JOHN 1:6-9 | SENT AS A WITNESS
Notes
Transcript
JOHN 1:6-9 | SENT AS A WITNESS
JOHN 1:6-9 | SENT AS A WITNESS
EXPLANATION: Last time, we saw as John, Jesus’s disciple began his book pointing our attention to Jesus Christ.
EXPLANATION: Last time, we saw as John, Jesus’s disciple began his book pointing our attention to Jesus Christ.
He directed our hearts toward the reality that Jesus is truly God
Jesus is eternal, creator, and the life.
While the bulk of John’s book is spent directing our attention to Jesus and the fact that He is God, for a few moments in the first few chapters, John takes some temporary detours to tell us about another important piece in the beginning of Christ’s ministry.
And his reason for talking about him is more than just because they shared the same name.
It’s because of the precedents and example that was set by this man.
We mentioned last week that anytime the writer of the book, John, referred to himself it was always by the description, “The disciple that Jesus loved.”
So as we come to verse 6 today and we are introduced to another man by the name of John, we can know he wasn’t talking about himself.
Rather he was talking about another John that is probably more familiar than John the disciple.
This John, we may better know when the rest of his title is give… John the Baptist.
We first read about John in the NT when we begin in Matthew’s Gospel.
Matthew described John in comical terms for us today as he said about him in Matthew 3:4
And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
This guy must have been quite the sight with his camels hair shirt and leather loin cloth, sitting at the table eating locusts and honey.
I don’t know if he dipped the locusts in honey or if he just ate it by the handful.
What a sight to behold!
Here in John’s Gospel, he spends a good deal of time in the first 3 chapters telling us details about John the Baptist.
So in an attempt not to be too repetitive as we walk through those chapters, I want to focus on one specific aspect that we are told about John the Baptist today.
It is something that fits perfectly with our focus today.
And John the disciple directs our attention to it this morning.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
As John is writing his introduction to his book and he reflects back on the life of John the Baptist, he says, “There’s one thing I want you to know about him… he was a witness for Christ.”
The word John the disciple uses to describe John the Baptist is that he was a “witness” for Christ.
The word that is used there is translated 2 different ways here in the NT.
In each occurrence it deals with either bearing witness… or testifying.
ILLUSTRATION: In court, the most powerful evidence is eye witness testimony.
ILLUSTRATION: In court, the most powerful evidence is eye witness testimony.
When someone takes the stand and “testifies” of what they saw or experienced.
EXPLANATION: Here, we find that John the disciple is employing this courtroom language of John the Baptist being a witness for Christ.
EXPLANATION: Here, we find that John the disciple is employing this courtroom language of John the Baptist being a witness for Christ.
One who testified on behalf of Jesus Christ.
And this will be a recurring theme that John will employ throughout his book.
In John 4, the Samaritan woman testifies of Christ
In John 5, the Heavenly Father testifies of Jesus
In John 12, the crowd testifies of Who He is
And in John 15, it is the Holy Spirit Who testifies on Jesus behalf.
And here as John begins his Gospel, he calls the first witness to the stand… and that man is John the Baptist.
And John the Baptist would live up to the name he was give here in John 1… He was a witness for Christ.
And for a few moments this morning, I want to look at these few verses and get a better understanding of what it means to be a witness for Christ.
APPLICATION: Friend, who or what are you a witness for?
APPLICATION: Friend, who or what are you a witness for?
We are all promoting someone.
Everyday as you go throughout your day, you are on the witness stand testifying of someone.
For some, you spend your day testifying of yourself.
Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: But a faithful man who can find?
This is the natural path for most people.
In fact there in Proverbs the Bible is very specific to say that it is “most” men who do that.
“Some men” - 3-4 men out of 10
“Man men” 5-6 out of 10
But based on the Bible saying “most men” you can mark it down, it’s more like 8-9 of every 10 men are guilty of this.
Friend, you can mark it down, most people go throughout their day and the only one they are interested in promoting is themselves.
That’s why Proverbs 27:2 gives the warning:
Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; A stranger, and not thine own lips.
But we can be confident, that John the Baptist wasn’t “most men”
So what made John such a powerful witness?
What made John someone who spend his life testifying of Jesus?
What can we learn, that we might be a greater witness for Christ in our life as well?
V.6, HE WAS COMMISSIONED
V.6, HE WAS COMMISSIONED
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
EXPLANATION: For 400 years prior to the birth of John the baptist there had been a silence from God with no prophet to proclaim any new truth.
