The Gospel by Mark (written by John Mark) is written to the Gentiles, specifically the Romans. This is most likely the John Mark that failed as a missionary-trainee in the book of Acts, and was refused by Paul, but then trained by Barnabas.
**Mark 1:1-8** *The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; 2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; 7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. 8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.*
* John was sent to prepare the way for Jesus’ First Coming. We are here to Prepare the Way for Jesus’ Second Coming.
* John made an impact because his life matched his message. He lived out his convictions and made his job his priority! He had God’s power and God’s message! He didn’t worry about fitting into his nation’s religious system or its carnal lifestyles.
* Like John, we have a vital ministry! So, like John, let’s be separated, passionate, and faithful!
Preparing the Way—Pre-Evangelism - SUN AM
God Sent John, Preaching REPENTANCE, to Prepare the Nation for The Messiah
May 3, 2020 • Dr. John Waterloo
The Inside Out
December 13, 2020 • Dr. John Waterloo
* The outside does matter, but it’s not priority one. * The outside can be deceiving. But it is revealing! How to know a person’s heart? 1—Look at their works and behavior; you can’t fake fruit! 2—Listen to their words; out the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
When Your World Comes Crashing Down
December 9, 2020 • Dr. John Waterloo
* Everything is not always as it seems - God sent an earthquake to convert a soul! * Not every tragedy is tragic - God doesn’t cause evil, but He can use it to bring good! * Sometimes it takes a tragedy to get our attention. * If often takes a sacrifice to turn things around - Paul and Silas sacrificed their freedom in order to be available for the jailer.
Truth or Tradition?
December 6, 2020 • Dr. John Waterloo
* Traditions have their place. God set up many traditions, to cause the people to REMEMBER! * Traditions are not a replacement for true heart-worship of God, i.e., Lip-religion vs. Heart-religion. The Pharisees were so careful to keep laws and traditions, but they had no relationship with God! Outwardly they were religious but inwardly they were wicked and lost. * When traditions supersede God’s commands, there is a big problem… and the problem is with our HEART! When we hear the Word, and do not embrace it and live it, we make it of none effect!