Notes

Slide Show

Outline

1	Behold the LAMB of GOD John 1:19-34
2	Introduction: John the Baptist was a forerunner. He came to prepare the way of the Lord, but once Jesus Christ arrived, he was more than willing to step aside. John came to point others to Christ.
3	I. We are messengers. John 1:19-28 Who is John the Baptist?
4	“Don’t be afraid, your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and a delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord…And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous – to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1:13-17
5	“And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. Luke 1:76-77
6	A delegation of priests and Levites came to John and asked him three questions. Are you the Christ? Christ means “Anointed One” or “Messiah.” Are you Elijah? II Kings 2:11 Are you the Prophet? Deuteronomy 18:15
7	Then they asked him a fourth question. Then who are you? John quotes Isaiah 40:3.
8	I am the voice. He is the substance. I’m just the messenger. He is the message. He is the Word of God.
9	Why do you baptize? John’s baptism was for proselytes. It required a renouncing of evil, complete immersion in water and a re-clothing as a member of a new community of believers.
10	I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. I am not worthy to untie the thongs of his sandals.
11	Whenever John compares himself with Jesus, Jesus is always given the higher place. That’s how it must be with us.
12	We are called to be his messengers. Acts 1:8, John 15:16 and II Corinthians 5:20
13	II. The message is Christ. John 1:29-34 In one succinct sentence, John summarizes why Jesus came. “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Verse 29
14	What did a lamb represent to John’s audience? Sacrifice Substitute Innocent Payment for sin
15	Jesus is the Lamb of God.
16	“There is a fountain filled with blood, Drawn from Immanuel’s veins; And sinners plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains.” William Cowper
17	When Jesus was baptized by John, the Spirit descended upon him like a dove and a voice from heaven said, “You are my Son, whom I love. With you I am well pleased.” Mark 1:11
18	“I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.” John 1:34
19	Conclusion: You have heard the first witness. Now what do you say about Jesus?
20	He must increase. I must decrease.
21	By our life and by our words, may we point others to Christ.