CHRISTMAS 6x - John The Baptist
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The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; 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. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
After Christmas, we have been looking at the beginnings of the gospels
Last week, we looked at the beginning of John
We saw that Jesus is the source of all things
But most important, He is the source of Life
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Today we look at the book of Mark
Mark does not start with the birth of Christ
Mark does not start with creation
The beginning of Mark is Christ’s public ministry(jana-mantraalaya)
But at the beginning of this is John the Baptist (baptismaa dine Yuhannaa)
God’s own messenger(Parameswarko aaphnaa duT!)
To prepare the way of Jesus
The voice in the wilderness(ujaaD-sthaan-maa karaai-rahaneko aawaaj)
John’s testimony was amazing
But today we will look at his message(bachan)
#1 Humility of his message
#1 Humility of his message
Christ was the focus!
John was just the voice
“Preach the gospel, die, be forgotten”
Susamachaar prachaar garnuho, marnuhos, bhulinos
Birsanu hunuhos!
Too often our work and service is about us
We are lifted up
We are heard
We are seen
We are the focus
Not Christ
But we are messengers(sandesh-shavaahak)
The message should be remembered, not us
Christ should be lifted up, not us
The gospel should be heard, not us
He must increase, but I must decrease.
John the Baptist was the voice/ the noise
His message was a message of humility
#2 Publicity(aarba-janikta) of his message
#2 Publicity(aarba-janikta) of his message
John called for men to be baptized
Baptism is a picture/symbol(pratik)
It is a public(saarba-janik) display(pradarshan) of the work of the heart
In this case, their repentance(pastchataap)
The baptism was a public(saarba-janik) act
This public act told showed what happened in their heard
John did not call for people to make a decision
And keep it a secret(rahasya)
There should be a transformation
Is should be seen by all
A public display!(saarba-janik pradarshan)
Many people think that humility is shyness/embarassment(laaj)
Humility is not shutting up!
Humility does not mean that we hide Christ
Our humility allows Christ to be seen instead of us.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Speak loudly about Christ
Speak loudly about Christ
Tell everyone about Christ
Family
Person(maanche) you meet on the bus
People you meet in the street
People you work with
Your neighbors
Your landlord
Everyone!
Everyone should know that Christ gave you salvation!
Everyone should know that you love Jesus
I know that everyone is not happy about Jesus
But that is not an excuse(bahaanaa)
But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Mat
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
Our love for Christ should be public(saarba-janik)
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Our faith should be public(saarba-janik)
Should be seen by all!
#3 Distinction(bishishTa) of his message
#3 Distinction(bishishTa) of his message
Not like any other
Not conformed
He was separated(alag)
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Be not conformed! (eka-naase naho-o)
John was not conformed(eka-naase)
His clothes were from camel hair (u’tako raau’ko bastra)
He was not like everyone else
His clothes were from camel hair (u’tako raau’ko bastra)
His food was locust and wild honey(salaha ra ban-maha
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Special - different from others
Too(jyaadaa) many Christians want to be like the world
We should be different
Not just to be different,
But because following Christ is different!
Our goals are different!
Our king is different!
Our Lord is different!
Our priorities(praathamiktaa-haru) are different
Our work is different
The things we love are different
Our hearts are different
Our hearts are different
Our lives should be different also!
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Not just to be different,
But because following Christ is different!
When we are different it is easier to share the gospel
Let’s learn from John’s message
Be humble
Be public(saarba-janik) about following Christ
Be distinct(bishesh) and separated(alag)