WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.080 Well, we've begun a bit of a series working through the Gospel of John, 00:00:08.419 --> 00:00:13.880 and we kind of started it back about Christmastime, 00:00:14.200 --> 00:00:17.359 and we're still pretty close to the beginning here. 00:00:17.460 --> 00:00:20.699 So far we've seen that there's a couple things that John wants to make clear 00:00:20.699 --> 00:00:23.199 before he starts telling the story. 00:00:24.580 --> 00:00:28.839 And this morning we're actually looking forward to getting into the story, 00:00:28.839 --> 00:00:32.740 to seeing the first event that John records for us. 00:00:33.399 --> 00:00:37.539 This morning we're going to be talking about John the Baptizer. 00:00:39.039 --> 00:00:43.579 Just like in the Gospel of Mark, this is where John chooses to start the story. 00:00:44.519 --> 00:00:48.179 John has been very clear that this isn't the beginning of Jesus' story, 00:00:48.760 --> 00:00:51.700 that his story actually goes back to the very beginning. 00:00:52.159 --> 00:00:56.579 And back then he was with God and was God. 00:00:56.579 --> 00:01:00.699 But as far as the events of Jesus' story goes, 00:01:00.839 --> 00:01:05.319 this is the place that he chooses to begin with John the Baptizer. 00:01:05.439 --> 00:01:10.379 And we kind of skipped over some of those verses in verses 6 to 8 and in verse 15, 00:01:10.459 --> 00:01:13.439 so we're going to go back and look at those this morning. 00:01:13.579 --> 00:01:16.000 So I'm going to actually just start right from verse 1, 00:01:16.039 --> 00:01:18.180 and we'll read verses 1 to 9. 00:01:18.579 --> 00:01:20.980 If you have your Bible, feel free to open it up. 00:01:20.980 --> 00:01:23.500 If you're using the Pew Bibles, it's 860. 00:01:25.740 --> 00:01:28.480 John 1 verse 1, John writes this, 00:01:28.480 --> 00:01:32.120 In the beginning was the Word, 00:01:32.760 --> 00:01:35.100 and the Word was with God, 00:01:35.460 --> 00:01:37.700 and the Word was God. 00:01:38.640 --> 00:01:41.880 He was with God in the beginning. 00:01:43.300 --> 00:01:46.000 Through him all things were made. 00:01:47.080 --> 00:01:50.859 Without him nothing was made that has been made. 00:01:50.859 --> 00:01:54.019 In him was life. 00:01:54.019 --> 00:01:59.120 And the life was the light of all mankind. 00:02:00.159 --> 00:02:02.420 The light shines in the darkness, 00:02:02.879 --> 00:02:06.280 and the darkness has not overcome it. 00:02:07.659 --> 00:02:11.379 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 00:02:12.360 --> 00:02:17.740 He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, 00:02:17.740 --> 00:02:21.879 so that through him all might believe. 00:02:22.700 --> 00:02:24.760 He himself was not the light. 00:02:25.420 --> 00:02:28.439 He came only as a witness to the light. 00:02:29.360 --> 00:02:33.020 The true light that gives light to everyone 00:02:33.020 --> 00:02:35.320 was coming into the world. 00:02:36.900 --> 00:02:41.280 And so as John begins to ease us into the story of Jesus, 00:02:41.840 --> 00:02:44.540 he lets us know that there was a man named John, 00:02:45.160 --> 00:02:45.939 a different John. 00:02:45.939 --> 00:02:48.359 He's referring to John the baptizer. 00:02:49.240 --> 00:02:51.460 And this man, he says in verse 6, 00:02:51.699 --> 00:02:53.379 was sent from God. 00:02:54.120 --> 00:02:57.539 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 00:02:58.859 --> 00:03:02.479 And John's purpose, John tells us, 00:03:03.139 --> 00:03:08.979 was to be a witness and to testify concerning the light. 00:03:09.620 --> 00:03:13.840 He came as a witness to testify concerning the light. 00:03:13.840 --> 00:03:18.319 Now what light is John referring to? 00:03:19.219 --> 00:03:21.180 We see this in the context, 00:03:21.280 --> 00:03:24.159 in what has come before and in what comes after. 00:03:26.240 --> 00:03:28.740 John is talking about the Word, 00:03:29.420 --> 00:03:31.819 who was with God and was God, 00:03:32.259 --> 00:03:33.780 even back in the beginning, 00:03:33.900 --> 00:03:35.259 before all things were made. 00:03:36.000 --> 00:03:37.439 And in verse 4 he says, 00:03:37.439 --> 00:03:39.159 in him, in the Word, 00:03:39.259 --> 00:03:39.900 was life. 00:03:40.900 --> 00:03:42.079 And the life, 00:03:42.139 --> 00:03:45.680 he actually names the Word using a different name, 00:03:45.759 --> 00:03:48.300 and the life was the light 00:03:48.300 --> 00:03:50.639 of all mankind. 00:03:51.780 --> 00:03:54.039 The light is a person. 00:03:54.039 --> 00:03:58.400 And we see that really clearly down in verse 9. 00:03:58.599 --> 00:03:59.039 He says, 00:03:59.419 --> 00:04:01.959 the true light that gives light to everyone 00:04:01.959 --> 00:04:03.859 was coming into the world. 00:04:04.359 --> 00:04:06.319 He was in the world. 00:04:07.199 --> 00:04:12.180 So the light that John came to bear witness to 00:04:12.180 --> 00:04:14.859 and to testify about was a person. 00:04:15.019 --> 00:04:16.899 And if we keep reading this all the way down, 00:04:16.980 --> 00:04:19.480 we see very clearly that it's Jesus. 00:04:20.439 --> 00:04:21.480 He is the light. 00:04:21.480 --> 00:04:24.800 John tells us that 00:04:24.800 --> 00:04:27.620 John the Baptizer came as a witness 00:04:27.620 --> 00:04:29.800 to testify concerning him 00:04:29.800 --> 00:04:32.460 so that through him 00:04:32.460 --> 00:04:34.120 all might believe. 00:04:34.879 --> 00:04:37.900 So that through John's testimony, 00:04:38.759 --> 00:04:41.280 others might hear what John is saying 00:04:41.280 --> 00:04:43.980 and come to the right conclusion 00:04:43.980 --> 00:04:45.400 about this one, 00:04:45.879 --> 00:04:46.220 Jesus, 00:04:46.460 --> 00:04:48.840 who is walking among us. 00:04:48.839 --> 00:04:52.500 John is very careful 00:04:52.500 --> 00:04:55.379 to help us avoid any confusion. 00:04:55.560 --> 00:04:56.159 In verse 8, 00:04:56.259 --> 00:04:56.699 he says, 00:04:57.019 --> 00:04:59.259 he himself was not the light. 00:05:00.079 --> 00:05:01.419 John the Baptizer, 00:05:01.560 --> 00:05:02.779 he wasn't the light. 00:05:03.599 --> 00:05:05.179 Don't make any mistake here. 00:05:05.279 --> 00:05:07.239 He came only as a witness 00:05:07.239 --> 00:05:08.819 to the light. 00:05:11.159 --> 00:05:12.259 John comes back 00:05:12.259 --> 00:05:13.519 to say a little bit more 00:05:13.519 --> 00:05:14.939 about John the Baptizer 00:05:14.939 --> 00:05:16.139 down in verse 15. 00:05:16.139 --> 00:05:19.240 And we'll read that, 00:05:19.519 --> 00:05:21.379 but we'll start it in verse 14. 