EXPLANATION: For 400 years prior to the birth of John the baptist there had been a silence from God with no prophet to proclaim any new truth.
From the completion of the book of Malachi until the events in Matthew’s Gospel, there had been no new revelation from God or a prophet to proclaim of the coming Messiah.
But from the mouth of the Lord Jesus, we find that John would be the final prophet to proclaim of the coming Messiah.
In Luke 16:16 Jesus said,
The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
And in John the disciple’s Gospel, he would write that John the Baptist had been sent from God!
What a call… what a responsibility
APPLICATION: Friend, can I tell you this morning that you have been called!
APPLICATION: Friend, can I tell you this morning that you have been called!
Every person has been called to salvation.
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
Friend, you can mark it down, God is calling you to be saved.
Salvation isn’t a process, it the decision of a moment.
If you have never realized you are a sinner in need of salvation from your sin, today would be a great day to accept Christ!
If you have accepted Christ, then you are called to be a witness for Christ!
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
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.
It is the responsibility of every Christian to take the Gospel to this world.
It isn’t just the call of the pastor… it is the commission of the church.
ILLUSTRATION: If you were in the military and you were given direct orders it is expected that you will follow them.
ILLUSTRATION: If you were in the military and you were given direct orders it is expected that you will follow them.
If you don’t, the consequences can be serious.
According to article 92 of the Uniform code of Military Justice, “Violations can result in various penalties, including forfeiture of pay, confinement, and even dishonorable discharge.”
To not follow that orders that are given is insubordination
APPLICATION: Friend, before Jesus ascended into heaven, He gave what we know as the “Great Commission”
APPLICATION: Friend, before Jesus ascended into heaven, He gave what we know as the “Great Commission”
We could say that it was His final commands.
And those commands were to go into all the world with the Gospel.
And those commands were given to the church… the believers… the Christians.
One of the sad realities is that most churches have a whole lot of insubordinate Christians.
Christians who have refused to obey the commands they have been given.
Every person has been called to salvation
Every Christian has been called to be a witness
Some Christians have been called to the ministry
Now don’t miss what I’m saying… every Christian has been called to minister and to serve.
That is what Christ taught the night before His crucifixion when he knelt down and washed his disciples feet.
But God has called some to serve him in ministry.
To teach… to preach… to pastor.
ILLUSTRATION: On Wednesday nights before we start into our lesson, we always take time to share prayer requests.
ILLUSTRATION: On Wednesday nights before we start into our lesson, we always take time to share prayer requests.
We right them down and then take time throughout the week to pray for them.
EXPLANATION: While Jesus was on the earth, He shared a prayer request that He wants you and I to pray for.
EXPLANATION: While Jesus was on the earth, He shared a prayer request that He wants you and I to pray for.
It’s found over in Matthew 9:36-38
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Jesus asked His disciples to pray for more laborers.
ILLUSTRATION: In the church I grew up in, it seemed like everyone in my teen group was “surrendering to ministry.”
ILLUSTRATION: In the church I grew up in, it seemed like everyone in my teen group was “surrendering to ministry.”
Now not all of them ended up going into ministry as pastors, or missionaries, or leaders children’s ministry, and that is fine.
The reality is not, everyone is “called” or burdened to go into ministry.
But it’s interesting to me that today, it seems like there are far less young people and adults surrendering to the ministry today.
And I don’t think it’s because God is calling on or burdening less…
I think it’s far more likely that people are just too busy with their lives and their plans to surrender to ministry.
APPLICATION: And yet Jesus is very clear, we are to pray for more laborers!
APPLICATION: And yet Jesus is very clear, we are to pray for more laborers!
We need more laborers!
I think I grew up in a church that to some extent taught an unhealthy teaching that if you need someone to serve in your church you just needed to go somewhere and hire someone to come in and fill that role.
And I certainly think there is a place for that.
But the unhealthy part is that we have used that as an excuse to not follow one of the ways God says the needs of the church are to be filled.
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Walk through that with… did you catch who it is that is supposed to be doing the work of the ministry and the edifying of Christ’s body?
THE SAINTS
Now that isn’t some person that the catholic church decided to give a label.
A saint is anyone who has accepted Christ as their Savior and is seeking to live a holy life for God.
Can I summarize who it should be?
YOU!
Friend, can I just share my heart with you this morning?
