Nobody, Somebody, Everybody Series

I’m not very good at social media, but you probably already know that if you’re on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I don’t post very often - except to give away bread. When I do, I don’t take very good pictures - in fact I sometimes re-do old pictures - especially of bread. I suppose in some ways, I’m either a bit too private a person, or I just don’t think that things in my life are very social media worthy. I certainly don’t think I could be called a social media influencer.

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As I’ve been thinking about today’s sermon in our look through the Gospel of John, I began wondering about John the Baptist and how he might use social media if it existed in his day. What would he post? What would he share about himself? Today, I think we get a bit of insight into that.

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If you have your Bible, open it to John 1. We’ll be looking at verses 19-34.

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Last week, we considered the Prologue to the book - the first 18 verses. We got to see a glimpse into the overall subject of the book as we considered the way that John (the apostle or the evangelist) is working to present his view of the life of Jesus. In the midst of this prologue, John briefly introduced another John - John the Baptist.

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So, let’s briefly look back at what John as told us about John the Baptist.

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John 1:6–8 ESV

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

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He continued

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John 1:15 ESV

(John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”)

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So, at this point, John the Apostle wants us to know that John the Baptist has been sent from God to bear witness to Jesus. We really don’t get to know very much about his ministry in this Gospel. In fact, if we were to look in the other gospels, we would learn a few things about John the Baptist:

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His birth was unique - as his parents were quite old and barren (Luke 1:5-24; 57-66)

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He wore funny clothes - camel’s hair (Mark 1:6)

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He had a strange diet - locusts and wild honey (Mark 1:6)

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He baptized lots of people - calling them to repentance (Mk. 1:4-5)

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He spoke harshly to religious leaders (Lk. 3:7-9)

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He even baptized Jesus (Mt. 4; Lk. 3; Mk. 1)

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He was put in prison at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry (Mt. 4:12; Lk. 3:20)

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While in prison, he questioned whether or not Jesus was the One (Mt. 11)

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So if we were living in Israel at that time, we might have heard about some of these things regarding the life and ministry of John the Baptist. However, here in the gospel of John - we really don’t get very much of that background information. We are simply told that there was a man sent from God would bear witness about Jesus.

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Right on the heals of the Prologue, the Apostle records John the Baptist’s testimony about himself and his ministry - you might say - his social media posts. Even though the author is the Apostle John, because he is recording John the Baptist’s testimony - we are going to consider some things that John the Baptist wants us to know. I know - it’s confusing with two guys being named John.

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So, if John the Baptist had Instagram or Facebook and this section of Scripture chronicled his feed, he would be communicating some things - information that gives us a glimpse into his world. First of all, let’s consider...

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What John wants us to know about himself: He’s Nobody

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I realize it sounds harsh, but based on some of John’s language it’s true. John is not concerned about what people think of him. In fact, when questioned, he makes it clear that he is not very important.

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John 1:19–23 ESV

And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”