Written by the Apostle John in the 90’s. Gospel of John

Written by the Apostle John in the 90’s. Unlike the “Synoptic” Gospels. Written by the Apostle John in the 90’s. Unlike the “Synoptic” Gospels. Gospel of John

Written by the Apostle John in the 90’s. Unlike the “Synoptic” Gospels. Seven signs, seven “I am” statements. Written by the Apostle John in the 90’s. Unlike the “Synoptic” Gospels. Seven signs, seven “I am” statements. Gospel of John

Written by the Apostle John in the 90’s. Unlike the “Synoptic” Gospels. Seven signs, seven “I am” statements. Upper room discourse, high priestly prayer. Written by the Apostle John in the 90’s. Unlike the “Synoptic” Gospels. Seven signs, seven “I am” statements. Upper room discourse, high priestly prayer. Gospel of John

Written by the Apostle John in the 90’s. Unlike the “Synoptic” Gospels. Seven signs, seven “I am” statements. Upper room discourse, high priestly prayer. Written so “you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” Written by the Apostle John in the 90’s. Unlike the “Synoptic” Gospels. Seven signs, seven “I am” statements. Upper room discourse, high priestly prayer. Written so “you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” Gospel of John

Written by the Apostle John in the 90’s. Unlike the “Synoptic” Gospels. Seven signs, seven “I am” statements. Upper room discourse, high priestly prayer. Written so “you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” Eyewitness testimonies. Written by the Apostle John in the 90’s. Unlike the “Synoptic” Gospels. Seven signs, seven “I am” statements. Upper room discourse, high priestly prayer. Written so “you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” Eyewitness testimonies. Gospel of John

Eyewitness Testimony of John T. Baptist

Witnesses are voices for God

19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed – he did not deny but confessed – “I am not the Christ!” 21 So they asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not!” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No!” 22 Then they said to him, “Who are you? Tell us so that we can give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” John 1:19-28 (NET Bible)

23 John said, “I am the voice of one shouting in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” 24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 So they asked John, “Why then are you baptizing if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not recognize, 27 who is coming after me. I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal!” 28 These things happened in Bethany across the Jordan River where John was baptizing. John 1:19-28 (NET Bible)

Eyewitness Testimony of John T. Baptist “Interestingly in response to their questions John’s answers were progressively shorter: I am not the Christ; I am not; No. He did not want to talk about himself, for his function was to point to Another.” –BKC “Interestingly in response to their questions John’s answers were progressively shorter: I am not the Christ; I am not; No. He did not want to talk about himself, for his function was to point to Another.” –BKC

Eyewitness Testimony of John T. Baptist “The story begins to show just how unselfish and “ambitionless” for himself John the Witness really was.” –NAC “The story begins to show just how unselfish and “ambitionless” for himself John the Witness really was.” –NAC

6 A man came, sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that everyone might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. John 1:6-8 (NET Bible)

Eyewitness Testimony of John T. Baptist Witnesses are voices for God

Eyewitness Testimony of John T. Baptist Witnesses are voices for God Witnesses testify about Jesus’ Person and Work Witnesses are voices for God Witnesses testify about Jesus’ Person and Work

29 On the next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one about whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who is greater than I am, because he existed before me.’ 31 I did not recognize him, but I came baptizing with water so that he could be revealed to Israel.” John 1:29-34 (NET Bible)

32 Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending like a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. 33 And I did not recognize him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining – this is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have both seen and testified that this man is the Chosen One of God.” John 1:29-34 (NET Bible)

Person of Christ “he existed before me” “this man is the Chosen One of God” Person of Christ “he existed before me” “this man is the Chosen One of God” Eyewitness Testimony of John T. Baptist

Work of Christ “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” Work of Christ “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”

Eyewitness Testimony of John T. Baptist Witnesses are voices for God Witnesses testify about Jesus’ Person and Work Witnesses are voices for God Witnesses testify about Jesus’ Person and Work

Eyewitness Testimony of John T. Baptist Witnesses are voices for God Witnesses testify about Jesus’ Person and Work Witnesses invite people to follow Jesus Witnesses are voices for God Witnesses testify about Jesus’ Person and Work Witnesses invite people to follow Jesus

35 Again the next day John was standing there with two of his disciples. 36 Gazing at Jesus as he walked by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” 37 When John’s two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. John 1:35-37 (NET Bible)

25 Now a dispute came about between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew concerning ceremonial washing. 26 So they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you on the other side of the Jordan River, about whom you testified – see, he is baptizing, and everyone is flocking to him!” John 3:25-30 (NET Bible)

27 John replied, “No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but rather, ‘I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. This then is my joy, and it is complete. 30 He must become more important while I become less important.” John 3:25-30 (NET Bible)

Eyewitness Testimony of John T. Baptist “He must increase, but I must decrease.” –John T. Baptist “He must increase, but I must decrease.” –John T. Baptist

Eyewitness Testimony of John T. Baptist “Christ does not exist to make much of us. We exist in order to enjoy making much of Him.” -John Piper “Christ does not exist to make much of us. We exist in order to enjoy making much of Him.” -John Piper

Read/study John 1-2. Are you intentionally decreasing so that Jesus might increase? Does your life point others to Jesus? Are you a verbal and non-verbal witness for Christ? Can you name people who are following Jesus because of you? Read/study John 1-2. Are you intentionally decreasing so that Jesus might increase? Does your life point others to Jesus? Are you a verbal and non-verbal witness for Christ? Can you name people who are following Jesus because of you? Application