Mark 1:4-11

The lights won't come on if the power is off. That's a fact, but sometimes our actions seem to ignore that fact. We humans are creatures of habit. We do a lot of things without thinking about it. Most of the time we are operating on automatic pilot.

For instance, have you ever walked into a dark room and flicked the light switch even though you knew that the power was off. Everyone knows that the lights won't come on without electricity. But we try to turn them on anyway. And even after we realize that the power is off we keep flicking the light switch anyway to no avail.

This seems to be a universal truth that applies to more than just electricity. It also applies to our spiritual lives. We can't shine spiritually if it the power is off. We can't find meaning and proclaim truth if we are not plugged in to the main source of power. That is a truth that most of us would affirm yet many Christians try to shine the light of Christ while the main breaker is in the OFF position.

The lights won't come on if the power is off. This is a universal truth that can be seen in creation itself. In Genesis it says that the universe was a vast dark chaos before God began creating. It says that "darkness covered the face of the deep." But before God can start making something of this vast darkness it says the wind or spirit of God swept over the face of the deep. Then God said, "Let there be light!"

Before God could turn the lights on, the universe had to be plugged in to a power source. And that power source is the Spirit, or presence, of God. Without the Spirit of God the universe would still be a dark place. You or I could flick the switch all day and it would still be dark.

Since this is a universal principle, that the lights won't come on without the power on, it also applies to each of us. After all we are part of this creation. If the universe cannot run without a power source, then neither can we. Do you follow my logic?

Perhaps we can see this principle at work in Jesus' own life. Mark writes, "In those days Jesus came from Nazareth to Galilee and was baptized by John." For most of his first 30 years Jesus lived in Nazareth. We know very little about his life there. He was probably a carpenter: a pretty peaceful and ordinary existence. In those days Jesus left that life and began a new life. He left the comfort and security of Nazareth to begin traveling to teach and heal. Instead of his bed in Nazareth Jesus slept on the ground. He gave up the security of a carpenters shop for the hazards of the open road. He left a peaceful existence for a life destined to end on the cross.

In those same days John was baptizing in the Jordan River. People flocked to John because they had turned from God and desperately needed and wanted to turn back. They wanted to turn from their old lives of selfishness and hate and turn to a new life of loving God and their neighbor. So they repented and John baptized them to demonstrate God's forgiveness. And Jesus, who was among them, came to be baptized as well.

But Jesus didn't need to repent! Jesus, unlike all other humans, had never turned from God. He was sinless. He had nothing to repent of. But like them, Jesus was leaving his old life behind. And like them, Jesus was being obedient to God. He was surrendering to God's will for his life. So, despite John's objections, Jesus was baptized.

Right after Jesus was baptized something important happened: the heavens were torn open. I remember one time I was at the Beach for a seminar. My room was on the 15th floor and looked out over the ocean. One afternoon I looked out. It was overcast but the clouds were starting to break up. And the sun was shining through is a few places. And I could see the rays of light shining through the clouds. And way out in the ocean one part of the sea was illuminated and it seemed to glow against the backdrop of the darkness around it. It was as if heaven had broken through and the glory of God was shining through for all to see. That is how I imagine it looked to Jesus.

It is important to note that the heaven was torn open, because the Spirit that descended on Jesus was the Spirit of God. The power of the Holy Spirit sent from God the Father was descending on and filling the Son. And God said, "You are my Son, the Beloved, with you I am well pleased."

This incident is important because it demonstrates the principle I am preaching about. It shows us that Jesus' power was from above; from Almighty God. Without the power of God, Jesus could not have done the things that he did. He could not have healed the sick or cast out demons. He could not have multiplied the loaves or calmed the sea. He could not have forgiven his disciples for deserting him. He could not have willingly died for the very men who nailed him to the cross. He could not have been the Lamb of God slain for the sins for the world. Understand; Jesus was born the Son of God. He was God Almighty in the flesh. He didn't need an infusion of power to work miracles. He was that power incarnate. But for our benefit God demonstrated that truth.

