We Must Eat Locusts And Wild Honey To Please God - John The Baptist Series

CHARACTERS OF JOHN’S GOSPEL – JOHN THE BAPTIST

Message:- WE MUST EAT LOCUSTS AND WILD HONEY TO PLEASE GOD

PART 1: THE PERSON AND CHARACTER OF JOHN THE BAPTISER

We will look at the life of this man who stands out in his generation. He makes an appearance in the Gospels of Matthew and John, and then passes from the scene after his execution. There was an incident recorded in Luke where John the Baptist sent two of his disciples to enquire of Jesus, if He was the Expected One (another time, cover why this happened), and at the end of the conversation, they left, then Jesus spoke to the crowd and one thing he said was this - Luke 7 v 28 I say to you, among those born of women, there is no one greater than John, yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” John was an outstanding man and today we will look at who he was.

(a). A Man Sent. John 1 v 6 There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. Ministry is worthless unless a man is sent by God.

(b). A Careful Witness. John 1 v 7 He came for a witness that he might bear witness of (testify to) the light, that all might believe through him.

(c). The Testifier. John 1 v 15 John testified of Him, and cried out saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’”

(d). A Man of Humility. John 1 v 19-24 This is the witness of John when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” and he confessed and did not deny, and he confessed, “I am not the Christ,” and they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” and he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” and he answered, “No.” They said then to him, “Who are you so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. That is a lonely position, speaking in the desolate places to a people desolate in spirit. His ministry was to the people in the wilderness of sin, who needed a great light to shine on them.

(e). A Voice. John 1 v 23 He said, “I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” That is all God wants, a voice for Him; not showmanship and entertainment; not a well cut figure; not a show actor, or a public relations speaker – just a voice in the wilderness.

(f). The Road Builder. John 1 v 23 He said, “I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” John was preparing the paths the Lord would expand. John was ensuring the crooked was made straight, in preparation.

(g). A Man of Further Humility. John 1 v 27 It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”

(h). A Man of Further Testimony. John 1 v 32 and John bore witness saying, “I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven and He remained upon Him. The NIV also uses testify. His testimony was of the Holy Spirit descending and remaining, in other words, the Lord anointed Jesus for His ministry.

(i). The Affirmer. John 1 v 34 and I have seen, and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

(j). The Preacher. Matthew 3 v 1-2 Now in those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” His preaching was to point to Jesus as the Lamb of God. That is the great example for us. Remember Paul said, “We preach Christ and Him crucified.” Preaching is with the authority of the Holy Spirit.

(k). Resilient and Modest. Matthew 3 v 4 Now John himself had a garment of camel’s hair, and a leather belt about his waist and his food was locusts and wild honey. He dressed modestly, even simply by our standards. Camel hair/skin is more endurable than sheepskin. His diet may not appeal to too many people, but you must note this – it was the provision of the God in heaven. He did not eat food of man’s providing. Spiritually, we must be fed directly by the Lord, but we must be willing to do that. It is good to hear ministry and teaching from gifted and godly preachers, such as we have at Keswick Conventions; and to listen to great speakers who have been recorded, but all of that is processed food, all of it second hand. The Lord wants you to feed on the locusts and wild honey, that is, to take up the bible and wait on the Lord, and meditate in His word for what the Lord will give you. Search the scriptures and enter into the deeper things of God. Study! Study! 2Timothy 2 v 15 Be diligent (to be eager; to apply yourself) to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately (to cut straight; to cut in a straight line) the word of truth. When God gave the manna in the wilderness in Exodus, each one had to go gather his own provisions. You could not get your neighbour or your pastor to gather for you. If you forget everything today, just remember this – apply yourself to gather your own manna from the bible. Gather your daily provision. Don’t forget to feed on the locusts and wild honey also.