The Fuel and Focus of Witnessing John 1:6-9

Elijah and the 450 Prophets of Baal King Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God…to anger than all the kings of Israel 1 Kings 16:33

John 1:1-3 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. 6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John

John 1:7-9 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

John the Baptist, like Elijah John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey Matt 3:4

John the Baptist, like Elijah But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming …, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Matt 3:7

What made his fire waterproof? John the Baptist What made his fire waterproof? And what does this mean for us as witnesses of Christ too?

1. The Fuel of his fire was God

1. The Fuel of his fire was God He was FROM God in every way “There came a man who was sent from God” (6) “Through [the Word] all things were made” (3)

1. The Fuel of his fire was God He was FROM God in every way “There came a man who was sent from God” (6) “Through [the Word] all things were made” (3) He was God’s missionary

1. The Fuel of his fire was God God had prophesied about him Isaiah, 170 years after Elijah

1. The Fuel of his fire was God God had prophesied about him Isaiah, 170 years after Elijah A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Isa 40:3

1. The Fuel of his fire was God God had prophesied about him Isaiah, 170 years after Elijah Malachi, 260 years after Isaiah

1. The Fuel of his fire was God God had prophesied about him Isaiah, 170 years after Elijah Malachi, 260 years after Isaiah "See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple” Mal 3:1

1. The Fuel of his fire was God His ministry was very effective. Many believed that he was indeed sent by God.

1. The Fuel of his fire was God His ministry was very effective. Many believed that he was indeed sent by God. he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. Many … will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah

1. The Fuel of his fire was God The LORD of hosts has sworn: "As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand Isaiah 14:22

2. His focus was God 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

He went willingly as a witness for God, knowing God had sent him 2. His focus was God He went willingly as a witness for God, knowing God had sent him

He went willingly as a witness for God, knowing God had sent him 2. His focus was God He went willingly as a witness for God, knowing God had sent him “He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.”

Title? Job? Goal? 2. His focus was God I am a Witness of the Light. I must Testify to the Light. Goal? That others will hear this testimony of the Light and believe

God was both behind him and before him. God was the Fuel and the Focus 2. His focus was God Title? I am a Witness of the Light. Job? I must Testify to the Light. Goal? That others will hear this testimony of the Light and believe God was both behind him and before him. God was the Fuel and the Focus

You are the light of the world. Application You are the light of the world. Matt 5:14

You are the light of the world. Application The Church Obadiah Joel Jonah Amos Hosea Isaiah Micah … Malachi 500 72 disciples John The Baptist 12 400BC You are the light of the world. Matt 5:14

What makes our Fire Waterproof? 1. If you are in the Light, know that God has appointed you to be His missionary. He is the fuel behind you. 2. Let your identity be “Christ’s witness”. Let Him be the focus ahead of you.