Pastor Tom Wiggs | Feb, 22 2026 | Mark 1:1-15
Summary
Are you searching for meaning in your life? Do you wonder who Jesus really is—beyond cultural stereotypes and popular misconceptions? In this powerful message, Pastor Tom Wiggs from Eastside Baptist Church begins an in-depth series exploring the Gospel of Mark, inviting both believers and seekers to discover Jesus for who He truly reveals Himself to be in Scripture. This sermon addresses one of the most important questions anyone can ask: Who is Jesus? Through careful examination of Mark chapter 1, Pastor Tom unpacks how Jesus burst onto the scene as the Son of God, the long-awaited Messiah who came to bring good news and establish God’s kingdom. From John the Baptist’s preparation ministry to Jesus’ baptism, temptation in the wilderness, and calling of His first disciples, you’ll see how Jesus is far more than just a good teacher or moral example.
WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS MESSAGE:
The Cultural Context – Understand the world Jesus entered: 400 years of divine silence, Roman oppression, and a people desperately waiting for their promised Messiah. Learn why John the Baptist’s appearance was so significant and how he prepared hearts for Jesus’ arrival. Jesus’ Divine Identity – Experience the powerful moment when heaven itself opened at Jesus’ baptism, and God the Father declared, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Discover why this public proclamation changed everything.
The C.S. Lewis Trilemma – Wrestle with the famous argument that Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic, or truly Lord. Pastor Tom explains why you cannot simply call Jesus a “good teacher” while rejecting His claims to divinity.
The Call to Repent and Believe – Understand Jesus’ core message in Mark 1:15: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Learn what true repentance means and why believing the good news is essential.
Confronting Our Misconceptions – Examine common false ideas about Jesus prevalent in our culture today, from “Jesus would never disagree with me” to “Jesus is optional.” Discover how these misconceptions keep us from encountering the real Jesus.
This message challenges viewers to set aside preconceived notions and cultural assumptions about Jesus and instead encounter Him as He reveals Himself in God’s Word. Whether you’re exploring faith for the first time or have been a Christian for years, this sermon will deepen your understanding of who Jesus is and what it means to truly follow Him.
Pastor Tom addresses both skeptics and believers with compassion and clarity, acknowledging the real darkness and pain in our world while pointing to Jesus as the only true source of hope and transformation. He quotes atheist Richard Dawkins and cultural commentator Jordan Peterson to show how even non-Christians recognize something unique about Jesus and Christianity’s influence on the world—yet both fall short of the full truth revealed in Scripture.
The sermon emphasizes that Jesus didn’t come simply to make us happy or to give us moral guidelines. He came to establish God’s kingdom, to defeat Satan’s power, and to call people into a transformative relationship that demands everything. The disciples who followed Jesus left their nets, their businesses, and their families because they recognized that nothing else mattered as much as Him.
As you watch, you’ll be invited to consider: Are you willing to discover who the Bible shows Jesus to be, even if it challenges your current beliefs? Will you stop trying to fit Jesus into your own box of expectations and instead allow Him to reveal Himself through Scripture?
This is the first message in a comprehensive series through the Gospel of Mark. Join us on this journey to see Jesus—not as culture portrays Him, not as we imagine Him to be, but as He truly is: the Son of God who came to save.
If you’re in the Morrisville area, we’d love to welcome you to worship with us at Eastside Baptist Church. And wherever you are, we pray this message blesses you and draws you closer to Jesus.
Subscribe to our channel to follow along with the entire Gospel of Mark series, and share this video with anyone who’s searching for answers about who Jesus really is.