#3 Who Are You? (Ghana Version) | John 1:19-28

Who Are You? | John 1:19-28

Opening Remarks:

I appreciate the invitation from Pastor Ruckman

What an encouragement to see so many assembled here

I also appreciate all of you for coming, especially for those that traveled from long distances

I’ll be preaching tonight out of John 1:19-28.

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The Pharisees came asking John this question, “Who Are You?”

In order to be faithful ministers of the Gospel, we must also answer the question, “Who Are You?”

As a Christian and minister, “Who Are You?”

PRAY

Introduction:

I haven’t pastored as long as some of you, but one of the pressures I feel is trying to figure out who I am as a Pastor.

I don’t mean doctrinally. What I believe has already been decided for me in God’s Word.

What I’m talking about is what my ministry looks like.

How I spend my days.

What my priorities are.

What our church will focus on.

What our will services look like.

How I will lead others.

Everyone has an opinion about how church ministry is supposed to look.

Church members have opinions.

Other pastors have opinions.

Your friends have opinions.

And that pressure can cause us to live our lives based on what others think of us.

So here’s the question, “Who Are You?”

Not “Who do church members what me to be?”

Not “Who do my Pastor friends think I ought to be?”

But “Who am I in Jesus Christ?”

He’s the one we’ll stand before and answer to.

And I believe this exchange between John and the Jewish leaders can help us with this. I

I. They Come Asking John “Who are you?”

Vs. 19 - John has been converting and baptizing many Jews and the Pharisees don’t like it.

A. So they come asking, “Who are you?”

John could have answered many ways:

He could have said, “My father Zacharias was a priest like some of you.”

John could have said: “I am the first cousin of Jesus, the Messiah.”

John could have said, “I’m the voice crying in the wilderness that the OT prophets spoke of hundreds of years ago.”

But that wasn’t his spirit.

B. Vs. 20 - John was important, but he simply pointed to Jesus.

The Jews weren’t just asking his name. They wondered if he might be the Messiah they’d been waiting for.

John comes along wearing camel skins, eating locusts, and saying “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand?” and they start to wonder who he is.

When they ask “Who are you?” he simply says, “I’m not the Christ. I’m just here to point to Him.”

Notice this…

II. John Wasn’t Bothered By Who He Wasn’t

A. “I am NOT the Christ” - vs. 20

1. They were looking for a Deliverer to usher in peace and set them free from Rome.

2. But John made it clear, “I’m not Him. I wouldn’t even presume to be the Christ.”

a. By the way, Pastor, there’s one head of your church and it’s not you.

b. We must be careful not to treat the flock like we’re the head of the body.

c. Jesus came to minister, not be ministered unto.

3. When John says, “I’m not Christ,” they ask, “Are you Elijah?”

Look at vs. 21a

B. Once again, John answers, “I’m NOT Elijah”

1. The last prophet of Israel was Malachi, about 400 years before this.

2. Malachi 4:5 said, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:”

3. They thought John might literally be Elijah sent down from heaven to usher in the day of the Lord.

4. And it’s not far off. Jesus compared John the Baptist’s spirit and power to Elijah’s, but John was not the literal Elijah.

5. It might have been fun if John had pretended to be Elijah.

Remember that Elijah called fire down from Heaven.

If they had asked me if I’m Elijah I might have said, “Maybe I am. Watch out!”

But John is more spiritual than I am and he says, “I’m not Elijah.”

Look again at vs. 21

C. So they ask, “Art thou that prophet?”

1. This is likely a reference to Deuteronomy 18:15, when Moses wrote about the Lord raising up a Prophet out of Israel when He had a message for them.

a. God was saying, “When you need it, I will give you my Word through prophets. You need to listen to what they’re saying.”

b. But look at Elijah’s answer…

2. He simply says, “NO.” - Vs. 21b

1. John makes it clear that he isn’t just another prophet.

2. He was sent right before Jesus preparing the people to receive the Messiah.

3. So John clearly says, “Here’s who I’m not. I’m not the Christ. I’m not Elijah. And I’m not one of the Prophets.”

4. John was okay with who he was not.

D. We have to be okay with who we’re not.

1. Playing the comparison game will discourage you. That can happen in God’s work:

I’m not as talented as he is.

I’m not as educated as they are.

Their ministry has more resources than we do.

I can’t preach or evangelize like that brother can.

Our building isn’t as nice as theirs

Our numbers are small compared to them.

2. That mindset will leave us discontent.

It will make you more focused on who you’re not than who Christ is.

Be okay with who you’re not, because God made you that way.

3. John didn’t speak these words in a defeated way.

“I’m not Jesus. I’m not Elijah. I’m just a nobody.”

“I’ll never accomplish anything for God because I’m not them.”

4. No, he said, “I’m not important. But I’m okay with that.”

John was saying, “I am nothing, but Jesus is everything.”

“I don’t have to be discouraged, Jesus Christ is not limited.”

III. Here’s what we have to become okay with: “I may be nothing, but Jesus is the Great I Am.”

A. He can overcome any deficiency you have if you’ll be fully dependent on Him to do it.

That’s why Jesus said to Paul in…

2 Corinthians 12:9 “…My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

We ought to gladly glory in our infirmities, in our limitations, so that the power of Christ can rest upon us.”

The Great I Am gets excited when He can work through the life of a nobody to accomplish something great.

Gideon was exactly who God was looking for

David the shepherd boy was exactly who God could use

1 Corinthians 1:26–29 KJV 1900

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.

He’s always enough to make up for the areas in which we lack.

If we focus on what we’re not, it will defeat us.

But if I focus on the Great I Am, we can embrace whatever He calls us to do, because we know He’s always enough.

Even for an “Am Not” like me. And you.

