Proofs That Jesus Is The Christ Series

INTRO.

1. We are now in the 3rd week of our series in the Gospel of John.

- Last Wednesday I’ve shared about the Incarnation of Christ based on the Testimony of John the

Apostle who confessed…

- Jn.1:14, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the

glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

- Secondly, the testimony of John the Baptist,

- (v.15), Saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because

he was before me.'

- And thirdly, the revelation of Christ…

- (v.18), No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has

made him known.

2. Right now, I will be finishing the first chapter of John and I will be showing you the

PROOFS THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST.

3. As I’ve shared before, the theme of John's Gospel is that Jesus is the Son of God (20:30-

31), and in this first chapter he proves his claim.

4. As you read this wonderful chapter, you cannot help but see that Christ is God's Son

because of the names and titles He bears, the works He performs, and the witnesses who

knew Him personally and declare who He is.

5. Now let us all stand as we read our text…

TEXT:John 1:19ff, Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of 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 Christ." 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 desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'" 24 Now some Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" 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 thongs 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.

BACKGROUND:

- In our text, John the Apostle begins the narrative portion of his gospel, about John the Baptist’s testimony…

- The ministry of John the Baptist created a wide interest of different classes of people went out with him because of his message of salvation, hope, that even the religious leaders went out to hear him too.

- It was recognized by all that John’s ministry was messianic and that he was identifying himself with Israel’s messianic hope.

- And, because messianic expectation was so high in Israel in those days, the religious leaders were

questioning John as to who he was, and who he presented…Because rumors were circulating that he might be the Messiah.

PROPOSITION: Four Irrefutable Proof that Jesus is the Christ

I. THE CONFESSION OF JOHN: “I AM NOT THE CHRIST”

- (v.20), He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ."

- Why do they ask if he is the Christ? Because the Jews were expecting their Messiah to appear.

- Luke 3:15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might

possibly be the Christ. 16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful

than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the

Holy Spirit and with fire.

- John clearly declare he was not the Christ.

- 1). (v.21),They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah? "He said "I am not.

- Why do they ask John if he was Elijah? The answer is found in the writing of the prophet Malachi.

- The Jews expected Elijah to return prior to the coming of the Lord according to two prophecies. The

first is in Malachi 3:1 and, Mal 4:5, "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and

dreadful day of the Lord comes.

- 2). (v.21b), “Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No."

- This is a prophecy concerning Jesus, for of all the prophets, only Jesus was a prophet like unto

Moses.

- Deut 18:15, The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own