The lights won't come on if the power is off. Jesus was able to live as he did because he was full of the spiritual power of God. He was able to shine a light in the darkness because the power was on. And the only real source of spiritual power in this universe is the Spirit of God Almighty. Jesus was and is that spiritual power.

Too many Christians try to live a Christian life without being filled with that power. They try to shine the light when the power is off. They think that they can find meaning in life without prayer and without reading the Bible. They try to live for Christ without looking to Christ. They are like one standing in the dark flicking a light switch while the main breaker is reading "Off."

We can't live a truly Christian life on our own. The only way to live a Christian life is to empty ourselves and be filled with spiritual power from above. Do you want the strength to face the troubles of life? Do you want to be able to forgive and put the past behind you? Do you want to see miracles happen in your life? Then surrender to Christ. Put the past behind you. Turn from sin and turn to God. Let power from heaven fill you.

The lights won't come on if the power is off. This is a universal principle. The problem is it is contrary to what our society believes. Our society believes in independence and self reliance. "Get a hold of yourself" - "Pull yourself up by your boot strapss and be your own man." That is what the world tells us.

But that is not how it works. You can go out and buy a portable generator so that if the power goes down you can still turn on the lights in your house. But there is no such thing as a portable spiritual generator. You can't generate your own spiritual power you have to get it from God.

Yet people try to be their own source of spiritual energy - their own God. They try to live on their own. They think because they once turned to God in the past they don't need God any more. And they drop out of church and forget to pray. They basically unplug themselves and then when things get dark they wonder why the light won't come on.

The lights won't come on if the power is off. God Almighty is the only power source for abundant life. Turn from your self reliance and turn to God in faith and devotion. Surrender to his will just as Jesus surrendered and was obedient unto death on a cross. Let the Almighty fill you with the spirit and work in you.

Mark 1:4-11

Today I want to preach on the topic of "Who do you think you are?" The story goes that Jesus and St. Paul were playing golf one day. As Jesus got ready to tee off he pulled out a nine iron. Paul said, "Lord, I wouldn't use that if I were you. You should use the driver. If you use a nine iron you will not be able to hit the ball over the water hazard. Only Tiger Woods could hit a ball that far with a nine iron." Jesus said, "Well if Tiger Woods can do it I can do it." So he hit the ball and it landed right in the water hazard. Jesus went down and when he got to the water he walked out on the water to the place where the ball fell in and reached down for it. Then Jesus came back up and started to tee off again with the nine iron. Paul interrupted and said, "Lord, please be patient with me, but I told you once if you use the nine iron the ball will land in the water hazard." But Jesus went ahead and again the ball landed in the water. Again he went down and walked across the water until he came to the place were the ball was. Just then a foursome came up and they saw Jesus walking on the water. Stunned one of them said, "Who does he think he is? Jesus Christ." And Paul replied, "No, he is Jesus Christ, but he thinks he's Tiger Woods."

We may find this joke humorous, but it illustrates a very important point. Who we are is very important. It defines what we do. People build their expectations of us based on who they think we are. If people have it in their minds that a person is one thing and they begin acting like something else they take exception. In the joke one of the golfers was shocked to see another golfer walking on water. But St. Paul wasn't because he knew that was Jesus. When we start acting out of place people get angry and say, "Who do you think you are?"

This is important because Jesus' friends thought they knew who he was. Up to the time that Jesus started his ministry at the age of thirty, he probably lived a rather ordinary life. The Bible doesn't tell us much about that life. In fact the book of Mark just completely jumps over it. We know that he was a carpenter. Other than the incident that Luke records when he was twelve we know nothing else.

If you had asked them, Jesus' friends and acquaintances would tell you who he was. He was Jesus the carpenter. He went to work every morning, and then went home every night. On the Sabbath he was in the Synagogue; a smart hard working fellow.