If He was enough to save you, there’s no limitation too big for Him to overcome.

John wasn’t bothered by who he wasn’t. Instead…

IV. John embraced who he was in Christ.

Instead of saying, “Woe is me. Look at what I am not,” He said, “I may not be Jesus, or Elijah, or a prophet, but…”

A. “I am a WITNESS for Christ.” Vs. 23

1. He quotes Isaiah 40:3. “I am a bold voice declaring that the Messiah is near.”

2. John essentially says, “I may not be a lot, but I can be a WITNESS.”

3. Pastor, church member: You don’t have to have any special talent to point people to Jesus. Anyone can do it. You simply have to be willing to speak the truth.

4. Where are people going to get truth in this culture? From the pillar and ground of the truth.

6. Local churches like this one. Churches in cities and towns and villages all over the world.

7. You may not have the best building or the biggest crowd, but pastor, you can resolve to stand behind that pulpit and declare truth in a culture that needs it.

8. And you can be a bold witness everywhere you go.

9. There needs to be a source where truth can be found unfiltered.

a. You don’t have to be special to be a witness.

b. You don’t have to be talented.

c. You don’t have to be attractive.

d. You simply have to be willing to speak it.

10. Embrace your identity as a messenger for Jesus Christ.

a. John basically told them, “Jesus is coming and you better repent and be ready.”

b. Any “Am Not” can do that. That includes us.

John said, “I may not be this, but here’s who I am…I am a witness for Christ,” and second…

B. “I am a SERVANT of Christ.” Vs. 24-26

1. The Jews ask, “If you’re not important, why are you baptizing?”

3. The Pharisees come wondering who John thinks he is, baptizing Jews unto repentance.

4. Well, clearly John had been commissioned by God for this ministry.

5. Matthew 21 confirms that John got his authority to baptize directly from God Himself.

6. John was called to do something and he did it.

7. He was willing to serve the Lord however he was asked, even if it caused him trouble.

8. Listen, pastor, missionary, church planter, staff member, church member:

9. You can get caught up in what everyone else is doing, or you can simply just do what God has called you to do.

10. Stop comparing yourself and just serve. Anyone can serve.

11. The least likely. The least talented. The least experienced. New Christians. Young Pastors.

12. The only requirement to serve is that you say “Yes” to whatever He asks you to do.

13. Your identity in Christ is largely based on your willingness to obey God’s Word. Let that define you.

14. Maybe your ministry will always be small. Embrace and obey His call.

15. It could be that God has taken you to a place that you don’t love. Just serve how He has led.

16. Maybe your ministry will never have a building. Just serve with all your heart.

17. Everyone is trying to build a name for themselves. But the most important label you can wear is “Servant.” Just serve.

18. And before think that doesn’t matter, what will God label those that please Him when they get to Heaven? “Good and faithful servants.”

19. Stop trying to be something you’re not. Just be a servant. And let Him take care of the results.

John says, “There’s a lot I’m not. But I can be a witness, I can be a servant, and…”

C. “I can be a WORSHIPPER.” Vs. 26-27

1. John had an impressive background, but he wasn’t interested in comparing himself to other people.

2. The only comparison John made was between himself and Jesus Christ.

3. And all he could say was, “I’m not even worthy to undo His sandals.”

4. That means taking someone’s sandals off. After they’ve been walking in the dust and mud.

5. John says, “Even that’s above me. I’m not even worthy to touch the dirty feet of Christ.”

6. While we often compare ourselves to others, the only comparison we ought to make is with Jesus Christ.

7. And when you get a glimpse of the difference, all we can do is bow, face down, unworthy to take off His sandals.

8. There’s no better way to stay humble than to have a constant reminder of who you are compared to God.

9. Not to everyone else. Not to the pastor in the next town over. Not to the American missionary here is Takoradi. But who you are compared to God.

10. You may not have all the gifts, but you can worship. You can walk with God. You can serve and have a spirit of humility.

11. That’s the Spirit God blesses the most. Our highest calling is to be humble before a Holy God.

Isaiah 57:15 “For thus saith the high and lofty One That inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, With him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

12. God honors a spirit of humility.

13. Even Jesus bowed and washed His disciples’ feet.

14. Then humbled Himself and became obedient unto death.

15. A humble person before God may not be much in the world’s eyes, but in Heaven’s eyes they deserve the highest honor.

a. We need a daily reminder of the contrast between us and our Holy God. Not just on Sundays. Every day.

b. When’s the last time you worshipped. Not asking for anything. Just telling God how much you adore Him?

c. There’s a lot we’re not, but anyone can walk with God in humility and worship.

CONCLUSION

Friend, be okay with who you’re not, so you can embrace who you are.

You may never be a well known missionary, but that’s okay, you can be a witness.

You may never have a big church, but that’s not important to God if you are faithful where you are.

You may never be asked to preach in a big meeting, but that’s okay, because you can witness and you can serve.

The difference makers in God’s Kingdom aren’t those seeking notoriety.

They’re the ones being faithful to witness, and serve, and worship.

Remember what Jesus said about John the Baptist in Matthew 11:11, “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist:”

What made John so great in God’s eyes? He refused to focus on who he wasn’t and lived to please the Great I Am.

But the second half of that verse says, “Notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

As great as John was, that means any of us can be labeled as great in God’s eyes if we will simply witness, serve, and worship.

Who Am I? It doesn’t matter who I say I am. It matters who He says I am.

And if He says, “Good and faithful servant,” does anything else matter?

Even an “I am not” can please the “Great I Am.”

If we accept who we’re not and embrace who we are in Christ, this room full of regular people can hear God say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Who am I? That’s who I want to be.

A witness. A servant. And a worshipper. I’ll let God take care of the rest.