Sermon Tone Analysis

A man sent from God

We have finished the prologue into the gospel of John, a few quick reminders before we get to our passage tonight.

This can be said about John the Baptist

He was a man sent by God (Jn1:6)

He came to bear witness (Jn1:7-8)

He bore witness to the preeminence/preexistence of Christ (Jn1:15)

(Transition) so from being sent by God, to be a witness for God (or of God) it now comes to his testimony.

Testimony that he is not the Christ (Jn1:19-23)

Testimony that Christ is before him (Jn1:24-28)

Testimony about Christ being the Lamb of God (Jn1:29-30)

Testimony that he is not the Christ

So, what did John the Baptist testify regarding Jesus?

What lessons can we learn from his testimony?

May we start with what he testifies about himself first.

As Simply Christians we need to glean from the word, so let’s glean together

Who came to see John (v.19)?

Who did they ask if he was (v.19, 21)?

Why did they ask him the questions (v.22)?

Who did John say that he was (v.23)?

Interesting fact, in case you wanted to know.

John the Baptist is one of six people noted in the gospel that gave witness that Jesus is God.

(Other scriptures referenced in this section Jn1:19, 49, 6:69, 9:35-58, 11:27, 20:28)

John the Baptist (Jn1:29) -part of our passage

Nathanael (Jn1:49)

Jn1:49 “49 Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.””

Peter (Jn6:69)

Jn6:69 “69 “We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.””

Blind man from birth (Jn9:35-38)

Martha (Jn11:27)

Jn11:27 “27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.””

Thomas (Jn20:28)

Jn20:28 “28 Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!””

OK, now may I move on?

Let’s look at John the baptist testimony about himself.

John’s testimony about himself

He claims (confesses) he is not the Christ (Jn1:19-20; Lk3:15)

Whereas there are some who thought He was

He was not Elijah as foretold by Malachi (Jn1:21; Mal4:5; Mt11:11-15)

Now, John was the figurative Elijah foretold and fulfilled now as testified by Jesus Himself.

I could give you just the verse, but it is more impactful when look in context.

He was not the prophet foretold by Moses (Jn1:21; Deu18:15-18; Jn6:14, 7:40)

Many were awaiting, looking for this prophet

Jn6:14 “14 Therefore when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.””

or Jn7:40 “40 Some of the people therefore, when they heard these words, were saying, “This certainly is the Prophet.””

The prophet foretold was not John, but it was Jesus, note down Act3:22-26 for yourself and you can see it spelled out more there.

He was the one foretold by Isaiah (Isa40:3)

He was the one sent to prepare the way of the Lord (Lk1:16-17)

(Transition) So, John the baptizer had nots to say about himself, with John assisting along the way But what good is this information if we do not turn it from knowledge to wisdom, knowledge put into belief and action.

Lessons from John the Baptists testimony

As followers, disciples of Christ our task is similar to that of the forerunner.

- point people to Jesus.

John’s example is powerful one and you too can be a powerful example.

To deflect attention from yourself and point to Christ

John’s testimony: This is the Son of God

John the Baptist continues with his testimony about Jesus and some great facts are revealed.

Gleaning from the scripture

What was purpose of John’s Baptizing in water (v.31)?

So that Jesus might be manifested to Israel!

What did John the Baptizer testify in (v.32)?

That He saw the Spirit descend as a dove and remain on Jesus

According to (v.33) what was the sign to be given of the One who was promised?

The Holy Spirit would come and remain.

What was the result of seeing the Holy Spirit come and remain (v.34)?

This is the Son of God.

John’s Testimony about Christ

I did not know Him (Jn1:31, 33; Mt3:11)

or in v.33 it says Jn1:33 “33 “I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’”

Now they were cousins, So they may have known each other as cousins do.

Jesus lived in Nazareth and John the Baptizer lived in the Judean desert.

John the Baptizer did not know Jesus as the Messiah

Even though John came baptizing with water so that the Christ, the Messiah would be revealed to Israel.

And was revealed.

John the Baptizers testimony: I saw the Spirit descending and remaining (v.32-33; Mt3:16-17)

John was anticipating the descending of the Spirit as noted in (vv.32-33)

This happened when Jesus was baptized and even brought the voice of the Father too.

Lessons from his testimony of Jesus

As John confessed, we too must be willing and must confess Jesus (Mt10:32-33)

Not just confess, but confess Him as the Son of God (Jn1:49, 6:68-69, 11:27)

Like Nathaniel (v.49)

Like Peter in (6:68-69) Jn6:68-69 “68 Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go?

You have words of eternal life.

69 “We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.””

Like Martha Jn11:27 “27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.””

(Transition) So we need to confess Jesus, must confess Him to be the Son of God, and it is more than just words it must be coupled with belief.

Believe Jesus is the Son of God and in belief in Him you may have eternal life (Jn30:31; Act8:37)

Consider

John the Baptizer as recorded by John the beloved testified of Jesus, but you know what, Jesus will later testify of John the Baptizer too.

For future consideration

John bore witness of the truth

He was burning and shining light

And because of that, being a lamp, a light, shining, some were rejoicing.

So the question remains are we rejoicing in the Light?

Can we rejoice in the testimony of John

He was not the light but testified of the light, as do we today

Proclaimed Jesus to be the lamb of God, the Son of God, just as we do today

If we can do these things then

and then

Remember why you obeyed the gospel, when you obeyed the gospel, the results of you obeying the gospel, and what you are to do with today!

(Prayer) (exit)