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To Bear Witness of the Light

Text: John 1
15 January 2017

JOHN AS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF A WITNESS

1. Examples of bearing witness may be found

2. We learn much from their example

THE LIFE OF JOHN THE SON OF ZACHARIAS

1. His birth

a) A special blessing from God
b) Prophecy from his father Zacharias   (Luke 1:76-79)

2. His ministry

a) A prophet of the Highest   (Luke 1:76)
b) To prepare the way of the Lord   (Luke 1:76)
c) To give knowledge of salvation   (Luke 1:77)
d) To give light to those who sit in darkness   (Luke 1:79)
e) To guide the feet to walk in the way of peace   (Luke 1:79)

THE EXAMPLE OF JOHN THE BAPTISER

1. Sent by God   (John 1:6)

a) How good it is to know that we are sent
b) It is God who sends us as His witnesses

2. He came to bear witness of the Light (Jesus)   (John 1:7-8)

a) John understood his ministry
b) He sought to fulfil it

3. The Testimony of John when he was queried

a) Who are you?   (John 1:19)
I am not the Christ   (John 1:20)
b) Are you Elijah?   (John 1:21)
I am not   (John 1:21)
c) Are you the Prophet?   (John 1:21)
No.   (John 1:21)
d) Who are you?   (John 1:22)
I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
Make straight the way of the Lord   (John 1:23)
e) Why then do you baptise?   (John 1:25)
I baptise with water,
But there stands One among you whom you do not know
It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me,
Whose sandals I am not worthy to loose.   (John 1:26-27)

EVALUATION OF JOHN’S MINISTRY

1. He did not draw men to himself

2. He sought to faithfully bear witness for the Lord

3. He was most effective in bearing witness

4. Multitudes flocked to hear him preach

5. Many received baptism as an expression of faith

a) New-found faith
b) Restored faith