00:05:22.180 --> 00:05:23.419 John writes this, 00:05:23.919 --> 00:05:26.360 The Word became flesh 00:05:26.360 --> 00:05:29.199 and made his dwelling among us. 00:05:29.939 --> 00:05:32.560 We have seen his glory, 00:05:33.139 --> 00:05:36.360 the glory of the one and only Son 00:05:36.360 --> 00:05:38.680 who came from the Father, 00:05:39.199 --> 00:05:42.120 full of grace and truth. 00:05:42.120 --> 00:05:45.500 John testified concerning him. 00:05:46.500 --> 00:05:47.519 He cried out, 00:05:47.899 --> 00:05:48.259 saying, 00:05:48.660 --> 00:05:51.120 This is the one I spoke about 00:05:51.120 --> 00:05:51.980 when I said, 00:05:52.379 --> 00:05:53.920 He who comes after me 00:05:53.920 --> 00:05:56.120 has surpassed me 00:05:56.120 --> 00:05:58.959 because he was before me. 00:06:00.420 --> 00:06:01.519 So John, 00:06:01.680 --> 00:06:02.899 the Apostle, 00:06:02.980 --> 00:06:03.879 who's writing this, 00:06:04.259 --> 00:06:06.040 makes it quite clear 00:06:06.040 --> 00:06:09.340 that John the Baptizer 00:06:09.340 --> 00:06:11.500 testified concerning Jesus, 00:06:11.879 --> 00:06:12.720 the Word, 00:06:12.939 --> 00:06:14.240 who became flesh, 00:06:15.040 --> 00:06:15.700 the Son, 00:06:16.300 --> 00:06:17.540 who came from the Father. 00:06:18.620 --> 00:06:20.120 John testified about him, 00:06:20.320 --> 00:06:23.320 and this is what he records of this. 00:06:23.379 --> 00:06:23.700 He says, 00:06:23.780 --> 00:06:24.620 He cried out, 00:06:24.740 --> 00:06:26.820 John the Baptizer cried out, 00:06:26.920 --> 00:06:27.220 saying, 00:06:27.640 --> 00:06:29.200 This is the one 00:06:29.200 --> 00:06:31.100 I spoke about 00:06:31.100 --> 00:06:31.920 when I said, 00:06:32.480 --> 00:06:34.180 He who comes after me. 00:06:34.180 --> 00:06:36.079 And he goes on. 00:06:36.819 --> 00:06:38.340 You can almost imagine 00:06:38.340 --> 00:06:40.639 John the Baptizer 00:06:40.639 --> 00:06:43.840 standing in the river 00:06:43.840 --> 00:06:46.019 or at the water's edge 00:06:46.019 --> 00:06:49.720 and maybe pointing with his hand 00:06:49.720 --> 00:06:50.500 or with his finger. 00:06:50.639 --> 00:06:51.920 This is the one. 00:06:53.639 --> 00:06:55.740 There was a time in John's ministry 00:06:55.740 --> 00:06:57.399 when his message changed. 00:06:58.300 --> 00:06:59.680 And you can see that 00:06:59.680 --> 00:07:01.780 very clearly in verse 15. 00:07:01.779 --> 00:07:04.339 His message for some time was, 00:07:04.779 --> 00:07:05.779 He who comes, 00:07:06.539 --> 00:07:07.859 there is one coming. 00:07:09.099 --> 00:07:10.500 But there came a moment 00:07:10.500 --> 00:07:11.939 where his message changed 00:07:11.939 --> 00:07:13.339 from He who comes 00:07:13.339 --> 00:07:15.699 to this is the one. 00:07:17.459 --> 00:07:19.459 This is the one right here 00:07:19.459 --> 00:07:22.819 that I spoke about earlier. 00:07:23.299 --> 00:07:24.419 Do you remember what I said? 00:07:24.420 --> 00:07:26.500 I said, 00:07:26.860 --> 00:07:28.560 He who comes after me 00:07:28.560 --> 00:07:31.580 has surpassed me 00:07:31.580 --> 00:07:34.600 because He was before me. 00:07:36.379 --> 00:07:39.680 What is John the Baptizer 00:07:39.680 --> 00:07:42.980 meaning as he says this? 00:07:43.060 --> 00:07:44.620 He who comes after me 00:07:44.620 --> 00:07:46.460 has surpassed me 00:07:46.460 --> 00:07:49.200 because He was before me. 00:07:49.199 --> 00:07:52.560 Well, ordinarily, 00:07:52.879 --> 00:07:54.879 the one who comes first 00:07:54.879 --> 00:07:57.019 is greater than the one who follows. 00:07:57.479 --> 00:07:58.740 It's not always true, 00:07:58.819 --> 00:08:00.759 but generally there's some truth to that. 00:08:01.339 --> 00:08:03.480 But John the Baptizer 00:08:03.480 --> 00:08:04.959 wants it to be known. 00:08:05.060 --> 00:08:06.139 He wants it to be clear 00:08:06.139 --> 00:08:09.039 that the one who follows Him 00:08:09.039 --> 00:08:12.039 is greater than He is. 00:08:12.680 --> 00:08:15.500 He is kind of a forerunner 00:08:15.500 --> 00:08:17.540 just because He's first, 00:08:17.800 --> 00:08:19.860 He's on the scene of ministry, 00:08:19.980 --> 00:08:21.860 attracting people's attention first 00:08:21.860 --> 00:08:23.459 doesn't mean that He's greater. 00:08:24.540 --> 00:08:26.000 In fact, we even know that 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:27.139 from Luke's Gospel 00:08:27.139 --> 00:08:29.079 that John the Baptizer was born 00:08:29.079 --> 00:08:32.340 before Jesus was born. 00:08:33.759 --> 00:08:36.139 And so in a very true sense, 00:08:36.320 --> 00:08:39.480 Jesus came after John. 00:08:40.879 --> 00:08:43.000 But John does not want there 00:08:43.000 --> 00:08:44.279 to be any confusion, 00:08:44.279 --> 00:08:46.220 even though He appears 00:08:46.220 --> 00:08:47.539 to the crowds 00:08:47.539 --> 00:08:49.000 and is known to the crowds 00:08:49.000 --> 00:08:49.879 after me. 00:08:49.980 --> 00:08:51.079 He comes after me. 00:08:52.860 --> 00:08:54.779 He has surpassed me. 00:08:54.899 --> 00:08:57.579 He ranks higher than I 00:08:57.579 --> 00:09:02.059 because He was before me. 00:09:04.120 --> 00:09:05.899 And I think John 00:09:05.899 --> 00:09:09.039 is already beginning to point 00:09:09.039 --> 00:09:10.179 to the reality 00:09:10.179 --> 00:09:11.860 that John the Apostle 00:09:11.860 --> 00:09:14.320 has been letting us in on here, 00:09:14.399 --> 00:09:15.019 that Jesus, 00:09:15.460 --> 00:09:16.580 His story 00:09:16.580 --> 00:09:17.560 goes back 00:09:17.560 --> 00:09:19.340 to the beginning, 00:09:19.500 --> 00:09:20.700 to long before John 00:09:20.700 --> 00:09:22.060 was on the scene, 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:23.279 to long before John 00:09:23.279 --> 00:09:23.879 was born. 00:09:25.840 --> 00:09:27.460 And so there was this moment 00:09:27.460 --> 00:09:27.960 where 00:09:27.960 --> 00:09:30.019 John's message 00:09:30.019 --> 00:09:30.740 changed 00:09:30.740 --> 00:09:31.940 from He who comes 00:09:31.940 --> 00:09:34.159 to this is the one. 00:09:34.200 --> 00:09:35.419 And we're going to get to that 00:09:35.419 --> 00:09:36.920 next Sunday. 00:09:36.919 --> 00:09:41.339 This is how 00:09:41.339 --> 00:09:43.519 the first event 00:09:43.519 --> 00:09:46.579 in John's account 00:09:46.579 --> 00:09:47.159 of things 00:09:47.159 --> 00:09:48.019 unfolds. 00:09:48.019 --> 00:09:48.620 Let's read it 00:09:48.620 --> 00:09:49.599 in verse 19. 