“A Man Named John”
9/24/2000 a.m. (John 1:6-8; 19-29) Rodgers Park Baptist Church
It’s strange, but for the last 2,000 years God has selected a few key men named “John” to preach the gospel of His Son, Jesus Christ.
In the New Testament there was “John the Baptist,” “John the apostle,” and “John Mark.”
During the Reformation there was “John Knox,” and “John Calvin.”
In the 18th Century there was “John Wesley.” Before and since then I am sure there have been many “Johns.” The reason for that of course is that the name “John” has become very popular with the Christian church. It means “God is gracious,” or “the gift of God.”
No doubt, John the Baptist was a gift from God to the Jews in Israel. He was the forerunner of the Lord Jesus Christ preparing the way for His appearing. It was John the Baptist that introduced Jesus to the world.
You must understand something about John the Baptist. He was the last Old Testament prophet. Before John there was 400 years of silence from God; 400 years when God refused to speak to the world. Then, after 400 silent years, John emerged with a fresh message from God for His people. He had the revelation of God ringing in his message. He was God’s official “spokesman” for the hour.
With John the Old covenant was buried and the New covenant emerged. John was a rugged figure who held the Old Testament in one hand while holding the New Testament in his heart. It is through his ministry that we can make the transition from law to grace. He was the foreclosure of the Old and the forerunner of the New.
No doubt there have been many great men throughout history, but other than Christ Himself, I have never read of a greater than John the Baptist. Let me explain. Some men are great by their own estimation. Some men are considered great by other men’s estimations. But the only one who was considered the greatest by Jesus’ estimation was John the Baptist, (Mt. 11:11)
Mt 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
I want to share three things with you this morning about this man named John. I want you to remember this.
BI - “Just as John was God’s dynamic voice telling those in the wilderness about the Christ to come, so we are to be God’s dynamic voice telling the world about Christ too.”
Please consider first:
I. John’s Human Limitations - “John was a man.”
A. A Common Man - (Mt 11:2)
There was nothing extraordinary about the man John except his birth. He was born to Elizabeth and Zacharias at an old age, which was quite miraculous, but he was common flesh and bones like the rest of us. He had the same temptations, shortcomings, and problems that we all have. You might not read about them in the New Testament, but it’s true. John was highly revered by the Jews of his day, but he was a common man just the same.
Mt 11:2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
B. A Courageous Man - (Mt 3:7; 14:4; Mk 6:17-20)
Mt 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Mt 14:1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, 2 And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. 3 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife. 4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
Mr 6:17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married her. 18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife. 19 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:
20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
C. A Consecrated Man - (Mt 3:13-15)
Mt 3:13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
D. A Contrite Man - (Mk. 1:7; John 1:22-23, 27)
Mr 1:7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
Joh 1:22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? 23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
Joh 1:27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
That is John’s human limitations. Please consider secondly:
II. John’s Holy Occupation - “He was sent to bear witness of the Light.”
A witness is not someone who tells something he thinks, but something he knows. John was a witness of the fact that Jesus Christ was the true Light of the world. It was John’s task to expose the world to the Lord Jesus Christ. It was John’s task to share the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Jews. That is a holy occupation.
Mt 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Mr 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
III. John’s Heavenly Authorization - “John was sent from God.”
A. Divine Appointment - (Luke 1:13-17)
Lu 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
B. Divine Anointing - (Luke 1:15)
Lu 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
Conclusion:
1] John was an ordinary man with an extraordinary mission -- to bear witness of Christ.
2] John was an ordinary man with an extraordinary manifestation -- Heavenly authorization, divine power
Ac 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
3] John was an ordinary man with an extraordinary message -- the gospel of Jesus Christ.
BI - “Just as John was God’s dynamic voice telling those in the wilderness about the Christ to come, so we are to be God’s dynamic voice telling the world about Christ too.”
