John 20:31 (ESV) These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
“The gospel doesn’t start with what Christ did, but who He is. And our response isn’t rooted in what we do, but whose we are.”
John the Baptist John 1:6–7 (ESV) 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.
John 1:19-32 : Behold the Lamb
John 1:19–32 (ESV) 19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” 24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.
Bearing Witness to the Light 1. Identity: Know who you are
John knew who he was—and who he was not. “Knowing our identity brings confidence as we carry out our assignment.”
2. The Purpose is Preparation Isaiah 40:3–5 (ESV) 3 A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed.
“God wills to level everything that hinders access to Him.”
“We lay the groundwork so he can do the heart work.”
3. Point to the Lamb “You are not the point. You are pointing to the point.”
John 1:29 (ESV) “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
Hebrews 10:12 (ESV) When Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.
Colossians 1:19–20 (ESV) 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
John 1:29 (ESV) “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
Revelation 5:12 (ESV) Saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
