Series: Light And Life [#2]
HOW TO LIVE A GREAT LIFE
John 1:19-34
Introduction:
As we approach another New Year, I want you to learn how to live a great life. How you live as a Christian will influence how others live and it will also lead them to Jesus or push them away from Him.
John 1:6-7, 23 (NIV)
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”
To live a great life…
1. Know who you are.
John the Baptist knew who he was.
He was a…
? Man sent from God.
The 1st thing Christians must remember is that you have been sent from God. God has you right where He wants you. He has you in the job you have. He has you in the town where you live. You are not here today or reading this today by accident.
He was a…
? Witness to the Light.
Christians, you are called to be a witness to the Light of the World- Jesus. Through Christ, you are called to be light as well. Without Christ as Savior, people are living in the darkness and are blind to the Light of Jesus. It is our job to tell people about the Light of the World.
He was a…
? Voice of one calling in the wilderness.
Isaiah had prophesied that there would be someone calling out from the wilderness to make straight the way for the Lord. I was thinking about being in the wilderness. There are times in my life that I feel like I’m out in the wilderness all by myself trying to serve God. Even when you are in the wilderness, you need to show people the path that leads to Jesus. Your witness should never be based on your mood.
John 1:19-25 (NIV)
19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.” 21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” 24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
To live a great life…
2. Know who you are not.
John the Baptist knew who he was not. This may be as important or more important than knowing who you are.
He was not…
? The Messiah.
John knew his place and his calling; and it was not to be the Messiah. John was not perfect. John needed a Messiah as much as we needed a Messiah. Christians, you are not the Messiah. You can save no one, not even yourself.
He was not…
? Elijah.
This is actually a tough thing for all of us to learn. When I began to preach, I tried to preach like Jim Laster. I studied like he studied. I used the same type of notebook for my sermon notes. I stood behind the pulpit like he did. One Sunday after I had preached, Jim came up to me and said, “God called you to preach like Shawn Drake, stand like Shawn Drake, and use the gifts and talents that He gave to Shawn Drake.
He was not…
? The Prophet.
Some believed that this prophet was a 2nd Moses, or a 2nd Elijah, or the Messiah. John the Baptist was not sent to prophesy about Jesus; but to prepare the way for Him. God wants our obedience to His plan. Verse 22 asks a very important question for each of us.
John 1:22 (NIV)
22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
What a great question to ask yourself today- What do you say about yourself?
John 1:26-34 (NIV)
26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” 28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing. 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”
To live a great life…
3. Know who Jesus is.
John knew who Jesus was. He understood that Jesus was much more that his cousin.
He understood Jesus’…
? Presence.
The religious leaders did not know that the Messiah was there with them. “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know.” You must know that Jesus is here with you right now. Jesus is always present.
He understood Jesus’…
? Greatness.
Not only was John the Baptist not worthy to even tie Jesus’ shoes; but neither is anyone else. There will never be anyone greater than Jesus.
He understood Jesus’…
? Calling.
Jesus came to this Earth to be the spotless Lamb of God; so that we can be saved. Jesus’ calling was to seek and save that which was lost. Everything He did was about redeeming His creation that had fallen to sin.
He understood Jesus’…
? Power.
Jesus is God and He came in the form of man in order to have victory over sin, death, and Satan.
He understood Jesus’…
? Godhood.
John is testifying about what happened when he baptized Jesus. God the Father said that Jesus was His Son in whom He was well pleased. John also said that the Holy Spirit came down upon Jesus like a dove and remained on Him. John the Baptist baptized with water; but Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion:
If you want to live a great life for God, you have to believe, trust, and obey God’s Chosen One- Jesus. If you want 2020 to be different, then allow God to work through you and in you.