00:09:50.299 --> 00:09:51.459 Now this was 00:09:51.459 --> 00:09:52.519 John's testimony, 00:09:52.719 --> 00:09:53.599 John the Baptizer, 00:09:53.939 --> 00:09:55.399 when the Jewish leaders 00:09:55.399 --> 00:09:56.479 in Jerusalem 00:09:56.479 --> 00:09:58.120 sent priests 00:09:58.120 --> 00:09:59.419 and Levites 00:09:59.419 --> 00:10:00.259 to ask Him 00:10:00.259 --> 00:10:01.339 who He was. 00:10:02.219 --> 00:10:03.419 He did not fail 00:10:03.419 --> 00:10:04.240 to confess, 00:10:04.539 --> 00:10:05.799 but confessed freely, 00:10:05.799 --> 00:10:07.539 I am not 00:10:07.539 --> 00:10:08.199 the Messiah. 00:10:09.539 --> 00:10:10.539 They asked Him, 00:10:10.919 --> 00:10:11.839 Then who are you? 00:10:12.779 --> 00:10:13.819 Are you Elijah? 00:10:14.939 --> 00:10:15.699 He said, 00:10:15.740 --> 00:10:16.339 I am not. 00:10:17.639 --> 00:10:18.779 Are you the prophet? 00:10:19.859 --> 00:10:20.779 He answered, 00:10:21.299 --> 00:10:21.679 No. 00:10:23.240 --> 00:10:23.740 Finally, 00:10:23.819 --> 00:10:24.179 they said, 00:10:24.359 --> 00:10:25.120 Who are you? 00:10:25.679 --> 00:10:26.620 Give us an answer 00:10:26.620 --> 00:10:27.359 to take back 00:10:27.359 --> 00:10:28.679 to those who sent us. 00:10:29.159 --> 00:10:30.159 What do you say 00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:30.899 about yourself? 00:10:32.259 --> 00:10:33.279 John replied 00:10:33.279 --> 00:10:33.879 in the words 00:10:33.879 --> 00:10:34.879 of Isaiah the prophet, 00:10:34.879 --> 00:10:37.200 I am the voice 00:10:37.200 --> 00:10:38.179 of one 00:10:38.179 --> 00:10:39.840 calling in the wilderness. 00:10:41.100 --> 00:10:42.259 Make straight 00:10:42.259 --> 00:10:43.179 the way 00:10:43.179 --> 00:10:44.419 for the Lord. 00:10:48.100 --> 00:10:48.700 So, 00:10:48.799 --> 00:10:50.659 here John is 00:10:50.659 --> 00:10:51.500 out at the river. 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:53.200 He's teaching. 00:10:53.620 --> 00:10:54.720 He's preaching. 00:10:54.939 --> 00:10:56.639 He's baptizing people. 00:10:56.639 --> 00:10:56.699 people. 00:10:57.899 --> 00:10:59.439 And the Jewish leaders 00:10:59.439 --> 00:11:00.399 in Jerusalem 00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:02.220 catch word of this. 00:11:03.480 --> 00:11:05.319 And as we know 00:11:05.319 --> 00:11:06.740 from the scriptures, 00:11:07.019 --> 00:11:07.699 they kind of saw 00:11:07.699 --> 00:11:08.500 themselves as 00:11:08.500 --> 00:11:09.759 the spiritual authority 00:11:09.759 --> 00:11:12.980 of the nation, 00:11:13.100 --> 00:11:13.819 of the people. 00:11:14.960 --> 00:11:16.059 And so naturally, 00:11:16.279 --> 00:11:17.620 they need to send 00:11:17.620 --> 00:11:18.220 someone out. 00:11:18.319 --> 00:11:18.960 They need to do 00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:19.500 something 00:11:19.500 --> 00:11:21.360 about this guy 00:11:21.360 --> 00:11:22.779 who's out there 00:11:22.779 --> 00:11:23.720 in the middle 00:11:23.720 --> 00:11:24.419 of nowhere 00:11:24.419 --> 00:11:25.599 preaching, 00:11:25.839 --> 00:11:26.199 teaching, 00:11:26.360 --> 00:11:27.339 kind of administering 00:11:27.339 --> 00:11:28.839 religious rights. 00:11:30.099 --> 00:11:31.039 And so what do they do? 00:11:31.120 --> 00:11:31.759 They put together 00:11:31.759 --> 00:11:32.479 a delegation. 00:11:32.699 --> 00:11:33.799 They send some priests 00:11:33.799 --> 00:11:34.879 and some Levites 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:35.559 and as we see 00:11:35.559 --> 00:11:36.379 in verse 24, 00:11:36.620 --> 00:11:37.379 some Pharisees 00:11:37.379 --> 00:11:38.139 were among them 00:11:38.139 --> 00:11:39.719 and they send 00:11:39.719 --> 00:11:40.639 them out 00:11:40.639 --> 00:11:41.399 to John 00:11:41.399 --> 00:11:42.120 at the river 00:11:42.120 --> 00:11:42.959 to ask him, 00:11:43.120 --> 00:11:44.679 who are you? 00:11:46.679 --> 00:11:47.779 What are you up to? 00:11:47.839 --> 00:11:48.879 What are you doing here? 00:11:50.799 --> 00:11:51.639 Verse 20, 00:11:51.639 --> 00:11:53.340 again, 00:11:54.340 --> 00:11:54.960 John, 00:11:55.139 --> 00:11:56.519 the one writing this, 00:11:56.919 --> 00:11:58.139 makes it crystal clear. 00:11:59.559 --> 00:12:00.519 John the baptizer 00:12:00.519 --> 00:12:01.559 did not fail 00:12:01.559 --> 00:12:02.340 to confess 00:12:02.340 --> 00:12:03.860 but confessed freely, 00:12:04.519 --> 00:12:05.799 I am not 00:12:05.799 --> 00:12:06.559 the Messiah. 00:12:08.360 --> 00:12:09.539 That was kind of 00:12:09.539 --> 00:12:11.519 the thoughts 00:12:11.519 --> 00:12:12.179 rolling around 00:12:12.179 --> 00:12:13.379 in some people's minds. 00:12:13.779 --> 00:12:14.860 Who is this guy 00:12:14.860 --> 00:12:15.319 out there? 00:12:15.419 --> 00:12:16.960 Is he the Christ? 00:12:17.319 --> 00:12:18.240 The one that we've 00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:18.980 been waiting for, 00:12:19.080 --> 00:12:20.240 God's promised king. 00:12:20.240 --> 00:12:23.740 John the baptizer 00:12:23.740 --> 00:12:25.399 made it crystal clear, 00:12:25.620 --> 00:12:26.960 I am not. 00:12:28.100 --> 00:12:29.200 I am not 00:12:29.200 --> 00:12:30.120 the Messiah. 00:12:30.580 --> 00:12:31.419 So they asked him, 00:12:31.460 --> 00:12:31.960 who are you? 00:12:32.039 --> 00:12:32.860 Are you Elijah? 00:12:34.860 --> 00:12:36.539 Why did they ask him 00:12:36.539 --> 00:12:37.879 if he was Elijah? 00:12:39.139 --> 00:12:40.500 It's kind of a strange 00:12:40.500 --> 00:12:41.419 question. 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:46.799 Those of you 00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:48.180 who have read, 00:12:48.560 --> 00:12:49.340 spent some time 00:12:49.340 --> 00:12:50.180 in the Old Testament 00:12:50.180 --> 00:12:51.120 might know that 00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:52.660 the Israelites 00:12:52.660 --> 00:12:53.620 have not heard 00:12:53.620 --> 00:12:54.660 from the prophets 00:12:54.660 --> 00:12:55.600 in a long time. 00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:57.200 There's been no word 00:12:57.200 --> 00:12:57.620 from them. 00:12:57.879 --> 00:12:58.879 The last prophet 00:12:58.879 --> 00:12:59.879 that they heard from 00:12:59.879 --> 00:13:01.320 was the prophet Malachi. 