So it took people by surprise when he started acting like God. They took offense and tried to kill him. They said "Isn't this the carpenter the son of Mary and aren't his brothers and sisters here with us." "Who does he think he is claiming to be the Messiah." We should teach him his place. He is just an ordinary carpenter.

They thought Jesus was a carpenter but we know he was the Son of God. This fact became clear at his baptism. After Jesus was baptized God spoke to him out of heaven and said, "You are my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." God is speaking to Jesus. He says, "You..." Now I assume that Jesus knew who he was. It was unlikely that God is telling Jesus something he did not already know.

God was claiming Jesus as his own. This was a signal to Jesus that the time had come for him to start living out his true identity. Jesus' baptism was his calling to begin saving the world.

And that is what Jesus did. God said "you are my beloved son" and right away Jesus started acting like the Son of God. Just look at the sequence of events in Mark. The first thing Jesus did after his baptism was to go into the desert to meet the Devil and defeat him. Then he started gathering together his disciples.

It is clear that Jesus' baptism was the beginning of his earthly ministry. But why was Jesus baptized to begin with? John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. It says that John was calling people to repentance. And when they were baptized they confessed their sins. In Judaism a baptism was a ritual washing of something. It was common for them to wash pots or eating utensils. The idea was that they be purified of any uncleanness. John was calling people to a ritual cleansing that symbolized the cleansing that the Messiah would work in them.

But Jesus had no uncleanness. He was perfect without sin. He didn't need to repent of any sin. He didn't need to be cleansed of any impurity. So why was Jesus baptized?

The only possible answer is that Jesus was baptized as an example to us. He wanted to show those who would be his followers what kind of relationship they would have with God. He didn't need to repent of his sins, but we do. We need allow God to wash our lives clean. And like him the Holy Spirit descends upon us when we turn to God.

But more importantly than that, in our baptisms God claims us as his own. When Jesus was baptized a voice came out of heaven and said, "You are my beloved son, in you I am well pleased." When we were baptized God claimed us as his own also. Certainly none of us were born daughters or sons of God in the same way Jesus was. But because of the blood of Christ, God adopts us. We are adopted sons and daughters of the living God. Now some of us were baptized as infants, and some of us were baptized as adults. Some of us were dunked in the water and some of us were sprinkled on the head. It doesn't matter how it was done. What matters is that your baptism represented God's action of accepting you.

Now we were not baptized for nothing. When God claimed Jesus and said, "You are my son in whom I am well pleased," Jesus didn't just stand there. Jesus responded to God's statement of who he was. He started acting like the Son of God. He started acting like a Savior. Jesus' baptism was his calling to ministry.

Likewise, our baptism was our calling to ministry. When God baptized each of us, God also called us to ministry. God said, "You are my beloved daughter, You are my beloved son." And God expects us to respond to that. God has claimed us as adopted sons and daughters of our Father in heaven. And through the Holy Spirit, God expects us to act like it. We are to go out into the a World that doesn't know of the love of God and proclaim it.

Now when we do that, people are going to take offense. They will say, "who are you to tell me I should love my neighbor." "Nobody could love me. Who are you to say that God loves me?" "Who are you to even say that there is a God?" "Who do you think you are telling me how to live my life?" And we can respond, "I am and adopted daughter," or "I am an adopted son of God. Christ is my brother." "Do you want to be our sister or our brother too?"

This is how the story of the Good News of Jesus goes. Like the prophet Isaiah used to says, "I'm sending a messenger ahead of me to get things ready. He'll be like someone yelling in the wilderness 'the King is coming'" So John the baptizer showed up in the wilderness and started a camp meeting. He would preach that people needed to change their lives and get baptized.

People from parts all over came to hear John. Even city folk came and some even got baptized by him. Now John didn't even take up an offering at these camp meetings. He didn't need to because he lived off the land and wore whatever he could find.

