Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 3, 2023

Let’s Start at the Very Beginning

Mark 1:1-13

1. Background

• “action” gospel, most compact, “moving picture” gospel
• answering the question: Who is Jesus?

2. Preparation 1-8

• gospel: good news about a person
• pivotal role of John the Baptist (Mal. 3:1, Isa. 40:3, 2 Kings 1:8)
• preaching repentance and pointing to Jesus

3. Verification 9-11

• inauguration of public ministry
• visual and verbal validation

4. Indication 12-13

• driven into the wilderness
• onslaught of temptation
• reversing the curse

5. So What?

• In light of Scripture’s clear indication of Jesus’ identity, rely on His provision and recognize your place.
• “Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word, tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard…Tell of the cross where they nailed Him, dying in anguish and pain; tell of the grave where they laid Him; tell how He liveth again.” (F. Crosby, “Tell Me the Story of Jesus”)
• “I love to tell the story, for those who know it best seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest. And when in scenes of glory I sing the new, new song, ‘twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.” (Hankey/Fischer “I Love to Tell the Story”)