Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went out, and made his way to a deserted place; and there he was praying. 36 Simon and his companions searched for him, 37 and when they found him they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let’s go on to the neighboring villages so that I may preach there too. This is why I have come.” 39 He went into all of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Mark 1:35-39 (CSB)
1. Pick A Place
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went out, and made his way to a deserted place; and there he was praying.
Mark 1:35 (CSB)
But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:6 (CSB)
2. Set A Time
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went out, and made his way to a deserted place; and there he was praying.
Mark 1:35 (CSB)
3. Stick To Your Commitment
Simon and his companions searched for him, and when they found him they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
Mark 1:36-37 (CSB)
4. Expect God To Move
He went into all of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. 40 Then a man with leprosy came to him and, on his knees, begged him, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
Mark 1:39-40 (CSB)
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. Mark 1:9 (CSB)
As they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, “Look, there’s water. What would keep me from being baptized?” 38 So he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.
Acts 8:37-38 (CSB)
2. ASSOCIATION—I’m identifying with Jesus
He proclaimed, “One who is more powerful than I am is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Mark 1:7-8 (CSB)
When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too.
Luke 3:21 (NIV)
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?”15 Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John allowed him to be baptized.
Matthew 3:13-15 (CSB)
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15 (CSB)
Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?4 Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness[ of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be in the likeness of his resurrection.
Romans 6:3-5 (CSB)
3. AUTHORIZATION—I’m ready for God to send me
As soon as he came up out of the water, he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.” 12 Immediately the Spirit drove him into the wilderness.
Mark 1:10-12 (CSB)
If only you would tear the heavens open and come down, so that mountains would quake at you presence.
Isaiah 64:1 (CSB)
I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Mark 1:8 (CSB)
For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ.
Galatians 3:27 (CSB)
As soon as they left the synagogue, they went into Simon and Andrew’s house with James and John.30 Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once.
Mark 1:29-30 (CSB)
2) Jesus Touches
Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. So he went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them.
Mark 1:30-31 (CSB)
Then a man with leprosy came to him and, on his knees, begged him, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” 41Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched him. “I am willing,” he told him. “Be made clean.”
Mark 1:40-41 (CSB)
3) Jesus Motivates
So he went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them.
Mark 1:31 (CSB)
4) Jesus Delivers
When evening came, after the sun had set, they brought to him all those who were sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town was assembled at the door, 34 and he healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons…
Mark 1:32-34 (CSB)
So He was not able to do any miracles there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He was amazed at their unbelief.
Mark 6:5-6 (CSB)
5) Jesus Transforms
The whole town was assembled at the door…
Mark 1:33 (CSB)
They went into Capernaum, and right away he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach.22 They were astonished at his teaching because he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not like the scribes. 23 Just then a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue. He cried out, 24 “What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 25 Jesus rebuked him saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit threw him into convulsions, shouted with a loud voice, and came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, and so they began to ask each other, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 At once the news about him spread throughout the entire vicinity of Galilee.
Mark 1:21-28 (CSB)
“I will ascend to the heavens; I will set up my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of the gods’ assembly, in the remotest parts of the North. 14 I will ascend above the highest clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”
Isaiah 14:13-14 (CSB)
How Can I Get Under Jesus’ Umbrella?
1. Jesus protects me through his WORDS.
They went into Capernaum, and right away he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach.22 They were astonished at his teaching because he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not like the scribes.
Mark 1:21-22 (CSB)
Just then a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue. He cried out, 24 “What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 25 Jesus rebuked him saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit threw him into convulsions, shouted with a loud voice, and came out of him.27 They were all amazed, and so they began to ask each other, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 At once the news about him spread throughout the entire vicinity of Galilee.
Mark 1:23-28 (CSB)
2. Jesus protects me through his DEEDS.
A. Jesus Sets Me Free
B. Jesus Sets Me Straight
C. Jesus Sets Me Apart
If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you.
John 15:19 (CSB)
D. Jesus Sets Me on Fire
Peter and John answered them, “Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; 20 for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Acts 4:20 (CSB)
After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God: 15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Mark 1:14-15 (CSB)
2. Believe
After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God: 15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Mark 1:14-15 (CSB)
3. Follow
As he passed alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17 “Follow me,” Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for people.”18 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.19 Going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat putting their nets in order. 20 Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Mark 1:16-20 (CSB)
Brothers and sisters, consider your calling: Not many were wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. 27 Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. 28 God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, 29 so that no one may boast in his presence.
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (CSB)
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV)
4. Go
As he passed alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17 “Follow me,” Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for people.”18 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.19 Going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat putting their nets in order. 20 Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Mark 1:16-20 (CSB)
The next day, John was standing with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”37 The two disciples heard him say this and followed Jesus. 38 When Jesus turned and noticed them following him, he asked them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” 39 “Come and you’ll see,” he replied. So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. 40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed him. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated “the Christ”), 42 and he brought Simon to Jesus. When Jesus saw him, he said, “You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated “Peter”).
John 1:35-42 (CSB)
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Mark 1:1 (CSB)
Bring Mark with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry.
2 Timothy 4:11 (CSB)
2) I must WALK in humility
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. 3 A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight!
Mark 1:2-3 (CSB)
And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie…”
Mark 1:7 (CSB)
You yourselves were there when I made it public that I was not the Messiah but simply the one sent ahead of him to get things ready. The one who gets the bride is, by definition, the bridegroom. And the bridegroom’s friend, his ‘best man’—that’s me—in place at his side where he can hear every word, is genuinely happy. How could he be jealous when he knows that the wedding is finished, and the marriage is off to a good start?
John 3:27-29 (Mess)
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. 10 As soon as he came up out of the water, he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”12 Immediately the Spirit drove him into the wilderness.
Mark 1:9-11 (CSB)
3) I must YIELD to the Spirit
4) I must STOP falling into temptation
He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels were serving him.
Mark 1:13 (CSB)
The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need.2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters.3 He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake.4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.
Psalm 23:1-6 (CSB)
God meets my needs when…
1. The Lord is my God
The LORD is my shepherd.
Psalm 23:1 (CSB)
2. I Trust That He Is, Even When I’m Not
The LORD is my shepherd.
Psalm 23:1 (CSB)
I, Yahweh, have not changed…
Malachi 3:6 (CSB)
3. I’m Personally Connected
The LORD is my shepherd.
Psalm 23:1 (CSB)
4. I Accept His Care
The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need.
Psalm 23:11 (CSB)
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will leave the sheep because they aren’t his and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. 13 The hired hand runs away because he is merely hired and has no real concern for the sheep.
John 10:11-13 (NLT)
2 Ways to tell If the Jesus is your shepherd…
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
John 10:27
