''The Message of John the Baptist''

Description

"The Message of John the Baptist"

Text: John 1:19-29

Introduction:

He had an Amazing Promise
- Luke 1:15a – “For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord”
He had an Astonishing Pattern
- John 1:19-23 – John identifies himself as “the voice of one crying in the wilderness”
He had an Advancing Program
- Baptism ministry

➡️ Last week: Focused on the ministry of John the Baptist ➡️ This episode: Focus on the message of John the Baptist

1️⃣ A Christ-Centered Message (John 1:19-29)

The Prophecy:
- “Behold the Lamb of God” — speaks of forgiveness
The Preferred:
- John 1:30 – “This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.”
The Picture:
- Baptizing (John 1:30-33) — a symbol of Christ’s coming work
He kept Proclaiming:
- John 1:36 – “Behold the Lamb of God”

2️⃣ A Conviction-Filled Message (Mark 6:18-19)

John called for repentance – but people got offended when he named their sin
In a world of:
- Weak Pulpits: No bold stand against sin
- Worldly Practices:
  - Effeminate influence in dress, manner, doctrine
  - 1 Cor. 11:14 – “It is a shame for a man to have long hair”
- Withered Convictions:
  - Double-minded and unstable (James 1:8)

Application: We need bold, conviction-filled preaching today

3️⃣ A Message Concerned with Humility (John 3:30)

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
- Two musts: One for Jesus, one for me
- Both are necessary for spiritual success

Closing Thoughts:

Facebook: / asbcarchdale