[0:00] And welcome to our worship of God this evening. And we'll begin singing to God's grace. The first verse of the psalm, Psalm 25.
[0:14] The first verse of the psalm, and we'll sing from the verse 24. Psalm 25.
[0:49] God, good and upright is, the way he'll sinners show. The meek in judgment he will guide and make his path to show. The whole paths of the Lord are truth and mercy sure.
[1:02] To those that do his covenant keep and testimonies to you. Send these verses to God's grace. Show me thy ways, O Lord.
[1:15] God, good and bright is, O Lord. God, good and bright is, O Lord. God, good and bright is, O Lord.
[1:30] God, good and bright is, O Lord. God, good and bright is, O Lord. God, good and bright is, O Lord. God, good and bright is, O Lord.
[1:41] God, good and bright is, O Lord, God, good and bright is, O Lord, The morning of the day, expecting to attend.
[2:10] Light and a mercy, Lord, I dream to give them love.
[2:26] And loud in kindness, His glory have been known forever.
[2:42] My sins and faults call you, do not, O Lord, forget.
[2:58] After Thy mercy, they've gone me, and for Thy goodness it may.
[3:16] Oh, good God of Christ is the real sinner's soul.
[3:32] That be His judgment, He will guide us against us to show.
[3:49] The whole paths of the Lord are true that mercy should.
[4:05] To our graduates shall come to me, and there's still more in you.
[4:21] Amen. Let's pray before God in prayer this week. Our gracious and our blessed Lord, we thank you this evening that we can come into your presence, and we can call you happy.
[4:38] Amen. And we pray that as we come and as we gather together, that each one of us here, Heavenly Father, would know what it is to be still and know that thou art God. And as we draw aside from the world, that as we come before you, that we would indeed worship you in spirit and in truth.
[4:58] And we pray that each one of us would know what it is to set aside the things that so easily distract us. And to be able to be still and know that you are God.
[5:12] To be still to wait upon you. And Heavenly Father, that we would indeed know the strength that only comes from you. That as we need this place, that each one of us would be able to say that it was good for us to be here.
[5:29] And Heavenly Father, that as your word is open, we pray that our hearts and our minds would indeed be open to you. Open to hear what you have got to say to us.
[5:43] To be able to understand what your word teaches us. And that our hearts would indeed be inclined unto you. And as we have sung, that you would indeed show us your ways, O Lord.
[5:55] That you would help us to learn the path that you would want us to take. And Heavenly Father, that we would indeed know the light. And walk in the light.
[6:08] And that your word would indeed be a light to our partner. We recognise that as each one of us come here. We come from different homes, different surroundings.
[6:20] And we have different burdens, we have different needs this time. Heavenly Father, that your son walked this earth.
[6:31] He indeed called out, come unto me, O you that are weak and heavy-weight. And I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you.
[6:42] And my yoke is easy. And my burden is light. And we pray that whatever burdens we may be carrying this evening. That we would indeed cast them before you.
[6:55] You speak to us elsewhere in your word. For you say to us to cast all our cares and our anxieties upon. For you do indeed care for us. And we thank you that you are indeed a God of love.
[7:09] And a God that cares for each and every one of us. Cares for us so much that you have even taken us to be here this night. That you have laid it upon our hearts to come and to hear your word, ready to be able to sing your praise.
[7:28] And we pray, Heavenly Father, that as so many of us learnt in our youth. That we would indeed seek to glorify and enjoy you for us.
[7:39] We recognize, Heavenly Father, that there are communities across the island that are many that mourn at this time. Worn the loss of loved ones.
[7:51] We recognize that the past couple of weeks at Christmas and New Year are coming back so many different moments. And we pray, Heavenly Father, that as they carry out to you at this time.
[8:12] That they would know that you are close to me. We also recognize that there are many that, for the mourn at this time, know not where to target.
[8:23] And we pray that as a church community that we would indeed be predirected by you to go and speak. Speak a word of season. To be able to witness to those in need at this time.
[8:36] Not for any glory for ourselves. Heavenly Father, that your name would indeed be glorified. And your kind of accent. We pray that you would be with the young ones in this community.
[8:53] We recognize that as they return to school tomorrow. After a period of holiday. That they would go back refreshed for those that have exams in the coming weeks. And Heavenly Father, that you would be with them and that you would uphold them.
