John 1:6-8, 19-34 – Witness to the Wonder – sermon notes
Witness to the Wonder, John 1:6-8, 19-34
How can we witness to the wonder of Christ(mas)?
Learn from John the Baptist, and his witness to Jesus Christ.
1. He knew who he was
‘He was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light’ Jn 1:8.
(a) ‘I am not…’, vv19-21
- The Christ, v20; Lk 3:15; Acts 19; 2nd century; Mandaeans (Iraq)
- Elijah, v21a, Mal 4:5f. (Jesus described John as an Elijah-type figure Lk 1:17; Mt 11:13-15; 17:12f, but not in the sense they meant it)
- The Prophet, v21b, Deut 18:15-18
(b) ‘I am…’, vv22-28
- A voice, v23; Isa 40:3
- A baptizer, v26
- A servant, v27 – in fact, less than a servant!
Both ‘I am not’ and ‘I am’ required, if we are to keep clear of the toxic weeds of pride or the barren wilderness of worthlessness.
Could you list three things that you are not, and three things that you are?
2. He focused on Jesus
‘He came…to testify concerning the light,’ v7
‘Look!’, v29
- ‘The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world’, v29. Our greatest problem – removed.
- ‘The Spirit-bearer/giver’, v32f. Our greatest resource – bestowed.
- ‘The Son of God’, v34 (God’s only-begotten Son, who is at the Father’s side, who has made the Father known, v18)
‘You will be my witnesses’, Acts 1:8.
Could we be accused of being obsessed with Jesus?
3. He pressed for a verdict
‘So that through him all might believe’, v7
This the thrust of the entire Gospel, 20:31 – ‘that you may believe’
Who can tell how many were pointed by John to Jesus? Verse 37. What about some of the characters in Luke 7?
Let’s seek the renewal of our wonder. ‘Be on fire for Jesus, and people will come and watch you burn’ (Wesley)