Pastor Darren Casper starts our sermon series, The Servant King: a study of the Gospel of Mark, with a sermon entitled "4 Witnesses of Jesus" from Mark 1:1–8. SERMON SUMMARY What are the 4 Witnesses 1. First Witness - Mark: Mark, the author of the Gospel, is presented as the initial witness to Jesus as the Servant King. He asserts the divinity of Jesus from the very start of the Gospel, positioning Jesus as the Son of God and emphasizing the good news of His mission and sacrifice. 2. Second Witness - The Prophets: The Old Testament prophets, specifically Malachi and Isaiah, are cited as witnesses who foretold the coming of Jesus. Their prophecies about a messenger preparing the way for the Lord align with John the Baptist’s role, affirming the scriptural anticipation of Jesus’ ministry. 3. Third Witness - John the Baptist: John serves as a direct herald for Jesus, emphasizing repentance and preparation for the coming Messiah. His lifestyle and preaching in the wilderness set the stage for Jesus, focusing on the need for spiritual awakening and transformation. 4. Fourth Witness - The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the ultimate witness to Jesus, empowering believers and affirming Jesus’ teachings and His role as the Messiah. The Holy Spirit’s presence in believers’ lives is meant to be transformative, providing spiritual gifts and enabling them to live out the gospel effectively. Application of the 4 Witnesses * Reinforcement of Scriptural Authority: By introducing witnesses from the Bible itself—Mark, the prophets, John the Baptist, and the Holy Spirit—Pastor Casper underscores the scriptural basis for believing in Jesus as the Servant King. This aligns with his earlier emphasis on studying the Bible verse-by-verse, illustrating how scripture consistently points to Jesus and supports its own claims. * Historical and Prophetic Consistency: Including Old Testament prophets as witnesses connects to Casper's discussion of the Bible's unchanging nature despite societal changes. The prophets' foretelling of Jesus' coming and John the Baptist's role in preparing for it demonstrate the fulfillment of biblical prophecy, reinforcing the reliability and divine inspiration of the Bible. * Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit's role as a witness connects directly to the sermon's focus on practical faith application. Casper emphasizes the Holy Spirit's transformative power in believers' lives, which is essential for understanding scripture deeply and living out its teachings. This ties back to his assertion that the Bible should make a difference in everyday life, with the Holy Spirit empowering believers to embody and enact God's word. * Foundational Beliefs and Action: The witnesses support Casper’s call for a life built on the solid foundation of God's word. Each witness contributes to a robust understanding of who Jesus is and why His teachings are crucial, mirroring Jesus' analogy of building one's house on rock versus sand. This metaphorically speaks to constructing one's life around the enduring, reliable truths of scripture as testified by these witnesses. * Evangelical and Mission-Oriented Focus: The discussion of these witnesses also ties into the sermon's evangelical tone—encouraging believers not only to internalize but also propagate the teachings of Jesus, much like the witnesses themselves did. This is aligned with the sermon's close, where Casper emphasizes the role of believers in spreading the gospel and acting under the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit to address global needs and injustices. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Mark as Witness: How does Mark’s immediate acknowledgment of Jesus as the Son of God in his Gospel impact our understanding of Jesus’ identity and mission? Discuss the importance of this declaration in the context of the early Christian community and for us today. 2. The Prophets as Witnesses: Considering the prophecies of Malachi and Isaiah, how do these Old Testament prophets prepare the reader for the coming of Jesus? Discuss the role of prophecy in strengthening faith and how these specific prophecies enhance our anticipation and understanding of the Messiah’s work. 3. John the Baptist as Witness: John the Baptist’s lifestyle and message were radically counter-cultural. How does his example of humility and focus on Jesus rather than himself challenge modern Christian practices and personal witness? Reflect on the impact of his message of repentance in your own life. 4. The Holy Spirit as Witness: The Holy Spirit is described as a transformative witness to Jesus. How does the presence of the Holy Spirit manifest in a believer’s life in real-world scenarios? Discuss personal experiences or observations where the Holy Spirit’s power was evident in guiding, teaching, or empowering individuals or communities.