You Are Empowered to Live a New Life

New Year, New You: You Are Empowered to Live a New Life

¹² The Spirit immediately sent Jesus out into the wilderness. 13a He was in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by Satan. (Mk 1:12–13a)

When Jesus stepped forth on Easter Sunday from the grave, he put his foot on the neck of all evil to declare he is the victor, but not just him, we are also victors in him.

1. John was part of the _________.

¹ The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. ² This is how it is written in the prophet Isaiah: Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare the way for you. ³ A voice of one calling out in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.” (Mk 1:1–3)

… his flesh was restored and become clean like that of a young boy. (2 Ki 514b)

The Jordan River is the eastern boundary of Israel. It is the place where you transition from that which was before to that which God is now going to do in your life.

⁴ John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁵ The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him. They were baptized by him in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. ⁶ John was clothed in camel’s hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. (Mk 1:4–6)

They told him, “He was dressed in clothing made of hair, with a leather belt tied around his waist.” Then Ahaziah said, “That was Elijah from Tishbe!” (2 Ki 1:8)

⁷ He preached, “One more powerful than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals! ⁸ I baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mk 1:7–8)

² The earth was undeveloped and empty. Darkness covered the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. … ²⁰ God said, “Let the waters swarm with living creatures, and let birds and other winged creatures fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.” ²¹ God created the large sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their own kind, and every winged bird according to its own kind. God saw that it was good. (Ge 1:2, 20–21)

2. Jesus is the ___________.

⁹ In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰ Just as Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens being torn open [σχίζω (schee-zō)] and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. ¹¹ And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love. I am well pleased with you.” (Mk 1:9–11)

And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord stirred up the sea by a violent south wind during the whole night and made the sea dry ground, and the water was split [σχίζω (schee-zō)]. (Ex 14:21, LXX)

Oh, that you would rip open the heavens and come down. Mountains then would quake because of your presence. (Is 64:1)

¹¹ Yet he remembered the days of old, the days of Moses and his people. Where is the one who brought them up from the sea, with the shepherds of his flock? Where is the one who set his Holy Spirit in their midst, ¹² who sent his majestic arm to the right hand of Moses, who divided waters before them to make an everlasting name for himself, (Is 63:11–12)

3. Baptism is the ___________.

¹ What shall we say then? Shall we keep on sinning so that grace may increase? ² Absolutely not! We died to sin. How can we go on living in it any longer? ³ Or do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴ We were therefore buried with him by this baptism into his death, so that just as he was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too would also walk in a new life. ⁵ For if we have been united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be united with him in the likeness of his resurrection. ⁶ We know that our old self was crucified with him, to make our sinful body powerless, so that we would not continue to serve sin. (Ro 6:1–6)

Professor Kuske: Throughout these verses the parallel between our death to sin and Christ’s death to sin is simply a total break in any relationship with sin.

he saved us—not by righteous works that we did ourselves, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and the renewal by the Holy Spirit, (Tt 3:5)

Indeed, as many of you as were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ. (Ga 3:27)

We “were baptized into Christ Jesus,” that is, we were clothed with _______________________ and our record with God was _________________ of all sin.

We “were baptized into his death,” that is, our old sinful nature was “crucified” (v6) so that we no longer want to have _________________ to do with _______ (v2).

Points to Ponder

1. What is one thing that stood out for you from this week’s message?
2. Why do you think Mark begins his Gospel with the announcement of “the beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah”?
3. What stands out to you about John the Baptist's ministry? How does his message prepare people for Jesus?
4. Paul talks about walking “in newness of life.” What does that look like practically in a believer’s daily walk with God?
5. Both texts emphasize identity: Jesus as the beloved Son of God and believers as those united with Him. How does knowing your identity in Christ shape your relationship with God and others?

Homework: Matthew 5