Calvary Church
Preparation for Ministry
Main Idea: This portion of scripture shows Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist and then led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. Christ’s example shows what true preparation for Ministry and direction by the Holy Spirit looks like.
Locations & Times
Calvary Church
4700 53rd St, Moline, IL 61265, USA
Wednesday 6:30 PM
Two Processes of Preparation
1. Obedience to what is TRUTH, not what I feel.
1. Obedience to what is TRUTH, not what I feel.
A. Jesus didn’t have anything he needed to repent of. Yet, he remained obedient to His Heavenly Father’s DIRECTION.
B. Scripture tells us that Christ IDENTIFIES with us in our weakness, so he lived out obedience that we were made to walk out.
C. By the blood of Jesus we are fully ACCEPTED but continuously being changed by the Spirit at work within us.
D. Empowerment isn’t in the removal of any authority, it’s only in our SUBMISSION to Christ’s perfect authority and rule.
2. Preparation is what I do with the OPPOSITION I face.
The word “tempted” means, “to put to the test to see what good or evil there is in a person.”
A. The wilderness doesn’t create what you are made of, it REVEALS what you are made of.
Whereas Christ came through the wilderness perfectly, it revealed his utter and total dependance on His Heavenly Father. With the nation of Israel, it revealed their wickedness.
B. The wilderness showed Christ’s complete dependence on the Holy Spirit. The wilderness PREPARES the fruit God desires to see in us.
C. Jesus was lead into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. God doesn’t direct you steps to the wilderness to harm you, but to REFINE you.
D. Being led by the Spirit does’t mean there are no struggles. It does mean that when the enemy tempts you, he’s provided a path forward that MATURES you.
God does not bring about the test to harm us, in hopes that we fail. He brings about the test, desiring that we would come to him in dependance and find healing.
Even Jesus, the Son of the Living God, only after His call through the wilderness did His earthly ministry begin. It’s the same for you and I.
Weekly Review: Read through Mark 1:9-15 while thinking about how God has used unexpected and difficult situations to bring about fruit and maturity in your own life.
What’s Next?: Our next Re-Charge lesson will be from Mark 1:16-20 entitled: The Master’s Call. Fee free to read and study the text and consider this question before attending: “What does it mean to follow and hear the Master’s call?
What’s Next?: Our next Re-Charge lesson will be from Mark 1:16-20 entitled: The Master’s Call. Fee free to read and study the text and consider this question before attending: “What does it mean to follow and hear the Master’s call?