00:13:02.280 --> 00:13:02.960 And these 00:13:02.960 --> 00:13:03.980 are the words 00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:04.600 that Malachi 00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:06.019 said 00:13:06.019 --> 00:13:07.060 that are written 00:13:07.060 --> 00:13:07.820 down for us, 00:13:07.879 --> 00:13:08.840 the very last 00:13:08.840 --> 00:13:09.980 words in his 00:13:09.980 --> 00:13:12.300 book. 00:13:13.840 --> 00:13:14.400 See, 00:13:14.560 --> 00:13:15.160 I will send 00:13:15.160 --> 00:13:16.220 the prophet Elijah 00:13:16.220 --> 00:13:16.860 to you 00:13:16.860 --> 00:13:17.899 before that great 00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:18.460 and dreadful 00:13:18.460 --> 00:13:19.200 day of the Lord 00:13:19.200 --> 00:13:19.700 comes. 00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:23.940 Elijah had already 00:13:23.940 --> 00:13:25.639 walked the earth, 00:13:26.100 --> 00:13:27.259 I think, 00:13:27.320 --> 00:13:28.440 about 400 years 00:13:28.440 --> 00:13:29.300 before this, 00:13:29.840 --> 00:13:30.500 when Malachi 00:13:30.500 --> 00:13:32.019 is saying this. 00:13:32.460 --> 00:13:33.560 And if you remember 00:13:33.560 --> 00:13:34.060 his story, 00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:34.800 he didn't die, 00:13:34.879 --> 00:13:35.620 he was taken up 00:13:35.620 --> 00:13:36.419 in a whirlwind 00:13:36.419 --> 00:13:37.659 amidst chariots 00:13:37.659 --> 00:13:38.200 of fire. 00:13:38.200 --> 00:13:39.540 But now 00:13:39.540 --> 00:13:40.740 the prophet Malachi 00:13:40.740 --> 00:13:41.960 400 years later 00:13:41.960 --> 00:13:42.360 has said, 00:13:42.480 --> 00:13:42.600 see, 00:13:42.680 --> 00:13:43.140 I will send 00:13:43.140 --> 00:13:44.060 the prophet Elijah 00:13:44.060 --> 00:13:44.759 to you 00:13:44.759 --> 00:13:46.360 before that great 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:47.300 and dreadful 00:13:47.300 --> 00:13:48.060 day of the Lord 00:13:48.060 --> 00:13:48.680 comes. 00:13:48.780 --> 00:13:49.100 And so 00:13:49.100 --> 00:13:50.000 the people 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:51.200 have some 00:13:51.200 --> 00:13:52.300 sense of anticipation 00:13:52.300 --> 00:13:53.360 because of this 00:13:53.360 --> 00:13:54.360 word from the Lord 00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:55.379 through Malachi. 00:13:56.740 --> 00:13:57.800 Maybe this guy 00:13:57.800 --> 00:13:58.940 out in the wilderness 00:13:58.940 --> 00:13:59.800 is Elijah. 00:14:01.259 --> 00:14:02.400 Just as the Lord's 00:14:02.400 --> 00:14:03.160 word has said, 00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:03.900 are you Elijah? 00:14:04.620 --> 00:14:05.680 I am not, 00:14:06.300 --> 00:14:06.960 said John. 00:14:06.960 --> 00:14:08.759 I'm not the guy 00:14:08.759 --> 00:14:10.019 spoken of there. 00:14:11.240 --> 00:14:12.440 Are you the prophet? 00:14:14.940 --> 00:14:16.220 Are you the prophet? 00:14:16.340 --> 00:14:16.940 And notice that 00:14:16.940 --> 00:14:18.840 it's the prophet 00:14:18.840 --> 00:14:21.220 and not a prophet. 00:14:21.580 --> 00:14:22.840 Are you the prophet? 00:14:23.400 --> 00:14:24.000 Who are they 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:24.759 referring to? 00:14:26.460 --> 00:14:28.379 Back in Deuteronomy 00:14:28.379 --> 00:14:29.980 chapter 18, 00:14:30.920 --> 00:14:32.220 Moses spoke 00:14:32.220 --> 00:14:34.060 of a coming prophet. 00:14:35.440 --> 00:14:36.820 This is what he said. 00:14:36.960 --> 00:14:41.540 The Lord your God 00:14:41.540 --> 00:14:42.700 will raise up for you 00:14:42.700 --> 00:14:44.040 a prophet like me 00:14:44.040 --> 00:14:45.200 from among you, 00:14:45.680 --> 00:14:46.560 from your fellow 00:14:46.560 --> 00:14:47.220 Israelites. 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:48.920 You must listen 00:14:48.920 --> 00:14:49.340 to him. 00:14:50.680 --> 00:14:51.580 And Moses, 00:14:51.840 --> 00:14:52.480 he writes this, 00:14:52.560 --> 00:14:53.519 the Lord said to me, 00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:54.620 I will raise up 00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:55.500 for them a prophet 00:14:55.500 --> 00:14:56.280 like you 00:14:56.280 --> 00:14:57.280 from among their 00:14:57.280 --> 00:14:58.060 fellow Israelites 00:14:58.060 --> 00:14:58.840 and I will put 00:14:58.840 --> 00:14:59.720 my words 00:14:59.720 --> 00:15:00.900 in his mouth. 00:15:01.860 --> 00:15:02.620 He will tell them 00:15:02.620 --> 00:15:03.160 everything 00:15:03.160 --> 00:15:04.700 I command him. 00:15:04.700 --> 00:15:08.920 this was 00:15:08.920 --> 00:15:09.820 the prophet 00:15:09.820 --> 00:15:11.160 that they were 00:15:11.160 --> 00:15:12.200 looking forward to 00:15:12.200 --> 00:15:13.740 because as far as 00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:14.520 they were concerned, 00:15:14.780 --> 00:15:15.940 he hadn't come yet. 00:15:16.160 --> 00:15:17.200 Are you that one? 00:15:17.340 --> 00:15:18.460 They asked John. 00:15:19.460 --> 00:15:20.020 No. 00:15:21.620 --> 00:15:22.480 I'm not. 00:15:23.480 --> 00:15:24.000 Finally, 00:15:24.200 --> 00:15:25.240 it almost seems 00:15:25.240 --> 00:15:26.440 that they get frustrated. 00:15:26.580 --> 00:15:26.780 Well, 00:15:26.940 --> 00:15:27.680 who are you? 00:15:27.679 --> 00:15:27.979 I mean, 00:15:28.039 --> 00:15:28.659 we've come all 00:15:28.659 --> 00:15:29.279 the way out here. 00:15:29.359 --> 00:15:30.039 We've got to give 00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:31.159 some kind of an answer 00:15:31.159 --> 00:15:32.659 to those who sent us. 00:15:32.759 --> 00:15:32.879 So, 00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:33.819 what do you say 00:15:33.819 --> 00:15:34.539 for yourself? 00:15:36.039 --> 00:15:37.000 Who would you say 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:37.659 that you are, 00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:38.179 John? 00:15:39.539 --> 00:15:40.379 And this is what 00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:41.099 John says. 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:42.759 He says, 00:15:43.259 --> 00:15:44.919 I am the voice 00:15:44.919 --> 00:15:45.559 of one 00:15:45.559 --> 00:15:46.359 calling 00:15:46.359 --> 00:15:47.419 in the wilderness. 00:15:48.539 --> 00:15:48.939 Make 00:15:48.939 --> 00:15:49.679 straight 00:15:49.679 --> 00:15:50.299 the way 00:15:50.299 --> 00:15:51.299 for the Lord. 00:15:51.299 --> 00:15:54.219 John takes 00:15:54.219 --> 00:15:55.179 up the words 00:15:55.179 --> 00:15:55.979 of Isaiah, 00:15:55.979 --> 00:15:57.120 the prophet, 00:15:57.879 --> 00:15:59.240 as if 00:15:59.240 --> 00:16:00.279 he himself 00:16:00.279 --> 00:16:01.620 is the one 00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:02.500 spoken of 00:16:02.500 --> 00:16:04.039 by Isaiah. 