The Belligerents

And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.-John 1:19-28

https://youtu.be/av5Nnwfxusw

The Answers

Every answer John gave was precise, to the point, and directly from God.

John wanted there to be no confusion, or misinterpretation. His answers were short and to the point.

Illus. It is said that, “John Wesley wrote all his sermons in full, and read them to the maid. All the words she couldn’t understand he eliminated.”

Illus. An eleven-year-old girl had heard adults around her talk much of the brilliant new minister. After hearing him preach a wonderfully clear sermon for the first time, she said, “Daddy, that preacher is not so smart, I understood every word he said.”

“And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ”-John 1:20

Men like John are a rare breed. Willing to take stand when faced with persecution.

Most will dial back, soften or even completely deny what they confessed during better times. Look at Peter… am I or are you really so much better.

Illus. Picture this: Philistine army on one side, Israel's army on the other side. King Saul has heard about David's bravery with the lion and the bear. So he calls for him. "Son, we've got ourselves a situation. We need a champion to fight for us. And I think you're the man." He takes David to a spot overlooking the valley. "See our problem?" he asks. And down in the valley is a 6-year-old girl challenging the army of Israel. Do you need boldness to fight a 6-year-old girl? Of course not! You only need boldness when there's a real risk.

John 1:26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;

This statement may have been more dangerous than any other. These men were teachers and John just called them ignorant. Much like the so called educated mass of our day… you can call them any foul name you wish, but tell them they are ignorant and they lose their minds.

When the man whom Jesus healed of blindness tried to explain to the educated folks that they were ignorant.. they tell him you are sinner and kick him and his knowledge out. If you can’t learn from a sinner… you cant learn from anyone.Period.

Illus. When the church ceases to defend something, the community begins to believe that it can't be defended.--C. S. Lewis

John 9:34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.

It always takes holy boldness and faith in the finished work of Christ to stand for truth, righteousness and help others discover their weakness’.

Speaking out against sin in our lives and in the lives of those around us is not for the fain of heart or nominal Christian.

Speaking out against the evil in our society and point men to Christ, even though they are not interested, and for the most part express nothing but animosity toward the Saviour and you… requires exceptional strength both mentally and spiritually.

Those without such faith and strength will be prone to compromise and distant followership.

The purpose for which God had called John required spiritual courage. John would never have called the pharisee’s a “generation of vipers”.

When people think of courage today… we think daring acts or admissions that fly in the face of truth.

People of God are people of courage who take a stand for truth and righteousness, even when it is unpopular and dangerous.

Illus. I have a question for you that's very profound: Are you a lion or a snail's eyeball? Let me explain. When you're a kid, you can't help yourself. You pick up a snail, and notice some things. Snails are slimy, they have a shell, and they have those pokey-out things that all you want to do is touch them to see what happens. Those pokey-out things are the snail's eyes. What happens when you touch a snail's eye? It shrivels. But what happens when you confront a lion? A lion isn't like that - a lion is bold. The Bible says that "the righteous are as bold as a lion." (Prov 28:1) So let me ask you that question again: Are you a lion or a snail's eyeball?

The Scripturalness of his answers

John 1:23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

John’s answers were not opinion or conjecture… they were scriptural. This is quote from Isaiah 40:3.

John was very clearly quoting scripture to clarify that he was not the authority and neither were they… The Scripture is the authority.

When we are confronted with the issues of our culture we need to be ready to give an answer.

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Our response should be fully supported by and our allegiance is to the the Scripture.

The validation of ministry is not men, method, or numbers it is and always has been Scripture.

The Word of God if the foundation and source of all our hope… anything we claim to accept by faith must be examined in the light of Scripture.

Illus. A certain missionary society, in order to gain access for a missionary to work in some of the African tribes, sent down trinkets to be bartered with the natives. Among them was a package of little hand mirrors, such as ladies use.

The natives had never seen their own faces except in the waters of some lake or stream. So the news of this wonderful instrument by which people could see their features was spread abroad. The missionary was invited by the tribe after tribe to visit them with his hand glass.

In the interior was a princess in one of the tribes who had been told that she was the most beautiful woman on earth. When she heard of this instrument in which she might see what a beautiful creature she was, she bade the missionary bring one of the mirrors. (The truth was, the princess was the least attractive woman in the tribe.)

She took the mirror into the hut to take a good, long look at her beauty. When she held up the glass and saw what she really looked like she lifted her royal fist, dashed the glass to pieces, banished the missionary, and made a law that no looking glass should ever be brought into the tribe again.

Why did the princess hate the glass? Because it told her the truth about herself—that she was an ugly woman—and she did not like it.

For some reason people turn away from the Bible. It tells man that all of his righteousnesses are as filthy rags in God’s sight.

