Lent 1b Feb 26, 2012
Mark 1:9-15 Remember who you Are
Mountain Top Experience:
v Last week – we talked about a Mountain Top Experience.
§ How have you been effected by a Mountain Top Experience?
v Peter wanted to stay on the Mountain…
§ But God knew he would be much more effective listening and traveling back down.
§ We are called to listen and obey.
Luke 11:28 NIV—Jesus said: “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
NLT—Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are those who hear the word of God and put it into practice.
Ø Sometimes the Mountain Top Experiences of others – inspires us to reach new heights, and new goals.
Ø Sometimes those experiences – inspire us to slow down, and listen.
v I have been invited to join Team World Vision – and hike Mt. Kilimanjaro.
· I’m trusting God to speak to me!
"Remember who you are" (Sermon Title)
§ Question: Who are you?
What Defines you?
1. Ash Wednesday, marked by the cross. you are a child of God!
2. Baptism – put to Death, raised to Life.
Wilderness
§ We're all afraid of the wilderness
Ø that's where change takes place.
§ Surprisingly, the wilderness in the Middle East is not barren...
· it is adaptable it is hearty.
§ Backpacking/Hiking
¨ Don’t carry lots of stuff.
¨ Don’t bring a hair dryer, or electric tooth brush
¨ Must strip down and take the essentials
v We all face different wildernesses.
Ø Emergency rooms, Separated from family
Ø Technology... and social media
1000+ friends all online – Yet utterly alone
v Whitney Houston:
Was surrounded by community – Yet fully alone!
§ Reporter asked:- what's your biggest demon? drugs, alcohol, abusive husband???
§ She responded: ME! Every time I had a choice...
• Think about the areas in your life where you feel you are being tested. Where are you struggling? Where are you facing pressure?
• Think about the ways that you deal with those tests or stresses. What ways are not advantageous to you and lead you away from God?
• Think again about the ways you deal with tests and stresses. What are some healthy ways you deal with trials that lead you toward God?
Baptism
While the wilderness is scary at times
Ø Occasionally it can be used to get us out of the routine.
Question:
Ø When we go through the Wilderness – are we willing to "adapt"?
v Just prior to the wilderness – Jesus is baptized.
§ How does Baptism tie in?
v Mark throws these two stories together rather quickly.
§ Perhaps he’s rushing…
§ Perhaps he’s telling us something
¨ The need to die to self, be raised in Christ
¨ The need to intentionally go with the necessities
* Which are only found in Christ
* Which are only found in Christ
v When we are baptized:
§ We are fully immersed.
¨ dipped in, fully engaged, changed, transformed.
¨ Go in dry, come out wet.
v The Sacrament of Baptism starts here (in Lent – in the journey)
§ and is rounded out in the tradition of "being baptized" on Easter
v Starting with Baptism and the wilderness – is a kind of foreshadowing of what is to come.
§ Lent is rooted in the Wilderness experience.
§ 40 days out – journeying to our true identity…
§ Found in the death and resurrection.
v Jesus’ Baptism & Wilderness experience is a wonderful reminder to be baptized, symbolizing our death and resurrection in Christ.
§ Have you been baptized?
§ Have you died to yourself – and been raised in Christ?
§ Have you placed the mark of the cross upon your life?
¨ Are you marked as a child of God?
v The wilderness begs this question:
· How hard is it to do something new
¨ Particularly when you've been doing the same thing, the same way… for years???
v The Wilderness – is a challenge
§ To be adaptable
§ To be simplistic
§ To be utterly dependent upon God
¨ His grace, His Will, His guidance,
¨ His very presence in our lives.
v Remember who you are.
Ø You are a child of God.
Ø You are called by name.
Ø You are
Pray
As you go, remember who you are. Go and Love.
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