00:16:04.599 --> 00:16:06.039 I am 00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:07.240 the voice. 00:16:07.959 --> 00:16:09.699 I'm out here 00:16:09.699 --> 00:16:10.599 in the wilderness 00:16:10.599 --> 00:16:11.899 and I'm calling 00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:14.139 and my message 00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:14.959 is this. 00:16:16.579 --> 00:16:17.519 Make 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:18.319 straight 00:16:18.319 --> 00:16:19.219 the way 00:16:19.220 --> 00:16:21.240 for the Lord. 00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:24.800 I get 00:16:24.800 --> 00:16:26.240 chills 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:27.139 just thinking 00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:27.820 about John 00:16:27.820 --> 00:16:28.759 saying those 00:16:28.759 --> 00:16:29.259 words 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:30.340 as he's 00:16:30.340 --> 00:16:30.980 out there 00:16:30.980 --> 00:16:32.320 having this 00:16:32.320 --> 00:16:33.480 face-to-face 00:16:33.480 --> 00:16:34.300 with them. 00:16:36.040 --> 00:16:37.000 We can't 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:37.460 see this 00:16:37.460 --> 00:16:37.779 in 00:16:37.779 --> 00:16:39.500 our English 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:40.200 translations 00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:40.899 here in 00:16:40.899 --> 00:16:41.500 John, 00:16:41.720 --> 00:16:42.660 but if we go 00:16:42.660 --> 00:16:43.399 back to those 00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:44.139 words that 00:16:44.139 --> 00:16:44.960 John is 00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:45.360 quoting, 00:16:45.960 --> 00:16:46.800 we can see 00:16:46.800 --> 00:16:47.240 it very 00:16:47.240 --> 00:16:47.700 clearly. 00:16:48.340 --> 00:16:48.740 It's 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:49.379 make 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:50.019 straight 00:16:50.019 --> 00:16:50.700 the way 00:16:50.700 --> 00:16:51.820 for 00:16:51.820 --> 00:16:52.899 the Lord. 00:16:54.899 --> 00:16:55.799 As in 00:16:55.799 --> 00:16:56.820 the name 00:16:56.820 --> 00:16:57.299 of God, 00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:57.899 the divine 00:16:57.899 --> 00:16:58.259 name, 00:16:58.379 --> 00:16:59.000 the Lord, 00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:00.120 Yahweh, 00:17:00.720 --> 00:17:01.200 make 00:17:01.200 --> 00:17:02.060 straight 00:17:02.060 --> 00:17:03.240 the way 00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:05.140 for Yahweh, 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:07.759 for God 00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:08.359 himself. 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:09.599 Get 00:17:09.599 --> 00:17:10.059 ready. 00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:11.620 God 00:17:11.620 --> 00:17:12.339 is 00:17:12.339 --> 00:17:13.099 coming. 00:17:15.420 --> 00:17:16.059 Make 00:17:16.059 --> 00:17:16.640 the path 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:17.140 straight 00:17:17.140 --> 00:17:17.680 for him. 00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:19.860 he's 00:17:19.860 --> 00:17:20.340 coming. 00:17:25.500 --> 00:17:26.240 This is 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:26.580 who I 00:17:26.580 --> 00:17:26.799 am. 00:17:26.900 --> 00:17:27.200 I'm the 00:17:27.200 --> 00:17:28.160 guy who 00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:28.460 has been 00:17:28.460 --> 00:17:29.340 sent to 00:17:29.340 --> 00:17:29.799 announce 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:30.220 this, 00:17:30.539 --> 00:17:31.340 to get 00:17:31.340 --> 00:17:32.160 people ready 00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:32.920 for his 00:17:32.920 --> 00:17:33.299 coming. 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:36.600 Whether 00:17:36.600 --> 00:17:37.779 this really 00:17:37.779 --> 00:17:38.259 struck a 00:17:38.259 --> 00:17:38.680 chord in 00:17:38.680 --> 00:17:39.060 the hearts 00:17:39.060 --> 00:17:39.420 of the 00:17:39.420 --> 00:17:39.759 religious 00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:40.380 leaders or 00:17:40.380 --> 00:17:40.700 not, 00:17:40.840 --> 00:17:41.539 we don't 00:17:41.539 --> 00:17:41.880 know. 00:17:41.880 --> 00:17:42.720 but in 00:17:42.720 --> 00:17:43.500 verse 24 00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:46.180 we find 00:17:46.180 --> 00:17:46.600 out what 00:17:46.600 --> 00:17:47.580 else was 00:17:47.580 --> 00:17:48.140 said there. 00:17:48.260 --> 00:17:48.380 The 00:17:48.380 --> 00:17:49.140 Pharisees, 00:17:49.540 --> 00:17:50.740 verse 24, 00:17:50.840 --> 00:17:51.120 now the 00:17:51.120 --> 00:17:51.880 Pharisees who 00:17:51.880 --> 00:17:52.220 had been 00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:52.620 sent 00:17:52.620 --> 00:17:53.540 questioned 00:17:53.540 --> 00:17:54.200 John, 00:17:55.160 --> 00:17:56.600 why then 00:17:56.600 --> 00:17:56.960 do you 00:17:56.960 --> 00:17:57.720 baptize 00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:58.740 if you 00:17:58.740 --> 00:17:59.240 are not 00:17:59.240 --> 00:17:59.480 the 00:17:59.480 --> 00:17:59.920 Messiah, 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:01.100 nor 00:18:01.100 --> 00:18:01.740 Elijah, 00:18:02.520 --> 00:18:03.160 nor the 00:18:03.160 --> 00:18:03.480 prophet? 00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:05.400 And there's 00:18:05.400 --> 00:18:05.860 a bit of a 00:18:05.860 --> 00:18:06.420 sense of a 00:18:06.420 --> 00:18:07.099 challenge here 00:18:07.099 --> 00:18:07.759 almost in 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:07.980 this. 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:09.279 So why are 00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:09.740 you doing 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.000 this? 00:18:10.079 --> 00:18:10.400 Why are 00:18:10.400 --> 00:18:11.220 you baptizing 00:18:11.220 --> 00:18:11.640 if you're 00:18:11.640 --> 00:18:12.339 not the 00:18:12.339 --> 00:18:12.799 Messiah, 00:18:13.339 --> 00:18:14.240 the prophet, 00:18:14.559 --> 00:18:15.140 or Elijah? 