I WANT YOU TO BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH THE HISTORICAL JESUS, THAT YOUR FAITH RESTS UPON FACTS

1. There is an awful silence of the first 30 years, and sometimes only glimpses of Jesus Christ
2. But do not put your faith in an imaginary Jesus, nor an occult one- the Historic Jesus!
3. If you meet the Real Jesus- and believe in Him from God's word- He will touch your heart, give you a spiritual experience,- but it will be real!

I.- FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS !

Mark 1:1 says "The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ" - LUKE 3:1- gives History

A.- IN THE 15th YEAR OF TIBERIAS CAESAR -* Luke 3:1 COREGENT WITH CAESAR AUGUSTUS

1. The Roman Empire was at its height - corruption was beginning to eat away its vitals
2. In Rome the capitol - theirs was a High Society type of sin - at edge of empire different

B.- PONTIAS PILATE BEING GOVORNOR OF JUDEA, - Luke 3:1 a weak-willed man, but ruling absolute

1. He ruled from the beginning of John's ministry- until after Jesus was crucified and resurrected

C.- HEROD, TETRARCH OF GALILEE - and PHILIP, his brother

1. Cruel, anti-Jewish, fearful for his life, full of jealousies- wanted to impress Jews, carnal

D.- IN THE HIGH PRIESTHOOD OF ANNAS AND CAIAPHAS - Luke 3:2 - nothing very negative about them

1. These were the leaders of the priesthood- but many corrupt- priests like people- immoral
2. Alfred Edersheim describes sanctity of marriage ceased, female dissipation, abortion, exposure and murder of newly-born, unnatural vices, public morals corrupted by pandering art

The time was right, hope was fading, God had to send someone to rekindle fire of revival
When did the Gospel have a beginning in your Heart - You said yes to Jesus?

II.- IN THOSE DAYS COMETH JOHN - Matt 3:1 -

God always sends a man - Hamlet cried "Cursed Spite"; but Esther was told "for such a time as this"

A.- JOHN THE BAPTIST CAME FROM THE WILDERNESS OF JUDEA v. 4,5

1. Trained by God on the back side of the desert dressed in the rough way of a desert man
2. He was a Nazarite from birth- no wine, no shave, no touching dead - Num 6
3. He was not an Essene - of the "Dead Sea Scroll" fame- teaching, manner of life, all wrong!

B.- JOHN CAME PREACHING IN THE WILDERNESS Matt 3:2 -THE ROUGH DESERT SITES FOR REVIVAL

1. He preached "Repent ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand" - no date setter! Now!
2. This came to Israel as the Gospel of the Kingdom- a blessed hope to those who loved God
3. The complete record available is found in Luke 3:1- study it carefully, needed today

C.- JOHN CAME PREACHING THE BAPTISM OF REPENTANCE FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS Mark 1:4

1. The Baptism of John was immersion, not new! Used by priests of old - purification symbol
2. The message of Repentance was not new either- shopworn, unused, unheeded,- but not new.
3. But the new part-"Make ye ready" - He is coming! Now is the time for the realization

Instead of complaining about his times- John was used of God to do something about it!  You?

III.- "JESUS CAME PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD"  Mark 1:4,15

For a land who had waited so long- the introduction of Jesus was not adequate!- but He Came!

A.- JOHN THE BAPTIST DISCLAIMED THE THRONE, AND POINTED TO JESUS - "BEHOLD THE KING!"

1. John confessed Mark 1:7- I am not worthy; John 1:20 I am not the Christ!
2. John claimed to be only a voice crying in the wilderness - the voice of Elijah!
3. John told always- I am not worthy- I baptize with water, He with Holy Ghost- Mark 1:7,8

B.- JESUS CAME PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD! Mark 1:4

1. The footsteps of Jesus cover Jerusalem, Jordan river, beyond, then back to Galilee - 100 miles
2. There was a time of baptism, temptation- covering it tonight - but Jesus came preaching!

C.- SAYING "THE TIME IS FULFILLED, KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND, REPENT YE & BELIEVE THE GOSPEL"

1. What time fulfilled? - OT agony awaiting the Messiah! Enough travail- now be born!
2. Note Kingdom of God, & of Heaven -distinction! Of heaven- Millennium; of God- personal Salvation
3. The command of Jesus Repent & believe Gospel! This is still what He asks today!

We need repentance! - our world is wicked - We need faith- in Jesus

IT IS NOT WHAT YOU WOULD DO WITH THE MESSAGE OF JOHN AND JESUS IF YOU HAD BEEN THERE THAT COUNTS,

It is what you will do with this message right now that matters!

1. You need to be saved- baptized by Holy Ghost- introduced to Jesus - Will you come?
2. You need to be baptized- John's way, the Way Jesus instructed His disciples- obedience!
3. You need to repent and get ready for His second coming- for it is also at hand - today!