And when he preached, John would tell people that one who was more powerful than him would come and baptize them with fire and the Holy Spirit. Then one day it happened. Cousin Jesus came to John's camp meeting and was baptized. As Jesus came up out of the river the heavens opened up and the Holy Spirit descended upon him like a dove. And as if that weren't enough, God spoke out of heaven and said, "You are my son whom I love and who makes me proud."

Have you ever gotten the feeling like there's got to be more? I remember when I was in High School. We all thought that life would be perfect when we had moved away from home and had our own place and our own wheels. Some of us went off to college or went to work. And we discovered that we had our own place and our own wheels. And we had this feeling that there had to be more.

Some people think that when they become financially secure and have a stable trusting relationship and a family that they will have arrived. But every day people with loving families and comfortable jobs up and leave it all. They excuse it as a "mid-life crisis." But at the heart of it is a feeling that there's got to be more: more than the days to day responsibilities of life.

And then there are the people who either live for the weekend or for retirement. And when that time of rest or retirement comes they are at a loss. They feel that there's got to be more. There simply has to be more to life than the things we strive for so often.

That is how I think the people of Jerusalem felt in Jesus' day. They had it all. The city folk had the Romans to keep the peace. And despite the taxes, and sometimes because of them, they had economic security. The people in the city were often on the government's good side too. So they were comfortable.

Yet they came out to see John. They might have come in part to see a spectacle. I am sure in his camel's hair robe and with his fiery preaching he must have put on quite a show. But some of them were touched by him and changed. Even tax collectors repented and were baptized.

They must have been looking for more. Even John said, "There's got to be more." He said that there was another coming after him that was even more amazing. That this amazing one would baptize them not with mere water to symbolized the spirit of God but with the actual fire of the Holy Spirit. Then as if on cue there came Jesus. And the heavens opened and God said, "You are my son."

There's got to be more! Maybe even God felt that way once. The Bible tells us that in the beginning the world was a formless void, and that the spirit of the Lord swept over the universe. I guess as God looked at that formless void God thought, "There's got to be more." So God said, 'Let there be light," and suddenly there was light.

But we all know that there was still more. It took five more days for God to be satisfied with the universe. It is as if each morning God looked at the universe and said, "There's got to be more." So God said, "Let there be land" or "Let there be a sun and moon and stars," then, finally, plants and animals and humans.

But even that was not all. There was a whole history of things and people. God kept talking to the people and doing things for them. And the Bible says that God is not finished. There was much more to come.

Paul knew that there was more. The lesson from acts tells us how Paul told some people about it. During his travels Paul met some believers who had never heard of the Holy Spirit. Either John or one of his disciples had baptized them. They had heard of Jesus and believed in him but had not heard the whole story. Somehow no one had told them about how Jesus sent the Holy Spirit.

So Paul filled them in. There was more than just surrendering one's life and confessing one's sin to God. There was also the very presence of God living in our midst.

And so they accepted the Gospel. They had received the Jewish baptism that symbolized repentance. But now they received a Christian baptism that symbolized adoption as children of God through Jesus Christ. And Jesus entered their hearts and they received the Holy Spirit.

Have you ever had the feeling there's got to be more? If you have you are right. There is more! There is more to life than the things that most people strive for. There is more than wealth, and power and security and admiration.

There is Jesus! But even then there is more. Yes, I said there is more. No, there is not more than Jesus. There is more of Jesus.

Even after we have surrendered ourselves to God in Christ and been baptized into the death and resurrection, there is still more. There is more worship, more devotion, more praise, and more service. Too often people think that baptism or accepting Christ is the end. They think at that point they have arrived. John, the pioneer baptist, said there is more. Even God at the dawn of time foresaw more. And Paul told the disciples of Jesus there is more.

If you have even felt there's got to be more, you were right. There is the one who comes to pour out the Holy Spirit and fire. There is Jesus and a life dedicated to knowing and serving him. And that is more than you or anyone else could have hoped for!

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