November 5, 2023

The Witness

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: John 1:6-8; 1:19-34
Service Type:

Introduction

  • The events in the Middle East may disturbed you
  • There is also good news that we don’t here
    • The Church is growing fastest in Iran – over 1 million
    • The Brazilian church growing from <1% to >20% (25 million)
    • In Communist China – over 100 million
    • God’s Church is growing
  • What causes people to turn to Jesus Christ?
    • Is it merely disillusionment with their own ideology or country?
    • Why would they embrace the Bible and become followers of Jesus
  • It is a movement of God
    • A might awakening of God
  • John the Baptist was just one man
    • A great awakening occurred through him
    • Many went out to hear him and many were baptised, confessing their sins
  • Overview:
    • The Movement of God
    • The Man of God
    • The Message of God

The Movement of God

  • Mark 1:5, Matt 3:5 – people went out to hear one man, drawn to his unequivocal message
    • The work was so great the religious leaders went to listen to him
    • This can only be explained as a might movement of God
  • Why did he baptise?
    • Evidently God had called him to this
      • An outward act of inward repentance
    • During the inter-testimental period Jews had started baptising Gentile
      • Not only to be circumcised (as commanded by Scripture)
      • But a symbolic washing – bathing Gentiles in water: a baptism
    • Therefore it was a huge thing to baptise the Jews
      • Example of Muslims
      • He used "much water" / The Ethiopian eunuch went down into the water
  • How do you explain this – it is a movement of God
  • What about John?
    • How did he dress – he wore rough camel skin
    • What was his diet – he ate locusts and wild honey
    • He had no way to advertise his message, there was no social media, no celebrity endorsement (the religious leaders certainly did not endorse him), he was the son of a Levite but had no study or name for himself
  • How do you explain it?
    • v6 – a man sent from God
      • God would make sure that people listened to Him
    • He was filled with the Holy Spirit from birth (an unusual childhood)
      • He was empowered by God
  • Not perfect
    • Matt 11:10-13
      • John the Baptist is like an Elijah
    • Matt 3:14
      • He acknowledged he was a sinner
  • We need God to move in great power today
    • We need God to raise up individuals – examples
    • Example of Brazil
    • A movement of God – stirring up His people
  • We need a great move of God today and His power

The Man of God

  • He wasn’t without blemish
    • He had doubts – wondering if Jesus truly was the Messiah when imprisoned – Matt 11:3
    • An ordinary man
      • Even like Elijah – an ordinary man who got very depressed
    • This should give us encouragement
  • He was humble
    • He was not interested in name or reputation – v19-23
    • Self-effacing
      • He knew he was nothing without the grace of God
    • Not worthy
      • Even to take off Jesus’ sandals – v27
      • Example of Alun Johnson
      • This is the sort of person God uses – a humble person
    • People sort to provoke John – Jesus was baptising and people were coming to Him!
      • John 3:26-28,30
        • ‘Jesus must increase, I must decrease’
      • Do we want to be noticed and concerned about our reputation?
      • Are we concerned about ourselves or Jesus’ name?
      • May we have a spirit like John the Baptist
  • A happy man
    • John 3:29
      • He is a friend of the bridegroom
      • He was happy to sit at Jesus’ feet and hear the voice of Jesus
    • Example of Mary
      • Are we sitting at the feet of Jesus?
      • Are we happy to hear His word?
  • A holy man
    • Set apart by God
    • Not a man pleaser
      • Example of politician
        • It is important to do what is true and right
        • There cannot be unity in untruth
      • Example of John’s true message
        • Bear fruits of repentance
    • A life separated to Christ – few possessions
    • We are not to copy John the Baptist’s ascetic but we can learn from him
      • He was not taken up with the things of the world
      • We are not to be covetous and building up treasures in the world
      • Maybe we need a simpler life
      • We are to go after Christ and not things
    • A challenge to you and me

The Message of God

  • Matthew, Mark and Luke emphasise the message of repentance
  • John’s gospel – the main message is pointing to Jesus Christ
    • The message of the Church – repent (examples) and trust/have faith in Jesus Christ
    • We are put right with God through Jesus Christ
      • Not about what we do for God – but what He has done for us
      • We do not hold onto our sin but have faith in the cross of Christ
    • Have you believed in Jesus?
      • Unbelief condemns
      • Belief saves for all eternity
  • John the Baptist pointed to the Lamb of God
    • He bore witness to the Light of the Gospel
    • He was the witness that prepared people for the coming Messiah
  • Has God been doing a work in your life?
    • Ask Jesus to forgive you
    • Trust your life to Him
    • Become a witness – like John the Baptist
« Every Good Gift The World »