The humbleness of his answers

We have observed John’s humility in waiting for his call, in his response to Jesus asking for baptism, in his insistence that Christ is greater, and now here in refusing to exalt himself by offering his opinion in place of Scripture.

John assures them that he is not Christ or Elijah or “that prophet”.

Matthew Henry said,

“Those who speak best for Christ speak least of self”

“True servants are more on their guard against undo respect than unjust contempt.”

We see John’s humility most clearly in his response to “What sayest thou of thyself?”. If you asked the same of most Christians in our age, they would give you a rundown of their accomplishments, needs and desires. But John simply says I am nothing more than the voice speaking God’s words.

Illus. Samuel Morse was born into a preacher’s home in New England just two years after George Washington was elected the first president of the United States. After finishing his education at Yale, he went to England to hone his painting skill. Upon his return to America he was recognized as a gifted artist and was soon in much demand. Morse’s first wife died while he was away from home painting in Washington, D.C. He did not receive the news until it was too late. In his heartbreak he turned away from painting and began trying to develop a means of rapid communication over great distances. This eventually led to his discovery of the telegraph.

Despite his fame and the many honors that came his way, Morse wasn’t proud or boastful. In a letter to his second wife he wrote, “The more I contemplate this great undertaking, the more I feel my own littleness, and the more I perceive the hand of God in it, and how He has assigned to various persons their duties, He being the great controller, all others His honored instruments.... Hence our dependence first of all on God, then on each other.”

When we walk in pride and are conceited regarding our talents and accomplishments, we are demonstrating that we do not understand or appreciate the role that God holds in everything we do. None of us are able to succeed in our own strength or wisdom; we should always remember it is God that makes what we do possible. As Paul put it “what hast thou that thou didst not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).

The witness of his answers

The record or witness of John is what we are observing here.

When questioned John gave a witness for Christ not a defense of self.

John 1:27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

When asked who he was John tell them who Christ is.

Too many Christians in our day would rather explain away or simply downplay the Deity of Christ.

Our witness should be the same as John’s… Jesus is in their midst and they don’t know it.

It was an arrogant interrogation and a humble response. The choice was now theirs… if they chose arrogance it was not because John didn't educate them.

The desire of a witness is that all men be saved… the intent of being a witness however is that no man be ignorant of who Christ is and what He has done for them.

John turning this interrogation into a witness is a challenge to be more attentive in our daily interactions and covert them into opportunities to witness.

Illus. The story is told of a prosecuting attorney in a small town courthouse called his first witness, an elderly woman, to the stand. He approached her and asked, “Mrs. Jones, do you know me?”

She responded, “Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Williams. I’ve known you since you were a young boy. And, frankly, you’ve been a big disappointment to me. You lie, you cheat, you manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs. You think you’re a rising big shot, but you haven’t the brains to realize you will never amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you.”

The lawyer was stunned. Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, “Mrs. Jones, do you know the defense attorney?”

She replied, “Why, of course I do. I’ve known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster, too. I used to baby-sit him. And he, too, has been a real disappointment to me. He’s lazy, bigoted, and has a drinking problem. The man can’t build a normal relationship with anyone, and his law practice is one of the shoddiest in the entire state. Yes, I know him.”

At this point, the judge rapped the courtroom to silence and called both lawyers to the bench. In a very quiet voice, he said with menace, “If either of you ask her if she knows me, I’ll hold you both

Welcome

Good morning, Faith Baptist Church.

We count it a joy to be the Church, today. We are very happy to have each of you who are regular attenders, as well those visitoring whether here or over the air. We count it a privilege to gather together with you because God has given us a promise that where two or three are gathered He is the midst. We praise God for the wonderful love that we have the opportunity to express toward one another today, as well, as the energy meeting together brings to our week. So once again, we hope you feel welcome and that you feel the presence of the Lord in our church.

Let’s sing

The Indecision In The Belligerents

Illus. Professional golfer Tommy Bolt was playing in Los Angeles and had a caddy with a reputation of constant chatter. Before they teed off, Bolt told him, "Don't say a word to me. And if I ask you something, just answer yes or no." During the round, Bolt found the ball next to a tree, where he had to hit under a branch, over a lake and onto the green. He got down on his knees and looked through the trees and sized up the shot.

"What do you think?" he asked the caddy. "Five-iron?" "No, Mr. Bolt," the caddy said. "What do you mean, not a five-iron?" Bolt snorted. "Watch this shot." The caddy rolled his eyes. "No-o-o, Mr. Bolt."

But Bolt hit it and the ball stopped about two feet from the hole. He turned to his caddy, handed him the five-iron and said, "Now what do you think about that? You can talk now." "Mr. Bolt," the caddy said, "that wasn't your ball."

Shortly after John is beheaded by Herod this same group would question Christ’s authority.

Luke 20:2 And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?

