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The voice of one crying in the wilderness

Text: John 1:19-28
14 May 2006

(I) THE MINISTRY OF ISAIAH THE PROPHET

1. A long and difficult ministry to a nation that was refused to heed God’s voice

“Go and tell this people,
‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand;
Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.” Isaiah 6:9

2. Prophesied much about the Life and Ministry of the Messiah

(II) PROPHECIES CONCERNING THE MESSIAH

1. Virgin Birth of the Messiah

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son…” Isaiah 7:14

2. Divine Character and Ministry of the Messiah

“His Name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…” Isaiah 9:6

3. His Life will be Spirit-filled

“The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him,
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD” Isaiah 11:2

4. His Atonement

“Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows…
He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities
The chastisement of our peace was upon Him’ Isaiah 53:4-5

(III) THE PROPHECY CONCERNING THE FORERUNNER OF THE MESSIAH

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness;
Prepare the way of the LORD;
Make straight in the desert
A highway for our God…” Isaiah 40:3

1. The Messiah will have a herald to go before Him

2. His task is to prepare the way of the Lord

(IV) DIFFERENT VIEWS OF “THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS”

1. The view of the multitudes concerning John the Baptist

His preaching ministry touched multitudes Matthew 3:5

2. Jesus’ view of John the Baptist

“Assuredly I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist…” Matthew 11:11

3. John’s view of himself

“I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
Make straight the way of the Lord” John 1:23

a) In comparison to the Greatness of the Messiah

b) In fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophetic words

c) In humble acknowledgment of personal unworthiness

d) As a tremendous example of true humility

4. Our Challenge

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…
But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant…”
Philippians 2:5, 7