John the
Baptist - a man sent from God
John
1:6-7
¶ There
was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to
bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
Introducton
- A long
silence came to an end... darkness and gloom is over.
- God
speaks again... great excitement, and expectation!
- A
witness was sent... his birth... Lk 1:5-25, 57-80
- A
unique place in the redemptive purpose of God.
1. His
Mission - he 'came for a witness'
a. A
witness: what is? John 10:41 'all things that John spake of this man were true.'
b. A
witness with steadfast conviction
c. A
witness with clear self-identity
d. A
witness with distinct life-style... mt 11:7ff
e. A
witness with great boldness... mt 3:1-10, lk 3:19
2. His
Message - 'behold, the lamb of God'
a. Not
himself: Jn 1:20, 3:28, 10:41
b.
Pointing to Christ in all his activities: disputation, warnings, etc.
c. Ever
crying, 'Behold... behold the Lamb of God.' Jn 1:29,34,36.
d. The
Light... Jn 1:8-9. God's people in darkness... Lk 1:77-79
3. His
motive: 'that all men through him might believe'
a. 'for
thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways...'
b. To
give knowledge of salvation unto his people...
c. To
give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death
d. To
guide our feet into the way of peace.
We need
men with the spirit of John the Baptist to minister in this perilous and
perverse generation.