After Christ’s teaching followed by his cleansing the Temple they asked this of Christ not in a search for information, but rather in a search for ammunition to trip Christ up.

Luke 20:3–4 3 And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: 4 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?

Christ refused their desire to indulge their own selfish desires and rather focused them on John.

Luke 20:5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? 6 But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

This question was a no win situation for the San Hedrin. The only way to end up in a no win situation is to predetermine the outcome before you know the reality.

Luke 20:7 And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.

They refused to expose themselves so they said they did not know… suddenly ignorance was acceptable. Like many educated fools of our day they claim knowledge of that of which they are ignorant and ignorance of that of which they have knowledge.

The Unbelief In Their Indecision

They certainly did not believe in John The Baptist

Luke 20:5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?

They questioned John’s authority and not their own wicked unbelieving heart because they were still unsure when in reality they were focused on their passion for power, prestige, and pleasure.

It follows logically that if they did not believe in John they would not believe in Christ.

We should not be surprised when our message concerning Christ is rejected… and if they will reject our message of Christ they will often, also, reject and despise us.

The lack of faith we find among these religious leaders reminds us that you can be religious with out believing. Every generation deals with high profile religious leaders abandoning the faith.

Satan works well in the area of religious but unbelieving. The weight carried by the denial of some high profile so called Christian is great.

Luke 20:6 But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

In Jesus these type of leaders would be stoned, but today they are accepted and often revered for their bravery.

Admiral Jim Stockdale served on active duty in the regular Navy for 37 years, most of those years he spent at sea as a fighter pilot aboard aircraft carriers. Shot down on his second combat tour over North Vietnam, he was the highest ranking United States military officer in the “Hanoi Hilton” prisoner-of-war camp during the height of the Vietnam War. Tortured over 20 times, in leg irons for two years and in solitary confinement for four years during his eight-year imprisonment from 1965 to 1973, Stockdale lived out the war without any prisoner’s rights, no set release date and no certainty as to whether he would even survive to see his family again. He shouldered the burden of command, doing everything he could to create conditions that would increase the number of prisoners who would survive unbroken, while fighting an internal war against his captors and their attempts to use the prisoners for propaganda. At one point, he beat himself with a stool and cut himself with a razor, deliberately disfiguring himself, so that he could not be put on videotape as an example of a well-treated prisoner. He instituted rules that would help people to deal with torture. He instituted an elaborate internal communications system to reduce the sense of isolation that their captors tried to create, which used a five-by-five matrix of tap codes for alpha characters. At one point, during an imposed silence, the prisoners mopped and swept the central yard using the code, swish-swashing out “We love you” to Stockdale, on the third anniversary of his being shot down. After his release, Stockdale became the first three-star officer in the history of the navy to wear both aviator wings and the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Author Jim Collins read Stockdale’s incredible story and said he felt depressed. And then he thought, “If it feels depressing for me, how on Earth did he deal with it when he was actually there and did not know the end of the story?”

Collins interviewed Stockdale and asked him that question.

Stockdale replied, “I never lost faith in the end of the story. I never doubted not only that I would get out, but also that I would prevail in the end and turn the experience into the defining event of my life, which, in retrospect, I would not trade.”1

The Cowardliness In Their Indecision

Faith produces courage…unbelief produces fear. These individuals are a prime example.

Luke 20:6 But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

These men were not brave for speaking up or out against John. In fact they were scared to express their true feeling for fear the people would kill them. Courage speak the truth in the face of death.

These guys are talking out of both sides of their mouths… much like the political/social leaders of our day

Martyrs are not self promotional. These guys aren’t concerned with truth or with righteousness they are concerned with promoting themselves. We see this today with “wokeness”. Brands, celebrities, and individuals will say whatever recieves the desired response and truth and righteousness are simply ignored as objects of desire. When truth is subjective and righteousness is determined by democracy… society is bereft of integrity.

Yet it seems those who treat truth and righteousness as arbitrary… rise quickest and highest in the view of society.

The Incompetency In Their Decisions

Luke 20:7 And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.

Their inability to answer such a simple inquiry was proof they should not have been in the position of authority in which they found themselves.

They were the San Hedrin… they had positioned themselves as the end all, say all concerning religious matters in the nation. They were the experts that claimed to know whether a man or movement was of God or not… and yet here they sit completely incompetent before the Saviour. Furthermore they had no right to question Christ’s authority when they couldn’t even determine John’s authority.

Christ had beat them at their own game.

1 Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

Christ didn’t need to declare them incompetent… they had declared their own incompetence. Their plan to trip Christ up had backfired and they had stumbled over the trap they themselves had set.

This reminds us of the eventual outcome of all unbelievers. Unbelievers come up with clever arguments which may deceive and impress the willfully ignorant, and arrogant., shame will be their lot for eternity.