[9:07] And we also recognize the work that is done here amongst the young people in the Sunday School. And the Finders group. We pray, Heavenly Father, for those that lead both in Sunday School and in the youth work.
[9:22] That you would bless them. That you would encourage them. And let us be so seeds that we follow for you. And as a congregation that we would indeed continue to pray.
[9:35] That these seeds would be worth. And according to your timing, according to your purpose. That they would indeed bear fruit for you. We recognize and we can think back to our own time in Sunday School.
[9:51] How we were taught to remember our Creator in the days of our youth. Before the evil ways come and we say we have no pleasure in them. And we pray, Heavenly Father, that our young ones here.
[10:04] That we would indeed be led to you. And that they would indeed know what is to remember you. That they would walk with you. And that they would indeed in turn grow.
[10:15] Grow in favour with you. And grow to know you. And to walk in you all the days of their life. We commit all things to you. Asking for your guidance, your direction and your blessing.
[10:29] As we trust in you. And we ask for goodness of our sins. In Jesus name. Amen. Again, sing to God's grace.
[10:43] This time in Psalm 78. Let's go Psalm 78. And we'll sing from the beginning of the psalm. Down to the end of the devil. Verse marked 4.
[10:54] I tend my people to my law. There too give thou and hear. The words that from my mouth proceed attentively to hear. My mouth shall speak a father.
[11:05] And say in dark of old. The same which we have heard and known. And as our father's told. We also will them not conceal from their prosperity. Into the generation to come.
[11:17] To come declare will we. The praises of the Lord our God. And his almighty strength. The wondrous works that he has done. We will show forth at length. These verses will send you to God's grace.
[11:31] Please, please.
[11:57] I'll gently be to hear. My mouth shall speak upon all.
[12:15] On sin's dark o'er. The sin which we have ever done know.
[12:31] How does our father show. We are so well and not concealed.
[12:49] From their prosperity. Then to the generation.
[13:06] To come take with me. The faces of the Lord our God.
[13:23] And then all night is fair. The wondrous works that He has done.
[13:39] We will show the Lord our God. Amen. We will turn to God's word.
[13:53] As we find it in the New Testament. In the New Testament. In the Gospel of John. And we will read. From the beginning of chapter 1.
[14:05] Down to verse Mark 42. Gospel of John. Chapter 1. And we will read from the beginning of chapter. In the beginning was the Word.
[14:21] And the Word was with God. And the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him. And without Him not anything made that was made.
[14:35] In Him was life. And the life was the life of men. And the light shined it in darkness. And the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God.
[14:47] Whose name was John. The same came for a witness. To bear witness of the light. That all men through Him might believe. He was not that light.
[14:59] But was sent to bear witness of that light. That was the true light. Which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world.
[15:10] And the world was made by Him. And the world knew Him not. He came unto His own. And His own received Him not. But as many as received Him.
[15:23] To them gave He power. To become the sons of God. Even to them that believe on His name. Which were born. Nor of blood. Nor of the will of the flesh.
[15:35] Nor of the will of man. Nor of God. And the word was made flesh. And dwelt among us. And we beheld His glory. The glory as of the only begotten of the Father.
[15:47] Full of grace and truth. John bear witness of Him. And cried saying. And this was He of whom I spake.
[15:58] He that cometh after me. Is prepared before me. For He was before me. And of His fullness have all we received. And grace for grace.
[16:09] For the law was given by Moses. But grace and truth. And the truth came by Jesus Christ. No man has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son.
[16:21] Which is in the bosom of the Father. He is declared. And this is the record of John. And the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask Him.
[16:34] Who art thou? And he confessed and denied not. But confessed. I am not the Christ. And they asked Him. What then?
[16:45] Art thou Elias? And he said. I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered. No. Then said they unto Him.
[16:56] Who art thou? That we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? He said. I am the voice of one crying in the Romans.
[17:09] Make straight the way of the Lord. As said the prophet. He says. And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. And they asked Him. And said unto Him.
[17:21] Why baptisest thou then? If thou be not the Christ. Nor Elias. Neither that prophet. John answered them saying. I have baptised with water.
[17:33] But there standeth one among you. Whom ye know not. He it is. Who coming after me is prepared before me. Whose shoe latcheth. Am not worthy to unrose.
[17:45] These things were done in Bethabara. Beyond Jordan. Where John was baptising. The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him.