00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:15.460 If you're 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:15.779 none of 00:18:15.779 --> 00:18:16.200 these big 00:18:16.200 --> 00:18:16.680 three, 00:18:16.940 --> 00:18:18.120 then who 00:18:18.120 --> 00:18:18.519 are you 00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:18.819 and what 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:19.059 are you 00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:19.640 doing here? 00:18:20.140 --> 00:18:20.640 Who gave 00:18:20.640 --> 00:18:21.220 you authority 00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:22.519 to be doing 00:18:22.519 --> 00:18:22.940 this? 00:18:24.259 --> 00:18:24.980 This is 00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:25.700 John's answer 00:18:25.700 --> 00:18:26.660 in verse 26. 00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:27.099 He says, 00:18:27.099 --> 00:18:28.039 I baptize 00:18:28.039 --> 00:18:28.679 with water, 00:18:29.719 --> 00:18:30.399 John replied, 00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:31.619 but among 00:18:31.619 --> 00:18:32.980 you stands 00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:34.019 one you 00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:34.459 do not 00:18:34.459 --> 00:18:34.799 know. 00:18:35.859 --> 00:18:36.639 He is 00:18:36.639 --> 00:18:37.079 the one 00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:37.639 who comes 00:18:37.639 --> 00:18:38.299 after me, 00:18:38.859 --> 00:18:39.579 the straps 00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:40.419 of whose 00:18:40.419 --> 00:18:42.139 sandals I 00:18:42.139 --> 00:18:42.679 am not 00:18:42.679 --> 00:18:43.299 worthy 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:45.079 to untie. 00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:48.339 John's 00:18:48.339 --> 00:18:48.919 answer 00:18:48.919 --> 00:18:49.639 is 00:18:49.639 --> 00:18:50.480 remarkable. 00:18:52.699 --> 00:18:53.419 You're 00:18:53.419 --> 00:18:54.079 asking me 00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:54.719 what I'm 00:18:54.719 --> 00:18:54.980 doing 00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:55.799 baptizing. 00:18:56.319 --> 00:18:56.579 Here I 00:18:56.579 --> 00:18:56.839 am, 00:18:57.099 --> 00:18:57.740 baptizing 00:18:57.740 --> 00:18:58.359 people in 00:18:58.359 --> 00:18:58.839 the water, 00:18:59.659 --> 00:19:01.759 but right 00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:03.179 now there 00:19:03.179 --> 00:19:03.899 is one 00:19:03.899 --> 00:19:04.599 who stands 00:19:04.599 --> 00:19:05.259 among you, 00:19:05.619 --> 00:19:06.319 the one 00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:06.679 that I 00:19:06.679 --> 00:19:07.199 have been 00:19:07.199 --> 00:19:08.939 sent to 00:19:08.939 --> 00:19:10.519 testify about. 00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:11.619 You don't 00:19:11.619 --> 00:19:12.059 know him, 00:19:12.139 --> 00:19:12.559 you haven't 00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:13.139 seen him 00:19:13.139 --> 00:19:13.339 yet, 00:19:13.439 --> 00:19:14.079 but right 00:19:14.079 --> 00:19:14.779 now here 00:19:14.779 --> 00:19:15.779 he stands 00:19:15.779 --> 00:19:16.919 among you. 00:19:21.659 --> 00:19:22.579 And this 00:19:22.579 --> 00:19:24.099 one who 00:19:24.099 --> 00:19:24.759 comes after 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:25.059 me, 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:27.559 I'm not 00:19:27.559 --> 00:19:27.799 even 00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:28.339 worthy 00:19:28.339 --> 00:19:30.339 to bend 00:19:30.339 --> 00:19:31.200 down before 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:31.700 him and 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:32.480 untie his 00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:32.980 shoes. 00:19:36.639 --> 00:19:37.480 What an 00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:37.879 amazing 00:19:37.879 --> 00:19:39.200 thing for 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:40.139 John to 00:19:40.139 --> 00:19:40.500 say. 00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:44.179 John knows 00:19:44.179 --> 00:19:45.379 who he has 00:19:45.379 --> 00:19:46.039 come to 00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:47.059 testify about. 00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:47.159 God, 00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:50.159 he has 00:19:50.159 --> 00:19:51.740 come to 00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:52.460 tell people 00:19:52.460 --> 00:19:53.099 to get 00:19:53.099 --> 00:19:55.480 ready because 00:19:55.480 --> 00:19:56.179 the Lord 00:19:56.179 --> 00:19:57.519 is coming. 00:19:58.240 --> 00:19:58.759 Yahweh, 00:19:59.019 --> 00:20:00.039 God is 00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:00.440 coming. 00:20:00.599 --> 00:20:01.139 That's who 00:20:01.139 --> 00:20:02.079 this one 00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:02.839 is. 00:20:04.119 --> 00:20:04.919 That's why 00:20:04.919 --> 00:20:05.539 John says, 00:20:05.639 --> 00:20:06.179 I'm not even 00:20:06.179 --> 00:20:06.940 worthy to 00:20:06.940 --> 00:20:07.700 bend down 00:20:07.700 --> 00:20:08.679 and untie 00:20:08.679 --> 00:20:09.519 his shoes. 00:20:10.259 --> 00:20:11.179 He has a 00:20:11.179 --> 00:20:11.899 sense already 00:20:11.899 --> 00:20:12.440 of just 00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:13.619 how worthy 00:20:13.619 --> 00:20:15.879 Jesus is. 00:20:16.859 --> 00:20:17.479 He's the 00:20:17.479 --> 00:20:17.859 one who 00:20:17.859 --> 00:20:18.619 was before 00:20:18.619 --> 00:20:19.000 me. 00:20:20.079 --> 00:20:20.639 He's, 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:21.439 he ranks 00:20:21.439 --> 00:20:22.399 higher than 00:20:22.399 --> 00:20:22.579 I. 00:20:22.639 --> 00:20:23.119 He is so 00:20:23.119 --> 00:20:23.639 much greater 00:20:23.639 --> 00:20:24.199 than me. 00:20:25.139 --> 00:20:25.859 I'm here 00:20:25.859 --> 00:20:26.339 like a 00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:27.000 forerunner. 00:20:27.279 --> 00:20:27.899 I'm here 00:20:27.899 --> 00:20:28.359 like a 00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:29.000 guy to 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:29.759 get people 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:30.219 ready 00:20:30.219 --> 00:20:32.219 for his 00:20:32.219 --> 00:20:32.659 coming. 