John 1:6-8

1. John 1:6-8

2. Introduction John the Baptist was a person who was a very special witness to Messiah. John's main purpose on earth was to witness and to bear testimony to the Light of the world. His purpose stands as a dynamic example for every believer. The purpose of the believer is to bear the same witness as John. We are to declare that Jesus Christ is the Light of the world.

3. John 1:6-8 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

4. John the Baptist was Sent by God • John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. • Here we see the source of John’s ministry. The writer makes three important statements here. • John was only a man. • There is a strong contrast being made between what had been said about Christ and what is now being said about John. • Christ "was in the beginning"; He was "with God" and He "was God". • John "was a man" who (like us) came into existence at birth. Jesus Christ was the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16). John was not a divine being, not even an angel. He was just a man.

5. John the Baptist was Sent by God John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 2. John was “sent from God”. John the Baptist was sent on a very special mission. “Sent” comes from the same word which we get “apostle” and means to send out; to commission as a representative, an ambassador, an envoy. Three things are true of the person sent from God. 1.  He belongs to God, who has sent him out. 2.  He is commissioned to be sent out. 3.  He possesses the authority and power of God who has sent him out.

6. John the Baptist was Sent by God John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. John was “sent from God”. The phrase "from God" means from beside God. John was not only sent by God, He was sent from the very side and heart of God. He was only a man, but a man of high calling and mission, of enormous responsibility and accountability. He was a man sent by God, not by man.

7. John the Baptist was Sent by God John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. His name was John John’s father did not chose his name, but was told by God what to name his son.

8. Luke 1:11-17 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

9. John the Baptist was Sent by God John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 3. His name was John John’s name means “gracious”. He was a man sent forth with a name to match his message: God's grace is now to enter upon the scene of world history. Prepare ye the way of the Lord, the embodiment of God's glorious grace is coming!

10. John the Baptist had a Mission John 1:7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. John came to bear witness of the Light. He was sent with a very specific message, and that message was to proclaim the Light, Christ Himself. We have looked at how the world was in darkness and was ignorant of God and His desires. The Light came to point those in darkness to truth and a restored relationship with their Creator.

11. John the Baptist had a Mission John 1:7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. The purpose of the John’s witness is clearly stated: that all men, through Christ, might believe. His purpose was not... •  to start a movement for God. •  to organize and administer. •  to minister (note that John never healed or performed a miracle).

12. John the Baptist had a Mission John 1:7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. John’s purpose was to lead men to believe in the Light. He witnessed and proclaimed the Light so that all men might believe. John was sent to focus on people and to lead them to believe in Christ Jesus. This is our same task that we are to perform today. We are to point people to Jesus!

13. John was a Great Man, but Not the Light John 1:8He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. John was a great man, with an important ministry, but he was not the Light. Jesus stated in Matthew 11:11, “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist.” He had the privilege and responsibility to prepare the way and introduce Messiah to Israel and the world. Yet he was the forerunner of the light, but not the light itself.

14. An Example to Follow John spent his life proclaiming and pointing others to Jesus. This is our calling as followers of Christ, we also point others to Jesus. We are lights within this world, but our goal is not to draw attention to ourselves, but to show the way to the “True Light”. Jesus alone can save a person from their sins and can restore the broken relationship with God. Lets each of us endeavor to point the way to Christ this coming week.