[17:57] And saith. Behold. The Lamb of God. Which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said. After me cometh a man which is prepared before me.
[18:10] For he was before me. And I knew him not. But that he should be made manifest to Israel. Therefore I am come baptising with water.
[18:22] And John bear record saying. I saw the spirit descending from heaven like a dove. And it abode upon him. And I knew him not. But he that sent me to baptise with water.
[18:35] The same said unto me. Upon whom thou shalt see the spirit descending. And remaining on him. The same is he which baptiseth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw.
[18:47] And bear record. That this is the Son of God. Again the next day after John stood. And the two of his disciples. And looking upon Jesus as he walked.
[18:59] Walked he said. Behold. The Lamb of God. And the two disciples heard him speak. And they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned and saw him.
[19:10] Following and saith unto him. What seek ye? They said unto him. Rabbi. Which is to save the interpreted master. Where dwellest thou?
[19:22] He saith unto them. Come and see. They came and saw where he dwell. And abode with him that day. For it was about the tenth hour. One of the two which heard John speak.
[19:34] And followed him. Was Andrew. Simon Peter's brother. He findeth his own brother Simon. And saith unto him. We have found the Messiah. Which is being interpreted by Christ.
[19:47] And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him. He said. Thou art Simon the son of John. Thou shalt be called Cephas. Which is by interpretation.
[20:00] As shown. Amen. And may God bless. The public reading. Of his holy work. Well again. Sing to God's praise again.
[20:10] From Psalm 78. We'll sing from verse 5. This time. His testimony and his law. An Israel heeded place. And charged our fathers up to show.
[20:21] To their succeeding race. That so the race which was become. Might dwell and learn and know. And sons unborn who should arise. Might do their sons in show.
[20:31] That they might set their hope in God. And suffer not to fall. This mighty works out of their mind. But keep this peace itself. And might not like their fathers be.
[20:44] A stiff rebellious race. A race not right in heart with God. Whose spirit not steadfast was. And send these verses. And send these verses. For his face. His testimony.
[20:59] And his law. In Israel he defaced. And charged our fathers.
[21:15] Sent to show. To their succeeding race. But so the race which was to come.
[21:34] Mine well then learn and know. And sons unborn who should arise.
[21:49] Mine well then learn and know. Mine well then learn and know. And their sons then show. That they might send their hope in God.
[22:06] And suffer not to fall. In mighty works.
[22:17] And of their might. But keep this peace itself. And might not like them.
[22:36] And others be. A stiff rebellious race.
[22:46] A race not right. In heart with God. Whoseì „ym.
[22:57] Our meeting had been broken up.
[23:28] We pray that we would not take these things for granted. We recognise that in many places across the world there are many that would desire to meet together with us but are unable to do so because of persecution.
[23:46] Heavenly Father, as we gather here this day we pray that we would indeed focus on your work. Father, what your work has to say to each and every one of us as an individual not to the person on our right or on our left but what your work teaches us.
[24:05] As we recognise, Heavenly Father, that your work indeed speaks to us all. It teaches us, it corrects us, it directs us.
[24:17] And we pray that we would indeed be open for your directing, your correcting and your teaching us. We pray for the congregation here during a time of latency.
[24:31] We do indeed thank you for Mr McDonald's grateful ministry here over many years. And we pray, Heavenly Father, as the congregation seek your guidance as they go forward that they would indeed know your work and that your will indeed be done.
[24:48] We pray for the direction for Thomas Davis as inter-moderator for the congregation and as he seeks to guide and lead the congregation that Heavenly Father that you would strengthen him and you would equip him and that you would indeed give him wisdom.
[25:09] We know, Heavenly Father, that you have a man set aside for this place. And we pray that as you direct the congregation to him that he would indeed give a blessing and to come under the preaching of your work.
[25:26] That we recognise that in this time of vacancy that each one has a hope. We see empty pews before us. And we recognise, Heavenly Father, that while there is still time there is room for many more.
[25:42] And as the congregation pray to see these seats filled we pray, Heavenly Father, that as we witness within our own communities that we would see people coming and hungering and thirsting up again.
[25:56] So guide us as we look at your work and may it teach us according to your will and to your purpose. And that we would be open each one of us to be used by you in Jesus' name.
