St. Mark takes us to some highly significant moments at the start of Jesus’ ministry: his baptism, his forty days of temptation, and his preaching.

All of these snapshots show us who Jesus claimed to be:

• He was the Son of God
• He was one of us
• He was Spirit-filled
• He was victorious

Integrated to his identity was also his mission – what he came to do. The headline message that he began to give was this:

The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.

Mark 1:15 ESV

Proclamation of the kingdom of God was only part of it. He came to call people to enter it, to become his disciples and follow him.

In this message we examine these key moments in Jesus’ early ministry and think how they set the pace for us at Foundation Church Belfast as we pray, ‘May your kingdom come.’

Main text: Mark 1:9-20

Message by David Varney, pastor Foundation Church Belfast