I need you to grow… surrender… and serve.
If this church is built on me and my abilities and my preaching and my service through Christ… we are going to hit a wall.
Because I am so insufficient.
I hope you weren’t looking for someone you could put on a platform, because if you did, I’m jumping off.
Friend, I know that I don’t have the capacity to meet all the needs that this ministry has here.
Just this week I was talking with a pastor that shared with me that he had to step away from his church for a couple weeks because he had tried to take on too much and was burning out.
I know me, and I don’t want to get there.
And I can tell you this morning, I’m grateful for a church with so many servants who have plugged in and are joining in with the work of the ministry!
But I can also tell you, we need more!
And so I pray along with Christ, “See the harvest! And may we have more laborers surrender to serve in the ministry.”
Maybe there is a man or a lady who has a burden for children to be taught the Word of God, and wants to get involved in that ministry
Maybe there’s someone who has a passion for music and wants to plugin and grow in the music in our church.
Maybe there is someone who has a burden for the mission field, and you just can’t shake the thought, that maybe God is leading you that way.
And maybe there’s a man in the room with a burden to pastor
Maybe you look at what I do and think, “Well anyone could do that.”
Maybe God has placed a burden in your heart to preach His Word… and maybe you’ve never even told anyone about it.
Friend, the call of God to serve in ministry isn’t some audible voice or some bright light…
If that’s what it is, then I wouldn’t be here today.
ILLUSTRATION: When I was 14 years old… God placed a burden on my heart that I just couldn’t shake.
ILLUSTRATION: When I was 14 years old… God placed a burden on my heart that I just couldn’t shake.
For about 6 months I prayed about it as a 14 year old boy, and I couldn’t get away from it.
It was a burden to preach God’s Word.
It’s hard to explain but the prophet Jeremiah did a far better job of describing it than I can.
Then I said, I will not make mention of him, Nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, And I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
It’s just this burning in your heart you can’t get away from.
And on July 7, 2004, I finally surrendered to preach the Gospel.
Now God didn’t just decide on that day that He would call me to preach… that isn’t how it works.
God gave me a burden to preach, and I surrendered to it.
But do you know where that actually started?
On September 23, 2003, I surrendered to God to do whatever He wanted for my life.
To serve Him in whatever way He led.
APPLICATION: Friend, maybe this morning, you can’t say that God has given you a specific burden to serve Him in some way.
APPLICATION: Friend, maybe this morning, you can’t say that God has given you a specific burden to serve Him in some way.
Maybe today you just need to decide to surrender to whatever God wants to do with your life.
It could be you’ve done that before… but if we can just be honest, it’s so easy to take back the life we surrendered to God.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
The problem with a living sacrifice is it can crawl back off the altar.
This morning, why don’t you choose to crawl back onto the altar and surrender your life to God.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
In just a few moments, we are going to make our commitments to God for what we are going to give to missions.
We are going to commit to support people who have done that very thing… they’ve laid down their life for God.
They’ve surrendered to go to places that you and I may never see with our own eyes.
They’ve been saved, obeyed the commission that was given, and now they are serving in ministry.
And what a privilege we have to be able to partner with them as they take the Gospel around the world.
But as we prepare to do that, can I share just a couple verses that truly ties everything together.
EXPLANATION: In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul was sharing the testimony of the believers in Macedonia.
EXPLANATION: In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul was sharing the testimony of the believers in Macedonia.
They were people who didn’t have much, but they gave sacrificially to support those taking the Gospel around the world.
For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
Did you catch that?
Before they put a penny in the offering plate… they put themselves in there first.
Friend, could I just summarize what made John a powerful witness for Christ?
John put himself into the offering plate.
“God all that I have and all that I am is yours!”
And because of that surrender, he couldn’t help but follow what he was commissioned to do!
APPLICATION: Friend, before you make an offering commitment this morning… will you put yourself in the offering plate first?
APPLICATION: Friend, before you make an offering commitment this morning… will you put yourself in the offering plate first?
God is more concerned with your heart than He is your wallet.
If you know Christ, and you are faithful to follow the commission He has given, and you are willing to surrender your life to the ministry of service He desires for you… the money seems to take care of itself.
Let’s commit this morning to be a true witness for Christ… and if you will, that will extend to every part of your life!
This morning, I call you to the witness stand… what testimony can you share that you are a witness for Christ?
Let’s make this morning evidence of your surrender to Christ!