[26:12] Amen. We turn to the passage that we read in the Gospel of John in the first chapter.
[26:26] We see how John in the first section of the passage gives us an overview right from the very beginning in creation.
[26:42] If God created the world and if God sent his Son to be a light in the world darkness had come into the world because of sin that God sent his Son to be a light.
[26:58] What I want to do is look at not the first 18 verses but from verse 19 down to the end of the verse 42 that we read.
[27:09] I want us to look at the testimony of John the Baptist. I want us to think of the witness of John the Baptist and then to touch on the legacy of John the Baptist.
[27:23] And the thinking of these points is applying to our own hearts. what is our testimony of who Jesus is?
[27:35] What is our witness for Jesus? and what legacy are we leaving within our own community? Not for ourselves but for Jesus.
[27:48] in verse 10 where we read it says he was in the world and the world was made by him and the world knew him not.
[28:03] Obviously John in the record that he's given there is that Jesus was in the world the world was made by Jesus and God but the world did not recognise him.
[28:18] because he was here on earth across the island across the world we've just over the past few weeks celebrated Christmas where people have come together in recognition that Jesus was born.
[28:37] Some would have acknowledged that he was the son of God some would have just used the opportunity to get together with family and to give and receive gifts.
[28:48] and no real clear understanding of who Jesus really was. People would have come together gathered round a Christmas tree maybe some carols enjoyed the sound of them brought them back to their youth but no real thought of who the son of God really was.
[29:10] in the passage that we read there are three different sayings that are attributed to Jesus the first of those is in verse 38 where the disciples are following Jesus and he turns and he says to them what seek ye?
[29:35] the second in verse 39 when the disciples respond to Jesus' question he tells them to come and see I don't know the circumstances of each and every one of you here tonight but there might be some of you who are like these disciples following Jesus at a distance you've heard about him you maybe want to find out more about him and the question is to you what seeked ye?
[30:10] and then the further answer to you is come and see come and see and find out more about who Jesus is we all come here tonight seeking something whether we admit it or not there are many of us here who come to seek a deeper knowledge and understanding of Jesus so that our walk with Jesus will indeed be better there are some of us who have come here without habit we come because it's not in practice the question to you is what it is you're seeking tonight but whatever the reason is I ask you to come with me as we go through the passage and see what it is that Jesus is saying to each one of us let's look at the testimony of John the Baptist we find that John here has been caught by the Levites and the priests those that are knowledgeable in the scriptures they've been sent they've been sent there by the Pharisees as we find out later on and they want to find out who John is wasn't a particularly friendly group as we see the way they question them going on but let's see how John responds to what we've said they would have come and they would have met
[31:57] John the Baptist knowing John's history they would have known because John's father as we read probably in the weeks leading up to the period of Christmas John's father was Zechariah his mother was Elizabeth Zechariah was at peace the Levites should have known that but yet they come and they ask John who are you what they really were looking at was we know who you are but who are you really who really are you John knew exactly what they were getting at they didn't ask him are you the Christ but the answer swipes away and says to them I am not the Christ immediately John turns any opportunity for glory on himself he turns it away
[32:58] I already read that he came to bear witness he came to prepare the way they press him again are you a lighter somebody asked why did they ask him whether he was a lighter in Malachi 4 verse 5 and 6 it says behold I will send you alive to the prophet before the coming of that great and dreadful day of the Lord and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children and the heart of the children to the fathers lest they come and smite the earth for the curse but again John responds I am not they then ask him are you that prophet why did they ask him are you that prophet they didn't ask him are you the prophet they asked are you that prophet and in Deuteronomy 18 it's recorded there but it says the Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a prophet from the midst of thee of thy brethren like unto me unto him you shall hearken according to all what thou desirest of the Lord thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly saying let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God neither let me see the great fire anymore that I die not and the Lord said unto me they have well spoken that which they have spoken
[34:36] I will raise up a prophet from among them from among their brethren like unto thee and will put my words in his mouth and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command again John replied I am not these men came questioning to find out what they knew from scripture was John Elijah was he that prophet that had been spoken of but each time John says no they are not satisfied with John's answers and they come and they say who art thou that we may give an answer to them that are set first what sayest thou of thyself that's a question that we can ask ourselves what do we say about ourselves when somebody comes and asks who are we
