Both of these Bibles offered me so much information, and after praying, God was speaking to me through the pages and scripture. He wanted me to get something from the life of John the Baptist that I had never thought of before. God has laid this on my heart and I believe he wants me to share this with others.
I would like to open with a quick word of prayer: Our gracious Heavenly Father, we give you praise and glory for all the wonders and joy that you bring into our lives. We thank you, Father, for being our strength, shield, counselor and comforter. We know that you are in control and we look to you for guidance during this time. I ask that you bless this message that you laid upon my heart that people see what you want them to see and long to serve you. I ask this in your Son's name, Amen.
Like I stated earlier, I am focusing on John 1:6-28, so feel free to read that real quick before we continue.
The message I continued to receive while reading this chapter was that we are called to be like John the Baptist.
John the Baptist was a very important person in the life of Jesus, and all four Gospels talk about John. Luke makes it evident how important John was going to be. The angel Gabriel went and spoke to Zachariah before John was even created. Luke 1:14-15 says, "You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at this birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord." Verse 17 continues, "He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly."
Before we jump into what John talk about in chapter 1 of his Gospel, let us think about what we may think about and already know about John the Baptist. Many of us think about the uniqueness of John the Baptist and the odd clothes he wore and the weird foods that he ate (locust). Picture a man who lives in the wilderness who hasn't shaved for decades, not years, isn't in the normal social structure, and just plain looks like someone you would avoid on the streets at all cost.
Sounds like someone who would have trouble getting people to listen and follow what he is saying. But as we know, God prepares the called and does not call the prepared. One important factor I want everyone to understand is that although John the Baptist was very unique and different, it was his obedience to God that set him apart from others. He knew what his role was, and he lived it. As Mark Hall, lead singer of Casting Crowns, said in his teaching video on the song NOBODY, John the Baptist was sent to "point to the point". John the Baptist knew it was his job to point people to Christ and his wonderful gift of salvation, and that is what we are called as christians to do today. That is what verse 8 in John 1 is telling us, "John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light."
As a Sunday school teacher, it is not about getting glory and recognition. It is about making sure that people know who Christ is, what he did for us and what he can do for them if only they open their hearts and accept Him. I am not the light, but I am to tell about it and share the great news about the light.
Verse 15 tells us, "John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds." That is what we are called to do as well. People connect to our own testimonies and how God has worked in our lives. It is one thing to read the scripture, but it is another to understand it on a personal level. God uses the lives of others and ourselves to connect to people. This allows us to be witnesses for Christ just like John the Baptist. That is why I chose this title, and why I feel God laid this on my heart. He wants us to understand that we are to use our story, our trials, successes, failures and testimonies to point people to the point (Jesus). We are no different than John the Baptist.
As I have heard from my grandmother many times in my life, we may be the only Bible or Jesus that some people see. Others gain strength, will, and determination from watching what someone else goes through. These people are a living example of Christ and it is contagious.
Verse 27 says, "Though his ministry follows mine, I'm not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal." John is telling us that compared to Christ we are nobody. Meaning, there is only 1 who is somebody, and that is Jesus Christ. Think about it, if John the Baptist views himself as a "nobody" compared to Christ then that is what I want to be. I am not worthy of all he has done for me. John continued to preach and spread the word about Jesus and give all Glory to Him. That is what I want to do and what I am encouraging you to do. You may be the only John the Baptist someone sees that is meant to point them to Christ.
A friend of mine wears a bracelet that says, "Not about me". John the Baptist was the epitome of that saying and what we as Christians need to remember. It's not about me. It's about the one who created me. In the words of Casting Crowns and Mark Hall, "I'm just a nobody. Trying to tell everybody, all about somebody, who saved my soul." That is what I feel that God wanted you to get from this. I am going to share the video to Casting Crowns song, "NOBODY". I feel it is a fitting way to bring this message to a close.
Let us close with a word of prayer: Father in Heaven, we thank you for your servant John the Baptist and the example he set for us to follow. We thank you for your Son, and your gift of salvation. We are unworthy of it all. All because you want us. Father, thank you for giving us the ability to witness to people to share the great news and the glory of your salvation. May we all know that we are like John the Baptist and we strive to be that person who is points others to the point. We give all of these praises in your Son's Holy name, Amen
Love this Shawn!
ReplyDeleteVery Good. Enjoyed it very much.
ReplyDeleteExcellent job, but then again, I always enjoy hearing from you. Now to do a couple "Live".
ReplyDelete