00:20:32.660 --> 00:20:38.600 this is 00:20:38.600 --> 00:20:38.980 how the 00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:39.700 story of 00:20:39.700 --> 00:20:40.080 Jesus 00:20:40.080 --> 00:20:41.620 begins 00:20:41.620 --> 00:20:42.480 according to 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:43.380 John and 00:20:43.380 --> 00:20:43.680 we're going 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:44.960 to hear 00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:45.860 more next 00:20:45.860 --> 00:20:46.279 Sunday 00:20:46.279 --> 00:20:48.019 about 00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:50.000 Jesus as 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:51.140 he comes 00:20:51.140 --> 00:20:51.660 on the 00:20:51.660 --> 00:20:52.960 scene for 00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:53.360 the first 00:20:53.360 --> 00:20:53.900 time in 00:20:53.900 --> 00:20:54.480 all of 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:54.800 this. 00:20:56.400 --> 00:20:56.880 But as 00:20:56.880 --> 00:20:57.100 I was 00:20:57.100 --> 00:20:57.680 thinking about 00:20:57.680 --> 00:20:58.380 this this 00:20:58.380 --> 00:20:58.720 week, 00:20:59.240 --> 00:21:00.420 the thing 00:21:00.420 --> 00:21:01.040 that really 00:21:01.040 --> 00:21:02.640 struck my 00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:03.860 heart was 00:21:03.860 --> 00:21:04.980 just that 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:05.800 attitude of 00:21:05.800 --> 00:21:07.340 humility that 00:21:07.340 --> 00:21:08.460 John the 00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:09.500 baptizer had 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:11.460 that sense 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:12.280 of awe 00:21:12.280 --> 00:21:14.140 that he had 00:21:14.140 --> 00:21:15.220 about the 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:15.700 one who 00:21:15.700 --> 00:21:16.300 was coming. 00:21:16.900 --> 00:21:17.860 He hadn't 00:21:17.860 --> 00:21:19.060 even seen 00:21:19.060 --> 00:21:19.780 him face to 00:21:19.780 --> 00:21:20.440 face yet. 00:21:21.420 --> 00:21:22.540 And yet he 00:21:22.540 --> 00:21:24.240 knew this 00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:24.759 one, 00:21:25.360 --> 00:21:26.700 this one is 00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:27.200 special. 00:21:27.320 --> 00:21:28.540 He is the 00:21:28.540 --> 00:21:28.960 Lord. 00:21:28.960 --> 00:21:29.019 Lord. 00:21:30.900 --> 00:21:31.759 He is 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.740 greater than 00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:33.100 I. 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:33.660 I'm not 00:21:33.660 --> 00:21:34.380 even worthy 00:21:34.380 --> 00:21:35.340 to bend 00:21:35.340 --> 00:21:35.980 down and 00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:36.920 be in his 00:21:36.920 --> 00:21:37.740 presence to 00:21:37.740 --> 00:21:38.600 untie his 00:21:38.600 --> 00:21:39.240 shoes to 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:39.860 serve him in 00:21:39.860 --> 00:21:40.200 the most 00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:41.000 menial of 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:41.460 ways. 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:46.319 And then to 00:21:46.319 --> 00:21:46.940 think that 00:21:46.940 --> 00:21:48.779 not too much 00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:49.559 later Jesus 00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:50.500 will come 00:21:50.500 --> 00:21:51.900 walking along. 00:21:51.900 --> 00:21:55.100 this is the 00:21:55.100 --> 00:21:55.820 attitude that 00:21:55.820 --> 00:21:56.420 John had 00:21:56.420 --> 00:21:57.040 towards this 00:21:57.040 --> 00:21:57.720 person who 00:21:57.720 --> 00:21:58.820 who looked 00:21:58.820 --> 00:21:59.420 just like 00:21:59.420 --> 00:22:00.420 one of us 00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:02.060 to the 00:22:02.060 --> 00:22:02.360 eye. 00:22:05.360 --> 00:22:06.060 And the 00:22:06.060 --> 00:22:06.480 thing that 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:07.120 I felt 00:22:07.120 --> 00:22:09.240 I just 00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:09.680 needed to 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:10.340 really reflect 00:22:10.340 --> 00:22:10.759 on is, 00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:12.340 is that my 00:22:12.340 --> 00:22:12.940 attitude 00:22:12.940 --> 00:22:14.480 towards the 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:14.740 Lord? 00:22:16.600 --> 00:22:17.640 This one who 00:22:17.640 --> 00:22:18.560 is so worthy, 00:22:19.080 --> 00:22:20.040 so great, 00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:22.220 that I'm 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:22.619 not even 00:22:22.619 --> 00:22:23.559 worthy to 00:22:23.559 --> 00:22:24.159 serve him 00:22:24.159 --> 00:22:25.139 in the 00:22:25.139 --> 00:22:25.799 smallest of 00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.180 ways. 00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:28.139 For he 00:22:28.139 --> 00:22:28.859 is the 00:22:28.859 --> 00:22:29.200 Lord. 00:22:29.379 --> 00:22:30.079 He is 00:22:30.079 --> 00:22:30.859 God. 00:22:34.720 --> 00:22:35.500 What would 00:22:35.500 --> 00:22:36.839 our church 00:22:36.839 --> 00:22:37.639 look like if 00:22:37.639 --> 00:22:38.559 more of that 00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:39.920 awe and 00:22:39.920 --> 00:22:40.759 humility were 00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.379 present in 00:22:41.379 --> 00:22:42.019 each one of 00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:42.299 us? 00:22:45.059 --> 00:22:46.059 Last Sunday, 00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:47.700 I encouraged 00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:48.319 us to make 00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:48.579 it our 00:22:48.579 --> 00:22:49.940 prayer and 00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:50.420 our longing 00:22:50.420 --> 00:22:50.880 for this 00:22:50.880 --> 00:22:51.880 entire year 00:22:51.880 --> 00:22:53.220 that we 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:54.880 would see 00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:55.820 more of 00:22:55.820 --> 00:22:56.259 God's 00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:56.700 glory, 00:22:57.279 --> 00:22:57.840 specifically 00:22:57.840 --> 00:22:58.700 the glory 00:22:58.700 --> 00:22:59.340 of Jesus, 00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:00.180 because that's 00:23:00.180 --> 00:23:00.600 what John 00:23:00.600 --> 00:23:01.039 said. 00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:02.059 He said, 00:23:02.320 --> 00:23:02.940 we have 00:23:02.940 --> 00:23:03.559 seen his 00:23:03.559 --> 00:23:04.039 glory. 