The Voice

In 1948, ...a remarkable religious phenomenon occurred... in the United States.

It began in a tent ... near Hollywood California, ...under the preaching ... of a young evangelist.

The crowds were sparse at first ... but as the preaching continued, ... the crowds began to grow.

At first, ... the media ... totally ignored these gatherings.

Yet ... when some of Hollywood's well-known names ... came to faith ... the press began to take ... notice.

Eventually ... reporters were sent to investigate ...and interview ... this rather strange young preacher.

This preacher ... who dressed in pistachio-colored suits, ... who wore flaming red ties ... who spoke with a pronounced Southern accent, ...and yet ... he had an incredible appeal ... to the masses.

It was evident ... God ... was doing something.

Well Beloved ... That was the beginning ... of Billy Graham's ministry ... as an evangelist.

And as news of those tent meetings spread across the country ... numerous cities welcomed him ... to come ... and preach. (Pause)

As it was with Billy Graham in 1948 ... so it was to a degree ... with John the Baptist ... in the first century.

He too ... was a young man ... in his early 30s.

He too ... dressed rather strangely.

He did not wear green suits ... He wore animal skins ... and ate grasshoppers ... and wild honey.

He was the voice ... the voice ... crying in the wilderness ... the voice that bore witness ... to the coming Christ.

Hear God's Word: Bible "There was a man ... sent from God, ... whose name was John. ... He came as a witness, ... to bear witness ... about the light, ... that all ... that all ...might believe ... through him." END (John 1:6-7)

John preached a simple ... yet powerful message ...that seemed to touch the very soul ... of the people.

At first, ... they came to see John ... by dozens, ... then by hundreds ... then thousands ... left their cities ... to hear this remarkable ... desert preacher.

Finally, ... the response was so great ... that even the religious establishment of Jerusalem ... became curious.

So, ... they sent a delegation ... to investigate this strange man ... with such a compelling message.

Beloved ... John's primary role ... is that of a witness ... to be a testimony ... to the light.

This man ... John the Baptizer ... illustrates what it means... to be a... witness ... a committed witness ... of the Light.

A committed witness to Jesus ... Jesus the Light of the World.

Beloved First (1 Finger) To be a proper witness, ...we must recognize ...Who we are ... not. (John 1:19-21).

John's message was touching the hearts ... of the masses.

Yet, ... He was an enigma to the religious leaders.

They wanted to know more about him.

"Who are you?" ... they inquired diligently.

(Slow) John responds ... by vigorously telling them ...who he is not.

And he was clear: ...... "I am not ...I am not the Christ"

Beloved ... this was a time in Isreal's history ... of a great Messianic ...expectation.

The whole populist ... was looking for ... and was seeking ... the promised Messiah.

So naturally ... John's actions ... and his message ...created a lot of speculation ... as to who ... he was.

Might ... Might he be ...the promised Messiah?

John the Baptizer ... denounces any speculation regarding ... these messianic expectations.

He asserts ... (Slow and Loud) ... "I am not the Christ,". (Pause)

"Are you Elijah?" ... they then questioned.

The Old Testament prophesies state... that Elijah would precede the coming of the Messiah... Hear God's Word from Malachi.

BIBLE "See I will send you the prophet Elijah ... before that great and dreadful day ... of the Lord". END (Malachi 4:5)

They thought ... Perhaps John ... was the returning Elijah.

After all, ... John's appearance is ... similar.

His message is ... similar.

Remember ... (Slow) ... Elijah did not die

We know from the scriptures ... that a chariot of fire suddenly appeared, ... and Elijah was taken up to heaven ... in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11).

While John did fulfill ... the preliminary ministry of which the prophets spoke ... concerning Elijah's return.

He emphatically stated ..."I am not,".

They asked him: ... "Are you the great Prophet?"

Deuteronomy. (18.15-19) speaks of a great prophet like Moses ...who would come ...and restore Israel.

Again, ... with an emphatic, "No", ... John denounces this title.

Beloved ... First and foremost, ... As a witness of Christ, ... John recognized ...who he... was not.

His three-fold denial ... makes his witness clear.

The increasing curtness of John's successive answers ... cannot be missed here.