Sermon Tone Analysis

John the Baptist

John the Baptist is not John the apostle, but he has the same purpose (Jn1:7; Jn20:30-31) and today we are looking at in this section of the prologue the bearing witness of the light.

Now that is John the Baptist, more to follow on that, but John the Apostle had the same purpose

So, John the Apostle now introduces us to John the Baptizer (Jn1:6-8)

This is not the light, but testifies of the Light (Jn1:8; 19-20)

Testifies, bears witness with purpose, so that you may believe (Jn1:7)

John the apostle, and John the baptizer are not the only ones bearing witness.

There were those before (forerunners) and those since.

This evening we will look at

The forerunners of Christ bear witness

The Father bears witness

The followers bear witness

Forerunners bear witness

The prophets and John the Baptizer bear witness of the light, let’s glean together and see what the light reveals to us.

Old Testament prophets (1Pt1:10-11)

What did the prophets do (v.10-11)?

Foretold of His suffering (Isa7:14, 9:6-7, 53:4-6)

The Prophet Isaiah said in isa7:14 “14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.”

This is the child given Isa9:6-7 “6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.”

This is the One Isaiah said would be the suffering servant

What was the suffering noted in (vv.4-6)?

Bore our griefs and sorrows.

He was stricken, smitten, afflicted, pierced, crushed, chastened, scourged

Jesus Himself reminded his disciples (Lk24:25-27; 24:44-47)

Jesus on the road to Emmaus reminded the disciples of this truth of the suffering.

What was the significance of Jesus statement in (v.26)?

That it was necessary that He suffered all the things we read in Isa53.

Then, I have to turn to a little further in Luke at another very significant statement made by Christ

In (v.44) what is the significance of the statement made?

That the words spoken must be fulfilled.

Jesus is the fulfillment this was no longer a prophesy, it was fulfilled in the suffering and resurrection of Christ.

(transition) Now from the Old Testament Prophets and the words of Jesus reminding his disciples, we get to the forerunner, John the Baptizer.

The Forerunner: John the Baptizer

John the Baptizer as foretold by Isaiah (Isa40:3)

Identified by Matthew, Mark and Luke (Mt3:1-3; Mk1:1-4 and Lk3:1-6)

The synoptic gospels all speak of the forerunner, John, let me give you just one of them, you can look up the others.

John (Apostle) speaks of how John the Baptizer bore witness of Jesus

As the Lamb of God (Jn1:29)

When Jesus came as John was Baptizing he commented in Jn1:29 “29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

As the Son of God (Jn1:34)

(Transition) - So the prophets and John the baptizer bore witness of Jesus prior to His ministry.

Now that brings us to during the course of His ministry another witness.

The Father of Christ

So, the prophets, John the baptizer, reminded to the disciples, now from the heavenly that bears witness.

Bore witness through the signs (Jn5:36-37, 10:25, 37-38)

Who are the witnesses you see in (vv.36-37)?

Testimony of Jesus, the testimony of John the baptizer, and then the Father (v.37).

bore witness through the works (signs) given to do.

Jn10:25 “25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me.”

And then check out a few verses later, in fact turn there please.

Whose works does Jesus do according to (v.37)?

What is the purpose of the works to be believed in (v.38)?

Bore witness through His voice (Mt3:16-17; Mt17:5; Jn12:27-30)

I have to be honest, I had an ah-ha moment in prepping for this, you know two of the times God spoke, but there is actually three.

His voice at Jesus baptism (Mt3:16-17)

His voice at Jesus transfiguration (Mt17:5)

but now the third time in the final week of Jesus earthly life

Bore witness through raising Jesus (Rom1:3-4; Act17:30-31)

How was Jesus declared the Son of God (v.4)?

What was the proof of the appointment as judge according to (v.31)?

God raising Jesus from the dead!

The Father bore witness of the Son through the signs, through the words and through the appointment here is a bonus scripture to consider

What is the results of the witnesses bearing witness of Jesus (v.43)?

That by belief in Him you receive forgiveness of sins.

(Transition) this leads to our next witnesses, the followers of Christ

The Followers bear witness

The forerunners, the Father, the works, all bear witness but yet there is more.

We now get to the followers.

The apostles bear witness (Jn15:27; Act1:8, 5:30-32)

Consider what John said Jn15:27 “27 and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.”

And Jesus instructions after His resurrection Act1:8 “8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.””

They were special witnesses, now consider this

The verifiable (empirical) evidence bears witness (1Jn1:1-2; 2Pt1:16-18; 1Cor4:9-13)

(note; for last few minutes, time for a bible marathon)

1jn1:1-2 “1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— 2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—”

Now join me and lets look at

Now consider, because they bore witness they suffered, were willing to suffer for Christ

Their unity bears witness (Jn17:20-23)

have someone read this

The transformed lives bear witness (2Cor3:18, 4:6)

2cor3:18 “18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”

(expand on the light shining out briefly)

The proclamation of the word bears witness (1Pt2:9-10)

YOU ARE so YOU CAN!

Bear witness of the light through your transformed life

Bear witness of the light by the proclaiming of the Word

Bear witness by walking as children of light (Ref: Eph5:8)

(Prayer) (Exit)