Sermon Central
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John Series Part 5 Series
Contributed by Rodney Fry on Sep 25, 2021 (message contributor)
Summary: the witness of John the Baptist is a dynamic example for every servant of God. 1. John was questioned by religionists who were suspicious of Him: they asked, “Who are you?” (v.19). 2. He was a man who knew who he was (vv.20–22). 3. He was only a voice—only a forerunner for the Lord (v.23–24).
John Series Part 5
Jesus the Messiah, the Lord: The Second Witness of John the Baptist, 1:19–28
(1:19–28) Introduction: the witness of John the Baptist is a dynamic example for every servant of God.
1. John was questioned by religionists who were suspicious of Him: they asked, “Who are you?” (v.19).
2. He was a man who knew who he was (vv.20–22).
3. He was only a voice—only a forerunner for the Lord (v.23–24).
4. He was a baptizer (vv.25–26).
5. He was an unworthy servant of this One, the Messiah (v.27).
6. He was a man who brought honor to a place (v.28).
1 (1:19) John the Baptist: John was questioned by the religionists who were very suspicious of him. These particular religionists were a fact-finding commission sent from Jerusalem, the headquarters of Jewish religion. The questioning of John by the religionists was to be expected, for John’s father, Zechariah, was a priest (Lu. 1:5); and in the eyes of the authorities, all the sons of priests were automatically priests by descent. However, John was not a priest like other priests. He was most unusual, for the way he lived and preached was radically different (see Mt. 3:1–12). He was a nonconformist, and the authorities had to find out why.
Thought 1. Too often institutional religion is suspicious and opposed to the unusual.
? If a person is different or does things differently, he is questioned.
? If a person is unusually blessed or if miraculous things are happening in his life and ministry, he is questioned.
DEEPER STUDY # 1
(1:19) Levites: these men were servants of the priests. They were descendants of Levi just as the descendants of Aaron were. However, only Aaron’s descendants could serve as priests; all other Levites served under them.
2 (1:20–22) Minister—Humility: the messenger was a man who knew who he was. Others had questions about John, but not John. He knew exactly who he was. He knew God personally; therefore, he knew God had sent him into the world for a specific ministry. He was from God, called and commissioned by God; therefore, He knew exactly who he was and what he was doing (see DEEPER STUDY # 1—Jn. 1:6. Also see outline and notes—Jn. 1:6–8 for more discussion.)
a. John was not the Messiah (see DEEPER STUDY # 2, Christ—Jn. 1:20).
b. John was not Elijah. Elijah was expected to return from the dead to proclaim the coming of the Messiah (Mal. 4:5). He was expected to do several significant things: to warn the people, to anoint the Messiah to His kingly office, to raise the dead, and to help select those who were to have a part in the Messiah’s kingdom. John denied that he was Elijah in person. It should be noted that Jesus did later identify John with Elijah (Mk. 9:11f); however, what Jesus meant was that John was Elijah in spirit, not in person.
c. John was not “that prophet.” This prophet was thought to be another forerunner of the Messiah (Jn. 7:40). Some persons thought he would be either Jeremiah or Isaiah. This belief was based on Moses’ prediction that there would be a prophet like unto himself (De. 18:15). However, today most Christians interpret the prophet predicted by Moses to be Christ Himself (Ac. 3:22; 7:37).
Thought 1. The lessons are clear. The servant (minister or layman) of God must not …
• claim to be the Christ nor any other great prophet
• pretend to be some great man of God
• seek recognition
• assume some honor that does not belong to him
• allow God’s power upon his life and ministry to turn his head toward pride, thinking more highly of himself than he should
“And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, which am but dust and ashes” (Ge. 18:27).
“I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast showed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands” (Ge. 32:10).
“And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Ex. 3:11).
“And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue” (Ex. 4:10).
“Then went king David in, and sat before the Lord, and he said, Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?” (2 S. 7:18).
“And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in” (1 K. 3:7).
