The Witness
Introduction
The events in the Middle East may disturbed you
There is also good news that we don’t here
The Church is growing fastest in Iran – over 1 million
The Brazilian church growing from <1% to >20% (25 million)
In Communist China – over 100 million
God’s Church is growing
What causes people to turn to Jesus Christ?
Is it merely disillusionment with their own ideology or country?
Why would they embrace the Bible and become followers of Jesus
It is a movement of God
A might awakening of God
John the Baptist was just one man
A great awakening occurred through him
Many went out to hear him and many were baptised, confessing their sins
Overview:
The Movement of God
The Man of God
The Message of God
The Movement of God
Mark 1:5, Matt 3:5 – people went out to hear one man, drawn to his unequivocal message
The work was so great the religious leaders went to listen to him
This can only be explained as a might movement of God
Why did he baptise?
Evidently God had called him to this
An outward act of inward repentance
During the inter-testimental period Jews had started baptising Gentile
Not only to be circumcised (as commanded by Scripture)
But a symbolic washing – bathing Gentiles in water: a baptism
Therefore it was a huge thing to baptise the Jews
Example of Muslims
He used "much water" / The Ethiopian eunuch went down into the water
How do you explain this – it is a movement of God
What about John?
How did he dress – he wore rough camel skin
What was his diet – he ate locusts and wild honey
He had no way to advertise his message, there was no social media, no celebrity endorsement (the religious leaders certainly did not endorse him), he was the son of a Levite but had no study or name for himself
How do you explain it?
v6 – a man sent from God
God would make sure that people listened to Him
He was filled with the Holy Spirit from birth (an unusual childhood)
He was empowered by God
Not perfect
Matt 11:10-13
John the Baptist is like an Elijah
Matt 3:14
He acknowledged he was a sinner
We need God to move in great power today
We need God to raise up individuals – examples
Example of Brazil
A movement of God – stirring up His people
We need a great move of God today and His power
The Man of God
He wasn’t without blemish
He had doubts – wondering if Jesus truly was the Messiah when imprisoned – Matt 11:3
An ordinary man
Even like Elijah – an ordinary man who got very depressed
This should give us encouragement
He was humble
He was not interested in name or reputation – v19-23
Self-effacing
He knew he was nothing without the grace of God
Not worthy
Even to take off Jesus’ sandals – v27
Example of Alun Johnson
This is the sort of person God uses – a humble person
People sort to provoke John – Jesus was baptising and people were coming to Him!
John 3:26-28,30
‘Jesus must increase, I must decrease’
Do we want to be noticed and concerned about our reputation?
Are we concerned about ourselves or Jesus’ name?
May we have a spirit like John the Baptist
A happy man
John 3:29
He is a friend of the bridegroom
He was happy to sit at Jesus’ feet and hear the voice of Jesus
Example of Mary
Are we sitting at the feet of Jesus?
Are we happy to hear His word?
A holy man
Set apart by God
Not a man pleaser
Example of politician
It is important to do what is true and right
There cannot be unity in untruth
Example of John’s true message
Bear fruits of repentance
A life separated to Christ – few possessions
We are not to copy John the Baptist’s ascetic but we can learn from him
He was not taken up with the things of the world
We are not to be covetous and building up treasures in the world
Maybe we need a simpler life
We are to go after Christ and not things
A challenge to you and me
The Message of God
Matthew, Mark and Luke emphasise the message of repentance
John’s gospel – the main message is pointing to Jesus Christ
The message of the Church – repent (examples) and trust/have faith in Jesus Christ
We are put right with God through Jesus Christ
Not about what we do for God – but what He has done for us
We do not hold onto our sin but have faith in the cross of Christ
Have you believed in Jesus?
Unbelief condems
Belief saves for all eternity
John the Baptist pointed to the Lamb of God
He bore witness to the Light of the Gospel
He was the witness that prepared people for the coming Messiah
Has God been doing a work in your life?
Ask Jesus to forgive you
Trust your life to Him
Become a witness – like John the Baptist