[35:40] John's answer is clear and it's taken straight from scripture as we see in verse 23 he said I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness which straight the way of the Lord as said the prophet he says as we know that's taken from the prophecy of Isaiah in chapter 40 the voice of him that cried in wilderness prepared ye the way of the Lord make straight in the desert the highway fertile every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill shall be made low and the crooked shall be made straight and the rough places plain and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together for the loud mouth of the Lord has spoken and John was asked to testify as to who he was even straight to scripture and we're asked who we are and what's the first thing that we're inclined to say is it for glory for ourselves and for what we do what we identify ourselves to be or do we actually say to people
[36:56] I'm a child of God I'm a Christian I seek to glorify and worship God John had been given a task he knew exactly why he was born and he did it he sought no glory for himself he came to prepare the way for the king of kings and think back maybe not an hour lifetime that we'll have read in days gone by when the king or the queen used to come into a town or a village there would have been a herald running in front of them to prepare the crowd to let them know here the roads the king or the queen was coming and very quickly the gaze would be off the herald onto the member of the royal family that was coming John came to prepare the way for the king of kings he sought no glory for himself voice one of the commentators writing on this said you cannot see a voice you can only hear it no one looks much at the workman who is only preparing the road for the coming of the king yet this is what John the baptist declared to be a voice and a workman the last thing in the world he wanted was for men to look at him he said elsewhere he must become greater
[38:28] I must become less John wanted men to forget him and only see the king and voice goes on what is it that will make a person forget himself in order to point to Jesus only an awareness of the worth of his glory as we step into a new year do we truly have an awareness of the worth of Jesus is it foremost in our minds do we know him are we walking with him are we enjoying him every day many of us would have learned the catechism growing up and will have quoted and maybe even quoted now man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever is that your testimony today that you seek to be a witness for God and glorify
[39:39] God each and every day John the Baptist had a testimony what's our testimony John the Baptist was also a witness let's just look at the witness of John the Baptist verse 26 says John answered them saying I have baptized with water but there stand this one among you whom you know not John had come to point people to Jesus they did not know him even though he was amongst them but when the opportunity presented itself for John he didn't miss the opportunity he didn't shy away we read in verse 29 the next day John seeeth Jesus coming up unto him and saith behold the
[40:43] Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world now we know that John the Baptist was the lifestyle that was very different to each and every one of us we know that people went out into the wilderness just to see this man that lived a different lifestyle a lifestyle that they wouldn't choose to live themselves but they still went to see him why did they go and see him because John had a witness voice says a witness must move out of the area of life and into the area of workì „ important it is living the Christian life that by itself it is not enough for a complete witness there must be a verbal witness
[41:43] John seeking behold, or look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
[42:00] John's witness was spoken. And it was spoken in a manner and in a language that the people round about him in that day would have understood.
[42:12] The Lamb of God who was around would have been acquainted with the use of lambs for sacrifice. And here John points to Jesus as being the Lamb of God.
[42:26] He takes away sin. When lambs were offered for sacrifice it was an acknowledgement that the sin committed by the person that presented the lamb that their sins would be forgiven.
[42:43] And only through this act was their sin paid for. And this was the very purpose for which Jesus came to take away his sin and restore the relationship that had been broken between God and man.
[43:03] And what was the extent of the sacrifice it was that the sin of the world was taken away? For the sacrifice of this one Lamb, the Lamb of God, the sin of the world was removed and paid for.
[43:20] The extent or impact of the sacrifice was for everyone. In 13 words that John spoke in his witness, behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.
[43:32] In that witness, he points directly to Jesus. He speaks directly about what Jesus came to do and tells that it wasn't just for one person Jesus died.
[43:48] He died for all. And if they come and believe in him, their sins will be forgiven. Again, those that were gathered around about John when he spoke would have known the scriptures.
[44:03] In Isaiah 53 it says, Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. Yet we did esteem him stricken, spitting of God and afflicted. For he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities.
[44:17] The chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we have healed. While we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned everyone to his own way.
[44:29] And the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. John bailed soon and he spoke a level of knowledge and understanding when the crowd were round about him.
[44:48] Sadly we're living in a day and a generation but that's not the case. We see church numbers declining. We see your census figures telling us that there's one in three people living within the Western Islands who have no faith, no interest in knowing Jesus.
[45:11] How are we meeting that need in our witness for Christ today? are we presenting the Gospels in a way that people understand?
