, preaching an old message in a new way.  There hadn't been a prophetic voice in Israel in over 300 years.  People flocked to listen to him, and be baptized in the Jordan River.  What was his message?  And what did John say about the Messiah? 

Voices from the Wilderness

Mark 1:1-8
1 This is the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 It began as the prophet Isaiah had written:

“God said, ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you to open the way for you.’

 

3 Someone is shouting in the desert,

‘Get the road ready for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel!’”

 

4 So John appeared in the desert, baptizing and preaching.  “Turn away from your sins and be baptized,” he told the people, “and God will forgive your sins.” 5 Many people from the province of Judea and the city of Jerusalem went out to hear John. They confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan River.

 

6 John wore clothes made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.  7 He announced to the people, “The man who will come after me is much greater than I am. I am not good enough even to bend down and untie his sandals. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”