What does real humility look like — and how do you know when you’re actually making much of Christ instead of making much of yourself?

In Be the Best Nobody You Can Be (Part 2), Pastor Bart Horton continues in Mark 1:2–8 and keeps our focus on John the Baptist — the promised messenger who prepared the way for Jesus. You’ll see why John refuses to be the point, and why his words in Mark 1:7–8 draw a bright line between what a messenger can do and what only Christ can do.

John can baptize with water, but only Jesus Christ can baptize with the Holy Spirit. And that difference isn’t small — it’s the difference between an outward symbol and the inward work only the Savior can accomplish.

What does real humility look like—and how do you live a life that points people to Jesus instead of yourself? In “Be the Best Nobody You Can Be (Part 1)” Pastor Bart Horton continues our verse-by-verse study through the Gospel of Mark with Mark 1:2–8, introducing the ministry of John the Baptist.

In this episode, you’ll see why Mark moves so quickly from Jesus’ identity to the forerunner God promised in the Old Testament. John the Baptist is the “voice crying in the wilderness,” sent to prepare the way for the Lord—not by building his own platform, but by calling God’s people to repentance and pointing them to the coming King.

Pastor Bart explains how prophecy, providence, and obedience shape John’s ministry—and why John’s example is a needed correction in a world that constantly tells us to make much of ourselves.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why Mark begins John the Baptist’s story with fulfilled prophecy (Isaiah and Malachi)

• What it means to “prepare the way of the Lord” and make His paths straight

• How John models humility by finding his place in God’s plan

• Why obedience is the real test of humility

Topics covered: Mark 1:2–8, John the Baptist, prepare the way of the Lord, humility, repentance, prophecy fulfilled, Gospel of Mark study, expository preaching, Grace Bible Church Hutchinson

Growing In Grace features verse-by-verse Bible teaching from Pastor Bart Horton at Grace Bible Church of Hutchinson, Kansas.

Who is Jesus to you—really? In “Framing Mark’s Portrait of Christ (Part 2B)” Pastor Bart Horton continues our verse-by-verse study in Mark 1:1, pressing the opening claim of Mark’s gospel: this is the beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

This episode highlights why Mark doesn’t allow a casual, middle-of-the-road response to Jesus. Knowing what Jesus claimed is not the same as trusting Him. Pastor Bart shows how Mark presents Jesus as both fully divine and the suffering Servant—the One who stops for the outcast, heals the broken, and moves steadily toward the cross to ransom sinners. If Jesus is truly the Son of God, then the only faithful response is repentance, faith, and submission to His authority.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why Mark’s opening verse is a life-or-death announcement, not a neutral biography
• What it means that Jesus is “the Christ” (Messiah) and “the Son of God”
• How Mark emphasizes Jesus as the suffering Servant who came to rescue sinners
• Why facts about Jesus don’t save—faith in Jesus does

Perfect for Christians seeking assurance, listeners wrestling with who Jesus is, and anyone who wants a clear, Christ-centered understanding of the Gospel.

Topics covered: Mark 1:1 explained, Jesus Christ Son of God, Gospel of Mark series, suffering servant, Isaiah 53, Mark 10:45, salvation by faith, expository preaching, Grace Bible Church Hutchinson

Growing In Grace features verse-by-verse Bible teaching from Pastor Bart Horton at Grace Bible Church of Hutchinson, Kansas. New episodes every week.