[45:24] The message doesn't change but we need to be able to get alongside people and speak in a way that they understand and still within them a desire to seek Jesus.
[45:36] We see here that John witnessed clearly for Jesus. He cried out Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.
[45:52] On this occasion when John spoke what we don't see or read is that anybody actually followed Jesus. We could take that as an encouragement for ourselves.
[46:04] that we're called to be witnesses but it won't be that every time we witness for Jesus that we'll see a conversion. We should be seeking it but be encouraged to keep witnessing as John did because we read there in verse 35 and the next day after John stood and two of his disciples and looking upon Jesus as he walked he said Behold the Lamb of God.
[46:46] John didn't give up witnessing for Jesus just because nobody followed him. He went back out the following day and he went back out for the same message.
[46:58] Look to Jesus. It's that message that you need to hear today look to Jesus. And what do we see?
[47:10] It's a new day for John it's a new opportunity and what do we learn? As John spoke two of the men that stood with him follow Jesus.
[47:23] What does that teach us about John's witness? The names of John's witness were spoken in such a way that other people heard it.
[47:38] It wasn't just a case of John mumbling under his breath look to Jesus or saying something that was going to appease his own conscience. He spoke in such a way that those around about him heard we read in verse 57 and the two disciples heard him speak and what was the result?
[48:03] The second part of the verse tells us that they followed Jesus. Those disciples may have been around the day before they may have heard John witness then about the Lamb of God but they didn't respond the woman on this occasion who did.
[48:24] Who have you been witnessing to? They had and still they seemed a little closer to God. John didn't give up.
[48:36] I pray it would be that none of us give up witnessing for those that they love that are close to us. we don't know when God will open somebody's heart.
[48:50] We're well aware of the story of Lydia. Lydia was at the place of prayer when God opened her heart. We don't read that something spectacular happened but her heart was open and we pray that as we witness that God will open hearts.
[49:12] Take encouragement in John's witness. Not every opportunity will see fruit but if we're persistent we just don't know what God will do in opening somebody's heart and where God will take them we're just called to be faithful in our witness.
[49:38] the testimony of John the witness of John and finally let's just think of the legacy of John the Baptist. If I was to ask many of you here what was the legacy of John the Baptist.
[49:58] Well we know that he was born to Zechariah and Elizabeth. We know that he lived in the wilderness. We know that he wore camels hair.
[50:09] He ate locusts and wild pine. And we know that he was beheaded by Herod. But is that John's legacy? Go on did you pick it up as we read in verses 37-39 and the two disciples heard him speak and they followed Jesus.
[50:32] Then Jesus turned and saw him following and said unto them what seek ye? They said unto him Rabbi which is this being interpreted master.
[50:44] Where dwellest thou? They said unto them come and seek. He came and saw where he dwell and abode with him that day which was about the tent tower.
[50:56] These disciples went with Jesus and viewed the likeness of the arrow. They stayed with him. They got to know him. Then the important part in verse 40-42.
[51:07] One of the two which heard John speak and followed him was Andrew Simon Peter's brother. He found his own brother Simon and said unto him we have found the Messiah which is being interpreted to Christ and he brought him to Jesus.
[51:30] Andrew heard a witness from John the Baptist. His heart was stirred to seek to know more about Jesus. And he followed him. He found out for Jesus' sake and he went with him and spent time with him.
[51:47] And having spent time with him his heart was moved to go and find his brother. And he went and he found his brother and not only did he bear witness to his brother but he brought his brother to Jesus.
[52:03] And what did Jesus say? in the second part the verse 42 and when Jesus beheld him he said thou art Simon the son of Jonah thou shalt be called Cephas which is by interpretation a stone.
[52:22] And then again Jesus spoke of Peter in Matthew 16 and verse 18 was his brother and his brother was Simon who became Peter and on Peter the church was built.
[53:06] And sometimes this, that's a legacy of the witness of John the Baptist. John came to be a voice kind and alobey prepared a way and he fulfilled that call and more.
[53:24] If you're a Christian here tonight what is God calling you to do? The fact of the matter is it's the exact same as John was sent to do.
[53:37] John was to prepare the way for Christ coming to earth to the first thing that we are commissioned to prepare for Christ's coming back. Matthew 28 verse 19 Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.
