Matthew 11:11

I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:31-34, ESV)

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” (Matthew 11:2-6, ESV)

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ (Matthew 11:7-10, ESV)

“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 3:1, ESV) “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. (Malachi 4:5, ESV)

 He was great as a man

Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. (Matthew 3:4, ESV) Voluntarily lived a life of simplicity For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” (Matthew 14:3-4, ESV) Showed courage to face King Herod

And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:26-30, ESV) At his peak he humbly deferred to the newcomer.

 He was great as a man  He was great as a prophet

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:1-2, ESV) Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, (Matthew 3:5, ESV) His influence drew crowds to the wilderness. and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.(Matthew 3:6, ESV) His preaching led them to confess their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. (Matthew 3:7-8, ESV) His courage would not let him weaken the message

 He was great as a man  He was great as a prophet  He was great in preparing the way for Christ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. (John 1:6-7, ESV) This was his mission

These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ (John 1:28-30, ESV) He pointed men toward Jesus  He was great as a man  He was great as a prophet  He was great in preparing the way for Christ

 We have greater knowledge But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. (Matthew 13:16-17, ESV)

 We have greater knowledge “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. (John 16:12-13, ESV)

 We have greater knowledge The story of the cross Nature of the kingdom Establishment of the kingdom ‘mystery’ revealed Grace revealed Price paid for all …to name few

 We have greater knowledge  We have a greater place in this life He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us tothe kingdom of his beloved Son, (Colossians 1:13, ESV) We are citizens of the the kingdom

 We have greater knowledge  We have a greater place in this life But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)

 We have greater knowledge  We have a greater place in this life  We enjoy greater privileges On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:37-39, ESV)

 We have greater knowledge  We have a greater place in this life  We enjoy greater privileges so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. (Romans 12:5, ESV) We part of a fellowhip of love, gratitude, and even suffering

 We have greater knowledge  We have a greater place in this life  We enjoy greater privileges …there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. (Mark 10:29-30, ESV) We are part of a family

 We have greater knowledge  We have a greater place in this life  We enjoy greater privileges From the book of Hebrews… Better sacrifice, Better High Priest Better priesthood, Better covenant Better hope, Better promises

 In knowledge of Jesus Christ  In our place with Jesus Christ  In privileges offered by Jesus Christ “We find from this passage that all true greatness arises from association, relation, and contact with Jesus Christ.” -J.W. McGarvey THE FOURFOLD GOSPEL