00:23:05.900 --> 00:23:06.820 John gives 00:23:06.820 --> 00:23:07.480 us a glimpse 00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:08.580 of just how 00:23:08.580 --> 00:23:10.120 glorious this 00:23:10.120 --> 00:23:11.279 one is, 00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:12.500 even before 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:13.019 he saw 00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:13.299 him. 00:23:14.660 --> 00:23:15.279 And my 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:15.799 hope and my 00:23:15.799 --> 00:23:16.440 prayer is that 00:23:16.440 --> 00:23:16.920 as we go 00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:17.299 through, 00:23:17.660 --> 00:23:18.759 not only this 00:23:18.759 --> 00:23:20.059 week, but 00:23:20.059 --> 00:23:20.460 this whole 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:22.420 year, that 00:23:22.420 --> 00:23:22.859 we would 00:23:22.859 --> 00:23:23.720 come to 00:23:23.720 --> 00:23:25.140 know Christ, 00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:26.160 the Lord 00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:27.779 Jesus, more 00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:28.359 and more for 00:23:28.359 --> 00:23:28.960 who he is, 00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:29.500 and that as 00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:30.180 we do, this 00:23:30.180 --> 00:23:30.839 kind of an 00:23:30.839 --> 00:23:31.799 awe and 00:23:31.799 --> 00:23:32.599 humility that 00:23:32.599 --> 00:23:33.339 John had 00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:35.079 would be 00:23:35.079 --> 00:23:35.900 present, would 00:23:35.900 --> 00:23:37.220 grow in our 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:37.619 hearts. 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:40.660 And that as 00:23:40.660 --> 00:23:42.000 it does, that 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:42.940 would spill over 00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:43.839 and out into 00:23:43.839 --> 00:23:44.519 all of our 00:23:44.519 --> 00:23:45.599 connections with 00:23:45.599 --> 00:23:46.339 other people, 00:23:46.339 --> 00:23:46.980 that they 00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:47.599 would see that 00:23:47.599 --> 00:23:48.139 we are a 00:23:48.139 --> 00:23:48.679 people who 00:23:48.679 --> 00:23:49.659 truly have 00:23:49.659 --> 00:23:52.559 awe, see 00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:54.240 someone that 00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:54.939 we don't see 00:23:54.939 --> 00:23:55.559 now as 00:23:55.559 --> 00:23:56.159 glorious. 00:23:57.799 --> 00:23:58.500 What a 00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:59.179 testimony to 00:23:59.179 --> 00:23:59.839 this community 00:23:59.839 --> 00:24:00.819 that would 00:24:00.819 --> 00:24:01.059 be. 00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:04.519 Let's pray. 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:12.240 Father in 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:12.919 heaven, we 00:24:12.919 --> 00:24:14.139 do ask you 00:24:14.140 --> 00:24:15.200 now as 00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:15.600 we've heard 00:24:15.600 --> 00:24:16.280 your word, we 00:24:16.280 --> 00:24:17.040 ask that you 00:24:17.040 --> 00:24:18.280 would work 00:24:18.280 --> 00:24:18.900 in our 00:24:18.900 --> 00:24:20.020 hearts this 00:24:20.020 --> 00:24:20.740 kind of awe 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:21.259 and humility 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:21.960 that we see 00:24:21.960 --> 00:24:22.460 in John. 00:24:23.540 --> 00:24:25.040 He had a 00:24:25.040 --> 00:24:25.780 right view of 00:24:25.780 --> 00:24:26.020 you. 00:24:27.820 --> 00:24:29.160 And Lord, we 00:24:29.160 --> 00:24:29.800 confess so 00:24:29.800 --> 00:24:30.480 often we come 00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:30.800 to you 00:24:30.800 --> 00:24:31.600 cavalierly. 00:24:32.160 --> 00:24:32.960 We just 00:24:32.960 --> 00:24:33.759 throw up some 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:34.460 prayers and 00:24:34.460 --> 00:24:35.100 we don't 00:24:35.100 --> 00:24:36.620 really have 00:24:36.620 --> 00:24:38.259 that sense 00:24:38.259 --> 00:24:39.580 of awe as 00:24:39.580 --> 00:24:40.240 we approach, 00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:43.019 that sense 00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:43.620 of who 00:24:43.620 --> 00:24:44.200 you truly 00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:44.519 are. 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:45.359 You are 00:24:45.359 --> 00:24:46.460 the one 00:24:46.460 --> 00:24:47.759 who was 00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:48.380 with God 00:24:48.380 --> 00:24:48.900 and was 00:24:48.900 --> 00:24:50.339 God in 00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:50.880 the beginning 00:24:50.880 --> 00:24:51.480 and through 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:52.039 you all 00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:52.740 things were 00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:53.099 made. 00:24:55.099 --> 00:24:55.839 Fill our 00:24:55.839 --> 00:24:56.339 hearts with 00:24:56.339 --> 00:24:56.660 awe. 00:24:57.299 --> 00:24:57.819 Teach us 00:24:57.819 --> 00:24:58.599 to fear you 00:24:58.599 --> 00:24:58.940 the way 00:24:58.940 --> 00:24:59.400 that you 00:24:59.400 --> 00:25:00.519 deserve 00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:02.460 for your 00:25:02.460 --> 00:25:02.819 glory. 00:25:03.559 --> 00:25:04.039 We ask 00:25:04.039 --> 00:25:04.380 this in 00:25:04.380 --> 00:25:04.839 Christ's 00:25:04.839 --> 00:25:05.019 name. 00:25:06.160 --> 00:25:06.460 Amen. 00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:06.579 Amen. 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:06.599 Amen. 00:25:06.599 --> 00:25:06.640 Amen. 00:25:06.640 --> 00:25:06.660 Amen.