[54:04] And lo I am with you always even unto the end of the world. Andrew was only one of two people that we read of that came to follow Jesus following the witness of John the Baptist.
[54:22] The second many commentators believe is John that wrote this sorcerer. What a legacy for the witness of one man when he tried out behold the Lamb of God.
[54:40] What legacy are you as a Christian leaving for Christ? Are you quite delivering for each day hoping that someone sees you or sees something in you that points them to Christ?
[54:57] Or are you walking with them speaking of them and looking for opportunity to leave people in no doubt of their need to be saved and that Jesus is the only one that can save them.
[55:12] Finally, there may be some of you here this evening that have no testimony on who Jesus is. You may be thinking, well, I've survived this long without him.
[55:26] Why do I need him now? Why do I have a need of Jesus? But if the truth be told, you're here tonight, you're like these two disciples that heard of Jesus.
[55:41] And the word, when John called out, behold the lamp, they sought to hear more. They sought to find out more about Jesus. And they started following.
[55:54] And Jesus said to them, what are you seeking? Come and seek. And you might sit there and say, that's not the case for me.
[56:05] I always come here. I come here out of respect. I come here to give somebody a lift to make sure that they can be here. What does it say in verse 13 where they read?
[56:20] About man which were born, not of blood, not of the will of the flesh, not of the will of man. but of God. We acknowledge that we are a sovereign God.
[56:33] God who has desired for each and every one of us to be here this evening. Whatever circumstances we think we're in control of, God is taking you here so that you may behold the land and look to the land that takes away the sin of the world.
[56:51] That sin that includes your sin and my sin. When John called out behold the land of God, you had a purpose for me.
[57:05] I ask, what purpose does God have for you when you prepare to follow the land of God and see God fulfill his promise.
[57:19] My prayer would be that he would come and that he would see Jesus, he would meet Jesus and that he would walk with Jesus all the days of your life.
[57:30] Let us pray. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for your word to us.
[57:42] We thank you for the testimony and witness of John the Baptist. We thank you, Heavenly Father, for the legacy through his witness. Andrew went to find Simon Peter.
[57:56] And as Jesus said on his walk, I will build my church. And we pray that each one of us gather a few of us would indeed know what it is to behold the Lamb of God.
[58:08] It takes away the sin of God. That we would indeed come and that we would believe and that you would follow and walk in his ways and go out and be a witness to us within this community across this nation.
[58:25] As you have promised that you are coming back, because if it had not been the case, you would have told us also that you have promised that you are coming back, coming back to take us to be with you.
[58:38] And in your Father's house there are indeed many of us. we pray Heavenly Father that while we have time here, that we would recognize the first of you, and that we would answer that call.
[58:52] What seek is that? Come and see the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. Let me ask this in Jesus' precious name. Amen. We conclude with our worship of God this evening, singing in Psalm 51.
[59:14] Psalm 51 we'll sing to verse 7 down to the end of verse Mark 13. Did thou with hyssop spring to me, I shall be cleansed so. He washed on me and then I shall be quite there than the snow.
[59:27] Of gladness and of joyfulness we need to hear the voice that so he's very going as broken very joys. All my iniquities pour out thy face from my sin.
[59:40] Create a clean heart, Lord, renew a right spirit me within. Cast me not from my sight, not take thy Holy Spirit away. Restore me thy salvation's joy, with thy free spirit peace.
[59:52] And will I teach thy ways unto those that transgressors be, and those that sinners are, shall then return unto thee. Send these verses to God's place.
[60:03] To thou with hast of stranger me, I shall be cleansed soul.
[60:21] Yea, watch thee, and then I shall be whiter than the snow.
[60:37] All gladness and all joyfulness make me to hear the voice!
[60:56] God's soul is ready who lifts up as broken may rejoice.
[61:12] For my name is brought to die life is high from my sin.
[61:30] Create and lead heart for greater! Arise and be within!
[61:46] cast me not from thy side nor take thy holy spread away!
[62:05] Reward me in eyes of vision's joy joy where thy peace will me stay!
[62:23] Then where I teach my ways unto those that transgress me and those sons in our child and shall then be turning unto thee.
[62:59] The cause of the benediction. Pray to him who is able to keep you from somewhere and to present you hopeless before the presence of his Lord exceding joy to God our Saviour who alone is wise the glory and majesty and dominion of both now and forever more.
[63:20] Amen.